ITINERARY

DAY 1 THURSDAY – CAIRNS, CAPE TRIBULATION, COOKTOWN AREA (LD)

Your tour starts with an early morning pick up from your Hotel/Motel accommodation. We drive through the pristine Daintree Rainforests and over the soaring verdant heights of the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown. A step back in time as we explore this historic port.

DAY 2 FRIDAY – LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK (BD)

A morning of sightseeing and viewing significant landmarks and sites so important to all Australians. (Lunch at own cost today) We travel via the rugged Battlecamp Range, pioneer cattle stations and the old coach road to arrive at the massive wildlife haven, Lakefield National Park.

DAY 3 SATURDAY – MUSGRAVE, COEN, ARCHER RIVER (BLD)

Historic interludes as we visit the last Telegraph Station on Cape York, Musgrave, and the once vibrant gold rush town of Coen, before reaching our overnight stop at the Archer River.

DAY 4 SUNDAY – IRON RANGE NATIONAL PARK (BLD)

Cross the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozer’s Gap. This park features the largest area of tropical lowland rainforest remaining in Australia. Rare fauna and flora include cuscus, palm cockatoos, eclectus parrots, green pythons, palms and orchids. There is also impressive coastal and mountain range scenery. Overnight camp in Iron Range next 2 nights.

DAY 5 MONDAY – PORTLAND ROADS, CHILLI BEACH, WW2 SITES (BLD)

An exiting day visiting significant historical sites and breathtaking coastal scenery. Portland Roads, once a vital sea port for miners and the wartime airfields, now affords the locals a relaxed lifestyle in an idyllic tropical setting. War time gun emplacements are silent sentinels around the headland; some are homes to the locals at the ‘Roads. Chilli Beach is wide and long and fringed with palms. A truly magical spot overlooking Restoration Island, Bligh’s landing site in 1792. We explore and learn about the gold workings of the 1930′s and the area around the airfield at Iron Range where there were major military installations.

DAY 6 TUESDAY – BATAVIA GOLDFIELDS, WEIPA (BLD)

Travel west to visit the old Batavia Gold Fields, an abandoned mining town. Then travel North by West across Piccaninny Plains and boundless savannah to Weipa, on the Gulf of Carpentaria. A veritable “Oasis in the wilderness” and providing further contrast to your experience of this last frontier.

DAY 7 WEDNESDAY – WENLOCK RIVER, MORETON STATION (BD)

In the cool of the morning, an optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost, as is lunch). With the Gulf of Carpentaria behind us, we pass through huge cattle runs to arrive at the fast flowing Wenlock River. Overnight camp at Moreton Telegraph Station.

DAY 8 THURSDAY – TELEGRAPH ROAD, TWIN FALLS(BLD)

A really challenging route today as we ford fast flowing streams and traverse rugged 4WD roads to overnight at the ideallic Twin Falls. Basic facilities.

DAY 9 FRIDAY – JARDINE RIVER, LOYALTY BEACH (BLD)

Across the free flowing Jardine River by cable ferry, a brief refuelling stop at Bamaga and we drive via Lockerbie to our base camp at Loyalty Beach Campground. for the next 2 nights.

DAY 10 SATURDAY – THURSDAY ISLAND (BLD)

Today’s highlight is a ferry transfer through the island dotted Straights to explore historic Thursday Island and Horn Island. A conducted 2 island bus tour with lunch IS INCLUDED. Afternoon ferry return to Loyalty Beach.

DAY 11 SUNDAY – CAPE YORK, SOMERSET (BLD)

An unforgettable day of achievement and interest. We stand at the very tip of our continent. Visit the ruins of Somerset, (road conditions permitting) with pristine beaches and rocky headlands.

DAY 12 MONDAY – PUNSAND BAY, BAMAGA, CAIRNS (BL)

Morning transfer to Bamaga Airport to board your flight to Cairns. A hotel transfer on arrival in Cairns completes your holiday.

DEPARTURES IN 2013

• June 13, 27
• July 11, 25
• August 08, 22
• September 05, 19
• October 03, 17

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Cape Tribulation
• Bloomfield Track
• Historic Cooktown
• Lakefield National Park
• Iron Range National Park
• Chilli Beach
• Portland Roads
• Batavia Gold Fields
• Weipa
• Telegraph Road
• Twin Falls
• Thursday Island
• Horn Island
• Cape York “The Tip”
• Historic Somerset
• Flight Bamaga to Cairns

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 1 Driver/Guide plus 1 Hostess/Cook
• Return Cairns Accommodation Transfers
• Meals as indicated
• Guided tours & activities
• Air-conditioned 16-21 seat 4WD vehicle
• 11 nights camping in tents
• Tent & high density foam mattress
• Cape York to Cairns airfare
• Thursday Island Ferry

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

• Single Tent Supplement – $95.00
• Sleeping Bag $20 per trip
• Pillow $6 per trip
• Stretcher Bed $35 per trip
• Sole use tent $80 per trip
• Weipa Mine Tour $35 per person
• Thursday Island Bus Tour $35 per person

CAIRNS ACCOMMODATION:
Before & After tour $42.50 per person per night includes free Airport pick up, Breakfast & Luggage storage