ITINERARY

Day 1 – (LD)

Your adventure begins as we travel over the Great Dividing Range into “Quinkan Country” to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Split Rock near Laura (reasonable fitness and suitable footwear required).  Travel on into Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres) and a great wildlife spotting opportunity.  We camp in the National Park tonight.

Day 2 – (BD)

Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife in Lakefield National Park this morning.  Visit the historic telegraph station of Musgrave for lunch (own expense) before travelling on to Coen and the Archer River. Continue on to “Merluna”, a remote family operated cattle station, where we camp tonight.

Day 3 – (BLD)

On to the bauxite mining town of Weipa on the Gulf of Carpentaria to stock up on supplies.  Leaving Weipa we travel through Batavia Downs Station, cross the Wenlock River and camp at Bramwell Junction which defines the start of Cape York’s famous Telegraph Track.

Day 4 – (BLD)

4WD action, adventure and fun on Cape York’s rugged Telegraph Track today.  Cross rivers and creeks, swim and relax, see prehistoric cycads, giant termite mounds and carnivorous plants.  You’ll be enchanted by the magic of Twin Falls – swimming here, in pristine spring-fed pools landscaped by nature, will be a life long memory.  We camp here tonight in the company of millions of stars.

Day 5 – (BLD)

Time for a morning swim then onward across the mighty Jardine River by cable ferry to our beach front campsite on the tropical shores of Torres Strait.

Day 6 – (BLD)

A fascinating visit to the beautiful “Lockerbie Scrub”, an isolated pocket of monsoon rainforest, on our way to historic Somerset on Albany Passage where you can ponder the past, our explorers, pioneers and the Cape’s traditional owners.  Now, an emotional walk to the very top of Australia – CAPE YORK!

Day 7 – (BD)

Choose from a tropical cruise to Thursday Island or fishing with a professional guide (both optional).  Alternatively, take your bird book and binoculars for a bushwalk or relax at the beach with a good book.  Lunch is at your own expense today.

Day 8 – (BLD)

Across the mighty Jardine River we travel through Cape York’s wilderness and on to Fruit Bat Falls for lunch and a swim in its pristine spring-fed waters.  Continue on to our overnight camp at Moreton on the Wenlock River.

Day 9 – (BLD)

Today we head east across the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers to the fabulous Iron Range National Park (conditions permitting), Australia’s largest remaining area of tropical lowland rainforest.  The area is renown for its Eclectus Parrots, Palm Cockatoos, Magnificent Rifle Birds, Green (Condra) Pythons and Spotted Cuscus to name just a few.  We camp in the rainforest or at Chili Beach.

Day 10 – (BL)

This morning we visit the tiny outpost of Portland Roads before returning to see other secrets hidden in the Iron Range rainforest.  We leave the National Park through Tozers Gap and travel on to visit the historic Batavia gold fields.  Onward to Archer River where we camp tonight.  Dinner is at your own expense this evening.

Day 11 – (BLD)

South to Coen then on to the historic telegraph station of Musgrave.  Continue on into Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres) and a great wildlife spotting opportunity.  We camp in the National Park tonight.

Day 12 – (BL)

Rise to the morning chorus of the many bird species in Lakefield.  Travel via Laura and Lakeland to historic Cooktown and walk where Captain Cook once walked, enjoy Grassy Hill’s spectacular views and relive the gold rush days strolling past heritage buildings.  We camp near Cooktown tonight.  Dinner is at your own expense this evening.

Day 13 – (BL)

Visit eerie Black Mountain and the quaint Lion’s Den Hotel this morning.  Now 4WD adventure on the Bloomfield Track (conditions permitting) into the World Heritage Listed rainforests of Daintree and Cape Tribulation.  Nearing the end we cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and continue on to Port Douglas or Cairns completing your fascinating adventure of discovery and fun in Australia’s far north.

DEPARTURES IN 2013

• May 28
• June 11, 25
• July 9, 23
• August 6, 20
• September 3, 17

 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Lakefield National Park
• Musgrave, Coen, Archer River, Weipa
• Twin Falls
• Cape York
• Somerset
• Fruit Bat Falls
• Iron Range National Park
• Chili Beach
• Guided Tour of Cooktown
• Daintree rainforest
• All National Park, Site and Ferry Fees

TOUR INCLUDES:

• Small Groups – Maximum 13 guests
• Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
• Professional Qualified Guide
• Meals as coded
• Pyramid-style safari tent / self-inflating mattress
• Guided Tour of “Quinkan” Aboriginal Rock Art

EXTRAS:

• All drinks (except tea and coffee)
• Dinner on Days 10 and 12
• Lunch on Days 2 and 7
• Optional Tours
• Sleeping Bag (limited stock available for hire – AUD 25.00 per person)
• Pillow
• Items of a personal nature