ITINERARY

DAY 1 THURSDAY (LD)

CAIRNS, CAPE TRIBULATION, COOKTOWN AREA.

Morning pick up from your Cairns accommodation. 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 (BD)

LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK.

A morning of sightseeing and viewing significant landmarks and sites so important to all Australians. (Lunch at own cost today) 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 (BLD)

MUSGRAVE, COEN, ARCHER RIVER.

Historic interludes as we visit the last remaining 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 (BLD)

IRON RANGE NATIONAL PARK.

Cross the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozers Gap. The 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 (BLD)

PORTLAND ROADS, CHILLI BEACH, WW2 SITES. 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 (BLD)

BATAVIA GOLDFIELDS, WEIPA.

Travel west to visit the old Batavia (Wenlock) 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 (BD)

WENLOCK RIVER, MORETON STATION.

In the cool of the morning, an optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost, as is lunch today). 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 (BLD)

TELEGRAPH ROAD, TWIN FALLS.

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 (BLD)

JARDINE RIVER, LOYALTY BEACH.

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

DAY 10 SATURDAY (BLD)

THURSDAY ISLAND, HORN ISLAND.

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

DAY 11 SUNDAY (BLD)

CAPE YORK, SOMERSET.

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 (BLD)

SEISIA, COMMENCE SEA-LEG.

“Barge Day”. The focus of all attention today is Seisia wharf, as the cargo ships from Cairns disgorge their cargo of fuel, building materials, indeed everything needed by the island and local communities. At 80 meters and over 3000 tonnes the Trinity Bay is the largest cargo vessel servicing the Torres Strait communities.

DAY 13 TUESDAY (BLD)

GREAT BARRIER REEF MARINE PARK.

Total relaxation as you enjoy the company of the crew and new ship board companions.

DAY 14 WEDNESDAY (B)

DISEMBARK CAIRNS. On arrival at Trinity Wharf your tour concludes when we return you to your pre-arranged accommodation.

DEPARTURES IN 2013

• June 13, 27
• July 11, 25
• August 8,22
• September 5, 19
• October 3, 17

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Daintree National Park
• Cape Tribulation
• Bloomfield Track
• Lions Den Hotel
• Black Mountain
• Cooktown
• Old Laura Homestead
• Lakefield National Park
• Old Musgrave Telegraph Station
• Coen
• Archer River
• Iron Range National Park
• Chili Beach
• Portland Roads
• Wenlock Gold Fields
• Weipa
• Wenlock River
• Moreton Telegraph Station
• The Old Telegraph Track
• Twin Falls
• Jardine River Ferry
• Punsand Bay Safari Lodge
• Thursday Island
• Cape York – Most Northern Tip of Australia
• Somerset
• Lockerbie Scrub
• M.V. TRINITY BAY Cargo boat from Cape York to Cairns

TOUR INCLUDES:

• 1 Driver/Guide plus 1 Hostess/Cook
• Meals as indicated
• Guided tours & activities
• Air-conditioned 16-20 seat 4WD vehicle
• 11 nights camping
• 2 nights boat accommodation
• Tent & high density foam mattress
• Cape York to Cairns boat costs
• Thursday Island Ferry
• Return Cairns Accommodation Transfers

EXTRAS:

• Drinks

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

• Single Tent Supplement – $95.00
• Sleeping Bag $20 per trip
• Pillow $6 per trip
• Stretcher Bed $35 per tour
• Weipa Mine Tour $35 per person
• Thursday Island Bus Tour $35 per person
• Sole use tent $80 per trip
• Cairns accommodation before & after your tour at $42.50 per person per night includes free Airport pick up, Breakfast & Luggage storage