Cairns to Cape York 9 day tour

Cape York Tour: Drive/Fly

Day1: Cairns to Cape Tribulation

Leaving Cairns we head north along Queensland’s Great Ocean Road towards Mossman Gorge, where we refresh with local tea, coffee or a cold drink, before exploring this gorgeous gorge and rainforest paradise. The cool, clear waters of Mossman River tumbles through and over giant granite boulders. We’ll take a guided walk and you have the opportunity for a swim, should you wish to do so. We then enjoy a quality restaurant lunch, with a choice of meals available, before stepping aboard a boat to take a 1-hour cruise on the Daintree River. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles and other local wildlife. We then cross the Daintree River and make our way toward Cape Tribulation giving you an opportunity to explore coastal headlands and long sandy beaches; we journey through the World Heritage Rainforest.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Daintree Rainforest – Cape Trib Beach House (ensuite)

Day 2: Daintree to cooktown

After a leisurely breakfast we begin our journey towards Cooktown. Engaging 4WD, we travel along the Bloomfield Track (weather permitting) enjoying many scenic spots including Bloomfield Falls and Cedar Bay National Park. We stop at the World-Famous Lions Den Hotel – another classic Aussie Icon. We visit the mysterious Black Mountain before arriving in the historic township of Cooktown for an informative afternoon visit to the Cooktown Museum (formerly named James Cook Museum).

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Cooktown – The Sovereign Resort Hotel (ensuite)

Day 3: Cooktown to Coen

We start our day with a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout, Botanical Gardens & Nature’s Powerhouse – this is truly an amazing place. From Cooktown we head west to Battle Camp and onwards into Lakefield National Park. After visiting the Old Laura Homestead, we travel through many fascinating river valleys and numerous giant termite mounds before arriving at our overnight accommodation in Coen. Dinner at the Exchange Hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Coen Guesthouse (shared bathroom facilities)

Day 4: Coen to Lockhart River

Today we continue our adventure to one of Australia’s most remote areas as we head east exploring the Sir William Thompson Range and then crossing the Pascoe River, we head to into The Iron Range National Park. As we enter the National Park, we see the spectacular Mount Tozer at the peak of the table range, before descending to Lockhart River a unique aboriginal community situated on the ocean at Lloyd Bay. Exploring the many wonders of the Iron Range National Park whilst enjoying the dense tropical rainforest being the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in Australia. We arrive at Lockhart River for our overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lockhart River – Greenhoose (ensuite)

Day 5: Lockhart River

Today we have the opportunity to explore Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL). Kutini means cassowary and Payamu means rainbow serpent. These are important stories for the Kuuku Ya’u (Kanthanampu and Kungkay) people, the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of this coastal park of international significance. A day full of spectacular views and biodiversity from the beaches and headlands to the heath-covered Tozer Range. A unique collection of mammals, frogs, lizards and snakes are found only at Kutini-Payamu along with numerous species linking to New Guinea. Return to your accommodation at Greenhoose surrounded by a tranquil rainforest environment for dinner and overnight.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lockhart River – Greenhoose (ensuite)

Day 6: Lockhart to Weipa

Leaving the east coast behind, we head inland to the north through the National Park and onwards to more savannah country of the Cape. In the afternoon we continue towards the West Coast and the famous mining town of Weipa located in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Weipa is the largest town on the Cape York Peninsula with a population of about 3000 people. Its main industries are mining and cattle exports. Arriving late afternoon, we then depart the port of Weipa on a Sunset Eco Cruise through the tranquil waters of the Embley River into the golden glow of a sunset over the water, whilst enjoying a cold drink and canapes, your friendly guide will spot crocodiles and birds along the way. The Weipa Motel Resort your stay for the night offers warm hospitality and friendly service with modern comfort and style.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Weipa – The Weipa Motel & Resort (ensuite)

Day 7 Weipa to Cape York

Departing Weipa early we head through one of the largest cattle stations on the Cape – Batavia Downs. We visit the Morton Telegraph Station; this important link in communication to the far north and the cape operated till 1960. We now begin what will be one of the highlights of our tour – it’s now time to join one of the original Telegraph Tracks (conditions permitting) Travelling further north to visit Elliot Falls and fruit bat Falls Joining the Bamaga Development Road we arrive at the Cape’s most famous river, the Jardine crossing the crocodile infested stream by ferry, then onwards to the top of Australia where we stay for the next two nights.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Seisia – Loyalty Beach (shared bathroom facilities)

Day 8: Cape York and the Tip

Today we visit the remains of Somerset, which was established by the Jardine Family as the Government outpost and Cattle Station. Spend some time at some secluded beaches, where we have previously sighted dugongs and sea turtles. This is a particularly scenic part of the Cape. We then head for Australia’s most northerly point, Cape York. The 30-minute walk to the point has lots of great views, also once we arrive it’s time to grab a drink and enjoy the afternoon over the Torres Strait.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Seisia – Loyalty Beach (shared bathroom facilities)

Day 9: Cape york to Thursday Island and Cairns

For our last day, we take a boat cruise across the Torres Strait to Thursday Island and enjoy a guided tour around this small Island that is part of Torres Strait culture and history. The island is situated between Cape York and Australia’s nearest neighbour Papua New Guinea. We then take a short ferry ride to Horn Island, where you will also enjoy a short tour of the Island before being transferred to the Horn Island Airport for your flight back to Cairns, arriving at approximately 5:30pm. Transfer back to your Cairns CBD accommodation.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Flight: From Horn Island to Cairns