Tour Cape York with like-minded over-60s

An exciting journey to the northernmost tip of mainland Australia!
  • history
    DURATION
    9 days, 8 nights
  • history
    DURATION DAYS
    9 days
  • history
    DURATION NIGHTS
    8 nights
  • calendar_month
    DEPARTS
    25 September 2023
  • calendar_month
    RETURNS
    3 October 2023
  • Discover lush rainforests & beautiful scenic coastal roads
  • Historic towns & outback trails
  • Unique wildlife, and some truly magnificent sunsets!

Two departures only!
3 July & 25 September 2023

Join a great group of like-minded over-60s on an adventure north to the very tip of Queensland! Commencing and ending in Cairns, this roundtrip will show you the staggering variety of Tropical and Outback North Queensland. This itinerary includes the mining town of Weipa, a stay at a true blue Aussie cattle station, historic Cooktown (where Captain James Cook landed the Endeavour), and the prehistoric landscapes of Cape York - full of gigantic termite mounds, crystal clear creeks and unique plant life.

Highlights
  • World Heritage Daintree National Park
  • Cape Tribulation
  • Travel the Bloomfield Track
  • Explore unique Lakefield National Park
  • Musgrave Telegraph Station
  • Uncover the history of the old gold mining town of Coen
  • Enjoy lunch & a refreshing swim at Fruit Bat Falls
  • Cruise to Thursday Island
  • Stand on the very Top of Mainland Australia
  • Take an included flight from Horn Island back to Cairns

Photos

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See the spectacular Gulf of Carpentaria sunset

Inclusions/Exclusions

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  • 8 nights' accommodation
  • Experienced Tour Leader
  • Travel by purpose built air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • Small group experience with maximum 24 guests
  • Flight between Horn Island & Cairns
  • 8 Breakfasts + 5 Lunches + 7 Dinners

Itinerary

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Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

Day 1 - Arrive in Cairns

Make your own way to the Hilton Hotel in Cairns. Check in time is from 3pm.

This evening enjoy a welcome dinner and the chance to meet your fellow Travel at 60 community travellers.

  • Stay: Hilton Cairns
  • Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Cairns – Cooktown

After an early morning pick up from selected Cairns accommodation your adventure begins. Travelling north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, through the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Then making our way along the jungle shrouded Bloomfield Track (road conditions permitted), stopping off at the unique Lion’s Den Hotel, and the mysterious Black Mountain, arriving at the old gold port of Cooktown, where we visit Captain Cooks Landing, before settling in our accommodation.

  • Stay: Sovereign Hotel
  • Included Meals: Boxed Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Lakefield National Park - Musgrave

Heading west into the outback to explore Lakefield National Park (road conditions permitted), a haven for the many birds and animals native to this area. Lagoons, billabongs, and wide river lakes are home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. The afternoon finds us arriving at our overnight accommodation

  • Stay: The Old Musgrave telegraph station 
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Coen - Archer River - Weipa

This morning, we continue north stopping off at the historic frontier gold town of Coen and the picturesque Archer River, before making our way to the bauxite-mining town of Weipa. Enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

  • Stay: Heritage Motel
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 –Wenlock River - Bramwell Station

This morning you have the option to join a Wildlife Eco River Cruise (own expense). After lunch, we head for our overnight accommodation at a ‘true blue’ Aussie cattle station, Bramwell Station.

  • Stay: Bramwell Station
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Note: The Wildlife Eco River Cruise is designed for the person who truly wants a unique experience and to engage and immerse themselves in our beautiful eco systems and local culture of Weipa. The boat can seat 28 passengers with 2 crew, and has a toilet for your convenience. Cruise the harbour, the Embley River to Hay Point and learn about the local culture, history and view the abundance of wildlife this area has to offer. The cruise takes approx. 1.5 hours. Please advise at time of booking if you wish to book this cruise, payable direct on the day to the cruise operator, ($65 per person)

Day 6 – Bramwell - Fruit Bat Falls - Cape York

After an early start, we head north travelling along part of the Old Telegraph Track to arrive at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Relax, swim, and enjoy this unique area with its enchanting waterfall. Then northwards across the Jardine River, to arrive at Cape York! We will be staying at Seisia. Seisia is ideally located for our next few days, being in walking distance from the Seisia Wharf, the departure point for the ferry to Thursday Island and a famous fishing spot.

  • Stay: Seisia Holiday Park
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Somerset

An unforgettable day! Stand at the very top of mainland Australia. We then visit Somerset (road conditions permitted), once the home of the legendary Jardine family. We have lunch on palm fringed Anchorage Beach which overlooks the Albany Passage. A walk on the beach completes your day before returning to Seisia.

  • Stay: Seisia Holiday Park
  • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Thursday Island - Cairns

An early morning departure as you cruise through island studded straits to explore our northern community, Thursday Island. Here you will be taken on an informative guided bus tour of the island and its picturesque Harbour, once home to the romantic pearl lugger fleet. Then board your plane at Horn Island for your flight back to Cairns.

Arriving late afternoon in Cairns, where you will spend the night. Dinner this evening is not included.

  • Stay: Hilton Cairns
  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Optional overnight stay on Thursday Island (Day 9)

For those interested in WWII history, you will have the option to stay an extra day at Horn Island. Dinner included on day 8. This day includes a tour of Horn Island, entry to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. You will stay the night at the Gateway Torres Strait Resort at Horn Island. Late afternoon you board your plane at Horn Island for your flight back to Cairns. ETA to be advised. (Optional day cost $425.00 per person twin share, single $580.00, and does not include transfer from cairns airport to cairns accommodation)

Day 9 - Depart Cairns

This morning enjoy a leisurely breakfast before you check-out of the hotel and bid farewell to your fellow travellers.

  • Included Meals: Breakfast

Dates and Prices

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Please note that below prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.

  • Monday 3 July to Tuesday 11 July 2023 - SOLD OUT
  • Monday 25 September to Tuesday 3 October 2023 - 2 spaces left
  • From $4,939 per person twin share / $6,299 Single Traveller

Call our friendly local travel team to find out more of this great tour! We can also book your flights and additional accommodation if you wish to extend your stay in Cairns. We're just a quick local call away on 1300 414 198.

Accommodation

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Waterfall

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes

  • Cairns Hilton
  • Sovereign Hotel, Cooktown
  • Musgrave Station
  • The Heritage Motel, Weipa
  • Bramwell Cattle Station
  • Seisia Holiday Park

*Please note that as you will be travelling through remote parts of North Queensland, some accommodation will be basic, however all accommodation used in this itinerary will have private ensuite bathrooms.

FAQs

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Flight Information - Please ensure when booking flights you arrive and depart as per the below:

  • Day 1 – Flights to arrive anytime into Cairns Airport
  • Day 9 - Flights to depart anytime tour ends after breakfast
  • Airport transfers at own expense

Entry in and out of tour vehicle - There are 4 steps to navigate to enter the vehicle. There is a handrail to assist. Passengers can bring a walking stick to assist with the walks, however, the tour is not suitable for passengers who depend on a walker. Travel these remote areas in our purpose built Isuzu off road 4WD tour-vehicles with forward facing reclining seats, footrests, and retractable seatbelts. The vehicles are equipped with standard features as a P.A. System, on-board toilet, T.V and road cam, portable satellite phone and first aid kits and all necessary off road equipment you can think of. Travel these remote regions in our purpose built Isuzu off road 4WD tour-vehicles with reclining seats, footrests, retractable seatbelts and panoramic windows, road cam, TV and on-board toilet. With maximum of 24 passengers, you will have the ultimate opportunity to enjoy Cape York at its best. You are promised nothing short of a high-class adventure into remote Australia on a unique and quality tour.

Water is available in the vehicles at all times. Any soft drinks, alcohol, fruit juices etc. are at your own expense. An esky is provided for the passengers’ drinks.

Laundry is available along the way at Cooktown, Weipa, and Seisia. The washing machines and dryers take $ 1 coins. Bring along some washing powder.

Mobile phone coverage can be available along the way at some points if you have Telstra Next G coverage (available at Cooktown, Coen, Weipa, limited at Seisia and Thursday Island); however you are not able to access this all the time. There is no Wi-Fi available on tour.

QANTASLINK – Air leg is Horn Island to Cairns. Your aircraft is a 50 to 70 seater Dash 8 with inflight facilities. Cruise speed is approximately 520 km / hr and cruising at 25,000 feet. Light refreshments are provided. As this is a snack flight special dietary requirements are not catered for. Please be aware that the airline has a ONE CHECKED IN PIECE AND ONE HAND LUGGAGE policy per person. Approximate travel time is 2 hours. Don’t forget your photo I.D. for check in.

  • Musgrave Station has basic rooms with an ensuite.
  • Bramwell Station has 12 rooms with ensuite bathroom available as well as very basic rooms with shared bathroom facilities.

All breakfasts and dinners are served in the restaurants of the accommodation venues we stay at. You will enjoy 3 continental breakfasts and 3 cooked breakfasts while on tour. A 2 course dinner is provided at night time with a main course, dessert, tea or coffee.  Lunch will be served at a suitable lunch stop: Salads and sandwiches, which will be made at the lunch stop each day.

Fitness Requirements: Moderate level of fitness as walks to locations may be on uneven ground

Swimming at Fruit Bat Falls - Boardwalk to the water, the distance is approx. 400metres. If passengers chose to swim, the entrance to the water is a little difficult with rocky bottom and slippery river rocks

Cape York Tip Walk - The walk to the tip is approx. a 2kms return trip. The walk is fairly difficult with rocky, uneven surfaces and steep at times. Passengers may choose to sit it out (wait on the beach, chairs supplied).

  • Supplier Fitness Form to be completed and return prior to travel.

What to Bring:

  • Luggage restriction: 1 small soft travel bag per person (maximum size: 30 x 30 x 70cm, preferably without wheels, cannot exceed 10kg)
  • Cabin baggage: 1 small daypack per person
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • Warm layers in cooler months
  • Swimmers & towel (if swimming)
  • Toiletries

Want to avoid the single supplement? If you're fully vaccinated and willing to share, we can happily pair you with another solo traveller. Subject to COVID-19 vaccination, availability of another guest of the same gender willing to share, otherwise a single room rate will apply.

T&Cs

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Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply. Properties used in the tour are subject to change without notice.

  • Minimum numbers required for group to run.
  • Same gender solo pair up is subject to availability. Solo price will be charged until a match with another traveller can be made.
  • A non-refundable deposit of $700 per person required within 7 days of booking.
  • Final payment required no later than 20 March 2023 (for 3 July departure) & 12 June 2023 (for 25 September departure)

3​0 days prior to travel any amendments such as but not limited to name changes pick up and drop off location changes will incur a $25 per person fee.

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This holiday deal has expired.

Want to find an alternative? Search for another holiday here or contact us.