Small Group Tour of Cape York & Torres Strait Islands
Tour Highlights:
- Daintree Rainforest and Daintree Discovery Centre
- Bana Yirriji Art & Cultural Centre
- Bloomfield Track and Daintree Coast
- James Cook Museum
- Cooktown Botanic Gardens
- Guided Tour of Split Rock, Quinkan Centre
- Weipa Bauxite Mine Tour
- Gulf Eco Cruise
- Moreton Telegraph Station
- Fruit Bat Falls (swimming opportunity)
- Cape York Walk to ‘The Tip’
- Endeavour Strait Cruising
- Horn and Thursday Island Touring
- Torres Strait Cultural Heritage Experiences
- 10 nights en suite accommodation
- Travel by luxury 4WD coach from Cairns
- Touring with our Savannah Guides Operator driver and host
- Breakfast daily, 9 x lunches, 10 x dinners
- All entries/activities as per itinerary
- Ferry transfers between Cape York, Thursday Island and Horn Island
- One way economy flight Horn Island to Cairns
Day 1: Wednesday - Cairns
Your adventure begins with a Welcome Dinner at our tour hotel. Please check-in after 2.00pm. Meet fellow travellers and hear all about the adventures ahead with a comprehensive tour orientation by your Savannah Guides Operator driver and host. Overnight Rydges Esplanade, Cairns (Meals - Dinner)
Day 2: Thursday - Cooktown
We travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Mossman; nestled in the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. We’ll board the Daintree River Ferry for a short cable crossing of the famous Daintree River. Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre, an award-winning interpretive facility. Join a guided tour of the rainforest boardwalks. Follow the Bloomfield Track on a spectacular scenic journey hugging the Daintree Coast. Visit the Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre in Wujal Wujal, a small coastal Aboriginal community on the banks of the Bloomfield River. 2 nights River of Gold Motel, Cooktown (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 3: Friday - Cooktown
Discover Cooktown’s colourful history today. We’ll visit the Cooktown Cemetery where you’ll learn the intriguing story of a fair skinned woman known as the ‘Normanby Woman’ who was seen living with Aboriginal people back in the 1800s. Visit James Cook Museum in the magnificent 19th Century Sisters of Mercy Convent. Gain an insight into the grounding of the Endeavour and the most significant land- based stay of Captain Cook’s east coast expedition. Wander the beautiful heritage-listed Cooktown Botanic Gardens and see the Vera Scarth-Johnson collection of original regional botanical illustrations. Enjoy some free time to stroll downtown Cooktown and a late afternoon tour of Grassy Hill with 360-degree views of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef. (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 4: Saturday – Musgrave
Travel to Lakeland and Laura via the mysterious Black Mountains, a special story place for the Kuku Yalanji people. World-class Aboriginal rock art and wonderful locally grown coffee are two big drawcards for these small towns. Best known are the Quinkan Rock Art Galleries, considered to be some of the most significant Aboriginal art sites in the world. We’ll join a guided tour of the Split Rock Galleries. Travel along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the Hann River Roadhouse for a short break before continuing on to Musgrave Roadhouse. Overnight Musgrave Roadhouse (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 5: Sunday- Weipa
We continue along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the old mining community of Coen. The town was originally created around a repeater station in the Overland Telegraph Line to the Tip of Cape York Peninsula. We’ll arrive in time for lunch at the Archer River Roadhouse. Located on the banks of the crystal clear Archer River, the Roadhouse is famous for the massive Archer Burger, best served with an icy cold drink under their shaded patio. Last stop for the day is Weipa, the Barramundi capital of Queensland. Originally an Aboriginal mission, Weipa grew to become a township after the discovery of bauxite. Late afternoon relax at your accommodation with sweeping views of Albatross Bay. 2 nights Albatross Bay Resort, Weipa (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 6: Monday - Weipa
Learn about Weipa’s mining operations on a morning tour of the world’s largest bauxite mine, operated by Rio Tinto. Get up close and personal to the 190 tonne Belly Dumper Haul trucks while touring the working mine site and follow the rail and conveyor belt system as the bauxite makes its way to the loading dock. Join an Eco Cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a chance to spot local birdlife and crocodiles. Relax with drinks and nibbles as you learn about the incredible ecosystems and local culture. Witness a stunning sunset in one of the few places in Queensland where the sun sets over the ocean in the west. (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 7: Tuesday - Bamaga
Follow the Old Telegraph Track to Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River. Part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line, Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887 and ceased operations in 1987 with the introduction of microwave telecommunications. Spot giant termite mounds as the country changes to the open plains of Heathlands Resources Reserve. Cool off in the lush Fruit Bat Falls with its crystal clear water (croc free), a perfect swimming spot and one of the most special places on the Cape. Cross the Jardine River by cable ferry to Bamaga, the closest settlement to the Tip of Australia. This evening enjoy a relaxed dinner overlooking tropical gardens. 2 nights Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Bamaga (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 8: Wednesday - Bamaga
Experience the highlights of Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia’s last great wilderness areas. We begin with a drive to Pajinka. The 45-60 minute walk over rocky headland to ‘The Tip’ of Cape York requires a good level of fitness. Take that ‘bucket-list’ photo as you stand at the Tip of Australia; then savour a picnic lunch on Somerset Beach with breathtaking views to Albany Island. Visit the iconic Croc Tent then enjoy some free time back at your accommodation. (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 9: Thursday - Torres Strait Islands
Cruise the beautiful turquoise waters of the Endeavour Strait to Thursday Island; just one of 274 islands which lie between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Discover Thursday Island’s hidden past, including Green Hill Fort, on a guided history tour and a visit to Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Enjoy some free time to explore Thursday Island. Overnight Jardine Motel, Thursday Island (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 10: Friday - Cairns
Transfer to Horn Island this morning. Join local guides on a tour of the World War II sites. See gun emplacements, an underground command post and an aircraft wreck with an epic tale. Walk in the steps of traditional owners, the Kaurareg People, and learn their stories. Following the tour you will have time to wander the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. Enjoy an Asian buffet lunch on Horn Island before transferring to Horn Island Airport for your QantasLink flight to Cairns. Tonight we’ll celebrate the end of our adventure with a Farewell Dinner at the Coral Hedge Brasserie Restaurant & Bar. Overnight Rydges Esplanade Resort, Cairns (Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Day 11: Saturday - Homeward Bound
Your Cape York and Torres Strait adventure concludes after breakfast at Rydges Esplanade Resort. Own arrangements for your connecting flight or rail home. Alternatively you may like to extend your stay in Cairns with one of our Post Tour packages – please contact us for further information. (Meals - Breakfast)
Tour starts and ends in Cairns
- 07 June 2023
- 21 June 2023
- 05 July 2023
- 02 August 2023
- 30 August 2023
- 13 September 2023
- 27 September 2023
- Twin share from $7,999 per person
- Sole use from $9,399 per person
Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat now. We can also book your flights and additional accommodation if you wish to extend your stay in Cairns.
Accommodation properties that are included in this tour:
- Rydges Esplanade, Cairns
- River of Gold Motel, Cooktown
- Musgrave Roadhouse
- Albatross Bay Resort, Weipa
- Cape York Peninsula Lodge, Bamaga
- Jardine Motel, Thursday Island
Please note a medium level of fitness is required for this tour:
Guests have no mobility concerns and they have declared any pre-existing injuries which may affect their participation. Please note tours include leisurely walks that can be in excess of 1.5km on uneven, steep or slippery surfaces. Not suitable for guests needing wheelie walkers or wheelchairs.
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: One small to medium sized suitcase per person (approx. height 60cm - width 40cm - depth 30cm) maximum weight 15kg. One piece of hand luggage/day pack may be carried onboard the coach. Drivers may require passengers to load heavy luggage into the storage compartment themselves for health and safety reasons. An additional charge or alternative arrangements may apply on excess baggage and weight. Due to limited space, the carriage of wheelie-walkers must be requested prior to travel.
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
Vaccination certificates and a signed Covid Declaration Form will need to be provided to our Reservations team before the tour departure date.
DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS:
To confirm your reservation, a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is required.
Additional deposit payments are required for Rail and Flight add-ons and deposit amounts will be advised at time of booking.
Balance of payment for your tour is to be paid 75 days prior to departure. For bookings made less than 75 days prior to travel, full payment is required within 48 hours of booking.
Cancellation fees:
- Over 75 days prior to departure: Loss of deposit
- Between 74-46 days: 50% of tour fare
- Between 45-15 days: 75% of tour fare
- 14 days or less: 100% if tour fare
Minimum tour numbers apply. Itinerary subject to change.
Included Economy flights are with an airline of Outback Aussie Tours choosing and subject to the airline’s booking and carriage conditions. Flight subject to availability.
Single rooms are limited on this tour.
Prices do not include: travel insurance; meals not specified in the itinerary; drinks; laundry; optional activities; and items of a personal nature.
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