7 Day Cape York Frontier Drive and Fly

Inclusions:

• 6 nights accommodation
• All meals as coded
• Cruise to or from Thursday Island
• Tour of Thursday Island
• Flight between Cairns and Horn Island

Exclusions: All soft and alcohol drinks, Optional tours, Items of a personal nature, transfers to and from Cairns airport

Tour is not suitable for children under 7 years of age

DETAILED ITINERARY

This tour has 2 itineraries depending on whether you take the air leg (Cairns – Horn Island) first, or as the homeward sector.

4WD Up And Fly Back To Cairns (Drive/Fly)

Day 1 (LD) Your adventure begins travelling along the scenic coastal route to the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Daintree rainforest. We cross the infamous Daintree River by cable ferry and travel on into the primeval jungle. Here you’ll walk with your guide to experience some of the intriguing plants and animals of this wonderful region. Now the rugged 4WD Bloomfield Track (weather permitting). We travel on gravel roads, cross beautiful rainforest creeks and are afforded the most spectacular views from the steep climbs and descents. We cross the Bloomfield River near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. After lunch a visit to the quaint Lion’s Den Hotel and eerie Black Mountain on the way to historic Cooktown. Walk where Captain Cook walked and enjoy Grassy Hill’s spectacular views on a tour of Cooktown where we stay tonight.

Day 2 (BLD) This morning travel through the agricultural district of Lakeland on our way to “Quinkan Country” near Laura. Here we climb (suitable footwear and reasonable fitness required) the sandstone escarpment at Split Rock to view ancient Aboriginal rock art, dated in excess of 13,000 years old, depicting traditional activities and culture. Explore Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 543,000 hectares (1.34 million acres). Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife makes for a memorable day before arriving at the century old Telegraph Office and now working cattle station of Musgrave, our overnight stop.

Day 3 (BL) This morning we cross the Great Dividing Range to visit the old gold mining town of Coen. Onward we cross the picturesque Archer River before heading to the west coast of the Peninsula to the bauxite mining town of Weipa, our overnight stop. Dinner is at your own expense this evening.

Day 4 (BLD) An opportunity this morning to learn about this remote mining town. Later we travel via Batavia Downs to the Wenlock River, site of the historic Moreton Telegraph Office. Time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. We overnight at Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.

Day 5 (BLD) An opportunity this morning to learn about this remote mining town. Later we travel via Batavia Downs to the Wenlock River, site of the historic Moreton Telegraph Office. Time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. We overnight at Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.

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 (B) We say farewell this morning as you board your boat to cruise to Thursday Island, capital of the Torres Strait Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the island (included). After lunch (own expense today) transfer by ferry to Horn Island to board your aircraft to fly over The Great Barrier Reef to Cairns ending your fascinating safari of adventure and discovery in Australia’s far north. The safari terminates at Cairns airport.

Fly Up And 4WD Back To Cairns (Fly/Drive)

Day 1 (D) This morning make your own way to Cairns Domestic Airport. Your adventure begins when you board your aircraft to fly over the Great Barrier Reef to Horn Island. Transfer by ferry to Thursday Island, capital of the Torres Strait Islands. Time now to enjoy a guided tour of the island (included). After lunch (own expense today) transfer by ferry to the northern-most settlements of mainland Australia where we stay for two nights.

Day 2(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 3(BLD) Across the mighty Jardine River we travel through Cape York’s unique wilderness of gigantic termite mounds, crystal clear creeks, carnivorous pitcher plants and prehistoric cycads. Visit picturesque Fruit Bat Falls, a great chance to swim it its pristine spring-fed waters. Continue on to the Wenlock River where we overnight in Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.

Day 4(BL) This morning time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. Later we travel through Batavia Downs as we head for the west coast of the Peninsula and Weipa, our overnight stop. An opportunity to learn about this bauxite mining town this afternoon. Dinner is your own expense this evening.

Day 5 (BLD) Meet some locals at classic outposts today. Cross the picturesque Archer River on the way to the old gold mining town of Coen. Later we arrive at Musgrave, the century old Telegraph Office and now working cattle station, our overnight stop.

Day 6(BLD) Explore Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 543,000 hectares (1.34 million acres). Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife makes for a memorable morning. We then enter “Quinkan Country” near Laura. Here we climb (suitable footwear and reasonable fitness required) the sandstone escarpment at Split Rock to view ancient Aboriginal rock art, dated in excess of 13,000 years old, depicting traditional activities and culture. Travel through the agricultural district of Lakeland on our way to Cooktown, our overnight stop.

Day 7(BL) Walk where Captain Cook walked and enjoy the spectacular views from atop Grassy Hill on a tour of Cooktown. Leaving Cooktown we visit the quaint Lion’s Den Hotel before crossing the Bloomfield River near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. 4WD action on the rugged Bloomfield Track (weather permitting). We travel on gravel roads, cross beautiful rainforest creeks and are afforded the most spectacular views from the steep climbs and descents travelling on into the primeval jungle. Here you’ll walk with your guide to experience some of the intriguing plants and animals of this wonderful region. Further south we cross the Daintree River on a cable ferry. Now we return to Port Douglas and Cairns ending your fascinating safari of adventure and discovery in Australia’s far north.

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Pick-up and Drop-off Details:

Drive / Fly Itinerary

• Departs: Hotels in Cairns / Beaches / Port Douglas from 7:00am
• Returns: Cairns Qantas Domestic Airport at approximately 5:30pm – flight times to be confirmed. The safari terminates at the airport. A Wilderness Challenge representative will be at the airport to assist guests in arranging taxis/shuttles (own expense) to their accommodation.

Fly / Drive Itinerary

• Departs: Cairns Qantas Domestic Airport at approximately 8:00am – flight times to be confirmed. Guests are to make their own way to the airport and meet near the check-in counters. A Wilderness Challenge representative will be at the airport to distribute luggage tags, a Thursday Island Information Pack and assist with a group check-in.
• Returns: Hotels in Port Douglas / Beaches / Cairns from approximately 5:00pm