Cairns to Cape York 9 Day Tour

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: Cape Tribulation

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

We start our day with a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout, taking in the spectacular panoramic views of Cooktown and its surrounds. From Cooktown, we head west to Battle Camp and onwards into Lakefield National Park. After visiting the Old Laura Homestead, we journey through fascinating river valleys and past towering termite mounds before arriving at our overnight accommodation in Coen. We enjoy dinner before settling in for our overnight stay in Coen.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Coen

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

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. We return to our accommodation in Lockhart River for dinner and another overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lockhart River

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. After enjoying the sunset cruise, we return to Weipa for our overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Weipa

Departing Weipa early, we travel through Batavia Downs, one of the largest cattle stations on the Cape. We visit the Morton Telegraph Station, an important communication link to the Far North and Cape York that operated until 1960. We then begin what promises to be one of the highlights of our tour – travelling along one of the original Telegraph Tracks (conditions permitting). Continuing north, we visit Fruit Bat Falls before joining the Bamaga Development Road and arriving at the Cape’s most famous river, the Jardine River. We cross the crocodile-inhabited river by ferry before continuing onwards to the tip of Australia, where we stay for the next two nights.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Seisia

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 45 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

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

Your tour commences from Cairns Airport or if required a shuttle bus will take you to the airport from the Cairns CBD. Following your arrival at Horn Island Airport you will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to the marina. We then jump on board the transfer boat and head to Thursday Island, where we have time to explore this small island that is part of Torres Strait culture and history. Thursday Island is situated between Cape York and Australia’s nearest neighbour New Guinea. We then transfer by ferry to Seisia on the Mainland and make our way to our accommodation; this will be our home for the next two nights.

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Flight: From Cairns to Horn Island
• Accommodation: Seisia

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 45 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

Leaving the Cape behind us, we travel south across the Great Dividing Range through Jardine National Park, bordered by the stunning Coral Sea to the east. Arriving at the Jardine River, we board the ferry for our crossing before continuing to Fruit Bat Falls, where we enjoy the boardwalk and beautiful natural surroundings. We then make our way towards the west coast and the famous mining town of Weipa, located on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Weipa is the largest town on the Cape York Peninsula, with a population of approximately 3,000 people. Its main industries are mining and cattle exports. Arriving in the late afternoon, we embark on a Sunset Eco Cruise along the tranquil waters of the Embley River. Enjoy a cold drink and canapés as the sun sets over the water, while your friendly guide points out crocodiles and birdlife along the way. After enjoying the sunset cruise, we return to Weipa for our overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Weipa

Today we continue our adventure to one of Australia’s most remote area’s we head east exploring the Sir William Thompson Range and then crossing the Pascoe River, we head to 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 down to Lockhart River a unique aboriginal community situated on the ocean at Lloyd Bay. Heading onwards further north – 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

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. We return to our accommodation in Lockhart River for dinner and another overnight stay.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Lockhart River

Travelling along part of the southern leg of the old Telegraph Track we come to the Archer River, one of the Cape’s well-known obstacles and river crossing. We enjoy dinner before settling in for our overnight stay in Coen.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Coen

After an early start from Coen, we head into Lakefield National Park including visits to Red and White Lilly Lagoons – these are truly spectacular parts of the National Park. We will also travel through the many river valleys and numerous giant termite mounds and arrive at the Old Laura Homestead. From the homestead we take a short drive to “welcome waterhole” wetlands from here we travel the Battle Camp Track to Cooktown. We then check in to our accommodation for our overnight stay before heading to dinner.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Cooktown

The day begins visiting the Cooktown Museum (formerly named James Cook Museum), Botanical Gardens & Nature’s Powerhouse – this is truly a unique and amazing place. Leaving Cooktown, we engage 4WD and make our way along the Bloomfield Track enjoying many scenic spots including the mysterious Black Mountain, Bloomfield Falls and Cedar Bay National Park, stopping to enjoy lunch at the Famous Lion Dens Hotel – another classic Aussie Icon. Heading onward to Cape Tribulation, we give you an opportunity to explore coastal headlands and long sandy beaches journeying through the World Heritage Rainforest. We arrive at our overnight accommodation in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest before our final evening meal together.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Cape Tribulation

After a leisurely start to our final day, we continue our journey through the Daintree Rainforest. A visit to this area would not be complete without a walk in the Rainforest. We then join onto a Daintree River Cruise for an hour of exploring the wilderness where crocodiles and other wildlife are often found. Following the river cruise, we make our way to the Daintree Teahouse for lunch. We complete our Cape York to Cairns experience with a scenic drive along the beautiful Great Barrier Reef Drive to Cairns City completing a truly memorable time touring the Cape York Region. Return to Cairns at approximately 5pm.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch