Outback Spirit - Cape York Wilderness Adventure

Today you will be greeted by our friendly and professional Tour Directors. We then begin our journey north with a scenic drive along the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas. Enjoy a brief tour of this famous tropical village before checking into the premier accommodation choice in
Port Douglas - the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort for your overnight stay. This evening enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner together at the resort

This morning, continue your journey north and visit the award-winning Mossman Gorge Centre in the Daintree National Park. Here enjoy the Dreamtime Gorge Walk, which begins with a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits. Setting off on the walk, you'll be accompanied by experienced Indigenous guides who'll demonstrate traditional plant use, identify bush food sources and provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest. At the end of the walk enjoy traditional bush tea and damper. Venture further into the World Heritage Listed
Daintree, the oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest in the world. First up, enjoy an informative cruise on the Daintree River before an exclusive guided tour at Cooper Creek Wilderness. Situated directly below Thornton Peak, the epicentre of refugial significance in the Daintree, Cooper Creek is home to pristine old growth rainforest and extraordinary fan palm galleries. Here take a guided tour along the forest floor with expert, 

This morning, continue your journey through the Daintree to Cape Tribulation, a headland named by Lieutenant James Cook after his ship struck the Great Barrier Reef in 1770. After a stroll along the beach and a cup of tea, continue north and tackle the infamous Bloomfield Track. Impassable during the wet season, the track passes through some wild country and should only be tackled by 4WD vehicles. There are numerous steep climbs through the rainforest and several creek crossings to negotiate, so sit back and enjoy the scenery as your experienced tour driver does the hard work! Once across the Bloomfield River visit Bloomfield Falls before lunch at the Lion’s Den Hotel, one of QLD’s oldest
bush pubs. Depart for Cooktown, where Lieutenant Cook beached the Endeavour for repairs after hitting the reef. Upon arrival, enjoy a town tour
including the James Cook Museum, Cooktown Botanic Gardens and the Grassy Hill lookout. Check in to the 4-star Sovereign Resort Hotel for
an overnight stay.

Today, depart Cooktown along the Battle Camp Road and visit the Old Laura Homestead before arriving in to Laura. This area is famous for its rock art.This morning, visit art sites in the Laura area, where an experienced Aboriginal guide will accompany you to interpret the art and explain the significance of this cultural site. Later on enjoy lunch and a visit to the Quinkan Cultural Centre. Travel through the grassy plains and
woodlands of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, tackling several creek crossings along the way. Stop at Kalpowar on the Normanby River for afternoon tea, followed by a visit to Red Lily Lagoon, home to a vast array of flora and fauna. Admire the tall lotus lily with its spectacular pink flowers and dense yellow stamens, and keep an eye out for Brolgas and Sarus cranes striding through the lilies searching for sedge tubers. This afternoon pass through Nifold Plain, an open savannah characterised by thousands of magnetic termite mounds. Continue through to Lotusbird Lodge, beautifully located on the edge of a tranquil billabong. Enjoy an exclusive two night stay to discover the area.

Today enjoy a breathtaking helicopter flight over Rinyirru (Lakefield). Board the exclusively chartered Bell Jet Ranger and fly over swamps, plains and forests before following the Kennedy River to Princess Charlotte Bay. You’ll spot crocodiles, pigs, cattle and all sorts of other wildlife on this
mesmerising flight. It really is the only way to get a true appreciation of the area and adds a great perspective of Cape York Peninsula. After lunch there's time for a walk around the lodge's billabong or some bird watching. Alternatively, enjoy some free time to yourself and soak up the atmosphere of Cape York from this tranquil location. Please note: Weight limits apply to all scenic flights.

Today you will farewell Lotusbird Lodge and head north along the Peninsula Development Road. Pass through Coen before arriving at Archer River Roadhouse for lunch. Continue on to Weipa, arriving mid-afternoon to check in to the Albatross Bay Resort.

This morning, join Western Cape Eco Tours for a cruise on the Embley River. Explore diverse wildlife habitat, learn about local culture, and keep an eye out for some big saltwater crocodiles. The skipper will also provide detailed insight into Weipa's bauxite mining industry. Afterwards, visit the Western Cape Cultural Centre, which showcases the history of Weipa and its surrounding communities. The centre enjoys an enviable location overlooking the bay, making it a great place for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, depart Weipa and make the way towards Moreton Telegraph Station. Pass by Batavia Downs before heading north along the Telegraph Track, arriving at Moreton mid-afternoon. Situated on the banks of the Wenlock River, Moreton served as a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line established in the 1880s. The last Morse telegram code was sent from Brisbane to Thursday Island on 24th June 1964, yet the line remained in use until 1987 as the local telephone line. Upon arrival at Moreton, check in to the exclusive wilderness lodge for two nights to relax and explore the local area. Newly refurbished rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, quality furnishings, and air-conditioning.

In the 1860s, construction began on the Overland Telegraph Line. The northern section ran through very difficult, rugged country, and the telegraph survey expedition was only the fourth overland expedition ever made to Cape York. Work on the Cape York Peninsula section was completed in 1886, and Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887. The line served Australia well until the outbreak of war, when better communications were required in response to the threat to the northern coastline. After more than 100 years of service, Moreton eventually ceased communication operations in 1987 with the introduction of the modern era of telecommunications. Today, join the guides for interpretive walks around the station and along the Wenlock River, which contains the highest diversity of freshwater fish of all Australian rivers. Species include the Freshwater Sawfish, Speartooth Shark, and more common fish like the Sooty Grunter and Barramundi. After lunch, there is time to catch up on some washing or simply relax and take in the beautiful surrounds, followed by a second night at this historic site.

Today, the journey continues north along the Telegraph Track, passing through wild and rugged countryside. As some sections of the track are impassable, travel is mainly along the northern and southern bypass roads on the route north from Moreton. In the morning, visit Fruit Bat Falls for a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water of Eliot Creek, followed by a picnic lunch. Continue north and cross the Jardine River by vehicular ferry before arriving at Bamaga for check-in at the Cape York Peninsula Lodge for the next two nights.

Today, venture to the northernmost point on the Australian mainland — a Cape traveller’s ultimate destination. The walking track begins at Pajinka and requires a good level of fitness, but the effort is well rewarded. Capture a photo next to the iconic signpost and soak up the views of the Torres Strait while the guide shares the area's rich history. In the afternoon, visit Somerset, once the home of Frank Jardine and the official government residence on the Cape, protected by British Marines. After a BBQ lunch, return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a performance by a local dance group at the resort.

This morning, travel to Seisia and board the ferry for a cruise across Endeavour Strait. Enjoy informative commentary about the Torres Strait Islands from the captain en route to Thursday Island, located 35 km northwest of the tip of Cape York. The island has a population of approximately 3,000 people and serves as the main administrative centre of the Torres Strait. Upon arrival on Thursday Island, join a tour led by a local expert before enjoying some free time. Next, take a short ferry trip to nearby Friday Island, home to Kazu Pearls. Enjoy a pearl demonstration and visit the pearl farm shop, with the opportunity to purchase exquisite pearl jewellery. Later in the afternoon, return to Thursday Island for an overnight stay at the Jardine Motel. 

This morning, take a ferry across to Horn Island and enjoy a tour of this once-prominent WWII air base, followed by a visit to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. Then board a QANTAS flight back to Cairns, arriving in time for lunch. For the final evening, check in to the Shangri-La The Marina. Enjoy luxurious rooms in this perfectly positioned hotel along the Esplanade. Tonight, a special farewell dinner will be held at the hotel — a chance to reflect on an incredible adventure to the tip of Australia.

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning before the transfer to Cairns Airport or to accommodation if extending your stay.