Cape York Air/Overland 8 Day Tour

A relaxed and exciting holiday combination. An overland wilderness expedition, with the additional perspective of a spectacular flight, and the comfort and amenity of overnight accommodation. Your flight from Cairns to Horn Island (Thursday Islands airport) will provide a unique aerial overview of this vast wilderness tract, its huge rivers, remote communities and deserted coastline. Appreciate and experience the rich geology, the unique flora and fauna as you travel overland from Cape York to Cairns.

Our overnight stays quite often reflect the unique nature of the sparsely inhabited regions in which we travel. Forest shrouded resorts and lodges; hotels and motels. "No Frill" cattle station cabins and cabin tent accommodation along the track where no alternatives exist. All are clean and comfortable, the hospitality genuine, open and friendly, and the cuisine generous and appetising. 240V Electricity at station accommodation is generally not available between 10pm & 7am.

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Cairns, Horn Island (LD)

Pre-arranged pick-up from your overnight accommodation for transfer to Cairns airport for mid morning flight to Horn Island. Met at Horn Island airport by your Gateway Torres Strait Resort hosts for transfer to resort. A two hour Horn Island bus tour, entry to Torres Strait Heritage Museum and hot buffet lunch is included. Join the locals fishing off Horn Island wharf - equipment supplied.

Accommodation:
» Gateway Torres Strait Resort - ensuite facilities

Day 2 - Thursday Island, Red Island Point, Punsand Bay (BD)

Morning Transfer by ferry to Thursday Island. Ample time for sightseeing, souvenir shopping and a conducted bus tour of historic "T.I." is included. Lunch is own cost today. Mid afternoon by inter-island ferry for a cruise via Prince of Wales and Possession Islands to Seisia.

Accommodation:
» Punsand Bay Private Reserve. Beach front cabin tent (ensuite). 2 nights

Day 3 - Cape York, Somerset (BLD)

A day of interest and outdoor enjoyment. An early morning walk to "The Tip", the most northerly point of our continent. A tour to Albany Passage with a visit to historic Somerset, the once mooted "Singapore of the Pacific" (road conditions permitting.) A peaceful shady stroll through the unique rainforest of Lockerbie Scrub before again returning to your overnight accommodation.

Accommodation:
» Punsand Bay Private Reserve. Beach front cabin tent (ensuite)

Day 4 - Jardine River, Fruitbat Falls, Moreton Station (BLD)

Anticipation and excitement as we commence our overland trek. Retracing the paths of our earliest overlanders, we cross the swift flowing Jardine River to Fruitbat Falls, a Mecca for "off road" travellers. Enjoy a refreshing swim and lunch before we continue negotiating river crossings and bush tracks to arrive at Old Moreton Telegraph Station, on the banks of the Wenlock River.

Accommodation:
» Cabin tent accommodation - shared facilities (twin share fully screened tents with beds, linen and lights. Gas powered hot showers, flushing toilets and outdoor covered dining area)

Day 5 - Weipa (BLD)

Time for a guided nature walk along this lightly forested waterway before we cross the sandy Wenlock River. Travel south to Batavia Downs Station then detour west to the Gulf of Carpentaria through huge cattle runs and Aboriginal tribal lands to the bauxite mining town of Weipa. A veritable "Oasis in the wilderness" and providing further contrast to your experience of this last frontier.

Accommodation:
» Heritage Resort - Weipa (ensuite facilities).

Day 6 - Archer River, Coen, Musgrave (BLD)

In the cool of the morning, a optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost). Across rolling Piccaninny Plains, a refreshment stop at the Archer River and then via old historic Coen to overnight at Musgrave Telegraph Station, A 100 year old pioneer telegraph station.

Accommodation:
» Musgrave Telegraph Station ( shared facilities)

Day 7 - Lakefield National Park, Cooktown (BLD)

East towards Princess Charlotte Bay and enter the massive bird and animal sanctuary of Lakefield National Park. The waterfowl teem in lily fringed billabongs and huge crocodiles bask in broad river lakes and lagoons. Travel over the legendary Battle Camp Range to historical Cooktown. An eventful afternoon sightseeing and viewing significant landmarks and sites so important to all Australians.

Accommodation:
» Seaview Motel (ensuite facilities)

Day 8 - Bloomfield, Cape Tribulation (BL)

Crossing the wide Bloomfield River marks the start of our drive over the controversial "Bloomfield Track". Jungle green heights descend to the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef, with tantalising glimpses of deserted beaches and fringing coral. Through the famous World Heritage Rainforest across the Daintree River, then via the scenic sea road to Cairns and journeys end.

This tour can also be done in the reverse direction:

» DAY 1 MONDAY (LD) Cairns, Daintree Rainforest, Cooktown
» DAY 2 TUESDAY (BLD) Lakefield National Park, Musgrave
» DAY 3 WEDNESDAY (BLD) Coen, Archer River, Weipa
» DAY 4 THURSDAY (BLD) Wenlock River, Moreton
» DAY 5 FRIDAY (BLD) Fruitbat Falls, Jardine River, Punsand Bay
» DAY 6 SATURDAY (BD) Thursday Island, Punsand Bay
» DAY 7 SUNDAY (BLD) Cape York, Somerset, Punsand Bay
» DAY 8 MONDAY (BL) Punsand Bay, Cairns

Note the reverse direction tour does not overnight on Horn Island.

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