12 DAY CAPE YORK CAMPING SAFARI (Drive/Sea)

Get to know your fellow travellers and expert Cape York tour guide on a scenic coastal journey from Cairns, north to Port Douglas and the 135 million year old Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforests.

From here we experience the rugged and famous "Bloomfield Track" where we cross the Bloomfield River and stop for a hearty bite to eat at the historic Lion’s Den Pub. Then we see bouncing stones and learn about the spiritual legend of Black mountain on our way to Cooktown.

Cooktown is rich with Australian history and we spend the afternoon exploring its highlights and landmarks including Grassy Hill and the site where Captain James Cook landed the Endeavour in 1778.

Today we GO WEST! - via Battlecamp Road through escarpment country and hear tales of successful and infamous pioneers from the gold rush days.  We pass through the township of Laura and stop in for a drink at the renowned Old Laura Homestead before arriving at our campsite in Lakefield National Park.

Spot threatened species including the Red Goshawk, Lakeland Downs Mouse and Spectacled Hare-Wallaby and watch more common Cape York animals and birds such as, Ibis, Bustards, Jabirus, Brolgas, wild pigs and crocodiles  going about their daily routines.  

This evening we enjoy the peace of a campfire and sleeping under the stars by the Normanby River.

You’ll get a firsthand experience of Lakefield National Park’s plentiful billabongs, waterholes and creeks on our journey out of Lakefield towards Musgrave station.

Take time to look at and reflect upon Old Musgrave Telegraph Station’s historical collection of memorabilia and old photos of the area, and allow yourself to be humbled by the amazing hurdles overcome by hard-working people from the bush. Tonight we enjoy more camp oven cooking and another peaceful night under the stars.

Driving along the Peninsula Development Road, through the remote old gold rush township of Coen and across the Archer River, we pass the little known RAAF base in Sherger.  This base became less secret in September 2010 when the Australian Government announced it would be used to accommodate up to 300 male asylum seekers.

We arrive in Cape York’s largest town and mining hub, Weipa around midday, leaving you plenty of time to explore.  Why not grab some bait and go fishing, browse shops, or visit the Laundromat on the main street before you return to base camp to enjoy some more camp oven and another peaceful night camping under the stars.

This morning is your last chance to see Weipa on the optional tour of Weipa’s township and bauxite mine (optional extra cost). Learn about Weipa’s history, lifestyle and how the town is a driving force in the Cape York economy.  Or you can just sleep in and relax around our campsite before we re-board the four wheel drive bound for Bramwell Cattle Station.

Wendy Bramwell, owner of Australia’s Northern most cattle station and the largest of its kind in Cape York, will often come and greet your group herself and share stories about Bramwell station, their expansion into earth moving and tourism, as well as environmental and legislative issues that have changed the nature of station life in the Cape.  After this very special experience, we set up our camp and spend the night on Bramwell Station 

Get set for some awesome four wheel drive action today!  Our exciting journey to Twin Falls takes us along the Old Telegraph track, splashing through creeks and washouts and tackling steep inclines and ditches.

See spectacular Heathlands Reserve with its low scrub country and marvel at the giant and magnificently strong termite mounds.  The work of tiny creatures, some termite mounds stand taller than humans and are always a talking point on tour.

Leaving Heathlands Reserve we trade dust for water at Twin Falls.  After you take your first swim in the refreshing and inviting crystal-clear swimming holes beneath either of Elliott River’s twin falls you’ll understand why this area is described as the jewel in Cape York’s crown.

Enjoy one more swim before we wave goodbye to Twin Falls and buckle up for another day of rugged four wheel drive adventure on our way to Australia’s northern most mainland town, Bamaga. Look out for crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks while we take the old world cable ferry across Cape York’s largest river, the Jardine River.  A short drive from the ferry, we pass through the small township of Bamaga, a hub of Cape York Government and Indigenous agencies before we set up our picturesque waterfront campsite overlooking the Torres Strait at Loyalty Beach.

Make sure your camera lens is clean and batteries are charged because today is the day that we touch the absolute tip of Australia. 

After a short sleep in, we drive from Bamaga to Seisia and walk as a group to the very end of Cape York Peninsula where we celebrate and get that all important photo evidence that proves “I did it!”

Your expert guide will take you on a leisurely stroll around the area and share historical stories and eco-facts before returning to our beachfront campsite at Loyalty Beach for an afternoon of socialising, knowledge sharing and sunset drinks on the beach.

This morning’s call for "all aboard" has a very different meaning. 

Wave goodbye to your expert guide and comfy four wheel drive and say hello to the working coastal freighter M.V. Trinity Bay.

Watch the strategic and complex loading of vehicles and containers bound for Cairns on the Seisia Jetty and then sit back and relax with the wind in your hair as the ship cruises south to Cairns among the crystal blue waters and tropical islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Our friendly team will greet you on day 12 when you arrive at Trinity Wharf in Cairns (anytime between 9.00am and 5.00pm depending on cargo logistics) and drop you off safely at your Cairns accommodation.

• 1 Driver/Guide
• Meals as indicated
• Guided tours & activities
• Air-conditioned 14 seat 4WD vehicle
• 9 nights camping
• 2 nights boat accommodation
• Tent
• Stretcher Bed & Sleeping bag
• Cape York to Cairns boat costs
• Return Cairns Accommodation Transfers

• Before & After tour $42.50 per person per night
  includes free Airport pick up, Breakfast & Luggage storage
  click here for more info

• Pillow BYO or purchase in Cairns
• Weipa Mine Tour $30 per person
• Thursday Island Bus Tour $31 per person
• Thursday Island Ferry $112 per person return
• Horn Island Bus Tour $30 per person
• Horn Island Ferry $30 per person return