Cape York Tour
Frequently Asked Questions

If on a camping tour - all camping equipment including tents with a floor built into them, mattresses, National Park fees, land access and usage fees to local communities, all camping fees. If on an accommodated tour – all accommodation costs whilst on tour. Meals as indicated: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D).

Any costs incurred before or after departure. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary. Any personal items such as newspapers, telephone, alcohol and drinks, laundry, personal and travel insurance. For a basic travel insurance cover, see plan KA which will cover "cancellation fees" for Australian residents.

Some of these optional tours are included in some tours (refer to individual itinerary) but if not the costs are as follows:

Thursday Island Coach Tour	$26
Thursday and Horn Islands Tour	$200
Full Day Cape York Fishing	$550 charter basis - 4 Persons when available
Half Day Weipa Fishing	$110 charter basis per person when available
Weipa Mine and Lifestyle Tour	$25
Cooktown Museum	$10

We suggest about $300 per person. Credit cards and EFTPOS machines are accessible in most places throughout Cape York.

It is strongly recommended that travel insurance be acquired at time of booking the tour. Insurance should cover loss of costs through cancellation, loss of personal belongings, baggage, money and medical expenses. Most claims arise from personal or close family illness before holiday departure resulting in cancellation fees.
For a basic travel insurance cover, see plan KA which will cover "cancellation fees" for Australian residents.

Generally medium sized airplanes with a capacity of 20 to 50 passengers are used. During peak season when services are in demand we occasionally use smaller aircraft carrying 8 or less passengers.

M.V Trinity Bay carries 38 passengers stopping at Horn Island, Thursday Island and Bamaga. The trip normally takes 2.5 days and you will sleep on the boat for 2 nights. Accommodation is in either twin cabins or 3-4 passengers per cabin, all cabins have share bathroom facilities. A licensed bar is on the ship and your trip includes meals as indicated in the tour itinerary.

Vehicle seats are individual, padded bucket seats with lap and sash seat belts. Vehicle suspensions are modified to ride as comfortably as possible to Cape York. A seat rotation is normally done each day.

For camping tours please feel free to bring your own bedding or depending on which tour you are doing an extra cost MAY apply for sleeping bag ($17) sheet ($7) pillow ($7) camp bed ($7 per day with a maximum of $70 per trip) and single tent if required ($70).

4 tee shirts Shady hat 4 shorts or skirts Torch Swimmers/Towel Toiletries Water bottle Laundry powder A spray jacket/warm jacket Insect repellent 1 pair of sandals Small day pack 1 pair rubber soled shoes/joggers Track suit pants/jeans

NB: clothes line & pegs are supplied by us (campers only) PLEASE AVOID ARTICLES OF WHITE/LIGHT CLOTHING AS DUST MAY STAIN

Baggage space is limited. One soft sided sausage style bag per person measuring approximately 600mm x 500mm x 300mm (24” x 20” x 12”) with a maximum weight of about 10kgs (17lbs) plus one small day pack per person for inside the vehicle. Excess luggage may be stored at your accommodation.

All tours are conducted on a partial participation basis, it generates friendship and conversation. The Tour Leader does all cooking however assistance with vegetable peeling, firewood collection and filling water buckets is greatly appreciated. Passengers assist with washing and wiping and erect their own tents (unless on pre-erected tent camping tour or on accommodated tour) after a demonstration, those less agile will be given assistance.

The maximum number of passengers depends on the seating in the 4WD vehicles which range from 3 to 21 seats.

These tours are designed to show the very best of Cape York Peninsula. The day normally starts around 8.00am ending approximately 4.00pm covering 300 kilometers per day. During the normal course of the day you will stop for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. The tour also stops at places of interest, towns, communities and any notable flora or fauna features.

Toilets are either flushing or National Park composting type and showers are available most nights and if not, a long, soaking soap free swim in a shallow, safe stream is available.

Tours to Cape York operate during the ‘dry’ season of May to October. Occasionally we strike some light rain and generally, a light spray jacket is sufficient.

The Guides are chosen for their ability to relish their occupation. They have a good sense of humour, are competent drivers, have extraordinary culinary skills and a wealth of knowledge which they are passionate to share with you.

Your Guides / Chefs work extremely hard to provide passengers with excellent, wholesome meals. Breakfast consists of a choice of at least 3 cereals, toast and spreads. Lunch has a variety of cold meats and an abundant selection of salad vegetables on rolls or sandwiches. Evening meals begin with ‘happy hour’ followed by a 2 course meal which could be a grill, roast, casserole, BBQ, fresh fish and appropriate selection of vegetables followed by a tasty dessert.

If a passenger is on a medically prescribed diet, we will do our absolute utmost to cater suitable meals for that person. Please contact our office to discuss any diet needs.

The company complies with a vigorous workplace, health and safety policy therefore certain restrictions are applied. Our staff will brief all passengers on a regular basis throughout the tour and passengers are asked to comply with all safety matters. Restrictions are imposed, for example :- Suitcases, hard sided luggage and metal framed back- packs cannot be accepted; passengers must keep a minimum distance from chainsaw operations; passengers must keep a minimum distance from campfire operations.

We are currently trying to negotiate free storage for cars and caravans. Currently the cost is $5 per day for a car or $8 per day for a car and caravan combined.

As per Government regulations, smoking is not permitted in vehicles. Ample stops provide time for “smoking breaks”.

The Government has imposed very strict alcohol regulations throughout Cape York Peninsula and our company has a permit to carry certain quantities of alcohol and complies with all regulations and laws. Please contact our office for further, more recent information.

Telephones, cameras and other electrical devises can be charged using mains power in Cooktown, Musgrave, Coen, Weipa, Bramwell Station and Cape York.

Digital mobile telephones only operate in Cooktown. Telstra NEXT G telephones work in Cooktown, Laura, Coen, Weipa and Thursday Island. Email access via “internet cafes” is generally not available.