Cape York Luxury 8 Day Tour
If you are looking for a small group of like-minded people for the journey of a lifetime. Stepping aboard this Cape York Luxury 8 day 4WD Cape York Safari will be unforgettable.
This luxury wilderness safari from Cairns to Cape York, allows you to take in the breath-taking scenery of the Cape York region. The tropical landscapes are among the most stunning in the world.
You will marvel at the remoteness and untamed wilderness of this part of Australia. Captivating everyone with its richness in Aboriginal Culture and Australian Pioneering history, amazing wildlife, and adventure.
Explore the extensive wetlands which are among the largest, richest and most diverse in Australia.
Travel across flat flowing rivers and creeks, swim in crystal clear streams and spend time at secluded beaches.
Take in the Torres Strait culture and history on your guided tour around Thursday Island. Be part of the trek to the most northerly tip of Australia.
The Climate on Cape York is Tropical and Monsoonal with a heavy monsoon season from November to April. Therefore, Cape York Luxury Tours are operated during the Dry season from May to October.
Highlights and Inclusions
What's Included
- Modern 4WD vehicle and experienced driver-guide Small group of 6 passengers
- All accommodation costs (twin-share)
- All breakfasts & dinners and light lunches as per the itinerary
- Morning / Afternoon teas
- All National Park entry fees
- All ferries and barges
- Cruise to Thursday Island and a bus tour of the island
- Tour of Horn Island
- Flight from Cairns to Horn Island
- Queensland’s Great Ocean Road
- Daintree National Park and Ferry Crossing
- Cape Tribulation and its sandy beaches
- Mardja boardwalk
- Bloomfield Track & Falls
- Cedar Bay National Park
- Lion’s Den Pub
- Black Mountain
- Lakefield National Park
- Old Laura Homestead
- Batavia Downs
- Wenlock River
- Elliot Falls
- Fruit Bat Falls
- Jardine River
- Seisia
Itinerary
Day 1- CAIRNS TO COOKTOWN VIA THE DAINTREE
Lunch & Dinner Provided – Overnight: Cooktown. Leaving Cairns we head north along the Great Barrier Reef Drive towards Daintree. We will join the Daintree River Cruise for an hour of exploring the wilderness where crocodiles are often found. While we cross the Daintree River by cable ferry, we make our way towards Cape Tribulation, exploring coastal headlands and long sandy beaches. Stopping for lunch, we journey through the World Heritage Rainforest. We then engage 4WD and travel along the Bloomfield Track (weather permitting). Enjoy many scenic spots including Bloomfield Falls and Ceder Bay National Park, stopping at the Lions Den Pub – another Aussie icon. Then heading to mysterious Black Mountain before arriving in the historical township of Cooktown.
Day 2 – COOKTOWN TO COEN/MUSGRAVE
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Provided – Overnight: Coen/Musgrave. We start our day with a visit to the Grassy Hill Lookout, the James Cook Museum, Botanical Gardens and Powerhouse Museum. This is truly an amazing place. From Cooktown, we head west to Battle Camp and onwards into Lakefield National Park. After visiting “Old Laura” homestead we travel through many fascinating river valleys and numerous giant termite mounds before arriving at our overnight accommodation at Coen or Musgrave.
Day 3 – COEN/MUSGRAVE TO LOCKHART
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Provided – Overnight: Lockhart River. Today we continue our adventure to one of Australia’s most remote areas. Heading east, exploring the Sir William Thompson Range then cross the Pascoe River, through Iron Range National Park. As we enter the National Park, see the spectacular Mt. 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 further north, exploring the many wonders of the Iron Range National Park. Enjoy the dense tropical rainforest being the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in Australia. We arrive at Lockhart River for our overnight stay.
Day 4 – LOCKHART TO WEIPA
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Provided – Overnight: Weipa. Leaving the east coast behind, we head inland through the National Park to more Savannah land of the Cape travelling north. This afternoon we continue on a westward track towards the west coast to the famous mining town of Weipa, arriving late in the afternoon. The Heritage resort offers warm hospitality and friendly service with modern comfort and style.
Day 5 – WEIPA TO BRAMWELL
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Provided – Overnight: Bramwell. Weipa is located in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is the largest town in the Cape York Peninsula. Its main industries are mining and cattle exports. We take a stroll through the Jardine National Park to amaze your senses. Next, we visit the Western Cape Cultural Centre. Be impressed with the stunning and truly authentic aboriginal artwork, learning about the Aboriginal culture. We then take a stroll through the township. A tour of the Weipa Mine (optional) is up next, before departing from the port of Weipa and it’s amazing coastline, travelling onto Bramwell where we overnight.
Day 6 – BRAMWELL TO CAPE YORK
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Provided – Overnight: Loyalty Beach. Departing Bramwell, we head through one of the largest cattle stations on the Cape, Batvia Downs. Travelling to the Morton Telegraph Station, an important link in communication to the Far North and the Cape. This was in operation until 1960. Now we begin what will be one of the highlights of our tour. It’s time to join one of the original Telegraph Tracks (conditions permitting), travelling further north to visit Elliot Falls and Fruit Bat Falls. Joining the Bamaga Development Road, we arrive at the Cape’s most famous river, the Jardine, crossing the crocodile-infested stream by ferry, then onwards to the top arriving at Loyalty Beach where we stay for the next 2 nights.
Day 7- CAPE YORK TO THE TIP
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Provided – Overnight: Loyalty Beach. 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 30-minute walk to the point has lots of great views. Once we arrive it’s time to grab a drink and enjoy the afternoon over the Torres Strait.
Day 8 – THURSDAY ISLAND AND CAPE YORK
Breakfast and Lunch Provided / Flight from Horn Island. For our last day, we take a boat cruise across the Torres Strait to Thursday Island. A guided tour takes us around this small island that is part of the Torres Strait culture and history. The island is situated between Cape York and Australia’s nearest neighbour, New Guinea. Next, we take a short ferry ride to Horn Island, where you will also enjoy a short tour, before being transferred to the Horn Island Airport for your QANTAS flight back to Cairns, arriving at approximately 4 pm.
What to Bring
- 1 bag per person(80cm x 30cm x 30cm) plus small day pack weighing no more than 4kg
- Photo ID
- Small torch
- Small personal water bottle
- Clothing and footwear should be casual, comfortable and suited to tropical conditions.
- Clothing shorts,
- Trousers, shirts, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, a jacket and a change of warm clothes in case of inclement weather are advisable.
- Footwear – some form of fast-drying Wet shoe would prove useful.
- Personal sun protection, insect repellent, medications, toiletries, (overseas travellers need to bring a suitable adaptor).
- Don’t forget to bring your video or camera along with plenty of film & spare batteries (Recharge facilities are available).
- Also money and/or credit card for personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs and optional extras.
Please Note
- Alcohol Restrictions: Alcohol restrictions are currently in place in some indigenous communities that you will visit. These restrictions may only affect a part of your tour, depending on which tour you are doing. In 2004 the Queensland Parliament passed a Bill which improves enforcement of liquor laws in restricted areas, therefore, minimising its potential impact on the tourism industry. Strict conditions apply for any permits granted to tour operations by the Liquor Licensing Division. Such permits specify the dates, type and amount of alcohol allowed in a tour vehicle which in the restricted area.
- Why? The aim of alcohol bans and restrictions in Cape York Aboriginal Communities is to reduce alcohol-related harm, especially to children, women and other vulnerable community members. This is being achieved through alcohol restrictions, improved services and partnerships between government and community, including support for positive community actions.
- Single Travellers on the Cape York Luxury Tour must purchase the optional extra “single supplement” if you prefer your own private room. Otherwise, you may be roomed with another single traveller.
To tour Cape York by plane and 4WD in just one day, click HERE