CAIRNS TO CAPE YORK

Day 1 | Friday 28 August
Arrive Cairns
Our tour begins in tropical city of Cairns, where in the late afternoon we meet for drinks and an introductory talk with the tour leader in our hotel. Afterwards you can get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner at one of Cairns fine restaurants. Overnight Cairns (D)

Day 2 | Saturday 29 August
Between the Rainforest & Reef
The adventure begins when we depart Cairns early this morning and travel along the scenic Captain Cook Highway. Breathtaking views of the 165-million year old, World-Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and the pristine Great Barrier Reef greet us as we head north, into the lush tropical landscape. We drive up the Rex Range towards Mount Molloy, a wild and beautiful area which is home to a wealth of fauna, from colourful cassowaries to tree kangaroos, before making our way to Maitland Downs and the Palmer River Roadhouse with its rich gold rush history. Afterwards we pull up for a break at the historic Lions Den Hotel, fashioned from timber and iron and full of tin mining history and quirky memorabilia.  Stopping for a photo opportunity at nearby Black Mountain, where there’s an imposing mountain of black granite boulders balanced on top of each other, we learn about the mysterious myths and legends of the mountain. Arriving in the old gold port of Cooktown this afternoon, we end the day with a visit to the place where Captain Cook’s HMS Barque Endeavour lay beached while it was repaired in 1770 before enjoying dinner together and settling into our comfortable accommodation. Overnight Cooktown (B, L, D)

Day 3 | Sunday 30 August
Connection & Landcape
Heading into the outback this morning, we take an exciting drive along the legendary Battle Camp Range to the old, heritage-listed Laura homestead, which was settled in 1879 by Fergus O’Beirne, a young Irish immigrant. Journeying through golden sandstone hills and sweeping grasslands we head further west into the rich and diverse landscape of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (road conditions permitting). Dotted with flower-sprinkled lagoons, shaded billabongs and wide river lakes, this idyllic ecosystem is home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles and a haven for stunning birdlife. A highlight of our day will undoubtedly be a visit to the famous Laura Quinkan Art Site, where a local Indigenous guide will share their cultural knowledge and explain the multi-layered rock art motifs. The afternoon finds us at the beautifully restored heritage-listed Old Musgrave Telegraph Station, erected in 1886, where we will reside for the evening. Overnight Musgrave (B, L, D)

Day 4 | Monday 31 August
Crystal Clear Creek Crossings
Following the Overland Telegraph Track we visit the old gold mining town of Coen, which was created around a repeater station in the geographical centre of Cape York Peninsula. We will stop to admire the crystal clear waters of the Archer River, travelling past giant cattle stations and towering termite mounds before arriving at the Western Cape town
of Weipa, where we hope to enjoy a spectacular sunset over Gulf of Carpentaria. Overnight Weipa (B, L, D)

Day 5 | Tuesday 1 September
Weipa – A Juxtaposition of Wildlife & Mining
This morning, we join a Wildlife Eco River Cruise, where we will have the opportunity to discover waterways and diverse wildlife habitats, home to saltwater crocodiles and a plethora of bird species. After lunch we depart Weipa and make our way to the most northerly cattle station in Australia, Bramwell Station Cape York, where we settle in for the evening. Overnight Bramwell Station (B, D)

Day 6 | Wednesday 2 September
Fruit Bat Falls
After an early start, we head north travelling along part of the adventurous Old Telegraph Track to arrive at the beautiful Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Here we have an opportunity to relax, swim (croc-free), and enjoy the unique landscape with its enchanting waterfall. We then navigate northwards and cross by cable ferry the largest waterway of the Cape York Peninsular, the famous Jardine River, before arriving at Cape York. After our day of exploring, we stay at Australia’s most northerly mainland community, Seisia. Ideally located as our base camp for two nights, Seisia is within walking distance from the Seisia Wharf. Overnight Seisia (B, L, D)

Day 7 | Thursday 3 September
Trip to the Tip of Cape York
After a morning drive, we take advantage of the cooler hours to walk to the northernmost tip of the Australian continent. Get your cameras ready for the iconic shot of you standing at the very top of mainland Australia! Road conditions permitting, we then visit Somerset, a colonial trading outpost that was established in 1864 and once home to the infamous Jardine family and the ‘Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts’ mission. After our visit we enjoy a picnic lunch on palm-fringed Anchorage Beach, overlooking the Albany passage. This passage was a crucial shipping lane connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where numerous ships have come to ruin, including the steamship RMS Quetta, which was wrecked with great loss of life in 1890. After a leisurely walk along the beach, we return to Seisia for the evening. Overnight Seisia (B, L, D)

Day 8 | Friday 4 September
A Day on the Water
In the company of a local Indigenous guide we cruise the Cape’s islands this morning, benefitting from their traditional knowledge of the area. There will be opportunities for bird watching and we can look out for crocodiles, sharks, turtles and even dugongs. This afternoon we arrive at Horn Island, home to an exciting fusion of Melanesian and Australian Aboriginal cultures, with the remainder of the day at leisure to enjoy the island experience. Overnight Horn Island (B, L, D)

Scenic Flight with Nautilus Aviation
At an extra cost and during your free time, you can take a scenic helicopter flight over the islands with Nautilus Aviation. Academy Travel will arrange on request.

Day 9 | Saturday 5 September
Cultural Traditions & Military History
This morning, we take the ferry to Thursday Island, the local administrative centre and just one of the 274 islands that lie between the tip of Cape York and Papua New Guinea. Here we enjoy an informative tour around the 3.5km² island, followed by a leisurely walk around the township and the foreshore, learning all about the island’s little-known but fascinating military history. Holding a strategically important location during Pacific campaign in World War II, the island became the second-most attacked location in Australia, and this period is evidenced through the museum exhibits, trenches and underground command posts scattered across the island. This is followed by a lunch of traditional island food accompanied by an explanation of local traditions, with the option of a drink in the local pub before we return via ferry to Horn Island, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Horn Island (B, L)

Day 10 | Sunday 6 September
Torres Strait Island Hopping
We spend today island hopping, travelling by boat past Kirirri/Keriri, where for thousands of years the Kaurareg people followed traditional methods of hunting, fishing and agriculture. The European name of Hammond Island was created in 1791 when Captain Edwards of HMS Pandora travelled through the Torres Strait with the captured Bounty mutineers. The island became the pearling station  headquarters for a short time and in 1929 a Catholic Mission was established for the children of the Filipinos and Malays, whose forefathers were brought to the Torres Strait as indentured labour. Staying in the inner islands we cruise past Palilag, also known as Goods Island, which was a signalling station and is still an active lighthouse, before disembarking at Muralag - Prince of Wales Island, where we enjoy a walk with a Traditional Owner through the interior, learning more about the island’s complex and sometimes tragic history. In the evening, we return to Thursday Island for an “Island Feast” of local crayfish, accompanied by a cultural dance performance celebrating the Islander’s strong connection to land and sea. Overnight Horn Island (B, L, D)

Day 11 | Monday 7 September
Steeped in History
During World War II, Horn Island played a crucial role as a major Allied airbase, strategically located to defend Australia’s northern threats. The island endured eight Japanese air raids, and traces of this wartime history remain scattered across the landscape. This morning, we explore these remnants and visit the Horn Island Heritage Museum, where the stories of the island’s multi-cultural military presence are vividly brought to life through a rich collection of artefacts and personal accounts. After lunch, we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Cairns, where the tour concludes. (B, L)