Cairns to Cape York Far North Queensland

Flight Details: Homeport - Cairns (flights to be advised)

Today we depart on our flight from our homeport to Cairns. Upon arrival at Cairns airport we are met by our host and coach captain and experience a brief Cairns city highlights tour, including St Monica’s Cathedral and the Cairns Museum. This afternoon it’s time to check in to our hotel before enjoying dinner at the Dundees Aquarium Restaurant.

Overnight Cairns: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

This morning after an early breakfast and check out, we meet our Cape York Guide and depart Cairns for Cooktown. Our adventure has begun as we travel north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, through the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. We make our way along the jungle shrouded Bloomfield Track (road conditions permitted), enjoying a picnic lunch along the way, before our visit to Lion’s Den Hotel. This historic pub is one of Queensland’s oldest, having been established in 1878. Continue onto Cooktown stopping enroute at the mysterious Black Mountain, known as Kalkajaka (meaning ‘place of spear’). On our arrival in Cooktown we visit Captain Cooks Landing, before heading to our accommodation for check in and freshen up before dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Overnight Cooktown: Sovereign Resort Hotel

Today we depart Cooktown heading west into the outback to explore Lakefield National Park (road conditions permitted) on our way to Musgrave. Lakefield is the second largest National Park in Queensland and is a haven for many birds and animals native to this area. Its lagoons, billabongs, and wide river lakes are also home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. Late afternoon has us arriving at the Musgrave Roadhouse, ‘Old Musgrave Telegraph Station’ built in 1887. Musgrave is about half way between Cairns and “The Tip”, so has been the resting place for many travellers. Wagon teamsters and packhorse mailmen would spell their weary teams here, and in later years many aircraft have sheltered here from bad weather. Once settled into our accommodation, take time to soak in the area and read the story of the station and Shepard family before dinner.

Overnight Musgrave: Musgrave Station Roadhouse (Basic Accommodation)

Our journey continues today, leaving Musgrave after breakfast and continuing our drive north, stopping at the historic frontier gold town of Coen and the picturesque Archer River, before making our way into the bauxite-mining town of

Weipa. After check in and before dinner enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Overnight Weipa: Albatross Bay Resort

This morning after breakfast we enjoy a Weipa Wildlife and Eco Cruise, a unique experience in and around the beautiful eco systems and local culture of Weipa. Cruise the harbour, the Embley River to Hay Point and learn about the local culture, history and view the abundance of wildlife this area has to offer, including the croc’s. After our tour there will be time to purchase our lunch in town before leaving Weipa behind, and continuing our journey to Bramwell Station, for our overnight stay at a ‘true blue’ Aussie cattle station. After check in, the ringing of

the station’s bell signals happy hour, which is at the licensed bar, the starting point of an entertaining evening. The evenings at the Tourist Park usually kick off with an introductory chat about the property during happy hour.

Overnight Bramwell: Bramwell Station (Note - Single Rooms will have shared facilities only)

After an early start, we head north travelling along part of the Old Telegraph Track, arriving at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Relax, swim, and enjoy this unique area with its enchanting waterfall, before continuing northwards across the Jardine River, to arrive at the ‘very tip’ of Australia - Cape York. Full of history, culture and scenery our next few days here will be amazing. We make our way to our accommodation for check in at the Seisia Holiday Park, which is ideally located, being in walking distance from the Seisia Wharf, the departure point for the ferry to Thursday Island and a famous fishing spot.

Overnight Cape York: Seisia Holiday Park

We have an unforgettable day ahead of us today. After breakfast we stand at the very top of mainland Australia to enjoy the views and take some photos. Then visit Somerset (road conditions permitted), once the home of the legendary Jardine family. One of the greatest historical places in Australia, it was the earliest permanent white settlement on the Cape York Peninsula and first administrative centre for the Cape York and Torres Strait area, in one of the most isolated and violent places in Australia. Explore and learn about this interesting place before heading to the palm fringed Anchorage Beach which overlooks the Albany Passage (Adolphus Channel). After lunch, enjoy a walk along the beach before returning to our accommodation.

Overnight Cape York: Seisia Holiday Park

We have an early start today as we head to the Seisia Wharf, for our 8.00am ferry departure. Cruise through island studded straits to explore our northern community, Thursday Island. Once here we will be taken on an informative

guided tour of the island and its picturesque harbour, once home to the romantic pearl lugger fleet. See all Thursday Island has to offer and learn more about the rich Torres Strait culture and history with our informative guided tour aboard our luxury air-conditioned coach. Professional tour guides will delight us with their knowledgeable and entertaining narratives of Thursday Island’s history. This guided tour visits all the main points of interest, as well as areas off-the-track, and is simply the best way to explore Thursday Island. We will have some free time at our own leisure to purchase lunch, before we take a short ferry ride to Horn Island and transfer to the Horn Island Airport for our flight back to Cairns. Arriving late afternoon/evening into Cairns we are transferred to our accommodation for a good nights rest.

Flight Details - departure time approx.

Qantas - Horn Island - Cairns (times to be advised)

Overnight Cairns: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

After breakfast this morning, we journey to the Freshwater Station and board the Kuranda Scenic Rail, a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls. Rising from sea level to 328m, the journey to Kuranda passes through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, waterfalls and the awesome Barron Gorge. We arrive at Kuranda Village where we can explore the Heritage Markets, Art and Craft Galleries, shops and cafés. We gather for Lunch in a local restaurant, before our Kuranda rainforest experience, as we commence the return leg of our days touring and board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which takes us 7.5kms over the top of the rainforest whilst taking in the stunning panoramic views from the city of Cairns all the way out to the glittering waters of the Coral Sea. We can disembark at the Skyrail’s two mid-stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls and take a walk around the forest floor on board-walks, stop at the scenic lookouts and learn about this diverse area at the state of the art Rainforest Interpretation Centre. We complete our Skyrail experience when we disembark at Smithfield Station and make our way back to the hotel for dinner in-house.

Overnight Cairns: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Today is ours to explore Cairns as we wish, take in a Reef or Island Trip or just explore the Cairns CBD with a laid back day of exploring by foot.

Optional Tour - Great Barrier Reef Cruise - ex Port Douglas

Spend the day on the Agincourt Reef, at the very outer edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, special reefs known as ‘ribbons’ run parallel to the Continental Shelf. Adjacent to the Coral Sea trench, these ribbon reefs are recognised as the most pristine eco-systems in the reef’s environment. Clear water provides the best possible underwater visibility. Entering the dramatic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is an extraordinary experience. It’s a day that engages all our senses, lifts our spirit and takes us into another realm. Sharing the wonder of the world’s largest living entity, realising its breathtaking colour and majesty, seeing nature at its most perfect is an awakening and, quite simply, the memory of a lifetime. Come and experience nature’s finest with Australia’s best. At Agincourt ribbon reef, we’ll feel as if we’ve embraced paradise.

Optional Tour - Fitzroy Island - ex Cairns

Departing daily from Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal, a short 45 minute ride in an air-conditioned catamaran will take us to the tropical paradise of Fitzroy Island. Enjoy a day of leisure on this tropical island. After our day exploring, dinner is at our own leisure tonight.

Overnight Cairns: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

As the final day of our tour greets us, take in one last breakfast and enjoy some free time to wander the shops, cafés or perhaps take a dip in the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. We then transfer to the Cairns airport to check in for our homeward flight after a wonderful time away in tropical Cairns and Cape York with Trade Travel.

Flight Details: Cairns to Homeport (flights to be advised)