HIGHLIGHTS:

• Flight Cairns-Horn Island (overnight accommodation)
• Torres Straits
• Thursday Island
• Cape York "The Tip"
• Weipa
• Lakefield National Park
• Cooktown
• Cape Tribulation

ITINERARY

Meals as indicated-; Breakfast (B); Lunch (L); Dinner (D).

DAY 1 SUNDAY (D) CAIRNS, HORN ISLAND.
Pick-up from your accommodation for an early morning flight. On arrival on Horn Island you will be met by a representative from the Gateway Torres Strait Resort. Lunch included followed by a bus tour of the island and Museum. Overnight accommodation

DAY 2 MONDAY (BD) THURSDAY ISLAND, PUNSAND BAY..
Morning ferry to Thursday Island for a conducted bus tour of this historic Island. Mid afternoon by inter-island ferry for a cruise via Prince of Wales and Possession Islands to Punsand Bay Private Reserve, our Northern Base Camp for next 2 nights.

DAY 3 TUESDAY (BLD) CAPE YORK, SOMERSET.
An unforgettable day of achievement and interest. We stand at the very tip of our continent. Visit the ruins of Somerset the once grandiose "Singapore of the Pacific" (road conditions permitting) with pristine beaches and rocky headlands.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY (BLD) CAPE YORK, TWIN FALLS
Our exciting overland adventure starts today. Across the mighty Jardine River, through the wilderness of forests and heath to Twin Falls on the Elliot River and a cooling dip in the rapids and waterfalls before setting up camp in this unique spot.

DAY 5 THURSDAY (BLD) TELEGRAPH TRACK, WENLOCK RIVER.
An exciting day negotiating river crossings and bush tracks while absorbing the unfamiliar landscape of eucalyptus scrub, heathlands, plains and exotic zamia forests. Camp on the Wenlock River at Moreton Telegraph Station.

DAY 6 FRIDAY (BD) WEIPA.
Travel south to Batavia Downs Station then detour west to the Gulf of Carpentaria through huge cattle runs and Aboriginal tribal lands to the bauxite mining town of Weipa.

DAY 7 SATURDAY (BLD) ARCHER RIVER.
In the cool of the early morning, a optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost). A veritable "Oasis in the Wilderness" and providing further contrast to your experience of this last frontier. Across rolling Piccaninny Plains and on to our overnight stop at the Archer River.

DAY 8 SUNDAY (BLD) COEN, MUSGRAVE, LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK.
Historic interludes as we visit the once vibrant gold rush town of Coen and the last old Telegraph Station, Musgrave. East towards the Coral Sea to arrive at the massive wildlife haven, Lakefield National Park.

DAY 9 MONDAY (BD) COOKTOWN.
Past pioneer homesteads, with a pause for photos at Old Laura Homestead, along trackers first blazed by gold crazed fortune hunters, over the stark Battlecamp Range to reach Cooktown. A day of interest and enjoyment as we visit Cook's landing place, Grassy Hill Lookout, the century old museum, or shop for souvenirs in original colonial era shops. Overnight Cooktown.

DAY 10 TUESDAY (BL) DAINTREE RAINFORESTS, CAIRNS.
Over the jungle shrouded heights of the Bloomfield Track to enter the majestic expanse of the World Heritage Rainforest. Jungle green heights descend to the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef with views of deserted beaches and fringing coral. Across the Daintree River and via the scenic beaches to arrive at your Cairns accommodation.

2011 DEPARTURE DATES

May 16, 30, June 13, 27, July 11, 25, Aug 8, 22

RATES

Discounted rates for May. Please contact us for details