Departure points & times
06:30AM – Top Tourist: 1st City Caravilla Caravan Park, Kelly Street Earlville
06:45AM – Pacific Hotel, 43 Esplanade Cairns
06:55AM – Novotel Oasis Resort, 122 Lake Street Cairns
07:00AM – Queens Court Hotel, 167 Sheridan Street Cairns
ITINERARY Legend; B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
- Day 1 – Cairns to Cooktown (LD)
After an early morning pick up from selected Cairns accommodation your adventure begins. Travelling north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, through the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Then making our way along the jungle shrouded Bloomfield Track (road conditions permitted), stopping off at the unique Lion’s Den Hotel, and the mysterious Black Mountain, arriving at the old gold port of Cooktown, where we visit Captain Cooks Landing, before settling in our accommodation.
- Day 2 – Cooktown to Lakefield NP & Musgrave (BLD)
Heading west into the outback, we visit Split Rock, Aboriginal Rock Art. Then travel on to explore Lakefield National Park (road conditions permitted), a haven for the many birds and animals native to this area. Lagoons, billabongs, and wide river lakes are home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. The afternoon finds us arriving at our overnight accommodation at The Old Musgrave telegraph station.
- Day 3 – Musgrave, Coen, Archer River & Weipa (BLD)
This morning, we continue north stopping off at the historic frontier gold town of Coen and the picturesque Archer River, before making our way to the bauxite-mining town of Weipa. Enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.
- Day 4 – Weipa, Wenlock River, Bramwell Station (BD)
This morning you have the option to join a Wildlife Eco River Cruise (own expense). After lunch, we head for our overnight accommodation with ensuite facilities at a ‘true blue’ Aussie cattle station, Bramwell Station.
- Day 5 – Bramwell, Fruit Bat Falls & Cape York (BLD)
After an early start, we head north travelling along part of the Old Telegraph Track to arrive at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Relax, swim, and enjoy this unique area with its enchanting waterfall. Then northwards across the Jardine River, to arrive at Cape York! We will be staying at Seisia. Seisia is ideally located for our next few days, being in walking distance from the Seisia Wharf, the departure point for the ferry to Thursday Island and a famous fishing spot. Our accommodation is at Seisia Holiday Park.
- Day 6 – Cape York, Somerset (BLD)
An unforgettable day! Stand at the very top of mainland Australia. We then visit Somerset (road conditions permitted), once the home of the legendary Jardine family. We have lunch on palm fringed Anchorage Beach which overlooks the Albany Passage. A walk on the beach completes your day before returning to Seisia.
- Day 7 – Cape York, Thursday Island, Cairns (B)
An early morning departure as you cruise through island studded straits to explore our northern community, Thursday Island. Here you will be taken on an informative guided bus tour of the island and its picturesque Harbour, once home to the romantic pearl lugger fleet. Then board your plane at Horn Island for your flight back to Cairns. Arriving late afternoon in Cairns your tour finishes with a drop off to selected Cairns hotel accommodation or caravan parks.
Free day to explore Cairns before we set off to the Gulf tomorrow. Accommodation at Queens Court Hotel (breakfast included) or Novotel Oasis Resort.(breakfast not included)
- Day 9 – Cairns, Herberton Historic Village, Malanda – (BLD)
After an early morning departure from Queens Court Hotel (breakfast included) or Novotel Oasis Resort.(breakfast not included) your holiday begins, travelling up the Kuranda Range to the Atherton Tableland and on to Herberton. Today we explore the Historic Village of Herberton, where you can live the folklore and romance of yesterday’s Australia in every piece of this eye-opening collection. Sit in the schoolhouse. Stand at the bar of the pub. Enjoy a latte in the Bakerville Tearooms. The award-winning attraction is more than a vintage precinct – it’s a tangible buzz of things past with over 50 original buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery and vehicles, plus thousands of antique items and period memorabilia. Late afternoon we settle in the Malanda Lodge, situated on 11 acres of manicured tropical gardens. All rooms have ground level balconies and views to enjoy the tranquillity, or maybe spot their resident platypus family in the large pond. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.
- Day 10 – Malanda, Mt Surprise, Savannahlander, Georgetown – (BLD)
An early start sees us travelling west on the Kennedy Highway towards Mount Surprise, where we enjoy lunch with a snake show. After lunch, you travel aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks towards Einasleigh. There is enough time to have a beer in the pub or head down and check out Copperfield Gorge, before the train departs for Forsayth. From here we travel on to Georgetown where we stay overnight. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.
- Day 11 – Georgetown to Karumba – (BLD)
Morning “smoko” on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before Normanton for lunch. Here you can absorb its famous landmarks, the “Purple Pub”, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, where we enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. We stay at the Karumba Lodge for the next 2 nights. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.
After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria. This afternoon we spend time at the Barramundi Centre with a guided Feed-A-Barra tour and hand-feeding will take you into the brand-new hatchery for an educational, entertaining and engaging experience! This afternoon we head out to sunset point for happy hour. Dinner at Karumba Lodge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.
- Day 13 – Karumba, Burke & Wills Camp 119, Normanton – (BLD)
After breakfast we visit Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860 on our way back to Normanton for lunch. This afternoon we visit the Mutton hole Wetlands for croc- and bird watching. We overnight in Normanton. Ensuite bathroom facilities.
- Day 14 – Normanton to Cobbold Gorge – (BLD)
This morning we depart from Normanton’s famous Victorian architecture Railway Station. All aboard the historic “Gulflander RM93” train, a Savannah Guides Site, for a ride through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp. On to Black Bull Siding then the old gold mining town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct. This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.
- Day 15 – Cobbold Gorge – (BLD)
This morning we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. We have ample time to enjoy this beautiful area. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.
- Day 16 – Cobbold Gorge to Undara – (BLD)
This morning we travel via Einasleigh and Mount Surprise to the famous Undara Lava Tubes, a Savannah Guides Station. There’s campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your accommodation in either homestays or carriages. (Carriages cannot be guaranteed). Ensuite facilities.
- Day 17 – Undara to Cairns – (BL)
After breakfast in the Australian bush, an experienced Savannah Guide will meet you for an informative tour of the world’s largest, longest and most accessible lava tube system. We continue on our scenic and leisurely drive over the Tropical Tablelands past the Wind Turbines at Ravenshoe, stopping off at the magnificent Curtain Fig Tree, before making our way back to Cairns, where you will be taken back to selected accommodation.
