CAPE YORK AIR/OVERLAND CAMPING SAFARI (C7OAF) Duration: 7 Days  Terms & Conditions MAKE A BOOKING

Thursday Island	The 'Tip' of Australia	Aboriginal Art - Laura
4WD Cape York	Jardine River - Twin Falls	Old Telegraph Track

Fully Catered with Pre-Erected Tents

The ideal wilderness/Torres Strait holiday for the discerning traveller with limited time. The challenge and adventure of an overland 4WD expedition along the entire length of Cape York Peninsula. Safari tents are set up for you along the way by our separate support vehicle and catering crew. Camp beds, towel and sleeping bags/pillows supplied. The excitement of reaching and exploring Australia’s most northerly point, a cruise through the beautiful Torres Strait to visit Thursday Island and then a contrasting aerial overview as you take a scenic flight from Horn Island (The airport for Thursday Island) to Cairns are highlights.

Tour Highlights

DAY 1 SUNDAY (LD) Cairns, Cape Tribulation, Cooktownnn

Through the pristine Daintree Rainforests and over the soaring verdant heights of the Bloomfield Track to arrive at Bloomfield Falls. We join a guided cultural walk of this special place with a local Aboriginal Guide. A step back in time as we explore the historic port of Cooktown. Visit Cook’s landing place and Grassy Hill Lookout. Overnight campground – Cooktown area.

DAY 2 MONDAY (BLD) Laura, Mary Valley Station

Travel north from Cooktown and walk with a traditional owner in the rainforest and rock art site. Learn about their art, culture, history and bush tucker. Via Laura we travel north to Mary Valley Station, which borders Lakefield National Park a haven for birds and wildlife and our first opportunity to safely observe crocodiles in their natural habitat. Overnight campground.

DAY 3 TUESDAY (BLD) Coen, Archer River, Weipa

A stop at 100 year old Musgrave, the only original pioneer telegraph station remaining in Cape York. We pass typical frontier cattle country to a welcome fuel and provision stop at the mining town of Coen. Travel across the wide sandy Archer River, and through Picanninny Plains to arrive at Weipa, on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Overnight campground.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY (BLD) Wenlock River, Moreton Station

In the cool of the early morning, an optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost). Weipa is a vertiable "Oasis in the wilderness" and provides further contrast to your experience of this last frontier. With the Gulf of Carpentaria behind us, we pass through huge cattle runs to arrive at the fast flowing Wenlock River. Perhaps a walk on the walking tracks at Moreton Telegraph Station before settling into our overnight camp. Campground.

DAY 5 THURSDAY (BLD) Telegraph Track, Twin Falls

Civilisation is far behind and we are really in four wheel drive country as we traverse the ever changing wilderness landscape of zamias and eucalyptus forests. We push on with a mid-afternoon arrival at Twin Falls, where the crystal clear waters of Elliot River and Canal Creek meet. Plenty of time to swim and explore or photograph the many enchanting rock pools, and waterfalls of this unique spot. Campground – basic facilities

DAY 6 FRIDAY (BLD) Bamaga, Cape York

An exciting morning traversing rushing streams and rocky creek crossings to reach the swift flowing Jardine River. A short stop at Bamaga Aboriginal and Islander settlement, before proceeding to the very “Tip” of our continent. Stand where oceans meet and where very few travellers visit. Overnight campground.

DAY 7 SATURDAY (BLD) Thursday Island, Cairns

2005 FARES

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CAPE YORK AIR/OVERLAND ACCOMMODATION TOURS(A8OA) Duration: 8 Days  Terms & Conditions MAKE A BOOKING

Thursday Island	The 'Tip' of Australia	Somerset Beach
4WD Cape York	Jardine River - Twin Falls	Fruit Bat Falls

A relaxed and exciting holiday combination. An overland wilderness expedition, with the additional perspective of a spectacular flight, and the comfort and amenity of overnight accommodation. Your flight from Cairns to Horn Island (Thursday Islands airport) will provide a unique aerial overview of this vast wilderness tract, its huge rivers, remote communities and deserted coastline. Appreciate and experience the rich geology, the unique flora and fauna as you travel overland from Cape York to Cairns.

The overnight stays quite often reflect the unique nature of the sparsely inhabited regions in which we travel. Forest shrouded resorts and lodges; hotels and motels. "No Frill" cattle station cabins and cabin tent accommodation along the track where no alternatives exist. All are clean and comfortable, the hospitality genuine, open and friendly, and the cuisine generous and appetising. 240V Electricity at station accommodation is generally not available between 10pm & 7am.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE IS 12KG PER PERSON

Tour Highlights

DAY 1 SUNDAY (LD) Cairns, Horn Island

Pre-arranged pick-up from your overnight accommodation for transfer to Cairns airport for early morning flight to Horn Island. Met at Horn Island airport by your Gateway Torres Strait Resort hosts for transfer to resort. A two hour Horn Island bus tour, entry to Torres Strait Heritage Museum and hot buffet lunch is included. Join the locals fishing off Horn Island wharf - equipment supplied.

Accommodation with ensuite facilities.

DAY 2 MONDAY (BD) Thursday Island, Red Island Point, Bamaga

Morning Transfer by ferry to Thursday Island. Ample time for sightseeing, souvenir shopping and a conducted bus tour of historic "T.I." is included. Lunch is own cost today. Mid afternoon by inter-island ferry for a cruise via Prince of Wales and Possession Islands to Seisia. Accommodation at the Resort Bamaga (ensuite facilities) for the next 2 nights.

DAY 3 TUESDAY (BLD) Cape York, Somerset

A day of interest and outdoor enjoyment. An early morning walk to "The Tip", the most northerly point of our continent. A tour to Albany Passage with a visit to historic Somerset, the once mooted "Singapore of the Pacific" (road conditions permitting.) A peaceful shady stroll through the unique rainforest of Lockerbie Scrub before again returning to your overnight accommodation.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY (BLD) Jardine River, Fruitbat Falls, Moreton Station

Anticipation and excitement as we commence our overland trek. Retracing the paths of our earliest overlanders, we cross the swift flowing Jardine River to Fruitbat Falls, a Mecca for "off road" travellers. Enjoy a refreshing swim and lunch before we continue negotiating river crossings and bush tracks to arrive at Old Moreton Telegraph Station, on the banks of the Wenlock River. Cabin tent accommodation - shared facilities (twin share fully screened tents with beds, linen and lights. Gas powered hot showers, flushing toilets and outdoor covered dining area).

DAY 5 THURSDAY (BLD) Weipa

Time for a guided nature walk along this lightly forested waterway before we cross the sandy Wenlock River. 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. A veritable "Oasis in the wilderness" and providing further contrast to your experience of this last frontier. Overnight at Heritage Resort - Weipa (ensuite facilities).

DAY 6 FRIDAY (BLD) Archer River, Coen, Musgrave

In the cool of the morning, a optional Weipa Mine Tour (own cost). Across rolling Piccaninny Plains, a refreshment stop at the Archer River and then via old historic Coen to overnight at Musgrave Telegraph Station ( share facilities), A 100 year old pioneer telegraph station.

DAY 7 SATURDAY (BLD) Lakefield National Park, Cooktown

East towards Princess Charlotte Bay and enter the massive bird and animal sanctuary of Lakefield National Park. The waterfowl teem in lily fringed billabongs and huge crocodiles bask in broad river lakes and lagoons. Travel over the legendary Battle Camp Range to historical Cooktown. An eventful afternoon sightseeing and viewing significant landmarks and sites so important to all Australians.

Overnight is at the Seaview Motel (ensuite facilities).

DAY 8 SUNDAY (BL) Bloomfield, Cape Tribulation

Crossing the wide Bloomfield River marks the start of our drive over the controversial "Bloomfield Track". Jungle green heights descend to the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef, with tantalising glimpses of deserted beaches and fringing coral. Through the famous World Heritage Rainforest across the Daintree River, then via the scenic sea road to Cairns and journeys end.

2005 FARES

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