13, 11 or 9 Days Small Group 4WD Adventure
Cairns – Thursday Island – Cape Tribulation – Cairns

Let us take you on a 4WD adventure you’ll never forget, through the ancient Cape Tribulation rainforest, across the famous Daintree River to the historic frontier town of Cooktown and the mining town of Weipa. Stand on the tip of Cape York then cruise to Thursday Island.

Day 1. Cairns. Arrive in Cairns and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time to explore or relax. Do some shopping, visit the casino for a flutter or wander around the vibrant local markets. Perhaps take a dip in the hotel pool or enjoy the bay views with a relaxing drink.
Three Night Stay: The Hotel Cairns, one block from the famous Esplanade.

Day 2. Cairns, Day at Leisure. Today is yours to further discover the delights of this tropical city. Perhaps wander through Cairns’ picturesque parks and gardens, stroll the Esplanade or visit the Pier Market Place and Marlin Marina and Jetty for some shopping.

Day 3. Cairns, Freedom of Choice Touring. Enjoy the options of our Freedom of Choice Touring today. Choose to join a day tour to the fascinating Undara Volcanic National Park. Undara includes a 160 kilometrelong lava tunnel, the longest on earth. Your guide will tell of the animals and plants that live here. You then travel via the Atherton Tablelands, home to the remarkable Curtain Fig Tree and volcanic lakes. You also stop at Heales Lookout to take in the spectacular views and visit Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland. Alternatively, choose to visit Rainforestation and see the Pamagirri Dancers depicting the Dreamtime. Following this, take in the scenery with a ride through lush tropical rainforest on the Kuranda Scenic Railway (book at time of tour reservation). Returning to Cairns, 11 Day (CY11) passengers join tour.

Day 4. Daintree River, Cape Tribulation.
9 Day (CY09) passengers join this morning and you travel to Daintree National Park and cruise along the Daintree River, spotting saltwater crocodiles and other fascinating wildlife. You continue through the national park to Cape Tribulation, where age-old rainforest meets spectacular coastline. This is the only place in Australia where you can experience the splendour of tropical rainforests while being just a stone’s throw from the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
Stay: Cape Tribulation, Ferntree Rainforest Lodge.

Day 5. Bloomfield Track, Cooktown. Travel the remote and rugged Bloomfield Track to the port and fishing town of Cooktown. It was here that James Cook beached his ship the Endeavour for repairs in 1770 thus Cooktown is the first European settlement on Australian soil. Visit the James Cook Museum and stroll through the historic cemetery with its Chinese shrine. Visit Nature’s Powerhouse in the Botanic Gardens and view its collection of botanical illustrations and an exhibition of Cape York wildlife.
Stay: Cooktown, The Sovereign Hotel.

Day 6. Lakefield National Park. Journey into Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest national park at 537,000 hectares. Typifying Far North Queensland, the near-wilderness of the park is covered with sun-bleached grasses, paperbark woodland, swamp, mangroves and fringing rainforest. There is a diverse population of birdlife including jabirus, brolgas and many duck species to discover. The monsoonal waterways are home to the timid and harmless freshwater crocodile and the more feared and dangerous saltwater crocodile.
Stay: Musgrave Telegraph Station, in the true Queensland wilderness. Due to the remoteness, accommodation and shared facilities are more basic. Single travellers may be required to share.

Day 7. Coen, Weipa, Gulf Country. Explore the old goldmining town of Coen before driving through the pristine Mungkan Kandju National Park with its riverine rainforest and swamps. You travel to Weipa, situated on the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Weipa is the site of the world’s largest bauxite deposit and is also home to fantastic barramundi and blue salmon fishing. The first European landing of Australia was near Weipa.
Stay: Weipa, Albatross Hotel Resort.

Day 8. Weipa, Bramwell Cattle Station. This morning you tour the Weipa Bauxite Mine. This afternoon you journey on through remote areas of Cape York via Moreton Telegraph Station to Bramwell Cattle Station, famed for its remote setting and Outback hospitality. Get a unique insight into how such a remote Australian cattle station operates.
Stay: Bramwell Cattle Station. Due to the remoteness, accommodation and shared facilities more basic. Single travellers may be required to share.

Day 9. Cape York Peninsula. Skirting the Jardine River National Park, we continue through the traditional lands of the Injinoo Aboriginal people. Native title handed much of this area back to the traditional owners, enabling the survival of the distinctive East and West Cape Aboriginal cultures and their language. We journey to Resort Bamaga.
Two Night Stay: Resort Bamaga, luxury in the heart of the wilderness.   

Day 10. Explore Cape York. This morning you journey to the tip of Cape York Peninsula and experience being at the Australian mainland’s most northerly point. Take your time to make the most of the view out over the Torres Strait. You return to the resort this afternoon to swim or just relax in the peaceful surroundings of this truly magnificent wilderness region.

Day 11. Thursday Island. Cross the clear blue waters of Endeavour Strait to Australia’s most northerly settlement, Thursday Island. One of around 100 islands that make up the Torres Strait Islands, Thursday Island is home to 3,000 people. Known as Torres Strait Islanders, they are of Melanesian descent. The late Eddie Mabo, famous for his successful 1992 land claim in Australia’s High Court, was a Torres Strait Islander. Today a multicultural outpost, the island was once a base for pearling luggers. With our guide, discover its history and get a feel for island life.
Stay: Thursday Island, Jardine Motel.

Day 12. Cape York, Cairns. This morning,

transfer to Horn Island Airport for your scenic flight over some of the most spectacular areas of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. You land in Cairns and transfer to your hotel. 9 Day (CY09) passengers conclude tour.
Stay: The Hotel Cairns.

Day 13. Cairns. After breakfast, relax or do some last minute sightseeing before your airport transfer.

Cape York – what to expect
Your 4WD vehicle has been designed to tackle the rugged landscape. It is air-conditioned and features quality cloth seats (no toilet facilities on board). Your fully trained Driver/Guide will make your holiday memorable.

Accommodation
Travelling along the remote Peninsula Track, basic cabin accommodation without private facilities will be utilised. These establishments will always be clean, comfortable and well-maintained, and contribute to the adventurous experience. Hotels or motels are used in main centres.

2008 Departures
May 30; Jun. 9*, 20, 30*; Jul. 11, 21*, 25; Aug. 4*, 8, 18*, 22; Sept. 1*.

2009 Departures
May 29; Jun. 8*, 19, 29*; Jul. 10, 20*, 24; Aug. 3*, 7, 17*, 21, 30*.
*Operates in reverse direction (YC13).

Note: Single Room Option subject to availability.
*In some remote locations, single travellers may be required to share accommodation.
Seniors Card Holders and Aust./NZ Pensioners deduct $30 per person.

Finest Dining – Includes 25 Meals 12 breakfasts (B), 5 lunches (L) & 8 dinners (D)
Underlined Date Savings Save $550 per couple, $275 per person.

Captain Cook Cruise Option
This five day optional cruise may be added on to the beginning of your Queensland holiday. Relax in a Stateroom or Top Deck cabin.

Day 1. Cairns, Captain Cook Cruise. Board your Captain Cook Cruise and begin the journey to the Great Barrier Reef.

Days 2, 3 & 4. Great Barrier Reef. Cruise the Great Barrier Reef, visiting Cooktown, Stanley Island, Bligh Reef and Restoration Island.

Day 5. Thursday Island. Your final destination is Thursday Island where you will disembark.

Additional: twin share $2465, single traveller $3535.
Includes four nights on the Captain Cook Cruise, all meals and transfers. Due to weather, tides or mechanical reasons, itinerary may be subject to change.

Key

B: Breakfast Included
L: Lunch Included
D: Dinner Included