Cape York Ultimate 11 Day Cape York Camping Fly/Drive Safari | NW

Cape York Ultimate 11 Day Cape York Camping Fly/Drive Safari | NW

On our bespoke Cape York 4WD tour we show our guests places of ultimate natural preserved beauty that are so isolated and far away from the invasion of modern day farming and development they are still the real Australia of old which offers a glimpse to our past.

See beautiful sunrises and sunsets like you have never witnessed before and enjoy the real outdoor Australian lifestyle camping in remote places in the outback.

If you are after an adventurous and truly immersive four wheel driving holiday to see the real Australia then read on and then book your seat on one of our Cape York fly/drive tours from Cairns today.

Our lead tour guide has been recognised as one of the magnificent seven Australian tour guides in the World Travellers Magazine and has been showing visitors Cape York and outback Australia for over 20 years. 

Each one of our tour guides have travelled the world extensively living in wildlife parks with big cats, working in zoos, saving turtles, counting frogs, learning bush medicine and hunting skills along with a whole host of other skills that add to the attraction of our Cape York tours. 

They love it when our guests join our four wheel drive tours with some special interests as they know all of the remote places to take you to find exactly what you are looking for.  

Cape York 11 Day Camping Fly/Drive Safari Tour Highlights

• Iron Range
• Historic Lions Den Hotel
• Black Mountain
• Cooktown
• WW11 sites/Fruit Bat Falls
• Old Telegraph Track
• One night Bush Style Accommodation
• World Heritage Daintree National Park
• Batavia Gold Fields
• Portland Roads - Chilli Beach
• Chuulanngun Homelands
• Lake Field National Park
• Jardine River - Torres Strait  
• Seisa, Thursday Island, Horn Island
• Private Guided Daintree National Park rainforest walk
• Cape York
• Scenic Flight from Cairns to Bamaga
• Cape Tribulation Beach Walk
• Two nights accommodation at our Safari Lodge in the Daintree

Sample Itinerary Subject to Change - Cape York 11 Day Fly/Drive Safari Tour 

Day 1. Seisia - Tip

Pre-book your overnight accommodation in Cairns and we will provide you with a complimentary hotel pick in the morning to begin your ultimate outback Australia fly drive four wheel drive safari flight to Cape York at the very tip on the top of Australia.

Our team will take you to the Cairns airport to board your coastal scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage rainforests from Cairns up to Bamaga at the top of Australia.

This is where your Tour Guide for the 11 day Cape York tour will meet you upon the flights landing and introduce you to your fellow 4WD tour companions.

We will be visiting the famous Croc Tent and travel through dry savannah woodlands that change into dense lush rainforest before opening up at the flat beautiful beaches at Australia’s famous and most northern point the TIP.

Walk as a group to “The Tip” at the very end of Cape York Peninsula", celebrate together and take photos of you standing next to the TIP sign and then tick it off your bucket list.

Spend some time admiring the spectacular views of the Torres Straits and the surrounding scenery and then we will be off to enjoy some well-deserved lunch at Somerset Beach.

This is an area of historic significance as it was the home and now resting place of Frank Jardine 1841- 1919. Visit these historic graves on the beach and listen to the tales of triumph and tragedy.

Campground: Seisia

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner not included on first day

Day 2. Seisia - Islands Tour (Thursday & Horn Island)

Everyone is mustered up early for a sunrise breakfast and our day’s journey begins with transportation to the remote regions of Thursday Island and Horn Island. Both island tours are very informative and your tour guide will fill your ears with fascinating stories about the history and the past importance these islands played in World War II in keeping Australia safe.

Learn some of the history of the struggles of the early Pearling Luggers while admiring the spectacular and breathtaking views of the Torres Straits and its azure blue waters.

Late in the afternoon your group will return to Seisia on the ferry just in time for sunset drinks on the beach.

Campground: Seisa

Meals: All meals included

Day 3. Seisia - Fruit Bat Falls - Bramwell Station

This morning we leave Seisia and drive through the Aboriginal township of Bamaga. Once again you will cross the famous Jardine River aboard the old world cable ferry.

On the southern side of the Jardine River, buckle up for some real 4WD action (road conditions and weather permitting) on the corrugated ‘Old Telegraph Track’ as we journey to one of the most stunning and talked about places on your Cape York tour - Fruit Bat Falls.

Enjoy a wonderful swim in the crystal clear waters, which amazingly originates from Papua New Guinea. We reluctantly leave this picturesque scenery and move on to the most northern cattle station in Australia - Bramwell Station where you will have an amazing dinner under the bright outback stars.

Campground: Bramwell Station

Meals: dinner at Bramwell Station is at your own expense

Day 4. Bramwell Station - Weipa (Mine Tour at own expense)

Again departing early to capture the most spectacular scenery of the day we eventually reach better roads and ride into Weipa just in time to explore and find yourselves a nice place for lunch and refreshments.

The afternoon is all yours with free time to explore this interesting township. You can even take some local optional tours such as exploring the Bauxite Mine which is what put Weipa on the map, or book a local fishing charter to catch the famous Barramundi (both tours at own expense and subject to availability).

If you were successful on your fishing adventure then dinner tonight is cooked by your own personal chef as you sit back and relax whilst looking out over the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. No need to worry if you did not catch that big fish your tour guide has things in hand.

Campground: Weipa overlooking the sea.

Meals: dinner tonight with your personal Chef overlooking the sea is at your own expense

Day 5. Weipa - Cooks Hut (Iron Range)

Today we move east through roughed cattle country. Our four wheel drive truck takes us through the largest and most pristine area of tropical lowland rainforest remaining in Australia, crossing wild rivers before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozers Gap to Cooks Hut.

This area which is known as Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) has a unique rainforest camping area on the banks of the Claudine River close to the junction of Portland Roads and Lockhart River Roads where you will stop for lunch today (own expense).

William Bligh first landed in this area in 1792, gold miners then came through in the 1930's and American troops were sent to the area during World War II. This area is truly wonderful with rare fauna and flora - we look for the famous Palm Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots and Green Pythons.

Campground: Cooks Huts (Hybrid Toilet) (Bush Camp)

Meals: All meals included

Day 6. Cooks Hut - Chilli Beach - Portland Roads - Batavia Goldfields - Chuulangun

This is a day of adventures - travel to the stunning Chilli Beach and marvel at the wonderful ocean and landscapes. Our small 4WD group will visit historical sites in the area from the later gold rushes of the 1930’s and the World War II airfield at Iron Range.

On about 18th April 1942 Walter Maierersperger, the Commanding Officer of 33 Bomb Squadron of the 22nd Bomb Group USAAC carried out an aerial reconnaissance flight over the Iron Range area and your knowledgeable tour guide will captivate your imagination with all of the old war stories.

Lunch today will be a wonderful home cooked meal (including the option of fresh local fish), at the famous Portland Roads Locals Cafe overlooking the sea (lunch at own expense).

After lunch we move back towards the Batavia Goldfields and the Chuulangun homelands.

The Chuulangun homelands are located in the centre of the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers and encompass some 840,000 hectares. The traditional custodians are the clan group of the Kuki”Yu northern Karrju, who belong to the highlands.

They accommodate visitors to their traditional homeland at the serviced campground they operate.

Campground: Chuulangun

Meals: lunch today is at your own expense

Day 7. Chuulangun - Coen - Kalpower

Today we leave the Iron Range area and head south to Coen where you can visit the Coen Historical Museum. Coen was founded when Gold was discovered on the Coen River in 1876, however the gold rush quickly came to an end and the settlement did not ever fully recover.

Coen is now a centre for several small goldmines on the Cape York Peninsula. The town is rich in history and you have a chance to imagine what it may have been like in days past as your tour camps tonight on the banks of the river which is a very peaceful place with some wonderful birdlife.

Campground: Coen

Meals: All meals included

Day 8. Kalpower - Cooktown

Leaving Kalpower, we visit old Laura Homestead then travel down the infamous Battle Camp road.

Here you will marvel at this wilderness and the views of the Laura escarpments, sighting signs of the old railway line that travelled from Cooktown to the Palmer River Goldfields.

We travel into the area of Hope Vale then on to Cooktown for dinner at the local icon, The Sovereign Hotel. Before dinner enjoy an afternoon in historical Cooktown which became a thriving port during the gold rush era.

Cooktown is a region rich with history.  Captain James Cook spent substantial time here by accident in 1770 after the HMS Endeavour ran into reef and the ship was sailed into the endeavour river for repair. 

Cooktown was founded in 1873 as a port for the Palmer River Goldfields and has a colourful history of settlement and aboriginal culture.

You may sit back and enjoy wonderful stories of history and aboriginal culture of this region as your guide takes a step back in time and helps you to understand the regions colourful past.

Campground: Cooktown

Meals: Dinner tonight is at your own expense at The Sovereign Resort.

Day 9. Kalpower - Cooktown

You have an opportunity this morning to check out any sights in Cooktown that you may have missed the previous afternoon.

We travel via Black Mountain and the famous Bloomfield track (weather and roads permitting).

We visit the old historical Lion's Den Hotel for a photo opportunity and a stop for lunch will be spent at Bloomfield, where the locals go.

After lunch we visit the Bana Yirriji art and Cultural Centre located in the community of Wujal Wujal. We then visit the scenic Bloomfield Falls located just outside of the community.

After, we travel through untouched rainforest on to the Bloomfield track as we start the climb through the Daintree Ranges.

On route to our magnificent rainforest location we stop off at a secret and unique beachfront along our travels.

Access to this beach is restricted and North West Australian Safaris is honoured to have access to this beautiful sight located on Aboriginal Lands.

Tonight, is an evening in the heart of the rainforest in Cape Tribulation, part of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.

You will be treated to a special delicious meal and a break from the on-road cooking.

Tonight accommodations are in stunning rustic open plan safari style homes deep in the jungle of the Daintree rainforest.

Dinner this night is on the property overlooking a crystal clear rainforest creek.

Campground: Private Homes

Meals: All meals included

Day 10. Daintree Rainforest National Park - Cape Tribulation

Wake up in the heart of the beautiful Daintree Rainforest National Park.

After a cooked breakfast your guide will take you to where two World Heritage Listed icon meet, Cape Tribulation and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

The Daintree rainforest comes right onto the shore and meets with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Enjoy a morning interpretive walk along this stunning beach front as the sun shines over the Coral Sea.

We then move onto a café hidden deep in the rainforest for morning tea today.

Enjoy fresh scones with cream and jam with your cuppa before having the opportunity to swim in a crystal clear rainforest stream.

After swimming we move back towards our private property for lunch.

Have a chance to check out the properties walks or relax for the afternoon with a book on the balcony of our private Safari style homes.

Later that evening your guide will take on a private walk through the property.

You may even get a glimpse of the resident Cassowary which is often seen on this property.

Campground: Bloomfield

Meals: Dinner (at your own expense) is a special treat tonight at one of the very popular local restaurants in the heart of the forest at Cape Tribulation.

Day 11. Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation - Cairns

We get up early to experience a rainforest/mangrove interpretation walk with our guide.

Cooked breakfast on Private Property this morning.

Our next stop is at the Daintree Coopers Eco System  for our Crocodile-spotting cruise (at your own cost) looking for Estuarine Crocodiles and the rare Cassowary.

After your Wilderness croc cruise enjoy the stunning views of the mountains in the background as we head to a location in the National Park where we see rescue wallabies and even get the opportunity to hand feed them as a wonderful Australian wildlife experience. 

Lunch today will be at the oldest established restaurant of the National Park area.

We make our way to the famous Daintree Ice Creamery (ice cream at own cost).

Here they blend ice cream with exotic and tropical fruits grown on the farm.

We continue on down the Alexander Range, across the Daintree River via the Cable Ferry heading south to Cairns which brings us to the end of your North West Australian Safaris Cape York tour.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch included - ice cream at the Daintree Ice Creamery is at your own expense and dinner not included on last day.

2021 Departure Dates Schedule

See more Cape York tours and outback Australia four wheel drive safaris 

Please note we do not travel over the green season to the tip of Australia November to April