15 Day Cape York Camping Drive Safari | NW

15 Day Cape York Camping Drive Safari | NW

Highlights

• Safari Tent camping
• Quinkan Rock Art
• Palmer River Goldfields
• Cape York history and wildlife
• Old Telegraph Track
• Moreton Telegraph Station
• Jardine River and Cable Ferry
• Fruit Bat Falls
• Seisia and the northern-most tip of Australia
• Torres Strait Ferry
• Thursday Island & Horn Island
• Bramwell Station
• WWII Historical Sites
• Weipa - Optional Mine OR Fishing Tours in Weipa
• Iron Range
• Chilli Beach
• Portland Roads
• Batavia Gold Fields
• Chuulanngun Homelands
• Coen
• Lakefield National Park
• Cooktown
• Black Mountain
• Historic Lions’ Den Hotel
• Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre at Wujal Wujal
• World Heritage Daintree National Park
• Daintree Crocodile Spotting Cruise
• Mossman Gorge and private tour with local Aboriginal guide

Itinerary

Day 1. Cairns - Quinkan Rock Art - Private Cattle Station

Complimentary pick up at your Cairns accommodation www.cairnsaccommodation.com by your personal tour guide from NW Australian Safaris then head north along the scenic Captain Cook Hwy also known as the Great Barrier Reef Highway looking out over the azure Coral Sea.

We start our journey by turning inland over the coastal range and onto the James Mulligan Highway before stopping at the Palmer River Roadhouse to stretch our legs and have lunch.

History of the Palmer River Gold Fields that started in 1872.

After lunch we journey to Quinkan Rock Art site at Laura. The Quinkan Rock Art sites are now listed by UNESCO as being amongst the top 10 Rock Art sites in the world.

We then move on to experience a unique wildlife at our private overnight Cattle Station.

Overnight at Private Cattle Station.

Meals: breakfast and lunch not included on first day

Day 2. Private Cattle Station - Moreton Telegraph Station

Today we follow parts of the original Old Telegraph Track - one of the highlights of Cape York and is a great track for 4WD enthusiasts.

We pass the memorial to “Toots”, a famous lady trucking character, have morning tea at Musgrave and stop at the beautiful Archer River for a sumptuous lunch before our river crossing . 

We traverse open woodland country, pass huge termite mounds before arrival at the historical Moreton Telegraph Station

Overnight Campground: Moreton Station

Meals: all meals included

Day 3. Moreton Station - Fruit Bat Falls - Seisia

Another exciting day of 4WDriving and creek crossings until we reach the Jardine River, named after pioneering explorers to the area Frank and Alexander Jardine.

“The Jardine” is the largest river on the Cape York Peninsula and renowned for crocodiles.

Later we stop for lunch and a swim in the crystal clear water at Fruit Bat Falls.

Campground: Seisa

Meals: all meals included

Day 4. Seisia - Roko Private Island - Pearl Farm Tour

Today we visit a very special family who live on a stunning beautiful private island located in the Torres Strait.

The owner has been taking over this legacy by maintaining this status of “pearl producer from the birth place of the cultured pearl".

You will be taken on a tour of the Island's Pearl Farm. Lunch today under Palm Trees - such a wonderful day!

The pearl farm tour is included in your day.

Campground: Seisia

Meals: all meals included

Day 5. Seisia Tip

Our adventure for today is a visit to the famous Croc Tent and travel through the drier savannah woodlands which dramatically change into a beautiful dense rainforest before opening up a vista of deserted beaches at Australia’s most northern point.

Walk as a group to “The Tip” at the very end of Cape York Peninsula, celebrate together and take photos.

After taking in the spectacular views of the Torres Straits and the surrounding beaches we will have lunch at Somerset Beach, which was the home and now resting place of Frank Jardine. Visit these historic graves on the beach.

Campground: Seisa

Meals: breakfast & lunch included - dinner not included

Day 6. Seisia - Islands Tour (Thursday & Horn Island)

Thursday Island and Horn Island are our destinations to explore today. Here we will learn about the history and information of the past and the vitally important part the islands played in the World War II in keeping Australia and its citizens safe from invasion.

Learn about the fascinating history of the pioneering early Pearling Luggers while admiring the spectacular and breathtaking views of the Torres Straits and its turquoise waters.

Late this afternoon your group will see you return to Seisia on the ferry in time for refreshing sunset drinks on the beach.

Campground: Seisa

Meals: All meals included

Day 7. Seisia - Fruit Bat Falls - Bramwell Station

This morning we leave Seisia to 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 scenic paradise and move on to the most northern cattle station in Australia - Bramwell Station where you will be welcomed with an amazing dinner (dinner at own expense) under the bright outback stars.

Campground: Bramwell Station

Meals: dinner at Bramwell Station is at your own expense

Day 8. Bramwell Station - Weipa 

Leaving early to catch the best part of the morning we work our way to better roads, to reach Weipa just in time for lunch. Weipa is just south of Duyfken Point, a location now agreed to be the first recorded point of European contact with the Australian continent.

Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon, on his ship the ‘Duyfken’, sighted the coast here in 1606. This was 164 years before James Cook arrived.

On this afternoon there is free time for you to explore the town. Optional tours are available of the Bauxite Mine which put Weipa on the map, and also local fishing charters (both tours at own expense and subject to availability). Dinner tonight is cooked by our own personal chef as we sit looking out at the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Campground: Weipa

Meals: Subsidised dinner at $45 per person at your own cost - 3 course meal with private Chef.

Day 9. Weipa - Cooks Hut (Iron Range) 

Today we move east through rugged cattle country. We four wheel drive through the largest area of tropical lowland rainforest remaining in Australia, crossing rivers before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozers Gap to Cooks Hut. This area 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 Hut Bush Camp (Hybrid Toilet)

Meals: lunch is at your own expense

Day 10. 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. We visit significant 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. 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 is at your own expense

Day 11. Chuulangun - Coen - Kalpower

Today we travel to Coen where you can visit the Coen Historical Museum and will be treated to lunch on the banks of the Coen River.

After lunch we travel through Lakefield National Park on the same tracks as the mounted mail men did.

This National Park is filled with Billabongs and river systems alive with wildlife. Stay tonight at the Kalpower crossing located in the Lakefield National Park.

Campground: Kalpower Bush Camp

Meals: all meals included

Day 12. 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. Dinner tonight is at the The Sovereign Hotel.

Campground: Cooktown

Meals: Dinner at your own expense at the Soverreign Hotel

Day 13. Cooktown - Bloomfield Track- Daintree National Park

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.

Overnight: open plan safari style homes in the the Daintree rainforest

Meals: all meals included

Day 14. Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation

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

After a cooked breakfast your guide will take you to where two World Heritage Listed Parks abut, Cape Tribulation.

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 afternoon 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.

Dinner is a special treat tonight at one of the very popular local restaurants in the heart of the forest.

Overnight: Private Homes

Meals: Dinner at your own expense at a very popular local restaurant in the heart of the forest.

Day 15. Daintree National Park - Daintree Crocodile Cruise - Cairns

Another beautiful morning sees us up early to continue along the Bloomfield Track through the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and cross the Bloomfield River to start the climb through the Daintree Ranges and into Cape Tribulation.

Our first stop will be in the Daintree Rainforest at Coopers River for a Crocodile Spotting Cruise (at your own cost). Look for Estuarine Crocodiles and the rare pre-historic Cassowary bird.

Enjoy the stunning views of the mountains in the background coming right down to the Mangroves. Next we lunch in a wonderful place in middle of the rainforest where all the local residents eat – including the rescue wallabies we get the opportunity to hand feed.

After some relaxation and chatter it’s now time to enjoy a unique treat at the famous Daintree Ice Creamery (ice cream at own cost). Here they blend ice cream with exotic and tropical fruits grown right here fresh from their own farm in the rainforest.

We continue on down the Alexander Range, across the Daintree River via the Cable Ferry, arriving at Mossman Gorge.

At Mossman Gorge we go on a private tour with a Kulu Yalanji local indigenous elder. He takes us on a private journey of Aboriginal culture, past traditional bark shelters and along private gentle tracks visiting special places.

We cross over meandering, cool rainforest streams and your Aboriginal Guide will show us food sources and plants uses and make us afternoon tea in this stunningly beautiful tropical environment.

We then move back towards Cairns. Bid farewell to the friends you have met and wonder at your amazing Cape York adventure when your guide returns you to your Cairns accommodation.

Meals: breakfast ans lunch are included - ice cream at the Daintree Ice Creamery is at your own expense and dinner not included on last day.

2019 Departure Dates Schedule

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