Tour Dates (2022):
6th-20th July (OTT, Weipa) – SOLD OUT
27th July-10th Aug (OTT, Weipa) – SOLD OUT
17th-31st August(OTT, Weipa) – SOLD OUT
7th-21st September (OTT, Frenchman’s Tk) – SOLD OUT
28th Sept-12th October (OTT, Frenchman’s Tk) – SOLD OUT
Tour Dates (2023):
14th-28th June (OTT, Weipa) – PLACES AVAILABLE
11th-25th July (OTT, Weipa) – ONE PLACE REMAINING
2nd-16th Aug (OTT, Weipa) – ONE PLACE REMAINING
24th Aug-7th Sept (OTT, Frenchman’s Tk) – 3 PLACES REMAINING
29th Aug-12th Sept (OTT, Frenchman’s Tk) – SOLD OUT
26th Sept-10th Oct (OTT, Frenchman’s Tk) – PLACES AVAILABLE
28th Sept-12th Oct (OT, Frenchman’s Tk) – PLACES AVAILABLE
Day 1: Meet and greet and vehicle induction in Cairns at 0700hrs. Depart Cairns approximately 0900hrs and head north to Palm Cove. From here we follow the scenic coast road and take the Daintree River ferry before stepping back in time as we enter the ancient World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest.
We meander through the rainforest past Cape Tribulation where we engage 4wd for the first time on the Bloomfield Track. With its steep and often slippery ascents the Bloomfield is a different yet challenging drive to the rest of the trip. We follow the track through the remote community of Wujal Wujal for tonight’s destination the Historic Lion’s Den Hotel for a much-deserved beverage.
Day 2: Depart Lion’s Den Hotel for Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park via Cooktown. On our way to Cooktown we will stop at Black Mountain, an amazing boulder studded mountain, culturally significant to the local Indigenous people.
While in Cooktown you can have a tour of the Cooktown Museum (included in tour costs) or try your luck at fishing from the town jetty. After leaving Cooktown and driving over the Great Dividing Range we enter Lakefield National Park with areas of savannah grasslands and numerous waterholes teaming with bird life.
We stop at the Old Laura Homestead before pulling up for the night at Kalpowar Crossing where you can fish the banks of the Normanby River for Barra, throw in some nets (provided) for Cherabin, search for Saltwater Crocs or just relax under the stars by the campfire.
Day 3: Today you’ll have an opportunity to get up for an early morning fish, in hope of catching tonight’s dinner, prior to driving to Coen, via Port Stewart.
The day’s drive takes us past several picturesque creeks and lagoons in Rinyirru NP before we head off the beaten track through Lama Lama NP on the Running Creek Track.
Day 4: This is one of the longest legs of the trip and depending on road conditions can be done in a comfortable 4hrs or a shaky 5. Some of the road is now sealed however the section between Weipa and the Moreton Telegraph Station can contain large amounts of corrugations and deep bulldust holes.
We camp tonight at the Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River. Tonight, you will have an opportunity to spotlight along the banks of the river for cuscus, crocodiles and other creatures of the night. You can also try your luck fishing in the ‘Barra hole’.
Day 5: Today we reach the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) and the real adventure begins. Our first creek crossing on the OTT is Palm Creek located 2km north of Bramwell Junction Roadhouse.
We pass through several crossings before making camp for the night. Where exactly we camp will depend on our progress however we aim to reach the famed Gunshot Creek, if we arrive early enough we may be able to relax in the cool waters as we watch other adventurers attempt the crossing.
There will be plenty of opportunities today for swims in the safe creek crossings, tea brakes and photos.
Day 6: We depart our camp and head to the beautiful Eliot Falls passing through several difficult creek crossings and deep fords including Scrubby Creek, a long stretch of deep water that will likely be over bonnet depth.
On our way to Eliot Falls we will also stop for a dip in the crystal-clear croc safe waters of Fruit Bat Falls.
Day 7: Today we depart Eliot Falls for Loyalty Beach Campground for the next three nights.
On our way, we catch the Jardine River ferry, drive across a log bridge at Cannibal Creek and through Sam, Mistake, and Cypress Creek Crossings as well as Nolan’s Brook a notoriously deep crossing responsible for drowning numerous vehicles each year.
Day 8: Today we step foot on the northern most tip of mainland Australia.
On the way to the tip we will stop for souvenirs at the Croc Tent a must stop spot on a trip to the top.
After some time at the tip for photos, reflection, Champagne or some more fishing, we will return to camp via the 5 Beaches drive for another diverse 4×4 challenge and great coastal scenery.
Days 9 and 10: The next two days are itinerary free.
You can choose to do whatever you like, whether it be; a day trip to Thursday Island and/or Horn Island, sightseeing or fishing at the Jardine River mouth and Mutee Head, lounging around camp, hiring a boat to explore the waterways and islands or exploring the many WW2 plane wrecks and historical sights.
Day 11: Today we head south for Captain Billy landing.
On our way we will visit the Jardine River Crossing. Unfortunately the crossing is now closed so we will again be taking the ferry to continue south. We will again stop at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch and a swim before heading to the east coast for camp.
Day 12: After an early morning to experience the amazing sunrise (optional) we depart Captain Billy Landing and continue down the Peninsula Development Road (PDR).
Frenchman’s Track Tour – We turn of the PDR onto the infamous Frenchman’s Track, and our camp on the bank of the Wenlock River
Weipa Tour – We turn west at Batavia Downs and head for Weipa for a two night stay and opportunity to undertake a fishing charter or wildlife cruise.
Day 13: Frenchman’s Track Tour – Today we continue along the Frenchman’s Track providing several driving challenges including the Wenlock River and the infamous, deep and rocky Pascoe River. Tonight we camp in a small section of rainforest at Cooks Hut campground, within the Iron Range National Park.
Weipa Tour – Today is an itinerary free day. You can take a tour of a working bauxite mine, a wildlife boat cruise, or join a fishing charter. You could also try your luck from numerous land based fishing spots, or venture North to the remote community of Mapoon for a famous Burger lunch.
Day 14: Frenchman’s Track Tour – We have an early start today to experience another glorious sunrise, this time over the famous Chilli Beach. After a quick visit to Portland Roads we stop at Lockart River before continuing to Hann River Roadhouse for the final night of the tour. While at Lockart River you will have the opportunity to admire or purchase some Indigenous artwork from the renowned Lockart River Arts centre. https://lockhartriverart.com.au/#section/home
Weipa Tour – After departing Weipa, we stop at the Archer River Roadhouse. Here you will have the option of purchasing the famous ‘Archie Burger’. After lunch we continue down the PDR to the Hann River Roadhouse for our final night.
Day 15: We depart Hann River Roadhouse for Laura and a visit to the renowned Quinkan Cultural Centre and Split Rock art Gallery. After lunch we depart for Cairns on the final leg of our adventure.
Our drive home will take us along the scenic Kennedy Hwy, where we cross back over the Great Dividing Range and back into Cairns.
Gallery
What’s included in your 14-day Cape York tagalong tour:
⦁ A fully equipped Land Rover Perentie 4×4 vehicle including; double bed, 30L 12v Waeco fridge, crockery and cutlery, camp chairs, table, lighting, annex, 240 volt power inverter and recovery gear)
⦁ Fully catered (breakfast, lunch and dinner, tea and coffee)
⦁ All National Park entry and camping fees
⦁ A Cooktown Museum Tour
⦁ Entry to the Quinkan Cultural Centre and Split Rock Art Gallery
⦁ Jardine River ferry
⦁ Daintree River ferry
⦁ The services of a passionate and enthusiastic tour leader with over a decade of experience as a Parks and Wildlife Ranger working across South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland
⦁ Tips and assistance on 4×4 driving, camping, fishing, campfire cooking and much more
⦁ Guided evening spotlighting walks with information on local flora and fauna. This provides a greater opportunity to spot elusive critters such as crocodiles (fresh and estuarine), cuscus, tree kangaroo, striped possum and many more of the unique animals of Northern Queensland
⦁ UHF radio and emergency first aid kits are supplied in all vehicles. Spot tracker emergency beacons and a satellite phone are also carried by our experienced and 1st Aid trained tour leaders
⦁ Minor mechanical and electrical repairs
⦁ Bush shower
⦁ Bush toilet
⦁ An edited tour video of your trip
⦁ The use of a range of field guides and books on local flora, fauna, culture and history
⦁ Fishing rods and tackle
What you need to bring:
⦁ Personal toiletries (please bring environmentally friendly soaps and shampoos)
⦁ Clothes
⦁ Snacks and drinks (Alcohol is welcome, however there are restrictions on what and how much can be taken into Indigenous communities and north of the Jardine River, please discuss with your tour leader)
⦁ Pillow, sheets/sleeping bag
⦁ Camera, fishing gear, binoculars, torch/headlamp
⦁ A sense of adventure
A detailed list of required and recommended personal items will be provided to you in your information pack upon booking.
