12 Day 4WD Cape York Camping Tour - North Queensland

Itinerary

DAY 1 SUNDAY (LD) - Cairns, Horn Island.
Morning transfer from your accommodation for your flight to Horn Island. On arrival on Horn Island you will be met by a representative from the Gateway Torres Strait Resort. Lunch included followed by a bus tour of the Island and Museum. Overnight accommodation

DAY 2 MONDAY (BD) - Thursday Island, Punsand Bay.
Morning ferry transfer to Thursday Island for a conducted bus tour of this historic Island. Lunch is at own cost today. Mid afternoon ferry transfer to Seisia Wharf then transfer to Punsand Bay Private Reserve, our Northern Base Camp for 2 nights.

DAY 3 TUESDAY (BLD) - Cape York, Somerset.
An unforgettable day of achievement and interest. We stand at the very tip of our continent. Visit the ruins of Somerset, (road conditions permitting) with pristine beaches and rocky headlands.

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY (BLD) - Twin Falls.
Our exciting overland adventure starts today. Across the mighty Jardine River, through the wilderness of forests and heath to Twin Falls on the Elliot River and a cooling dip in the rapids and waterfalls before setting up camp in this unique spot. Basic camp facilities.

DAY 5 THURSDAY (BLD) - Telegraph Road, Wenlock River.
An exciting day negotiating river crossings and bush roads while absorbing the unfamiliar landscape of eucalyptus scrub, heathlands, plains and exotic zamia forests. Camp on the Wenlock River at Moreton Telegraph Station.

DAY 6 FRIDAY (BD) - Weipa.
Travel south to Batavia Downs Station then west to the Gulf of Carpentaria through huge cattle runs and Aboriginal tribal lands to the bauxite mining town of Weipa. Time for a fascinating Weipa Mine Tour (own cost), as is lunch today. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight campground.

DAY 7 SATURDAY (BLD) - Iron Range
Travel south-east to cross the Wenlock River to visit the old Batavia Gold Fields, an abandoned mining town. Cross the Pascoe River before entering Iron Range National Park via Tozers Gap. The park features the largest area of tropical lowland rainforest remaining in Australia. Rare fauna and flora include cuscus, palm cockatoos, eclectus parrots, green pythons, palms and orchids. Overnight camp Iron Range.

DAY 8 SUNDAY (BLD) - Iron Range, Portland Roads, Chilli Beach, WW2 Sites.
An exiting day visiting significant historical sites and breathtaking coastal scenery. Portland Roads, once a vital seaport for miners and the wartime airfields, now affords the locals a relaxed lifestyle in an idyllic tropical setting. Wartime gun emplacements are silent sentinels around the headland; some are homes to the locals at the 'Roads. Chilli Beach is wide and long and fringed with palms. A truly magical spot overlooking Restoration Island, Bligh’s landing site in 1792. We explore and learn about the gold workings of the 1930's and the area around the airfield at Iron Range where there were major military installations. Overnight Iron Range.

DAY 9 MONDAY (BLD) - Archer River.
Travel west through lands of the Lockhart River Aboriginal People to rejoin the Peninsula Development Road, then south to overnight at the Archer River. Camp with facilities.

DAY 10 TUESDAY (BLD) - Coen, Musgrave, Lakefield National Park.
Historic interludes as we visit the once vibrant gold rush town of Coen and Musgrave, the last remaining Telegraph Station in Cape York. We then travel east towards the Coral Sea to arrive at the massive wildlife haven, Lakefield National Park.

DAY 11 WEDNESDAY (BD) - Cooktown.
Past pioneer homesteads, with a pause for photos at Old Laura Homestead, we the rugged Battlecamp Range to reach Cooktown. A day of interest and enjoyment as we visit Cook’s landing place, James Cook museum (own cost), or shop for souvenirs in original colonial era shops. Overnight Cooktown campground.

DAY 12 THURSDAY (BL) - Daintree Rainforests, Cairns.
We cross the Bloomfield River, through the famous World Heritage rainforest across the Daintree River. Then travel via the scenic coastal road to Cairns and journeys end.