14 Day Cape York 4WD Camping Safari Tour From Cairns

Itinerary

DAY 1 FRIDAY (D) - Depart Cairns, M.V. "Trinity Bay".
Afternoon pick from your Cairns accommodation. At 80 metres and over 3000 tonnes the Trinity Bay is the largest cargo vessel servicing the Torres Strait communities.

DAY 2 SATURDAY (BLD) - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Total relaxation as you enjoy the company of the crew and ship board companions.

DAY 3 SUNDAY (BLD) - Thursday Island, Horn Island, "Barge Day".
The focus of all attention today is the wharves on Thursday & Horn Islands as the MV Trinity Bay disgorges its cargo of fuel, building materials, indeed everything needed by these remote island communities. Time to explore legendary Thursday Island and or Horn Island. (conducted bus tour at own cost).

DAY 4 MONDAY (BLD) - Seisia, Bamaga, Punsand Bay.
Another "barge day" but at Seisia wharf, the sea port for Bamaga’s five aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A short stop at Seisia Islander settlement before proceeding to our northern base camp Punsand Bay Reserve for two nights.

DAY 5 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 6 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 7 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 ancient cycad forests. Camp on the Wenlock River at Moreton Telegraph Station.

DAY 8 FRIDAY (BD) - Weipa.
Travel south to Batavia Downs Station then west to the Gulf of Carpentaria through huge cattle runs and Aboriginal 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 Weipa campground.

DAY 9 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 10 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 11 MONDAY (BLD) - Archer River, Port Stewart.
Across rolling Piccaninny Plains before a pause at the wide shady Archer River, we visit historic Coen before heading to Port Stewart, a former sea port. We virtually travel the entire length of Stewart River- a recently declared Wild River, due to its intact and healthy river system. WE explore Port Stewart, a natural and culturally significant place, also traditional homelands of the Lama Lama Aboriginal people. Overnight Yintjingga Campground with facilities.

DAY 12 TUESDAY (BLD) - Coen, Musgrave, Lakefield National Park.
Historic interludes as we visit the once vibrant gold rush town of Coen, and also 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 13 WEDNESDAY (BD) - Cooktown.
Past pioneer homesteads, with a pause for photos at Old Laura Homestead, over 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 14 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.