Day 1: Cairns
Welcome to Cairns! Or Gimuy, in the language of the Traditional Owners of the land on which Cairns is now located. This is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the gorgeous Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into a local bar. After the meeting, maybe head out with your group for a dinner.
Day 2: Cape Tribulation / Rossville
Today, you’ll take the Daintree ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage area of Cape Tribulation, which sits within the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a short nature walk and immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of the forest, keeping your eye out for local birdlife. Daintree is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world! Stop at a lookout and enjoy the beach scenery, then hop into your 4WD truck for a drive along the iconic Bloomfield Track – also known as the Coast Road, this track takes you from the cape through the forest’s many creeks. After, carry on to Rossville for the next two nights, overlooked by Kalkajaka (Black Mountain).
Day 3: Cooktown / Rossville
Fuel up on breakfast this morning, then meet with your local Aboriginal guide. Attend a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, then take a bush food and medicine walk as your guide tells you stories about the land. You’ll learn more about Country and boomerang throwing as your guide shares some handmade artefacts. Soak up your opportunity to connect with the land. Later, head to Cooktown, stopping at the Cooktown History Centre along the way. Here, learn about the significance of Cooktown and what role it played in Aboriginal history. Return to Rossville for another night.
Day 4: Lakefield National Park / Musgrave
After breakfast, make tracks for Rinyurru Lakefield National Park. Your first stop is Isabella Falls. Then, step back in time at the Old Laura Homestead, which dates back to 1879, and immerse yourself in one of the park's most historically significant periods. Then, head to Red Lily Lagoon to spot the waterbirds and pink lotus-lilies that carpet the lagoon. After a short walk, you’ll carry on to another peaceful lagoon, where a hundred-year-old mango tree marks the site of a historic family homestead. Have lunch on the North Kennedy River, then visit the termite mounts and grasslands of Nifold Plains. Arrive at Musgrave Roadhouse in the late afternoon – a typical Outback Roadhouse on the eastern side of the Cape York peninsula – where you’ll spend the night.
Day 5: Coen / Iron Range National Park
Depart the roadhouse in the morning and head to Coen – a rural town on the eastern side of the Cape York peninsula. From here, you’ll continue north to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park – the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Australia – through Cape York’s wilderness. Stop at Mount Tozer viewpoint and take a short walk for views of the mountain that rises in the distance. Continue to your accommodation and settle in for the next two nights.
Day 6: Iron Range National Park
Start your day with a spot of bird watching in the rain forest – if you’re lucky, you may spot the elusive palm cockatoo, red-bellied pitta and yellow-billed kingfisher. Next, visit Chilli Beach – a long, sweeping beach, popular for fishing and birdwatching. Chill out under the swaying palms and take in the remote beach landscape. Continue to the small coastal community of Portland Roads. This remote tropical outpost is a historical site framed by mangroves and famous for its small local cafe. If it’s open, maybe sit down for a coffee and a snack. Next up is Lockhart River Arts Indigenous Corporation – established in 1995, the artists of Lockhart River Art Centre have been recognised for many years as ‘The Art Gang’. Return to your accommodation for another night in the Iron Range.
Day 7: Weipa
Make tracks for Weipa. If open on the day of your visit you’ll be able to check out the Western Cape Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the history and culture of the region. Next up is today's highlight: Hop on a boat cruise to see Cape York from the water – look out for saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks and the numerous bird species that live in these waterways and mangroves and learn about the local culture and wildlife habitats.
Day 8: Wenlock River / Apudthama National Park / Bamaga
Today is a long travel day on rugged gravel roads, heading north towards the tip. You’ll stop along the way at Wenlock River – the location of the Moreton Telegraph Station, which was part of the Cape York Telegraph line, completed in 1887. You’ll then visit Fruit Bat Falls, which sits within Apudthama National Park. These lush falls are a beautiful spot for a nature walk and a swim. After, carry on to the Jardine River ferry for the journey to Bamaga – home to the most northerly mainland community in Queensland. You’ll spend the next three nights here.
Day 9: Pajinka (Cape York) / Bamaga
Today, you’ll drive to the northernmost point of mainland of Australia – Pajinka, better known as Cape York. It’s a short but very scenic walk to ‘The Tip’, and you will be able to see the islands of the Torres Strait from here. Once you cross this mighty spot off your bucket list, carry on exploring the area. Depending on road conditions visit Somerset Beach or Fly Point for a beach visit and some photos, trying to spot the resident turtles. Time and weather permitting, there is also the option to head over to Albany Island, traditionally known as Pabaju, a hidden gem just off the coast. Then, search for plane wreckage from World War II – located throughout Cape York near former Allied air bases. These are a reminder of how close the fight really was to Australian shores. Later make your way back to Bamaga for the night.
Day 10: Thursday Island (Torres Strait) / Bamaga
This morning, you’ll take the ferry to Thursday Island – an archipelago of about 274 small islands in the Torres Strait, known as ‘TI’. This gorgeous archipelago is rich in Indigenous culture, history and natural beauty, and when you arrive, you’ll have a cultural activity with a local Torres Strait Islander guide. Learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait Islander people on a guided walk along Bayo Beach, surrounded by swaying palms. After some time for lunch, jump back on the ferry back to Bamaga where your adventure comes to an end.
