The romanticism of retracing the steps of our ancestors across the outback regions of Northern Australia stirs a feeling inside that makes you want to pack up your bags and just head out into the bush.
Now you can on our 15 day ultimate bespoke four wheel drive tours.
Jump on board with us and travel to the beautiful Cape York Peninsula with our fully accredited award winning safari tour guides who have had over 20 years exploring these remote regions of Cape York.
On each 4 wheel drive tour we have a maximum of two groups of 6 guests in each overland vehicle and our campsites are some of the best glamping spots you would have seen in your life.
Cape York is an area of Australia that is untamed and rampant with a colourful history of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander occupation, exploration and mining.
We will show you rugged and remote beauty in places a lot of others have never seen. Cape York is resplendent with a range of diverse scenery, flora and fauna making this outback tour a birdwatchers nirvana.
We will be crossing wild rivers and swimming in remote waterfalls and exploring townships with old relics and learning more about the history of this region.
Our Cape York Drive/Drive safaris tours will have you fully immersed in the experiences as our aim is to have you leave us and say it was the best time of your life!
Brief description of Cape York tour below.
Day 1. Cairns - Quinkan Rock Art - Private Cattle Station
We collect you from your Cairns hotel and take inland over the coastal range onto the James Mulligan Highway before stopping at the Palm er River Roadhouse to stretch your legs and have lunch. (at own cost).
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 private cattle station.
Day 2. PRIVATE CATTLE STATION - MORETON TELEGRAPH STATION
An exciting day of four wheel drive touring and creek crossing until we reacch the beautiful Fruit Bat Falls.
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 camp ground: Moreton Station
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
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
Day 5. SEISIA TIP
Today we visit the Famous Croc Tent and walk to the TIP.
We will travel through the drier savannah woodlands which will change into dense rainforest before opening up at the deserted beaches at Australian's most northern point.
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.
Dinner tonight (extra cost) will be at Loyalty Beach to relax and take in far north oceanside beauty
Campground: Seisa
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
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
Day 8. BRAMWELL STATION - WEIPA - MERLUNA
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
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 amazing with rare fauna and flora - we look for the famous Palm Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots and Green Pythons.
Campground: Cooks Hut Bush Camp (Hybrid Toilet)
Day 10. WEIPA - 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
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
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
Take a peek at our Tour Tabs above for more information or call our Safari team on 1300 761 612 and talk to them about your ideal outback adventure.
Read our Blog about a “Letter Back Home” from some of our past guests.
Book your Cape York tour and adventure to experience the great Australian outback.
15 Day Cape York Camping Drive Safari | NW
- Location: Cairns & Northern Beaches
- Duration:
15 days
A highly regared and personalised 15 day Cape York tour that departs from Cairns with some of the most passionate tour guides you will find in Australia. Our Cape York tour is a 4WD safari like not other that is hosted by guides that have been tecking Cape York for many years with visitors.