Cooktown and Cape York

4.0/5 Based on 4 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Adventure Small Group 4WD Scenic
Our Price From 8,608 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 590 Per Person
 Trip Length
11 Days
 Trip Starts
Cairns
 Trip Finishes
Cairns
11 Day Cooktown and Cape York Itinerary (APT)
Countries Explored: Australia
Trip Operator
Trip Style
4WD Adventure
Departures
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Max. Group Size
20
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
GOCY11

Overview

Read 4 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on APT's 11 Day Cooktown and Cape York. Travel to the northernmost tip of Queensland on a 4WD journey with APT. Explore Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, the only place in Australia where two World Heritage-listed phenomena meet.

Itinerary

Your adventure begins in Cairns today, where we meet you on arrival and transfer you to your resort in Port Douglas. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. You might like to go for a dip in one of the resort's many pools, or head into Port Douglas for a wander through town.

This evening, enjoy an unforgettable degustation dining experience at Port Douglas' most nationally awarded restaurant, Harrisons. Your degustation menu, created by owner chef Spencer Patrick and his team, will showcase the best quality Australian produce. Stay: Port Douglas, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort (D)

After your Signature Experience, embark on a Daintree River Cruise and keep an eye out for crocodiles, birds, butterflies and a variety of reptile species. Tonight, dine amidst the rainforest in an open-air restaurant. Stay: Daintree National Park, Heritage Lodge or Ferntree Rainforest Lodge (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:
  • Travel to Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park and set off on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge Walk, led by local Indigenous guides. Start with a smoking ceremony, before journeying along private, gentle tracks visiting culturally significant sites. Learn about traditional hunting and gathering techniques, hear stories of the Dreamtime and gain a deeper understanding of how the Indigenous people have lived off the land here for thousands of years.

After a day of Signature Experiences, arrive in Cooktown and discover the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and the James Cook Museum. Just before sunset, savour views from Grassy Hill Lookout over the Endeavour River. Stay: Cooktown, Sovereign Resort Hotel (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:
  • Explore Cape Tribulation this morning, the only place in Australia where two World Heritage-listed phenomena meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Journey along the Bloomfield Track, one of Australia's most iconic outback roads. Journey through dense sections of rainforest, tackling steep climbs and several challenging creek crossings.

Travel to Quinkan Country, ranked by UNESCO as one of the top 10 rock art areas in the world. Here, embark on a walk with an Indigenous guide to Split Rock, an intriguing rock art site where Quinkan figures depicting native animals, spirits and totems have been painted onto the rock face.

Later, turn off into Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, home to crocodiles, wallabies and an array of bird life.  Arrive at Musgrave, the only remaining telegraph station on the peninsula. Stay: Musgrave Roadhouse (B/L/D)

Explore the old gold mining town of Coen and stop at the well-known Archer River Roadhouse for lunch, which marks the halfway point of your journey.

Afterwards, continue to the town of Weipa, home to the largest community on the Cape York Peninsula. Stay: Weipa, Albatross Bay Resort (B/L/D)

Set out on a boat trip in Weipa and relax as you learn about the region's unique ecosystem, mining industry and Indigenous culture. Keep your eyes peeled for saltwater crocs lazing on the banks.

Afterwards, travel to Bramwell Station. Stay: Bramwell Station (B/L/D)

Observe the towering termite mounds of Bramwell Junction before continuing on with your adventure. Stop at Fruit Bat Falls and cool off with a refreshing swim in the pristine waters of the Elliott River. Cross Jardine River by ferry, then skirt Jardine River National Park and continue through the traditional land of the Injinoo Indigenous people. Stay Two Nights: Cape York Peninsula Lodge (B/L/D)

Travel along to a 4WD track to Frangipani Beach, with sweeping views of the tip of Cape York. After your Cape York experience, travel to historic Somerset Hill, the site of a station established by John Jardine in 1863. On Somerset Beach, admire Albany Island, as well as discover the history of ‘Jackey Jackey' and Frank Jardine. (B/L/D)

Signature Experiences:
  • Take a mildly challenging but thoroughly awe-inspiring walk to the tip of the peninsula to experience being at the Australian mainland's most northerly point. Take in the stunning vistas over the Torres Strait, then afterwards, take to the skies as you embark on a scenic helicopter flight over the tip of Cape York.

Ferry across Endeavour Strait to Thursday Island, which was once a base for pearling luggers. Step back in time with a visit to Green Hill Fort, located atop the island's highest hill. Once used as ammunitions storage, the fort's maze of underground tunnels and rooms now houses the Torres Strait Museum. Immerse yourself in ancient Torres Strait Islander culture with an unforgettable traditional dance, storytelling and musical show, the Migi Malu Experience. Enjoy traditional island damper with a hot tea, coffee or water. Stay: Thursday Island, The Grand Hotel (B/L/D)

Transfer to Horn Island aboard the local ferry. On a guided tour, visit the World War II Base and Torres Strait Heritage Museum, and learn how the island became an operational airbase following the bombing of Darwin.

Later, board an included flight from Horn Island over the Great Barrier Reef and marvel at this spectacle from the air before arriving in Cairns.

Tonight, enjoy your farewell dinner at the renowned Dundee's Waterfront Dining, a quintessential Australian restaurant boasting stunning views, local delicacies and unique fare including kangaroo, crocodile and emu. The menu is a drawcard for return local, national and international visitors. Stay: Cairns, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina (B/L/D)

After breakfast this morning, be transferred to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Embark on the Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge Walk in Daintree National Park's Mossman Gorge
  • Explore stunning Cape Tribulation, where the reef meets the rainforest
  • Journey along the Bloomfield Track, one of Australia's most iconic outback roads
  • Set out on a scenic helicopter flight over the tip of Cape York

  • Experiences in 13 destinations
  • Travel in a group of no more than 20 guests with the services of an expert APT Driver and Tour Director
  • Travel in a custom-designed 4WD vehicle
  • Price includes airport transfers, flight from Horn island to Cairns, port charges and park fees

  • 29 included meals over the course of your trip.

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • APT highly recommends travel insurance
  • This tour includes mainly easy walks over uneven terrain, with some optional more challenging hikes
  • Prices are for land tour and internal flights as stated only

Trip Reviews (4) Most Recent 'Cooktown and Cape York' Reviews

4.0
AVG. RATING 4.0 / 5
4 Reviews
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
1 Star
Up to the tip of Australia!   0 , SA, Australia, Aug 2023
Another excellent holiday with APT! The organisation and attention to detail by our driver and tour guide left nothing to be desired.
Many highlights, but the standout ones are the time spent in the Daintree NP and the journey to the tip itself. Accommodation was generally excellent - there is no choice in some remote areas! We got on well with fellow ...read more travellers, and it was marvellous to see how the older and less able passengers were encouraged and supported by fellow travellers as well as the crew.
Great tour of Cape York 0 , VIC, Australia, Jun 2019
Great to walk to the top of Cape York then get a helicopter view the same afternoon. Day of great adventure.
Trip of a lifetime   2 , VIC, Australia, Jul 2018
A fascinating, educational and impressive tour of far North Queensland to The Tip by 4WD with 2 ferry rides to Thursday and Horn Islands and a direct flight back to Cairns. In particular learning about flora and fauna through out the national parks, the indigenous knowledge of their lands, the history of white pioneers who hacked their way through unforgiving ...read more landscapes to provide the first telegraph lines and so much more. Accommodation was 5 star to rustic with really good meals throughout. The small group of 16 allowed for friendly interactions at all times. A thoroughly well organised APT tour.
Exploration to WA 8 , QLD, Australia, Aug 2016
We travelled with APT and had a great mix of people, from driver, guide, to 14 other passengers. Two highlights come to mind - the first was our visit to the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve and the other was finally standing on the mainland tip of Australia, after long , bouncy travel days. The itinerary was varied and interesting, with some fantastic ...read more local guides. The only sour points was the terrible accommodation at Bramwell Station, east of Weipa, and the tents at Punsund Bay were acceptable, but could have been better with a little thought. Overall, we were pleased we undertook the trip, which was our first with APT. The driver we had gave us some fantastic local stories he had researched, which included early explorers, setters and problems associated with settling the northern tip - we all loved these stories, as it kept us entertained while we bounced our way north.
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Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by APT. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from APT. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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