12 Day Tour to Cape York - Drive North, Fly South - Camping 4WD Safari (Code: HT12DFC)

Type: Tours - Cape York Camping Tours

This 12 day fully escorted tour offers you the chance to see Cape York in great detail and most significantly, Lakefield National Park and Iron Range National Park are on this itinerary. You have the time to explore these National Parks as well as the other landmarks because by flying back to Cairns at the end of the tour, there is no chance of backtracking to places where you’ve already been. Each day you’ll have good Aussie camp meals and sleep in outback tent accommodation.  

You’ll travel in a modern luxury 4WD vehicle the entire way with a free day to also explore Thursday and Horn Island if you wish. If you don’t mind camping, this tour covers the majority of the highlights of Cape York in one directiongoing north and it flies back south in the other direction to save time!

Departure Dates for 2010:

All tours are guaranteed to depart on the follow dates with a minimum of six passengers and road conditions permitting. This is an extremely popular tour, so please book early to avoid missing out.

• September 2, 30 

Departure Dates for 2011:

All tours are guaranteed to depart on the follow dates with a minimum of six passengers and road conditions permitting. This is an extremely popular tour, so please book early to avoid missing out.

• May 17
• June 9
• July 2, 25
• Aug 18
• September 8 

Click here to jump straight to the price tables for this tour.

Tour Itinerary:

All fares include meals as per itinerary code: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner. All camping and accommodation costs and entrance fees as per itinerary. (S) Showers, (T) Toilet, (Bc) Bush Camp, (L) Laundry
Twin share tents and foam mattresses are provided to all passengers on this camping safari. You can BYO sleeping bag and pillow or hire one.

 DAY 1 CAIRNS – COOKTOWN (LD) After an early morning pick up from your accommodation your adventure begins. Travelling north via the scenic Captain Cook Highway, past Port Douglas to the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Then travelling along the jungle shrouded Bloomfield Track stopping off at the unique Lion’s Den Hotel and the mysterious Black Mountain. Accommodation in Cooktown (share facilities). (STL) 

DAY 2 COOKTOWN - LAKEFIELD (BLD) This morning we explore the old gold port of Cooktown. Visit the Cooktown Museum (optional extra), Captain Cooks Landing, and Grassy Hill Lookout. Heading west into the outback, we stop at the Old Laura Homestead before making our way over the Battle Camp Range to our overnight camp in Lakefield National Park (road conditions permitted). (ST)  (Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival) 

DAY 3 LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK – ARCHER RIVER (BLD) Lakefield National Park, an amalgamation of 3 huge cattle stations now a haven for the many birds and animals of this area.  Lagoons, billabongs and wide river lakes are home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. Stopping off at the historic Musgrave Telegraph Station and the frontier gold town of Coen. We camp tonight at the picturesque Archer River. (STL)(Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival)

DAY 4 ARCHER RIVER – IRON RANGE NATIONAL PARK (BLD) This morning we visit the old Wenlock Gold Fields, an abandoned mining town, showing relics of Cape York’s history. After morning tea we make our way to the East Coast and the Iron Range National Park (The largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in Australia) to find the Eclectus Parrot and the rare Palm Cockatoo. Our campsite is located on Chili Beach were you can often enjoy the splendid sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. (Bc+T) (Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival) 

DAY 5 IRON RANGE – CHILI BEACH (BLD) Today we will explore at our leisure, Iron Range National Park, Chili Beach, and Portland Roads community, which once serviced the Gold Fields and WW II airfield. (Bc+T)(weather and road conditions permitted) 

DAY 6 IRON RANGE - WEIPA (BLD) After an early morning start we make our way back to the main road.  We cross the picturesque Pascoe River, before making our way to the bauxite-mining town of Weipa. Our modern, well-equipped campsite is located close to the beach, enjoying splendid sunsets over the sea. (STL)(Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival) 

DAY 7 WEIPA - BRAMWELL STATION (BD) This morning you may wish to take an informative tour of the Weipa mining operation (own expense) or just relax by the pool. After lunch we head for our overnight camp at a true blue Aussie cattle station, Bramwell Station. (ST) (Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival)

DAY 8 BRAMWELL STATION - TWIN FALLS (BLD) This morning we travel north stopping off at Fruitbat Falls, before arriving at “Twin Falls”, our camp for the night. Relax, swim and enjoy this unique area with its enchanting water falls and rock pools. (Bc+T)(Easy Camping Tours: Your tent will be set up on arrival) 

DAY 9 TWIN FALLS - CAPE YORK –SEISIA (BLD) After exploring this spectacular region it is time for lunch, one last swim then northwards across the Jardine River ferry, through Bamaga and finally on to Seisia, Cape York, our permanent pre-erected base camp for the next 3 nights overlooking the Torres Straits. (STL) 

DAY 10 THURSDAY ISLAND (BD) An early morning departure as we cruise through island studded straits to explore our northern community, Thursday Island. Here you have the option to take a informative guided bus tour of the island (own expense) and its picturesque Harbour, once home to the romantic pearl lugger fleet. Ample time to explore the sites on the island, the Cultural Museum and souvenir shops, before you board your ferry to return to Seisia late afternoon. (STL)

 DAY 11 CAPE YORK - SOMERSET  (BLD) An unforgettable day! Stand at the very top of mainland Australia, we then visit Somerset (road conditions permitted), once the home of the legendary Jardine family and government outpost established in 1864. We have lunch on the palm fringed Anchorage Beach, which overlooks the Albany Passage. A walk on the beach will complete your day before returning to base.  (STL)   

DAY 12 CAPE YORK - CAIRNS (B) After a leisurely morning and maybe a spot of fishing we depart the “Top End”. With many unforgettable memories you’ll board your plane at Bamaga for your scenic flight along the East Coast and the Great Barrier Reef arriving at Cairns. ETA to be advised.

The tour operator reserves the right to alter itinerary and location of camp site if necessitated.

Features & Inclusions

• Iron Range National Park and Chilli Beach
• Cape Tribulation
• Cooktown
• Lakefield National Park
• Iron Range National Park
• Chili Beach
• Weipa
• Twin Falls
• Thursday Island
• Cape York - Most Northern Tip of Australia

Specials & Packages

Rates and Tariffs

June-Aug 2010 Season	1st Jun 2010 to 6th Aug 2010
12 Day Drive Fly Cape York Camping Tour	$2850.00 adult $2565.00 per child
September Early Bird Season	1st Sep 2010 to 30th Sep 2010
12 Day Drive Fly Cape York Camping Tour	$2650.00 adult $2385.00 per child
2011 Season	1st May 2010 to 31st Aug 2010
12 Day Drive Fly Cape York Camping Tour	$2950.00 adult $2655.00 per child
Sept 2011 Season	1st Sep 2011 to 30th Sep 2011
12 Day Drive Fly Cape York Camping Tour	$2750.00 adult $2475.00 per child
* Booking terms and conditions may apply, please details below.

Booking Information

Departure Dates for 2010:

All tours are guaranteed to depart on the follow dates with a minimum of six passengers and road conditions permitting. This is an extremely popular tour, so please book early to avoid missing out.

* September 2, 30

Departure Dates for 2011:

All tours are guaranteed to depart on the follow dates with a minimum of six passengers and road conditions permitting. This is an extremely popular tour, so please book early to avoid missing out.

* May 17
* June 9
* July 2, 25
* Aug 18
* September 8

Departure time from Cairns: 7:00am or to be advised. Guests should make arrangements to stay in Cairns on the day before the tour is due to begin because the time of departure can be any time of day.

Return time to Cairns: 6.00pm. Guests should make arrangements to stay in Cairns on the date of return because the time of return can be delayed by several hours.

Pickup or Departure Point Details: Complimentary pick up from Cairns city accommodation.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Pre and Post tour accommodation. any meals not mentioned on day to day itinerary, sleeping bags and pillows, any personal items such as drinks, newspapers, telephone, laundry, souvenirs, personal and holiday insurance.

CAMP BED HIRE –
High quality camp beds for hire. At a cost of of $60.00 per tour you can sleep safe and sound in absolute comfort.

HIRE OF CAMPING EQUIPMENT -
• Sleeping bags $ 15.00 for the entire safari
• Sheet $ 5.00 for the entire safari
• Pillows $ 5.00 for the entire safari
• Towel $ 5.00 for the entire safari
• Single tent $ 70.00 for the entire safari
• Camp beds $60 per trip

WEIPA MINE TOUR
The Largest Bauxite Mine in the World
A fascinating and informative tour of this enormous open cast mining site and the remote mining town of Weipa. The tour covers just about everything you might want to know about the Western Cape Region and its history plus a comprehensive insight into the whole process of mining and a chance to see the enormous mining equipment, trucks, locomotives and other plant used on the 2,590 square Km. Site. The tour takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs $30.00 pp

THURSDAY ISLAND BUS TOUR
There is probably no other place in Australia with a history longer or more colorful than that of Torres Strait. This T.I. Tour takes you to places the ordinary tourist could not hope to cover by foot in a single day. Stops include the Torres Strait Museum, Japanese Pearl Divers Memorial, and Green Hill Fort. Your local guides commentary takes you on a journey from the early, pre Europeans days, to the discovery of pearl shell, local involvement in wartime conflicts and on through to today's main primary industry Crayfishing and T.I.s pivotal role as the government administrative Centre. Cost: $ 30.00 pp (fuel levy may apply)

HORN ISLAND TOUR

Just across the Harbour from Thursday Island is Horn Island. Here you join a WWII Tour designed to reveal the vital role Torres Strait played in Australia's northern defense. Evidence of Horn Island as a strategic WWII Airbase can be found across the island in the form of old trenches, taxi ways and gun sites. Also included is a visit to a private WWII Museum. Lunch at Gateway Resort is a mouth-watering buffet featuring local fare. Cost: $ 96.00 pp (Includes buffet lunch, WWII Tour, Museum and return boat transfer from Thursday Island.) (fuel levy may apply)

Booking Policy

Child Policy: Child = 11- 14 years. This tour is not recommended for children under 11 years of age.

A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due 49 days prior to departure.

Please advise the following:
The name of your Holiday Accommodation and/ or a mobile telephone contact in case the tour director can’t find you. We also book accommodation at the best locally available rates so if we can help you with that, please let us know.

Cancellation Policy:
·45 – 30 days prior to travel, a 25% cancellation fee applies
·30 – 14 days prior to travel, a 50% cancellation fee applies
·Less than 14 days prior to travel, a 100% cancellation fee applies
A $100 per person administration fee applies to every cancellation greater than 45 days prior to the date of travel.

Instant Enquiry

Please use the below form to lodge an enquiry about this listing.

Contact Name *

Your Email Address *

Your Phone Number

Intended date of travel

Enquiry *

 

Actions

• Return to the top of the page ^
• See other listings within Cairns and Beaches »