Day 1 Sunday, 19 June 2022       

Cairns to Horn Island      Meals LD

Flights to Cairns should be arranged to arrive on or before 18 June 2022

Arrangements have been made to transfer from accommodations in Cairns to the Cairns Airport. On Arrival in Horn Island your eXpedition10 crew member will meet you at the airport and escort to the accommodation. After lunch, board the islands bus for a very informative heritage tour of Horn Island visiting many of the sites occupied by Australian and USA troops during WWII. There may be an opportunity this evening to try your luck at fishing from the local jetty.

Accommodation Horn Island

Day 2 Monday, 20 June 2022     

Horn Island to Thursday Island and Loyalty Beach              MEALS BD

From Horn Island it is just a short ferry ride to Thursday Island. Although Thursday Island is smaller than Horn Island it is the administrative centre of the Torres Strait group of islands. A brief introduction tour of Thursday Island will point sights such as Battery Point Fort and the cemetery where many pearl divers from around Asia are laid to rest. There will be some free time on Thursday Island before boarding the ferry for a one-hour trip to the mainland. Loyalty Beach lays on the western shore of Cape York and is know for its excellent sunset views. It is also our home for two nights.

Accommodation Loyalty Beach

Day 3     Tuesday, 21 June 2022 

eXploring Cape York        Meals BLD

Many northern areas of Australia were subject to bombing raids during WWII and there are still several relics lying in the area. Today’s adventure will visit some plane wrecks and an old radar station before heading closer to the most northern point on mainland Australia. Call in to the Croc Tent owned by Terry and Davida – a famous souvenir shop which ‘appeared’ in 1984, then to Somerset where, tides permitting we will take you for a drive on the eastern Cape beaches and finally, the moment you have been waiting for, a visit to The Tip. Upon returning to the bus, enjoy a beachside bbq dinner while watching the sun set at Cape York.

Accommodation Loyalty Beach

Day 4     Wednesday, 22 June 2022

Loyalty Beach to Eliot Falls            Meals BLD

South of Loyalty Beach is the Jardine River, a once formidable barrier for visitors to Cape York. Crossing the river has destroyed many vehicles however, in more recent times a vehicular ferry has been introduced making the crossing very easy. The ‘best’ route from Cape York is not the original road. The original track was built to install and service the old overland telegraph line. This track is known as the Old Telegraph Track. Many 4X4 enthusiasts still use this old road which has some very difficult creek crossings. A lot of 4X4’s make it through to the end of the journey but some don’t! Today, road conditions favourable, we will take you to Nolan’s Crossing on the Old Telegraph Track to see one of the challenging crossings. Tonight, we will be camping at Eliot Falls - eXpeditio10 style in roomy tents with comfy beds complete with linen and doonas.

Accommodation eXpedition10 Tents

Day 5     Thursday, 23 June 2022

Eliot Falls to Bramwell Station     Meals BLD

Take some time this morning and enjoy a swim in the refreshing waters of Eliot Falls. Visit picturesque Captain Billy’s Landing on the East Coast of The Cape and take a stroll on the beautiful beach. Return inland to the Old Telegraph Track to another iconic crossing at Cockatoo Creek before travelling to Bramwell Station for the night. You may notice that the termite mounts have grown quite tall in this region. Tonight, during dinner, enjoy the entertainment and company of other travellers to Cape York.

Accommodation Bramwell Station

Day 6     Friday, 24 June 2022

Bramwell Station to Weipa/Pennefather               Meals BD

From Bramwell Station, travel through Batavia Downs to the West coast to the bauxite mining centre of Weipa. There will be time for some shopping and lunch in town prior to continuing to Pennefather Beach, about a one-hour drive north of Weipa. Your camp site tonight will have magnificent views of the beach and sun setting over the ocean. The beach here is know for its turtle nesting so it is quite possible you may spot a turtle during this visit.

Accommodation eXpedition10 Tents

Day 7     Saturday, 25 June 2022

Pennefather to Weipa    Meals BL

Enjoy your time on the beach this morning, maybe a spot of fishing or beachcombing would be to your liking. Following lunch, return to Weipa and check into your motel with time to freshen up, take a dip in the pool or catch up on some washing in the motel’s laundry. Later in the evening, board the boat for a wildlife sunset cruise. Cruise the tranquil waters of the Embley River into the golden glow of a sunset, whilst enjoying a cold drink and canapes, your informative guide will point out crocodiles and birds along the way

Accommodation Weipa

Day 8     Sunday, 26 June 2022

Weipa to Greenhoose   Meals BL

Pretty much directly east of Weipa on the eastern side of Cape York is the Lockhart River Region – todays destination. The start of the journey will travel through bauxite mines then cattle stations before meeting up with the main road from Cairns to Seisia. From here into Lockhart River the road conditions can deteriorate a bit, but the destination will make the journey well worthwhile. Accommodation tonight is nestled amongst the rainforests of Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park. Bird watchers will love this visit with frequent sightings of birds such as the Magnificent Rifle-bird, Eclectus Parrot, Northern Scrub-Robin and Palm Cockatoo - common sightings at Greenhoose.

Accommodation Greenhoose

Day 9     Monday, 27 June 2022

Lockhart District                Meals BLD

Some of today’s sightseeing includes; Lockhart River, a small indigenous town famous for artwork created by the Lockhart River Art Gang; Portland Roads, a quiet township comprised of a few houses which was once a vital base in the Battle of the Coral Sea; Chilli Beach, renowned for its palm-fringed beaches and clear blue water; Restoration Island, home to ex millionaire recluse David Glasheen who has been living here since 1997 after losing his wealth. You also have the chance to enjoy an optional helicopter flight (own cost) along the coastline with possible sightings of crocodiles, sharks, turtles and dugongs.

Accommodation Greenhoose

Day 10   Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Greenhoose to Coen      Meals BLD

The journey today will take you back to the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) and on to Archer River. At the Archer River Roadhouse make sure to look out for the memorial built to honour Toots Holzheimer. "Toots" was one of Australia's best-known truckies. Toots and her truck were a lifeline for communities the length of Cape York. A little further south is the old gold mining town, Coen. Coen is also home tonight. A visit to the local hotel may have some wondering how it got such an unusual name….

Accommodation Coen

Day 11   Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Coen to Palmerville         Melas BLD

Detouring from the PDR today will take this journey onto a working cattle station well known for its golden history. Call in to what remains of the old gold town of Maytown then continue on to Cannibal Creek Goldfields. Sitting around the fire tonight join in the conversation with some of the many prospectors using this place as a base to find their fortune. Rest up tonight as tomorrow it will be your turn to join them.

Accommodation Cannibal Creek Goldfields

Day 12   Thursday, 30 June 2022

Palmerville Gold Prospecting      Meals BLD

We have arranged for an expert gold prospector to take you the best places to discover gold today. It is not guaranteed that everyone will find gold but, in this location, and with our expert guide you will have the best possible chance. Be warned, gold prospecting is highly addictive and may leave those who participate longing to purchase high quality gold detectors ????

PLEASE NOTE: Prospecting is done through unprepared natural country which has no pathways and could cover some quite rugged country, therefore it is mandatory that you wear long pants, preferably jeans, a wide brimmed hat and closed in shoes.

Accommodation Cannibal Creek Goldfields

Day 13   Friday, 1 July 2022

Palmerville to Cooktown              Meals BL

It is a quite beautiful drive through rolling hills and crossing many creeks on the return to the main road from Cannibal Creek Goldfields. Call in to Lakeland for lunch at the local hotel then continue to an eXpedition10 eXclusive property for a guided tour by the owner Peter. Peter has lived on and owned cattle properties throughout the Cape York region for many years. His property in Lakeland lies on some incredible country ranging from grassy paddocks to mountainous bushland. The ‘crown jewel’ is a massive dam he recently completed to supply water for his stock and irrigation to local banana plantations. Continuing on, take a short drive to Cooktown. Following a look around town, check in to your motel for the night.

Accommodation Cooktown

Day 14   Saturday, 2 July 2022

Cooktown to Daintree Rainforest              Meals BLD

The route from Cooktown today passes through some pristine rainforest and follows closely to the coastline. Not far south of Cooktown, near Black Mountain, call into the Lions Den Hotel. The Lions Den Hotel was established in 1875 and is still going strong today and is a popular stopping point for travellers on the Bloomfield Track. Near Bloomfield, a short drive will take you into Wujal Wujal Falls. Enjoy a short, guided tour with a local guide sharing their knowledge about this special and beautiful place which is of great cultural significance to the Yalanji people. The track from Wujal Wujal becomes more challenging with steep climbs and descents, many creek crossings and thick rainforests and leads to Cape Tribulation. There will be time in Cape Tribulation to wander along the beach and maybe even have a close encounter with one of the local cassowaries. Continue to Thornton Beach and your last nights accommodation on this tour.

Accommodation Cooktown

Day 15   Sunday, 3 July 2022

Daintree Rainforest to Cairns      Meals B

This morning, a guided rainforest walk has been arranged with some local guides followed by a mangrove discovery cruise. These two tours are certainly the best way to appreciate this remarkable rainforest and showcase unique biological diversity and exceptional rainforest integrity. Return to Thornton Beach for lunch (own cost) at the local café then travel to the Daintree River where another ferry crossing awaits. Continuing south, pass through Mossman to Port Douglas where some free time has been allocated for some last-minute retail therapy. Finally, following 15 days of incredible sights your tour will finish in Cairns approximately 4pm. Thank you for travelling with eXpedition10

Inclusions

• Spacious 10 seat 4X4 Touring Coach
• Fully Equipped 4X4 Support Vehicle
• Flight Cairns to Horn Island
• Accommodation 12 nights Motel/Hotel/Cabins
  • 2 nights in eXpedition10 tents with beds and linen
• Meals
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • 12 Lunches
  • 11 Dinners
• All Attractions listed in itinerary (other than those stated optional)
• MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE - 10

Testimonials

I just wanted to say a huge Thank You Bev, Phil and Browny – we had such a great holiday.  We couldn’t have asked for better customer service, comfort, food and locations and the added benefit was the great group of people.

The trip was a credit to you all – we will certainly be spreading the word about touring with eXpedition10.

Julie