Day 1 Sunday, 19 June 2022

Cairns to Horn-Thursday Island        Meals LD

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

Flights have been arranged to take you from Cairns to Cape York this morning. Upon arrival at Horn Island your eXpedition10 crew member will meet you at the airport to escort you on your Cape York adventure. 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. This evening, eXpedition10 has arranged a special sunset dinner cruise to welcome you to Cape York.

Accommodation Grand Hotel - Thursday Island

Day 2 Monday, 20 June 2022

Thursday Island to Loyalty Beach        Meals BD

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 also be some time to visit the  Thursday Island Cutural Centre 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 Cabins - 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 Cabins - 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 - eXpedition10 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. Time permitting, visit 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 Cabins - 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 Heritage Resort - Weipa

Day 8 Sunday, 26 June 2022

Weipa to Lockhart River        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 atop the hill above Portland Road at “The Temple” converted WWII bunkers converted into luxury accommodation. Keep an eye out in the surrounding ocean for stingray and dugong and in the forest for Palm Cockatoo, commonly sighted in the Lockhart area.

Accommodation The Temple - Portland Road

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. 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 The Temple - Portland Road

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 Guesthouse

Day 11 Wednesday, 29 June 2022

Coen to Palmerville Meals 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 Cabins - Cannibal Creek Goldfields

Day 12 Thursday, 30 June 2022

Palmerville Gold Prospecting        Meals BLD

We have arranged for expert gold prospectors today to take you to the best places to discover gold. It is not guaranteed that everyone will find gold but, in this location, and with our expert guides 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 (Smiley Face)

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 Cabins - Cannibal Creek Goldfields

Day 13 Friday, 1 July 2022

Palmerville to Cooktown        Meals BLD

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 River of Gold Motel - 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, a beautiful place whith 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 Heritage Lodge - Daintree Rainforest

Day 15 Sunday, 3 July 2022

Daintree Rainforest to Cairns Meals B

This morning, a guided rainforest walk has been arranged with 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. This afternoon, continuing south, passing through Mossman and Port Douglas following closely to the coast-line. Finally, following 15 days of incredible sights your tour will finish in Cairns. Thank you for travelling with eXpedition10 on this ‘Standing on top of Australia’ tour to Cape York.

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
  • 14 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