Cape York Peninsula and Thursday Island, Australia

The Cape York Peninsula is said to begin north of the Jardine River. Make the effort to get to the “top” and you will be justly rewarded with discovering the fantastical islands of Torres Strait. What sets this corner of Australia apart from the rest is its unique cultural heritage and, because of its strategic location, its pivotal wartime role for Australia. Situated in the heart of Torres Strait and just an hour’s ferry ride from Seisia Jetty on Cape York, is Thursday Island.

Valid: 5 – 12 August 2024

Highlights: The confluence of the Arafura and Coral Seas, Thursday island and its neighbours.

Detailed itinerary:
Day 1: Depart Cairns (B,L,D)
Early departure from Cairns and travel through rainforests and the Atherton Tablelands, through picturesque Kuranda and Mareeba via the Palmer River to the Laura Dance Festival site. Here we set up camp (or accommodation if pre-booked), and enjoy lunch and the festival atmosphere. You can choose to spend the day here, or travel the short distance to the Quinkan Rock Art Reserve, and an afternoon tour of this amazing rock art site. Overnight Laura.

Day 2: To Weipa (B,L,D)
Depart for the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) heading for Cape York. Travel via the Hann River Roadhouse, and check out the Musgrave Telegraph Station. You stop at the Lotus Lodge for morning tea. Beyond the township of Coen you pass the old Quarantine Station, and begin to make a number of exciting creek crossings. You pass through the Mungkan Kandju National Park. You take a break at the Archer River Roadhouse, and cross the Piccaninny Plains and Savannah country to arrive in Weipa for a tour of the massive bauxite mine operated by Rio Tinto. Weipa is the largest town on Cape York Peninsula, and has approximately 3,000 people supporting the mining and export of bauxite and cattle. Overnight Weipa.

Day 3: Weipa – Siesia and the Arafura Sea (B,L,D)
Depart Weipa to the OTT, crossing the Wenlock River. After a stop at the Moreton Telegraph Station, you turn off and enter the Jardine National Park and the Heathlands. The Heathlands is a vast area of 2-metre high wet and dry heath vegetation that live side by side and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Enjoy a rest at Eliot Falls before you cross the Jardine River. You pass through the administrative centre for the region, Bamaga to Siesia, the “Gateway to the Torres Strait”. Travel on to stand on Australia’s northern most tip, the meeting place of the Arafura and Coral Seas, to view the numerous islands of the Torres Strait. Overnight Siesia.

Day 4: Thursday Island (B,D)
Depart by fast cat ferry for the 1 hour 10 min ride to Thursday Island, passing Friday and seeing Wednesday Islands en route. Thursday Island was an administrative centre for the Torres Strait Islands established by the Queensland Government. In the early days over 1,000 Japanese pearl divers were operating here. A 1-hour island tour is included, highlighting local history and landmarks. After lunch, (own cost) the return ferry departs at 2:30 from Engineers Wharf, arriving approximately 3:40. Enjoy free time this afternoon until dinner. Optionally, from Thursday Island your can join the Horn Island tour which visits WWII sites including a WWII museum. This tour also meets the last & only return ferry, and does not allow time to look around Thursday Island. If you choose, you can overnight here and join us early next morning (additional cost). Overnight Siesia.

Day 5: Bamaga and Jardine River National Park (B,L,D)
Heading south you visit the WWII aircraft wrecks of Bamaga, and skirt the Jardine River National Park, take the Jardine River crossing then a rest stop at Fruit Bat Falls. You visit the beach at Captain Billy’s Landing located on the east coast, and arrive Archer River Roadhouse for refreshments and overnight.

Day 6: Lakefield National Park - Cooktown (B,L,D)
Explore Lakefield National Park, home to threatened species including the red goshawk, Lakeland Downs mouse and spectacled hare-wallaby. Hann and Kalpowar crossings are two of the many significant Aboriginal cultural sites found in the area. Barramundi abound here and many water birds inhabit Low Lake. Enjoy this rich nature and great waterholes for swimming. Arrive Cooktown late afternoon for overnight.

Day 7: Bloomfield Track - Daintree Rainfoest - Cairns (B,L,D)
The rainforest encompasses an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres, from the Daintree River north to Cooktown and west to the Great Divide, representing the single largest block of tropical rainforest in Australia. The area protected under World Heritage listing covers an area of approximately 12,000 square kilometres, stretching from Townsville to Cooktown 75 per cent of which is tropical rainforest, an area equivalent to about the size of Sydney.

Day 8: Arrive Cairns (B)
Tour ends in Cairns after breakfast.

Included:
• All meals
• 7 nights hotel or camping accommodation
• National Park entry fees
• Professional guide
• Optional tours
• Ferry to and from Thursday Island
• Luxury 4WD transport

Please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information.

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