9 Day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure

Travel by luxury 4WD to the very tip of the Australian Mainland on this fully accommodated 9-day drive/fly adventure. Visit iconic Australian Pubs, meet the locals, drive the legendary Bloomfield Track and enjoy great outback food and hospitality on this once in a lifetime Australian Adventure.

Tour Information

Embark on the adventure of a lifetime to the farthest reaches of Australia’s northern frontier. This Cape York tour will see you enjoy an 9-day 4WD adventure, guided by expert local guides and visiting renowned sites such as The Bloomfield Track, Cooktown, Fruit Bat Falls and Roko Island in the Torres Strait.. As you drive through this region full of unique biodiversity, your days will be fully catered for with hearty breakfasts prepared from fresh produce each morning , wholesome lunches during midday explorations and dinners boasting regional delicacies beneath starry skies at night . Departing  from Cairns, Palm Cove or Port Douglas Hotels, Join us for a once-in-a lifetime experience on our Cape York Adventure!

  • 9-day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure – explore australia’s northernmost tip in style by luxury 4WD
  • Learn about the unique biodiversity of this remote region from expert guides
  • Split Rock Aboriginal Rock Art Site
  • Experience an exclusive stay at Roko Island in the Torres Strait
  • Visit Pajinka, the northernmost tip of the Australian mainland 
  • Tour behind-the-scenes on Horn Island including a sunset cruise and visit to Weipa Mine site
  • Fully accommodated with breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (freshest local produce)
  • Departing Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas Hotels

2024 Dates

Northbound Cairns to Horn Island

  • 10/06
  • 01/07
  • 22/07
  • 12/08
  • 02/09
  • 23/09

Southbound – Horn Island to Cairns

  • 17/06
  • 08/07
  • 29/07
  • 19/08
  • 09/09
  • 30/09

Book Now

  • Highly qualified and knowledgeable guide
  • Travel in luxury air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (dinner not included Day 8) pre departure accommodation at the luxurious Crystalbrook Riley Hotel Cairns
  • All touring and National Park entrance fees
  • Travel along the iconic Bloomfield Track
  • Fully accommodated, scenic Helicopter flight
  • Private tour of Horn Island
  • 1 way economy flight between Horn Island and Cairns, comprehensive commentary

$10,990 per person

$2,500 single supplement

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cairns to Cooktown

  • Your guide will meet you early this morning at your hotel, the luxurious Crystalbrook Riley, to start your tour heading North to the last frontier, Cape York Peninsula. Leaving Cairns behind we head north along Queens land’s Captain Cook Highway towards the Daintree Rainforest. We stop to cross the Daintree River by vehicle ferry before entering the 180-million-year-old Rainforest. Our journey takes us up the beautiful Alexandra Range and on to our first stop, where we take a scenic walk through this amazing eco system. Immerse your self inside protected forests as we take you on a guided walk to view ancient plants and amazing wildlife. Afterwards enjoy some morning tea.
  • The Wet Tropics is one of the richest sites for biodiversity on earth and the Daintree is a place of spectacular beauty, rugged mountains, deep gorges and flowing rivers. Our next stop is at one of magical beaches that adorn the coastline of Cape Tribulation; here our guides will highlight the amazing wildlife and ecosystems unique to this part of the world. You will have time to explore the region where the Rainforest meets the Reef before enjoying lunch at a nearby café.
  • After lunch we continue North and travel along the legendary Bloomfield Track. Enjoy this part of the adventure as we travel through thick Rainforest and cross several shallow creeks. We make a stop at the legendary Lions Den Hotel to enjoy a cold drink. Kick back at this iconic Australian Pub and be entertained by the locals. You will observe the many memorabilia that adorns the walls of the hotel left by passing travelers over many years. Afterwards reboard your vehicle and head into Cooktown.
  • Check into the charming Milkwood Lodge, located on the outskirts of town, for the next 2 nights. Settle in and enjoy the pristine surrounds before meeting your guide for dinner.

Day2: Cooktown Touring

  • Your guide will meet you early after breakfast this morning to visit the Grassy Hill Lookout. The spectacular  vantage point offers incredible views of the Coral Sea. From here, it is easy to see Captain Cook’s dilemma when he arrived here unexpectedly in 1770, a maze of reefs that stretch to the horizon in every direction.  Rejoining your vehicle, we head back into town and visit the fascinating James Cook Museum. The museum  houses the original anchor from James Cooks HMS Endeavour, along with an amazing collection of artifacts, highlighting Captains Cooks voyage along the East Coast of Australia. 
  • After plenty of time visiting the museum, enjoy lunch at a local café before exploring Cooktown further in the  afternoon including a visit to the Cooktown Cemetery and Botanic Gardens.
  • Return to your accommodation and later your guide will meet you for dinner.  

Day 3: Cooktown to Musgrave Station

  • Your guide will meet you after breakfast this morning. Today we head west along Battle Camp Road towards  Lakefield National Park and the town of Laura. The Lakefield National Park is a stunning and diverse area. You  will start to see giant termite mounds that the area is well known for along with the scenic river valleys.
  • Just North of Laura we make a stop at the Split Rock Aboriginal Rock Art Site. The rock art in this area forms  some of the oldest in the world. Your guide will walk you up to the site so you can see firsthand the amazing  detail in the 40000-year-old paintings at this well-known gallery. Take your time to observe the paintings while your guide interprets some of different images. 
  • Reboarding the vehicle we continue North West. Our next stop is at the historic Old Laura Homestead. You  will have time to wander the site and learn all about this heritage listed building and the remarkable history  behind it. On your return, sit down to a wonderful picnic lunch prepared by your guide, in a beautiful location.
  • Continuing we arrive late afternoon at Musgrave Station, our overnight accommodation.  Built as one of the original buildings for the Overland Telegraph, Musgrave Station is steeped in history. Once  you have checked in, meet your guide for dinner.  

Day 4: Musgrave Station to Merluna

  • Continue your adventure along the Peninsula Development Road this morning. Admire the changing scenery  and the endless lowlands before arriving at the small town of Coen. We refuel here and have some time to  grab a coffee and some morning tea. Continuing North we make a stop at the Archer River Roadhouse for  some lunch. Admire the quirky surrounds and meet some of the locals.
  • After lunch rejoin your vehicle and  head northwest towards Merluna Station, a working cattle station and our overnight accommodation. Settle  into your air-conditioned cabins with ensuites and have some time to freshen up before a sumptuous station  dinner.
  • Later enjoy a few drinks with new found friends around the fire pit, gazing up at the millions of stars.  now towards the mining town of Weipa. The country changes to savannah grass lands as we make our way  towards the west coast of Cape York.  

Day 5: Merluna Station to Weipa

  • Your guide will meet you after breakfast this morning. You will have some time to explore the station before reboarding your vehicle and heading west to the Mining town of Weipa.
  • This afternoon we have arranged a wonderful sunset tour of the local area. Join an informative boat tour and discover the local flora and fauna as you experience the sun setting over the ocean  while enjoying a glass of Sparkling Wine or cold beer. Keep a look out for the elusive saltwater crocodiles and  many native birds. 
  • Later your guide will transfer you back to you overnight accommodation, the Albatross Bay Resort before  enjoying dinner at their restaurant.

Day 6: Weipa to Bamaga

  • We continue our discovery of Weipa this morning with a visit to the incredible Bauxite Mine. Don a hard hat as  you have the opportunity to get close to the massive machinery and see firsthand how the mining is  conducted in a harsh environment.
  • Afterwards rejoin your vehicle to continue your trek North. We make a stop at Bramwell Station for lunch.  Continuing North we pass through one of the Capes largest cattle stations, Batavia Downs making another  stop at the interesting Morton Telegraph Station
  • From here we visit the beautiful Fruit Bat Falls to enjoy a swim and cool off in the crystal-clear waters.  Afterwards rejoining the Bamaga Development Road on our way to the Jardine River ferry.
  • Its not far now before we are at the top of Australia. We cross the river before arriving at the town of Bamaga  to check into our accommodation for the next 2 nights, the Cape York Peninsula Lodge.  
  • You will have time to settle into your surrounds before meeting your guide for dinner.   

Day 7: Scenic Helicopter flight and explore the Tip

  • Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning before heading towards the picturesque Punsand Bay. We make a stop  at the well-known Croc tent to get some local souvenirs on our way. At Punsand Bay, meet your awaiting helicopter on the sand for an amazing 10 minute scenic flight over the Tip. Enjoy the incredible views of the  Torres Strait. Back on the land, reboard your vehicle to continue North to Pajinka.
  • Travel through thick rainforest before the ocean can be seen on both sides of the vehicle. We are getting  close. The last 400 meters to the tip is a walk as we climb across rocks to eventually arrive at the most  northerly point of mainland Australia. Enjoy the wild and pristine views out across the Torres Strait. An  amazing and truly iconic Australian experience.   
  • You will have time to soak in the moment and take some photos. You may even want to pause and enjoy a  celebratory drink. When you are ready, we make our way back to the vehicle and head back to Seisia for  lunch. The afternoon can be spent exploring or relaxing back at your accommodation.  
  • Later enjoy dinner at your hotel.  

Day 8: Explore Horn Island and then fly to Cairns

  • Departing Bamaga this morning, meet your ferry to Thursday Island and onto Horn Island.
  • Today we have arranged a private tour of the many relics left behind from during that time including underground rooms, gun emplacements, magazines, the airstrip, abandoned aircraft, slit trenches and more.
  • Learn of the history and hear the stories from a local guide.
  • Afterwards enjoy some lunch before visiting the Heritage Museum, full of artefacts and the history of Horn Island.
  • Your guide will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Cairns. On arrival in Cairns, we have arranged
    for a driver to meet you and transfer you to The Crystalbrook Riley Hotel for 1 night.

Day 9: Cairns

  • Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before departing your hotel.

FAQ

The 9 Day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure includes highly qualified and knowledgeable guides, travel in specially prepared luxury 4WD vehicles, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day (excluding breakfast on day one and dinner on day eight), all entry fees including a sunset cruise in Weipa and tour of Weipa Mine site, all touring activities, 1 way economy flight from Bamaga to Cairns , comprehensive commentary, 7 nights accommodation including 2 nights glamping at the exclusive Roko Island in the Torres Strait, behind the scenes Tour of the fascinating Horn Island. Alcoholic & some non alcoholic beverages are excluded as well as travel insurance (highly recommended), additional activities as mentioned such as gratuities souvenirs snacks. Departure is from  Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas hotels with return back to Cairns at 6pm on Day 8. Enjoy wonderful hospitality on this once-in-a-lifetime Australian adventure!

No, travel insurance is not mandatory for this 8 Day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure tour in Australia. However, it is highly recommended for travellers to protect themselves against unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellation or interruption, and lost or delayed luggage. Protect yourself and your family by planning ahead with a reliable travel insurance package. Enjoy your vacation!

Each small group departure to Cape York typically has a maximum of 8 guests, allowing for a more intimate experience with your expert guide. Enjoy an opportunity to get off the beaten track and explore the iconic Australian Outback in luxury and comfort. You will also have plenty of time to take advantage of photo opportunities, savour delicious meals, swim at Fruit Bat Falls or Roko Island in the Torres Strait, and experience the unique legend of Australia. So come join us on an unforgettable journey!

During the 8 Day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure in Australia, you will be offered a range of accommodation choices including best available  4-star hotels, stations and resorts, motels and glamping sites such as Roko Island in the Torres Strait and private lodges. Enjoy beautiful views of the Outback while having access to modern amenities such as air conditioning, free WiFi and swimming pools. So come join us on an unforgettable journey!

Yes, there are additional optional activities and tours offered during this 8 Day Cape York Drive/Fly Adventure.  These include scenic helicopter flights and fishing adventures.  If you’d like to find out more about these extra activities, your guide will be able to assist you with booking them. 

Testimonials

Kimberly K
Kimberly K
2023-01-07
Verified
A highlight of our trip! Our private tour to Featherdale and the Blue Mountains was an absolute highlight of our trip. First of all, I was skeptical that Featherdale would be of interest to our group of 9 with 5 teens/young adults. The website makes it seem like a petting zoo. I was pleasantly surprised- we loved seeing all of the kangaroos, koalas, wombats, birds, croc etc! The kids said that they could have stayed at Featherdale all day ;-)Our guide, Scott, was fantastic! He modified the schedule due to a later arrival in Sydney- making recommendations on what would be best for the group while ensuring we were back on time. He provided such amazing service - going above and beyond to help us move our luggage to the right hotel. Scott also showed us the best spots for photos at various stops in the beautiful Blue Mountains! I highly recommend Scott and Australian Luxury Escapes!
Trav3ll3rsm8
Trav3ll3rsm8
2022-10-01
Verified
Superb day out!! Superb day out, Matt our guide was incredible, by far the best guide we have had during our time in Australia!! His knowledge, friendliness and professionalism makes the day. The vehicle was clean and modern and the lunch was excellent. The timings and locations are superb as you miss the crowds.Thanks for a great day ourt Matt.
Belinda M
Belinda M
2022-09-30
Verified
An exploration of The Daintree This was a day our family won't forget! We had a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide who was brilliant with our girls.
Louise F
Louise F
2022-07-15
Verified
Amazing customer service I enquired about new flights the other day and Fraser really helped me with looking at different options for Bali and Thailand. He was very friendly and made my phone call very easy!
Steve H
Steve H
2022-07-07
Verified
Blue mountain and Sydney touring. We hired grant and his team to provide private transportation and touring From the time that arrived in Sydney, grant and his team provided top notch service. Given the age difference or our children, this was no easy task….particularly considering the weather on our Sydney tour date. If you desire a knowledgeable guide, who flex’s with your interests, grant and his team are the perfect choice. After learning our interests, he gave us advice for our own walking tour. His advice was perfect, and we had a great time.
Erin Galvin
Erin Galvin
2022-03-20
Verified
Highly recommend this tour company for anyone traveling to Australia for highly curated experiences! I just returned from traveling to Australia from the US for the first time. Australia has just recently re-opened its borders to international travelers after almost 2 years. Australian Luxury Escapes was able to arrange (2) tours for me with very short notice and I had a great experience on both days! I spoke with one of the owners, Elise, on the phone prior to traveling and she was tremendously helpful in explaining their offerings and what the tours would entail as well as answering other questions about traveling to Australia which was so helpful! I wanted to maximize my time in Sydney when I first arrived which I was able to do in the "Private Essential Sydney Tour". The tour guide was tremendously knowledgable about Sydney having grown up there and was able to accomplish all of the main sights in a half day tour. Doing the tour by vehicle + walking for certain parts allowed us to cover the whole city but also get a closer look at areas of interest. Both vehicles I traveled in felt brand new and were completely clean and comfortable. They offered bottled water and hand sanitizer for use during the tour and a great lunch was included in both tour prices. At the end of the tour, the guide gave me some tips on how I could spend the rest of my day which was great. The second tour I did was the "Private Blue Mountains High Country Day Trip from Sydney" which was also amazing. After a few days in Sydney, it felt great to get out of the city and see more of the beautiful landscape and nature of the national parks region. The area is expansive and would be difficult to cover on your own, especially if you haven't been to the region before. I was able to do this tour with one of the owners, Grant, who has a great knowledge of the region, its history and which locations offer the best views and photo ops! Part of this tour included a trip to a wildlife center which was nice to be able to see animals unique to Australia that you're not going to find just being in Sydney. The center was really well maintained and the staff we encountered were all very friendly. This tour also included a great lunch at the "Boiler House Restaurant" which had great food and amazing views. We did a quick tour of the Hydro Majestic hotel right after lunch which is a true step back in time. I highly recommend this company to anyone traveling to Australia. They have a wide range of unique and curated offerings and both tours made my time in Sydney very well spent! I will definitely use them again in the future and refer family and friends their way.
Judy
Judy
2021-08-28
Verified
Amazing Tour to the Tip of Australia. We traveled from Cairns to Cape York on an 8 Day 4WD small group tour operated by Australian Luxury Escapes!!What a ride. Fantastic from go to whoa. A very comfortable 5.6lt V8 Nissan Patrol which certainly helped going over the corrugations!! The tour was for 6 pax, thankfully we were 5 which meant only 1 pax had to sit in the “Dickie” seat. It would’ve been tough for 2 to share. We traveled to Cooktown after visiting the Daintree River and cruise, (unfortunately the Bloomfield Track was closed), then to Coen, Lockhart River, Weipa, Punsand Bay, and The Tip. We left our Tour Guide, Alan, at Seisia where we ferried to Thursday Island and Horn Island to fly back to Cairns. Alan was extremely knowledgeable which meant we learned a lot about the areas we visited. A good driver and a lot of fun. Would definitely recommend.
Helen Clarke
Helen Clarke
2021-01-10
Verified
Amazing tour Our tour with Rick was amazing into the Daintree. His knowledge us second to none, the tour was fantastic with some much information. Lunch was out of this world and we got to see a casawarri up close. Thankyou so much!
Kristen B
Kristen B
2020-12-16
Verified
Daintree Wanderer Tour A great day trip out to the beautiful Daintree. Ricky was our guide and he was very knowledgeable, entertaining and a great tour guide! I can highly recommend this tour.
Caitlin G
Caitlin G
2020-10-21
Verified
What a fantastic experience! We did the Daintree Wanderer Tour, with Australian Luxury Escapes and it was just fantastic. Our guide Rick was just what you hope for- friendly, knowledgeable, took off beaten track, engaged our children and ensured our day was full and varied. We were lucky enough to see 3 crocs swimming in the river, as well as a Cassowary casually strolling by as we ate our home made morning tea Rick brought along with him.Rick was filled with facts and titbits of info which we loved. The beaches are fabulous and the Rainforest felt rich and thriving which is great to see. We got brilliant service and I couldn’t recommend Rick and this tour more to anyone wanting a personalised and unique tour experience.