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Cape York + Great Barrier Reef Cruise
4WD SAFARI to Cape York / FLY back to Cairns / CRUISE the reef
11 or 12 day itineraries
Scroll down to Price Panel ...                
Having a swim at Fruit Bat Falls © Tourism QLDExperience the contrasts - see northern Queensland landscapes of outback, semi-arid spinifex, savannah, oasis rock pools and rainforest then cruise the Great Barrier Reef with opportunities to swim, snorkel, explore or just relax.
Cape York is one of Australia's last great wilderness regions extends 1000 kilometres north of Cairns. There's a magic here, spun by it's vastness and amazing variety. You will meet the animals and plants of the Australian bush in a habitat of crystal clear spring fed creeks and waterfalls, huge termite mounds and carnivorous plants. It will be difficult not to get emotional when you stand at the very top of Australia!   Combine this adventure with a relaxing cruise along picturesque coastline and through the world's largest marine park, the Great Barrier Reef and you have a memorable Aussie experience!
   

General Information - Cape York Safari + reef cruise

 Aerial view of the tip of Cape York © Tourism QLD (Damon Smith)
Your safari vehicle will be a first rate 4WD OKA, with a maximum of 13 guests and you will cruise on the Coral Princess.
The tip of Cape York is pictured right. You must remember that Cape York is a remote area and that  for the land based part of your trip, whilst your overnight stays will always be clean and comfortable, the stops will not be luxurious. You can choose from an 11 day tour where the safari segment is ACCOMMODATED or a 12 day tour where the safari involves overnight CAMPING.  
Scroll down for detailed itineraries of the  tours - or go straight to the Price Panel below.
Luggage
Luggage space on the safari is EXTREMELY LIMITED so PLEASE restrict your safari luggage to one small SOFT travel bag per person (typically 300mm x 300mm x 700mm) and a small daypack (cabin baggage). If you are travelling as a couple, please use two separate smaller bags as opposed to one large bag. A maximum weight of 10kg is permitted due to space/weight limitations and Workplace Health and Safety requirements. Your excess luggage can usually be stored at your Cairns hotel until you return.
 

12 Day 4WD Cape York Camping Safari + Great Barrier Cruise

Scroll down for the 11 day Cape York accommodated safari + cruise itinerary
 
2008 Departure Dates from Cairns - 12 day Camping + cruise itinerary:
July 15;  July 29; Aug 12, Aug 26; Sep 9, Sep 24;  Oct 7, 21;  Nov 4, 18
Pick-up and drop-off details
· * Departs: Hotels in Cairns / Beaches / Port Douglas from 7:00am 
  * Returns: Cruise terminates at Cairns Trinity Wharf at approximately 8:00am. Disembarkation is between 8:00am and 9:00am. Guests are required to make their own transfer arrangements at their own expense.
 
Highlights and Inclusions - 12 day tour
  • Small Groups - Maximum 13 guests (on safari segment)
  • Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • Professional Qualified Guide
  • Meals as coded (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Pyramid-style safari tent / self-inflating mattress
  • Guided Tour of Split Rock Aboriginal Rock Art
  • Lakefield National Park
  • Old Laura Homestead
  • Musgrave, Coen, Archer River, Merluna Station, Weipa
  • The Telegraph Track
  • Wenlock River, Moreton Telegraph Office
  • Indian Head Falls
  • Punsand Bay
  • Cape York
  • Lockerbie Scrub
  • Guided Tour of Historic Somerset
  • One-way Airfare between Bamaga and Cairns
  • 4 Night Cruise from with Coral Princess Cruises
  • Snorkelling Equipment on Cruise Sector
  • All National Park, Site and Ferry Fees

ITINERARY - 12 day tour (camping safari + reef cruise)

Day 1 - (LD)
Your adventure begins as we travel over the Great Dividing Range into 'Quinkan Country' to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Split Rock near Laura (reasonable fitness and suitable footwear required). Travel on into Lakefield National Park, Queensland's second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres) and a great wildlife spotting opportunity. Camp in the National Park tonight.
Day 2 - (BLD) 
Water lily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife in Lakefield National Park this morning. Visit the historic telegraph station of Musgrave before travelling on to Coen and the Archer River. Continue on to 'Merluna, a remote family operated cattle station, where you camp tonight.
Day 3 - (BLD)
On to Weipa on the Gulf of Carpentaria and an opportunity to learn about this remote community on a tour (optional) of the town and its bauxite mine. Leaving Weipa, travel east through Batavia Downs Station to your camp at the historic Moreton Telegraph Office on the Wenlock River.
Day 4 - (BLD)
Eliot Falls, Cape York © Tourism QLD 4WD action, adventure and fun on Cape York's rugged Telegraph Track today. Cross rivers and creeks, swim and relax, see prehistoric palms, giant termite mounds and carnivorous plants. Camp at beautiful Eliot Falls (pictured) tonight in the company of millions of stars. Fruit Bat Falls (pictured at top of page), Eliot Falls, Indian Head Falls and Twin Falls are all located along the Eliot Creek.
Day 5 - (BLD)
You will be enchanted by the magic of Indian Head Falls - swimming here, in pristine spring-fed pools landscaped by nature, will be a life long memory. Onward across the mighty Jardine River to our beach front campsite at Punsand Bay on the tropical shores of Torres Strait. Here you will stay for three balmy nights.
Day 6 - (BLD)
A fascinating visit to the beautiful 'Lockerbie Scrub', an isolated pocket of monsoon rainforest, on your way to historic Somerset on Albany Passage where you can ponder the past, the explorers, the pioneers and the Cape's traditional owners. Next there is an atmospheric walk to the very top of mainland Australia - Cape York! Sign at the tip of Cape York © Tourism QLD (Damon Smith)
Day 7 - (BD)
Today choose from a tropical cruise to Thursday Island or fishing with a professional guide (both optional). Alternatively, take your bird book and binoculars for a bush walk or relax at the beach or by the pool with a good book.
Day 8 - (BD)
You will be sad today when you leave this magical place, and your new friends … but you will take unforgettable memories with you as you fly from Bamaga back to Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef at the end of your incredible adventure in Australia's far north. On arrival at Cairns Domestic Airport, please make your own transfer arrangements at your own expense. You now have time to stroll around Cairns and have lunch (own expense) before checking in for your 4 Night Coral Princess Cruise at 4:00pm at Cairns' Trinity Wharf. As Coral Princess departs Cairns at 5:00pm and cruises Trinity Bay, there is time to settle in and discover your home for the next four nights. Cruise northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range.
For details of the Coral Princess, see our cruising section Great Barrier Reef Cruises on Coral Princess
Day 9 - (BLD)
You have the morning to discover historical Cooktown. It was here that the explorer Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770. You have the option to visit Cooktown's fascinating historical museum, featuring original artefacts from Cook's ship - Endeavour. Enjoy time to discover Cooktown at your own pace. This afternoon the boat visits one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join a marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home.
Day 10 - (BLD)
This morning you awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island. The energetic may join guides on a walk to 'Cook's Look' on the island's peak. It was from here, the highest lookout on this part of the reef, that Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. 
Dive instructer from the Coral Princess II gives adviceYou can choose to simply relax on the beach, join the marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour, or for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany a dive instructor on an unforgettable scuba dive. The choice is yours! This afternoon cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef.
Day 11 - (BLD)
Spend today visiting two of the most spectacular sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. The Marine Biologist will explain the natural history and evolution of the reef and help you discover the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds. This evening, enjoy your final memorable night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 12 - (B) 
Farewell our Captain, crew and new-found friends before disembarking at Trinity Wharf in Cairns at 8:00am. Transfers to your accommodation or airport are at your own expense.
Details of the 11 day accommodated safari + reef cruise follow, or go straight to the Price Panel ...

Not included in your 12 day tour
·All drinks · Optional Tours (Weipa, Thursday Island) · Lunch on Days 7 and 8 · Sleeping Bag (available for hire) / Pillow · Transfers from Cairns Airport · Transfer from Cairns Domestic Airport to Cairns City / Trinity Wharf on Day 8 · Optional costs while cruising · Transfer from Cairns Trinity Wharf on Day 12 · Environmental Management Charge - Cruise Sector (approximately A$15) · Items of a personal nature

11 Day 4WD Cape York Accommodated Safari + Great Barrier Cruise

2008 Departure Dates from Cairns - 11 day Accommodated safari + cruise itinerary:
July 16;  July 30; Sep 24;  Oct 8, 22;  Nov 5, 19
Pick-up and drop-off details
 · * Departs: Hotels in Cairns / Beaches / Port Douglas from 7:00am 
  * Returns: Cruise terminates at Cairns Trinity Wharf at approximately 8:00am. Disembarkation is between 8:00am and 9:00am. Guests are required to make their own transfer arrangements at their own expense.
 
Highlights and Inclusions - 11 day tour
  • Small Groups - Maximum 13 guests (on safari sector)
  • Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • Professional Qualified Guide
  • 4 nights accommodation - Private Facilities
  • 2 nights accommodation - Share Facilities
  • One-way Airfare between Bamaga and Cairns
  • 4 Night Cruise from with Coral Princess Cruises
  • Snorkelling Equipment on Cruise Sector
  • Meals as coded (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • World Heritage Listed Daintree rainforest
  • Bloomfield Track (weather permitting)
  • Guided Tour of Cooktown
  • Jowalbinna + Guided Tour of Quinkan Rock Art
  • Lakefield National Park
  • Musgrave, Coen, Archer River
  • Wenlock River
  • Fruit Bat Falls (pictured at top of page)
  • Cape York
  • Guided Tour of Historic Somerset
  • All National Park, Site and Ferry Fees

ITINERARY - 11 day tour (accommodated safari + reef cruise)

Day 1  (LD) 
First the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforests of Daintree and, weather permitting, Cape Tribulation and the rugged 4WD Bloomfield Track.  After lunch a visit to the quaint Lion's Den Hotel and eerie Black Mountain on the way to historic Cooktown.  It was here that the explorer Captain James Cook took refuge during his voyage of discovery after claiming Australia as a British colony in 1770.  Walk where Captain Cook walked and enjoy Grassy Hill’s spectacular views (pictured) on a tour of Cooktown where you stay tonight
Overnight: The Sovereign Resort Hotel		 View from Grassy Hill Lookout, Cooktown © Tourism QLD
Day 2  (BLD) 
Aboriginal rock art, Quinkan Depart Cooktown and travel through the agricultural district of Lakeland with the opportunity to buy locally grown coffee. Visit the fascinating Quinkan Cultural Centre telling the story of indigenous, pioneering and contemporary life in Cape York. Cross a cattle station to Jowalbinna, an epicentre of Aboriginal rock art.  Walk to ancient sites on Jowalbinna’s sandstone escarpments and investigate the lives of the original inhabitants, and enjoy a refreshing creek swim. In the evening chat around a bush campfire. 
Overnight: Cabin accommodation 
Day 3  (BLD) 
Explore Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres).  Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife, giant ant hills (pictured) and a great variety of birdlife make for a memorable day before arriving at your overnight stop, Lotus Bird Lodge.
Overnight: Lotus Bird Lodge
Ant hills in the Lakefield National Park © Tourism QLD
Day 4  (BLD)  
Visit Musgrave, the century old Telegraph Station and now working cattle station, before crossing the Great Dividing Range to visit the old gold mining town of Coen.  Cross the sprawling sandbanks of the Archer River and the Wenlock River, site of the historic Moreton Telegraph Office.  Time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing.  Tonight you stay at Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.
Overnight:  Moreton permanent tent safari camp 
Day 5 (BLD)
Pool at Resort Bamaga, Cape York 4WD adventure and fun on the famous Telegraph Track today. Lunch at picturesque Fruit Bat Falls (pictured at top of page) and a great chance to swim in its pristine spring fed waters.  Cross the mighty Jardine River to Resort Bamaga (pictured), your home for two balmy nights. Bamaga, 32 km ffrom tther tip of Cape York,  is the northernmost settlement of any size in Australia. It has shops, post office, bank agencies, hospital, airport and police station. 
Overnight:  Resort Bamaga for 2 nights   
Day 6  (BL) 
A fascinating visit to the beautiful Lockerbie Scrub, an isolated pocket of monsoon rainforest, on the way to Somerset on Albany passage where you can ponder Australia's past, its explorers, pioneers and the Cape’s traditional owners.  There are even WW2 aircraft wrecks in the vicinity (pictured). Now, an emotional walk to the very top of Australia – Cape York!  Dinner is at your own expense this evening. 
Overnight:  Resort Bamaga 		World War 2 aircraft wreckage near Bamaga, Cape York © Tourism QLD
Day 7 (BD)
Fly from Bamaga back to Cairns over the Great Barrier Reef at the end of your incredible adventure in Australia's far north. On arrival at Cairns Domestic Airport, please make your own transfer arrangements at your own expense. You now have time to stroll around Cairns and have lunch (own expense) before checking in for your 4 Night Coral Princess Cruise at 4:00pm at Cairns' Trinity Wharf. As Coral Princess departs Cairns at 5:00pm and cruises Trinity Bay, there is time to settle in and discover your home for the next four nights. Cruise northward, passing Double Island and the pretty beachside village of Palm Cove. Admire a spectacular sunset over the World Heritage-listed rainforest of the Macalister Range.
For details of the Coral Princess, see our cruising section Great Barrier Reef Cruises on Coral Princess
Day 8 - (BLD)
You have the morning to explore Cooktown at your own pace. This afternoon the boat visits one of the remote uninhabited islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Join a marine biologist for a glass bottom boat tour over the colourful coral gardens and discover some of the 1500 species of tropical fish that call the reef home.
Day 9 - (BLD)
Aerial view of Lizard Island © Tourism QLDThis morning you awaken moored beside beautiful Lizard Island (pictured). The energetic may join guides on a walk to 'Cook's Look' on the island's peak. It was from here, the highest lookout on this part of the reef, that Captain Cook was able to navigate a safe passage back through the treacherous waters after repairing the Endeavour near Cooktown over 200 years ago. Simply relax on the beach, join the Marine Biologist for a glass bottom boat tour, or for the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience, accompany a dive instructor on an unforgettable scuba dive. The choice is yours! This afternoon cruise to Ribbon Reef No 9, a spectacular and seldom visited part of the reef.
Day 10 - (BLD)
Spend today visiting two of the most spectacular sections of the reef, Ribbon Reef No 3 and Rachel Carson Reef. Explore the coral gardens and marine life with guided snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours. The Marine Biologist will explain the natural history and evolution of the reef and help you discover the local wildlife, which includes sea turtles, giant clams, rays and over 200 different species of native birds. This evening, enjoy your final memorable night cruising the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 11 - (B) 
Farewell your Captain, crew and new-found friends before disembarking at Trinity Wharf in Cairns at 8:00am. Transfers to your accommodation or airport are at your own expense.
Return to details of the 12 day camping safari + reef cruise or go straight to the Price Panel ...
Not included in your 11 day tour
· All drinks · One Dinner at Resort Bamaga · Lunch on Day 7 · Transfer from Cairns Domestic Airport to Cairns City / Trinity Wharf on Day 7 · Optional costs while cruising · Transfer from Cairns Trinity Wharf on Day 11 · Environmental Management Charge - Cruise Sector (approximately $15) · Items of a personal nature
   
PRICES: Cape York 4WD Safaris + Great Barrier Reef Cruise on Coral Princess Truly
Ref
2008 Departure Dates as Detailed Above
Prices are per person
 		 Stateroom on cruise Upper Deck Stateroom on cruise Deluxe Stateroom on cruise
CAMPING SAFARI / CRUISE  (11 nights/12 days)
Twin share on land and cruise sectors A$4162 A$4297 A$4395 1855
Sole use on land and on cruise sectors A$4861 A$5030 A$5153 1856
ACCOMMODATED SAFARI / CRUISE  (10 nights/11 days)
Twin share on land and cruise sectors A$4931 A$5067 A$5165 1859
Sole use on land and on cruise sectors A$5939 A$6108 A$6231 1860
To check approximate prices in other key currencies, see our Currency Converter
See each itinerary (above) for a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions
Please note that these holidays are not suitable for children under 7 years
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