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Explorer

Cape York & Torres Strait Adventure

10 days

Start

Cairns, Australia

Finish

Bamaga, Australia

Trip Code

PZSY

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 16

Physical Rating

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private 4WD Overland Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

From £4,120(10 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Make the pilgrimage to Pajinka (Cape York) – the continent’s northernmost point and one of Australia’s most remote and unique locations, known as ‘The Tip’.

Take a ferry to Thursday Island and learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait Islander people on a guided walk along Bayo Beach with a Torres Strait Islander Guide.

Cross the Iron Range for a night near Chilli Beach – this picture-perfect white sand beach is framed by palm trees.

Head into the mangroves on an eco-cruise in Weipa to spot crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks.

Learn about Aboriginal culture in a remote retreat outside Cooktown with an Aboriginal guide, try bush food and listen to storytelling about the land and its ancestors. Then, learn about Torres Strait Islander culture on Thursday Island.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a truly epic road trip to the far north of Australia. You'll be travelling for long distances for extended periods of time in remote areas most days, often on bumpy unsealed roads. See the daily itinerary for approximate total travel times and distances.

The weather in Cape York and the Torres Strait can be unpredictable, with road and travel conditions sometimes affected by rain. Be prepared to be flexible and for some occasional changes of plan during our journey. Your leader will advise on any updates to the itinerary and inclusions as you travel.

Lakefield National Park is in a basin that drains very slowly after the wet season. Access depends on whether roads are passable, and the official opening times each year can be as late as the end of July. On Day 4, you’ll visit Lakefield National Park as soon as it opens after the wet season. If the park is still closed on your departure date, you’ll travel north on the main Peninsula Development Road via Laura to Musgrave Roadhouse instead.

As we are travelling in very remote areas of Australia, mobile phone reception will be very limited to non-existent. Opportunities to charge devices may also be limited. There are few shops or services in this part of the world, so bring all essential items with you and take this time to disconnect, enjoy nature and each other's company.

There is limited luggage space in our vehicle, so you will need to pack light (maximum 15 kg) and take soft sided bags. Please note we are staying in and travelling through alcohol-restricted areas and all travellers must comply with these restrictions.

Itinerary

Learn about local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on a journey to the tip of Australia

Travel to the tippy top of northern Queensland on an Australian adventure. Over 10 days, you’ll learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during immersive activities with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides, hit the beach for nature walks, cross the Iron Range and soak in all the natural beauty of this Outback landscape. Spend a night near the remote Chilli Beach, then tick Pajinka (Cape York) off your bucket list – the northernmost point of the country! Take an eco-cruise to spot crocodiles, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation and appreciate the Outback’s magnificent night sky. With all these activities and more, you can learn about Australia’s amazing history, landscapes and remote communities, all with a local leader by your side.

DAY 1
Day 1 • Cairns
Welcome to Cairns! Or Gimuy, in the language of the Traditional Owners of the land on which Cairns is now located. This is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the gorgeous Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into a local bar. After the meeting, maybe head out with your group for a dinner. 
Accommodation
Hotel in Cairns (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. 
DAY 2
Day 2 • Cape Tribulation / Rossville
Today, you’ll take the Daintree ferry to the UNESCO World Heritage area of Cape Tribulation, which sits within the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a short nature walk and immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of the forest, keeping your eye out for local birdlife. Daintree is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world! Stop at a lookout and enjoy the beach scenery, then hop into your 4WD truck for a drive along the iconic Bloomfield Track – also known as the Coast Road, this track takes you from the cape through the forest’s many creeks. After, carry on to Rossville for the night, overlooked by Kalkajaka (Black Mountain).
Meals
Lunch
Special information
Your total travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Cooktown / Rossville
Fuel up on breakfast this morning, then meet with your local Aboriginal guide. Attend a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, then take a bush food and medicine walk as your guide tells you stories about the land. You’ll learn more about Country and boomerang throwing as your guide shares some handmade artefacts. Soak up your opportunity to connect with the land. Later, head to Cooktown, stopping at the Cooktown History Centre along the way. Here, learn about the significance of Cooktown and what role it played in Aboriginal history. Return to Rossville for another night.
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Lakefield National Park / Musgrave
After breakfast, make tracks for Rinyurru Lakefield National Park. Your first stop is Isabella Falls. Then, step back in time at the Old Laura Homestead, which dates back to 1879, and immerse yourself in one of the park's most historically significant periods. Then, head to Red Lily Lagoon to spot the waterbirds and pink lotus-lilies that carpet the lagoon. After a short walk, you’ll carry on to another peaceful lagoon, where a hundred-year-old mango tree marks the site of a historic family homestead. Have lunch on the North Kennedy River, then visit the termite mounts and grasslands of Nifold Plains. Arrive at Musgrave Roadhouse in the late afternoon – a typical Outback Roadhouse on the eastern side of the Cape York peninsula – where you’ll spend the night.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Special information
Your total travel time today will be approximately 8 hours.
Lakefield National Park is in a basin that drains very slowly after the wet season. Access depends on whether roads are passable, and the official opening times each year can be as late as the end of July. On this trip you’ll visit Lakefield National Park as soon as it opens after the wet season. If the park is still closed on your departure date, you’ll travel north on the main Peninsula Development Road to Musgrave Roadhouse instead. If this happens, you’ll have the opportunity to take a self-guided walk to Quinkan Country’s rock art in Laura – included on the Australian Heritage Estate and listed by UNESCO as one of the top 10 rock art sites in the world.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Coen / Iron Range National Park
Depart the roadhouse in the morning and head to Coen – a rural town on the eastern side of the Cape York peninsula. From here, you’ll continue north to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park – the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Australia – through Cape York’s wilderness. Stop at Mount Tozer viewpoint and take a short walk for views of the mountain that rises in the distance. Continue to your accommodation and settle in for the next two nights.
Meals
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
DAY 6
Day 6 • Iron Range National Park
Start your day with a spot of bird watching in the rain forest – if you’re lucky, you may spot the elusive palm cockatoo, red-bellied pitta and yellow-billed kingfisher. Next, visit Chilli Beach – a long, sweeping beach, popular for fishing and birdwatching. Chill out under the swaying palms and take in the remote beach landscape. Continue to the small coastal community of Portland Roads. This remote tropical outpost is a historical site framed by mangroves and famous for its small local cafe. If it’s open, maybe sit down for a coffee and a snack. Next up is Lockhart River Arts Indigenous Corporation – established in 1995, the artists of Lockhart River Art Centre have been recognised for many years as ‘The Art Gang’. Return to your accommodation for another night in the Iron Range.
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
DAY 7
Day 7 • Weipa
Make tracks for Weipa, where you’ll visit the Western Cape Cultural Centre. Learn about the history and culture of the region of Weipa and its surrounding communities. This centre plays an important role in preserving traditional language within the region through informative displays and artworks. Next, you’ll hop on a boat cruise to see Cape York from the water – look out for saltwater crocodiles and the numerous bird species that live in these waterways and mangroves and learn about the local culture and wildlife habitats.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Special information
Your total travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Please note that the Western Cape Cultural Centre may be closed on some departures.
DAY 8
Day 8 • Wenlock River / Apudthama National Park / Bamaga
Today is a long travel day on rugged gravel roads, heading north towards the tip. You’ll stop along the way at Wenlock River – the location of the Moreton Telegraph Station, which was part of the Cape York Telegraph line, completed in 1887. Carry on to Kennedy’s Lost Camp to learn about Edmund Besley Court Kennedy J. P. – an Australian explorer in the mid-19th-century, known for his knowledge of (and untimely end in) Cape York. You’ll then visit Fruit Bat Falls, which sits within Apudthama National Park. These lush falls are a beautiful spot for a nature walk and a swim. After, carry on to the Jardine River ferry for the journey to Bamaga – home to the most northerly mainland community in Queensland. You’ll spend the next three nights here.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
DAY 9
Day 9 • Pajinka (Cape York) / Bamaga
Today, you’ll drive to the northernmost point of mainland of Australia – Pajinka, better known as Cape York. Once you cross this mighty spot off your bucket list, carry on to Somerset Beach and Fly Point for a beach visit and some photos, trying to spot the resident turtles. Then, carry on to the plane wreckage from World War II – located throughout Cape York, there are now plane wreckages where there were functioning Allied air bases during the war. These are a reminder of how close the fight really was to Australian shores. End the day with a visit to the remote community of Injinoo (also known as Cowal Creek or Small River) then make your way back to Bamaga for the night.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
DAY 10
Day 10 • Thursday Island (Torres Strait) / Bamaga
This morning, you’ll take the ferry to Thursday Island – an archipelago of about 274 small islands in the Torres Strait, known as ‘TI’. This gorgeous archipelago is rich in Indigenous culture, history and natural beauty, and when you arrive, you’ll have a cultural activity with a local Torres Strait Islander guide. Learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait Islander people on a guided walk along Bayo Beach, surrounded by swaying palms. After some time for lunch, jump back on the ferry back to Bamaga where your adventure comes to an end.
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
Today's ferry ride takes approximately 1.5 hours one-way, and can be quite choppy – if you’re prone to seasickness, make sure to have some seasickness tablets with you.
The Department of Agriculture restricts certain items from Thursday Island to mainland Australia. It will be your responsibility to check that the items you’re carrying are not prohibited.
Your trip comes to an end upon arrival back at our hotel in Bamaga. There are two options for departure from Cape York: You can either remain on Thursday Island and catch a local ferry across to the airport on Horn Island (additional cost) from where there are daily flights with Qantas back to Cairns. We recommend you book a flight after 3pm to make the most of your time on Thursday Island. Alternatively, you can return with your leader back to Bamaga, which also has an airport. There are afternoon flights with Skytrans heading back to Cairns. Please note that flights are not included in the trip price and you will have to book them well ahead of time.
Please note that you will need to check out of your accommodation this morning. You can store your luggage at reception, or if you fly out from Horn Island you will take your luggage with you to Thursday Island, where there is a possibility to store your luggage until your flight departure.

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private 4WD Overland Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Monday Aug 17, 2026

Wednesday Aug 26, 2026