Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer

11 Days | Make the journey to the very tip of Australia and experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

Overland
From
EUR €3,120
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Travel to the tippy top of northern Queensland with this amazing Australian adventure in Far North Queensland. Over 11 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 swims and nature walks, cross the Iron Range and soak in all the natural beauty of this rural landscape. Spend a night in Chilli Beach, camp in the bush under the clear night sky and tick Pajinka 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 discover ancient rock art. With all of these activities and more, you’ll soak up Australia’s amazing history, landscapes and remote communities.

Trip overview

Map of Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer including Australia
Start
Cairns, Australia
Finish
Cairns, Australia
Theme
Overland
Destinations
Australia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 19
Trip code
PZRY
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Learn about Aboriginal culture in a remote retreat outside Cooktown with an Aboriginal guide during a Welcome to Country ceremony, bush food and medicine walks and storytelling about the land and its ancestors.
  • Make the pilgrimage to Pajinka in Cape York – the continent’s northernmost point and one of Australia’s most remote and unique locations, known as ‘The Tip’. Travel through the ever-changing landscape from the rainforest to savanna woodlands, looking out for wildlife along the way.
  • Cross the Iron Range and for a night on Chilli Beach – this picture-perfect white sand beach is framed by palm trees swaying in the breeze.
  • Head into the mangroves on an eco-cruise in Weipa to spot crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks.
  • Take a ferry from the mainland to Thursday Island and learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait on a guided walk along Bayo Beach with a Torres Strait Islander Guide.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This is a truly epic road trip to the far north of Australia and 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. 
  • Other than the first night in Cairns, we spend all nights of this trip camping. Tents and camping gear are provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Communal showers and toilets are available at all campsite locations, other than our night at Chilli Beach.
  • As this is a camping trip, we rely on all travellers to help with camp duties for a smooth and enjoyable trip. This includes pitching and packing up your own tent daily and assisting your leader with cooking and cleaning duties. 
  • 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. 
  • As we are travelling in very remote areas of Australia, mobile phone reception and opportunities to charge devices will be very 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 others company.
  • There is limited luggage space in our vehicle, so you will need to pack light (maximum 15kg) 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

Map of Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer including Australia

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Private 4WD Overland Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Camping (9 nights)

Activities
  • Cape Tribulation - Lookout
  • Cape Tribulation - Daintree Rainforest nature walk
  • Rossville - Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony
  • Cooktown - Cooktown History Centre visit
  • Rossville - Kuku Nyungkul cultural tour
  • Coen - Coen Heritage House visit
  • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park - Chilli Beach
  • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park - Mount Tozer viewing platform
  • Lockhart River - Wenlock (Batavia) Goldfields Ruins walk
  • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park - Portland Roads Coastal Community visit
  • Lockhart River - Arts Centre visit
  • Lockhart River - Quintel Beach stop
  • Weipa - Lake Patricia stop
  • Weipa - Western Cape Culture Centre visit
  • Weipa - Mangrove Eco Cruise
  • Apudthama National Park - Fruit Bat Falls walk & swim
  • Shelburne - Kennedy’s Lost Camp stop
  • Cape York - WWII plane wrecks
  • Cape York - Injinoo Community visit
  • Cape York - Fly Point walk
  • Cape York - Pajinka ('The Tip') day trip
  • Cape York - Somerset Beach stop
  • Thursday Island - Torres Strait Cultural Tour with local guide
  • Thursday Island - Return ferry
  • Bamaga - Flight to Cairns
Add on activities
  • Laura - Quinkan Split Rock Art Gallery self-guided walk - AUD30

Dates and availability

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Important notes

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts in Cairns with a welcome meeting at our joining point hotel at 6pm on day 1. The trip finishes on the last day upon the included flight's arrival time at Cairns Airport. Please see the daily itinerary for more information.

CAMPING
This is a camping trip where you will be expected to pitch your tent at each location (tents are provided). Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are basic and are shared with other campers that are not part of our group. The facilities at Chilli Beach are very basic, with bush toilets and no showers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a tent on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip, including the hotel night in Cairns, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

INCLUDED FLIGHT
The flight from Bamaga to Cairns is included on this trip and will be unaccompanied by a tour leader. The trip finishes on arrival at Cairns Airport, with no other transport or accommodation included on this day. Due to the unpredictability of the flight schedule, we recommend booking an additional night in Cairns on Day 11.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
As we have limited storage space on our vehicle, please limit your luggage to no more than 15kg in a soft case bag.

LONG TRAVELLING DAYS & EARLY MORNINGS
This trip involves some early mornings and long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Take into consideration the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you are well hydrated in the tropical heat.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

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Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer
From
EUR €3,120