14 Day Cape York, Reef & Outback
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, visit the northernmost point of Australia and enjoy bird-eye views of the Great Barrier Reef, sail to an unspoilt tropical paradise in the Great Barrier Reef, take a guided tour of Cooktown, cruise the Thompson River at sunset, see the quirky sights of Winton, enjoy an exclusive dinner at Qantas Founders Museum
✓ 13 nights in centrally located 3 to 4-star hotels
✓ 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 4 dinners
✓ Flight from Cairns to Mount Isa
✓ Full day sightseeing flight & land tour of Cape York
✓ Full day Great Barrier Reef sailing and snorkelling experience to Low Isles
✓ Walk in the footsteps of giants at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum
✓ Toast to the outback on a Drover’s Sunset Cruise on the mighty Thomson River
✓ Enjoy an exclusive dinner surrounded by Australia’s aviation history at Qantas Founders Museum
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Cairns! On arrival, make your way to your hotel. The rest of your day is free to explore Cairns at your own pace.
Check in & arrival information
A taxi or Uber from Cairns airport to your accommodation costs approximately $15 per car. Hotel check in is at 2pm. Should you arrive earlier than this, hotel staff will do all possible to check you in as soon as possible. If your room is not available before check-in time, you are welcome to leave your luggage in storage and explore the surrounding area.
Gear up for a spectacular day as you travel by air and 4WD to the northernmost point of Australia. At the appropriate time, make your way to Cairns airport to meet your pilot and guide for the day. Today’s activities are designed to show you the highlights of Cape York, both from the air and by 4WD. Your scenic flight to Bamaga from Cairns is low level, covering approx. 1100 kms of remote and spectacular reefs, rainforests and outback. You will see parts of Cape York which are inaccessible by vehicles, such as Cape Melville, the silica sands of Cape Flattery, Bathurst Heads, Princess Charlotte Bay and the Flinders Islands Group. The 4WD section of the tour takes you to Australia's Northernmost beach - Frangipani Beach- via the Lockerbie Scrub and a pocket of Northern Rainforest. From Frangipani Beach you walk approximately 1000 metres to the Tip of Cape York - you finally made it! You are now standing on the northernmost tip of the continent. On return to Cairns airport, please make your way to your accommodation.
Today is yours at leisure to further explore what Cairns and the Tropical North has to offer. Choose from our range of optional tours, or spend the day relaxing by the pool.
The World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is the largest natural wonder of the world and the 30 Minute Reef Scenic provides the perfect snapshot. Be amazed by its extraordinary size, palette of striking blue hues, coral formations and views of Green Island, Vlasoff Sand Cay and Upolu Sand Cay – three of the most striking sand islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Sightings of local marine life including turtles and manta rays are also possible – and if you’re lucky, in the winter months, even whales!
Includes: Complimentary transfers from Cairns accommodation, 30 min helicopter flight, tea and coffee
Enjoy a historical rail journey to Kuranda, enjoying breathtaking views across the cane fields of Cairns, to the tropical rainforest of Kuranda. Upon arrival in Kuranda, it’s time to explore this fascinating village. The Heritage Markets operate 7 days a week and are full of colourful and interesting arts and crafts. You might also like to visit Birdworld, the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary or Kuranda Koala Gardens (own expense). Your Kuranda Boarding Pass also offers discounted entry into selected Kuranda attractions. At the specified time, your shuttle coach will transfer you to Rainforestation, set in 40 hectares of lush gardens and tropical rainforest, where a number of unique attractions await you. Board the unusual amphibious Army Duck for a different look at the rainforest. Also included in your tour is the Koala & Wildlife Park. The shuttle bus will then take you back to Kuranda. Enjoy your 7.5km journey over and through the World Heritage protected Rainforest. Your Boarding Pass is your ticket for this iconic rainforest experience that includes time at both Red Peak and Barron Falls stations. Explore rainforest boardwalks and lookouts and the Rainforest Interpretation Centre. Complimentary guided boardwalk tours are offered throughout the day at Red Peak Station. Afterwards, board your transfer back to your hotel.
Departs at approx 8am
Concludes at approx 5.30pm
Start your day by travelling between the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Cross the Daintree River via cable ferry before we make our way to the renowned Cape Tribulation beach for morning tea. Cape Tribulation was named by Captain Cook as ‘here our troubles began’ as their ship was damaged on the reef here.
Continuing our journey north through the ancient Daintree Rainforest, we hit the 4WD-only Bloomfield track and navigate creek crossings and steep mountain ranges as your experienced driver-guide shares stories and history of this unique region.
Enjoy a stop for lunch at the famous Lions Den Hotel; one of Queensland’s oldest and most iconic pubs, built in 1878- this is a true Aussie experience!
Arrive in historic Cooktown in the early afternoon; where Captain Cook landed in 1770 and stayed for 7 weeks to repair their ship. First stop is Grassy Hill Lookout which offers panoramic views of Cooktown, the Coral Sea & Endeavour River - you will need your camera here! We make our way into town for a driver-guided tour of the historic foreshore walk, where your guide will enlighten you on the history and scenery of this frontier town. Afterwards, settle in for the drive to Port Douglas, your next destination on this Tropical Queensland adventure.
Today is free for you to simply relax and enjoy Port Douglas, or take on any of the below optional activities.
Experience the ancient Aboriginal culture of the Kuku Yalanji people on this immersive tour. Join an interactive art class at Janbal Gallery with Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley where you will learn how their stories are shared through art, as well as paint your own canvas to take home.
Learn about the ancient Aboriginal ‘highways’ that run through the region on the way to Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre; the gateway into the ancient Daintree rainforest of Mossman Gorge. Experience a traditional welcome to country smoking ceremony as you arrive before a delicious lunch. After lunch, embark on an interpretive walk through the ancient Daintree rainforest with an Aboriginal guide.
Note: Requires a low-medium level of fitness. Tour may operate in reverse.
Tour departs - approx 9am
Tour concludes - approx 5.00pm
This boutique food and wine experience will have you tasting some of the best food and wine that the Atherton Tablelands has to offer. We will take you through a variety of contrasting landscapes, from lush rainforest to stunning ochre savannah plains. The rich volcanic soil allows farmers to grow many and diverse crops from Bananas, coffee, sugar cane, avocados, mangoes, macadamia nuts, citrus and more which you will learn about as we taste our way around the regions ‘Food Bowl'.
Sit back and relax, take in the beautiful views as we take you on a fascinating and tasty journey through another gem of Far North Queensland.
Tour departs - approx 7 to 8am
Tour concludes - approx 5.30pm
Tour includes - return airport transfers, 3 course tropical breakfast, lunch and all wine, cheese, coffee, chocolate and fruit tastings
Travel by Quicksilver’s 30 metre luxury sailing catamaran to the Low Isles. Set like a jewel within a lagoon of secluded coral gardens, Low Isles offers everything you can dream of in a tropical paradise. Today, enjoy a host of reef activities including snorkelling, introductory diving, exploring the island beach with a marine biologist, viewing the coral through a glass-bottom boat or just lazing on the beach.
Enjoy another day at leisure in paradise.
At the appropriate time today, join your included transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to the heart of Queensland’s outback - Mount Isa.
After a two-hour flight, arrive in Mount Isa and make your way to your hotel, located in the centre of town. After checking in, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to discover this historic mining town.
Today, embark on a full day discovery of ‘The Isa’. Our detailed interpretive tour of this amazing outback city starts with it's discovery by John Campbell Miles in the early 1920s and continues along to the present day. We look at the natural fauna of the area and traditional dwellings.
We visit the original 1926 Mount Isa Cemetery with only six graves, learn about the RFDS de Havilland aircraft majestically positioned aloft a pole on the banks of the Leichhardt River, heritage listed Casa Grande where Queen Elizabeth II once stayed and the original MIM headframe and Urquhart shaft, hear stories about the original pubs where The Isa and RedEarth Hotel (Boyd’s Hotel) now stand, the significance of the city clock, pass through Soldiers Hill where thousands of American soldiers were once stationed during WWII.
We take a sneaky look at the mine and it's processes including the original copper open cut before getting a photo opportunity in front of the lead smelter and ball mill. We visit Mount Isa's train station only metres from the mine and the end of the line for "Progress and Prosper" as the rail line extension to Darwin never eventuated. Before heading back to Outback at Isa we visit Buchanan Park home to Mount Isa's world famous Rodeo, the biggest Rodeo in the southern hemisphere and a quick trip to Mount Isa's City Lookout.
End your day relaxing in the picturesque surrounds of Transport Bay. Experience the serenity and sunset over Lake Moondarra whilst enjoying a beverage and generous ploughman’s platter.
This morning, board your included bus to Longreach. On arrival in Longreach, check in to your hotel and meet your guide for the next 5 days. Longreach is the true heartland of Outback Queensland, home of legends, larrikins and our pioneering giants. Get acquainted on an introductory town tour with our Savannah Guides Operator Driver-Guide.
Take a short drive to Ilfracombe. Founded in 1891, it was a transport hub for Wellshot Station, which at the time held the largest number of sheep on any station in the world. We’ll start the tour with an authentic pub dinner at the historic Wellshot Hotel.
Meet the Smith family at historic Rosebank Station for an exclusive tour and a relaxed homestead morning tea. Back in town, wander the interactive displays of the Qantas Founders Museum to discover the real Qantas story. Hear the inspiring human stories of our national airline’s early years. Step inside the 747 and 707 Jets on an interpretive tour of the impressive Airpark. Late afternoon board the Longreach Explorer for the award-winning Drover’s Sunset Cruise on the mighty Thomson River. Unwind with onboard nibbles and drinks, watching a magnificent outback sunset. Enjoy a two-course table-service dinner under the stars at the entertaining Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. Top off the evening with billy-tea and freshly baked damper.
Be prepared to be impressed with the changing landscapes as we travel from Longreach to Winton. See the quirky Arno’s Wall, the Musical Fence and learn the story behind Australia’s unofficial national anthem at the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Visit Australian Age of Dinosaurs perched high on a magnificent mesa overlooking the plains where dinosaurs once roamed! Onsite dinosaur enthusiasts treat us to a top-class interpretive tour of the laboratory, collection room and Dinosaur Canyon. Return to Longreach late afternoon. Dinner tonight will be at your accommodation.
Experience the warm hospitality of local graziers with a visit to Camden Park Station. Enjoy a personalised tour of the property and family homestead, followed by a delicious morning tea. Explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering heroes. Enjoy some free time downtown mid afternoon. Return to Qantas Founders Museum for an exclusive dinner surrounded by aviation history, and the entertaining and informative Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show, which brings the 100-year story of Qantas to life.
Wake up to your last outback sunrise and a tasty breakfast before checking out of your accommodation. Your tour will conclude after breakfast this morning with a transfer to either Longreach Railway Station or Longreach Airport.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 90 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 90 days of departure, date changes are not permitted. *some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to [email protected], including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Please note: Due to the optional tours running on the same day and time, you may only choose one activity per day.
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving early or staying longer upon conclusion of the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post tour accommodation
Pre and Post accommodation is subject to availability and pricing may differ based on your season of travel.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “2”.
2 – Leisurely Paced Tour: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage. While on this itineray you will need to be able to walk in and out of train stations (Adelaide & Melbourne) carrying your own luggage.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,354 per person in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Group Size
This package is made up of multiple components which will be provided by different operators throughout your trip. As such, group size will differ between operators and can be as intimate as 2 people or as lively as up to 60 people, depending on the activity and advertised inclusions. There may be unique cases where your selected travel date exceeds the expected group size for special events or types of activities, particularly during popular times of travel. For packages that include a train or cruise, you will be travelling with other passengers up to the capacity of this component.
When travelling with a group, no matter the size, we ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience.
Bedding requests
We do our best to meet your bedding preference, however, bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only and cannot be guaranteed. All efforts will be made to meet your preference, however, any changes are beyond our control and limited by the hotel facilities and availability.
Tour Styles - This package is an Partially Escorted style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, we choose to operate various types of tours and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Who is operating this package
We have partnered with a wide range of third party operators who assist in fulfilling your booking and delivering an enjoyable on-tour experience. Each package will consist of multiple operators meaning both guides and fellow travellers may change day to day. But don't worry, regardless of the operator, you'll be in good hands to experience the most out of each destination.
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