This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
This tour is fully escorted by an expert English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the tour.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
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, see the local Aboriginal art, take a selfie at the Tip of Australia and cruise around the Torres Strait Islands
✓ 10 nights in en suite accommodation
✓ All entries/activities as per itinerary
✓ 10 breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 dinners
✓ Dedicated, comfortable air-conditioned transportation and tour guides throughout
✓ Included ferries on Torres Strait
✓ Included flight from Horn Island to Cairns
✓ In depth sightseeing as per itinerary
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.
Today marks the start of your adventure into Cape York and the Islands. Arrive at the hotel and meet the rest of the group plus your tour guide, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.
We head north along the Captain Cook Highway and see one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Mossman; nestled in the World Heritage-Listed Daintree Rainforest. We’ll board the Daintree River Ferry for a short cable crossing of the famous Daintree River. Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre, an award-winning interpretive facility which gives you the perfect introduction to the Daintree forest and enjoy a guided tour of the rainforest boardwalks. We stick to the coast as we follow the Bloomfield Track on a spectacular scenic journey. Visit the Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre in Wujal Wujal, a small coastal Aboriginal community on the banks of the Bloomfield River.
Today you discover the history of the important events that took place in this town, named after the famous explorer James Cook. Join our guide on a tour of the Cooktown Cemetery and hear the intriguing story of a fair skinned woman known as the “Normanby Woman” who was sighted living with Aborigines back in the 1800s. Visit James Cook Museum in the magnificent 19th Century Sisters of Mercy Convent and see the extensive collection of local Guugu Yimithiir artefacts as well as hear the relatively untold story from both sides. Wander the beautiful heritage-listed Cooktown Botanic Gardens and see the Vera Scarth-Johnson collection of original regional botanical illustrations. Enjoy some free time to explore downtown Cooktown and finish the day with a late afternoon tour of Grassy Hill with 360-degree views of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef.
Travel to Lakeland and Laura via the mysterious Black Mountains, a special story place for the Kuku Yalanji people. The towns are rich in Aboriginal culture, with World-class Aboriginal rock art and wonderful locally grown coffee you are sure to find something of interest. Best known are the Quinkan Rock Art Galleries, considered to be some of the most significant Aboriginal art sites in the world, where you’ll join an Indigenous guided tour of the Split Rock Galleries. We head even further into Cape York as we travel along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the Hann River Roadhouse for a short break before continuing on to Musgrave Roadhouse.
We continue along the Peninsula Development Road to the old mining community of Coen. The town was originally used as a base for a Telegraph line that connected the Cape York to the rest of Australia.. We’ll arrive in time for lunch at the Archer River Roadhouse which is located on the banks of the crystal clear Archer River. Last stop for the day is Weipa, the Barramundi capital of Queensland. Late afternoon relax at your accommodation with sweeping views of Albatross Bay.
Weipa was originally a Aborignal mission, however it become a significant township in the area due to the discovery of bauxite, an aluminium heavy ore. Today you will learn about Weipa’s mining operations on a morning tour of the world’s largest bauxite mine. After a morning in the mines, we’ll join an Eco Cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a chance to spot local birdlife and crocodiles. Relax with drinks and nibbles as you learn about the incredible ecosystems and local culture which is unique to the area. Witness a stunning sunset in one of the few places in Queensland where the sun sets over the ocean in the west.
Follow the Old Telegraph Track to Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River. Part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line, Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887 and ceased operations in 1987 with the introduction of microwave telecommunications. Spot giant termite mounds as the country changes to the open plains of Heathlands Resources Reserve. Cool off in the lush Fruit Bat Falls with its crystal clear water (croc free), a perfect swimming spot and one of the most special places on the Cape. Cross the Jardine River by cable ferry to Bamaga, the closest settlement to the Tip of Australia. This evening enjoy a relaxed dinner overlooking tropical gardens.
Today is a special day as we experience the highlights of Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia’s last great wilderness areas. We begin with a drive to Pajinka followed by a 45-60 minute walk over rocky headland to ‘The Tip’ of Cape York, this requires a good level of fitness. Cameras at the ready as you stand at the Tip of Australia; then savour a picnic lunch on Sommerset Beach with breathtaking views to Albany Island. Buy some merchandise from the iconic Croc Tent before enjoying some free time back at your accommodation.
No trip to Cape York is complete without visiting the Torres Strait islands, hope aboard a ferry which takes us to Thursday Island; just one of 274 islands which lie between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Discover Thursday Island’s history with a tour of Green Hill Fort, one of Australia's first lines of defence during the war. Join a special tour to Friday Island and the Kazu Pearl Farm. Tuck into a delicious Japanese seafood lunch followed by a demonstration on the cultivation, seeding and harvesting of the pearl. Time also to visit the Pearl Farm Shop. Return to Thursday Island before travelling by ferry to Horn Island late afternoon.
As one of the first lines of defence for Australia, there are many relics to explore on the island as you join local guides on a tour of the World War II sites. See gun emplacements, an underground command post and an aircraft wreck with an epic tale. Walk in the steps of traditional owners, the Kaurareg People, and learn their stories. Following the tour you will have time to wander the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. Enjoy an Asian buffet lunch before saying ‘Yawo’ to Horn Island as we catch a QantasLink flight to Cairns. Tonight we’ll celebrate the end of our adventure with a Farewell Dinner at the Coral Hedge Brasserie Restaurant & Bar.
Your Cape York and Islands journey comes to an end today. At the appropriate time make your own way to the airport or continue your onward journey.
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.
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 support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
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 “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
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.
Covid Itinerary Changes
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure
Single Supplement
Single supplement is AUD$1250 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.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
10-26 people maximum
Children
Children must be 15 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent inflight and is subject to change, depending on the flight schedule. Please refer to the day-by-day itinerary for the time spent in your destination(s).
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 Fully 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.
