Cape York & Torres Strait Adventure

The adventure

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.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Australia

Showing Days 1-7

10-day itinerary

Day 1CairnsWelcome 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.

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.

Day 2Cape Tribulation / RossvilleToday, 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 next two nights, overlooked by Kalkajaka (Black Mountain).

Cape Tribulation

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 next two nights, overlooked by Kalkajaka (Black Mountain).

Day 3Cooktown / RossvilleFuel 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 Museum along the way. Here, learn about the significance of Cooktown and what role it played in Aboriginal history. Return to Rossville for another night.

Cooktown

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 Museum along the way. Here, learn about the significance of Cooktown and what role it played in Aboriginal history. Return to Rossville for another night.

Day 4Lakefield National Park / MusgraveAfter 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.

Lakefield National Park

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.

Day 5Coen / Iron Range National ParkDepart 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.

Coen

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.

Day 6Iron Range National ParkStart 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.

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.

Day 7WeipaMake tracks for Weipa. If open on the day of your visit you’ll be able to check out the Western Cape Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the history and culture of the region. Next up is today's highlight: Hop on a boat cruise to see Cape York from the water – look out for saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks and the numerous bird species that live in these waterways and mangroves and learn about the local culture and wildlife habitats.

Weipa

Make tracks for Weipa. If open on the day of your visit you’ll be able to check out the Western Cape Cultural Centre, where you can learn about the history and culture of the region. Next up is today's highlight: Hop on a boat cruise to see Cape York from the water – look out for saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks and the numerous bird species that live in these waterways and mangroves and learn about the local culture and wildlife habitats.

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