11 Day Cape York And Islands Cairns Cooktown Weipa Musgrave Thursday Island Horn Island Bamaga,QLD FROM $7,199 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE Book Now TOUR ITINERARY Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 1 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Destination Cairns Meals included Dinner Hotel 4 Rydges Esplanade Resort, or similar 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. DAY 2 Destination Cairns Cooktown Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 River of Gold Motel, or similar 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. DAY 3 Destination Cooktown Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 River of Gold Motel, or similar 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. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 2 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 4 Destination Cooktown Musgrave Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 Musgrave Roadhouse, or similar 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. DAY 5 Destination Musgrave Weipa Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 Albatross Bay Resort, or similar 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. DAY 6 Destination Weipa Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 Albatross Bay Resort, or similar 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. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 3 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 7 Destination Weipa Bamaga Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 Cape York Peninsula Lodge, or similar 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. DAY 8 Destination Bamaga Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 3 Cape York Peninsula Lodge, or similar 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. DAY 9 Destination Bamaga Thursday Island Horn Island Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel Gateway Torres Strait Resort (Unrated), or similar 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. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 4 TOUR ITINERARY DAY 10 Destination Horn Island Cairns Meals included Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Hotel 4 Rydges Esplanade Resort, or similar 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. DAY 11 Destination Cairns Meals included Breakfast Accommodation N/A 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. Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 5 TOUR ITINERARY Inclusions WHAT'S INCLUDED 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 breakfast, 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 SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS Enter the Daintree Rainforest at the Daintree Discovery Centre Exam the local Aboriginal art at the Bana Yirriji Art & Cultural Centre Scenic drives along Bloomfield Track and Daintree Coast Hear the stories behind important historical moments at the James Cook Museum Stroll around Cooktown Botanic Gardens Learn the history behind the operating Weipa Bauxite Mine Tour Spot the local wildlife on the Gulf Eco Cruise Bring your swimsuit for the Fruit Bat Falls (swimming opportunity) Take a photo at the ‘The Tip’ Catch a ferry for some Torres Strait Cruising Discover the Japanese links at the Kazu Pearl Farm Tour Horn and Thursday Island Touring Enjoy some Torres Strait Cultural Heritage Experiences Fine Print Call 1300 88 66 88 Email [email protected] www.inspiringvacations.com Page 6 TOUR ITINERARY HOW TO BOOK & PAYMENTS Deposit & Payments Book now and secure your package with a $400 deposit per person. Pay a 2nd instalment of $1040 per person within 28 days. You will then be invoiced for final payment 90 days prior to departure.