Cairns to the Tip - 13 Days

We are met by our friendly and professional Tour Directors before setting off north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas, enjoying a brief tour of this famous tropical village before checking in to our accommodation.

Please note: a passenger weight limit of 130kg applies to flights included in this tour; please contact us in advance if your weight exceeds this amount. Please ensure you've had lunch before collection today.

This evening, we come together for a welcome dinner at the resort.

This morning, we continue north to the award-winning Mossman Gorge Centre in the Daintree, joining the Dreamtime Gorge Walk, which opens with a traditional smoking ceremony. Accompanied by experienced Indigenous guides, we learn about traditional plant use and bush food along the rainforest trail, finishing with bush tea and damper.We continue further into the World Heritage-listed Daintree, the oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest on Earth, joining an informative cruise on the Daintree River before an exclusive guided walk at Cooper Creek Wilderness, set below Thornton Peak among pristine old-growth rainforest and fan palm galleries.

We journey deeper into the Daintree to Cape Tribulation, the only place on Earth where two World Heritage wonders meet - the ancient rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef - with a beach stroll before an exhilarating drive along the legendary Bloomfield Track, negotiating steep climbs and creek crossings with our experienced driver at the wheel.Once across the Bloomfield River, we visit Bloomfield Falls before lunch at one of Queensland's oldest bush pubs. We arrive at Cooktown with time for a town tour, including Grassy Hill Lookout, followed by dinner at our hotel, for a 2-night stay.

Home to around 3,000 people at the mouth of the Endeavour River, Cooktown is rich in Aboriginal and European history, with rugged Mount Cook forming a backdrop as part of Mount Cook National Park.After a leisurely breakfast, we join an orientation tour of the town, including the Cooktown Museum and Botanic Gardens. After lunch, there's free time to explore the monuments along the foreshore before dinner at the hotel.

We travel the historic Battle Camp Road, subject to conditions, visiting the Old Laura Homestead before reaching Laura, a cultural heart of the region, where an Indigenous guide leads us through ancient rock art sites and shares stories passed down through generations.We continue into Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, pausing at Kalpowar for afternoon tea before reaching Red Lily Lagoon, rich in flora and fauna. As the landscape opens into savannah, we continue on to our accommodation on the edge of a tranquil billabong, for a 2-night stay.

We take to the skies for a scenic helicopter flight over Rinyirru's wetlands and floodplains, following the Kennedy River towards Princess Charlotte Bay, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and home to dugong.

Please note: weight limits apply to all scenic flights.

The afternoon is free to relax at the lodge, or join a guided walk through the billabong in search of rare birdlife.

Departing our lodge, we travel north along the Peninsula Development Road, passing through Coen before stopping for lunch at the Archer River Roadhouse, one of Australia's northernmost roadhouses.We continue to Weipa, the economic hub of the Cape and known as the "Barramundi Capital of Queensland" for its abundant marine life, arriving mid-afternoon for a 2-night stay.

We start the day at Weipa Mine with a 2-hour tour of the largest producing bauxite mine in the world, before joining a cruise on the Embley River, exploring wildlife habitat and local culture, keeping an eye out for saltwater crocodiles.Afterwards, we visit the Western Cape Cultural Centre, overlooking the bay and showcasing the history of Weipa and its surrounding communities - also a great spot for a picnic lunch. The afternoon is free to relax at the hotel, before dinner overlooking the water.

Our journey continues north along the Telegraph Track through wild, rugged countryside.

Please note: as some sections of the track are impassable, we mainly travel the northern and southern bypass roads for this leg of the journey.

This morning brings a refreshing swim at Fruit Bat Falls in the crystal-clear waters of Eliot Creek, followed by a picnic lunch. We continue north, crossing the Jardine River by vehicular ferry, before arriving at Bamaga for a 2-night stay.

Today we venture to the northernmost point of the Australian mainland, the ultimate destination for any Cape traveller. The walking track begins at Pajinka and requires a good level of fitness, rewarded with a photo at the iconic signpost and views across the Torres Strait, with our guide sharing the area's history along the way.This afternoon, we visit Somerset, once home to Frank Jardine and the official government residence on the Cape, protected historically by British Marines. After a barbecue lunch, we return to the hotel, with the rest of the day free.

Please note: a performance by a local dance group is planned at the resort this evening, subject to availability.

This morning, we head to Seisia to board the ferry across Endeavour Strait, with informative commentary on the Torres Strait Islands from the captain as we make our way to Thursday Island, 35 kilometres north-west of the tip of Cape York and home to around 3,000 people as the main administrative centre of the Torres Strait. On arrival, we join a tour with a local expert before some free time.We then take a short ferry to Friday Island, home to a pearl farm, enjoying a pearl demonstration and a visit to the farm shop, with the opportunity to purchase pearl jewellery. We return to Thursday Island for an overnight stay.

This morning, we take the ferry to Horn Island for a tour of this once-prominent Second World War air base, followed by a visit to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. We then board our flight back to Cairns, arriving in time for lunch.For our final evening together, we check in to our hotel along the Esplanade. Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner, reflecting on the journey to the tip of Australia.

After breakfast, the morning is free before transferring on according to your onward travel arrangements.