Cape York Small-Group Tour with Scenic Torres Strait Helicopter Flight, Old Telegraph Track & Horn Island Visits
Explore some of Australia’s most ancient and awe-inspiring sights on an eight-day small-group tour (max. eight travellers) across the Cape York Peninsula. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, head to Horn Island to admire unbelievably blue waters and drive along Old Telegraph Track on an exhilarating 4WD quest, passing several deep creek crossings. Swim in crystal-clear lagoons, refresh yourself with a cold drink at an iconic Australian pub and toast to your experience on the northernmost point of the mainland, taking in the vast beauty of Australia with sparkling wine in hand. Complete your Far North Queensland adventure by gliding over the Torres Strait archipelago in a helicopter.
Staying at a handful of carefully selected hotels and outback stations, with the region’s jaw-dropping sights right on your doorstep and all meals included, this adventure is sure to be a memorable one.
Your journey takes you to: Cairns — Cooktown — Musgrave Station — Weipa — Merluna Station — Roko Island — Cape York — Horn Island — Cairns (or reverse).
Covid-19 health and safety practices: Our expert Tours team is working hard to ensure the highest health standards at every point of your journey. Find out more.
Your tour includes:
- Seven nights of handpicked accommodation, including two nights on the secluded Roko Island in the Torres Strait
- Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, including a pub lunch at the historic Lions Den Hotel and a farewell dinner
- Scenic helicopter flight over the magnificent blue waters of the Torres Strait
- Marvel at the magic of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest
- Travel along Bloomfield Track and Old Telegraph Track in a luxury, air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
- Guided tours of Cooktown, Merluna Station and the coastal mining town of Weipa
- View the 14,000-year-old paintings of the Split Rock Aboriginal art site
- Wander through the historic Old Laura Homestead
- Enjoy a sunset boat tour of Weipa
- Take in Horn Island’s historic sites on a guided tour, including a visit to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum
- Soak in breathtaking views across the Torres Strait from the northernmost point of mainland Australia while sipping a glass of sparkling wine
- Ferry transfers from Seisia to Roko Island and from Roko Island to Thursday Island and Horn Island
- Internal flight from Bamaga to Cairns
- The services of an experienced driver-guide and expert commentary throughout your tour
- All sightseeing and entrance fees per the itinerary
Your tour begins in Cairns at 7am on Day 1 and ends in Cairns at 6pm on Day 8.
Please note that while all tours begin and end in Cairns, select departures will travel to Cooktown first, working their way towards Horn Island, while others will fly from Cairns to Horn Island, working their way towards Cooktown.
Roundtrip flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. If your chosen tour departure date is guaranteed at the time of booking, you may be able to purchase flights immediately. If your tour departure date is not yet guaranteed (still pending minimum numbers), flights should not be booked until you receive an update on the status of your tour.
Due to the early start, a pre-tour stay in Cairns is recommended (own expense). We recommend that you book any flights out of Cairns (CNS) on Day 8 to depart after 7pm.
Pick-up and drop-off at your choice of Cairns hotel are included on the first and last days of your tour only.
You MUST complete your booking form within 7 days of booking with names as per passport. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
When travelling within Australia, please check current state/territory border entry requirements to ensure you’re eligible to travel and have completed any required permits or passes.
Need flights? Our dedicated flights concierge can assist with all your flight requirements (subject to availability). Contact sales@luxuryescapes.com.
Important Destination Information:
Time zone: AEST GMT +10
Telephone: +61
Currency: AUD
Accessing money: ATMs are widely available with credit cards widely accepted within the city. Cash is advised when visiting rural areas.
Language: English
Climate: Warm with low rainfall during winter (June to August) and high rainfall with balmy temperatures during summer (December to February).
Please Note: This itinerary runs in reverse on select dates. Please see the Fine Print for details.
Day 1: Cairns — Cooktown
Ready for an adventure? Your guide will meet you at your Cairns hotel this morning, ready to whisk you away along the Captain Cook Highway towards the famous Daintree Rainforest.
Estimated to be approximately 135 million years old, the Daintree is the planet’s oldest tropical rainforest. After crossing the Daintree River, you’ll head up to the Alexandra Range, where you’ll stop for a scenic walk followed by morning tea. Back aboard your vehicle, head towards the beaches of Cape Tribulation, where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Step straight out from under the lush green canopy onto the golden sand and enjoy time to explore the coastal headlands, followed by lunch at a local café.
Make your way along the scenic Bloomfield Track by 4WD vehicle towards Cooktown, stopping en route at Bloomfield Falls before reaching Cooktown in the late afternoon. Continue to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure before dinner.
Accommodation: Mungumby Lodge, Milkwood Lodge or similar
Meals: Morning Tea, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Cooktown
After breakfast, take some time to explore Cooktown, starting with Grassy Hill lookout and the Cooktown Museum. From panoramic views to fascinating tales from the past, Cooktown has a lot to offer.
After plenty of time exploring the museum, you’ll be escorted to the historic Lion’s Den Hotel for lunch. Kick back at this iconic Australian pub and have a yarn with the locals over a cold beer. After lunch, you’ll stop at the beautiful Cooktown Botanic Gardens before returning to Mungumby Lodge, where the afternoon is yours to enjoy.
Plunge into one of the local swimming holes or stroll around the stunning property before rejoining your group for dinner.
Accommodation: Mungumby Lodge, Milkwood Lodge or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Cooktown — Musgrave Station
Say goodbye to Cooktown and continue to the grassy landscapes of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park and the town of Laura. Pause at the Split Rock Aboriginal rock art site, where you can see firsthand the amazing detail in the 14,000-year-old paintings.
Reboarding the vehicle, continue northwest, where you’ll stop in at the historic Old Laura Homestead. You will have time to wander the site before a glorious sit-down picnic in this scenic location.
The former telegraph station of Musgrave is your final stop for today. This heritage homestead — once an essential communication link between Thursday Island and Mt Surprise — is now an important roadhouse for locals and travellers in Cape York. After checking into your accommodation for the night, enjoy dinner with your group.
Accommodation: Musgrave Roadhouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Musgrave Station — Weipa
Turn your attention inland as you travel west along red dirt roads to the coastal mining community of Weipa. Along the way, stop at the small town of Coen for a quick refuel and enjoy a hearty lunch at Archer River Roadhouse. After arriving in Weipa, take a sunset boat tour of the local area. Look out for saltwater crocodiles and native birds as you discover the beauty of Far North Queensland.
Enjoy some downtime at your hotel before reconvening for dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Albatross Bay Resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Weipa — Merluna Station
There’s still plenty to discover in Weipa this morning. Join a tour of the town’s mine — the largest bauxite mine in the world. Don your hard hat and check out the giant mining machinery while learning about the mining process. Make a stop at the Western Cape Cultural Centre, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait artwork from the nearby communities is on display. Spend time perusing the artwork and gain an insight into the local Indigenous culture before enjoying lunch a local café.
Later, head for Merluna Station, a working cattle station and your home for the night. After a tour by the station owners, settle into your cabin before dinner tonight.
Accommodation: Merluna Station
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Merluna Station — Roko Island
After a morning tea at Bramwell Station, your next stop is Batavia Downs, followed by the Morton Telegraph Station. Aboard your hardy 4WD vehicle, drive over wild terrain along the famous Old Telegraph Track (conditions permitting) towards Fruit Bat Falls. Once you arrive at the falls, discover the crystal-clear waters, which offer the perfect chance to cool off after the morning’s exploration. It’s in this stunning setting that you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch.
Feeling refreshed and refuelled, arrive at the Jardine River for a ferry trip to Seisia. Here, board your transfer to Roko Island, where you will spend the next two nights.
Accommodation: Roko Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Roko Island
Wake up on your own island paradise this morning and enjoy a relaxed breakfast. Today, you’ll be able to tick off the ultimate Aussie experience — a scenic helicopter flight over the picturesque Torres Strait. Following your scenic flight, the rest of the morning is yours at leisure to explore the island and relax in your secluded surroundings.
This afternoon, rejoin your group as you head towards the very tip of mainland Australia. Drive through the rainforest, stopping en route at the legendary Croc Tent, where you can stock up on all kinds of Cape York-themed souvenirs. The last 400 metres to the tip are crossed on foot. Climb out of your vehicle and make the journey across the rocky terrain to the most northerly point of mainland Australia. Take photos, toast the journey with a celebratory drink or simply soak in views of the Torres Strait.
Return to Roko Island and gather for a farewell island dinner.
Accommodation: Roko Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Roko Island — Thursday Island — Horn Island — Cairns
There’s still time to squeeze in more epic explorations today. Say farewell to Roko Island and board a ferry to Thursday Island and onwards to Horn Island, where unbelievably blue waters await. On arrival, join a tour to learn all about the significant role this tiny island played during World War II. Afterwards, enjoy lunch before visiting the Torres Strait Heritage Museum en route to the airport for your included flight back to Cairns. Here, your driver will meet you to transfer you to your hotel of choice.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch