12-Day 4WD Safari Cairns to Cape York Tour

‍Day 1. Cairns to Crater Lakes National Park

Your adventure begins with pick up from your accommodation in our Safari 4x4 Fuso Canter truck. You’ll have a bird’s eye view and an authentic experience in our Fuso, which has a 6-seater capacity. As we head out of Cairns, you will have a spectacular view over the sugar can fields, with a stunning backdrop of the surrounding mountain ranges. Along the drive, you’ll pass Queensland’s highest peak: the iconic towering Mount Bartle Frere. You will spend the morning exploring the “#1 Must Do Attraction in Queensland”, the beautiful, Paronella Park. Built in 1937 by Jose Paronella, it is both a living love story, and a feat of engineering. This is a wonderful photo opportunity and a truly unique experience. Following your tour of Paronella, we make our way through the Atherton Tablelands and stop off for lunch at Mungalli Creek Dairy Farm. Here you will taste some of the best local biodynamic cheeses FNQ has to offer and enjoy the spectacular rolling hill scenery of the Tablelands.  

Our afternoon will be spent visiting magnificent Falls that cascade perfectly into a pristine waterhole surrounded by lush Rainforest, it is one of the most photographed Waterfalls in all Australia - Millaa Millaa. You will check into your accommodation for the evening, freshen up, and attend your “Welcome Dinner” at “Our Place” a popular restaurant in scenic Yungaburra. After dinner, wind down from your first exciting day adventuring on the road at Big 4 Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park.

‍Accommodation: Ensuite Cottage, Big 4 Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park, on the Atherton Tablelands.
‍Meals: Lunch at Mungalli Creek Dairy Farm, and Group “Welcome” Dinner at ”Our Place” in Yungaburra

Day 2. Crater Lakes National Park to Chillagoe

We are off to Chillagoe! It’s an early start as we travel through the rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands and the iconic “Wheelbarrow Way” stretching from Mareeba to Chillagoe, travelling through farmland,  cattle country, wooded savannah and historic towns. Our morning starts with a National Parks Ranger Guided Chillagoe Cave Tour. Delight in the spectacular caverns and passages decorated by stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. Their formation began over 400 million years ago, with fluctuating groundwater slowly dissolving and sculpting the caves. Chillagoe was once an ancient Coral Reef which has been transformed into spectacular limestone bluffs with a network of some 560 caves, while early volcanic activity as created rich marble and mineral deposits. Wander the town to see the Railway Station, Bank Vault, Court House, Police Museum, and Post Office. The tall chimney on the edge of the town is part of the former Ore Smelter. Nearby short walking tracks include Balancing Rock and two Aboriginal Rock Art Galleries.

After a day of exploring this historic mining town, we make our way back via the rustic Herberton-Petford 4WD track  – a truly unique off the beaten path experience full of wildlife in The Tablelands.  

‍Accommodation: Ensuite Cottage, Big 4 Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park, on the Atherton Tablelands.
Meals: FNE Catered breakfast, Lunch at Chillagoe Pub and Dinner at Malanda’s “Big Pub”.  

Day 3. Crater Lakes National Park to Daintree Rainforest

Start your day with Breakfast at the 90 year old Lake Barrine Teahouse, with stunning views over the serene blue volcanic crater Lake. A beautiful way to start the day, before seeing highlights such as Lake Tinaroo, and the 500 year old towering Cathedral Fig. Today we leave the Tablelands and wind our way down the Gillies Range and north along the Coast, with a Lunch stop at iconic Palm Cove in Cairns. Tonight, you will be staying at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Cape Tribulation - where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the Oldest Rainforest in the World, before meeting for a group dinner at The Cassowary Restaurant.

‍Accommodation: Garden Loft, Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Cape Tribulation.  
Meals: Breakfast at Lake Barrine Teahouse, Lunch at Palm Cove, and Group Dinner at The Cassowary Restaurant.    

Day 4. Daintree Rainforest to Cooktown via Bloomfield Track

After breakfast, we head North hitting the famous Bloomfield Track to Cooktown. Weather dependent, we may experience river crossings along the way. Your highlight of the day is Wujal Wujal Falls, where you will be treated to a guided indigenous interpretive walk, hosted by  Kuku Yalanji’s Walker Family. Enjoy lunch at the historic Lions Den Hotel. Established in 1875, The Lions Den walls are adorned with signatures from around the world, a tradition that started in the old mining days. As we arrive into Cooktown soak in views from Grassy Hill and stop into the James Cook Museum before your group Dinner at River of Gold.

‍Accommodation: Executive Queen Room, River of Gold Motel, Cooktown.
‍Meals: Breakfast at The Cassowary Restaurant, Lunch at The Lions Den, and Group Dinner at River of Gold Motel.  

Day 5. Cooktown to Musgrave

Today we travel from the Cooktown area to the small town of Laura. Here we explore the remarkable Rock Art at Split Rock. Prior to European Settlement, four language groups of First Nation people lived in Laura for over 45,000 years: the Ku Ku Thaypan, Uw Olkola, Guugu Yimithir and Western Yalanji people. This artwork tells their story and is a beautiful authentic indigenous experience.

Travelling further along the Peninsula Developmental Road, we arrive at Musgrave River Roadhouse. Famous for its good old fashioned hospitality, the Roadhouse is owned and operated by one of the early pioneering families of the region – The Shepherd’s. Musgrave is about half way between Cairns and The Tip, and has been the resting place for many travellers. Magon teamsters and Parckhorse Mailmen would spell their weary teams here. Musgrave is the only overland telegraph station in the peninsula that remains.

‍Accommodation: Motel Room, Musgrave River Roadhouse.  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner catered by Far North Escapes.

Day 6. Musgrave to Wolverton Station

On the road again, we adventure into “Rinyirru”, Lakefield National Park – the largest National Park on the Peninsula, and the second largest (after Simpson Desert) in Queensland. Unlike many other places in Cape York, this National Park is not Rainforest, rather Eucalypt Woodland – and home to a diverse range of Wildlife. After exploring Lakefield, we make our way to Wolverton Station “Wildwishes” in the Archer River Region. Here we experience a taste of Station life – and it is the only station in Far North Queensland with historic cattle droving routes that were used in the 1900’s. Settle in for a billy tea and a yarn or two!

‍Accommodation: Donga, “Wildwishes”, Wolverton Station.
‍Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner catered by Far North Escapes.    

Day 7 and 8. Wolverton Station to Iron Range National Park

Over the next two days we travel back toward the coast line, experiencing the Lockhart River region. Visiting untouched waterfalls, and the long coastline of stunning Chilli Beach. We also stop to explore the Lockhart River Art Centre which continues to encourage, work with, promote and represent local artist and their diverse range of artworks through paintings, ceramics, basket weaving and prints. A highlight will be experiencing the Iron Range National Park with long sweeping beaches, rocky out crops, and the largest area of low land tropical Rainforest in Australia. We will be relaxing on our 2 night stay at Greenhoose accommodation, with time at leisure.  

‍Accommodation: Double Ensuite, Greenhoose, Iron Range  
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner catered by Far North Escapes.  

Day 9. Iron Range National Park to Bramwell Station

Today we travel wind inland to Bramwell Station, the most northerly cattle station in Australia. We are treated toa Station Talk followed by live entertainment. Located2 hours North of Archer River and 4 hours South of the Tip – the station is awell know and well-loved stop for visitors to the Cape over the last 40 years…however it is most famous for its location: the start of the famous 4WD challengethe “Old Telegraph Line Track”, also known as the “OTL”.

Accommodation: Bramwell Station
‍Meals: Breakfast, Lunch catered by Far North Escapes, Dinner a Bramwell Buffet  

Day 10. Bramwell Station to Tip of Australia

Weather permitting, today we start on the Old Telegraph Track and the mighty Jardine River Crossing. Heading further north over the next two days we edge ever closer to our our ‘bucket list’ experience, with some incredible 4WD adventure and hidden waterfalls along the way.

‍Accommodation: Double Room, Loyalty Beach
‍Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner catered by Far North Escapes  

Day 11. Tip of Australia

Today, we experience the Tip of Cape York! Here, we offer you plenty of time for you to get your “Tip” photo souvenir, and soak it all in! An optional extra available to prebook mid-morning, you will be treated to a scenic Cape York helicopter flight over The Tip of Australia, with the most spectacular views thanks to Coastal Rotors. What an exciting way to celebrate this incredible experience. Lunch and Dinner will be hosted at the Northernmost Bar, Punsand Bay for an afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: Double Room, Loyalty Beach
‍Meals: Breakfast catered by Far North Escapes, Lunch & Dinner at Punsand Bay  

Day 12. Bamaga to Cairns

For those on Safari, its time to Farewell the group. Departing flight from Bamaga, mid morning/ afternoon.  

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