16 Day – Gulf Savannah and Cape York Accommodated Tour (16GSFD)

Day 1

Cairns, Herberton Historic Village, Malanda - (LD)

After an early morning departure from selected accommodation, your holiday begins, travelling up the Kuranda Range to the Atherton Tableland and on to Herberton. Today we explore the Historic Village of Herberton, where you can live the folklore and romance of yesterday’s Australia in every piece of this eye-opening collection. Sit in the schoolhouse. Stand at the bar of the pub. Enjoy a latte in the Bakerville Tearooms. The award-winning attraction is more than a vintage precinct – it’s a tangible buzz of things past with over 50 original buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery and vehicles, plus thousands of antique items and period memorabilia.

Late afternoon we settle in the Malanda Lodge, situated on 11 acres of manicured tropical gardens. All rooms have ground level balconies and views to enjoy the tranquillity, or maybe spot their resident platypus family in the large pond. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.

Day 2

Malanda, Mt Surprise, Savannahlander, Georgetown - (BLD)

An early start sees us travelling west on the Kennedy Highway towards Mount Surprise, where we enjoy lunch with a snake show. After lunch, you travel aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks towards Einasleigh. There is enough time to have a beer in the pub or head down and check out Copperfield Gorge, before the train departs for Forsayth. From here we travel on to Georgetown where we stay overnight. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.

Day 3

Georgetown to Karumba - (BLD)

Morning “smoko” on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before Normanton for lunch. Here you can absorb its famous landmarks, the “Purple Pub”, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile.

Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, where we enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset.  We stay at the Karumba Lodge for the next 2 nights.  Ensuite Bathroom Facilities.

Day 4

Karumba - (BLD)

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria. This afternoon we spend time at the Barramundi Centre with a guided Feed-A-Barra tour and hand-feeding will take you into the brand-new hatchery for an educational, entertaining and engaging experience!

This afternoon we head out to sunset point for happy hour. Dinner at Karumba Lodge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.

Day 5

Karumba, Burke & Wills Camp 119, Normanton - (BLD)

After breakfast we visit Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860 on our way back to Normanton for lunch. This afternoon we visit the Mutton hole Wetlands for croc- and bird  watching. We overnight in Normanton. Ensuite bathroom facilities.

Day 6

Normanton to Cobbold Gorge - (BLD)

This morning we depart from Normanton’s famous Victorian architecture Railway Station.  All aboard the historic “Gulflander RM93” train, a Savannah Guides Site, for a ride through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp.  On to Black Bull Siding then the old gold mining town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct.  This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.

Day 7

Cobbold Gorge - (BD)

This morning we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. We have ample time to enjoy this beautiful area. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge. Ensuite bathroom facilities.

Day 8

Cobbold Gorge to Undara - (BLD)

This morning we travel via Einasleigh and Mount Surprise to the famous Undara Lava Tubes, a Savannah Guides Station.  There’s campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your accommodation in either homestays or carriages. (Carriages cannot be guaranteed).Ensuite facilities.

Day 9

Undara to Cairns - (BL)

After breakfast in the Australian bush, an experienced Savannah Guide will meet you for an informative tour of the world’s largest, longest and most accessible lava tube system.

We continue on our scenic and leisurely drive over the Tropical Tablelands past the Wind Turbines at Ravenshoe, stopping off at the magnificent Curtain Fig Tree, before making our way back to Cairns, where you will be taken back to selected accommodation.

Day 10

Cairns, Horn Island, Thursday Island - (D)

Transfer from selected Cairns Queens Court to Cairns airport for your flight to Horn Island. Transfer by ferry to Thursday Island and on arrival, you will be taken on an informative guided bus tour of the island and its picturesque Harbour, once home to the romantic pearl lugger fleet.This afternoon board your ferry to the mainland, where you will be met by your guide, who will take you to Seisia. Seisia is ideally located for our next few days, being in walking distance from the Seisia Wharf, a famous fishing spot. Our accommodation at Seisia Holiday Park are cottages with ensuite facilities.

Day 11

Cape York , Somerset - (BLD)

An unforgettable day! Stand at the very top of mainland Australia. We then visit Somerset (road conditions permitted), once the home of the legendary Jardine family and government outpost established in 1864. We have lunch on the palm fringed Anchorage Beach, which overlooks the Albany Passage. A walk on the beach will complete your day before returning to Seisia. Our accommodation at Seisia Holiday Park are cottages with ensuite facilities.

Day 12

Cape York, Fruit Bat Falls, Bramwell Station - (BLD)

Southward bound, we cross the mighty Jardine River, stopping at Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Relax, swim and enjoy this unique area with its picturesque waterfall. Travelling along part of the Old Telegraph Track, before we make our way to a former‘true blue’ Aussie Cattle Station, Bramwell Station – ensuite facilities.

Day 13

Bramwell Station, Weipa - (BD)

A southerly run through the wilderness with all its varied landscapes to cross the Wenlock River. We head for the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria and our overnight stop at Weipa, with its view over Albatross Bay. This afternoon there will be the opportunity of a Wildlife Eco River Cruise (own expense). Your accommodation tonight has ensuite facilities.

Day 14

Weipa, Archer River, Musgrave Telegraph Station - (BLD)

We continue south, stopping off at the picturesque Archer River, then on to the historic frontier gold town of Coen. The afternoon finds us arriving at our overnight accommodation at the Old Musgrave Telegraph Station – ensuite facilities.

Day 15

Musgrave, Lakefield NP, Cooktown - (BLD)

After an early start, we head east towards Princess Charlotte Bay where we explore Lakefield National Park (road conditions permitted), a haven for the many birds and animals native to this area. Lagoons, billabongs, and wide river lakes are home to both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. We make our way south passing the mysterious Black Mountain and the historic Lions Den Hotel. ravelling on to the old gold port of Cooktown, where we visit Captain Cooks Landing, before settling in to our accommodation in Cooktown – ensuite facilities.

Day 16

Cooktown, Bloomfield Track, Cape Tribulation, Cairns - (BL)

The final exciting day has, unfortunately, arrived, but before returning to Cairns,  we traverse the jungle shrouded Bloomfield Track (Road conditions permitted) we see where the ‘rainforest meets the reef’ at Cape Tribulation. We travel through the splendour of a World Heritage listed rainforest. A scenic drive along the Marlin Coast back to Cairns is a perfect way to complete your tour.