Cape York & Islands Tour

We leave Brisbane and head North on our 13-day adventure for our first of many Island visits. Lady Elliot Island is a stunning coral cay on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Known for its abundant sea life including manta rays and turtles.

Spend the day on the island with a choice of activities including a glass-bottom boat tour, snorkelling, reef walks, and full use of the guest facilities. A scenic flight to and from the island will add the days experience.

Lady Elliot Island and the surrounding reef is a protected ‘green zone’ marine sanctuary, and is called the ‘home of the Manta Ray’ for good reason. Over 700 of these creatures call these waters home and you have the privilege to share it with them on your visit.

Overnight Mantra Hervey Bay – Marina View Room

Our flight today takes us along the coastline, past Rockhampton and Mackay, before descending into Shute Harbour, which is nestled between Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach.

This would have to be one of the most stunning arrivals of this tour with towering mountains on either side of the runway, and bordered by the ocean at both ends, with Daydream Island in the distance.

Airlie Beach is a vibrant coastal town, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, and is well known for its tropical atmosphere and natural beauty. Overlooking the lagoon adds to the laid back island feel that this area is famous for.

Our local guide will take you on an unforgettable journey through the Whitsundays starting with a tour of the Gold Coffee Plantation. Lunch is at the American themed George’s Diner, with its retro styling, it is sure to bring back some fond memories of years past.

Discover the secrets of how to make a perfect cup of coffee before heading to the Cedar Creek Falls. This natural cascading waterfall is in the heart of the Whitsundays’ tropical rainforest, with strangler figs and cedar trees towering over the crystal clear lagoon.

Overnight Mantra Club Croc – Superior Room

As we fly to so many locations on this tour, you will be able to trace the Great Barrier Reef spanning over 2300km along the coastline of Australia. 

This morning you will head out on a cruise departing from the Port of Airlie which will take you through the scenic Whitsunday Islands to Reefworld, located 39 miles off the shore, at Hardy Reef.

Here, you will have the opportunity to see the marine life from either above or below the water, or both. There is an underwater observatory, as well as options to snorkel right on the reef, or take a leisurely glass-bottom boat tour over the reef.

Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch overlooking the sparkling waters of the Great Barrier Reef and just spend the afternoon relaxing or head back into the water for another swim with the locals.

As the sun begins to fade it’s time to head back to the mainland with a phone full of memories from your day at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight Mantra Club Croc – Superior Room

This morning’s flight takes us north-west, along the coast. On clear days you will have an amazing view of the Great Barrier Reef. Passing Townsville and Cairns, we descend over the Endeavour Reef into Cooktown. This beautiful, unspoilt coastal town is where Lt James Cook repaired his ship in 1770.

Cooktown is considered the site of Australia’s first European settlement on the east coast of Australia. It is where Captain Cook spent nearly 7 weeks repairing the HMS Endeavour. The town was founded in 1873 originally known as Cook’s Town, until later becoming Cooktown.

With our local guide, you will have the opportunity to visit the world-class James Cook Museum, Historical Railway Park, Cooktown Cemetery, and Grassy Hill where James Cook stood while looking for a safe passage through the reef.

We explore the harbour in the long afternoon light and then head upstream on a cruise to watch the sunset over the distant ranges. While navigating the maze of smaller creeks, enjoy a gourmet cheese platter to accompany your drink of choice.

Overnight Seaview Hotel – Deluxe Room

A short scenic flight has us departing the mainland and heading out to sea to one of the most beautiful islands in Queensland. Lizard Island is a rugged, secluded island on the Great Barrier Reef located 28km off the coast.

You will have the day to explore the World Heritage Listed Rainforests of this paradise with our local guide, and to snorkel in the waters of the island.  Wonder at the abundance of marine life including clown fish, green turtles, giant clams, and tropical coral formations.

There are also many bushwalking tracks to explore to places like Cook’s Lookout and Chinamans’s Ridge, with stunning views over the surrounding area.

Your flight to and from the Lizard Island is a low level scenic flight over the reef and you will see many Sand Cay Islands as well as the Outer Barrier Reef.

Overnight Seaview Hotel – Deluxe Room

Departing Cooktown, our flight takes us over some amazing scenery over the Coral Sea and the Cape York Peninsula. With The Great Barrier Reef below us and The Great Dividing Range on our left, we will be flying between the two ‘Greats’ of Australia as we arrive on Horn Island.

This area is part of the Torres Strait Island Group, and these islands have an incredible history. Made up of 14 islands with 5,000 residents, we arrive at the ‘air gateway’ to these islands, Horn Island, with a population of just over 500. Gain insight into the region by visiting the local museum with our local tour guide, where you will learn of the importance of this island during World War Two. 

During your tour, you will visit underground rooms, gun emplacements, the old airstrip, aircraft wreckage, and slit trenches. Horn Island was the second-most attacked location in Australia, and was the base for approximately 5000 soldiers and airmen, with the Navy stationed on Thursday Island.

Overnight The Dugongs Rest – Studio Room

After breakfast, you will head to the harbour for a ‘cruise to remember’. Having passed by some of the most beautiful islands in the Torres Strait, we visit Possession Island and the 5 square kilometre National Park established as a Protected Area. The historical significance of this island is that it was where James Cook sailed northward in the Endeavour from Botany Bay in 1770 and claimed possession of the entire east coast of Australia. However, in 2001 the Kaurareg people successfully reclaimed native title rights over the island.

You will also visit Prince of Wales Island on the way to the tip of Cape York (which is situated about 20km south of this island). Here, you will have the chance to claim that you have stood on the northern most part of mainland Australia, with sufficient time for photo opportunities and relaxing on the beach.

This day’s tour will also include the chance of a swim on a deserted beach on a remote island, where lunch will be provided. *Tides and weather conditions may affect some aspects of this tour.* Travelling back to Horn Island you may spot more of the sea-life, including dugongs (an endangered species of sea mammal), as well as Green, Hawksbill, and Flatback Sea turtles.

Overnight The Dugongs Rest – Studio Room

After a leisurely breakfast, you will travel by ferry to Thursday Island, just a short boat ride away. The island is known by the locals simply as ‘TI’ and is home to a vibrant mix of colours and sounds that display this island life.

TI is only 3.5km square with the highest point just 104m above sea level. This town is the administrative centre for the Torres Straight Island Region. A lucrative pearling industry was founded on the island in 1884, attracting workers from Asia who were seeking their fortune.

You will be guided by a local guide to visit: the heritage-listed Green Fort Hill with its underground tunnels and memorabilia; and Thursday Island Cemetery, as well as hear an overview of the Pearling industry.

Lunch is at the famous Grand Hotel, overlooking the pristine views of the Endeavour Strait, with Horn and Prince of Wales Island’s visible in the distance.

There may be time for shopping at the local markets for souvenirs before returning to Horn Island.

Overnight The Dugongs Rest – Studio Room

Our flight today takes us to the remote town of Burketown, which was established in 1865. With the mainland on our left and the vast Gulf of Carpentaria on our right, this is one of the most scenic flights on this tour. On Descent over the gulf, you may spot the coastal town of Karumba, as well as the South Wellesley Islands, in the distance.

Experience the historical, cultural and natural wonders of Moungibi (Burketown) as our local guide shows you around. You will learn about the traditional uses of different native plant species, hear local knowledge on seasonal indicators and what they mean for the coming season.

This evening rounds the day off with a Gambumanda Sunset Cruise. Experience the magic of the vivid crimson shades of an outback sunset as you cruise the calm and pristine waters of the Gambumanda (Albert River) aboard the ‘Mabuntha Yipippee’. Along with Dreamtime stories of the Gangalidda people, your guide will share their traditional knowledge, unique insights into the local river system and its diverse range of animals and birdlife. 

Overnight Savanah Lodge – Studio Cabin

Explore one of Australia’s most vibrant cultural landscapes with our local guide, in and around Burketown. You will have exclusive access to Australia’s larges salt pans, and gain an insight into the traditional customs of the early inhabitants.

This tiny town is surrounded by water which includes the Albert River snaking its way through the low-lying salt pans and out to the ocean. During the monsoon season, this area becomes an island as it becomes surrounded by the largest intact wetlands on the planet.

A 4-Wheel-Drive tour will take you to some of the places ‘off the beaten track’ where many people have not been. It really makes a difference when you have a local guide who not only knows the area, but was also born and raised here.

Spend your afternoon relaxing by the pool or bar area at Savannah Lodge. This is an ‘Oasis’ in the outback, surrounded by lush tropical gardens with various spots to relax and unwind after all the sightseeing we have done over the past 10 days.

Overnight Savannah Lodge – Studio Cabin

Seasonally dependant (Jul-Aug), you may have the opportunity to take to the skies in a hot-air balloon trip over the vast countryside of Burketown.

Enjoy unique views of the spectacular Gulf Country, including Australia’s largest salt pan, the Albert River, and out to the ocean. Learn about the unique local flora and fauna from our Gangalidda and Garawa crew (pre or post your flight), and discover the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful natural landscape.

After lunch, we depart for the town of Longreach, in far Western Queensland. Named in 1887 for the long stretch of the Thompson River, the town boomed in 1890 with the arrival of the railway and became a key centre for the sheep and cattle industry. Longreach is also famous for being the birthplace of Qantas which has had its roots in this area since 1920.

Enjoy a blissful sunset cruise on the Thomson River, followed by a hearty Stockman’s Dinner around a campfire with bush poetry. Following dinner, you may have the opportunity for the Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show.

Overnight at The Stables – Studio Room

This morning starts with an early gourmet, buffet breakfast before heading out on the Nogo Station Experience. This tours Longreach town, before heading out to the historic Kinnon Station. 

Your Kinnon host will take you on an insiders’ journey of station life including: the wool shed, Captain Starlight’s stockyards, and on their amazing station safari by open-top, double-decker bus to spot outback animals. Finish the morning’s adventure with a saddle-bag lunch and some billy-tea by the gidgee campfire.

Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, also known as the ‘Sydney Opera House of the Bush’.

Finally, you will visit the Qantas Founders’ Museum to tour the Museum and take an Airpark Tour. This will take the group through the history of Aviation, and Qantas, in Australia. Get up close to some classic aircraft types, including the Boeing 747, 707, DC-3 and Super Constellation.

Freshen up at your accommodation before your Stonegrill Dining Experience.

Overnight at The Stables – Studio Room

Meet at ‘The Welcome Home’ for your gourmet buffet breakfast. Watch the harnessing of the stagecoach horses, then listen to the Town Crier announcing the day’s activities, including the famous Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience. This experience includes a stagecoach ride along the old Longreach-to-Windorah mail route, home-baked ‘smoko’ (scones and tea) in the tearoom, followed by a classic Australian movie.

After a short break, you will be ‘taken back in time’ to the pioneer era, where people flocked to the tent shows whenever they arrived in town. This show is inspired by the simple fun and humour of those days. Of course, times have changed, and we shudder at some of the original exhibits, but they still manage to pack in plenty of quirky humour and a few animal antics. With a very loose connection to the Harry Redford story, this show will give you a-laugh-a-minute outback style! Enjoy a billy-can lunch while you watch the Old Time Tent Show.

After experiencing some of the best Longreach (and Queensland) has to offer, we now depart for our final leg back to Brisbane, wrapping up this ‘true-blue’ Queensland experience. Covering more than 5,000km in just 13 days from the comfort of our King Air, this is certainly the best way to travel such long distances.