Cape York & Torres Strait

Your adventure begins with a Welcome Dinner at our tour hotel. 

Please check-in after 2.00pm. 

You will be met by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guides at the Welcome Dinner.  Meet fellow travellers and hear all about the adventures ahead with a comprehensive tour briefing by our team.

Travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Wangetti Beach and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures for an escorted private tour. Watch some of the largest crocodiles being pole-fed, meet koalas, and feed wallabies and kangaroos. Continue to Mossman, beside the World Heritage-listed Daintree River, where we take the ferry across this iconic waterway.

Visit the award-winning Daintree Discovery Centre and enjoy a guided walk along the rainforest boardwalks through the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Travel along the spectacular Bloomfield Track, hugging the dramatic Daintree coastline, before visiting Wujal Wujal, a small coastal Aboriginal community on the banks of the Bloomfield River. 

Uncover Cooktown’s vibrant past today. We’ll explore the Cooktown Cemetery, where you’ll hear the fascinating tale of the fair-skinned ‘Normanby Woman’, discovered living among Indigenous communities during the 1800s. Visit the Cooktown Museum, housed within the stunning 19th-century Sisters of Mercy Convent. Learn about the grounding of the HM Bark Endeavour and the most important land-based stop of Captain James Cook’s East Coast voyage.

Stroll through the heritage-listed Cooktown Botanic Gardens and admire the Vera Scarth-Johnson Collection of original regional botanical artwork. Enjoy some leisure time before a late afternoon tour of Grassy Hill with sweeping 360-degree views across Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef. 

Journey to Lakeland and Laura through the striking Black Mountain Range, a landscape of great cultural significance to the Kuku Yalanji people. Renowned Aboriginal rock art and exceptional locally produced coffee are among the attractions of these charming towns. The highlight is the Quinkan Rock Art Galleries, widely regarded as some of the most important Aboriginal art sites in the world. Enjoy a guided tour of the Split Rock Galleries before travelling along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the Hann River Roadhouse for a short stop, then continue onward to Musgrave Roadhouse. 

We continue north along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the historic mining community of Coen. The town was originally established around a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line to the Tip of Cape York Peninsula. Arriving in time for lunch, we visit the iconic Archer River Roadhouse, set on the banks of the crystal-clear Archer River. Renowned for its legendary Archer Burger, it is best enjoyed with an ice-cold drink under the shaded patio.

Our final destination for the day is Weipa, known as the Barramundi Capital of Queensland. Once an Aboriginal mission settlement, Weipa developed into a thriving township following the discovery of vast bauxite deposits. This afternoon, unwind at your accommodation and take in the sweeping views across beautiful Albatross Bay. 

Discover Weipa’s rich mining heritage on a morning tour of the world’s largest bauxite mine, operated by Rio Tinto. Gain exclusive access to the working mine site, where you’ll see the impressive 190-tonne Belly Dumper haul trucks up close and follow the journey of bauxite along the rail and conveyor system to the loading facilities.

Join an Eco Cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria, offering opportunities to spot native birdlife and crocodiles. Relax with drinks and nibbles while learning about the region’s unique ecosystems and fascinating local history. End the day by witnessing a spectacular sunset over the Gulf, one of the few places in Queensland where the sun sets over the ocean to the west. 

Travel along the Old Telegraph Track to Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River. Part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line, Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887 and ceased operations in 1987 with the introduction of microwave telecommunications.

Spot giant termite mounds as the country changes to the open plains of Heathlands Resources Reserve. Enjoy a refreshing dip at Fruit Bat Falls, known for its crystal-clear, crocodile-free waters and considered one of the highlights of the tour. Cross the Jardine River by cable ferry to Bamaga, the closest township to the Tip of Australia. This evening, relax with dinner overlooking tropical gardens. 

Discover the highlights of Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia’s last great wilderness regions. Travel to Pajinka and take a 45–60-minute walk over a rocky headland to “The Tip” of Cape York, requiring a good level of fitness. Capture your bucket-list photo as you stand at the northernmost point of mainland Australia, then enjoy a picnic lunch on Somerset Beach with stunning views of Albany Island.

Visit the iconic Croc Tent before returning to your accommodation for some free time ahead of dinner. 

Join Island Stars for an entertaining, educational and spiritual showcase of traditional dance, storytelling, songs and music. This unique performance brings together two of the world’s oldest living cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. After the show, enjoy a traditional island lunch before taking some free time to explore Thursday Island. 

This morning, we transfer to Horn Island and join local guides on a tour of the World War II sites. See gun emplacements, an underground command post and an aircraft wreck with an extraordinary story. Learn about the history of the island and walk in the footsteps of the Traditional Owners, the Kaurareg People.

Following the tour, enjoy time to explore the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. Transfer to Horn Island Airport for your QantasLink flight to Cairns. Tonight, we’ll celebrate the end of our adventure with a Farewell Dinner at the Coral Hedge Brasserie Restaurant & Bar. 

After breakfast at Rydges Esplanade Resort, your Cape York & Torres Strait adventure comes to an end. Please make your own arrangements for your connecting flight or rail journey home, or you may wish to extend your stay in Cairns.