11 Day Cape York By Air & Fitzroy Island
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
✓ Incredible sightseeing! Uncover the wonders of the Daintree Forest and Cape Tribulation, traverse the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track & Telegraph Track, enjoy lunch at the infamous Lions Den Hotel, visit Grassy Hill for endless views of Cooktown, the Coral Sea and Endeavour River, take a selfie at the northernmost point of Australia and take a dip at the inviting waters of Fruit Bat Falls, spend 4 nights relaxing in tropical paradise on Fitzroy Island
✓ 3 nights at a 4-star property in Cairns
✓ 3 nights in comfortable ensuite accommodation in Cape York
✓ 4 nights at the 4-star Fitzroy Island Resort, steps away from the palm-fringed beach
✓ Return flights from Cairns to Bamaga
✓ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
✓ Return passenger ferry from Cairns to Fitzroy Island
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entry fees, as per itinerary
✓ 7-day cooling-off period. See under Fine Print for more information
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Cairns!
Today you can arrive at any time! Please make your way to your accommodation.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Check in & arrival information
Cairns airport is located within 10kms from your accommodation. An Uber ride costs between $16 and $25 and a taxi ride between $20 and $30. There is also an airport shuttle available which costs approximately $16 per person. Hotel check in is from 3pm. If you arrive prior to this, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Today you will enjoy a full day excursion through the Daintree Rainforest, en route to Cooktown.
The drive will take you through the oldest continously growing rainforest on Earth, to a beautiful lookout over Coopers Creek, over the Emmagen Creek, into the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Community, past the historic Lions Den Hotel, all prior to arrival into Cooktown for lunch.
After lunch, you will embark on a private guided tour of historical Cooktown, including Cooktown Botanic Gardens and the Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery, all whilst being educated on the history of James Cook's landing and founding of the town back in 1770.
This afternoon, you will drive back to Cairns where you will have the evening at your leisure.
Make your way to Cairns airport on time for your flight to Bamaga. Upon arrival at Northern Peninsula Airport you will be collected by staff from Cape York Peninsula Lodge and taken to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.
Note: Check-in time at Cape York Peninsula Lodge is from 2pm. If you arrive on a morning flight, you may leave bags at reception and utilise the resort facilities prior to gaining access to your room.
Departing at 10am in a private 4WD, you will travel north, stopping in at the Croc Tent for an opportunity to purchase some unique Northern Queensland souvenirs, and visit the ruins of the Pajinka Resort. From here, embark on a 20 minute (unpaved) walk to the Tip. After this we will travel to a nearby beach to enjoy a packed lunch. The itinerary for the day is flexible and we will visit the historical crash site of the DC3 airplane just outside town and the ruined homestead at Somerset either on the way to the Tip or on the way back.
Departing at 8am in a private 4WD, you will leave the sealed roads behind as we make our way to the mighty Jardine River (approx. 45 minutes) and sit tight as the 4WD is loaded onto a ferry to cross the water. You will stay in the vehicle for the crossing. After reaching the other side, continue on the 4WD track to Fruit Bat Falls, including turning off to drive a section of the old Telegraph Track. We arrive at Fruit Bat Falls around 10.30am, where the water is inviting and swimming is recommended. Enjoy a gourmet lunch and a swim in the pristine waters, before returning to your accommodation.
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the Northern Peninsula Airport for your return flight to Cairns. Once at Cairns airport, make your own way to your Cairns accommodation for the final night of this adventure.
At the appropriate time today, make your way to the City Side Fitzroy Island office at 2/1 Spence Street to check in for your short ferry ride to Fitzroy Island.
As you approach the island, be awestruck by the crystal clear water, pure white sand and lush rainforest that covers the island. Fitzroy Island is an untouched tropical paradise home to palm-fringed beaches, tropical rainforest and numerous walking trails and lookout points. On arrival at the jetty, it’s a short walk to the reception desk where you will check in for your rejuvenating 4-night stay. Once checked in, prepare to disconnect from the outside world and enjoy 4 days of pure relaxation. At sunset, why not stroll to Foxy’s Bar and toast to the beautiful surroundings.
After breakfast this morning, you may wish to discover the island with one of the many activities on offer at your resort. There are a range of educational talks about the local wildlife and reef restoration projects, water-based activities including kayak and stand-up paddle board hire, glass bottom boat tours and guided snorkeling trips, fishing charters and so much more.
Enjoy another day in paradise today. After breakfast you might like to visit Nudey Beach, dubbed the best beach in Australia. This pristine stretch of white sand is a short 15-minute walk from your resort and offers the perfect place to spend the day.
There is so much to do on Fitzroy Island, including the many walking trails that wind through the tropical rainforest. 97% of the island is National Park and the Secret Garden walk is the perfect choice to immerse yourself in this pristine landscape.
At the appropriate time today, make your way back to the jetty for your ferry to Cairns. Your incredible Cape York and Fitzroy Island adventure comes to an end on arrival in Cairns.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
This product requires full payment upfront to secure your booking.
Once you have created your booking you will be directed to your invoice to choose your preferred payment method.
This is a land only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a “2”.
Leisurely Tour: This itinerary will be conducted at a relaxed pace. You will typically spend several nights at one location which means less time spent packing and unpacking, and more sightseeing. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and handling your own luggage.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can’t guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $1,463.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your own room throughout the entire trip.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with him/her and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), make separate payments and have individual access to our Traveller’s Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Group Size
Minimum 4 to a maximum of 16
When travelling with a group, no matter the size, we ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience.
Bedding requests
We do our best to meet your bedding preference, however, bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only and cannot be guaranteed. All efforts will be made to meet your preference, however, any changes are beyond our control and limited by the hotel facilities and availability.
Tour Styles
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
Who is operating this package
We have partnered with a wide range of third party operators who assist in fulfilling your booking and delivering an enjoyable on-tour experience. Each package will consist of multiple operators meaning both guides and fellow travellers may change day to day. But don't worry, regardless of the operator, you'll be in good hands to experience the most out of each destination.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
19 Feb 2023
The undeniable romance of train travel calls to many travellers, and a trip on board the iconic Ghan captures this charm perfectly. Stylish, well-appointed carriages and first-class service make for the perfect blend of adventure and luxury, creating an unforgettable journey that is on many bucket lists. So, before you...
12 Jun 2022
Sure, West Australians are spoilt for choice when it comes to soft white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and endearing marine life and wildlife. But we promise Rottnest Island—or Rotto, as the locals call it—is a bit special A protected nature reserve, idyllic doesn’t even begin to cover the postcard-perfect beauty of R...
14 Sep 2020
Forget the idea of dusty red earth as far as the eye can see, the Central Australian landscape offers an extraordinary chance to see unique plants and animals Five seasons in one year With very little rainfall each year (just 291 mm on average), it would be easy to assume that semi-arid Central Australia has only one s...
14 Sep 2020
The arrival of Europeans and tourists in Central Australia disrupted tens of thousands of years of Anangu history, but 150 years later, there’s a new appreciation for traditional wisdom For anyone planning to visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for the first time, there’s one thing you need to know about the experienc...
14 Sep 2020
Australia’s Top End, from the capital Darwin, across to Kakadu National Park and down to the Katherine area, is a land of unspoiled natural beauty waiting to be explored Australia’s Northern Territory (NT) is simply enormous. While it may look modest on a map, the NT is almost six times the size of the United Kingdom...
