8 Day Cape York By Air
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
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.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
✓ Incredible sightseeing, uncover the wonders of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, drive along the 4WD-only Bloomfield Track & Telegraph Track, visit the infamous Lions Den Hotel, travel to 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 plunge at the inviting waters of Fruit Bat Falls.
✓ 2 day fully escorted small group tour of Daintree Rainforest & overnight stay in Cooktown
✓ 3 nights at a 4-star property in Cairns
✓ 3 nights in comfortable en suite accommodation in Cape York
✓ Domestic airfares from Cairns to Bamaga return
✓ 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners
✓ For 2021 itinerary, dates & prices click here
✓ 7 Days cooling off period. See under Fine Print for more information
✓ Only $99 deposit per person
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. Cairns airport is located within 10' from your accommodation. A taxi ride generally costs between $20 and $30 and the airport shuttle approximately $16 per person.
Check-in: 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.
Enjoy a scenic flight over the same waters that Captain Cook sailed through in 1770. Marvel at the views of the Coral sea, catch glimpses of the Great Barrier Reef, rugged coastline, World Heritage rainforest and mountains.
Cooktown: Our driver/guide will meet you at Cooktown’s airport then our first stop is Grassy Hill. From here Captain Cook surveyed his route through the Great Barrier Reef. We then make our way to the quaint township of Cooktown for a guided walk of the esplanade and its many points of interest, before some free time.
The Heritage listed Cooktown Cemetery is next, then visit the James Cook Museum for a guided tour and see an original anchor and cannon from Cook’s HMB Endeavour amongst many other interesting exhibits. Established in 1878, the Cooktown Botanic Gardens are one of Queensland’s oldest regional botanic gardens. A driver/guided walk shows many of the same plants collected by botanists, Sir Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, as well as plants traditionally used by the local Aboriginal people. Relax at Nature’s Powerhouse café, Art Gallery and Visitor Information Centre.
Outback: Travelling the Mulligan Highway, we stop briefly at Black Mountain, Byerstown Range Lookout & the Palmer River Roadhouse. The outback landscape is dotted with termite mounds and many different eucalypt species. Keep an eye out for livestock that graze along the roadside before we return you to your accommodation.
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cairns.
Make your way to Cairns airport on time for your flight to Bamaga. Upon arrival to 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.
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 on a detour to see the crash site of a DC3 airplane from WWII. Afterwards, 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 way own way to your Cairns accommodation for the final night of this adventure. Cairns airport is located within 10' from your accommodation. A taxi ride generally costs between $20 and $30 and the airport shuttle approximately $16 per person.
Unfortunately all good things come to an end too. Farewell Cairns today as you make your own way to the airport for your onward flight or to continue the next part of your journey.
For 2021 itinerary, dates and prices please click here
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognised and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated with 100% Australian Customer Service support
We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated, with our head office located in Melbourne, Victoria. When you make your booking, you will receive dedicated and ongoing support from our team of travel professionals throughout your booking, up until you are due to depart.
Flexible Date Change Option
Book now, change later with our Flexible Date Change option. You may select this $99pp option at time of purchase, giving travellers the flexibility to change your date without penalty (subject to availability, less third party costs incurred, plus any applicable surcharges for the new date selected).
Date change must be requested prior to 65 days before your original selected departure date*. Once inside 65 days of departure, date changes are not permitted.
*some packages may have a varied period in which you can request a date change due to limitations with the third-party provider.
Please refer to our 'Book with Confidence' section for terms and conditions.
The Flexible Date Change option does not cover cost incurred for components not fulfilled by Inspiring Vacations or in the event extra services have been booked with Inspiring Vacations outside of the standard package, including but not limited to airfares, pre/post accommodation or insurance.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling off period.
Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7 day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply. Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request:
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
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 “3”.
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
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, however any changes are beyond our control.
Cape York to Bamaga scenic flight weight reistrictions
All guests must declare their weight at the time of booking. We cannot carry guests over 120kg. Guests will be weighed at the airport and if you are over your declared weight you may be refused boarding and no refund will be issued.
Single Supplement
A single supplement is available in this package when two other travellers are confirmed on your departure date. Price starts from AUD $1735. Please advise you wish to request a single supplement under the "Special Request" section of your booking form and we will contact you to confirm if a a single supplement is available. If a single supplement is unavailable on your selected date we will offer you an alternative departure date or refund your deposit.
Triple Share
Available on request.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Maximum 16 travellers
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.
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 - This package is a Partially Escorted style.
To meet the needs of various types of travellers, 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.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre and post tour accommodation
