This tour has 2 itineraries depending on whether you take the air leg (Cairns - Horn Island) first, or as the homeward sector.

2012 Departures

Drive/Fly (CY07DFA): Departs from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas • May 26 • June 9, 23 • July 7, 21 • August 4, 18 • September 1, 15, 29 • October 13

Fly/Drive (CY07FDA): Departs from Cairns Domestic Airport • June 1, 15, 29 • July 13, 27 • August 10, 24 • September 7, 21 • October 5, 19

The Cape York "Frontier" is a 7 day fly/drive accommodated safari that explores one of Australia's last great wilderness regions - a land of history and ancient culture, crystal clear spring-fed creeks, huge termite mounds, and a vast and amazing variety of natural landscapes. Highlights • World Heritage Daintree Rainforest • Cape Tribulation • Bloomfield Track (weather permitting) • Black Mountain and Lion’s Den Hotel • Guided Tour of Historic Cooktown • Guided Tour of "Quinkan" Aboriginal Rock Art • Lakefield National Park • Musgrave, Coen and Archer River • Wenlock River and Moreton • The "Telegraph Track" • Fruit Bat Falls • Lockerbie Scrub • Historic Somerset • The Top of Australia - CAPE YORK! • Thursday Island (Island Tour included) • Great Barrier Reef flight to/from Cairns Itinerary 4WD Up And Fly Back To Cairns (Drive/Fly) Day 1 - (LD): Your adventure begins travelling along the scenic coastal route to the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics Daintree rainforest. We cross the infamous Daintree River by cable ferry and travel on into the primeval jungle. Here you’ll walk with your guide to experience some of the intriguing plants and animals of this wonderful region. Now the rugged 4WD Bloomfield Track (weather permitting). We travel on gravel roads, cross beautiful rainforest creeks and are afforded the most spectacular views from the steep climbs and descents. We cross the Bloomfield River near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. Lunch is at the quaint Lion's Den Hotel. After lunch we visit eerie Black Mountain on the way to historic Cooktown. Walk where Captain Cook walked and enjoy Grassy Hill’s spectacular views on a tour of Cooktown where we stay tonight. Day 2 - (BLD): This morning travel through the agricultural district of Lakeland on our way to “Quinkan Country” near Laura. Here we climb (suitable footwear and reasonable fitness required) the sandstone escarpment at Split Rock to view ancient Aboriginal rock art, dated in excess of 13,000 years old, depicting traditional activities and culture. Explore Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres). Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife makes for a memorable day before arriving at the century old Telegraph Station and now working cattle station of Musgrave, our overnight stop. Day 3 - (BL): This morning we cross the Great Dividing Range to visit the old gold mining town of Coen. Onward we cross the picturesque Archer River before heading to the west coast of the Peninsula to the bauxite mining town of Weipa, our overnight stop. Dinner is at your own expense this evening. Day 4 - (BLD): An opportunity this morning to learn about this remote mining town. Later we travel via Batavia Downs to the Wenlock River, site of the historic Moreton Telegraph Office. Time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. We overnight at Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.

Day 5 - (BLD): 4WD adventure and fun today on the famous Telegraph Track through Cape York's unique wilderness of gigantic termite mounds, crystal clear creeks, carnivorous pitcher plants and prehistoric cycads. Lunch at picturesque Fruit Bat Falls and a great chance to swim in its pristine spring-fed waters. Across the mighty Jardine River and on to the northern-most settlements on mainland Australia where we stay for two nights.

Day 6 - (BLD) A fascinating visit to the beautiful “Lockerbie Scrub”, an isolated pocket of monsoon rainforest, on our way to historic Somerset on Albany passage where you can ponder the past, our explorers, pioneers and the Cape’s traditional owners. Now, an emotional walk to the very top of Australia – CAPE YORK!

Day 7 - (B): We say farewell this morning as you board your boat to cruise to Thursday Island, capital of the Torres Strait Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the island (included). After lunch (own expense today) transfer by ferry to Horn Island to board your aircraft to fly over The Great Barrier Reef to Cairns ending your fascinating safari of adventure and discovery in Australia’s far north. The safari terminates at Cairns airport.

Fly Up And 4WD Back To Cairns (Fly/Drive)
Day 1 - (D): This morning make your own way to Cairns Domestic Airport to meet your Wilderness Challenge representative. Your adventure begins when you board your aircraft to fly over the Great Barrier Reef to Horn Island. Transfer by ferry to Thursday Island, capital of the Torres Strait Islands. Time now to enjoy a guided tour of the island (included). After lunch (own expense today) transfer by ferry to the northern-most settlements of mainland Australia where we stay for two nights.

Day 2 - (BLD): A fascinating visit to the beautiful “Lockerbie Scrub”, an isolated pocket of monsoon rainforest, on our way to historic Somerset on Albany passage where you can ponder the past, our explorers, pioneers and the Cape’s traditional owners. Now, an emotional walk to the very top of Australia – Cape York.

Day 3 - (BLD): Across the mighty Jardine River we travel through Cape York's unique wilderness of gigantic termite mounds, crystal clear creeks, carnivorous pitcher plants and prehistoric cycads. Visit picturesque Fruit Bat Falls, a great chance to swim it its pristine spring-fed waters. Continue on to the Wenlock River where we overnight in Moreton’s delightful permanent tent safari camp.

Day 4 - (BL): This morning time for exploring, bushwalking, birdwatching or simply relaxing. Later we travel through Batavia Downs as we head for the west coast of the Peninsula and Weipa, our overnight stop. An opportunity to learn about this bauxite mining town this afternoon. Dinner is your own expense this evening.

Day 5 - (BLD): Meet some locals at classic outposts today. Cross the picturesque Archer River on the way to the old gold mining town of Coen. Later we arrive at Musgrave, the century old Telegraph Station and now working cattle station, our overnight stop.

Day 6 - (BLD): Explore Lakefield National Park, Queensland’s second largest at 537,000 hectares (1.25 million acres). Waterlily covered billabongs, wildlife and a great variety of birdlife makes for a memorable morning. We then enter “Quinkan Country” near Laura. Here we climb (suitable footwear and reasonable fitness required) the sandstone escarpment at Split Rock to view ancient Aboriginal rock art, dated in excess of 13,000 years old, depicting traditional activities and culture. Travel through the agricultural district of Lakeland on our way to Cooktown, our overnight stop.

Day 7 - (BL): Walk where Captain Cook walked and enjoy the spectacular views from atop Grassy Hill on a tour of Cooktown. Leaving Cooktown we visit the quaint Lion's Den Hotel for lunch before crossing the Bloomfield River near the Aboriginal community of Wujal Wujal. 4WD action on the rugged Bloomfield Track (weather permitting). We travel on gravel roads, cross beautiful rainforest creeks and are afforded the most spectacular views from the steep climbs and descents travelling on into the primeval jungle. Here you’ll walk with your guide to experience some of the intriguing plants and animals of this wonderful region. Further south we cross the Daintree River on a cable ferry. Now we return to Port Douglas and Cairns ending your fascinating safari of adventure and discovery in Australia’s far north.

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Pick-up and Drop-off Details
Drive / Fly Itinerary
Departs: Hotels in Cairns / Beaches / Port Douglas from 7:00am
Returns: Cairns Qantas Domestic Airport at approximately 5:30pm - flight times to be confirmed. The safari terminates at the airport.

Fly / Drive Itinerary
Departs: Cairns Qantas Domestic Airport at approximately 8:00am - flight times to be confirmed. Guests are to make their own way to the airport by 7:00am and meet near the check-in counters. A Wilderness Challenge representative will be at the airport to distribute luggage tags, a Thursday Island Information Pack and assist with a group check-in.
Returns: Hotels in Port Douglas / Beaches / Cairns from approximately 5:00pm

Inclusions And Exclusions
Inclusions: 6 nights accommodation, meals as coded, cruise to or from Thursday Island, tour of Thursday Island, flight between Cairns and Horn Island
Exclusions: All soft and alcohol drinks, optional tours, items of a personal nature

Notes
• This tour operates with a minimum of 4 passengers and a maximum of 13 passengers.
• A fuel levy of $20.00 per person is payable on board.
• Tour is not suitable for children under 7 years of age.

Note: Due to limited accommodation in remote areas of northern Australia we may have to use alternative accommodation of a similar standard from time to time.

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