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Hailing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Kennedy joined the Surveyor-General’s Department in Sydney 1840 and was despatched to Queensland on numerous expeditions to explore and open-up the region. Tragically, he met his death at the hands of hostile natives while attempting to establish a route to the tip of the Cape York Peninsula. He was just 30.
Depart your home port this morning to arrive in Cairns by 1pm. You will be greeted at the airport by our friendly and professional Tour Driectors before being taken on a leisurely and informative tour of Cairns. Later this afternoon we check-in to the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel located on the Esplanade. This evening enjoy a sumptuous welcome dinner at the hotel.
Depart Cairns this morning and enjoy one of Australia’s most scenic drives along the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas. After a brief tour we continue through Mossman and on to the Daintree River for our 1 hour river cruise with an expert guide. After our cruise we visit the Daintree rainforest, the oldest surviving rainforest on earth. World Heritage Listed in 1988 it is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. Enjoy a private tour with expert guides at Cooper Creek Wilderness Tours, which includes a visit to a magnificent fan palm gallery.
Continuing north this afternoon we arrive at Cape Tribulation, a headland named by Lieutenant James Cook after his ship hit the reef back in 1770. We spend the night at the Ferntree Rainforest Lodge.
This morning we depart Cape Tribulation and begin our journey along the Bloomfield Track. This road is completely impassable in the wet season and should only be tackled by 4WD vehicles. There are numerous steep climbs through the rainforest and several creek crossings to negotiate. Sit back and enjoy the adventure as your experienced Tour Driver does the hard work! Once across the Bloomfield River we take a look at the Bloomfield Falls with a local guide from Wujal Wujal community. We then continue on to the Lion’s Den Hotel, one of QLD’s oldest operating bush pubs. Enjoy lunch before departing for Cooktown, arriving early afternoon.
Cooktown is the place where Captain James Cook beached the Endeavour in 1770 after striking the Great Barrier Reef. Later Cooktown became a ‘boom town’ after the discovery of gold. This afternoon we visit the James Cook Museum, the Botanic Gardens and the historic cemetery with its Chinese Shrine and Grassy Hill lookout. We check-in to the 4-star Sovereign Resort later this afternoon for our overnight stay.
This morning we depart Cooktown along the Battle Camp Road. Enjoy a visit to the Old Laura Homestead before continuing on to Laura. Known as ‘Quinkan Country’ this area is famous for its rock art. It contains a large and dramatic body of prehistoric rock paintings identified as being at least 15,000 years old. These rock art sites have been included on the Australian Heritage Estate and listed by UNESCO as being among the top 10 rock art sites in the world. This morning we head out to some Quinkan Rock art galleries with an Indigenous guide. We return to Laura for lunch and a visit to the Quinkan Cultural Centre before entering the second largest National Park in Queensland, Lakefield National Park. Travel through grassy plains, woodlands and swamps, and tackle several creek crossings. We arrive at Lotus Bird Lodge late afternoon and spend the next 2 nights in spacious timber cabins with ensuite bathroom facilities, set around a tranquil billabong.
Today enjoy a leisurely morning followed by a tour back into Lakefield National Park. Pass through grassy savannah plains dotted with magnetic termite mounds before visiting Marina Plains.
We return to the lodge for lunch. The afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Enjoy a wander around the billabong or perhaps try some bird watching. Either way you will appreciate some free time in this tranquil location.
Today we farewell Lotus Bird Lodge and make our way north along the Peninsula Development Road. Pass through Coen before arriving at Archer River roadhouse for lunch. We continue on to Weipa this afternoon, arriving at approximately 4.00pm to check-in to the Albatross Bay Resort.
This morning we take a guided tour of the largest bauxite mine in the world, operated by Rio Tinto. You’ll also have some free time in the town centre before we head off to Moreton Telegraph Repeater Station. We pass by Batavia Downs before heading north again along the Telegraph Track, arriving at Moreton mid-afternoon. Situated on the banks of the Wenlock River, the Moreton Telegraph Station served as a repeater station for the Overland Telegraph Line, dating back to 1883. Today it serves as a stopover point for travellers heading up and down Cape York.
Tonight enjoy dinner and a yarn around the campfire before spending the night in our new ensuite cabins (owned by Outback Spirit). These spacious cabins feature a verandah, air-conditioning and quality bedding.
For 2013 Outback Spirit has released 2 new attractions on Cape York Peninsula; a cruise on the wild Wenlock River and a guided 4x4 rainforest tour aboard unique 7 seat ranger vehicles. These attractions are exclusive to Outback Spirit and are a real highlight of your adventure.
First up for the day is our sensational Wenlock River cruise. The Wenlock is classified as a ‘wild river’ and is completely untouched and unregulated. It boasts the largest number of fish species of any river in Australia (A big call – but it’s true). It’s also home to a few salt water crocodiles, but not many tend to make their way this far up the river. The mouth of the river on the Cape’s west coast, on the other hand, is home to the largest colony of breeding estuarine crocodiles in Australia.
The cruise operates for about 2 hours aboard a brand new vessel that has been purpose built for the job. It’s operated by an experienced guide and naturalist from whom you’ll learn the intricacies of the river system and the environment of Cape York Peninsula.
After lunch back at the telegraph station, we enjoy our second activity for the day – a guided rainforest adventure aboard unique 6 seat 4x4 ranger vehicles. Sit back and enjoy a tour of the surrounding country from these open top 4x4 vehicles!
We return to the telegraph station late afternoon for our second and final night at Moreton Telegraph station
Today our adventure brings us to some of the most scenic and interesting sections of the Telegraph Track. The track came into existence after the building of the Overland Telegraph Line in the 1880’s. The last Morse telegram code was sent from Brisbane to Thursday Island on the 24th June 1964, yet the line remained in use until 1987 as the local telephone line. There is still the odd telegraph pole standing today.
The Telegraph Track passes through some wild and rugged countryside. There are numerous creek crossings, dense pockets of tropical forest and spectacular waterways along the way. However, there are some sections of the Telegraph Track that are simply impassable and unsafe. We therefore utilise sections of the northern and southern bypass roads to avoid the unsafe sections.
This afternoon we stop off at Fruit Bat Falls for a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water. We later pass over the Jardine River by vehicular ferry and enter into the Jardine River National Park. We continue heading north to arrive in Bamaga late afternoon and spend the next 2 nights at the 4 star Resort Bamaga.
This morning we venture to the most Northerly point on the Australian mainland, a Cape traveller’s ultimate destination. The tip can be reached only on foot using a walking track that commences at Pajinka. The walk is well worth it as the scenery at the ‘Tip’ is quite dramatic. If road conditions permit we will venture into Somerset, a place rich in history being once the home of Frank Jardine and the official Government residence on the Cape protected once by British marines. We return to Bamaga later in the afternoon after having a tour around the local area.
This morning we head for Seisia, the departure point for Thursday Island. Situated 35km northwest of the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Thursday Island has a population of around 3000 people. Our Captain gives an informative talk about the Torres Strait Islands and the history of the area on our ferry trip across Endeavour Strait. You’ll also see Possession Island in the distance, where Lieutenant Cook claimed possession of the whole of the East Coast of Australia.
Upon our arrival onto Thursday Island we enjoy a guided island tour, followed by lunch. We check in to the centrally located Jardine Resort early this afternoon. The remainder of the day can be spent at your leisure.
This morning we catch a ferry across to Horn Island and enjoy a tour of this once prominent WWII air base. After some lunch we visit the Torres Strait Heritage Museum that has enormous detail on the area’s involvement in WWII. We then board our QANTAS flight back to Cairns and check-in to the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel for our final evening together.
After breakfast enjoy the morning at your leisure. You will then be transferred to the airport for your return flights home. Bon Voyage!
EXCLUSIVE to Outback Spirit - 2 nights stay!
Lotus Bird Lodge is situated near Lakefield National Park, about half way up Cape York Peninsula. It features 10 individual pole style cabins set amongst shady eucalypt trees along the bank of a large horseshoe shaped billabong. Each cabin has its own private verandah overlooking the billabong and is comfortably furnished. All cabins feature ensuite bathroom facilities.
Outback Spirit's accommodation is the only modern tourist accommodation in the area. Moreton Telegraph Station lies on the banks of the picturesque Wenlock River.
NEW FOR 2013
Cruise the Wenlock River 
Our Cape York Wilderness Tour now features a cruise on the Wenlock River! Outback Spirit has had its own punt made for the river, which is able to carry 12 passengers at a time along with an expert local guide who'll share their knowledge of the river and its ecosystem. It's another real highlight of your adventure up the Cape.
The Wenlock River is one of Cape York Peninsula's major rivers. It rises in the Great Dividing Range, flows north-west through tropical savannah plains and wetlands then enters the Gulf of Carpentaria on the western side of the peninsula. Incredibly, the river contains the highest diversity of freshwater fish of all Australian rivers, with 48 species. Much of the river is bordered by gallery rainforests which provides habitat for animals such as the White-tailed Rat, Spotted Cuscus and Palm Cockatoo.
Guided 4WD Buggy Tour! 
In addition to our new river cruise, we have also had TWO 4WD expedition buggies made for a tour around the Moreton Telegraph Station. With expert commentary from your local Moreton guide, you'll discover all there is to know about the ecology and history of the area. The buggies carry 7 passengers at a time and feature seat belts, clear PA system and comfortable seating. Their size allows us to traverse the light little tracks around the station where you simply cannot take larger vehicles.
Famous for its rock art, Quinkan Country contains a large and dramatic body of prehistoric rock paintings. These galleries have been identified as being at least 15,000 years old and have been included on the Australian Heritage Estate and listed by UNESCO as being among the top 10 rock art sites in the world. People from all around the world come to visit this remote location to view the rock art and gain some understanding of the Aboriginal stories associated with this magnificent sandstone landscape.
Cooper Creek Wilderness is situated directly below Thornton Peak, the epicentre of refugial significance in the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Hidden from mass tourism, Cooper Creek Wilderness operate tours through one of the most stunning and significant areas of the Daintree.
*Book by 30th June, 2013. Conditions apply.
Save hundreds of dollars off your tour fare with our Smart Savings. Maximum saving is $625 per person
Save $125pp for each previous tour taken with Outback Spirit in the last 5 years
Save $100pp for groups of 4-7 passengers. Please enquire for larger groups
*All passengers must book at the same time to receive this saving
Triple share and save $150pp
| Accommodation Type | |
|---|---|
| Bed & Breakfast (Twin/Double) | $272.00 |
| Room Only | $240.00 |
| Bed & Breakfast (Single) | $256.00 |
Visit the village in the rainforest using the award winning Kauranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway. The Skyrail Gondola ride is a spectacular journey along the top of the pristine rainforest. Enjoy the scenic rail journey back to Cairns. Cost: From $120 per person.
Set sail aboard modern and spacious catamarans out to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Enjoy a full day to explore the reef sand island, Michaelmas Cay and it's surrounding underwater wonderland. Includes lunch and use of snorkelling equipment. Diving options available. Cost: From $207 per person.
“We would like to pass on to you our thanks for an excellent trip. This is our second trip with you. The itinerary for these trips had been well researched and we felt gave excellent coverage of both areas of outback Australia. The vehicles were comfortable, clean, well maintained and well suited to the terrain through which we travelled. Your office staff have always been most helpful and polite and obviously all the ‘behind the scenes’ work is well managed and organised, providing an excellent product. Of course this would all fall apart if it were not for your excellent tour leaders/drivers. They work extremely hard, long hours, are always patient and helpful, cope with unexpected difficulties, manage a range of personalities with a smile and positive approach. These leaders work extremely hard to acquire and develop their knowledge of the areas in which they work and show a passion for what they are doing. As travellers we could not have been better looked after, both through the organisation of the Tours and the dedicated leadership and care of the personnel on the ground. We look forward to being able to travel with you again sometime in the future.”
“Where do I begin to tell you what a great trip I had. We are so lucky to live in this amazing country. The tour leader/driver/tea maker/peace maker/joke maker/lovely boy – John Woods – was wonderful, took care of me & encouraged & helped me to go to places I didn’t think I could manage. The accommodation was exceptional. The food was excellent – far too excellent! The coach was… roomy, comfortable, lots of exciting roads & river crossing’s. I learned about things I knew nothing about – Weipa Mines, Horn Island, Cooper Creek Wilderness Tour, The Gouldian finches at Lotus Bird Lodge. And I stood at the top! Thank you for a brilliant holiday.”
“Your company deserves congratulations…and the positive word we are sharing with friends about our experience. Everything was as good as possible for the destination. Deserving special mention is Rick, our driver and ‘host’. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the route, his easy interaction with people he regularly encountered along the way. His generous nature and unlimited patience, punctuality and excellent organisation made being ‘on his team’ a pleasure and much fun. His driving skill was exemplary and we felt totally safe at all times, despite the challenges of the terrain.”
“We feel your company does a wonderful job of organising these trips and would not hesitate to travel with you again and recommend you to others.”
“This wonderful tour far exceeded our expectations. It was great to be able to go to so many remote locations and to have such capable knowledgeable and hard working crew to look after us. We felt we were in very good hands and learnt so much about the history, fauna and flora of the area. The professional and friendly manner of both members of the tram made the trip an exceptional one. The indigenous guides used on two occasions were informative and helped us to understand more about their life and culture. Thank you Outback Spirit for the locations and quality accommodation and food in all areas. We look forward to travelling with you again.”
“The trip was well worth it & I congratulate Outback Spirit for their attention to detail & professional service. I have recommended you to my friends. Thanks for a wonderful holiday.”
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank Outback Spirit for a wonderful trip. Robin is an excellent driver/tour leader with a comprehensive knowledge of the Cape. Isabelle was equally excellent as a hostess with her management ability and they both have exceptional people skills. Everything went exactly to plan and was far above our expectations. They are a credit to themselves and the Company. We would certainly hope that we can travel with your Company again.”
“We wish to express our thanks and appreciation to Outback Spirit, your staff, for what was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable trip. It was everything Outback Spirit said it would be, and indeed, much more. From the moment we arrived and were met at Cairns Airport, throughout the tour itself, to the time of departure, every aspect of the trip was obviously carefully planned, explained and completed without any fuss whatsoever. It all adds up to a professional, comprehensive and customer-focused tour. Little wonder it is so well patronized. Thanks for a truly remarkable experience. We look forward to a further trip we have booked with Outback Spirit in the near future.”
“We found your tour to be a fabulous experience. The professionalism and experience of the staff was outstanding. They made everyone feel comfortable and relaxed from day one. They explained everything as we went along, provided commentary on the towns and history, particularly of early explorers and generally went out of their way to provide that ‘little extra’. Food: Was excellent, particularly at Lotus Bird Lodge. Itinerary: Was good. It covered everything as advertised in the brochures and more. Accommodation: All were excellent standard. Good beds and locations of hotels, etc. Tours: The associated tours and local guides were also first rate. We enjoyed our trip immensely.”
“I would like to let you know how much my wife and myself enjoyed the tour, it was fantastic and we have not stopped telling friends and family of the great experience and adventure that we have with Outback Spirit. We would especially like to convey our sincere thanks to Outback Spirit for providing a bottle of champagne on the day we reached the tip of Australia which was our 42nd Wedding Anniversary. It was our privilege to travel with your company.”
“We are writing to you to express our thanks and appreciation for a wonderful tour we experiences with Outback Spirit. As for the content of the Tour, it was wonderful. We saw so much, learnt so much, and all in a spirit of camaraderie. The route was amazing, and what we were hoping to see. We found all the accommodation to be good and the meals exceptional. All in all, we have nothing but praise for your Company. From the time we made our first enquiry to your follow-up letter after our tour, your service has been exemplary. We have not stopped advocating to others to at lest enquire about your tours, and join one if they can. If the opportunity comes again, we would not hesitate to go and explore some more of our great country with you. Thank you and your team for such a wonderful experience. We wish you continued success in your chosen field, showing our great country to all us lucky people.”
Have you travelled with Outback Spirit before? We'd love to hear from you.
Save hundreds of dollars off your tour fare with our Smart Savings. Maximum saving is $625 per person
Save $125pp for each previous tour taken with Outback Spirit in the last 5 years
Save $100pp for groups of 4-7 passengers. Please enquire for larger groups
*All passengers must book at the same time to receive this saving
Triple share and save $150pp
*Book by 30th June, 2013. Conditions apply.
