Cairns to Cape York 9 Day Tour
Travel from Cairns to Cape York with two options: Drive then Fly or Fly then Drive. Visit Daintree Rainforest, Cooktown, Lockhart River, Weipa and the Tip of Australia with a small group and local guide.
The Cairns to Cape York 9 Day Tour – Drive then Fly or Fly then Drive tour takes you from Cairns to the Tip of Australia and back, with the choice to start by road and return by air, or fly north first and drive back.
Travel in a small group of up to six guests in a modern 4WD with a local guide. Visit Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown, Coen, Iron Range National Park, Lockhart River, Weipa and Cape York. Cross the Torres Strait to Thursday Island, visit Horn Island and include a flight between Horn Island and Cairns.
Both options include the same destinations, inclusions and experiences. The journey simply runs in reverse depending on your chosen direction.
Features
- Knowledgeable local tour guide
- Small group touring, maximum six guests
- Modern 4WD vehicle
- 8 breakfasts
- 9 lunches
- 8 dinners and snacks
- 8 nights hotel or motel accommodation with ensuite where specified
- Pick up and return to Cairns accommodation
- Flight between Horn Island and Cairns with QANTAS
- All National Park entry fees
- All ferries and barges including Jardine River crossing
- Daintree River cruise
- Sunset cruise on the Embley River in Weipa
- Thursday Island cruise and guided tour
- Horn Island tour
- Attractions as listed in the itinerary
Destinations Visited
Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge
Walk through rainforest at Mossman Gorge and explore the Daintree National Park. Cruise along the Daintree River and look for crocodiles and birdlife. Travel through Cape Tribulation and along the Bloomfield Track.
Cooktown
Visit the Cooktown Museum, Grassy Hill Lookout, the Botanic Gardens and Nature’s Powerhouse. Travel via Battle Camp and Lakefield National Park.
Coen and Lakefield National Park
Travel through river crossings, wetlands and open country. Visit Old Laura Homestead and see large termite mounds across the landscape.
Iron Range National Park and Lockhart River
Explore Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, including the Tozer Range and coastal areas near Lloyd Bay. Learn about the Kuuku Ya’u Traditional Owners and visit Lockhart River community.
Weipa and the Gulf of Carpentaria
Travel to Weipa on the west coast. Join a sunset cruise on the Embley River and learn about the town’s mining and cattle industries.
Batavia Downs and Morton Telegraph Station
Travel through Batavia Downs Station and visit the historic Morton Telegraph Station along the Old Telegraph Track.
Cape York and Somerset
Visit Somerset historic site and walk to the Tip of Australia. Cross the Jardine River by ferry and spend time along the Torres Strait coastline.
Thursday Island and Horn Island
Cruise across the Torres Strait to Thursday Island for a guided tour. Visit Horn Island before flying between Horn Island and Cairns.
Itinerary Summary Option 1 | Drive then Fly
Day 1 to Day 8
Travel by 4WD from Cairns north through Daintree Rainforest, Cooktown, Coen, Lockhart River and Weipa before reaching Cape York and the Tip of Australia. Visit all destinations listed above in this order, with guided walks, river cruises, cultural visits and national park experiences along the way.
Day 9
Cruise from Cape York to Thursday Island for a guided tour. Continue to Horn Island for a short tour before flying from Horn Island to Cairns. Transfer to your Cairns accommodation on arrival.
Itinerary Summary Option 2 | Fly then Drive
Day 1
Fly from Cairns to Horn Island. Transfer to Thursday Island for a guided tour, then travel to Seisia near Cape York for your stay.
Day 2 to Day 9
Travel by 4WD south from Cape York through Weipa, Lockhart River, Coen and Cooktown before returning to Cairns via Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Visit all destinations listed above in reverse order, including cruises, guided walks and cultural experiences. Return to Cairns by road on the final afternoon.
Meeting Point & Times
- Pick up from Cairns CBD accommodation
- Airport departure from Cairns Airport for Fly then Drive option
- Daily departures, subject to availability
- Tour duration 9 days
- Return to Cairns approximately 5:00pm to 5:30pm on Day 9
- Horn Island to Cairns flight included on Drive then Fly option
What To Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat and sunscreen
- Swimwear and towel
- Insect repellent
- Light jacket for evenings
- Personal toiletries
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera
Additional Information
Not suitable for infants.
Moderate level of fitness required for short walks including the walk to the Tip of Australia.
Limited to a maximum of six guests.
Luggage restrictions apply due to vehicle space and flight requirements
Limited Departures
This tour has limited departures, operating around 14 times per year. If you do not see availability for the next month, please check the following months using the booking calendar to find the next available departure date.
We recommend booking early as places are limited to a maximum of six guests per tour.
Instant Booking & Mobile-Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure the Cairns to Cape York 9 Day Tour – Drive then Fly or Fly then Drive.
Full Itinerary Information for both options
Itinerary Option 1 |Drive then Fly
Day 1 | Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Depart Cairns and travel north along the Great Barrier Reef Drive toward Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park. Take a guided walk through the rainforest and along the Mossman River, with time for a swim if conditions allow. Continue to the Daintree River for a one hour wildlife cruise where crocodiles and birdlife are often seen. Cross the Daintree River by ferry and travel to Cape Tribulation through the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. Overnight in the Daintree Rainforest.
Day 2 | Cape Tribulation to Cooktown
Travel north along the Bloomfield Track in 4WD, stopping at Bloomfield Falls and coastal lookouts along the way. Pass through Cedar Bay National Park and stop at the Lions Den Hotel. Visit Black Mountain near Cooktown before arriving in the historic town of Cooktown. Spend time at the Cooktown Museum and explore the waterfront area. Overnight in Cooktown.
Day 3 | Cooktown to Coen
Start the day at Grassy Hill Lookout, the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Nature’s Powerhouse. Travel west via Battle Camp Road into Lakefield National Park. Visit Old Laura Homestead and view wetlands, river systems and large termite mounds across the plains. Continue north through remote Cape York landscapes to Coen for the night.
Day 4 | Coen to Lockhart River
Travel east across the Sir William Thompson Range and cross the Pascoe River before entering Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park. View Mount Tozer and travel through lowland rainforest toward the coastal community of Lockhart River at Lloyd Bay. Learn about the local Aboriginal community and the surrounding national park. Overnight in Lockhart River.
Day 5 | Lockhart River and Iron Range National Park
Spend the day exploring Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park. Visit rainforest areas, coastal headlands and beaches along the Tozer Range. Learn about the Kuuku Ya’u Traditional Owners and the cultural importance of the area. Look for wildlife species found only in this region of Australia. Return to Lockhart River for a second night.
Day 6 | Lockhart River to Weipa
Leave the east coast and travel inland through Cape York savannah country. Continue west toward the Gulf of Carpentaria and the town of Weipa. In the afternoon join a sunset cruise on the Embley River. Look for crocodiles and birdlife while learning about the local environment and Weipa’s mining history. Overnight in Weipa.
Day 7 | Weipa to Cape York
Travel north through Batavia Downs Station and visit the historic Morton Telegraph Station along the Old Telegraph Track. Stop at Fruit Bat Falls and Elliot Falls if conditions permit. Cross the Jardine River by ferry and continue to Seisia near Cape York. Settle into accommodation for a two night stay.
Day 8 | Cape York and the Tip of Australia
Visit the historic site of Somerset, once a government outpost established by the Jardine family. Spend time along beaches facing the Torres Strait. Walk to the Tip of Australia, the northernmost point of the Australian mainland. The walk takes around 30 minutes each way over rocky terrain. Return to Seisia for the evening.
Day 9 | Cape York to Thursday Island and Cairns
Travel by boat across the Torres Strait to Thursday Island. Take a guided tour of the island and learn about its role in Torres Strait history and culture. Continue by ferry to Horn Island for a short tour before transferring to Horn Island Airport. Fly from Horn Island to Cairns, arriving late afternoon. Transfer to your Cairns accommodation.
Itinerary Option 2 | Fly then Drive
Day 1 | Cairns to Horn Island and Thursday Island
Transfer to Cairns Airport for your flight to Horn Island. On arrival, transfer to the marina and travel by boat to Thursday Island. Join a guided tour and learn about the island’s history and Torres Strait culture. Travel by ferry to Seisia on the mainland near Cape York. Settle into accommodation for a two night stay.
Day 2 | Cape York and the Tip of Australia
Visit Somerset historic site and surrounding beaches along the Torres Strait. Travel to the Tip of Australia and complete the walk to the northernmost point of the mainland. Spend time taking in views across the Torres Strait before returning to Seisia.
Day 3 | Cape York to Weipa
Cross the Jardine River by ferry and travel south past Fruit Bat Falls. Continue through Jardine National Park and over the Great Dividing Range. Arrive in Weipa on the Gulf of Carpentaria. In the afternoon join a sunset cruise on the Embley River to look for crocodiles and birdlife. Overnight in Weipa.
Day 4 | Weipa to Lockhart River
Travel east across Cape York Peninsula through savannah country and into Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park. Cross the Pascoe River and view Mount Tozer before arriving at Lockhart River on Lloyd Bay. Learn about the local Aboriginal community and the national park environment. Overnight in Lockhart River.
Day 5 | Lockhart River and Iron Range National Park
Spend the day exploring Kutini-Payamu National Park. Visit rainforest areas, beaches and headlands along the Tozer Range. Learn about the Kuuku Ya’u Traditional Owners and the ecological importance of the region. Return to Lockhart River for the night.
Day 6 | Lockhart River to Coen
Travel south along sections of the Old Telegraph Track and cross the Archer River. Continue through remote Cape York landscapes to the township of Coen. Overnight in Coen.
Day 7 | Coen to Cooktown
Travel through Lakefield National Park, visiting wetlands such as Red and White Lily Lagoons. Stop at Old Laura Homestead and travel via Battle Camp Road to Cooktown. Spend the afternoon in Cooktown and visit the Cooktown Museum. Overnight in Cooktown.
Day 8 | Cooktown to Cape Tribulation
Travel south along the Bloomfield Track in 4WD, stopping at Bloomfield Falls, Black Mountain and coastal viewpoints. Continue through the Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation. Overnight in the Daintree Rainforest.
Day 9 | Cape Tribulation to Cairns
Travel through the Daintree Rainforest and join a one hour Daintree River cruise to look for crocodiles and birdlife. Continue south via Mossman Gorge for a guided rainforest walk. Return to Cairns along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, arriving late afternoon.
Meeting Point and Times: Pickup from accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches between 6:45am - 7:45am on Day 1. Drop-off to accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches on Day 9 in the early evening. Check with the operator for specific pickup times.
