Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer

Journey to the tip of Australia and experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

Travel to the tippy top of northern Queensland on an Australian adventure in Far North Queensland. Over 10 days, you’ll learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture during immersive activities with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guides, hit the beach for swims and nature walks, cross the Iron Range and soak in all the natural beauty of this rural landscape. Spend a night near Chilli Beach, camp in the bush under the clear night sky and tick Pajinka off your bucket list – the northernmost point of the country! Take an eco-cruise to spot crocodiles, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation and discover ancient rock art. With all these activities and more, you can soak up Australia’s amazing history, landscapes and remote communities.

Trip code: PZRY

Start: Cairns, Australia

End: Bamaga, Australia


Duration
10 days
Group size
1 to 19
Minimum age
15 years old
Style

Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time

Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time

Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities

Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders

Basix
Theme

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Overland
Physical rating

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From
USD $3,825

Why you'll love this trip

  • Make the pilgrimage to Pajinka (Cape York) – the continent’s northernmost point and one of Australia’s most remote and unique locations, known as ‘The Tip’.
  • Take a ferry to Thursday Island and learn more about the culture of the Torres Strait Islander people on a guided walk along Bayo Beach with a Torres Strait Islander Guide.
  • Cross the Iron Range for a night near Chilli Beach – this picture-perfect white sand beach is framed by palm trees.
  • Head into the mangroves on an eco-cruise in Weipa to spot crocodiles sunning themselves on the muddy riverbanks.
  • Learn about Aboriginal culture in a remote retreat outside Cooktown with an Aboriginal guide, try bush food and listen to storytelling about the land and its ancestors. Then, learn about Torres Strait Islander culture on Thursday Island.
This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 April 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer including Australia

Inclusions and activities

Destinations
Australia
Meals

8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Private 4WD Overland Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Camping (7 nights), Camping with basic facilities (1 night)

Included activities
  • Cape Tribulation - Lookout
  • Cape Tribulation - Daintree Rainforest nature walk
  • Rossville - Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony
  • Cooktown - Cooktown History Centre visit
  • Rossville - Kuku Nyungkul cultural tour
  • Coen - Coen Heritage House visit
  • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park - Chilli Beach
  • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park - Mount Tozer viewing platform
  • Lockhart River - Arts Centre visit
  • Weipa - Lake Patricia stop
  • Weipa - Western Cape Culture Centre visit
  • Weipa - Mangrove Eco Cruise
  • Apudthama National Park - Fruit Bat Falls walk & swim
  • Shelburne - Kennedy’s Lost Camp stop
  • Cape York - WWII plane wrecks
  • Cape York - Fly Point walk
  • Cape York - Pajinka ('The Tip') day trip
  • Cape York - Somerset Beach stop
  • Thursday Island - Torres Strait Cultural Tour with local guide
  • Thursday Island - Return ferry

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Before you book you should know

Dates and prices

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Important notes

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts in Cairns with a welcome meeting at our joining point hotel at 6pm on day 1. The trip finishes on the last day in Seisia from where you can transfer to Bamaga Airport. Alternatively you can opt to fly out from Horn Island instead. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Once booked, please make sure you let us know your flight details.

CAMPING
This is a camping trip where you will be expected to pitch your tent at each location (tents are provided). Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are basic and are shared with other campers that are not part of our group. The facilities at our campsite in Iron Range National Park are very basic, with bush toilets and no showers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available to be booked on this trip. It comprises the first night of the trip in Cairns at our hotel and allocates you your own tent for the rest of the trip. Travellers without a confirmed single supplement will be sharing a tent with another member of the group.

RETURN FLIGHT TO CAIRNS
The flight from Bamaga or Horn Island to Cairns is NOT included in the price of this trip. The trip finishes on arrival at Bamaga on day 10, with no other transport or accommodation included on this day. Once you have booked your flight, please make sure you let us know your flight details.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
As we have limited storage space on our vehicle, please limit your luggage to no more than 15kg in a soft case bag.

LONG TRAVELLING DAYS & EARLY MORNINGS
This trip involves some early mornings and long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Take into consideration the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you are well hydrated in the tropical heat.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Reviews

4.9 . 17 reviews
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Cape York & Torres Strait Explorer
From
USD $3,825