Tour
Dates
2012
9
-27 July
This
tour is self-catered
Costs
$3610 per vehicle.
Self catered
Additional persons:
$250 pp self catered.
This
tours includes.
All fees and permits.
Rockart
Champagne at the tip.
Your
vehicle will need Tyres
at better than 50%
Recovery strap
Recovery points front & rear
UHF Radio
Car fridge recommended
Security for cargo
What
else do you get? A
safety net provided by professional convoy management, remote
area first aide, long-range communication equipment &
theVKS
network.Message service Camp
facilities during the bush camps including hot shower &
a fire at night.
Back up with mechanical problems & recovery
What
To Bring
An
information session will be arranged with the tour guide well
prior to departure.
Payment Options
Direct
deposit or EFT.
A
$250 deposit is required to secure your place on this tour.
Refund policy
Deposit
is not refundable- may be transferred (less outgoing
Cancellation
# more than 30 days full refund
# more than 14 days 75% refund
# less than 14 days 50% refund
Every
Australian should visit Cape York to experience that very special
feeling as you stand on the tip of this great country. Follow in
the footsteps of early explorers like Kennedy and the Jardines.
This region is just so rich in history; you will need some time
after the trip to let it sink in.
The countryside, as we make our way up north will at first seem
strange and foreign. That's because it is so diverse as it changes
from the lush rainforest of the Daintree to open heathlands further
north. The landscape continues to amaze until you stand on the tip
of Australia with the Islands of the Torres straight in view and
Papua New Guinea just over the horizon. Cape York is also a four-wheel
drivers paradise with challenges such as the old Morton Telegraph
line & the Frenchman's track. Swim beneath crystal clear waterfalls,
go fishing for barra and visit the infamous Palmer River Goldfields.
Our starting point is the town of Chillagoe, known
for the limestone karsts in the area & a visit to the caves
is a must. There are also other things of interest here such as
the nearby smelter ruins & a great old car collection. We recommend
you arrive a day early & look around.
Initially we travel North to the Palmer River goldfields & traverse
the Maytown track, An original Cobb & Co coach road. Only 40
kms long but will take us all day. The pick marks can still be seen
through the solid rock where sections of this road were hacked out
by Chinese workers. Other places of interest are the Chinese cemeteries
and the Maytown site where the original kerb and guttering is still
intact. From Maytown it is on to Laura & Quikan country &
some of the best rock art on the cape.
Merluna is a working cattle station & we may spend up to two
nights here where there are options for us depending on station
activities/weather conditions etc or perhaps a drive out to Aurukun
on the west coast. Then it is on to Weipa, a modern mining town
with all the facilities, where you may like to take an optional
a bauxite mining tour. We also visit old Laura & Musgrave. Many
photo opportunities of beautiful lily covered lagoons and pretty
water crossings as we travel through Lakefield National Park. Perhaps
we will have a sighting of our first crocodile through here.
From Weipa back across to the centre of the cape through Batavia
to tackle the overland telegraph track. Here reminders of the hardships
faced by those who worked on this line can be seen. The track along
the line provides us with a challenge that continues for 2 days
with numerous water crossings & plenty of opportunities to try
out you 4WD skills. The best part of group travel over sections
like this is the teamwork that develops& immense satisfaction
of a challenge met. After the telegraph line we all deserve a well-earned
break at the top.
The area around the top is full of history that can be explored
and we spend two days here to allow for this. We travel to the historic
Somerset, the site of a military outpost; this was Australia's most
northern settlement and the ultimate destination of the Jardines.
Of course the highlight of our visit to the top is standing on the
actual tip. Side trips can be taken at an additional expense to
Thursday & Horn Islands or perhaps a fishing expedition.
On our way south we visit some beautiful sections of the coastline.
Vrilya point, Chilli Beach, Portland roads to name a few. The beauty
of sunsets over the Gulf of Carpentaria truly is a photographer's
paradise.
From Cooktown we travel the Bloomfield track through the world heritage
listed Daintree rain forest (truly the jewel in the Cape York crown)
To Cape Tribulation & the Daintree River at journey's end. This
section takes us from Cooktown with plenty to see & do. We visit
historic hotels, spectacular waterfalls as well as the mysterious
black mountain
The Cape York Experience has everything:
Great four wheel driving - Magnificent sunsets & sunrises -
Beautiful pristine areas - Personal challenges - Fishing - Historical
interest - Tropical Islands
Tour dates -2012 9
- 27 July Self
Catered
Cost: $3610
per vehicle (includes
2 persons) self Catered