Cape York & The Gulf 14D13N

Flying Time: 3 hours 40 minutes total (2 flights)

Depart Melbourne in the morning and fly north to Broken Hill for Morning tea. Next fly to Birdsville and explore the town before venturing off road to the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert ‘Big Red’. Enjoy a cold bear at the iconic Birdsville Pub and take in the outback culture. Tonight, dine at the pub.

Flying Time: 2hours 10minutes total (2 flights)

Fly north to Mt Isa where you can fly over the gigantic Mount Isa Mine. Fly over cattle station country before touching down in the oasis that is Adels Grove. Take a guided adventure into Lawn Hill National Park with the opportunity to meander to the Cascades prior to your over-water journey. Enjoy paddling through a peaceful gorge before heading to your accommodation tonight idyllically positioned beside a pristine stream.

Flying Time: 1hour 10minutes total (2 flights)

In the morning, experience parts of the Gulf that very few ever get to. Take off at Adel’s Grove to Mornington Island, out in the Gulf of Carpentaria. A restricted indigenous area, the community has a vibrant and well known art centre. It was here that Mirdidingkingathi Juearnda Sally Gabori set the world alight with her unique and distinctive style. Enjoy a private tour hosted by local artists. Prior to lunch, take off and head to the nearby Karumba where you will board a cruise for a trip up the Norman River. Spot wildlife and continue out into the Gulf to pull up on a sand cay to dine on fresh mud crab and banana prawns.

Flying Time: 2hours 20minutes total (2 flights)

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the river-mouth before boarding your flight that will see you tracing the west coast of Cape York. Continue north and see the changing colours of the Torres Strait. IN the afternoon, venture into the ‘Forgotten Island’ - Horn Island offers an opportunity to sneak back in time to see remnants of the bunkers and hidden revetments during a specialised guided tour, led by historian and author Vanessa See Kee. Learn the interesting history of the local, seafaring Kaurareg People.

Take a private tour of Thursday Island and discover the beauty, history and friendly smiles of the locals. Learn about the history and paint of the picture of life on this far northern island with your guide. Venture across to the magnificent Friday Island and visit the Kazu Pearl Farm to get personalised with their operation and the opportunity to purchase pearls directly if you wish.

Flying Time: 1hour 40minutes total (2 flights)

Bid the Torres Strait Island goodbye this morning to the northernmost point of mainland Australia. Land at Jacky-Jacky for a 4WD overland adventure of the Cape before jumping back onboard your aircraft for a scenic flight over the Far North Great Barrier Reef and landing in the picturesque town of Cooktown.

After breakfast, experience the foreshore and visit memorial sites where Capt. James Cooked careened the Endeavour for repairs. In the afternoon enjoy a tour of Cooktown with Justin Coventry as he unravels the stories of the past. Have lunch in the fascinating botanical gardens and finish your day with a tour of the Captain James Cook Museum which houses an anchor from the Endeavour, among other pieces of historical importance.

Flying Time: 45minutes total (2 flights)

Take a brief flight from Cooktown to the tiny settlement of Laura where you will have access to the forgotten rock art galleries of the Quinkan spirits. Take a drive through some savannah country of Cape York to the galleries and have a picnic lunch out in the woodlands. Take another short flight to Mt mulligan Stations private runway where you will be warmly welcomed to the picturesque and extremely comfortable outback retreat.

Located on an entirely private 28,000-hectare heritage site, Mt Mulligan Lodge offers boutique accommodation in the shadow of majestic Mount Mulligan. Guests staying at Mt Mulligan Lodge will be able to experience the spirit of the North Queensland back-country through a captivating landscape with indigenous significance dating back 37,000 years. The expansive property bears the marks of the historic gold and coal rush and in its current operation, as a working cattle station, the pastoral history of Australia.

Flying Time: 20minutes total

In the morning wake up to the sounds of the outback and by the afternoon, you will be hearing the sounds of the lush rainforest. After breakfast, fly across to Cairns and take a private transfer by road up into the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. Settle into your very own tree house amidst the canopy.

Explore the region with a boat cruise along the Daintree River. IN the afternoon walk among the towering trees through the rainforest with your local guide. Make the most of your complimentary massage treatment and wind down to the rhythm of the rainforest.

Flying Time: 2hours 20minutes total

Re-join your aircraft for a flight down to Rolleston where you will be transferred to the privately owned Wallaroo Station. In the tranquil setting surrounded by lawns manicured by kangaroos and shaded by ancient macrosomia and eucalypts. Take part in a beautiful sunset excursion to explore some of this working cattle station and meet the owners.

Enjoy a trek through Carnarvon Gorge with friendly specialised guides and take in the massive sandstone walls towering over you and narrow side gorges spanned by outstretched arms whilst others are so narrow and deep that sunlight never reaches the floor of the gorge. Continue to the Moss Gardens and into the amazing natural amphitheatre.

Flying Time: 4hours 20minutes total

Fly to Callubri Station lending itself to a very special station where you will be welcomed and enjoy a personal farm tour followed by a traditional homestead feast. Nest depart to Melbourne, arriving in the early evening for your onward journey.