We meet up at our camp on the Daintree River, north of Cairns. After introductions and a kick-off briefing, we begin our 20 day adventure!
In the afternoon we will take a croc spotting cruise on the Daintree River hoping to see some of these magnificent reptiles in their natural habitat.
In the evening we are provided with a welcome meal as we get to know each other over dinner!
We leave camp and within 15 minutes we are straight into the four-wheel driving.
The start of the iconic CREB track requires us to cross the Daintree River. Once across we work our way up and over the ranges on this steep and spectacular track.
After a challenging drive with amazing views we make our way to the evenings camp at the famous Lion's Den Hotel.
After our morning briefing we head to Cooktown where you have a free morning to explore.
After lunch we drive out to Isabella Falls for a quick dip before we air down and hit the Starke Track and it's ever changing scenery.
We camp in the bush somewhere near the Starke River mouth.
The Starke Track becomes more challenging today as
we drive the tight and twisty, washed out track.
The terrain changes from sandy to rocky as we head through the Cape Melville National Park and across indigenous properties before we emerge at our camp on the banks of the Normanby River.
You might want to see if you can spot the crocs in the river before we settle in around the campfire for the night!
We break camp and drive into Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park. Wildlife is aplenty at the many lagoons we pass. We see the termite mounds of the Nifold Plain before stopping creekside for lunch.
We travel through station land and Lama Lama National Park before climbing the range to see some spectacular views towards the coast.
We camp in Coen tonight which gives us the opportunity to sink a cold one in the Exchange Hotel!
Today our journey is entirely on the PDR (Peninsula Developmental Road). A patchwork of bitumen and dirt sections, we keep our fingers crossed the grader has been along recently!
Our destination is Weipa and we arrive at camp early in the afternoon. You have a chance to explore the town and stock up on essential supplies. Maybe you could throw a line in and catch dinner (failing that there is a takeaway in the campground).
With our views from camp looking out over the bay to the west, we are surely in for one of Weipa's famous sunsets!
Leaving camp we head for the Stones Crossing Loop Track.
The track starts with a bang as we cross the mighty Wenlock River. Gauging the water levels and flow rates which fluctuate with the tide, we make our way over the rocky crossing avoiding the many holes!
On the far side, the track twists and turns around through the trees and over shallow creeks. You get a real feel for the remoteness.
We emerge near Bramwell Junction and we head there to set up camp for the night.
Bramwell Junction is right at the beginning of the Old Telegraph Track (OTT). Starting with a drive to Palm Creek, we will traverse the full length of the southern half of the OTT.
We'll size up each crossing and watch others attempt them too. As a group we will help each other negotiate the creeks together. We'll keep the recovery gear at the ready!
There are always different options at each creek crossing as well as by-pass tracks, so you really can choose your own adventure!
Our camp for the next three nights is at Eliot Falls.
Our second day on the OTT - you'll be in the groove and keen for more!
We start easy with a couple of crossings which both have the opportunity for a dip. The track gets progressively harder and we cross log bridges, sandy drop-offs, deep water crossings and more until we reach the end at the Jardine River.
In the evening we relax around the campfire as we bask in the glory of having completed the Tele' Track.
Today we have a free day.
You might want to take yourself for a swim and explore around Eliot and Twin Falls or take the short drive to Fruit Bat Falls.
There are plenty of swimming holes in the area and an abundance of flora and fauna to seek out.
Or maybe you'd like to revisit a couple of the Tele' Track crossings and see if you can do them better the second time around?
You could try and do all of the above, or none at all. It's your choice today!
Crossing Scrubby Creek we are on the Bamaga Road and heading north once more. We come to the Jardine River and cross on the ferry to the Northern Peninsula Area.
We drive out to Mutee Heads for spectacular views of the islands of the Torres Strait. We let the air out of our tyres ready for some sand driving to the mouth of the Jardine River.
Taking the back tracks we'll seek out a couple of WWII plane wrecks as we make our way to Seisia. We set up camp for the next few nights with views overlooking the Endeavour Strait.
Taking some of the lesser used tracks, we head to Pajinka. First stop is the Croc Tent to pick up those souvenirs.
We aim for the coast and drive the beautiful Five Beaches Loop before heading off to Somerset to explore the ruins of the Jardine family home.
The last push north sees us parking up at Frangipani Bay. A short walk across the headland before we finally make it to The Tip!
Tonight, we are provided a hearty meal and celebrate having made it to the Northernmost Point on mainland Australia!
We have a free day in Seisia!
You could take a fishing charter to catch those big pelagics. Or how about a trip to Thursday Island?
There’s also plenty more to explore in the NPA and of course you could just take in the sea views whilst relaxing at camp.
Beginning our journey south, we cross the Jardine before we head to the east coast where we enjoy lunch at Captain Billy Landing.
Back onto the bypass road, we head to Moreton Telegraph Station where we camp for the night next to the Wenlock River.
You have a chance to explore the property, taking a walk along the river searching for Palm Cockatoos, Antilopine Wallaroos and the Common Spotted Cuscus. Or you could try your luck fishing at the Barra Hole!
Departing Moreton, we head for the another iconic trail - the Frenchman's Track. We will be offered a variety of challenges on sand, mud, clay, rock and dirt. And of course two of the biggest river crossings on The Cape!
After exiting the track we set off towards Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park and drive through one of the largest remaining areas of lowland rainforest to be found in Australia.
We camp in the middle of the rainforest and this will be our base for two nights.
We take a drive into Lockhart River to explore some WWII history and check out the amazing beach boulders.
Heading next into the small fishing community of Portland Roads you could grab a coffee at the cafe?
Last on the list for today is the sensational Chili beach. We aim to see it at low tide so you can take a walk or a drive along it, and enjoy the expansive views.
Back at camp we see what wildlife we can spot!
Today we drive inland on the Portland Roads road before joining the PDR for our journey south towards the hardest track of them all!
We stop at the famous Archer River and Musgrave roadhouses to stretch our legs, as well as at a few other spots along the way to break the drive.
Camp tonight is on a station property near to Laura.
Departing Laura and we're straight onto the Old Coach Road. We think this is the hardest track on The Cape, but you'll have no trouble having been building up to it for the last couple of weeks!
We start off on gentle tracks with shallow creek crossings before we climb through the ranges. Long tough climbs and exceptional views all the way.
Dropping down into the Palmer River Goldfields we make camp in the bush.
This morning we explore the goldfields and the old mining settlement of Maytown. The tracks are still challenging and we still need to cross the Palmer River.
We leave the goldfields on spectacular undulating dirt roads until it's time to air up at the bitumen. It's just a short distance to our camp at Palmer River Roadhouse.
For our final night we are provided with a hearty BBQ.
The final day of our journey starts on the Mulligan Highway, taking us along the edge of the Great Dividing Range.
Our last track of the tour is on the Black Mountain Road which takes us along the top of the range.
Descending through the rainforest of the Wet Tropics we reach our end point in Cairns. We say goodbye to new friends, and look back on an exceptional 20 days!
Please contact us if you have any questions and we'll be able to help!