Day 1: Essendon, Melbourne - Birdsville
Fly north to Broken Hill for morning tea, then continue north to Birdsville. Explore the town and the Birdsville racetrack before venturing off road to the largest sand dune in the Simpson Desert ‘Big Red’. Enjoy a cold beer from your ‘perch’ in the iconic Birdsville Pub and absorb the outback culture over dinner.
Accommodation: Birdsville Hotel
Day 2: Birdsville - Mt Isa - Burketown
Fly north to Mt Isa where, prior to landing you are given the best view of the gigantic Mount Isa Mine. Farewell civilisation as your pilot flies you over cattle station country before touching down in Burketown, complete with vast rivers, mangroves, salt pans and aboriginal culture. Here you will be guided on a cultural 4WD tour by local indigenous guides, expereince the star gazing this area is renown for and enjoy a sunset cruise out to the Gulf.
Accommodation: Savannah Lodge, Burketown
Day 3: Burketown - Mornington Island - Karumba
Experience parts of the Gulf that very few ever get to. Explore Mornington Island, a restricted indigenous area, with a vibrant and well known art centre. Enjoy a private tour hosted by some local artists before a short hop across to Karumba. Board a cruise boat for a trip up the Norman River spotting wildlife and checking mud-crab pots before pulling up on a sand island to dine on the freshest seafood imaginable.
Accommodation: The End of the Road, Karumba
Day 4: Karumba - Horn Island
Fly northwards where you’ll be able to enjoy the changing colours of the Torres Strait. This afternoon venture into the ‘Forgotten Island’- Horn Island with an opportunity to sneak back in time to see remnants of bunkers and hidden revetments during a specialised guided tour, led by local historian and author Vanessa See Kee.
Accommodation: Wongai Beach Resort
Day 5: Thursday and Friday Islands
Discover the beauty, history and friendly smiles of the locals on a private tour of Thursday Island. Venture across to the spectacular, Friday Island to visit the Kazu Pearl Farm.
Accommodation: Wongai Beach Resort
Days 6: Horn Island - Bamaga (Tip of Cape York) - Cooktown
Depart the Torres Strait Islands and land at Jacky-Jacky airfield for a 4WD over-land adventure that will have you standing on this significant geographical point – congratulations, you have conquered the cape! Continue the scenic flying southwards over the Far North Great Barrier Reef and into the delightful town of Cooktown.
Accommodation: Cooktown Sovereign Resort
Day 7: Cooktown
Visit memorial sites of where Capt. James Cook careened the Endeavour for repairs. This afternoon you are taken on a tour of Cooktown with Justin Coventry as he unravels the stories of the past before a tour of the Captain James Cook Museum.
Accommodation: Cooktown Sovereign Resort
Days 8: Cooktown - Laura - Mt Mulligan
Access the forgotten rock art galleries of the Quinkan spirits. A drive through some lovely Cape York savannah country to the galleries, a very rewarding experience, with a picnic lunch out in the woodlands. Another brief flight to Mt Mulligan Stations private runway for a stay at this remote, picturesque and extremely comfortable outback retreat.
Accommodation: Mt Mulligan Lodge
Day 9: Mt Mulligan
Explore 28,000 hectare Mt Mulligan Lodge with its captivating landscape and indigenous significance dating 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.
Accommodation: Mt Mulligan Lodge
Day 10: Mt Mulligan - Daintree Eco Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
Depart Mt Mulligan after breakfast with a quick flight across to Cairns, from there, a private transfer by road up into the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. Check into your very own tree house amidst the canopy of the rainforest. Give yourself a pinch to make sure you aren’t dreaming!
Accommodation: Daintree Eco Lodge
Day 11: Daintree Eco Lodge, Daintree Rainforest
Explore the region with a gentle boat cruise along the Daintree River and a walk amongst the towering tree trunks with your local guide.
Accommodation: Daintree Eco Lodge
Day 12: Daintree Rainforest - Carnarvon Gorge
A relaxed start to the day before the flight to Rolleston where you will be welcomed at the airstrip and then transferred to luxurious safari tents at Wallaroo Station in a tranquil setting. Enjoy a sunset excursion to explore this working cattle station and meet the owners.
Accommodation: Wallaroo Station
Day 13: Carnarvon Gorge
Trek through Carnarvon Gorge with friendly, specialised guides. Photographers have entered their own special paradise within Carnarvon Gorge. The tour continues to the Moss Gardens and into an amazing natural amphitheatre; combined, these experiences are splendid features of the country’s wilderness and beauty.
Accommodation: Wallaroo Station
Day 14: Carnarvon Gorge - Callubri Station - Essendon, Melbourne
Today, pilots fly homeward via Callubri Station which lends itself to a very special station visit where you will be welcomed as friends and enjoy a personal farm tour followed by a traditional homestead feast. Arrive back in to Melbourne in the early evening.
Experience the outback like never before. We enable you to see more and get you right to the heart of remote destinations, some of which are not even accessible by road.
The ultimate in island hopping. Link the remote southern islands into one seamless experience.
All of our special interest itineraries are designed for you to get the most out of your holiday and spend more time doing the things that you love.
We’ll fly you to some of Africa’s greatest private wildlife reserves in the most remote locations where larger groups can’t go.
