CAPE YORK AIR SAFARI 9 to 23 AUGUST, 2025

  DAY ONE, Saturday, 9 August

This year the Safari starts in Hughenden, a well-presented small outback town located halfway between Townsville and Mount Isa. Hughey came into being in the early 1860s with a glowing report by William Landsborough of the fine grassed lands in the region that triggered a rush of pastoralists.

If you plan to arrive in the early afternoon there will be time to take a short tour of the town, see the impressive fossil collection, at the Flinders Discovery Centre, and enjoy an outback sunset from Mount Walker with its views of Hughenden

  DAY TWO, Sunday, 10 August  

Before heading off to Sweers Island there will be an opportunity to visit Porcupine Gorge about an hour by road to the north.

Carved out by Porcupine Creek, the gorge has a length of over 25 kilometers and a depth of up to 120 meters, revealing a strata of sedimentary rocks spanning hundreds of millions of years. 

On the way back you will be dropped off at Hughenden airport, where it might be worth having a brief stopover at Burketown for fuel before proceeding to Sweers Island.

  DAY THREE, Monday, 11 August  

Sweers Island is located 40 miles north of Burketown surrounded by fish-rich warm tropical waters. It was also home for around eighteen months for survivors when Malaria hit Burketown in 1866.

You can use one of the several boats at the resort to explore and find a fishing spot or go on a charter for a better chance of catching a big one.

All meals, including freshly caught fish are provided for your stay at Sweers Island.

  DAY FOUR, Tuesday, 12 August

In the early days of the gulf settlement, troublemakers would be escorted to Hell’s Gate, a gap in the hills in far northwest Queensland near the Northern Territory border, with instructions to walk to Katherine and not return!  

John and Jenny Hay have owned the pastoral lease for Cliffdale Station since 2016, on which the adjoining roadhouse was established in the 1980s. 

To get an idea of how a cattle station operates, it is well worth taking a two-hour tour of Clffdale station during the afternoon.

  DAY FIVE, Wednesday, 13 August

Karumba has an extensive trawling fleet, and a reputation for being a wild place, perhaps exemplified by the infamous Animal Bar.

 Karumba also has a significant  aviation heritage extends to 1937 as a refuelling point for Qantas and BOAC flying boats travelling from Australia to London. During World War II, the town was a RAAF base for Catalinas flying into New Guinea, Timor and Indonesia.   

Around 16:30, a short walk from where you are staying, a boat ride will take you out to a sand island just off the coast.   This is the perfect location to witness a famous Karumba sunset, accompanied by drinks, nibbles and freshly cooked gulf prawns.  To finish the evening it maybe worthwhile dropping in to the nearby Sunset Tavern.

  DAY SIX, Thursday, 14 August

Setting off after breakfast will be the longest flying day of the Safari to Horn Island. Towards the end, a small detour will take you via Cape York for some aerial views.

With an early afternoon arrival, there should be plenty of time to do a Thursday Island tour or leisurely stroll just exploring Thursday Island.

That evening around 5:30 pm we will board the Nekana II for a dinner cruise, enjoying an Arafura Sea sunset.

  DAY SEVEN, Friday, 15 August

Departing 7:00 am we cruise on Nekana II to continental Australia’s most northern most point.

Enjoying breakfast, the sheltered waters provide pleasant cruising while passing Prince of Wales, Roko and Possession Islands. The anchor will be dropped late morning in sight of the tip.

The Dory will transfer you to the mainland where it is a short walk for the photo opportunity.

After enjoying lunch for the return, there may be time to go via Friday Island for a swim.

That evening enjoy traditional dance, storytelling, and musical show by the Island Stars, followed by a three-course dinner.

  DAY EIGHT, Saturday, 16 August

Following breakfast, we head off to Horn Island Airport.

The aim is to fly a route that gets you to Badu Island by noon. This could possibly take you via Darnley and Mabuiag Islands which showcase stunning Torres Strait.

At Badu Island airstrip you will be met and taken to the Badu Island Art Centre to gain insight into the Torres Strait culture. It is also an opportunity to purchase an artwork or a unique memento.

 For the remainder of the afternoon, go for a swim or a stroll along the beach, or perhaps help catch dinner.  In the evening you enjoy a sumptuous dinner, featuring freshly caught seafood on the beach. 

  DAY NINE, Sunday, 17 August

Alup, is a unique tourist destination, so much so that Forbes Magazine voted it one of the top 50 tourist destinations in the world, even though its facilities consist of  one small, open-air shack to sleep under, another to cook and gather beneath, plus tents for the "extras".

Your “rest day” at Alup is your own. Walk the white sandy beach or swim in the crystal-clear tropical water.

Perhaps even help catch dinner. At low tide some rocks can be accessed from the shore which abounds with crayfish.

Nancy the owner, and others who will no doubt drop in will share their knowledge of cooking island cuisines, weaving, and the rich culture of the Islands.

  DAY TEN, Monday, 18 August

The first stop for the day, leaving Badu Island will be at Merluna Station for morning tea.   

The next stop is likely to be at Coen for fuel and it is recommended you track via Lizard Island to Cooktown to experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef from the air.

Enjoy a sunset cruise of the Endeavour River that evening, where you might spot a croc lurking in the mangroves!

  DAY ELEVEN, Tuesday, 19 August

For the short flight to Mareeba, going via the Endeavour Reef of Captain Cook fame is worthwhile.  From here track to the coast and follow it to Port Douglas, which will take you past Cape Tribulation.

During the afternoon you will have ample time to explore the tranquil and picturesque village of  Yungaburra.

  DAY TWELVE, Wednesday, 20 August

Today’s tour will first take us to the Curtain Fig Tree a couple of kilometers from Yungaburra.   A Giant Strangler Fig, its curtain of aerial drops 15 meters to the ground.  it is estimated to be around 500 years old. 

Before we stop off at Malanda Hotel, Australia's largest wooden pub we will drop into Shaylee Strawberry Farm for morning tea and Gallo Dairyland for a cheese and chocolate tasting.

After lunch we visit Millaa Millaa Falls, which has a reputation of being the most photographed in Australia, and tranquil Lake Barrine, a crater lake with a pair of towering bull kauri pine trees.

  DAY THIRTEEN, Thursday, 21 August

The flight today can highlight North Queensland scenery. The route to Dunk Island will take you past Bartle Freer, Queensland’s highest mountain. 

Wallaman Falls with a drop of around 270 meters is Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall. You fly around Magnetic Island at Townsville.

Finally, you can fly over the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and fly past Whitehaven Beach before landing at Shute Harbour Airport.  

  DAY FOURTEEN, Friday , 22 August

Today,  join an exciting ride on a fast rigid inflatable boat (RIB) visiting the islands, inlets and beaches of the Whitsundays. The cruise includes lunch on Whitehaven and an opportunity to go snorkeling on a nearby reef.  and will visit the famous Whitehaven Beach.   You may even spot a migrating Humpback Whale.

Accommodation at Airlie Beach will be at the Airlie Beach Hotel, a short stroll to the village, providing options for entertainment and places to eat.

DAY FIFTEEN, Saturday, 23 August

After a hearty breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers and set off for home.