The 2024 Cape York Air Safari starts August 10 at Caloundra and finishes at Burketown on August 24, 2024. In between you will visit the Whitsundays, Atherton Tableland, Cooktown, Merluna Station, Thursday Island, Badu Island and Karumba with many activities to choose from along the way.
While many group activities and meals have been arranged, you are able to customise your own what activities you would like to do, to get the most out of what will be a memorable experience.
Your Tour Includes:
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Book with confidence: If you cannot travel, Sydney Social Flying will assist you with a date change, provide you with a credit or process a refund for your booking less any non-recoverable costs.
DAY ONE, Saturday, 10 August
On the very first day we meet in Caloundra, which is an excellent starting point for the journey north.
Staying at the Ocean Views Apartments, located in the heart of Caloundra will give you easy access to shops for those last minute things you need for the next couple of weeks.
If you have time, also use this as an opportunity to visit the highly regarded Queensland Air Museum.
Ocean Beach Caloundra
DAY TWO, Sunday, 11 August
Probably the most scenic route to get to Shute Harbour is simply to follow the coast with a possible fuel stop at Rockhampton. Tracking via Noosa, Double Island Point, Hervey Bay and Agnes Water will provide plenty of coastal scenery.
Inbound into Shute Harbour, if feasible, take the long route via the Whitsunday’s - Brampton, Lindeman and Hamilton Islands, Whitehaven Beach etc. for some more photo opportunities.
Rainbow Beach
DAY THREE, Monday, 12 August
On the rest day at Airlie Beach, join an exciting ride on fast rigid inflatable boat (RIB) visiting the islands, inlets and beaches of the Whitsundays. The cruise includes lunch, and will visit the famous Whitehaven Beach. There will also be plenty of time to go snorkelling.
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.
Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet
DAY FOUR, Tuesday, 13 August
Leaving Airlie Beach today, we continue to head north, with a stopover for fuel and lunch in recommended at Ingham.
Plan to arrive Mareeba early afternoon to allow plenty of time for the journey to and an explore of Yungaburra, a village that has existed largely unchanged since 1910. Many of the buildings in the heart of the Yungaburra remain in their original splendor. The village has the highest proportion of heritage listed buildings outside of regional centres in Queensland.
St Patrick's Church, Yungaburra
DAY FIVE, Wednesday, 14 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 Strawberries 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 all of Australia, and tranquil Lake Barrine, a crater lake which has a pair of towering bull kauri pine trees.
Giant Bull Kauri Pines at Lake Barrine
DAY SIX, Thursday, 15 August
Today's journey will take us to Cooktown. A suggested route, would be to track to Port Douglas and then follow the coast flanked by rugged terrain with its abundant rain forest to Cape Tribulation, and possibly out to the spectacular Endeavour Reef.
Arriving Cooktown early afternoon should provide ample time to explore Cooktown either by foot or by car. Around 4:30pm it is time to head down to the boat ramp in front of the motel for a sunset cruise of the Endeavour River where you might spot a croc lurking in the mangroves!
Endeavour Reef
DAY SEVEN, Friday, 16 August
With several hire cars available, you have the flexibility to tour the Cooktown region at your convenience.
Possible places to visit are the Grassy Hill Lookout, heritage listed old Cooktown Hospital – now a Jehovah's Witness Kingdon Hall, Lions Den Hotel for lunch which is one the way to the Bloomfield Falls, Botanical Gardens and the James Cook Museum.
The museum is housed in a heritage-listed building once St Mary's Convent, constructed in the 1880s.
Grassy Hill LIghthouse
DAY EIGHT, Saturday, 17 August
After breakfast, it is time to head out to Cooktown airport and drop off the hire cars. The flight the follow, could follow the coast up to Cape Flattery, out to Lizard Island before tracking northwest to Merluna Station via Cape Melville with a possible fuel stop along the way at Coen.
The Reef you can see along this route can be simply stunning. Merluna Station is a 170,000 hectares (416,000 acres) Cattle Station owned by Cameron and Michelle McLean since 2004.
Enjoy lunch on arrival and spend the afternoon and spend the afternoon relaxing in a peaceful, tranquil setting.
Merluna Station
DAY NINE, Sunday, 18 August
After breakfast at Merluna Station, your track to Horn Island can take you up Kennedy Inlet and Albany Passage for arial views of Cape York.
With an early afternoon arrival there should be plenty of time to take either Thursday Island or the historically focused in Their Steps Tour on Horn Island or just have a leisurely explore of Thursday Island.
That evening around 5:30pm we will board the Nekana II for a sunset and evening dinner cruise, before being dropped off at the wharf for the short walk back to the Hotel.
Thursday Island
DAY TEN, Monday, 19 August
Departing 7:00am 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.
Enjoying lunch for the return, there may be time to go via Friday Island for a swim.
Enjoying the Morning Cruising to Cape York
DAY ELEVEN, Tuesday, 20 August
Following breakfast, we head off to Horn Island Airport for those who are flight seeing today.
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 in the Torres Strait culture. It is also an opportunity to purchase an art work or a unique memento.
That evening enjoy traditional dance, storytelling and musical show by the Island Stars, followed by dinner.
Alternately, you may stay the night on Badu Island to enjoy a sumptuous dinner on the beach.
Linoprint Dhubu : Mackerel
DAY TWELVE, Wednesday, 21 August
Aim to arrive Burketown by mid-afternoon. This could include a drop into Merluna Station for a late morning tea to break up the day's journey. The flight today, is another opportunity to see the many spectacular river systems, probably full of crocodiles, flowing into the gulf.
Karumba's 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.
Sand Island Sunset
DAY THIRTEEN, Thursday, 22 August
The morning can be spent exploring Karumba, along with having a late breakfast before making the short flight to Burketown, which could detour via SweersIsland.
Poppy Joe's, set amongst tropical gardens at the Savannah Lodge is a great spot to relax before heading off on the interesting Gambumanda (Albert River) Sunset Cruise.
Gambumanda (Albert River) Sunset Cruise
DAY FOURTEEN, Friday, 23 August
There are a range of activity choices today.
For the early risers their is a sunrise there is a hot air balloon ride over the Gulf Country.
The first is the Marrija Cultural Tour where you will get an insight of the history and indigenous culture of Moungibi (Burketown). During the tour you will also visit Australia’s largest salt pans.
Another choice is the Malara Fishing Charter, which is an opportunity to catch a Barrumundi in the Gambumanda (Albert River) in the Barramundi Capital of Australia.
Finally, enjoy an outback sunset, on either this or the previous afternoon on the Gambumanda Sunset Cruise. Also, set in the lush surrounds of the Savannah Lodge is the final dinner for the group.
DAY FIFTEEN, Saturday, 24 August
After a hearty breakfast it is time to say good bye to your fellow travelers and set off for home.
Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride over Gulf Country
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