Air Safari Cape York

This morning, we board our Cessna and depart towards Karumba, home to prawn, mud crab and barramundi fishing fleets working in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is also known for fabulous sunsets. After arrival you join a sea adventure, travel 45km along the Norman River in a 10m fully shaded vessel. The tour includes live crab pot lifting, live crab handling and tying, croc spotting and bird watching. Late afternoon indulge in local seafood and fresh produce on a Beachfront BBQ whilst you watch the sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Continue north up the west side of Cape York, past the tip of Australia, to Horn Island in the Torres Strait, where you will be able to see 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 guided tour, led by local historian and author Vanessa See Kee. You will also visit the Torres Strait Heritage Museum to view exhibits from the pearling industry, artefacts and the World War II history of the area. Horn Island was the second most attacked location in Australia and was the base for approximately 5000 Australian, American soldiers and airmen, with the Navy stationed on Thursday Island. After a day full of history, you have the opportunity to go fishing off the wharf (optional no extra cost)

After breakfast, you will take the Ferry across to Thursday Island, where you will discover the beauty, history, and friendly smiles of the locals. You will visit Green Hill Fort and underground tunnels with its historic collection. Visit local Artist, the Gab Titui Culture Centre, browse the pearl shops and try a crayfish pie on the foreshore at the Mai Kai café for lunch. Return to Horn Island, with this afternoon at leisure.

You will depart the Torres Strait Islands and land at Jacky-Jacky airfield. After arrival you will start a 4WD overland adventure including buffet lunch & light refreshments. You will visit the Historical Somerset Beach, the original site of the Capes administrative centre, local indigenous communities of the Northernmost Peninsula Area, the WW2 plane wrecks: a Beaufort A9-190 Bomber and a Douglas DC-3, VH-CXD now preserved as a war memorial. For the highlight of the day, you will embark on a 20 minute (unpaved) walk to the Tip of Australia. After a day full of experiences on the Northern Peninsula continue your flight to the township of Cooktown.

Today explore Cooktown. This is where Lt James Cook found safe haven in 1770 to repair his ship, the “HM Bark Endeavour”, and where the First Reconciliation took place between Europeans and the Guugu Yimithirr people. You will visit the world-class James Cook Museum, which is housed in a historic building, a former monastery. Learn more about the town’s history at the Cooktown History Centre and visit one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in Australia. Afterwards you will have time for a leisurely stroll of the town. At the end of the day, you will head to Grassy Hill. This is where James Cook stood to search for a passage through the Reef. The views at sunset are breath-taking. Return to the Hotel for dinner.

After breakfast take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef. to one of the most beautiful places in Australia “Lizard Island”. Lizard Island National Park is the only continental island group close to the outer barrier reef. The stark, rugged beauty of Lizard Island contrasts sharply with the sparkling blue waters and luxuriant fringing reefs, which surround the island group. Sensational snorkelling opportunities abound around this Marine National Park as the reef grows right up to the shore around the island. Because of the island’s remote location, you will find that the coral reef is in pristine condition. 4 hours are yours to do as you wish, snorkel the world-famous Clam Garden, relax under the Casuarina trees at Watson’s Bay, take a walk to the Blue Lagoon (voted World’s Best Remote Beach) with your guide or keep busy and do a little of everything! Whatever you choose to do at Lizard Island, you can be sure to have a most memorable day! Afterwards make your way back to Cairns and experience unique views of the world heritage listed wetlands of the lower section of Cape York Peninsula as well as exciting aerial views of Port Douglas, the Daintree Valley, Daintree River, Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield, just to name a few. After arrival in Cairns, a Farewell-Dinner at Dundee’s Waterfront Restaurant to taste the flavours of Australia.

Your tour will conclude today following breakfast and you will then transfer to Cairns Airport.

• Return Transfers Airport Cairns to Hotel
• Air Safari on a Cessna 208 or similar aircraft
• Fully escorted by a tour director
• 7 nights accommodation
• Daily Breakfast
• Other Meals as specified in Itinerary include 4x Dinners, 3x Lunches
• Luggage allowance of 10 KG per person (we can store some additional Luggage at the Hotel in Cairns)
• National Park fees

• International Air Fares
• Additional /Optional Tour Costs
• Hotel Mini Bar
• Sightseeing/Meals not stated in Itinerary

PAYMENTS: A non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the tour price is required 48 days prior to your travel date. If you book inside 48 days, full payment will be required at the time of booking. Payment can be made by bank transfer. We also accept Visa and Mastercard at an additional fee of 2.5%. If you cancel between 25 and 48 days prior to your travel date 35% of your tour cost will be charged. If you cancel between 10 and 24 days prior to your tour departure you will be charged 50% of your tour cost. Cancellations within 10 days of departures will incur a 100% cancellation charge.

Innovative Travel recommends purchasing travel insurance, for travel within Australia.

Please ensure you read all Insurance terms and conditions carefully prior to purchasing.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Full Terms and conditions are listed on the Innovative Travel website. When a booking is made it is accepted that these are agreed to. They include the following: Itineraries are correct when initially published, however are subject to change due to circumstances outside our control.

A minimum of 6 passengers are required for the tour to depart

Flights are the responsibility of the passenger and Innovative Travel takes no responsibility for costs involved for any changes to flights that might be required due to necessary amendments in itineraries.

Note: Wheelchair passengers

Some activities are not suitable for wheelchair passengers and any passenger requiring wheelchair assistance must be accompanied by a fellow traveller that is capable of assisting with all mobility requirements. Maximum of one wheelchair per group, the wheelchair must be fully collapsible. Further wheelchairs may be allowed subject to group size.

Trip prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however all offers are subject to reconfirmation at the time of booking. Note prices usually display available discounted rates if any. All featured tour itineraries and offers maybe subject to change due to seasonal variations without notice, or due to local conditions or other conditions. Please confirm all details at time of booking. Travel insurance is mandatory for all Innovative Travel bookings if joining one of the New Zealand tours from another country. All passports must be valid for 6 months prior to your return to your home country. Visas are the responsibility of the traveller.