Day 1 (D) HOME PORTS, TOWNSVILLE
Passengers from Brisbane join Qantas flights (subject to availability) arriving in Townsville mid afternoon. (Metropolitan home pick up is available for Melbourne passengers.) On arrival in Townsville all passengers transfer to our overnight accommodation, Mercure Townsville. Meet fellow passengers prior to enjoying dinner together at the hotel.

Day 2 (B,L,D) TOWNSVILLE, KARUMBA, NORMANTON, HORN ISLAND, THURSDAY ISLAND
Following breakfast passengers from Townsville and those making their own transfer arrangements join us at Townsville airport where we board the private charter 33 passenger aircraft for our Cape York adventure. We fly to Karumba, on the western coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria on board Ferryman 1, lunch including Gulf prawns as we cruise. We visit nearby Normanton for refuelling and then we fly “low and slow” along the western shore of Cape York, passing over Weipa, Bamaga and various Torres Strait Islands prior to landing on Horn Island at Torres Strait’s commercial airport. A short ferry transfer to Thursday Island and our home for two nights, Jardine Motel (or similar). Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a private barbecue dinner.

Day 3 (B,L,D) THURSDAY AND HORN ISLANDS
Time this morning to explore the township with free time and a coach tour of the island including a visit to the historic cemetery and to view the surrounding islands from Green Hill Fort. A highlight of our holiday, fresh crayfish lunch (alternatives available) on the jetty. During the afternoon we visit Horn Island, learn a little of the local involvement in WWII as we view “In their Steps”, compiled by a local historian and museum curator, Vanessa Seekee. Return by ferry to Thursday Island prior to dinner at Jardine’s.

Day 4 (B,L,D) CAPE YORK, NORTHERN TIP OF AUSTRALIA, COOKTOWN
A short flight this morning as we return to the mainland landing at Northern Peninsula Airport, Bamaga. Travelling by coach or 4WD we travel to a delightful sandy beach just below the tip and then take a 40 minute walk to the northernmost tip of Australia – reasonable fitness and good walking shoes required. Stand under the “official ‘tip of Australia’ notice” – great spot for a memorabilia photo. For those not undertaking the walk, relax under large shady trees on the beach or paddle in the shallow water – perfect northern Australian tropical coastal location. Lunch today at Punsand Bay Safari and Fishing Lodge. Later we visit Seisia Resort and Bamaga prior to rejoining our charter aircraft for the scenic “low and slow” flight along the eastern coast of Cape York to historic Cooktown. Home tonight, Sovereign Resort (or similar). Enjoy dinner tonight in the resort.

Day 5 (B,L,D) COOKTOWN, CAIRNS
Explore this delightful easy pace and historic northern town, on the banks of the Endeavour River and discovered by Captain Cook in 1770, where he beached his ship for repairs. A visit to James Cook Museum is included. Following lunch we depart for a short final “low and slow” flight over coral reefs as we travel to Cairns. So concludes a most enjoyable air holiday to Cape York and Torres Strait Islands. Brisbane passengers return home by direct commercial flights late in the afternoon. Passengers may choose to stay on in Cairns for additional nights and fly home on a later date (subject to availability).