Cape York Air Safari

DAY 1: Sydney to The Dig Tree to Birdsville
It’s an action-packed first day of the Cape York Air Safari as you depart Bankstown at 7.30am. Fly over Queensland and land at the Dig Tree, where the explorers Burke and Wills famously set up camp. Learn more about this pioneering pair and their ill-fated expedition. Off to Birdsville, where sunset drinks are at Big Red, the first of 1,140 parallel sand dunes marking the edge of the Simpson Desert. Look out over the vast expanse of not very much and you’ll truly know you’ve made it to the outback! To end the day, stay and dine in one of Australia’s most iconic pubs — the Birdsville Hotel. Overnight: Birdsville Hotel (L,D)

DAY 2: Birdsville to Lawn Hill
Flying north towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, your aircraft will land a short walk from your room or cabin at Adels Grove, in Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, overlooking the stunning Lawn Hill Creek. Lawn Hill Gorge is one of the most spectacular gorges in the Gulf Country, with luscious tropical vegetation, sheer red cliffs and enchanting green water. A solar-electric-powered pontoon boat will take you on a cruise through the gorge to its summit, where you’ll find yourself in a small oasis with a beautiful waterfall. Swim at the falls and nearby bubbling spa, subject to conditions, then it’s back to Adels Grove for pre-dinner drinks in the open-air restaurant. Overnight: Adels Grove, room or cabin (B,L,D)

DAY 3: Lawn Hill to Sweers Island to Karumba
Kick off with breakfast at Adels Grove before a 45-minute flight to Sweers Island, about 30 km off the coast in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Take a short tour of this island with long stretches of golden beach, blue waters, and a wealth of history. Lunch is in the open-air restaurant overlooking the waters of the Gulf. Back to the mainland, the next stop is Karumba, home to prawn, mud crab and barramundi fishing fleets working in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It’s also known for fabulous sunsets. End the day with a camera in one hand and a glass in the other on a sunset cruise, then spotlight for crocs on the way back. Overnight: End of The Road Motel or Gee Dee’s Family Cabins (B,L,D)

DAY 4: Karumba to Horn Island and Thursday Island
Continue north up the west side of Cape York, past the tip of Australia, to Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Local history experts and tour guides Liberty and Vanessa will meet you on arrival. They’ll take you to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum to view exhibits from the pearling industry, myths and legends of Torres Strait, artwork, artefacts and the World War II history of the area. On the In Their Steps WWII tour, visit gun emplacements, an underground command post, slit trenches, an aircraft wreck with an unbelievable story, the WWII airstrip, dispersal bays and taxiways. Walk in the steps of the indigenous and non-indigenous soldiers who served in the area, with insightful and entertaining commentary. Transfer by ferry across to Thursday Island and your accommodation. Overnight: Island Villas or Grand Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 5: Thursday Island and the Tip of Australia
Today it’s time for a bucket list adventure – a helicopter to the tip of Australia. Fly by chopper from Thursday Island to the tip of Cape York Peninsula, the most northern point of mainland Australia. Landing nearby, it is an 800m walk to the coastline where you can snap a photo of the tip of Australia for the memory vaults. A tour of TI (Thursday Island) reveals how its history helped to create today’s dynamic, multicultural community and the tropical lifestyle it offers. Overnight: Island Villas or Grand Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 6: Thursday Island to Lizard Island
Ferry back to Horn Island to rejoin your aircraft for the flight south to Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Take in the breathtaking coastline en-route and fly over some of the world’s most spectacular scenery on the reef. As the most northern resort on the Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is truly secluded from the rest of the world. Exceptional service, facilities, touring and food are the perfect complement to swimming off the beach into the wonders of the largest coral reef in the world – very hard to beat. Overnight: Lizard Island Resort, Garden View (B,L,D)

DAY 7: Lizard Island
Enjoy a leisurely day relaxing in the island paradise that is Lizard Island, with activities at your discretion. Take advantage of the complimentary snorkelling equipment and lessons, stand up paddle boards and sea kayaks and it’ll be hard to stay out of the water. The local reef life will leave you spellbound. If you’re feeling energetic, a walk to Cook’s Lookout, the highest point of the island with a 360° view, is well worth the effort. Optional tours (at your own expense) include a boat trip and diving on the outer reef. Overnight: Lizard Island Resort (B,L,D)

DAY 8: Lizard Island to Cooktown
Cooktown is your next destination, where Captain Cook sought refuge when his ship, The Endeavour, sustained severe damage during his 1770 expedition. Tour the many historical sites and learn how Cooktown prospered in a gold rush, dwindled, and then rose again to become an important base in World War II. A sunset cruise makes for a wonderfully peaceful way to end the day. Nibble on a gourmet cheese platter, sip on a drink and listen to stories about Cooktown. Overnight: Sovereign Resort Hotel, deluxe room (B,L,D)

DAY 9: Cooktown to Laura to Longreach
Fly to Laura for a private tour of various Quinkan rock art sites — spotted by a pilot in the 1960s while flying over the area. Quinkan Country contains a large and dramatic body of rock paintings. These galleries, at least 15,000 to 30,000 years old, are listed by UNESCO as being among the top 10 rock art sites in the world. After lunch in Laura, fly over the vast Queensland countryside, arriving at Longreach in the late afternoon. Explore the historic homestead at Camden Park Station, enjoy the expansive view from the verandah, visit a circa 1920 shearing shed and gain an insight into the history of grazing in the outback. Overnight: Saltbush Retreat (B,L,D)

DAY 10: Longreach
Your day in Longreach begins with the fascinating Stockman’s Hall of Fame, where the Australian Stockman’s Experience will take you on an adventure that depicts the rugged, harsh and sometimes humorous antics of life in the bush. Spend some time at the Qantas Founders Museum — with an impressive collection of aircraft. Glide down the coolabah-lined Thomson River at sunset to Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. Overnight: Saltbush Retreat (B,L,D)

DAY 11: Longreach to Carnarvon Gorge
After breakfast, you’re back on the plane to Carnarvon Gorge, an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Carnarvon Creek has carved a winding course through sandstone over millions of years to form a spectacular steep gorge with narrow, vibrantly-coloured and lush gorges. The gorge is home to a range of significant plant and animal species, many of them relics of cooler, wetter times. Some of the finest rock art in Australia is a fragile reminder of Aboriginal people’s long and continuing connection with the gorge. You have the chance to join a private guided walk this afternoon. A walk to Mickey’s Creek and Warrumbah Gorge will offer you one of the few opportunities to get into a side gorge so narrow that you can touch both walls at the same time. The sunlight only reaches the floor of these gorges for a very short period each day, and they have a micro-climate all of their own. Later, cast your eyes upwards for a tour of the stars. The night sky is incredibly clear out here, allowing for some pretty spectacular viewing. The combination of sky, state of the art observatory and tour guide expertise make for an experience as brilliant as the Carnarvon night sky. Overnight: Takarakka Bush Resort or Carnarvon Gorge Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 12: Carnarvon Gorge
The second day takes you on a long, guided walk. The Moss Garden, one of the best known sites at Carnarvon Gorge, is a great example of how the spring systems work and is nestled amongst one of the best patches of remnant rainforest in the National Park. If you choose not to do the full day tour, you can spend more time this afternoon around the grounds, or go on shorter walks around the resort. Perhaps sit on the private verandah of your cabin, drink in hand, and do a spot of wildlife watching. Overnight: Takarakka Bush Resort or Carnarvon Gorge Lodge (B,L,D)

DAY 13: Carnarvon Gorge to Sydney (Bankstown)
Sadly, it’s the last day of your Cape York Air Safari. Your final stop is Charlotte Plains, a 27,000ha sheep station. Take a tour, meet the owners, lunch in the historic homestead and listen to the stories of existence on this remote station. For the enthusiastic, there may be time for a hot bath in the open air, heated by thermal artesian water.Back in the air, head for home to Sydney where you’ll arrive at Bankstown Airport around 6.00 pm. (B,L)