Cape York 4WD Small Group Tour: Cairns to the Tip & Thursday Island

Summary

From Cairns to Cape York’s tip by 4WD with real moments and wild roads

You’ll join a small group for nine days off-grid from Cairns all the way to Cape York’s tip by 4WD—with river cruises, Aboriginal art stops, time in Cooktown and Weipa, plus guided tours on Thursday Island before flying back. Expect muddy tracks, wild coastline, real conversations—and moments you’ll keep thinking about long after you’re home.

What’s the experience like?

I’d been curious about the far north for years, but nothing really prepared me for actually rumbling out of Cairns in that big 4WD, windows cracked to let in the sticky air. Our guide—Mick—seemed to know every bend and story along Queensland’s Great Ocean Road. The first croc we spotted on the Daintree River cruise was just a silent shadow slipping under the water. I remember the smell of mangroves and how everyone went quiet for a second, just watching.

Cooktown was more layered than I thought—old colonial buildings, murals, and this lookout where you could see rain rolling in over endless green. Mick told us stories about Captain Cook that didn’t make it into schoolbooks. One night at Coen Guesthouse, we sat outside swapping stories with a couple from Brisbane (they’d done this trip three times—still can’t figure out why). The sky felt impossibly wide out there. I kept thinking about how far we were from everything familiar.

The drive through Iron Range felt like moving between worlds—one minute open savannah, then suddenly rainforest so dense it almost pressed against the windows. We met some folks at Lockhart River who showed us their artwork; Li laughed when I tried to say “Kungkay” properly (I probably butchered it). There was something grounding about seeing those paintings right where they’re made, not behind glass.

Getting to Cape York’s tip is honestly harder than it looks on a map—there’s mud and river crossings and those termite mounds that look like weird sculptures. Walking that last bit up to the signpost at the very top of Australia felt surreal. The Torres Strait shimmered in front of us, blue and endless. Later on Thursday Island, our local guide pointed out old WWII bunkers and shared stories about his grandfather fishing these waters. I still think about that view from Somerset Beach—quiet except for wind and distant bird calls. If you’re after a day trip Machu Picchu Cusco style adventure but in Australia… well, this is it—but rougher around the edges.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cairns to Daintree

• Depart Cairns heading north
• Travel along Queensland’s Great Ocean Road
• Join Daintree River Cruise
• Explore wilderness and spot crocodiles
• Overnight in Daintree

Day 2 — Daintree to Cooktown

• Visit Grassy Hill Lookout
• Explore James Cook Museum
• Visit Botanical Gardens and Powerhouse Museum
• Overnight in Cooktown

Day 3 — Cooktown to Musgrave/Coen

• Visit Grassy Hill Lookout and museums
• Travel west to Battle Camp
• Enter Lakefield National Park
• Visit Old Laura homestead
• See river valleys and termite mounds
• Overnight at The Coen Guesthouse

Day 4 — Musgrave/Coen to Lockhart

• Explore Sir William Thompson Range
• Cross Pascoe River
• Enter Iron Range National Park
• View Mount Tozer
• Descend to Lockhart River at Lloyd Bay
• Explore Iron Range rainforest
• Overnight at The Greenhoose

Day 5 — Lockhart to Weipa

• Head inland through National Park
• Travel north through savannah land
• Continue west to Weipa mining town
• Overnight at Weipa Motel

Day 6 — Weipa and surroundings

• Stroll through Jardine National Park
• Visit Western Cape Cultural Centre
• Explore Weipa township
• Take Weipa Eco Cruise tour
• Depart Weipa port and coastline
• Travel to Bramwell for overnight

Day 7 — Weipa to Cape York

• Depart Bramwell via Batavia Downs cattle station
• Visit Morton Telegraph Station
• Join Telegraph Track (conditions permitting)
• Visit Elliot Falls and Fruit Bat Falls
• Cross Jardine River by ferry
• Arrive at Loyalty Beach
• Overnight at Loyalty Beach

Day 8 — Cape York to the Tip

• Visit remains of Somerset
• Relax at secluded beaches
• Spot dugongs and sea turtles
• Walk 30 minutes to Cape York point
• Enjoy views and afternoon drink
• Overnight at Cape York

Day 9 — Cape York to Thursday Island

• Boat cruise to Thursday Island
• Guided tour of Thursday Island
• Ferry to Horn Island
• Short tour of Horn Island
• Transfer to Horn Island Airport
• Flight back to Cairns

Top questions

How many people are in each group on this Cape York tour?

This Cape York 4WD tour takes no more than six guests per group.

Is accommodation included during the Cape York trip?

Yes—all accommodation costs are included for each night of the 9-day tour.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel in Cairns?

Yes, pickup is included at the start of your journey from Cairns.

Are meals provided during the Cape York safari?

All breakfasts and dinners are included as well as light lunches according to itinerary details.

Do I need to carry my own luggage throughout the trip?

You’re allowed one soft bag up to 10kg; all main transfers are handled by your guide and vehicle.

What kind of vehicle is used for this Cape York tour?

A comfortable late-model 4WD vehicle is used throughout the journey.

Is there a flight or boat ride back to Cairns?

The return includes both a ferry crossing and a flight from Horn Island back to Cairns.

Is vegetarian food available on this trip?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking; please mention any dietary needs ahead of time.

What’s included

Your journey includes all nightly accommodations from Daintree through Weipa up to Loyalty Beach; daily breakfasts and dinners plus light lunches; all scheduled cruises—including Daintree River and Thursday Island tours—a guided visit on Horn Island; all ferries and barge crossings; travel in a modern 4WD with an experienced local driver-guide; morning or afternoon teas along the way; plus your return flight from Horn Island back to Cairns at trip’s end.