Cooktown and Goldfields 4WD Safari (T5)

For Groups and Private Charter

Guided in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish.

Sightseeing 3 day 4WD tour

Grade: easy, suited to all ages

Day 1
Departs:: Cairns 08.00
Beaches 08.30
Port Douglas 07.15
Day 3
Returns:: Cairns 18.00
Beaches 18.30
Port Douglas 19.15

This 4WD adventure leads us in 3 days about 700km (435 miles) through the wilderness of Tropical North Queensland and an overwhelming diversity of some of the world's most beautiful landscapes.

It includes 2 nights accommodation in unique places.

Day 1

Cooper Creek Cruise

In Daintree National Park we cruise on Cooper Creek to search for tropical birds and reptiles like crocodiles and snakes.

We marvel at the unique mangrove forests which line the shores.

Coconut Beach Resort

The restaurant is located in a stunning timber pole house in midst of tropical lowland rainforest next to secluded Coconut Beach.

A light lunch is served.

Cape Tribulation

We visit the magnificent beaches of Cape Tribulation where rich green rainforests spill down to the shores. The grandeur of the landscape is overwhelming.

Bloomfield Track

It is here that the 4WD action begins as we drive through several creeks, and a feeling of remoteness and adventure starts to swell.

We explore by foot some of the lush green lowland rainforests of Daintree National Park. The species composition and variety of life forms are among the most diverse in the world.

There are some creeks where we can observe large numbers of Snapping Turtles and Jungle Perches. We cool down in beautiful swimming holes.

Black Mountains

We stop at the mysterious Black Mountains which consist of large piles of granite boulders blackened by green-blue algae.

Grassy Hill

Arriving in Cooktown at dusk, we drive to the top of the 350 m high Grassy Hill to see one of the best sunsets in the world.

On the bottom of the mountain we view the small settlement of Cooktown and the Endeavour River, where Captain Cook, in 1770, beached his ship the Endeavour for repairs.

Overnight in historic Cooktown at the upmarket Milkwood Lodge. The lodge is built on a hill and overlooks a tranquil forest canopy of giant Milkwood Trees. We stay in luxurious pole cabins with en-suite bathroom.

www.milkwoodlodge.com

In the evening we have a delicious dinner at a fine dine restaurant in Charlotte Street, the main street Cooktown’s, overlooking the Endeavour River.

Day 2

We have a hearty traditional Australian breakfast at Cook's Landing Kiosk at the edge of the Endeavour River overlooking the small fleet of fishing boats.

Keatings Lagoon

A boardwalk and walking track leads us along this scenic freshwater lagoon which is an important bird sanctuary.

A bird hide provides a perfect spot to observe the abundance of birdlife.

Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Art Galleries

The landscape is dominated by mountains with sandstone escarpments.

We walk up Split Rock and marvel at some rock paintings dating back to 13,000 years.

Mitchell River

At the Mitchell River crossing we stop at the shore of the picturesque river for a picnic lunch and a swim.

Kondooparinga Aboriginal Station

We pass the Kondooparinga Aboriginal Station and continue on the most challenging 4WD section of our 3-day journey.

The adventurous unsealed track takes us through scenic and remote Outback country to Mount Mulligan.

Mount Mulligan

The vastness of the free-standing mountain, with some great red-brown walls standing in a plain, reminds us of Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock) with two major differences: it is twice as high and there are no crowds.

Mt. Mulligan Cemetery

We visit the abandoned Mt. Mulligan Cemetery with its marble headstones.

Most of the buried passed away during the September 1921 mining disaster, in which 75 miners were killed in an explosion inside a mine in the mountain.

Mt. Mulligan Township

We explore the remnants of the ghost town of Mt. Mulligan partly overgrown by vines and bushes and discover rows of house blocks, remains of buildings, rusting skips, the walls of the power house and the tall chimney stack.

Thornborough Cemetery

We stop at the ghost cemetery of the abandoned town of Thornborough. The graves date back to 1876.

We are now at the Hodgekinson River Goldfields, the second most important goldfield in Tropical North Queensland, which led to the establishment of Cairns as a port.

We stay overnight at the historic Tyrconnell Gold Mine.

Our hosts are Cate and Andrew, a young Australian couple, who live in the solitude of this typical Australian bush setting with their 3 young boys.

The uniqueness of Tyrconnell is that it is not a replica. It contains authentic remains on the original site and is one of the best preserved mining relics in the world.

In the evening we have dinner on the large veranda of the owner's residence.

Accommodation is in the miner's cottages. These have been built in the old style and are decorated with traditional furniture that captures the essence of the late 19th century.

We sleep amidst the tranquillity of the bush in magnificent old style wrought iron and timber beds, with fine linen and canopies.

www.tyrconnell.com.au

Day 3

Breakfast is served on the veranda of the owner's residence. The only noise is the whisper of a gentle breeze wafting through the trees.

Guided mine tour

After breakfast we participate in a guided tour. The showpiece of the mine is a century-old stamping battery, which is still operational.

Everybody stands in awe when Andrew starts it to demonstrate its crushing capacity.

Historic mining town of Irvinebank

The former tin mining town of Irvinebank has been widely deserted by its inhabitants. The current population stands at 120.

Arriving in Irvinebank is like stepping back in time. This village is shrouded in rich architectural heritage and is a testament to the Australian lifestyle of the 1800's.

We explore the old buildings, visit the museum and have a picnic lunch at the edge of the town lake.

We leave the Outback and continue to explore some of the Cairns Highlands treasures.

Mt. Hypipamee National Park

We follow a circuit walking track through fantastic rainforest. The highlight is the Crater, an enormous volcanic explosion pipe, which has filled with water.

The views down its 60 m walls onto the surface of the algae covered lake are spectacular.

Curtain Fig Tree

Another stop is at the famous Curtain Fig Tree, the biggest strangler fig in Australia.

The area is very rich in birdlife and many calls can be heard in the vicinity.

Lake Barrine

The 65m deep lake is the largest volcanic crater lake in Australia.

We swim in the deep blue-green water that is surrounded by lush rainforest and observe the plentiful water birds and turtles on the lake.

We walk into the forest to the famous Twin Sister Kauris. Those Queensland Kauri Pines are 55 m tall and over 1100 years old.

Finally we cross the Gillies Range on a narrow winding road where we experience fantastic views over the rainforests of the Wooroonooran National Park.

Note: The itinerary can vary due to seasonal weather conditions, particularly during the wet season from January to April.

Prices

Private Charter (available daily).

Prices per person

1 person: $4600.00
2 people: $2725.00
3 people: $2150.00
4 people: $1860.00
5 people: $1675.00
6 people: $1559.00
7 people: $1999.00
8 people: $1859.00
9 people: $1749.00
10+ people: $1620.00

Maximum 36 people. Rates are calculated on Twin or Double rooms.
Single room supplement add $150/person.
Valid 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.

Tours for Groups and Private Charter

These tours are exclusively for small or large groups on a sole charter basis.