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Cape York Trees and Rocks, Queensland

Cape York

The most northerly point of Australia's mainland

Woman walking trail along coastline, Lizard Island, Australia

Lizard Island

Enjoy a full day to explore this remote island

The Caledonian Sky expedition ship cruising through turquoise waters

Caledonian Sky

Navigate remote coastlines with ease aboard your expedition ship

Luxury

Cape York and the Great Barrier Reef Expedition

Cairns Return
9 Days Request Quote
Trip Code: XPCCYC9
  • Trip Highlights
  • Map & Itinerary
  • Travel & Accommodation

Your Vacation Includes

  • Experiences in 9 destinations
  • 8-night expedition cruise aboard the MS Caledonian Sky
  • Locally inspired dining - 23 meals and a wide range of onboard beverages
  • Visit remote islands on the Great Barrier Reef, including Lizard Island
  • Learn of the WWII history of Queensland
  • Stand on the northernmost tip of Australia at sunset at Cape York
  • Visit Cooktown and see where Captain Cook beached the HMB Endeavour
  • The service of an expert APT expedition leader and team

Map & Itinerary

OWA Queensland Map 2022-23 GOCYC9 / XPCCYC9
Cairns Return

Designed Exclusively for APT guests

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises

Welcome to Cairns, where we’ll meet and transfer you to the MS Caledonian Sky. Tonight gather for a welcome reception and dinner as you begin your cruise bound for remote Willis Island.

Stay: Eight Nights, MS Caledonian Sky

Daily :
  • Dinner

After a morning at sea, arrive at Willis Island, where you have chance to snorkel and swim. This tiny island beyond the Great Barrier Reef is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. It is an important nesting ground for turtles and the home to birdlife including Masked, Brown and Red-Footed boobies.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Cruise overnight to South Direction Island. Here board the Zodiacs and go ashore to walk the sandy beaches, swim or snorkel on the reefs. After a short walking tour enjoy a drink as you watch the sunset. The ship will then head for Lizard Island.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a full day to explore private Lizard Island, with the chance to be active or simply to relax on the beach.

Stronger walkers may like to make an early start on the  Cook’s Look Walk. After about 90 minutes, reach 350 metres above sea level to enjoy the view Captain Cook had as he searched for a way to navigate his ships through a maze of reefs. Alternatively, visit the Australian Research Museum, a world-renowned marine research station working on reef recovery efforts.

There are other walks to choose from: an easy two-hour birders walk with an ornithologist on sandy beaches and through the rainforest, or a medium-grade nature and history walk led by expedition staff. Snorkelling is also offered, with the possibility of seeing green turtles which feed along the beaches at low tide.

After a day filled with Signature Experiences, sit back and enjoy sunset drinks.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Couple sitting on rocks overlooking Lizard Island

Jump aboard Zodiacs to visit Restoration Island, named by Captain William Bligh when he landed here in 1789 aboard his 17-foot boat during his epic journey following the famous mutiny on the Bounty. Bligh and his men spent time here to recover from their exertions. The food they found restored their spirits before they set sail to Timor. Then cruise to the Piper Islands, a group of vegetated cays home to Queensland’s largest breeding population of black noddies and a nesting area for the vulnerable hawksbill turtle. A population of dugongs also inhabits the area.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

At Thursday Island, learn of the history and culture of the Torres Strait people and the pearling industry. Visit the Gab Titui Cultural Centre and mix with the locals. Thursday Island played a major part during WWII, and you will see remnants of that period. You will then cruise to the tip of Australia, setting foot on its northernmost point, Cape York. Here is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of bubbly in hand.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Taking a picture with the sign at the Tip of Cake York in North Queensland.

Spend time on Davie Reef and enjoy the coral reef while swimming and snorkelling off Davie Cay, a small spit on the northern edge of the reef. Here you can spot barracuda swimming around the reef’s edges. You’ll also feast your eyes on the technicolour wonderland of the coral sites, where colourful parrot fish, blue and yellow fusiliers, neon wrasses and clownfish swim.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Discover historic Cooktown, which dates to the 1870s. Walk in the steps of Captain Cook as you pass along the main street and visit the botanical gardens and James Cook Museum. Here you will find original artefacts from the HMB Endeavour and learn of the story of Cook’s landing from an Indigenous perspective. Afterwards, head up to Grassy Hill with a local guide, and take in the view of the Coral Sea and Endeavour River, where Cook and ship naturalist Joseph Banks first saw a kangaroo. Tonight is our farewell dinner.

Daily :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast, disembark in Cairns and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Daily :
  • Breakfast

We know that great service is more than just taking care of you on holiday… it’s the unprecedented warmth, care and consideration you’ll be afforded from your first call until after your return home

Geoff McGeary OAM – APT Company Owner -