Far North Escapes 4WD Cooktown Tour

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An exclusive one-day Cooktown and Daintree tour that showcases Far North Queensland's natural beauty and culture. Visit the heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and historical Cooktown.

Days

9 hours, full day

Age

All ages

Group size

Private or small group, max 15

Start / finish

Cape Tribulation / Cape Tribulation

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

4WD vehicle, with pick-ups between Cairns, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation

Meals

Lunch and drinks, including at the Lions Den Hotel

Route

Map of Far North Escapes 4WD Cooktown Tour

View map

Included experiences

Wujal Wujal Falls — Indigenous interpretive walk
Bloomfield Track — 4WD drive
Cooktown — James Cook Museum
Cooktown Botanical Gardens
Lions Den Hotel — lunch stop
Daintree Rainforest — guided walk
Cape Tribulation — beaches

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: CAPE TRIBULATION TO THE BLOOMFIELD TRACK

Your guide collects you around Cape Tribulation and heads north in the 4WD to where the sealed road gives out. The first stop is a giant fig tree, around 500 years old, its buttress roots taller than you are. Then the 4WD splashes across Emmagen Creek, the gateway to the Bloomfield Track, about 30 km of steep, rough road to Wujal Wujal. In 1983 protesters chained themselves to trees and buried themselves in the roadway to stop the bulldozers cutting it. They lost the road but won the argument: the fight drew national attention that helped bring the area's World Heritage listing in 1988.

LATE MORNING: WUJAL WUJAL AND BLOOMFIELD FALLS

The track drops down to Wujal Wujal, an Aboriginal community on the Bloomfield River in Kuku Yalanji country. Here an Indigenous interpretive walk follows a short track to the base of Bloomfield Falls, also called Wujal Wujal Falls, where the river pours over a granite ledge into a broad pool. It's no place for a swim, as the river below is crocodile country. You hear how the Kuku Yalanji have lived with this rainforest for tens of thousands of years, and which plants were food, medicine or tools. Bana Yirriji, the community's art centre, shows paintings, textiles and carvings by local artists.

MIDDAY: BLACK MOUNTAIN AND THE LIONS DEN

North of the Bloomfield the rainforest gives way to drier country, and the road passes Kalkajaka (Black Mountain), a vast heap of granite boulders stained black by lichen and algae. To its traditional owners it is a place of spirits and old battles, and it is home to a frog, a skink and a gecko found nowhere else on earth. Lunch and a cold drink are at the Lions Den Hotel, a tin miners' pub at Helenvale that has been pouring beer since 1875. Its walls and ceiling are covered in the signatures of travellers going back to the 1800s, so look for some old ones.

AFTERNOON: COOKTOWN, THEN BACK TO THE DAINTREE

Cooktown is where Captain Cook beached the Endeavour in 1770 for almost seven weeks of repairs after it struck the reef. During that stay Joseph Banks heard the Guugu Yimithirr word for a big grey animal, and "kangaroo" entered the English language. You walk in the Cooktown Botanic Gardens, laid out in 1878, and visit the James Cook Museum, in an old Sisters of Mercy convent, where an anchor and a cannon thrown overboard from the Endeavour to lighten the ship are on show. Then it's the drive back to Cape Tribulation in the late afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Daily pick-ups from anywhere between Cairns, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation.
Fitness: Relaxed.
Suits: All ages.
Please note: Optional extras: a night at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, a guided rainforest night walk, and 4WD lessons on the region's rough terrain.

What to bring

Closed-toe shoes

What is included

Guided rainforest walk in the Daintree
Meals at the tour's venues, including the Lions Den pub in Cooktown
4WD vehicle with guide
Daily pick-ups between Cairns, Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.