Cape York Tour FAQ's 

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• StarLink Wifi - internet when we're camped remotely.
• Exclusive riverside campsite on the first night.
• Dinner on the first night at the Lion's Den Hotel, with transfers.
• 3 dinners: Lion's Den, Atherton, and Bramwell Station dinner & entertainment (an institution on the Cape!).
• 1 Lunch - prawn salad rolls on Chilli Beach from the Portland Roads "Out of the Blue" Café.
• Thursday Island Ferry and Sightseeing  bus trip - full day tour.
• Weipa Mine & Town Tour - 3 hour tour (get ready for a factual mind explosion! There's more to Weipa than holes in the ground).
• Western Cape Eco-Tour Sunset Cruise - 3 hour tour (complete with bubbly, beer & nibbles while the sun goes down over the Gulf of Carpentaria).
• Jardine Ferry fees (camper trailers extra $100).
• All campground fees including: Archer River Roadhouse, Merluna Stn, Weipa Campground, Bramwell Stn, Loyalty Beach Campground, Hann River Roadhouse campground.
• National Park entrance & camping fees including: Lakefield NP, Eliot Falls NP, Iron Range NP.
• Highlights of the Old Tele Track - Palm Creek, Gunshot Creek, Cockatoo Creek, Fruitbat & Eliot Falls (without wrecking your vehicle).
• Pre-tour help and advice on vehicle and gear setup.
• All the arrangements and bookings for the tour (just get yourself, your gear and vehicle to Cooktown for our first night). 
• Full-time, professional tour guide/4WD instructor with a Cert IV qualification in 4WD training & current first aid certificate.
• "On-tour"  help and advice throughout the entire trip over the 2-way radio. (You will be warned of oncoming traffic and hazards. Your guide will co-ordinate with oncoming vehicles on the tight tracks. On difficult sections, your guide will be out of their vehicle to help you and instruct you personally).
• Reliable lead vehicle with all safety, recovery, communications and emergency equipment - Satphone and Garmin inReach (tracker, emergency beacon & satellite texting), winch, snatch straps, Max Trax etc. -  You don't have to carry recovery gear, but you can if you like (most people carry a spade, Max Trax, a snatch strap and the appropriate shackles).
• A day off "Up the Top" for an optional fishing trip or just a day off.
• Tyre changing and mechanical assistance.
• Spare 2-way radios.
• Bird and Animal spotting, photography & spotlighting sessions - esp. in Iron Range National Park; bird/animal ID books and apps.


WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?

 • 4WD Vehicle, fuel, food (other than stated above), camping gear, insurance (vehicle and personal).  
• Any other optional extras - eg. Fishing charters in Bamaga/Seisia. Arrange this well in advance if you want to go, spaces are limited; helicopter scenic flights at Weipa or Seisia.


WHAT ARE THE 4X4 VEHICLE AND GEAR REQUIREMENTS?

• This tour is suitable for off-road camper trailers - please discuss your trailer with us if applicable. 
• A high clearance 4X4 vehicle with low range. 
• Upgraded, heavy duty suspension - even on a new vehicle. Standard suspension will not cope with the rough roads (some exceptions apply).
• All terrain tread pattern LT tyres (Light Truck construction) with over 2/3 tread remaining. A second spare is not mandatory for this tour, but is recommended. Discuss suitable tyre types with us. Not all LT's are created equal. 
• Fuel range of 600 km is required for this tour. There is generally plenty of fuel available along the way.
• 40L water storage - plenty of water available along the trip route.
• Tyre pressure gauge.
• Good quality compressor with a gauge with a trigger so that you can read the pressure quickly.
• Good quality UHF radio base set (Uniden, GME or Oricom recommended) fitted into your vehicle by a UHF specialist installer, and a substantial aerial - 6.6dbi, 1 - 1.2m in length, with large base - 30mm (not the slim springy ones. These will break on the corrugations).
• Some spares are required to be carried eg. air, oil and fuel filters, fan belt. A full list is provided on booking.
• A mechanical checklist is to be completed and returned by a qualified mechanic at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour.
• An medical form is to be completed and submitted at least 2 weeks before departure.
• A tent or camp set up that is EASY TO PUT UP AND TAKE DOWN. This should take no longer than 15 mins each time (this will make or break your trip).
• Insurance - make sure your insurance company covers your vehicle for off-road driving. NRMA/RACQ etc will not recover your vehicle from remote tracks. Only Club 4X4 Insurance will pay for your vehicle recovery in remote situations. There is an option with Club 4X4 to get up to $30,000 for remote recoveries. (Our vehicle is insured with Club 4X4 but we are NOT sponsored by them).
• Travel Insurance - as with any holiday, you should get travel insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances (such as remote medical evacuation).


CAN I HIRE A 4WD VEHICLE & CAMPING GEAR?

Yes you can. Hire a fully equipped 4WD Vehicle from our trusted supplier, Overlander Adventures, in Cairns. Priced from $450/day. Click here for information about the Hilux 4WD Camper.


WHEN CAN I SEE THE FULL ITINERARY?

Itineraries are provided once your deposit has been received. 

Please note that the itinerary is subject to change depending on track conditions, weather, vehicle issues, border restrictions etc.