Cape York & Northern Islands

Fly to Innamincka, near the borders of NSW, SA and QLD. On the way in, your pilot will fly low over the Dig Tree, where the explorers Burke and Wills famously set up camp. On the ground, learn more about this pioneering pair and their ill-fated expedition.

End the day with a 3-course dinner at the Innamincka Hotel, an authentic outback pub.

Overnight: Innamincka Hotel

Fly north towards the Gulf of Carpentaria, arriving in Burketown, which sits along the Savannah Way, a 3700-kilometre route linking the historic pearling town of Broome with Tropical Cairns. Tour the area with a local guide, visiting the Burketown Bore, The Old Wharf, Albert River and Escott Crossing Weir. Learn about the water systems crucial to Burketown and their significance to the Gangalidda culture.

Overnight: Savannah Lodge

Head to Bremer Island, Arnhem Land, located in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Banubanu is an eco-sensitive beach retreat developed in collaboration with the Yolngu people to ensure that guests can fully appreciate the natural beauty and culture of East Arnhem Land in this peaceful setting. The experience is exclusive and intimate. The beachfront bungalows offer luxurious accommodations and a perfect opportunity to unwind. Relax on your deck and enjoy the ocean view, take pleasure in your outdoor shower, and fall asleep to the soothing sound of the waves.

2 nights: Banubanu Beach Retreat, Beach Front Bungalow

Today you will have the option to go fishing, canoeing, snorkelling or on an ATV tour. Fishing around Bremer Island is magical. Migrating Pelagic like Spanish Mackerel and Tuna abound in the waters, where the Gulf of Carpentaria meets the Arafura Sea.

Back at the lodge, savour a well-earned drink at sunset overlooking the water, and enjoy the day's catch.

Continue flying west to the Tiwi Islands. The Tiwi Island Retreat is located on the remote Bathurst Island, north of Darwin in the Timor Sea. The resort has a relaxed beach vibe and offers oceanfront rooms and a wonderful pool deck with ocean views. The afternoon is yours to relax, rejuvenate and take it all in.

During your time here, you may enjoy a beach buggy ride, bonfire with canapes and an estuary boat adventure. Delicious seafood is a focus, with ocean-to-plate and locally sourced produce tempting your taste buds.

2 nights: Tiwi Island Retreat, Ocean Front Room

Today is your opportunity to enjoy a half-day offshore reef fishing cruise. You will be accompanied by an experienced skipper and all fishing equipment will be provided. During the trip, visit some of the most remote and pristine fishing environments in the world, where you can target a variety of tropical species such as Barramundi, Blue Salmon, Black Jewfish, Golden Snapper, Mangrove Jack and many more.

Fly back east to Cape York and on to Horn Island in the Torres Strait. Local history experts and tour guides Liberty and Vanessa will meet you on arrival. They'll take you to the Torres Strait Heritage Museum to view exhibits from the pearling industry, myths and legends of the Torres Strait, artwork, artefacts and the World War II history of the area.

On the In Their Steps WWII tour, visit gun emplacements, an underground command post, slit trenches, an aircraft wreck with an unbelievable story, a WWII airstrip, dispersal bays and taxiways. Walk in the steps of the indigenous and non-indigenous soldiers who served in the area with insightful and entertaining commentary.

Transfer by ferry across to Thursday Island and your accommodation. Island Villas are large and beautifully appointed, with lovely views over the harbour. As there are only a limited number of villas available, each villa will be shared with
your fellow passengers. Enjoy your own bedroom and bathroom (ensuite or directly across the hallway) in these 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villas. The lounge area of the villa is shared with your fellow passengers.

2 nights: Island Villas

Today, it's time for a bucket list adventure - visiting the Tip of Australia. Fly to Bamaga, then drive north to the tip for a 500-metre walk over uneven ground to the tip of mainland Australia. Snap a photo for the memory vaults! Explore a WWII DC3 crash site, Lockerbie Station and Somerset, to learn about a little of the local history.

Rejoin your aircraft and fly back to Horn Island. A tour of the Island and Green Hill Fort reveals how its history helped to create today's dynamic, multicultural community and the tropical lifestyle it offers.

End the day with a captivating cultural dinner with Torres Strait Island food, dancing, music with traditional instruments, singing and storytelling. Learn why each dance is performed and its cultural significance.

Return to Horn Island and fly south to Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy the stunning coastline scenery and take in the breathtaking reef views.

Lizard Island, the most northern resort on the Great Barrier Reef, offers seclusion from the rest of the world. The resort provides exceptional service, facilities, tours and food, making it the perfect place to experience the wonders of the largest coral reef in the world. It's truly an unbeatable experience.

2 nights: Lizard Island Resort

Relax on Lizard Island with snorkelling, paddleboarding and kayaking activities. Explore the island on a nature walk, join the resident naturalist for a bird-watching tour, or take an optional boat trip to the outer reef (additional cost).

Fly to Cooktown, where Captain Cook sought refuge when his ship, The Endeavour, sustained severe damage during his 1770 expedition.

Tour the many historical sites and learn how Cooktown prospered in a gold rush, dwindled, and rose again to become an essential base in World War II.

Dine in the lovely surroundings of the Balcony Restaurant.

Overnight: Sovereign Resort Hotel

Fly to Laura for a tour of spectacular rock art. Quinkan Country contains a large and dramatic body of rock paintings. Between 15,000 and 40,000 years old, these galleries are listed by UNESCO as among the world's top 10 rock art sites.

Continue to Longreach and explore the historic homestead at Camden Park Station. Take in the expansive view from the verandah, visit a circa 1920 shearing shed and gain an insight into the history of grazing in the outback.

This evening, witness a thrilling luminescent light show at the Qantas Founders Museum.

Luxury ensuite glamping is offered at Mitchell Grass Retreat - with a private deck, air conditioning, indulgent king size bed and bath looking out over the plain, you may not want to leave!

2 nights: Mitchell Grass Retreat

Your day in Longreach begins at the fascinating Stockman's Hall of Fame, where the Australian Stockman's Experience will take you on an adventure that depicts the rugged, harsh and sometimes humorous antics of life in the bush.

Spend some more time at the Qantas Founders Museum, which has an impressive collection of aircraft.

Dinner is at Mitchell Grass – relax on the sunset viewing deck, with a fire pit to keep you warm, and indulge in a delicious three course dinner in The Tin Shed.

Next is Carnarvon Gorge, an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Carnarvon Creek has carved a winding course through sandstone over millions of years to form a spectacular steep gorge with narrow, vibrantly coloured, lush side gorges. Take a guided walk along Mickey's Creek and Warrumbah Gorge - a side gorge so narrow that you can touch both walls simultaneously.

Head to Wallaroo Outback Retreat, nestled amongst the magnificent sandstone cliffs of the Carnarvon Ranges. Wallaroo is a 72,000-acre cattle property owned by your hosts, Pauline and Justin MacDonnell. This is a natural heritage experience, away from the crowds, with only ten glamping tents for an exclusive and intimate experience. Throughout your stay, you will enjoy private touring with a local ecologist, who will share their passion and expertise to make your experience deep and meaningful. Indulge in a campfire dinner under the stars.

Accommodation is in glamping tents with private ensuite (ensuites either attached or detached, up to a 30m walk).

2 nights: Wallaroo Outback Retreat

Explore some of the Wallaroo highlights by air-conditioned 4WD. Staying on the property, you'll see an extensive array of unique aboriginal sites such as the Axe Factory and the Date Site, incredible rock formations, lookouts and Rainbow Cave – the créme de la créme of Wallaroo. You'll get a sense of the region's stunning scenery and biodiversity from the massive to the microscopic.

Fly to Eulo, known for producing honey and opals, and for recent megafauna discoveries. Lunch at the Eulo Queen Hotel and learn the many local versions of the Eulo Queen story.

Back in the air, head for home, arriving in the early evening.