Cape York Air Safari

Begin your Cape York Air Safari with a flight to Innamincka, near the borders of NSW, SA and QLD. Fly low over the historic Dig Tree, the site where explorers Burke and Wills set up camp. On the ground, delve into these pioneering adventurers' history and ill-fated journey. Enjoy a cruise on Cooper Creek aboard the Kingfisher, and visit the Innamincka Hotel, an authentic outback pub. Continue to Birdsville for sunset drinks at Big Red, the first of 1,140 parallel dunes marking the edge of the Simpson Desert.

Conclude the day with dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel.

Overnight: Birdsville 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 or Burketown Cabins

Depart for Karumba, stopping at Hells Gate Roadhouse for lunch. Karumba is home to prawn, mud crab, barramundi and fishing fleets working in the Gulf of Carpentaria. It's also known for stunning sunsets. End the day with a camera in one hand and a glass in the other on a sunset cruise.

Overnight: Ash’s Holiday Units

Fly north up the west side of Cape York 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 nonindigenous soldiers who served in the area with insightful and entertaining commentary. Transfer by ferry across to Thursday Island and your accommodation.

2 nights: Island Villas (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom)

Today, it's time for a bucket list adventure - visiting the Tip of Australia. Fly by chopper over the region's 247 virtually untouched islands, spreading like stepping stones through the striking turquoise waters of the Arafura Sea. Land at Loyalty Beach, then bus to Frangipani Beach for a 500-metre walk over uneven ground to the tip of mainland Australia. Snap a photo for the memory vaults! Lunch is a picnic on the beach, then heli back to TI. On return, 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

Enjoy a leisurely day relaxing in the island paradise of Lizard Island, with activities at your discretion. Take advantage of the complimentary snorkelling equipment, lessons, stand-up paddle boards, and sea kayaks; staying out of the water will be hard. The local reef life will leave you spellbound.

If you're feeling energetic, a walk to Cook's Lookout, the highest point of the Island with a 360° view, is well worth the effort.

Optional tours (at  your own expense) include a boat trip to the outer reef.

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. A sunset cruise makes for a wonderfully peaceful way to end the day.

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. At least 15,000 to 30,000 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.

2 nights: Mitchell Grass Retreat or Saltbush 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 time at the Qantas Founders Museum with its impressive collection of aircraft.

Glide down the coolabah-lined Thomson River at sunset to Smithy's Outback Dinner & Show.

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

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.