I’ll give you the tip – at Cape York

[JohnM]

Time for us to get away again.

Tomorrow it’s on the birds PER-xBNE-CNS to the next day join a 13-day Outback Spirit tour to Cape York.

The timing of the tour fits neatly in the WA July school holiday, with PJM only needing to take an extra day’s leave tomorrow on the final day of term to ensure that we’re in CNS comfortably prior to the tour starting on Saturday.

Outbound B738/E190 and repeat-sector return flights are all QF J Classic Rewards, while the QF sector HID-CNS is on a Y-only Dash 8 and included in the tour. Outback Spirit suggests only hand luggage for the night on Thursday Island, while the main bags are transported back to CNS on the coach.




Although the 4WD coaches can carry 26 pax, this tour is limited to 20. Like the Arnhem Land tour that we did in 2022 (Adventure across Arnhem Land) pax numbers are determined by the most pax-limited accommodation rather than the capacity of the coach. It was 22 for Arnhem Land.

In contrast, our recent Red Centre tour (Target: The Red Centre), using larger-scale accommodation in less isolated areas, was the full complement of 26 pax. Whatever the limit, the numbers are very comfortable.

As usual, the TR will be completed upon return.

 

[craven morehead]

Sign me up

 

[jastel]

Thought you would drive yourself in the Everest...

Good timing as the Bloomfield Track and Lions Den Hotel only re-opened last week after the floods. I have only been as far as Thorntons Beach recently. I expect the scenery will be a bit different to what I am used to seeing and I look forward to your pix.

The Tip is infested with Mexicans and their Toorak Tractors as per normal school holidays.

 

[JohnM]

Thought you would drive yourself in the Everest...

Good timing as the Bloomfield Track and Lions Den Hotel only re-opened last week after the floods. I have only been as far as Thorntons Beach recently. I expect the scenery will be a bit different to what I am used to seeing and I look forward to your pix.

The Tip is infested with Mexicans and their Toorak Tractors as per normal school holidays.

We don't have the time to drive. PJM still works and she is not into camping.

We really like Outback Spirit, so happy to sit back and be looked after.

 

[jastel]

Doubt they will do the Gunshot and the original Overland Telegraph route but...

At least you wont be bogged and muddy.

 

[NSun]

Can't wait to read. I love Cairns every time I go but want to see more of FNQ.

 

[Daver6]

Which wineries are you hitting up there?

 

[JohnM]

Now in BNE. Ride to CNS delayed 1h.

A bizarre experience with the WiFi on the bird. I could load email, AFF threads etc. but not type into the reply field. It stalled without showing the ribbon with font, emojis etc., remaining like that for the whole flight. Very strange.

Anyway, a pleasant enough ride.

 

[Daver6]

A bizarre experience with the WiFi on the bird. I could load email, AFF threads etc. but not type into the reply field. It stalled without showing the ribbon with font, emojis etc., remaining like that for the whole flight. Very strange.

It's a new AFF feature admins implemented to give us a break Looks like it works well

 

[JohnM]

It's a new AFF feature admins implemented to give us a break Looks like it works well

 

[Daver6]

Looks like the new feature isn't working that all at all then

 

[JohnM]

Hauling out of BNE early evening.

 

[craven morehead]

Looks like the new feature isn't working that all at all then

Enhancement

 

[Major]

Normal service will resume shortly

 

[DC3]

So, not another tipping thread. Phew.

 

[JohnM]

Normal service will resume shortly

We arrived at Bamaga, the kick-off town for our excursion to the tip tomorrow, this afternoon.

I’m not going to post out of sequence, so transmission will resume after we get home on Thursday evening.

 

[JohnM]

OK, resuming transmission.

The tour started at about noon the next day with departure from Cairns. We had 17 on the tour – seven couples and three singles, making up the maximum of ten accommodations available at the smallest destination.

The full route taken and overnight stop locations.



The first day was a short drive to Port Douglas, with a quick look around before checking into the Sheraton Mirage.



After initial apprehension, I found that the native on the beach was friendly.

 

[tgh]

If I was single I would live in Port Douglas...

 

[JohnM]

Next morning moving on to Mossman Gorge in the Daintree NP rainforest and the Dreamtime Gorge Walk with a great guide.

All part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.



Cassowary dropping.

 

[JohnM]

Cassowaries feed on these bush plums but barely digest them.