You score up to 10% of your purchase value emailed to you as a one time code to use on your next adventure!

Yes! Please contact our helpful support team on support@backpackerdeals.com or see our live chat!

The trip starts in Cairns and ends in .

Start location: Bay Village Tropical Retreat, 227 Lake St, Cairns, Australia

• Instructions: From Cairns Airport (airport code CNS), your best option is to take a taxi or Uber from the airport directly to the hotel in approximately 10 to 15 minutes (depending on traffic).

End location: Bamaga, Australia

• Instructions: Your trip comes to an end upon arrival back at our campsite in Seisia on the last day, or alternatively at the Cape York Peninsula Lodge in Bamaga or at Bamaga Airport if you wish. There are two options for departure from Cape York:
  
  Departure from Horn Island Airport (airport code HID): Horn Island has daily flights to Cairns with Qantas. If flying out from Horn Island you will take your luggage with you on the ferry to Thursday Island on the last day, and catch a local ferry/bus transfer across to the airport on Horn Island (additional cost) in time for your flight. We recommend you book a flight after 3pm to make the most of your time on Thursday Island. Once you have booked your flight, please pre-book your local ferry/bus transfer to Horn Island with Torres Strait Tours/Rebel Marine: rebeltours.com.au. Note that the ferry operator from the mainland to Thursday Island has a luggage weight limit of 15kg and any excess luggage is subject to additional charges at your expense. At the time of booking please advise the operator of the local ferry/bus transfer that you will arrive on Thursday Island on the ferry from the mainland at 9am. They will meet the ferry and securely store your luggage until your transfer to Horn Island. The transfer to Horn Island takes place approximately 2 hours before your scheduled flight. Your leader will be able to assist you on the day.
  
  Departure from Bamaga Airport, also called Northern Peninsula Airport (airport code ABM): Bamaga has daily flights to Cairns with SmartLynx (formerly Skytrans). Once back on the mainland after your day trip to Thursday Island your leader will drop you at the airport. The ferry arrives back on the mainland at approximately 4pm, so please consider this when choosing your flight time. We recommend you stay an additional night in Bamaga at the Cape York Peninsula Lodge (please book directly with the accommodation provider), who will also be able to organise an airport transfer for you the next day.
  
  Please note that flight times are always subject to changes, so please take this into consideration when planning your onward travel. Flights are not included in the trip price and you will have to book them well ahead of time. Once booked, please make sure you let us know the flight details.

• This is a truly epic road trip to the far north of Australia and you'll be travelling for long distances for extended periods of time in remote areas most days, often on bumpy unsealed roads. See the daily itinerary for approximate total travel times and distances. 
• Other than the first night in Cairns, we spend all nights of this trip camping. Tents and camping gear are provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Communal showers and toilets are available at all campsite locations, other than our night in Iron Range National Park where basic bush toilets are available but no showers. A single tent supplement is available for purchase at an additional cost and subject to availability.
• As this is a camping trip, we rely on all travellers to help with camp duties for a smooth and enjoyable trip. This includes pitching and packing up your own tent daily and assisting your leader with cooking and cleaning duties. 
• The weather in Cape York and the Torres Strait can be unpredictable, with road and travel conditions sometimes affected by rain. Be prepared to be flexible and for some occasional changes of plan during our journey. Your leader will advise on any updates to the itinerary and inclusions as you travel. 
• Lakefield National Park is located in a basin that drains very slowly after the wet season. Access depends on whether roads are passable, and the official opening times each year can be as late as the end of July. On day 4 you’ll visit Lakefield National Park as soon as it opens after the wet season. If the park is still closed on your departure date, you’ll travel north on the main Peninsula Development Road via Coen to Archer River Roadhouse, where you will spend the night camping.
• As we are travelling in very remote areas of Australia, mobile phone reception and opportunities to charge devices will be very limited. There are few shops or services in this part of the world, so bring all essential items with you and take this time to disconnect, enjoy nature and each others company.
• There is limited luggage space in our vehicle, so you will need to pack light (maximum 15kg) and take soft sided bags. Please note we are staying in and travelling through alcohol-restricted areas and all travellers must comply with these restrictions. 

ITINERARY CHANGES
Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist.

Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts in Cairns with a welcome meeting at our joining point hotel at 6pm on day 1. The trip finishes on the last day in Seisia from where you can transfer to Bamaga Airport. Alternatively you can opt to fly out from Horn Island instead. Please see the daily itinerary and the departure instructions for more information. Once booked, please make sure you let us know your flight details.

CAMPING
This is a camping trip where you will be expected to pitch your tent at each location (tents are provided). Please bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Alternatively you can hire a sleeping bag at an additional cost. Please ask your booking agent to request a sleeping bag for you if you like to take advantage of this option. Please note that facilities are basic and are shared with other campers that are not part of our group. The facilities at our campsite in Iron Range National Park are very basic, with bush toilets and no showers.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available to be booked on this trip. It comprises the first night of the trip in Cairns at our hotel and allocates you your own tent for the rest of the trip. Travellers without a confirmed single supplement will be sharing a tent with another member of the group.

RETURN FLIGHT TO CAIRNS
The flight from Bamaga or Horn Island to Cairns is NOT included in the price of this trip. The trip finishes on arrival at Bamaga on day 10, with no other transport or accommodation included on this day. Please carefully read the finishing point instructions in the Essential Trip Information document for detailed information. Once you have booked your flight, please make sure you let us know your flight details.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
As we have limited storage space on our vehicle, please limit your luggage to no more than 15kg in a soft case bag.

LONG TRAVELLING DAYS & EARLY MORNINGS
This trip involves some early mornings and long travelling days. Please see the daily itinerary for more information. Take into consideration the weather when you are thinking of travelling and ensure you are well hydrated in the tropical heat.

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. 

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses, including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region, please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance, your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number, rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements. For example, some mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality. Travellers from the European Union, Switzerland or the USA who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

AUSTRALIANS TRAVELLING DOMESTICALLY
Travel insurance will help ensure you’re protected in case of any unforeseen changes to your journey – such as flight cancellations or illness. For this reason, we recommend you purchase comprehensive domestic travel insurance for your trip. This may not be something you would have typically done in the past when travelling domestically in Australia, but it does offer you a number of benefits. While Australians and Australian Permanent Residents travelling within Australia are not required to be covered for hospital care due to being covered by Medicare, a comprehensive domestic travel insurance policy should cover you for expenses incurred. Domestic travel insurance plans may also include personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, loss of luggage and personal effects, and other benefits. It is also advisable that domestic travellers have current ambulance cover in the case of emergency evacuation or incidents requiring ambulance transportation. Please be sure to carefully check the policy’s inclusions with your preferred insurer.
 

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 

All breakfasts are included and will be eaten at camp before setting off for the day. Lunches are typically picnic-style and will be eaten in a scenic location during or between activities. Dinners will be camp dinners. Please consult the daily itinerary for details on which days have meals included.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
If you have any dietary requirements please advise your booking agents at the time you make your booking along with your leader at the time of the group meeting. While most dietary requirements can be catered for, you may also like to bring along some of your own supplies to ensure you can enjoy your favourite foods as these may be limited in remote locations.

Hotel (1 night), Camping (7 nights), Camping with basic facilities (1 night)

Other than the first night in Cairns, we spend all nights of this trip camping. Tents and camping gear are provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Communal showers and toilets are available at all campsite locations, other than our night in Iron Range National Park.

As this is a camping trip, we rely on all travellers to help with camp duties for a smooth and enjoyable trip. This includes pitching and packing up your own tent daily and assisting your leader with cooking and cleaning duties. 

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

AUSTRALIA
The official currency of Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD). Card payments, including digital card payments like Apple Pay, are the most common form of payment in Australia. Many vendors add a small surcharge for card payments. Cash is accepted in most places and ATMs are common.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred because of changes to itineraries, including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

Make sure you have access to an extra USD 500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved.

The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of all travellers; however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. Please confirm with your leader on Day 1 if you need to carry this in cash, or whether access via card or electronically is sufficient.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
As we have limited storage space on our vehicle, please limit your luggage to no more than 15kg in a soft case bag as well as bring a day pack for items you need to access during the day. Be ready to manage your own luggage, including loading it on and off our vehicle and taking it from the vehicle to your tent in each location.

PACKING LIST
Below are some suggestions for packing for this trip. Check online for the expected weather to ensure you pack appropriately for the time of year you are travelling.

ESSENTIALS
- Sleeping bag (either bring your own or request to hire one through us for an additional cost)
- Pillow
- Long shirts and pants are important to protect against the harsh Australian sun and wind. Clothes should be easy to wash and dry.
- Comfortable, closed-in shoes to protect your feet from cuts, scratches, bites and stings when walking through bush or grasslands.
- A pair of sandals or thongs/flip flops for around camp or on the bus
- Sun protection, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Wind & waterproof jacket.
- Light weight, quick dry towel.
- Headlamp or torch for around camp at night.
- Sleep sheet (for warmer months) or extra sleeping layers (for colder months)
- Battery pack/power bank for recharging your phone or camera
- Refillable water bottle minimum 2 litres
- Swimwear
- Insect repellent
- Clothing suitable for hot days and cool nights
- Personal toiletries & medication

RECOMMENDED
- Earplugs to get a good night's sleep at our campsite.
- Binoculars for spotting wildlife.

VALUABLES
Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables with you on holiday. Take a photo of all important documents (tickets, passport, vaccination certificate etc to keep on your phone).

Overland travel to Cape York and the Torres Strait is only possible in the dry season from June to September, with maximum daytime temperatures of around 30°C and 20°C overnight. As the season progresses, the days become hotter and more humid.

REMOTE AREA TRAVEL
We carry a satellite phone on all our remote/overland trips to be used by our leaders in the event of an emergency and for your safety. Our leaders are all First Aid trained and certified and carry basic first aid kits. We do not carry defibrillators or any medicine other than paracetamol and mild anti histamines. Please note that medical assistance from qualified professionals may take several hours to arrive.