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Main > Queensland Eco > Encounter Cape York

State: Queensland Eco
Operator: Adventure Express
Minimum Price: AUD $ 4,999

Combining the Cape York Turtle Rescue, Aurukun Wetland Charters and the Western Cape Cultural Centre, this 7 day / 6 night package will offer you an unsurpassed experience into one of the last frontiers of Australia.

Cape York Turtle Rescue:Join a group of volunteers, local residents and researchers tagging nesting Flat Back and Olive Ridley turtles at Mapoon on the western coast of Cape York. The Mapoon Community has extended an invitation for visitors to participate in scheduled camps during the winter nesting season, and to help the Indigenous Rangers in their research work into protecting the turtles and other marine life.

Aurukun Wetland Charters: The intimate relationship that the Traditional Owners of the Aurukun area have with the land and the water will make this truly a one of a kind experience. The Aurukun wetlands area is an untouched environment that features a wide range of birdlife, flora and fauna and offers a unique way to explore an untouched natural world, with interpretation and insight from the Wik and Wik Way people of Cape York.

Suggested Itinerary:

Please note that the below itinerary is indicative only. Activities described may change during the course of this package.

Day 1: Saturday (L,D)
You are met at Weipa Airport and transferred to the Western Cape Cultural Centre. Here you will be served lunch and then given an orientation of the area. The Western Cape is one of the most culturally strong Indigenous Areas in all of Australia.

An understanding of how the Cape works, the politics, the history and the role that outside stakeholders have in the Cape, will enhance your overall experience over the next six days. You are then free to walk around the centre before your transfer arrives to take you through to Mapoon.

Mapoon is approximately ninety kms North of Weipa. The transfer will take approximately 2 hours. Once you reach Mapoon, you will then transfer to 4WD for your transfer to Camp Chivaree on the banks of Janie Creek. Your accommodation at Camp Chivaree is in tourer style tents.

Each tent has two camp beds in them, however with maximum numbers for the camp set at 12, each person can enjoy their privacy in their own tent. Of course couple are free to share. The camp has share toilet (hybrid toilet) and shower facilities (bush shower, but with hot water). Meals are served in a communal dining area which is powered so you can charge up batteries for camera etc.

You will make your way across to Flinders Beach by dinghy where the research work on the turtles takes place. Flinders Beach is a 24km stretch of beach. It is a beautifully remote piece of Australia’s magnificent coastline. You will be transported in 4WD up and down the beach, stopping frequently to spot turtles, watch them lay, and record research data. Once the research work is completed, it is back to Camp Chivaree.

Days 2 & 3: Sunday & Monday (B,L,D)
Breakfast is served, before making your way back to Flinders Beach for more research. This morning, you will be looking for eruptions of nests and recording data of hatchlings. Once this is completed, roll up your sleeves as you help the rangers clear the beach of any ghost nets, as well as helping them with Predator Exclusion Devices (PED’s).

Back to Camp Chivaree for lunch and then afternoon at leisure (optional activities include bush tucker walks, fishing in Janie Creek or just relaxing in this beautiful part of Australia). Early evening, you will again make your way over to Flinders Beach.

Day 4: Tuesday (B,D)
This morning you bid farewell to Camp Chivaree. You are transported to the Mapoon Airstrip, where your air charter to Aurukun is waiting. The flight takes approximately 20-30 mins and is a stunning flight down the coast of the Western Cape.

At Aurukun, you are met and then transported to the MV Pikkuw for your encounter with the magnificent Aurukun Wetlands. The MV Pikkuw is a 12 metre catamaran built in 2005. It sleeps eight people in a 2 x 2 persons berth and 1 x 4 person berth in air conditioned comfort. After a briefing from the crew, you will begin cruising into the river systems that make up the wetlands. Quite simply, it will be one of the most pristine encounters you will ever have with Australia. Abundant birdlife, stunning scenery, perhaps a crocodile on the banks are just par for the course. Dinner is served on board, before retiring for the night.

Day 5: Wednesday (B,L,D)

Awake to the dawn chorus of the Aurukun Wetlands. Breakfast is served on the top deck. You may decided to throw a line into the river as you wait for this morning’s visitors from the Aurukun community to arrive. Where you are on the river, will then dictate the days activities, it could be jumping into one of three tenders from the Pikkuw and going off to harvest native bush honey, or a swim in a stunning natural water hole complete with waterfall.

Lunch may be served on the banks of the river or on board the boat. Back to the Pikkuw, late afternoon, for a chat with the community before they depart and dinner is served. Maybe a bit of nighttime croc spotting.

Day 6: Thursday (B,L,D)
Your last full day on board. This morning you may cruise to a beautiful part of river to be met by some more members of the community. Experience a traditional kup murrie (earth oven cooked meal) on the banks of the river, as you sit and talk with some of the traditional owners of this magnificent country. These interactions are truly once in a lifetime.
Back on board the Pikkuw, for a late afternoon fish, before dinner again is served on board.

Day 7: Friday (B)
Enjoy a early morning bird encounter as you get up for one last jump in the tenders for a bit of early morning croc and wildlife spotting. Back to the Pikkuw for breakfast, before heading back to the Aurukun landing and transfer to the Aurukun airstrip. Again your charter is waiting for your transfer back to Weipa airport for departure.

Please note that this itinerary is indicative only. Activities described may change during the course of this package.

What's Included?

Includes Transfer from Weipa Airport to the Western Cape Cultural Centre
Lunch at the centre
An orientation to the area
Transfer to Mapoon and onwards to the Cape York Turtle Rescue at Camp Chivaree
3 nights at the Cape York Turtle Rescue, including all meals and activities.
Transfers from Mapoon to Aurukun on specially charted flights
3 nights on the MV Pikkuw with Aurukun Wetland Charters, including all meals and activities
Air charter transfers back to Weipa for departure.

What To Bring

Your camera, re-charger or batteries or film
Suncreen and protective clothing such as hats and sunglasses – Even in Winter, the Cape York sun can be severe.
Clothing for six days (there are no laundry facilities). You may want to include some warm clothing as it does get cool at night.
Head lights for Cape York Turtle Rescue for working at night.
Cash money for purchases at either the Western Cape Cultural Centre or the Aurukun Arts Centre

What Not To Bring

Alcohol: Please note that both Aurukun and Mapoon fall under the Alcohol Management Program and bringing in alcohol into these areas is forbidden. Bags check can and will happen and severe fines are imposed if people are caught. Limited beer and wine are available at both locations.
Mobile Phones: Unless your mobile phone is a satellite phone, it will not work in Mapoon. In Aurukun only phones that are CDMA compatible or 3G compatible will work and even then only in selected areas.
Large pieces of luggage. Storage areas at both Cape York Turtle Rescue and onboard MV Pikkuw are limited. Baggage restrictions will also apply on the air charters.

Notes:
Special Departure Dates: Saturday 16th June
Saturday 23rd July
Saturday 21st July
Saturday 11th August
Saturday 18th August
Saturday 1st September
Saturday 15th September
Saturday 29th September
Saturday 13th October
Saturday 27th October
Trip Duration: 7 days
All Prices: $4999 per person
Children's pricing is available on application, however the Encounter Cape York package is not suitable for children under 8 years of age.

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