Tip in a Day

Short on time, but not going to compromise on experience? Tip In A Day is for you. Launching from Cairns on a private charter you’ll fly over the Great Barrier Reef and remote wilderness area that is Cape York Peninsula. From the air, you can appreciate this vast tract of largely unpopulated land. Our destination is the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) which is home to both Torres Strait and Australian Aboriginal people and cultures. We touch down at Bamaga, which is one of two NPA Torres Strait communities and will visit the other one, Seisia and of course – journey to Pajinka (The Tip).

Bamaga – A Community

Bamaga is the largest of the five NPA communities and is the administrative hub for the area. It’s named after its founder from the Torres Strait island of Saibai, Bamaga Ginau. It has a permanent population of around 1,000 people and with its airport, it provides an important transport link between this northern outpost and the rest of the country.

Bamaga Airport was originally built during Word War II. There are two plane wrecks here from that era, including a DC3 that crashed into trees on approach, killing 6 passengers. We’ll visit the wreck to pay our respects and remember how vital the top end of Australia was, as a part of the Allied defense.

Seisia is a very scenic waterfront community, with golden beaches, coconut trees and a busy jetty, providing the launching point for many day trips to the Torres Strait. Seisia is where you connect with culture. Share a local feasting style lunch, as a respected Torres Strait Islander dance group showcase their vibrant culture, with a 1-hour performance in traditional ceremonial dress and adornments. Their movements are powerful and precise. Their Dhari headdress are intricate and beautiful, like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

You’ll also meet accomplished local artists, who will talk on their work and inspiration. Artworks are available for sale and apart from supporting the local community and culture, these works make a striking, contemporary addition to any décor, serving as a visual reminder of your time at the Tip of Australia.

Pajinka awaits. Your guide will take you over the rocky headlands to Pajinka, also known as ‘The Tip’, where you can stand with the sign and get that bucket list photo. Theseas, breeze, beaches and views to the Torres Strait beyond are remarkable, combining to make this a place you will remember forever. A 2 hour guided tour of Pajinka and all that surrounds it, is included in the Tip In A Day experience.

As well as Pajinka, you’ll also visit Somerset, or what is left of what was once planned to be the Singapore of Australia. In 1864 construction of Somerset commenced and when completed, it had a magistrate’s house, hospital, barracks, police quarter’s, armoury and customs house. The first magistrate was John Jardine – the Jardine family played a significant role in the early European days on the Cape – sadly, it was poorly positioned and eventually the Somerset settlement was abandoned.

We’ll stop at the legendary Croc Tent, providing the opportunity to purchase some merchandise to remember your trip to the Tip.