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Answer the ancient call of wild coastal rainforest

Leave hustle and bustle in the rear-view mirror on this five-day journey to some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and the untouched coast it spills onto. This Urban List: Editor’s Pick trip takes you into the heart of the land the Kuku Yalanji people have called home for 50,000 years, into the complex ecosystem of the forest and deserted white-sand beaches. Learn about hunting native plants from a First Nations guide, encounter crocodiles and colourful birds on a cruise through mangrove thickets and walk under heavy green canopy in Mossman Gorge.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Cairns, Australia
Finish
Cairns, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Comfort
Theme
Intrepid Retreats
Code
PVOD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Urban List editors say: "spend most of the day picking your jaw up off the floor as you explore the world’s oldest (and in our opinion, the most magical) rainforest — including a private area that isn't open to the general public."

  • Spot crocodiles during a wildlife cruise on Cooper Creek, with expert eyes on board to point out creatures hidden in the forest.

  • Take a guided walk along the pristine, rainforest-rimmed beach of Cape Tribulation, where Europeans tried and failed to tame the coastal wilderness for hundreds of years.

  • After warm days spent walking deserted beaches and rambling through the rainforest, relax in the comfort of your 4-star resort accommodation.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Indigenous local guide and passenger on the beach during a coastal walking tour
The thick canopy of the oldest rainforest on earth, The Daintree in Far North Queensland
Indigenous painting class near Port Douglas in Far North Queensland, Australia
Eco tour of the Daintree Rainforest in Far North Queensland, Australia
Native Australian bird, the cassowary, in the Daintree Rainforest, Australia
Walking through the mangroves with a local guide in Far North Queensland, Australia
The beautiful Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland, Australia

Itinerary
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Welcome to Cairns! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 11 am. With the formalities out of the way, it’s time to hit the road for Port Douglas, with a couple of stops en route to break up the journey. First up is Barron Gorge lookout that looks over a set of tumbling falls bursting from the rainforest. Spend some time ooh-ing and ah-ing at the lookout, then continue to the town of Kuranda. This little mountain village is the perfect place to grab a quick lunch (not included), before hitting the road again at around 2 pm. Settle back into the vehicle for an approximately 1.5-hour drive along the coast to Port Douglas. Take in views of cliffs covered in distinct native flora on one side and glittering blue ocean on the other, with some photo stops along the way. Arrive at the accommodation and spend a few hours settling in. In the early evening, take an orientation tour around Port Douglas. Stop at Trinity Bay lookout point to admire the perfect crescent of sand and surf in the twilight. Head to a local restaurant for drinks and dinner with your fellow travellers, then return to the resort for the evening.
Included Activities
  • Cairns - Barron Gorge lookout
  • Kuranda - Lunch stop
  • Port Douglas - Local dinner
  • Port Douglas - Leader-lead orientation walk
  • Port Douglas - Trinity Bay lookout
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Grab breakfast and get ready in time to leave the resort at 8 am, jumping on the ferry and crossing the river into the Daintree Rainforest. Meet up with a local family who live and breathe the rainforest, so much so that they hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew when they were filming in the area. Spend some time learning from them about the forest, then continue exploring with a cruise along Cooper Creek. Your guide will point out crocodiles, birds and other wildlife while you glide through the water. Stop for an included lunch at a heritage restaurant smack-bang in the middle of the forest. If you need to cool off, there is also time to take a swim before continuing to Cape Tribulation. Take in views over the cape from a lookout, then head down to the beach for a guided walk and to learn about the region’s history. Return to the resort for the evening, where you can grab dinner at one of the restaurants within walking distance or choose to enjoy an optional al fresco dinner experience with Flames of the Forest.
Included Activities
  • Cape Tribulation - Lookout & guided walk
  • Daintree Rainforest - Guided nature walk
  • Daintree Rainforest - Cooper Creek boat trip
  • Daintree Rainforest - Heritage restaurant lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Enjoy a day to explore this tropical paradise at your own pace. There are tonnes of activities on offer today, so be sure to talk to your leader about your options when it comes to snorkelling, reef tours, and nature experiences. Your leader will also be on hand today to provide a transfer to Port Douglas town (and back) at 10 am and 6.30 pm if you want to spend the day shopping or grab dinner. If you’d prefer to move as little as possible, you could always take a day to unwind with spa treatments at the resort or chill by the pool with a book.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Grab breakfast before leaving the resort at 8.15 am for a guided walk through the rainforest of Mossman Gorge. Work up an appetite on this gentle 1.5-hour hike, then grab morning tea (not included) before heading to Kuyu Kuyu (Cooya Beach) for an educational experience with a member of the local Kuku Yalanji community. Learn to throw a spear, which plants are edible and how Kuku Yalanji people live in harmony with the ever-shifting landscape. Enjoy lunch, then join an Aboriginal painting class in the afternoon. Learn about the significance of traditional and contemporary art and storytelling to First Nations people and leave with a small souvenir. Return to the resort in the early evening and enjoy a few free hours to relax. Grab dinner tonight with your group and toast to the beauty of the country around you.
Included Activities
  • Mossman Gorge - Guided rainforest walk
  • Kuyu Kuyu - Kuku Yalanji First Nations experience
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Enjoy breakfast and time for one last swim before a 10 am departure for Cairns. We will make one drop-off stop at Cairns Airport and another at a central hotel in Cairns – before your tour begins please let your Intrepid representative or travel agent know which option you would prefer.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Resort (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Cairns - Barron Gorge lookout
  • Kuranda - Lunch stop
  • Port Douglas - Local dinner
  • Port Douglas - Leader-lead orientation walk
  • Port Douglas - Trinity Bay lookout
  • Cape Tribulation - Lookout & guided walk
  • Daintree Rainforest - Guided nature walk
  • Daintree Rainforest - Cooper Creek boat trip
  • Daintree Rainforest - Heritage restaurant lunch
  • Mossman Gorge - Guided rainforest walk
  • Kuyu Kuyu - Kuku Yalanji First Nations experience

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Australia Retreat: Queensland Daintree trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available for every night of this trip
2. If you'd like to stay a little longer post-trip accommodation can be booked in Port Douglas, or we can take you back to Cairns on day 5 where post-trip accommodation is also available

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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