Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure

Welcome to Cairns! Known as Gimuy in the language of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which Cairns is now located, this is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, you might like to check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any of the local bars that take your fancy.

This morning after breakfast, drive to Kuranda – perched at the top of a mountain, this town is surrounded by the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest. Start with a visit to nearby Barron Falls Lookout for the best photo spots, then head into town. You’ll have some time to explore this charming rainforest town and its surroundings at your own pace. Maybe check out the famous Kuranda Markets or relax at one of the town’s many restaurants and cafes, where outdoor dining is one of the joys of the cooler mountain climate. This afternoon, visit the Tolga Bat Hospital – Australia’s largest bat rehabilitation facility. Here, you’ll learn about the facility's research, advocacy and community education as well as meeting some new upside-down friends. The evening is free for you to spend however you like.

This morning, head to Atherton and immerse yourself in a First Nations cultural experience where you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the traditions, stories and connections to Country that have been passed down through generations. Start with a guided walk through Hallorans Hill Conservation Park, learning about traditional plants and trees used as food and timber for crafting tools. Then, sit down to a cultural presentation where your guide will explain various tools and weapons, bush foods, traditional calendar seasons, kinships, social roles and the history of the Atherton Tablelands. You’ll get to interact with the tools and weapons and try your hand at spear-throwing. The experience will end with a didgeridoo demonstration. Next, head to Mossman Gorge for a refreshing swim and a nature walk. After, you’ll continue to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage areas – Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Head off on another nature walk and immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of this epic rainforest, keeping your eye out for local birdlife. Daintree is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world! This afternoon, continue exploring the area or kick back and relax at your accommodation.

After breakfast, head out on an early morning tour of the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll swim with turtles and snorkel in the clear waters off the Daintree Coast, visiting two different snorkel locations. What better way to spend a morning? The rest of the day is free for you to relax on the beach, swim, take a hike or just find a good spot to sit and people-watch. This is a nature-lover's paradise, so there are plenty of activities and laid-back options to choose from.

This morning, visit Kulki Lookout, where you can stroll along the boardwalk for some iconic views of Cape Tribulation and the steep, rainforest-covered slopes that meet the sandy beaches below. Next, head to another boardwalk for a scenic circuit that takes you through dense lowland forests and mangrove-lined creeks. Then, visit Mason’s Swimming Hole for a tropical swim among lush flora and friendly fish and turtles, where you'll have time for lunch. When you’ve refreshed with a dip in the water, continue to Cairns via Palm Cove. This evening, embark on a sunset cruise accompanied by Mandingalbay Yidinji guides. Cruise through the wetlands and mangrove forests of East Trinity Reserve – an Indigenous Protected Area. The cruise will begin with a Welcome to Country, then your guides will share their traditions, culture and dialects as you float through the waterways of one of the world’s most diverse mangrove forests, home to more than 30 species of mangrove.

With no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay in Cairns, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.