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Dive into the Great Barrier Reef and find bliss in the Daintree

From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, to four-wheel driving one of the most thrilling tracks in North Queensland to blissing out in the tropical wonderland of the Daintree Rainforest – this trip has it all. You’ll cover the coastline from Cairns to Cooktown, with plenty of time to stop and take in the scenery of the world-heritage listed sites along the way. Get a real taste for Aussie adventure while still enjoying time to relax and soak up that North Queensland sunshine.

Start
Cairns, Australia
Finish
Cairns, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PZSD
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Glide above the trees on a Skyrail ride to Kuranda – where you’ll explore this delightful town and its quirky surprises, colourful characters and natural beauty, perched at the top of a rainforest clad mountain.

  • Snorkel, swim and soak up the sun on the outer Great Barrier Reef and join a marine biologist on a guided snorkel safari.

  • Take on the scenic four-wheel drive along Bloomfield Track through the Daintree as you travel up the Coral Coast to Cooktown via Cape Tribulation.

  • Explore Mossman Gorge on a special Dreamtime walk with a local First Nations guide. Experience a traditional smoking ceremony, then learn about Dreamtime history, bush tucker, ochre painting and much more.

  • Get under the surface of north Queensland on this trip that combines the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation on land and sea.

Is this trip right for you?

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

Travellers swimming in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Aboriginal rock paintings in Laura, Queensland, Australia
Traveller exploring in the Daintree rainforest, Queensland, Australia
The skyrail above the rainforest in Kuranda, Queensland
View of Mossman Gorge in Queensland, Australia
Traveller on guided walk through Daintree National Park, Queensland, Australia
View of Cape Tribulation in Daintree, Queensland, Australia

Itinerary
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G’day, and welcome to paradise. Your trip starts in tropical Cairns (Gimuy in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Cairns is now located) the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure officially kicks off with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm this evening, where you’ll meet your group leader and travel companions. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens? Just 5 minutes from the CBD, you’ll find yourself in a lush tropical wonderland with the click of your fingers. Or, simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any one of the local bars that take your fancy.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
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.

This morning, get ready to soar over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest via the Skyrail that connects Cairns to the picturesque mountain village of Kuranda. You’ll glide along 7.5km of cableway and admire the ancient landscape from a truly unique perspective. After catching the views from above, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the rainforest up close once you arrive in Kuranda. You’ll have plenty of time at your leisure to explore this charming rainforest town and its surrounds. Kuranda is a delightful mix of quirky surprises, colourful characters and natural beauty, perched at the top of a rainforest clad mountain. You might like to check out the famous Kuranda Markets and village shopping, or kick back and relax at one of the town’s many restaurants and cafes, where outdoor dining is one of the joys of our cooler mountain climate. Alternately, take to one of the many rainforest trails and get closer to nature with one of the local wildlife experiences, tours and attractions. With plenty of options to choose from, why not ask your leader for their best tips. You’ll head back to Cairns mid-afternoon for the evening at your leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Skyrail Experience
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Village Visit
Optional Activities
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Your Skyrail ride will be unaccompanied as your tour leader will drive to Kuranda to meet you there. You'll return back to Cairns by vehicle with your leader and group.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head to Mossman Gorge for a special Dreamtime walk with a local First Nations guide. Your walk will start with a smoking ceremony to ward off any bad spirits, then you’ll meander around (and over) gentle rainforest streams, discover sites of spiritual significance and wander by traditional bark shelters. Your guide will tell stories of the rainforest and teach you about the connection of First Nations peoples to the lands here. You’ll also learn about bush tucker and how to identify native food sources, and traditions like making bush soaps and ochre paintings. To top off a magical day in this magical place, you’ll be treated to a traditional bush tea and damper before you head back to Cairns for an evening at your leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mossman Gorge - Guided Dreamtime Walk with Local Kuku Yalanji Guide
  • Mossman Gorge - Gorge Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is the day. Wake up with excitement for a day spent on (and in) the water – you’ll be snorkelling, swimming and soaking up the sun on the outer Great Barrier Reef. Truly an incredible sight to see, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef, made up of over 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays. You’ll cruise out to an outer reef pontoon, where you’ll get a chance to snorkel in a sheltered coral lagoon and join a marine biologist on a guided snorkel safari. It will be a day to remember, you can expect to see countless corals, colourful fish and perhaps, a sea turtle or two. And when you’re not in the water, you can spend your time relaxing & soaking up the tropical warmth on the spacious sundeck of the outer reef pontoon. This afternoon, you’ll cruise back to Cairns for an evening at your leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Great Barrier Reef - Full Day Cruise by Boat
  • Great Barrier Reef - Guided Snorkel Safari with Marine Biologist
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Get ready for an on-land adventure today – jump into a 4WD and travel along the dusty Bloomfield Track through Daintree National Park (Kaba Kada in the language of the traditional owners). You’ll traverse the scenic four-wheel drive track, travelling up the Coral Coast. You’ll cross the mighty Daintree River and enjoy a river cruise, where you might be lucky enough to spot a local saltwater crocodile or two. Then, marvel at the mangrove-lined Cape Tribulation (Kulki in the language of the traditional owners) in the UNESCO listed Daintree National Park. You’ll cross the Bloomfield River Bridge before reaching your accommodation near Cooktown in the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Daintree National Park - 4WD Tour including Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation & the Bloomfield Track
  • Daintree National Park - Daintree River Cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Please note that this morning your leader will change. The new leader will take you up to Cooktown and through to the final day of the trip. Please also note that due to luggage size restrictions for days 5-7, you will be issued a duffel bag that you can repack your belongings into, and your larger suitcase can be stored at the hotel in Cairns while we head north.

After breakfast, it’s time to explore the fascinating area surrounding Cooktown. You’ll marvel at the breathtaking views from Grassy Hill that stretch out over the Endeavour River and Coral Sea beyond. Then, a short drive will take you to the picturesque Quarantine Beach where you’ll enjoy some time to get your toes sandy and soak in the North Queensland sunshine. Later this afternoon, you might get a chance to visit the interesting James Cook Museum (entrance fee at your own expense, seasonal opening days), a heritage listed former convent school. Or perhaps, take the opportunity to visit Reconciliation Rocks, the place where Australia's first recorded reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australian's took place. Then, after a stroll along the foreshore, return to your hotel for some relaxation. Join your travel companions for sundowners and toast to the day’s adventures before enjoying an included dinner at the restaurant of the resort.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cooktown - Morning Tour to Grassy Hill & Quarantine Beach
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

After breakfast today, you’ll kiss Cooktown goodbye and wave farewell to your wilderness oasis. You’ll head back to Cairns via the inland route with a stop along the way to discover the Aboriginal rock painting and stencils near Laura (Quinkan Country). These rock art galleries are believed to be between 15,000 and 40,000 years old, with hundreds of generations of traditional artists adding to the sites here. You’ll get up close and personal with these incredible paintings that prove that First Nations people have lived in this region for thousands of years. After some time to admire the artworks, sit back, relax and enjoy the rolling views of the hinterland enroute to Cairns. Perhaps, round up your travel companions for one final dinner together in Cairns this evening before your adventure comes to an end tomorrow morning.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Laura - Visit to Aboriginal Rock Paintings
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast today your Daintree and Cape Tribulation journey will wrap up. With plenty of natural highlights and epic landscapes to explore around Cairns, we wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to stay here a little longer.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, 4WD, Ferry, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Kuranda - Kuranda Skyrail Experience
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Village Visit
  • Mossman Gorge - Guided Dreamtime Walk with Local Kuku Yalanji Guide
  • Mossman Gorge - Gorge Visit
  • Great Barrier Reef - Full Day Cruise by Boat
  • Great Barrier Reef - Guided Snorkel Safari with Marine Biologist
  • Daintree National Park - 4WD Tour including Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation & the Bloomfield Track
  • Daintree National Park - Daintree River Cruise
  • Cooktown - Morning Tour to Grassy Hill & Quarantine Beach
  • Laura - Visit to Aboriginal Rock Paintings

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

START & END TIMES
The tour commences in Cairns on Day 1 with a group meeting at 6:00pm and finishes back in Cairns on the final day after breakfast.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
Please note that due to luggage size restrictions for days 5-7, you will be issued a duffel bag that you can repack your belongings into, and your larger suitcase can be stored at the hotel in Cairns while we head north.

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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