Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Tour by Intrepid Travel

5 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Cairns, Australia

Ends

Cairns, Australia

Highlights

Soar over the world’s oldest rainforest on the Skyrail – 7.5 km of cableway that takes you to the mountain village of Kuranda.

Explore the oldest rainforest in the world, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, with an experienced guide. Ride an electric eco-boat along the Daintree River (Julaymba) and look for crocodiles along the way.

Snorkel of the Great Barrier Reef – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the underwater ecosystem and the fragility of the environment from professional marine biologists.

Join a local Aboriginal guide on a Dreaming walking tour. Learn about the local environment in Mossman Gorge, bush food and native plants before a morning tea of bush tea and damper.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.

Itinerary

Journey through some of Australia’s greatest natural wonders on this five-day trip through Queensland. Take the Skyrail over the tropical rainforest and mountain town of Kuranda, relax on the warm sandy beaches in Port Douglas and explore the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest living rainforest in the world. Look out for crocodiles on a wildlife-spotting boat tour on the Daintree River and spend a full-day snorkelling at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of theWorld, the Great Barrier Reef. Then, walk through Mossman Gorge with a local Aboriginal guide, where you’ll learn about the area and its links with Dreaming. With an Intrepid leader by your side, you can get closer to some of Australia's favourite places, no matter how much time you have.

day 1 - Cairns

Welcome to Cairns! (Or Gimuy, in the language of the traditional owners of the land on which Cairns is now located). This is the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the gorgeous Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe walk through the Cairns Botanical Gardens, relax on the beach or find a local bar for a drink or two. After the group meeting, head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Dinner

day 2 - Kuranda / Port Douglas

This morning, glide over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest on the Skyrail cable car that connects Cairns to the mountain village of Kuranda. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time to explore this rainforest town and its surroundings – Kuranda is a delightful mix of colourful characters and natural beauty, perched at the top of a rainforest-clad mountain. Maybe wander through the Kuranda Markets and village shopping or simply kick back and relax at one of the town’s many restaurants and cafes, where outdoor dining is one of the joys of the cooler mountain climate. Later, take in scenic views of the ocean and cliffs covered in native flora as you drive along the coast to Port Douglas. Tonight, head out on an orientation walk around town, stopping at Trinity Bay Lookout Point to see the distinctive crescent of sand and surf. Later, head to a local restaurant for drinks and dinner with your fellow travellers. 

included:Kuranda - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda - Kuranda Markets, Kuranda - Kuranda Village Visit, Port Douglas - Leader-lead Orientation Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 3 - Daintree Rainforest / Cape Tribulation / Port Douglas

Today, you’ll visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a 1-hour crocodile and wildlife spotting boat tour along the Daintree River (Julaymba). On the electric Solar Whisper, you’ll hear the sounds of nature as you look out for crocs, birdlife, snakes, frogs, crabs and fish. Your experienced tour guide will be accustomed to the nuances of the river, the rainforest and the mangroves, meaning you’ll be able to find wildlife you wouldn’t be able to find on your own. After you find some feathered friends and long-toothed foes, head north to Cape Tribulation, stopping at Jindalba Boardwalk and a local ice cream factory on the way. Later, head back to your accommodation and maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.

included:Daintree National Park – Solar Whisper Daintree River Wildlife Cruise, Daintree National Park - Nature Walk, Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Lookout & Beach Walk

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 4 - Great Barrier Reef / Port Douglas

This morning, head out on a daytrip boat tour from Port Douglas to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Explore the stunning Coral Cays on the reef on a sailing boat guided by marine biologists, who will share their passion and knowledge of the reef as you float along the expansive blue waters. Learn about the fragile environment and head to an exclusive site for a spot of wildlife-focused snorkelling. There are vast coral gardens to explore – as a protected and shallow area, you’ll see corals, giant clams, turtles and fish in their natural habitat. Enjoy a buffet lunch and afternoon tea on board, while you continue to spot wildlife from the glass-bottomed boat. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner and toast to the final night of your trip.

included:Port Douglas - Full-day Great Barrier Reef tour

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch

day 5 - Mossman Gorge / Palm Cove / Cairns

After breakfast, travel to Mossman Gorge. When you arrive, set out on a Ngadiku Dreaming walking tour led by a local Aboriginal guide. Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) means stories and legends from a long time ago in the local Kuku Yalanji language. As you walk, listen to these stories, visit culturally significant sites, traditional bark shelters and rainforest streams and learn about traditional plant use, bush food sources and the connection to this tropical environment. Watch a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits, then sit down to a bush tea and damper (a loaf or cake of flour and water that’s baked in wood ashes). After, drive south to Palm Cove to explore the scenic beachside town and maybe grab some lunch. You can end your trip here or carry onto Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 4 pm.

included:Mossman Gorge - Ngadiku Dreamtime walk

Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Meals

1 Breakfast, 2 Lunches

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Kuranda - Skyrail Rainforest CablewayKuranda - Kuranda MarketsKuranda - Kuranda Village VisitPort Douglas - Leader-lead Orientation WalkDaintree National Park – Solar Whisper Daintree River Wildlife CruiseDaintree National Park - Nature WalkDaintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Lookout & Beach WalkPort Douglas - Full-day Great Barrier Reef tourMossman Gorge - Ngadiku Dreamtime walk

What's Excluded

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