Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree Itinerary

Welcome to Cairns, also known as 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. The next part of your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel, where you’ll meet your trip leader and your new fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens – just five minutes from the CBD, you’ll find yourself in a lush tropical wonderland. Or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any local bars that take your fancy. Later, head out with your group for an included dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Cairns - 2 nights

After breakfast, soar over the ancient rainforest on the Skyrail to Kuranda. Explore the village, visit the markets, or relax in local cafes. Drive to Port Douglas, enjoying coastal views. Take an orientation walk, stopping at Trinity Bay Lookout to admire the beach. Finish with drinks and dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Approximate Travel Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Today, you’ll visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a one-hour crocodile and wildlife spotting boat tour along the Daintree River (Julaymba). On the electric Solar Whisper, you’ll hear the sounds of nature around you as you look out for crocs, birdlife, snakes, frogs, crabs, and fish. Your experienced 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.

Included Meals: Lunch

Approximate Travel Time: 4 hours 

Accommodation: Port Douglas - 2 Nights

This morning, embark on a full-day boat tour from Port Douglas to explore the Great Barrier Reef’s Coral Cays. Guided by marine biologists, learn about the reef’s fragile ecosystem as you sail through crystal-clear waters. Enjoy expert presentations and snorkel at an exclusive site, discovering vibrant coral gardens, giant clams, turtles, and fish. A buffet lunch with prawns and afternoon tea featuring local Daintree produce will be served onboard. After a day of wildlife spotting, relax in Port Douglas this evening, reflecting on your unforgettable adventure.

Included Meals: Lunch

This morning, visit Mossman Gorge for a Ngadiku Dreamtime walking tour with a local Aboriginal guide. Learn ancient stories in the Kuku Yalanji language while exploring private tracks, cultural sites, and traditional shelters. Witness a smoking ceremony, then walk through the rainforest, discovering plant use and bush food sources. Enjoy bush tea and damper before heading south to Palm Cove. Stop along the way to explore the beachside town and grab lunch. You can end your trip here or carry on to Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 4pm.

Start & End Times
The trip starts in Cairns with a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 at our joining point hotel. The trip finishes in Palm Cove on Day 5 early afternoon or in Cairns at our finish point hotel at approximately 4 pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request (Cairns only).

Single Supplement
A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

Itinerary Variations

• The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.