Daintree & Cape Tribulation Adventure Itinerary

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 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, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any of the local bars that take your fancy.

Accommodation: Cairns - 2 nights

After breakfast, embark on a First Nations-guided eco-tour of Mandingal Bay. Learn about the land from its traditional owners, exploring rainforests, wetlands, and local birdlife. Visit Hills Creek, where freshwater meets the sea, and participate in a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Trek through the rainforest, discovering ancient Aboriginal traditions, customs, and artefacts. In the afternoon, enjoy free time in Cairns to grab lunch, visit an art gallery or aquarium, or relax on the promenade.

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning, enjoy breakfast and then drive to Kuranda – perched at the top of a mountain. 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, take the Skyrail, 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. After, head to nearby Barron Falls and walk to the lookout for the best photo spots. Continue to Mareeba, where you’ll take a leader-led orientation walk. 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 and make some new upside-down friends. Tonight, you’ll head to the Mareeba Wetlands for an exciting wildlife spotting experience at sunset, hosted by Forever Wild – an organisation that creates community and nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises. After dark falls, head back to your accommodation for an included group dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Approximate Travel Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Mareeba - 1 night

This morning, maybe head out bright and early for a unique optional birdwatching experience in the wetlands – the best time to witness the local birdlife in their natural habitat! Then, enjoy some breakfast and head to the idyllic Mossman Gorge for a refreshing morning 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 the 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.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Travel Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Cape Tribulation - 2 Nights

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

Included Meals: Breakfast

This morning visit Kulki Lookout, where you can stroll along the boardwalk for some iconic views of Cape Tribulation and steep, rainforest-covered slopes that meet the sandy beaches below. Next, head to Madja boardwalk for a scenic circuit that takes you through dense lowland forests and mangrove-lined creeks. Then visit Mason’s Swimming Hole for a gorgeous tropical swim among lush flora and friendly fish and turtles, where you'll have time to have lunch. When you’re refreshed from a dip in the water, continue to Cairns via the idyllic Palm Cove.

On arrival in Cairns your trip will come to an end at around 5 pm. If you want to extend your stay and explore Cairns further, just speak to us at First Light Travel and we can make any required arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

Approximate Travel Time: 1 hour 30 mins

Start & End Times
The trip starts in Cairns with a Welcome Meeting at 6 pm on Day 1 at our joining point hotel and finishes on arrival back in Cairns on Day 6 at around 5 pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.

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.