Custom Australia Travel Planning
Example Itinerary for Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
This page is designed to give you an example as to how our Custom Travel Planning itineraries are presented.
Please note that what follows is meant to be an example of the STYLE of itinerary that we will produce for Cairns and the Barrier Reef.
It is not necessarily exactly what your planner will suggest for you while in Cairns or on the Barrier Reef. Your complete itinerary will be set up from scratch and will reflect exactly what you want from your trip.
Read through what follows. It will give you a very good "feel" for the itinerary we will produce. Please remember that this is only a 3-day "snapshot" of the STYLE of the itinerary we will present for your consideration. Your full itinerary will be produced by your Australian Travel Planner.
Day 1. Day Trip to Kuranda, Bird World, Skyrail, Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theater - Lunch Included.
Kuranda Steam Railway.
You will be collected at your hotel and will travel to the Steam Train Station in Cairns departure to Kuranda. Hostess-escorted with full commentary, this train journey is considered to be one of the world's most spectacular rail trips. The line slowly winds its way up the range through 15 tunnels and over 40 bridges clinging to the rock face. Stop for photographs at the famous Barron Falls and pass spectacular Stoney Creek enroute.
Kuranda and the Butterfly Sanctuary.
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is the largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit in Australia - a quality wildlife park in the heart of Kuranda Village. The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is home to over 1500 magnificent tropical butterflies that are hand reared on the premises. All are local rainforest species, including an iconic Kuranda butterfly, the electric blue Ulysses Butterfly, and the majestic fluoro green and yellow Cairns Birdwing.
We also suggest a visit to Birdworld where you walk through an open area where birds fly around (and land) on you.
Skyrail.
Board the Skyrail for a spectacular trip over the rainforest with two stops on the way to take short interpretative walks into the rainforest on beautifully prepared and maintained wooden walkways.
On arrival on the bottom of the mountain, walk to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre, adjacent to the Skyrail Terminal. An excellent buffet lunch is included.
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
This unique and innovative center presents 40,000 years of Aboriginal History and Culture in a beautifully presented 25 acre (10 Hectare) park. The spiritual and traditional beliefs of the Tjapukai people are captured in a series of presentations in 3 theaters, a museum and art gallery and a variety of outdoor settings.
The people of the Tjapukai Tribe (who own a 51% equity interest in the centre) invite their guests to share a unique journey through their mythology, history and culture.
The Traditional Camp outdoors area gives visitors a chance to participate in traditional pastimes and interact with members of the Aboriginal community. You can try your hand at boomerang and spear throwing, fire making and didgeridoo playing. A series of 10 minute demonstrations take place in 2 covered bush style theaters where you can taste traditional bush tucker, learn about bush foods and medicines and chat with the Tribe members.
Accommodation.
Your accommodation is included right on the beach at Palm Cove, just to the north of Cairns city. Our pick of the accommodation in the Palm Cove area is one of the few actual beachfront properties in the village. The spacious rooms face either directly onto the beach or the tropical gardens that surround the hotel.
This is excellent accommodation in a wonderful location to provide direct access to the beach and all of the trips we include in your itinerary will pick up and drop off from the hotel. There is a regular shuttle to the downtown area of Cairns should you wish to visit. Laundry facilities are available in the room. The spa at the resort is excellent.
Palm Cove.
Situated on a beautiful, sandy beach, just 20 minutes north of Cairns city, Palm Cove is a wonderful location at which to stay and from which to base out. There are a number of restaurants within walking distance of your accommodation and the whole area has a nice, quality feel about it. Your confirmed itinerary will have full restaurant details.
Day 2. Full Day Barrier Reef Trip to Michaelmas Cay.
The day is aboard a sailing catamaran that caters for only about 130 passengers, differing from the larger, more mass-tourist vessels. The crew is keen, outgoing and helpful and is dedicated to making your day out on the reef a pleasant and memorable experience. A quality buffet lunch is included.
The following are included in the day:-
- Four full hours at the Reef
- Morning tea with light bar snacks on the way out
- Superb banquet luncheon
- Afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes
- Informative ecological presentations by a qualified marine biologist
- Snorkeling demonstrations and tuition
- Use of all snorkeling equipment
- Guided snorkeling tours with the Marine Biologist
- Guided coral viewing tours
- Live musical entertainment and complimentary champagne on the homeward sail
For those who do not want to snorkel or dive, the semi-submersible and glass bottom boat offer an easy way to see the Barrier Reef underwater without getting wet. There is also a full diving operation on board and both Resort Dives for non-certified and first time divers, and full Certified and PADI Certified Dives are available.
Accommodation is included in our Package.
Day 3. Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.
Four Wheel Drive Adventure Safari to Cape Tribulation and Daintree - Included.
You will be collected from your accommodation by your guide, for a day in the Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest area as part of a small group 4 Wheel Drive safari adventure. The route north from Cairns is very scenic as you travel via the Captain Cook Highway along the coast and through the sugar cane plantations to the Rainforest and the Daintree River.
From the Alexandra Lookout there are excellent views over the Rainforest and the mouth of the Daintree River, and the stop at the Lookout will give a chance to view the Birdwing and Ulysses Butterflies for which the area is famous. After the Lookout, a stop will be made at the Valley of the Palms with time to take a short guided walk through this ancient and unique fan palm forest. Morning tea (morning coffee) will be on Thorntons Beach and will feature locally grown Daintree Tea, coffee and home made cakes.
It was in 1770 that Captain Cook ran aground on a coral reef just off the shore of Cape Tribulation, giving the cape its justly (in Captain Cook's eyes) name. There will be time for a walk on the beach, a stroll on the mangrove forest boardwalk, to take a swim, or just to relax in the wilderness. There is a chance of seeing goannas (large lizards) or bush turkeys in the wild while there.
After a stop at the Daintree Ice Cream Company (they make unique flavors such as Black Sapote, Wattle Seed and Jack Fruit - all native plants), travel south and re-cross the Daintree River before taking part in a one hour cruise of the Daintree River. Here is your chance to see crocodiles sunning themselves on sand banks and to enjoy the prolific birdlife of the area. Lunch will be at the Daintree Tea House, renowned for its freshly caught local fish and "taste of the tropics" selection of dishes. The rest of the afternoon will be spent at the Mossman Gorge, with a comprehensive guided walk and the opportunity to swim in the clear waters of the river. The walk will include interpretations of the flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. You will be returned to your accommodation at about 6.00pm.
Accommodation is included in our Package.
Your complete itinerary will present your trip in the style of the above.
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We are looking forward to working with you.
Australia Custom Travel Planning
