Cairns, The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree
Rainforest
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, it is not necessarily exactly what your planner will suggest for
the Area.
Your full
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 for your trip. Please note that this is only a 3-day
"snapshot" of the style of the itinerary we will present for your
consideration.
Day 1
Day Trip to Kuranda /
Bird World / Tjapukai Aboriginal Dance Theater / Skyrail - Lunch Included.
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.
At Kuranda, visit Bird World (admission included) to observe
hundreds of tropical birds in a natural rainforest habitat.
Board the Skyrail (included) 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 (included).
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.
A Traditional Camp.
This 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 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 - Lunch - Included.
The cruise departs
from Cairns Marlin Marina (transfer included). 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.
The
following are included in the day:-
- Four full
hours at the Reef
- Air
conditioned coach transfer from hotel accommodation
- 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
Accommodation
is included in our package.
Day 3.
Full Day
4 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. Because the trip arrives at the Daintree River Ferry early,
it will be one of the first to cross and will make for a relaxed and traffic
free drive.
From the
Alexandra Lookout there are excellent views over the Rainforest and the mouth
of the Daintree River, and the stop there 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. There will be an opportunity to take
a stroll on this secluded and picturesque beach.
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, 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
(included) 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.
We are
looking look forward to working with you.
Contact an Australian Travel Planner
Fill in and submit a simple Form
to have an Australian Travel Planner contact you by email
Tasmania and Australia Travel
Planning
www.australian.com