MON 21 JULY | NO MEALS

Day 1  If arriving on a flight, transfer by shared shuttle bus transfer from the airport to Cairns accommodation. Alternatively you may choose to travel to Cairns by The Spirit of Queensland Train.

Accommodation for one night in a standard room is at Cairns Plaza Hotel

 Free time for the remainder of today

TUES 22 JULY | BD

Day 2 Check out of your room and depart the hotel at 8.15am, for the short drive to Freshwater Train Station. Enjoy a light breakfast in the onsite café.

Browse the exhibits in Redlynch Cottage, which showcases the Kuranda Scenic Rail story, before checking infor the Kuranda Scenic Rail train journey up the range.

The famous Kuranda Scenic Railway winds its way on a journey from Freshwater to  Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. From sea level to 327 metres the journey passes spectacular waterfalls as it moves through the stunning Barron Gorge.​​​​​​​

​Enjoy the comfort of Gold Class in carriages adorned in handcrafted Victorian inspired décor, club lounge-style seating and personal onboard service.

Free time in Kuranda to look around the shops or perhaps visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary (optional activity / additional cost $24 pp for admission and guided tour) before being collected by our coach for the drive to Cooktown. Pass through the town of Mareeba, travelling on the Outback Mulligan Highway.

Accommodation for two nights in a standard room is at the River of Gold Motel in Cooktown  

Dinner tonight is at a local club or restaurant  

WED 23 JULY |  CBL

Day 3   Continental Breakfast in hotel restaurant

Cooktown morning highlights tour including a visit to the Museum, Botanic Gardens and other points of interest. Enjoy lunch at the historic Lions Den Pub. Established in 1875, this pub is made of timber and iron and is famous for its quirky decorations and walls adorned with visitor’s signatures.

Late this afternoon, embark on a sunset cruise. Experience the Endeavour River at its most special time of day. Explore the harbour in the afternoon light and then head upstream to watch the sunset over the distant ranges. While navigating the maze way of smaller creeks enjoy a complimentary gourmet cheese platter. After dark, spotlights add a whole new perspective to the impenetrable walls of mangrove that line the river.

Listen to some stories about Captain Cook’s infamous passage along the Cape, about devastating cyclones, about the glory days of pearling luggers and about the new Cooktown, gateway to Cape York. This sunset cruise is a wonderful way to end the day.

THU 24 JULY| CBD

Day 4   Continental Breakfast in hotel restaurant.

Depart Cooktown early this morning, travelling to Cape Tribulation, via the inland route.

Stop at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, an award-winning ecotourism facility conveniently located at the entrance to the World Heritage listed Daintree

Rainforest. Our visit includes the hop on hop off shuttle bus to access to the gorge and short walking trails, enjoy a self-guided walk on one of the well signposted walking trails.

Learn about local Indigenous art and culture at the onsite gallery and take the opportunity to taste some of the Daintree’s delicious local ingredients at the Mayi Café (own expense).

We continue our drive through the Daintree region stopping along the way at the famous Daintree icecream company. Opportunity to purchase one of their refreshments and take a self-guided walk through their tropical orchard.

It’s not often that you are able to enjoy exotic fruit ice cream under the tree where the fruit was organically grown. With over 15 species of exotic fruit trees on the property, you can taste the flavours of the Daintree rainforest.

Ice cream is served in a Signature Cup, featuring four unique fresh flavours. These change as and when the fruit is in season to ensure you receive the best taste experience, by working with Mother Nature and seasonal fruit cycles.

Last stop on today’s tour is at the Magja Boardwalk, here you can take the 1.2kms circuit (level of difficulty – easy, approximately 45mins). Travel onto Cape Tribulation.

Accommodation for one night in a standard garden loft is at the Ferntree Rainforest Lodge

Dinner in our accommodation bistro

Optional 1.5 hour Nightwalk tour (additional cost)

FRI 25 JULY| BL

Day 5   Breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

Check out and depart our accommodation early this morning. The Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre is about a 30 minute drive..

The Daintree Rainforest is globally significant and home to many plants and animals that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.  40% of Australia’s bird species, 35% of Australia’s frogs, marsupials and reptiles and 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species live in the Daintree region.

This centre features a spectacular 23 metre canopy tower comprising of five different viewing platforms allowing visitors access the various levels of the rainforest – from the forest floor to the uppermost reaches of the canopy. The Aerial Walkway allows access to the mid-level rainforest and offers stunning views over McLean’s Creek. Take a self-guided tour on elevated boardwalks, explore the Cassowary Circuit, Bush Tucker Trail, Reptile Room, Jurassic Forest and 500-year-old strangler fig tree. Discover the themed interactive displays at the Interpretive Centre. At the conclusion of our visit we depart the Daintree, heading south where we will visit Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, one of the oldest running tourist attractions in the Cairns region.

Upon arrival at Hartleys Crocodile adventures, our group will enjoy a BBQ lunch. After lunch you have free time to explore the park. You can also choose to do scheduled complimentary activities including:

• Take a guided tour of the crocodile farm. Saltwater Crocodiles are bred and raised on the property for their skins and meat. Learn how it works and why the sustainable utilisation of farmed crocodiles contributes to the conservation of wild populations and their habitats.
• Boat Lagoon cruise to see crocodiles up close
• Crocodile attack show

Late this afternoon, transfer to the Cairns airport OR Cairns city.