Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

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5 Days From

$2224

$1947

Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

5 Days Starting and ending in Cairns

Visiting: Cairns, Kuranda / Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest / Cape Tribulation / Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef / Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge / Palm Cove / Cairns

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PZKQ

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Snorkeling, Walking

From:
$2224
$1947 Operator discount: -$222 Exclusive Tourhub Discount: -$55 -12%

NB: Prices correct on 08-Jun-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

On this five-day deep dive into some of Australia’s greatest natural wonders, you’ll explore ancient rainforests and one of the seven natural wonders of the world – the Great Barrier Reef. With an expert leader, you’ll start your trip in Carins and make your way to Kuranda, where you’ll fly over the tropical rainforest and the quaint mountain town on the 7.5 km Skyrail. Then, head to Port Douglas – a paradise town in Queensland surrounded by palm trees and warm sands. Explore the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest living rainforest in the world – and head out on a crocodile and wildlife-spotting boat tour. Keep sailing with a full-day snorkelling adventure aboard a catamaran, accompanied by expert marine biologists, then end it all with a walking tour of Mossman Gorge with a local Aboriginal guide who will teach you about the area and its links with Dreaming.

Highlights

  • Soar over the world’s oldest rainforest on the Skyrail – 7.5 km of cableway that takes you to the mountain village of Kuranda.

  • Explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest – the oldest rainforest in the world – with a crocodile spotting boat tour on an electric eco-boat with an experienced guide.

  • Take a full-day sailing and snorkelling tour of the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, learning about the underwater ecosystem and the fragility of the environment from professional marine biologists.

  • Head out on a Dreamtime walking tour with a local Aboriginal guide, learning about the local environment in Mossman Gorge, bush food and native plants before a morning tea of bush tea and damper.

  • Wander around the gorgeous Palm Cove, with free time to explore the beachside town – maybe opt to end your trip here and extend your stay.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cairns

Location: Cairns

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: dinner

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 the gorgeous Daintree Rainforest. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight at your hotel, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Cairns with time to spare, why not check out the Cairns Botanical Gardens, a lush tropical wonderland. Or simply wander the waterfront promenade, popping into any local bars that take your fancy. Later, maybe head out with your group for an optional dinner. 

Day 2: Kuranda / Port Douglas

Location: Kuranda / Port Douglas

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

This morning after breakfast, soar over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest via the Skyrail that connects Cairns to the picturesque mountain village of Kuranda. You’ll glide along 7.5 km of cableway and admire the ancient landscape from a truly unique perspective. You’ll have some free time to explore this charming rainforest town and its surroundings – Kuranda is a delightful mix of colourful characters and natural beauty, perched at the top of a rainforest-clad mountain. You might like to check out the famous Kuranda Markets and village shopping or kick back and relax at one of the town’s many restaurants and cafes, where outdoor dining is one of the joys of the cooler mountain climate. Drive along the coast to Port Douglas, taking in the ocean views and the cliffs covered in native flora. Tonight, head out on an orientation walk around Port Douglas, stopping at Trinity Bay Lookout Point to admire the perfect crescent of sand and surf. Then, head to a local restaurant for drinks and dinner with your fellow travellers before returning to your accommodation for the evening. 

Included Activities:
-Kuranda - Skyrail (one-way)
-Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
-Kuranda - Kuranda Village Visit
-Port Douglas - Leader-lead Orientation Walk

Day 3: Daintree Rainforest / Cape Tribulation / Port Douglas

Location: Daintree Rainforest / Cape Tribulation / Port Douglas

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: lunch

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 Activities:
-Daintree National Park – Solar Whisper Daintree River Wildlife Cruise
-Daintree National Park - Jindalba circuit track
-Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Lookout & Beach Walk

Day 4: Great Barrier Reef / Port Douglas

Location: Great Barrier Reef / Port Douglas

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: lunch

This morning, you’ll head out on a fantastic full-day boat tour from Port Douglas. Explore the stunning Coral Cays on the Great Barrier Reef on a sailing boat guided by marine biologists, who will share their passion and knowledge of the reef as you float along the expansive blue waters. Learn about the fragile environment, enjoy presentations on the reef by experts on board and head to an exclusive site for a spot of wildlife-focused snorkelling (equipment provided). There are vast coral gardens to explore at your own pace – as a protected and shallow area, you’ll see corals, giant clams, turtles and fish in their natural habitat. Enjoy a buffet lunch (including prawns) and afternoon tea on board (including local Daintree produce) while you continue to spot wildlife from the glass-bottomed boat. Tonight, enjoy a night to relax in Port Douglas after a spectacular day on the water.

Included Activities:
-Port Douglas - Full-day Great Barrier Reef tour

Day 5: Mossman Gorge / Palm Cove / Cairns

Location: Mossman Gorge / Palm Cove / Cairns

This morning, you’ll head to Mossman Gorge for a fascinating Ngadiku Dreamtime walking tour, led by a local Aboriginal guide. Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) means stories and legends from a long time ago in the local Kuku Yalanji language and you’ll learn about these stories on a guided walk along private, gentle tracks, visiting culturally significant sites, traditional bark shelters and cool rainforest streams. Witness a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits and then stroll through the lush rainforest, learning about traditional plant use, bush food sources and the connection to this unique tropical environment. After, enjoy a traditional bush tea and damper (a loaf or cake of flour and water that’s baked in wood ashes). Drive south to Palm Cove, stopping along the way to explore the scenic beachside town where you can grab some lunch. You can end your trip here or carry on to Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 4pm.

Included Activities:
-Mossman Gorge - Ngadiku Dreamtime walk

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    No

  • Fully Guided

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Kuranda - Skyrail (one-way)

  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets

  • Port Douglas - Leader-lead Orientation Walk

  • Kuranda - Kuranda Village Visit

  • Daintree National Park – Solar Whisper Daintree River Wildlife Cruise

  • Daintree National Park - Jindalba circuit track

show more

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Boat

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • 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.

Check out our Q&As

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Is this trip right for you

    This trip involves plenty of walking over varied terrain and is best suited to travellers with good fitness and mobility. See information about specific walks in the itinerary.

    Some activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.

    This trip forms part of some longer combination tours. If you would like to continue exploring Australia with us, consider booking our Best of Australia (PZKAC) trip. See our website for details.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, 15 years old or above

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    LOW - Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey.

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

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15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

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Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

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29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

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22-Jan-2024

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I have just completed my first trip with Intrepid to Southern Africa, and I loved every moment of it! We saw so much wildlife, stayed in some beautiful places, and learnt so much about the countries and people in a very short space of time. Our group leader, Admore, was exceptionally organised, coordinating every detail of our packed itinerary and keeping us informed along the way. The recruitment of a local group leader who can share their knowledge and fix the smallest of issues quickly really sets these trips apart, ensuring you feel safe and looked after at all times. I shall be booking my next trip soon!

RICHARD ALAN RODDY   England

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Very enjoyable, good paced Tour. Tour Leader, Choko was helpful, knowledgeable and extremely informative.

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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