Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest – 10 Day Boutique Tour

It’s Bris-vegas baby! We’re off to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. Meet your fellow travellers and friendly guide at 5pm in the hotel reception. After a brief introduction and formalities, we head off on an evening orientation walk, and a chance to enjoy a meal together at a local restaurant.

Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is  yours (B).

After breakfast, we’re taking a leisurely day cruise through the postcard-perfect islands of the Whitsundays, including a stop at famed Whitehaven beach. Words can’t do justice to the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and densely verdant vegetation of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get a closer look by snorkelling with colourful coral, and an array of playful fish and turtles. Afterwards, it’s your chance to relax or seek out the town’s best food and drink options (B, L).

A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. Time? We have plenty of it this afternoon, so kick back and enjoy the clear waters and stunning views. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. (B)

Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We’ll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands. Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water, and visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We’ll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia’s most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities. (B)

It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkelling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a fantastic boat. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day on the reef, join us for an included dinner (B, L, D).

Optional: Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef

It’s go, go gondola, as we take an incredible gondola ride over the world’s oldest living tropical rainforest from picturesque Kuranda with its colourful markets. Then, it’s a trip north to the chilled out village of Port Douglas, where it’s all about drinks and the sunset. (B)

It’s a slow kinda morning, which is just how it should be in Port Douglas. Our suggestion: take a stroll around the markets, drinking in the ocean views, and grab a coffee from local brewers. Well rested, in the afternoon we’ll visit the Mossman Gorge for an incredible walk through the rainforest. Later, we’ll learn about Kuku Yalanji (First Nations) culture, foods, and customs with an amazing, immersive experience. (B)

It’s another big day – we’re going deeper into the tropical World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation (don’t worry, it’s just a name!) on a short ferry. We’ll meet the local family who hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew, and keep our eyes peeled for ancient cassowary birds, crocs, and other wildlife. (B, L, D)

Start your final day with a delicious breakfast, then it’s a wonderful coastal drive to tropical Cairns, where your tour ends. If you need help with post tour accommodation, we can help. Thanks for a wonderful adventure together! (B)