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Cairns and Great Barrier Reef

The Region

Cairns, a destination that will put a tick on your bucket list! With not one but two World Heritage Sites-

The Great Barrier Reef
Daintree Rainforest

This Adventure capital of Australia is an untouched beauty full of ancient culture and adventure. Snorkel, dive or join a live-aboard to and share the water with curious minke whales and sea turtles, Zipline through the ancient beauty of the Daintree Rainforest and meet the local tree kangaroos or elusive cassowary.

With thousands of years of history in the making, if you’re seeking a real connection to the land, you’ll find it in the stories, the smiles and the history of the Indigenous Australians who share their culture with you. Stand in the world’s oldest open-air gallery at an Indigenous rock art site or learn traditional painting and hunting skills. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most culturally rich heritage places.

While in Cairns, don’t miss out on Palm Cove and Port Douglas. They are are the main ports of call and your holiday to Queensland will be incomplete without a chill in the palm trees.

Great Barrier Reef

Experience the incredible underwater world of The world’s largest coral reef – The Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and longest coral reef system, stretching for 2,300km from the tip of Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in the south. Comprising 3,000 separate reefs and some 900 continental islands and coral cays, it’s one of the world’s great natural wonders. Home to over 1,500 species of fish, abundant marine life and over 200 types of birds, it’s also one of Australia’s greatest conservation successes. A World Heritage Area since 1981 (the world’s first reef ecosystem to be recognized by UNESCO), it is highly protected and one of the best-managed marine areas on Earth.

These adventures are offered in Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, etc. Besides snorkeling and dives, this marvelous wonder also gives you a chance to swim alongside dwarf minke whales or get a bird’s eye view and explore this natural wonder by helicopter or seaplane.

The world’s oldest tropical rainforest

Uncover the ancient secrets of the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Pack your hiking boots and explore picturesque walking trails and spectacular lookouts on foot in Mossman Gorge, zipline through the treetops on an exhilarating jungle surfing tour in the Daintree Rainforest or take the scenic 7.5 km journey through the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

Tropical lifestyle

Tropical North Queensland’s laidback lifestyle and colourful characters are all part of its easygoing charm.

Join locals for a schooner or two at a microbrewery, taste the wares of artisan chocolate and cheese makers or watch the sunrise over the Coral Sea as you breakfast on fresh, local produce. Immerse yourself in the local culture through Indigenous arts festivals, epic sporting events and live musical performances.

A taste of history

Immerse yourself in the magic and history of Paronella Park. Wander the winding rainforest paths, explore the ruins of the Spanish Castillo and hand-feed the turtles in Mena Creek.

Adventures

Adventure is in this region’s DNA - from the untouched landscapes of the Cairns to the coral cays of the Great Barrier Reef.

Dive among shimmering shoals of tropical fish on the Great Barrier Reef, brave white- water rapids or skydive over the Daintree jungle.

Reef Sleep - Spend the night in the middle of the ocean on Sunlover by Starlight’s overnight glamping experience. Float off to sleep on a pontoon at the heart of the reef then wake to an incredible ocean sunrise.

Skydiving - Skydive Australia boasts world wide recognition for its high standards of safety and customer satisfaction. Skydive Australia has 18 premium dropzones Australia-wide.

AJ Hackett bungee Jumping - Experience the world's most amazing adventure playground nestled in the World Heritage-listed Rainforest overlooking the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns Bungy Tower, the One and Only Bungy in Australia, has a 'Jump Menu' offering 16 different Jump Styles from original Swan Dive all the way to riding a BMX bike off the roof!

Local Produce

Get a taste of the local produce

Discover the abundant flavours of the tropics throughout the Atherton Tableland region. Get your caffeine fix at a coffee plantation, sample the wares of local chocolatiers and cheesemakers or pick exotic fruit fresh from the orchard. Raise a glass at a wine distillery or wet your whistle at one of the region’s growing number of microbreweries.

Self-Drive from Cairns to Port Douglas

The dreamy resort town of Port Douglas is a popular spot for local and visiting foodies.

Spend a day in the green surrounds of Mossman Gorge and swim in the many sheltered waterholes. In September, celebrate the flavors of Tropical North Queensland alongside celebrity chefs and local producers at the annual Taste Festival. Port Douglas is a one-hour drive north from Cairns.

Hire a car and drive through the scenic coastal route, stop by Rex Lookout for some beautiful panoramic views on the way to Port Douglas, next stop at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, the best place to see crocodiles and local wildlife in the North. Visitors can see an array of wildlife, including beautiful tropical birds, wallabies, reptiles and other native fauna. Enjoy their entertaining and educational wildlife presentation.

Take a boat cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon to see crocodiles and other wildlife.

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef-Laid Back Luxury

Imagine a place where you wake to the sound of the ocean lapping at the shore of your own private beach and the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef, which lies just metres from your
beachfront villa. Say hello to Lizard Island, the only resort located on a 1,013-hectare National Park and literally on the Great Barrier Reef. Arrive at Lizard Island via an hour-long scenic flight from Cairns. Flying over a 200-kilometre expanse of the Great Barrier Reef. With only 40 rooms and villas and 24 private beaches, escape to your own private beach for a day exploring the reef, taking in the incredible nature around you.

Silky Oak Lodge, Mossman-Rainforest Retreat

Where else but Queensland can you relax in a hammock on the deck of your private rainforest treehouse, while the river rushes far beneath you and tropical birdsong fills the air? Silky Oaks Lodge, in the middle of the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest, 1 Hour 20 mins from Cairns is the ultimate place to switch off from the rest of the world and reconnect with nature. Explore the Mossman River by canoe, go horse riding along ancient rainforest trails, or just sit back and enjoy the Lodge’s spectacular treetop views.

Atherton Tablelands Food Wine and Rainforest tour

The Atherton Tablelands is a short 45-minute drive inland from Cairns, within a fertile plateau of the Great Dividing Range.

Tackle the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park or join a guided road cycling tour or feel the ancient magic of 10,000-year-old volcanic-crater lakes, Barrine and Eacham, and the sprawling, Follow the World Heritage Wet Tropics waterfall circuit of Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls, spotting Ulysses butterflies and platypus along the way.

Here’s all you need to know about the five best waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands.
Yungaburra curtain fig tree. From tropical fruit to tea and macadamia nuts, visit the many farm gates to sample home-grown produce, starting with a caffeine hit at Australia’s oldest coffee plantation. You can even prepare a platter of local biodynamic cheeses, topped with raw honeycomb straight from the beehive and wash it down with a local liqueur

How to get there

Air -
Fly into Cairns International or Domestic Airports (2 hr 05 mins from Brisbane). Cairns is located a 19-hour drive north of Brisbane and 7km drive from Cairns CBD. There are remote airports throughout Tropical North Queensland for when you’re travelling into smaller towns and regions.

Rail -
Queensland Rail’s Sunlander and Tilt Train link Cairns to coastal towns along the Queensland coastline from Brisbane. www.queenslandrail.com.au

Transfers -
Greyhound Bus services connect with other regional Queensland and interstate centres. Transfer options include Car hire, taxis and limousine services are available, plus the local Sunbus Cairns service. You can also book a shuttle bus or Uber from the airport to your accommodation. Find accredited door-to-door airport shuttle service to hotels, city centre and the northern beaches including Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and south to Mission Beach.

Water -
Heading across to Green Island, Fitzroy Island or the Great Barrier Reef ? Ferry transfers and tours operate from the Cairns and Port Douglas Marinas.

Road -
Tropical North Queensland includes a lot of hot places to visit like Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and Mission Beach. If you’re planning to see as much as possible in your own time, car hire is the way to go. If you are planning something more remote like a road trip to Cape York make sure you hire a four-wheel-drive or other appropriate transport.

Accommodation

Accommodation options in Tropical North Queensland range from quiet, beachfront resorts in Port Douglas and Palm Cove and full-service hotels in the heart of the action in Cairns to easy-going family camping spots and caravan parks ready to entertain the kids.

Cairns Hotels and Resorts
Choose from a variety of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels in Cairns, scattered from the esplanade and up to Palm Cove, Port Douglas, and Cape Tribulation.

Cairns Apartments and Holiday Homes
Looking for something with more of a home-feel? Rent an entire apartment or holiday home to cater to large groups and traveling families.

Cairns Motels and Backpackers
If you’re traveling on a budget, check out the range of motels and backpacker options in Cairns. With such a laidback lifestyle, you’ll be able to sort accommodation and be chilling along the esplanade in no time.

3 Nights Cairns/2 Days Port Douglas

DAY 1
Morning- Visit the picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda Village, just 25 kilometers northwest of Cairns, on the historic Scenic Railway. Afternoon- Cairns Aquarium - An all-weather attraction, open daily.	A vibrant little town - Kuranda is surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Visit the Kuranda Koala Gardens, Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda Market, Glide above the rainforest canopy on Skyrail - the world’s longest rainforest Cableway. Experience a taste of traditional Aboriginal culture - Food, Medicine, sport, dancing etc. ---- See the species and habitats from two world heritage listed areas, the wet tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. You can scuba dive with reef sharks here.
Day 2
Morning- Experience the fun & unique sensation of being in a Hot Air Balloon	Flying high above the Atherton Tablelands, get dropped off at the Reef fleet terminal and head out on a day trip to one of the many islands of the Great Barrier Reef or visit the Outer Barrier Reef for an experience of a lifetime. Visit the Outer Barrier Reef on Cruise for a visit to Green Island. Things to do - Ocean walker, snorkeling, Scuba Dive, Semi-Submersible.
Day 3
Morning: Paronella Park Evening- Cairns Zoom and Wildlife Dome	One of Queensland’s most popular tourist attractions. Featuring waterfalls, bridges, tunnels and castles, along with 7000 trees. Guided tours run all day, every day. Located at about 1 hour 30 mins from Cairns city. Included in your entry ticket are all three guided tours, food to feed the resident fish and turtles, a bookmark, etc. ---- Walking distance from the CBD and situated on the rooftop of the Reef Hotel Casino. With 65 elements of crossing and ziplines, including one which takes you directly over a 4-metre saltwater crocodile. Interact with native wildlife, with daily shows and presentations.
Day 4
Port Douglas	Hire a car and drive through the scenic coastal route. Stop by Rex Lookout for some beautiful panoramic views on the way to Port Douglas, Next stop at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures. Take a boat cruise on Hartley’s Lagoon to see crocodiles and other wildlife. Enjoy an evening sunset cruise with Sailaway Port Douglas to unwind and enjoy the peace and tranquility of pure sailing.
Day 5
Morning - Mossman Gorge Centre - For a guided Dreamtime walk, conducted by the local Indigenous people. Evening - Drive back to Port Douglas,	The walks take visitors on a journey along private, gentle tracks, visiting special places and culturally significant sites, past traditional bark shelters and over meandering cool and rainforest streams. After a beautiful walk, drive up north for an hour 40 minutes to Cape Tribulation to go Jungle Surfing with Jungle Surfing Canopy tours, which takes you on a unique rainforest tour, fly through the flying fox, stopping at five eco-friendly tree platforms for some spectacular views over the treetops. ---- Option to stop by at Flames of the Forest-Palm cove, Australia’s only rainforest dining experience in the heart of Tropical North Queensland. Choose from, the Aboriginal cultural experience or the Rainforest dining.
Day 6	Departure

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