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Peregrine Travel Centre

Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree

From $ 2,895 AUD

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Description

Journey through some of Australia’s greatest natural wonders on this five-day trip through Queensland. Take the Skyrail over the tropical rainforest and mountain town of Kuranda, relax on the warm sandy beaches in Port Douglas and explore the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest living rainforest in the world. Look out for crocodiles on a wildlife-spotting boat tour on the Daintree River and spend a full-day snorkelling at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of theWorld, the Great Barrier Reef. Then, walk through Mossman Gorge with a local Aboriginal guide, where you’ll learn about the area and its links with Dreaming. With an Intrepid leader by your side, you can get closer to some of Australia’s favourite places, no matter how much time you have.

Trip Name
Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
5
Capacity
12
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 oldest rainforest in the world, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, with an experienced guide. Ride an electric eco-boat along the Daintree River (Julaymba) and look for crocodiles along the way.
  • Snorkel of the Great Barrier Reef – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover the underwater ecosystem and the fragility of the environment from professional marine biologists.
  • Join a local Aboriginal guide on a Dreaming walking tour. Learn about the local environment in Mossman Gorge, bush food and native plants before a morning tea of bush tea and damper.
  • 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.

Itinerary

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER CULTURAL EXPERIENCES & COMMUNITIES First Nations people have complex community obligations, and at times activities or experiences may be cancelled at late notice due to cultural commitments. In the case that we are unable to include planned activities with First Nations communities, we will endeavour to find a suitable alternative in the same or another destination on your trip.

Day 1 - Cairns
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, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe walk through the Cairns Botanical Gardens, relax on the beach or find a local bar for a drink or two. After the group meeting, head out for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers.
Day 2 - Port Douglas
This morning, glide over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest on the Skyrail cable car that connects Cairns to the mountain village of Kuranda. When you arrive, you’ll have some free time to explore this 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. Maybe wander through the Kuranda Markets and village shopping or simply 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. Later, take in scenic views of the ocean and cliffs covered in native flora as you drive along the coast to Port Douglas. Tonight, head out on an orientation walk around town, stopping at Trinity Bay Lookout Point to see the distinctive crescent of sand and surf. Later, head to a local restaurant for drinks and dinner with your fellow travellers. 
Day 3 - Port Douglas
Today, you’ll visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest. When you arrive, head out on a 1-hour crocodile and wildlife spotting boat tour along the Daintree River (Julaymba). On the electric Solar Whisper, you’ll hear the sounds of nature as you look out for crocs, birdlife, snakes, frogs, crabs and fish. Your experienced tour 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. Later, head back to your accommodation and maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.
Day 4 - Port Douglas
This morning, head out on a daytrip boat tour from Port Douglas to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. Explore the stunning Coral Cays on the 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 and head to an exclusive site for a spot of wildlife-focused snorkelling. There are vast coral gardens to explore – as a protected and shallow area, you’ll see corals, giant clams, turtles and fish in their natural habitat. Enjoy a buffet lunch and afternoon tea on board, while you continue to spot wildlife from the glass-bottomed boat. Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner and toast to the final night of your trip.
Day 5 - Cairns
After breakfast, travel to Mossman Gorge. When you arrive, set out on a Ngadiku Dreaming 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. As you walk, listen to these stories, visit culturally significant sites, traditional bark shelters and rainforest streams and learn about traditional plant use, bush food sources and the connection to this tropical environment. Watch a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse and ward off bad spirits, then sit down to a bush tea and damper (a loaf or cake of flour and water that’s baked in wood ashes). After, drive south to Palm Cove to explore the scenic beachside town and maybe grab some lunch. You can end your trip here or carry onto Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 4 pm.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-04-202627-04-2026AUD $ 3,250-
30-04-202604-05-2026AUD $ 3,490-
14-05-202618-05-2026AUD $ 2,940-
11-06-202615-06-2026AUD $ 3,080-
18-06-202622-06-2026AUD $ 3,080-
02-07-202606-07-2026AUD $ 3,160-
16-07-202620-07-2026AUD $ 3,540-
30-07-202603-08-2026AUD $ 3,220-
13-08-202617-08-2026AUD $ 3,160-
20-08-202624-08-2026AUD $ 3,160-
10-09-202614-09-2026AUD $ 3,050-
24-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 3,150-
15-10-202619-10-2026AUD $ 3,050-
29-10-202602-11-2026AUD $ 2,990-
05-11-202609-11-2026AUD $ 3,050-
12-11-202616-11-2026AUD $ 3,130-
26-11-202630-11-2026AUD $ 3,160-
10-12-202614-12-2026AUD $ 3,160-
24-12-202628-12-2026AUD $ 3,160-
07-01-202711-01-2027AUD $ 3,125-
14-01-202718-01-2027AUD $ 3,010-
28-01-202701-02-2027AUD $ 3,010-
04-02-202708-02-2027AUD $ 3,010-
11-02-202715-02-2027AUD $ 2,895-
25-02-202701-03-2027AUD $ 2,895-
11-03-202715-03-2027AUD $ 2,895-
25-03-202729-03-2027AUD $ 2,895-
22-04-202726-04-2027AUD $ 3,040-
29-04-202703-05-2027AUD $ 3,040-
13-05-202717-05-2027AUD $ 3,040-
20-05-202724-05-2027AUD $ 3,040-
10-06-202714-06-2027AUD $ 3,040-
17-06-202721-06-2027AUD $ 3,040-
24-06-202728-06-2027AUD $ 3,040-
01-07-202705-07-2027AUD $ 3,040-
15-07-202719-07-2027AUD $ 3,040-
29-07-202702-08-2027AUD $ 3,040-
12-08-202716-08-2027AUD $ 3,040-
19-08-202723-08-2027AUD $ 3,040-
26-08-202730-08-2027AUD $ 3,040-
09-09-202713-09-2027AUD $ 3,040-
16-09-202720-09-2027AUD $ 3,040-
23-09-202727-09-2027AUD $ 3,040-
07-10-202711-10-2027AUD $ 3,040-
14-10-202718-10-2027AUD $ 3,040-
28-10-202701-11-2027AUD $ 3,040-
04-11-202708-11-2027AUD $ 3,040-
11-11-202715-11-2027AUD $ 3,040-
25-11-202729-11-2027AUD $ 3,040-
09-12-202713-12-2027AUD $ 3,040-
23-12-202727-12-2027AUD $ 3,040-
30-12-202703-01-2028AUD $ 3,040-
06-01-202810-01-2028AUD $ 3,040-
13-01-202817-01-2028AUD $ 3,040-
27-01-202831-01-2028AUD $ 3,040-
03-02-202807-02-2028AUD $ 3,040-
10-02-202814-02-2028AUD $ 3,040-
24-02-202828-02-2028AUD $ 3,040-
09-03-202813-03-2028AUD $ 3,040-
23-03-202827-03-2028AUD $ 3,040-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Map

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