Aerial view of Daintree River in Daintree National Park, Queensland, Australia

Adventurous Queensland Tour: Exploring Australia’s Northeast

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

Countries Visited

Australia

Places Visited

Cairns, Mareeba, Port Douglas, Cooktown...

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Suggested Duration

10 Days

Experience the ultimate Australian expedition through the tropical landscape of northeast Queensland. Your custom tailored tour embodies the beauty and excitement of rainforest canopies hiding elusive avifauna and the ocean floor decorated with stunning coral formations along the Great Barrier Reef. Search hidden riverbanks for lounging saltwater crocodiles. Indulge in relaxation during a vintage scenic train ride. Find artifacts of the first European arrival on the continent. From magnificent...

Customizable Itinerary

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Trip Highlights

  • Delight in a full day excursion along the outer edges of the Great Barrier Reef in search of remarkable coral and stunning aquatic life
  • Witness a breathtaking sunrise over Atherton Tablelands during a morning hot air balloon ride offering views of the eastern seaboard
  • Traverse the trails of Mossman Gorge to find secluded freshwater pools and possible sightings of the elusive cassowary
  • Explore a portion of the longest lava tubes in the world at Undara Volcanic National Park
  • See the spectacular Aboriginal art in Quinkan Country, home to one the largest collection of ancient Aboriginal rock art in the world
  • Discover waterfalls and learn about the Aboriginal connection to the land during a cultural tour with the Kuku Yalanji
  • Immerse yourself in the history of northeast Queensland in Cooktown, where the original anchor of Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavor, is on display
  • Relish a scenic and luxurious train ride through the rainforest foothills to reach the charming jungle-clad town of Kuranda
  • Sample the unique and celebrated flavor of coffee cultivated in the tropical Queensland landscape

Detailed Description

The ultimate Queensland excursion takes you on a 10-day tour through the rainforests and savannahs, coffee plantations and beaches for an immersive experience of the tropical landscape edging the Great Barrier Reef. Your unique adventure begins with your arrival at Cairns Airport. Your private transfer greets you and escorts you to a luxurious hotel overlooking the shores of the Coral Sea. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to stroll along the esplanade or visit the gorgeous grounds of the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

The following morning, you take a scenic train journey through the jungle-clad mountains to reach the town of Kuranda. Enjoy the art galleries and cultural markets. Visit the butterfly sanctuary or pet a kangaroo at the Kuranda Koala Gardens. You continue west to the Atherton Tablelands to visit the Granite Gorge before settling in the town of Mareeba. Then, you wake early for a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Upon landing, you take to the trails to visit the Millaa Millaa Waterfall circuit and discover the extent of the lava tubes at Undara Volcanic National Park. Next, you travel east to reach the gorgeous town of Port Douglas. Linger on the white sand of Four Mile Beach after your private cultural tour of Mossman Gorge, where you find secluded freshwater pools and dense forest canopies.

Afterward, you travel over the Daintree River, stopping for a river safari in search of saltwater crocodiles. Reach Cape Tribulation to view the point at which the rainforest touches the sea. Relax in perfect seclusion or enjoy kayaking or snorkeling along the reefs. Relish a scenic hike to Bloomfield Falls and learn the ancestral stories of the region with a Kuku Yalanji guide before arriving in Cooktown. Discover the history of Cooktown and the secluded region of Cape York Peninsula at your preferred pace. You can view Captain Cook’s original anchor in the Cooktown Sea Museum along with the Milbi Wall, which represents the significance of the Aboriginal people’s first encounter with Europeans.

You travel to Quinkan Country to view the largest collection of ancient Aboriginal rock art en route to Port Douglas. Enjoy the scenic drive before settling into a luxurious hotel situated on the coastline. You travel into the open ocean on a luxury catamaran taking you to select sites along the Great Barrier Reef for a full day excursion. Revel in the natural colors and vivacious life beneath the sea before returning to Port Douglas. On the final day, your private transfer meets you in the lobby of your hotel before escorting you to Cairns Airport for your flight home.

Starting Price

$3,245 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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