Name: A Unique Tropical Getaway Vacation to Australia
Brand: Zicasso
Price: 407 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (1828 reviews)

Snorkels exploring the reef around Green Island, Australia

What to expect on this itinerary

Tropical jungle flows into the iridescent sea on this custom tailored tour through the far reaches of northeast Queensland and Bali. From hidden hot springs to the bright coral of the Great Barrier Reef, isolated white beaches to the cliff-top temples, the lush trees and fascinating streets abound with limitless possibility. Dancers use their movement to tell Hindu epics, and hot air balloons provide secluded panoramas of the sunrise. Handcrafted statues crown ancient temples and rice terraces soar above valley floors. Whether in the charms of Port Douglas or the caldera of Mount Batur, you will uncover the tropical delight of Australia and Bali.

Countries Visited

Australia

Places Visited

Port Douglas, Kuranda, Green Island

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Day 1

Port Douglas – Arrive in the Charming Beachside City of Port Douglas

Port Douglas maintains its ambiance as a quiet fishing village with friendly locals eager to smile at passersby. Palm trees fringe the white sand beaches, and seaside cafes offer refreshing aromas of freshly brewed coffee accompanied by views of the water. Daintree Rainforest edges the coastline and spreads across the Great Dividing Range to the west towards Cape York Peninsula to the north. As you overlook it all, your flight will land at Cairns Airport where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival.

The scenic road north offers pristine views of the landscape, highlighting the green forest canopy and shimmering sapphire water. You will settle into the comforts of your lavish hotel, which overlooks the serene coast. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy the relaxed ambiance along the western end of Macrossan Street or stroll along the picturesque Reef Marina. White sand reaches as far as the eye can see along Four Mile Beach as the water glistens with shades of indigo and cobalt beneath the passing sailboats. You can dig your toes into the soft sand as the waters of the Coral Sea splash against your skin.

Accommodation

Transfer

Day 2 - 3

Port Douglas – Discover the Great Barrier Reef on a Full Day Tour

In the morning, you can hear cockatoos calling to one another amongst the rainforest trees. Their white plumage stands out from the jade canopy as the crested tern build nests in large colonies along coastline and snack on crustaceans burrowing in the sand. After an early breakfast, you will venture to the marina and board luxury catamaran bound for the Great Barrier Reef, a collection of coral systems encompassing nearly 133,000 square miles. The wind rushes over the catamaran and will carry sporadic sea mist with a semi-sweet aroma drifts upwards from the water. The boat will moor at a spot along the Outer Reef, and beneath the water, you will be able to see the silhouette of the subaquatic body.

The Coral Sea is warm and gentle with a bright azure color. You will move easily with the current to explore Thetford Reef, and the sunlight will pierce the surface of the water to offer visibility up to nearly 65 feet. The seafloor reaches a depth of nearly 100 feet as flat and staghorn coral rise along the reef mounds. Sea fans wave in the gentle current amongst the long stretches of table coral and a collection of clownfish may be hiding in the iridescent purple tendrils of an anemone with their orange and white stripes contrasting with the flowing branches as they peek out from their hiding spot.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 4

Port Douglas – Venture into the Rainforest on a Full Day Tour of Kuranda

In the morning, you can watch the sailboats leave from the marina to cast their sails into the sea breeze as they head out to the open water. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts out of the seaside cafes and blends with the tropical scent of coconut. After breakfast, you will soar above the trees on a scenic gondola ride to the jungle town of Kuranda. The Skyrail travels more than four miles between the coastal plain and rainforest station, taking you to over 1,750 feet above sea level across 32 towers. The windows provide a 360-degree view of the lush forest and shimmering water, and in the distance, you can see the dramatic whitewater coursing over the granite cliffs at Barron Falls as the cascade plunges 60 feet into the waiting freshwater pool.

Upon reaching the village streets, you will find an abundance of art galleries and clothing boutiques, craft shops, and art stalls that offer handmade crafts connected to local historical culture. A delicious scent may drift out of the popular German sausage house with a unique blend of flavors that may draw you in. Flickers of blue and yellow hues fill the Butterfly Sanctuary and in the Koala Gardens, the eponymous bear clings to the trees and feeds on dangling eucalyptus. Kangaroos nibble on the underbrush and enjoy the quiet shade. You can feed a passing joey and allow their fuzzy, curious nose to nuzzle into your palm.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 5 - 6

Green Island – Enjoy a Unique Exploration of a Coral Sands at Green Island

Today you will return to the marina at Port Douglas and once again venture into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Instead of reaching the Outer Reef, your catamaran will moor at a long jetty connected to a 6,000-year-old coral cay. Over time, the bleached coral has diluted the sand and rainforest trees overtake the heart the island that extends to more than half a square mile. The soft shores glow white beneath the tropical sun and just walking along the jetty showcases the reef bodies beneath the water.

The crystal clear sea accentuates the colors of the coral and contrast with the emerald canopy on the island. The sand will cling to your ankles as you stroll along the beach. The water will splash at your toes with inviting warmth as you look upon the coconut trees that grow along the edges of the sand as seagrass carpets the seafloor. Large sea turtles graze on the foliage beneath the water’s surface, using their fins to glide through the water as if flying. The striations on the shell connote the loggerhead turtle, which can grow to more than five feet long and are unable to retract their finds and head into their shell. Their slow movements on land juxtapose their elegance in the water.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 7

Green Island – Traverse Cape Tribulation for Pristine Rainforest and Depart Home

The sunrise will stretch with layers of pink and orange across the eastern horizon and then shimmer across the sea. The white sand absorbs the mixture of colors before the sky returns to light blue. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast and lead you into the dense canopy of Daintree National Park for a unique cultural experience that will combine tradition with natural beauty. Your guide will lead you along the mangroves forest of the coast where the tree roots tangle across the edges of river tributaries and coastlines, desalinizing the saltwater.

The shallow waters along the forest floor barely reach above your foot. You will carry a long pole and listen to your guide tell stories about the history of the Kuku Yalanji tribe. The bubbles in the calm, shallow water help connote the location of mud crabs. Your guide will demonstrate how to use the pole to catch the regional delicacy, bringing up a crab from beneath the wet soil. At Mossman Gorge, the aroma of the sea dissipates beneath the herbaceous fragrance of bark and forest underbrush. Your guide will lead you in ritual spiritual cleansing associated with the traditional smoking ceremony, welcoming you to the lush lands of the gorge.

Afterwards, head to the airport for your international departure flight.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Relish a full day tour of the Great Barrier Reef to explore the picturesque world beneath the sea, including sea turtles and clown fish
Revel in spices with a private cooking lesson that will give you the secrets to Balinese cuisine
Indulge in the aerial views of northeast Queensland on a sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride and panoramic Skyrail ride
Relax on the white sand shores of Green Island, located between Australia’s east coast and the Outer Reef of the Great Barrier Reef

Detailed Description

The tropics provide a majestic destination filled with jungle life and crystal-clear water, marvelous culture and relaxed ambiance. Your 7-day tour will take you from shoreline to the rainforest canopy in Queensland, Australia. Your thrilling exploration will begin with your arrival at Cairns Airport as your private transfer will greet you before escorting you north to the charming streets of Port Douglas and your luxurious resort-style hotel that overlooks the edges of the Coral Sea. The remainder of the day is yours to settle into the style and elegance of the white sand beaches and rainforest-clad landscape. Wake the next morning to board a catamaran for a full day tour on the Great Barrier Reef to visit a selection of marvelous dive and snorkel sites for incredible visions of life found beneath the Coral Sea.

The next day, you will board a Skyrail gondola for a 360-degree view of the land and sea as you ride into the jungle expanse. Once in the town of Kuranda, you can visit the art galleries or the butterfly sanctuary, or you could also hang out with kangaroos and koalas at the Kuranda Koala Gardens. Return to the waters the next day for a visit to Green Island. The fabulous secluded shores overlook a series of protected reefs, and you can blend relaxing on white sand beaches with exploring the coral and the aquatic life that edges the sprouting rainforest before you return to Port Douglas. The following day, your guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you into the dense Daintree Rainforest to explore the mangrove trees, the floodplains, and the Aboriginal culture around Cape Tribulation. Experience a smoking ceremony and learn to hunt the crabs that hide in the mud.

Starting Price

$2,900 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.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1828 reviews

Australia Tour Review: Sydney, Ayers Rock, Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda Village, Blue Mountains, Uluru, Port Douglas, Historic Rocks Tour, Boat Cruise, Opera House, Camelback Ride, Snorkeling, Private Tour, 10-Day Trip

Our trip to Australia was incredible! Zicasso's tour operator put together a very thoughtful, well-paced itinerary. Our transportation always met us on time and with a good attitude. We enjoyed the diversity of experiences curated for our stay.

They took our bucket-list items and created an itinerary that allowed us to see almost every one! We were grateful to have a tour of the Historic Rocks in Sydney, a boat cruise harbor tour, watch "Carmen" at the Sydney Opera House, take a sunset camelback ride in the desert to see Ayers Rock, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, and get a private tour of a wildlife habitat (this was so special because we got to interact with some of the animals and learn from their keepers directly).

The only occasion on which I wish we'd had more time to spend was at Kuranda Village! There was so much to do and see, but we had an Army Duck tour and Aboriginal experience booked, which I really enjoyed because we got to ride through the jungle and enjoy performances from the Pamagirri community. Taking the Skyrail up and the train down was also a sight to see.

We enjoyed the intimate nature of tours, allowing us to ask questions about history, architecture, and daily life, and engage with our tour guides in a meaningful way. Highly prefer this style of private/small tours to the bigger bus tours. Our accommodations were impressive--from the luxurious hotel on George Street in Sydney to the desert resort in Uluru to the lodge on Captain Cook Highway in Port Douglas! We got to experience a range of climates. There was never a dull moment.

Even though the itinerary seemed jam-packed, we had just the right amount of time to rest and reset between activities and travel. Having such a detailed and professionally done itinerary gave us real peace of mind. The coordination of hospitality was also impeccable. Our hotels always communicated seamlessly with our pre-arranged transportation and tours. The trip was fun and totally stress-free! We were constantly delighted and charmed by this country and its people.

Australia, New Zealand Tour Review: 1 Month

This was a trip of a lifetime! We had wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand for 40-plus years and this trip did not disappoint.

Zicasso's trip expert was fantastic. When first beginning to plan the trip, he spoke to us by phone and email numerous times to get to know us and find out what we liked, wanted, and were physically able and not able to do. He really listened and planned our trip accordingly.

While we were traveling, he was always instantly available for anything we needed or any questions we had.

Australia Travel Review: Sydney, Port Douglas, Melbourne, Diving, Safari, Food Tour, 14 Nights

From day one, I knew this was the company for me. Zicasso's travel expert was fantastic at communicating with me and making sure I stayed in my budget while getting the perfect vacation. Every detail was planned beautifully, so I felt like I was on a first-rate vacation. He provided very detailed instructions for transportation, hotels, food, and tours. I cannot rave enough about each of the tour providers he connected us with because each was outstanding.

Our main purpose for traveling was to dive in the reef and this experience exceeded our expectations because the tour was so organized. We also did an Australian safari, which was really off the beaten track and gave us a unique look at the biodiversity in the area that we could not have had with any other tour.

This company set us up for a perfect trip and one thing that was very evident was that our travel expert and staff do their homework! They know the companies they set you up with for tours and they know them because they have experienced them firsthand. I am so glad I picked the travel company for this trip and I can't wait to use them again!

Australia Trip Review: Helicopter Ride, Snorkeling, 8 Days

First of all, I want to thank the travel company and Zicasso for an amazing experience in Australia. The trip was phenomenal, and all the travel arrangements were seamlessly planned. Our travel agent was stellar and responsive.

This trip had to be planned quickly and had a short turnaround time. He made everything happen for us. I had certain travel conditions that centered around a professional meeting and he made it work perfectly. Honestly, I wish that I could use the travel company for all of my future travel. Any chance you do travel plans for Europe?

Most importantly, our travel agent made very specific recommendations about experiences, such as the helicopter ride and the choice of hotel. He highly encouraged these two things. I was a bit dubious, particularly of the helicopter ride, but it was amazing, truly amazing. I am so appreciative of the travel company and our travel agent for being so thoughtful, so responsive, and so confident in their planning and recommendations. Thank you again.

Fiji, Australia Vacation Review: Kangaroo Island, 20 Nights

Zicasso's travel professional was very attentive in listening to what was important to us and planned a trip that exceeded our expectations. All the details of our trip were provided well ahead of time and then a couple of weeks prior to our trip, he set up a video call to review the entire itinerary in detail to make sure we knew everything we needed to. I highly recommend the travel company and would definitely use them again if planning a trip to this region.

Australia Vacation Review: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Port Douglas, Blue Mountains, Great Barrier Reef, Fitzroy, Whale Watching, Bridge Climb, Snorkeling, Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 15-Day Tour

This was our first trip to Australia. Zicasso’s travel agent took time to get to know our family and how we like to travel. She gathered our interests and preferences, and carefully curated an itinerary that showcased Sydney, Melbourne, and Cairns/Port Douglas, all within our budget.

This travel agent was very responsive before and during our trip, and monitored our activities to make sure we were happy. In fact, during our stay, one of our excursions (kayaking in Cairns) was canceled due to weather and she was right on top of it. She was able to book us immediately on another expedition (whale watching) of our choice. We appreciated her responsiveness.

Overall, our entire family was extremely happy with our travel agent's arrangements and had a memorable trip to Australia.

Zicasso in the News

A Unique Tropical Getaway Vacation to Australia

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Port Douglas – Arrive in the Charming Beachside City of Port Douglas

Port Douglas – Discover the Great Barrier Reef on a Full Day Tour

Port Douglas – Venture into the Rainforest on a Full Day Tour of Kuranda

Green Island – Enjoy a Unique Exploration of a Coral Sands at Green Island

Green Island – Traverse Cape Tribulation for Pristine Rainforest and Depart Home

Trip Highlights

Detailed Description

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

Customizable Itinerary

Best of the Great Barrier Reef Tour

Nature and Adventure Tour of Australia: Tasmania, Cradle Mountain, Sydney & Port Douglas

Natural Wonders of Australia Tour: Uluru to Great Barrier Reef

Adventures in Cairns Tour: Discovering Daintree & The Great Barrier Reef

Enchanting Australia Tour: From Great Barrier Reef to Historical Red Centre

Photography Tour of Australia & New Zealand’s South Island