Day 1 - Cairns
Upon arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your accommodation, a 4-star hotel in the heart of the city, only a block from the ocean and surrounded by lush foliage and swaying palms. This afternoon you will have a welcome orientation over drinks and tapas with your guide before a sunset boat cruise on Trinity Inlet. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (D)
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Day 2 - Port Douglas
Considered one of the most scenic drives in Australia, the Captain Cook Highway winds north from Cairns with views of golden beaches and the translucent sea. Traveling inland, you will be welcomed by an aboriginal guide for a hike to see the rainforest through the eyes of the indigenous Kuku Yalanji. You will discover how these aboriginals found their way through dense rainforest and learn what native plants were used for food, medicine, and even soap. Listen for the call of the wild cockatoo or the laughing kookaburra, and perhaps paint your face with traditional ochre rock paint. Your guide will recount stories from the aboriginal Dreamtime, and a sonorous didgeridoo demonstration completes the morning. In the afternoon you will visit a refuge for Australian animals such as the endangered cassowary, crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, and countless exotic birds. As your guide educates you about the different species, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the animals up close, whether it’s holding a python, feeding a lorikeet, or meeting a mother kangaroo and her joey. Dinner will be in the charming town of Port Douglas before returning to Cairns. (BLD)
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Day 3 - Wooroonooran National Park
Wooroonooran National Park hosts some of the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world, and the park reaches its highest diversity in the area of today’s hike. You will hike to an enchanting set of waterfalls, where Douglas Creek drops in a narrow, uninterrupted, 50 meter fall from a basalt parapet. This magical section of the park also has a special connection to the Wari and Dulgubara aboriginals who once lived here. Next you will explore the Waterfalls Circuit: a series of three grand waterfalls under which you can swim or view from above. Your guide will educate you about the unique rainforest species found here such as the brilliant blue Ulysses Butterfly, the giant tree frog, and the musky rat kangaroo. Later you will take a short hike through the jungle to Josephine Falls, where the triple tiered cascades end with a natural waterslide and a refreshing swimming hole. In the late afternoon you will travel to Mission Beach, home of at least 33 rare and threatened plants, including endangered ferns, orchids, and flowering plants. This evening your accommodations will be in a beachfront lodge on Mission Beach. (BLD)
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Day 4 - Tully River
The Tully River ranks high with rafting enthusiasts around the globe for its stunning course through national parklands, thrilling Class III-IV rapids, and its reliable year-round flows. First timers and experienced rafters alike will be spoiled by the Tully’s non-stop action and gorgeous pristine wilderness. After you are fitted with life jackets and helmets and have a safety briefing you will raft through UNESCO World Heritage rainforest and below waterfalls that tumble from the walls of the gorge, stopping midway for a riverside BBQ. You will return to the beachfront lodge in the evening. (BLD)
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Day 5 - Little Mulgrave Valley
Mountain biking in Cairns is a biker’s dream: mild to challenging singletrack, fun rolling terrain, gorgeous vistas, and little-seen wilderness areas. You will be fitted to superbly crafted Canadian Norco mountain bikes and will receive a mountain biking basic review before hitting the trail. Choose from one of two options: a thrilling singletrack circuit in the Little Mulgrave Valley, or a more relaxed scenic route. Both paths lead to a refreshing swimming hole before a stop at a classic Aussie pub to end your biking adventure. Return to Cairns for a free evening to explore. (BL)
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Day 6 - Great Barrier Reef
Found perhaps on every traveler’s "must-see" checklist, The Great Barrier Reef--a UNESCO World Heritage Site--lies just off Cairns’ coast, luring snorkelers and divers alike to its underwater universe. Early this morning you’ll set sail for the outer Great Barrier Reef. You will delight in viewing the incredible array of life and colors that exist just below the surface. Snorkelers can also take advantage of the chance to try an introductory SCUBA dive--or several intro dives if they wish. SCUBA divers can log up to 5 dives during these two days, including a phenomenal night dive on the reef. You will stay overnight at the reef on a live aboard vessel. (BLD)
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Day 7 - Great Barrier Reef
You will spend the day continuing your exploration of the Great Barrier Reef. This evening you will return to Cairns for a celebratory dinner and a recounting of your adventures over the past week. (BLD)
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Day 8 - Departure
After breakfast, you will have an early morning transfer to the airport for your international flight home. (B)
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