Best of Cairns, Great Barrier Reef & Daintree - 5 Days



Who is this trip for
Age range
15 - 99Start / End
- Cairns
- Cairns
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 12Meals included
5Highlights
- 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.
- See some of the best of Western Australia with curated included activities and limited free time. Make the most of your trip and directly support Greening Australia – an Intrepid Foundation partner working to tackle complex environmental challenges.
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Summary
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.
Itinerary
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
Kuranda / Port Douglas
This morning, glide over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest on the Skyrail 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
Daintree Rainforest / Cape Tribulation / 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
Great Barrier Reef / 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
Mossman Gorge / Palm Cove / 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.
What's Included
Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights)
Meals
Breakfasts: 1, Lunches: 2, Dinners: 2
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Sep 25
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from £1,777Nov 26
from £1,846Dec 26
from £1,921Jan 27
from £1,846Feb 27
from £1,777Mar 27
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from £1,866May 27
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from £1,866Feb 28
from £1,866Mar 28
from £1,866
- Save 1%Thu 12 Mar 2026 > Mon 16 Mar 20266+ spaces of 12 leftPay Monthly£1,530£1,515Book for£250 today, pay the rest later
- Save 1%Thu 26 Mar 2026 > Mon 30 Mar 20266+ spaces of 12 leftPay Monthly£1,495Best offer£1,480Book for£250 today, pay the rest later
Customer reviews & ratings
Excellent trip exploring and learning about beautiful Far North Queensland. Thanks to Jarred for sharing his passion and knowledge and made the trip so enjoyable and the success it was. We learned so much about the environment, the culture . Accommodation was perfect.
Glenys Jul, 2025 VerifiedHighly recommend the Best of Cairns trip! We experienced so much in a short time—highlights were the Great Barrier Reef and Mossman Gorge’s cultural tour. Jarred, our leader, was knowledgeable, organised, and easygoing, with a great dose of Aussie humour. A fun, relaxed, and truly memorable adventure.
Sarah Jul, 2025 Verified
Essential trip information
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