The Explorer - 8 Days/7 Nights

The Explorer is an 8 Day 7 Night journey like no other. This accommodated tour will have you exploring the multiple faces of beautiful North Queensland. Beginning with journeys into the hinterland and rainforest with opportunities to swim in waterholes and under waterfalls, explore gorges and meet and feed wildlife. Whilst the secondary component of the tour will have you exploring the world renowned Great Barrier Reef on live aboard boat The Vagabond. With 2 full days of sun, sea and snorkelling with the highly recommended additional cost option of scuba diving.

Itinerary

Day 1: Orientation & Sunset Cruise (D)
Tour participants meet at The Hotel Cairns at 4.00pm in the Lobby. Here you will be met by your guide and will walk to the pier for orientation and welcome drink. Embark upon sunset cruise from 5.30pm through till 7pm; disembark for dinner at Waterfront Restaurant. With first night accommodation at The Hotel Cairns.

Day 2: Aboriginal Culture, Mossman Gorge & Australian Wildlife (B, L & D)
After breakfast, meet in the lobby of The Hotel Cairns at 8am. Journey begins north with 1 hour and 15 minute scenic drive to Mossman (additional stop at Ellis Beach may be requested - altering travel time).

Aboriginal Guided walk through Daintree National Park from 11.00-12.20pm. The walk is followed by tea, damper and didgeridoo playing. Continue on for another short guided walk in the gorge with an additional 30 minutes to explore the gorge on your own whilst guides set up picnic lunch. Walk back and depart for Mossman at 1.30pm. By 2.00pm arrive at Rainforest Habitat; spend 2.5 hours here enjoying Australian Wildlife - get up close to Kangaroos and Emus and have the opportunity to have your picture taken holding a koala. At 4.30pm tour arrives to Port Douglas township, with some free time to see 4 Mile Beach and the shops of the main street of Port Douglas. Dinner is at 6.00pm at a Port Douglas Restaurant. At 7.30pm begin the return drive to Cairns (1 hour) accommodation for the night at The Hotel Cairns.

Day 3: Mareeba Wetland Reserve & Granite Gorge (B, L & D)
After breakfast depart Hotel Cairns at 8.00am. Arriving at the Mareeba Wetlands Reserve by approximately 9.15am. Join the electric powered boat ride with a ranger who will provide commentary on different types of birdlife at Clancy's Lagoon. The ride is followed by an interpretive walk on the reserve. Concluding at noon for lunch at the Mareeba Wetlands Cafe. After lunch at 1.00pm you will have the opportunity to feed the wild wallabies that live in the Granite Gorge with the bags of special wallaby food provided. An hour free time is provided to explore the gorge and giant boulders. At 4.00pm tour group will arrive at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, this will be the accommodation for the night with dinner at the Yungaburra Restaurant.

Day 4: Balloon Ride, Outback Homestead & Waterfalls (B, L & D)
Two options for start of Day 4 - Hot Air Balloon Flight meeting at 3.20am, flight goes for 30 minutes and is followed by champagne and a hot breakfast; alternative option to sleep in and enjoy breakfast at Rose Gums and be taken to Crater Lakes National Park and the Giant Curtain Fig Tree. Group reunites at 10.30am. Journey to Outback Pioneer Homestead arriving approximately 11.30am. Meet the owners of this traditional cattle station and tour the pioneer homestead. Learn how cattle are mustered and branded. Following the tour guests will be treated to an Aussie Steak BBQ (vegetarians can also be accommodated). Depart the homestead at 1.00pm, arriving at Milla Milla Falls and the Waterfalls Circuit by 1.30pm staying for an hour and a half to enjoy a swim beneath the falls. Staying the night at The Sanctuary Retreat, arriving by 4.30pm and enjoying dinner at their on-site restaurant.

Day 5: Josephine Falls & Babinda Boulders (B, L)
After breakfast at The Sanctuary Retreat depart at 9.00am for Wooroonooran National Park, home of Josephine Falls. Upon arrival at the park, the group will follow a rainforest path to 3 different look outs, one of which also provides access to the swimming hole at the bottom of the falls. Enjoy a fantastic natural rock waterslide leading into the swimming hole. Picnic lunch will be provided in the park. After lunch 2 options are available; taking the path to Devils Pool and Gorge lookout, 1.2km return OR The Wonga Track Rainforest Circuit 850 metre loop walk which begins by crossing a creek on a suspension bridge, all assisted with experienced guide with guided commentary. Departing Wooroonooran National Park at 2.00pm for Cairns. Arrive at The Hotel Cairns by 4.00pm, with the rest of the afternoon for free time to explore Cairns on your own.

Day 6: Great Barrier Reef Sailing, Snorkelling & Diving (B, L, & D)
After Breakfast, tour participants are to walk directly to the Marina to Finger D (8-10 minute walk from The Hotel Cairns) to board the Vagabond Reef Boat. Meet at Cairns Marina at 7.45am and set sail at 8.30am, for those prone to seasickness it is wise to take ginger tablets half an hour before commencing sail. There will be options to scuba dive or to do a one-on-one intro dive with an instructor. At approximately 10.30am Vagabond will arrive at its first reef dive spot. The rest of the day is spent snorkelling or optional diving at several different sites. Please note- Intro Dives, Certified Dives, Reef Tax $20 pp and Ginger tablets are additional costs.

Day 7: Great Barrier Reef Sailing, Snorkelling & Diving (B, L & D)
Wake up surrounded by the beautiful Coral Sea, spend the day snorkelling or scuba diving as Vagabond bases itself around the dive sites of Moore Reef, their roving permit allows you to also visit other reefs off Cairns such as Elford, Thetford and Briggs Reefs as well as the Michaelmas and Upolu Cays. The boat captain will choose the best sites on the day according to the weather and wind conditions. In the afternoon begin the sail back with approximate arrival to Cairns Marina at 4.30pm. Return to The Hotel Cairns and refresh before meeting downstairs at 6.30pm for Farewell Dinner to be held in a Cairns restaurant.

Day 8: Departure or Extension (B)
Guests can either enjoy last breakfast at The Hotel Cairns or extend their stay. The Hotel Cairns can arrange transfers back to the Cairns Airports (additional cost).

Highlights

2 Full Days Sailing the Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling or Scuba Diving the Great Barrier Reef Visit to Outback Pioneer Homestead & Cattle Station Hiking in Granite Gorge, Daintree & Wooroonooran National Parks Rainforest exploration, wildlife viewing and aboriginal guided walk

Inclusions

7 x Breakfasts 6 x Lunches 6 x Dinners All accommodation in 4-star eco-lodge, boutique hotel and on live aboard boat All transportation to activities Naturalist Guide throughout Snorkel gear & wetsuit hire Rainforest tree planted in each guests name Field guide, cloth shopping bag and water bottle

Times

Departures 2010:
May 10-17
June 21-28
July 5-12
Aug 16-23
Sept 13-20
Oct 11-18
Nov 8-15
Dec 27- Jan 3 2011

Departures 2011:
Mar 7-14

Additional Information

Children: 4-14 years child rates apply
What to Bring: Casual comfortable clothing is recommended for daywear. Warm layered clothing for winter. Good covered walking shoes, hat, camera, sunscreen and bottled water
Scuba Diving: Please note additional costs apply, payable direct for Scuba Diving, if desired. Diving medicals prior to departure are required and are the responsibility of the traveller
Operated By: Small World Journeys