Australia Retreat: Queensland Daintree


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Multiple year round departures

Day 1: Cairns – Kuranda – Port Douglas
Welcome to Cairns! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 11 am. With the formalities out of the way, it’s time to hit the road for Port Douglas, with a couple of stops en route to break up the journey. First up is Barron Gorge lookout that looks over a set of tumbling falls bursting from the rainforest. Spend some time ooh-ing and ah-ing at the lookout, then continue to the town of Kuranda. This little mountain village is the perfect place to grab a quick lunch (not included), before hitting the road again at around 2 pm. Settle back into the vehicle for an approximately 1.5-hour drive along the coast to Port Douglas. Take in views of cliffs covered in distinct native flora on one side and glittering blue ocean on the other, with some photo stops along the way. Arrive at the accommodation and spend a few hours settling in. In the early evening, take an orientation tour around Port Douglas. Stop at Trinity Bay lookout point to admire the perfect crescent of sand and surf in the twilight. Head to a local restaurant for drinks and dinner with your fellow travellers, then return to the resort for the evening.
Included Activities
Cairns – Barron Gorge lookout
Kuranda – Lunch stop
Port Douglas – Local dinner
Port Douglas – Leader-lead orientation walk
Port Douglas – Trinity Bay lookout
Meals Included
Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Day 2: Daintree Rainforest – Cape Tribulation – Port Douglas
Grab breakfast and get ready in time to leave the resort at 8 am, jumping on the ferry and crossing the river into the Daintree Rainforest. Meet up with a local family who live and breathe the rainforest, so much so that they hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew when they were filming in the area. Spend some time learning from them about the forest, then continue exploring with a cruise along Cooper Creek. Your guide will point out crocodiles, birds and other wildlife while you glide through the water. Stop for an included lunch at a heritage restaurant smack-bang in the middle of the forest. If you need to cool off, there is also time to take a swim before continuing to Cape Tribulation. Take in views over the cape from a lookout, then head down to the beach for a guided walk and to learn about the region’s history. Return to the resort for the evening, where you can grab dinner at one of the restaurants within walking distance or choose to enjoy an optional al fresco dinner experience with Flames of the Forest.
Included Activities
Cape Tribulation – Lookout & guided walk
Daintree Rainforest – Guided nature walk
Daintree Rainforest – Cooper Creek boat trip
Daintree Rainforest – Heritage restaurant lunch
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch

Day 3: Port Douglas
Enjoy a day to explore this tropical paradise at your own pace. There are tonnes of activities on offer today, so be sure to talk to your leader about your options when it comes to snorkelling, reef tours, and nature experiences. Your leader will also be on hand today to provide a transfer to Port Douglas town (and back) at 10 am and 6.30 pm if you want to spend the day shopping or grab dinner. If you’d prefer to move as little as possible, you could always take a day to unwind with spa treatments at the resort or chill by the pool with a book.
Meals Included
Breakfast

Day 4: Mossman Gorge – Kuyu Kuyu – Port Douglas
Grab breakfast before leaving the resort at 8.15 am for a guided walk through the rainforest of Mossman Gorge. Work up an appetite on this gentle 1.5-hour hike, then grab morning tea (not included) before heading to Kuyu Kuyu (Cooya Beach) for an educational experience with a member of the local Kuku Yalanji community. Learn to throw a spear, which plants are edible and how Kuku Yalanji people live in harmony with the ever-shifting landscape. Enjoy lunch, then join an Aboriginal painting class in the afternoon. Learn about the significance of traditional and contemporary art and storytelling to First Nations people and leave with a small souvenir. Return to the resort in the early evening and enjoy a few free hours to relax. Grab dinner tonight with your group and toast to the beauty of the country around you.
Included Activities
Mossman Gorge – Guided rainforest walk
Kuyu Kuyu – Kuku Yalanji First Nations experience
Meals Included
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

Day 5: Cairns
Enjoy breakfast and time for one last swim before a 10 am departure for Cairns. We will make one drop-off stop at Cairns Airport and another at a central hotel in Cairns – before your tour begins please let your Intrepid representative or travel agent know which option you would prefer.
Meals Included
Breakfast

Inclusions
Meals
4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Resort (4 nights)
Included activities
Cairns – Barron Gorge lookout
Kuranda – Lunch stop
Port Douglas – Local dinner
Port Douglas – Leader-lead orientation walk
Port Douglas – Trinity Bay lookout
Cape Tribulation – Lookout & guided walk
Daintree Rainforest – Guided nature walk
Daintree Rainforest – Cooper Creek boat trip
Daintree Rainforest – Heritage restaurant lunch
Mossman Gorge – Guided rainforest walk
Kuyu Kuyu – Kuku Yalanji First Nations experience

Images courtesy of Intrepid PVOD