Day # | Activity | Accommodation | Included Meals |
Night 1 | Arrive Cairns | Gilligans Backpackers |
|
Day 1 / Night 2 | Waterfalls Tour - returns 7.30pm | Gilligans Backpackers | Lunch |
Day 2 / Night 3 | Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard | Great Barrier Reef | Lunch, Dinner |
Day 3 / Night 4 | Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard | Gilligans Backpackers | Breakfast, Lunch |
Day 4 / Night 5 | Cape Tribulation & the Daintree | Gilligans Backpackers | Lunch
|
Most of the tours can operate every day so we can change it around to suit your exact itinerary.
Day 1 - Waterfalls & Tablelands Day Tour
Travel south and discover the majesty and beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls, a MUST see for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife.
You will visit and be amazed by the legend of Babinda Boulders, steeped in Aboriginal history of trapped spirits and a tragic love story that will chill you to the bone. Next, your morning swim beckons amidst the lush rainforest and cascading crystal clear waters of Josephine Falls. A natural waterslide awaits the young at heart. Journey on to Australia’s most iconic waterfall Millaa Millaa Falls, made famous by Qantas. For lunch, we will stop and give you time to purchase or bring your own. Then it’s back into the waterfalls.
Mount Hypipamee, the Crater and Dinner Falls, WOW 3 great things in 1 location! Here you will have the opportunity to take a bush walk, swim behind a waterfall and gaze into an 85 meter deep volcanic crater and if that’s not enough, we quite often see the local Cassowary here too.
As the afternoon starts to roll on, we head to the Curtain Fig Tree. Here 15 meter high tree roots tower above, like a 3 story building; keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo.
Just before our last swim spot, we will take you down to a quiet little creek to search for Platypus and then off to our last stop of the day at Lake Eacham.
Days 2 & 3 - Great Barrier Reef Overnight
An outstanding opportunity to spend 1 or many nights on the Great Barrier Reef. There simply is no better way to see the Great Barrier Reef than onboard in a twin or double stateroom with a private bathroom.
Accommodation facilities onboard the fully air-conditioned vessel are terrific. Staterooms are modern, spacious & bright with plenty of storage space, & all have en-suite bathrooms. The vessel has its own onboard water desalination plant so guests have the luxury of unlimited showers. The dining room is big & fresh, our onboard heated spa is perfect to relax after a night dive or watch the sunset with a glass of champagne.
Our hydraulic scuba dive / snorkel platform makes scuba diving & snorkeling a breeze. The vessel is large enough to provide all the comforts of larger cruise ships, yet small enough to enable access to spectacular reef locations inaccessible to other vessels. The vessel is available for Private Charter for the ultimate vacation experience. This boat offers an outstanding opportunity to live aboard & spend a night or several nights on the Great Barrier Reef.
Scuba Diving - Introductory & Certified
Why not add some scuba diving to your package. Both introductory and certified diving is available.
Day 4 - Cape Tribulation & the Daintree
See the oldest living rainforest in the world. World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation is where the rainforest meets the reef. This day tour delivers it all, coastal drives and river cruises, rainforest walks, Mossman Gorge, the Daintree Rainforest and an Indigenous “Welcome to Country” and smoke ceremony.
Commence the adventure with a scenic coastal drive from Cairns to Port Douglas. This is the far north’s very own great ocean road and provides panoramic views over the sparkling Coral Sea. Heading north our first stop is at Mossman Gorge, which is in the southern sector of the world famous Daintree National Park. This gorge has been carved out by the cold mountain waters of the Mossman River, which winds through large granite boulders, bordered by lush green rainforest. It’s a magical place and you’ll participate in a “Welcome to Country” with the traditional owners, the Kuku Yalanji people, who will also cleanse you of evil spirits with a smoke ceremony and apply traditional rainforest body paint to you. There’s the opportunity for you to enjoy a refreshing swim in the cascading waters.
Continuing north we cross the mighty Daintree River and head to Cape Tribulation for lunch. After lunch, it’s time to explore this ancient rainforest environment on an interesting guided tour of the Marrdja Botanical Boardwalk and Cape Tribulation beach. Our highly trained guides will give expert rainforest interpretation, which will inform and impress.
Be amazed at the huge diversity you will encounter, everything from low lying ferns and shrubs, to the massive rainforest canopy and even mangrove ecosystems all in one short easy walk. Next stop – Floravilla – which has 26 flavours of locally made ice-cream, including dragonfruit, coconut ginger, black sapote and goji berry with rainforest honey. Yum! [At own cost.]
Photo opportunity at the Alexandra Range Lookout (Walu Wugirriga), which provides sweeping views over the Daintree River, its rainforest delta and out to the Coral Sea. This afternoon it’s onto the river for a wildlife cruise where you might get to see a crocodile, while learning about the fragile ecosystem of this impressive serpent-like river system.
4 Nights Dorm Accommodation
Gilligan's offers a variety of room types to suit the taste of all our guests. All the rooms are air conditioned and all have ensuite bathrooms. Each floor has its own fully equipped kitchen, in house high speed internet facilities and a TV room for those well deserved lazy days. Gilligans is also one of Cairns best known nightspots.
The Room included in the package is an 8 share ensuite dorm, however you can upgrade to a 4 share deluxe dorm (with fridge, TV, ensuite and balcony) or a double room if you like.
Like this hostel but don't like the package? - Click here to book this hostel by itself.
Some Popular Add-ons to this package
Half Day Barron River Rafting
The Barron River is located ten minutes from the centre of Cairns. With half day white water rafting perfectly suited for first time adventurers or those who want to cram more into their Cairns Holiday. A little bit tamer than the Tully but still a wild adventure!
The Barron River half day tour is a fantastic introduction to White Water Rafting. It's fun, exciting and exhilarating for all the family. Let our guides entertain you on this spectacular river!
Half day rafting with guaranteed water levels year round; no experience is necessary to raft these rapids.
Like this tour but don't like the package? - Click here to book this tour by itself.
Tandem Skydive
Tandem Skydiving has become one of the most popular adventure activities in Australia. Almost anyone over the age of 14 years can jump. Tandem jumps are the best way how to introduce yourself into the world of skydiving, and once you start, IT’S ADDICTIVE!!! It's FUN, it's SAFE, it's EASY and it's the ultimate adrenalin rush, come and join us for the ultimate experience of your life.
Skydive Cairns has it all when it comes to choosing where to do your skydive. This half day adrenaline activity takes approx. 3-4 hrs in a warm tropical climate and has spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforests. Why look else where?