Tropical North Queensland for Solos

This morning we visit the Babinda Boulders. Surrounded by lush rainforest, clear blue pools and unusual rock formations, we’ll be hard pressed not to be awed by this place. Afterwards, we head to magical Paronella Park where history and romance seamlessly fuse together. Be immediately stuck by the immense natural beauty of this park and explore the enchanting grounds through a series of winding paths that snake through the forest and castle ruins. After departing the park we stop off for lunch at a local restaurant before making our way back to Cairns for an evening at leisure.

After a leisurely start to the morning, we travel to Port Douglas. Our first stop is Four Mile Beach, one of the most popular and well-known beaches in Tropical North Queensland, with four miles of golden sands and swaying palms. Heading into the town centre, we have time to explore Macrossan Street and see the many lovely shops, cafes and restaurants. Our coach will collect us at a designated time to transfer us back to Cairns via the Northern Beaches where we enjoy some scenic stops. Dinner tonight will be in our hotel restaurant.

Our destination today is an area known as the Atherton Tablelands. We are welcomed at the Lake Barrine Teahouse Café for a light lunch before we visit the remarkable Curtain Fig Tree, with its curtain of aerial roots that drop 15 metres to the ground. Large basalt boulders cover the forest floor which is probably why the forest here wasn’t cleared for farming – and why the tree remains standing. We arrive at our accommodation with time to freshen up before dinner.

Accommodation: Jackaroo Motel Mareeba or similar (2 nights)

Travelling to the small township of Herberton we step back in time at the delightful Herberton Historic Village. Showcasing Australia’s diverse history, this outdoor pioneer museum is a testament to an era that is long gone. We have time to wander the village which features many priceless antiques as well as buildings that have come from the town’s ancestors. Continuing to Gallo Dairyland, we hear about the cheese making process and sample some of the yummy products before a lovely lunch overlooking the dairy farm. Our final stop is to Malanda Falls on the North Johnstone River. The Malanda Falls are part of the waterfall and volcanic craters circuit on the Atherton Tablelands. Surrounded by lush, green rainforest and conveniently located, the falls are easily accessible. Early evening we enjoy dinner together locally.

We farewell our wonderful hosts in Mareeba as we make our way to the Daintree River where we embark on a cruise on one of the most densely populated mangrove estuaries in the world. There is nothing quite like watching wildlife while cruising along the beautiful Daintree River. We stop for lunch the Daintree Tea House. Finishing at Mossman Gorge, we learn the fascinating secrets of one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. Feel the serenity while watching the river as it tumbles its way over and around huge granite boulders. After an interesting day we return to Cairns and check into our hotel before coming together for dinner.

Accommodation: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort or similar (4 nights)

Today we have a full day at leisure in Cairns You may like to book a tour, visit an attraction or just simply relax by the pool – the choice is yours. We’ll join together again at our hotel for dinner to discuss our days activities.

We have a fabulous day planned today as we discover the unforgettable Outer Barrier Reef. For an experience of a lifetime, we board Quicksilver’s wave piercer catamaran which will take us to a reef at the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf, to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. At Agincourt Reef, a magnificent ribbon reef, we experience firsthand the magic that is the Great Barrier Reef. We can choose to snorkel or stay dry and explore the reef from the comfort of the semi-submarine, just one metre underwater. Watch the fish feeding from the unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory, or fly in a helicopter over the reef (diving and helicopter flights are optional and at own expense). We’ll be given a talk by a Marine Biologist, to answer all our questions and enjoy morning and afternoon tea and smorgasbord lunch. When we return to the hotel late this afternoon dinner will be at leisure.

This morning we board the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. Track through picturesque valleys and century old tunnels of the magnificent Barron Falls National Park. Perched above Cairns, we find the mountain village of Kuranda. We experience the tropical rainforest from a totally unique perspective aboard an amphibious World War II DUKW, colloquially known as Duck. During this 45 minute rainforest tour, your knowledgeable Duck Captain will identify and explain fascinating plants and wildlife as you pass by before splashing into the lake for a cruise with more wildlife to be seen. Then local Indigenous Pamagirri Guides welcome us to join them on a journey to discover the Dreamtime and learn about the fascinating customs and ancient traditions that are kept alive in the rainforest of Kuranda. The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience takes approximately 1 hour which includes both the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Performance held in the Rainforest Amphitheatre and the Dreamtime Walk conducted either before or after the show. The quaint village of Kuranda awaits, full of vibrant arts and crafts shops which we have time to wander and purchase lunch. Returning to Cairns we enjoy our farewell dinner at a special restaurant overlooking the water.

With our bags packed we farewell our new friends and make our way home, taking with us memories of our tropical North Queensland escape.

Please check with reservations for Airport Transfer times, before booking your flight.