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11 Day
G'day Mate! Head to the southern
latitudes and experience the magic and intrigue of the land Down
Under.
Join us and discover one of the world's most fascinating destinations
Queensland, Australia! Located in northeast Australia, Queensland's
lush tropical rainforests and the underwater treasures of the Great
Barrier Reef form the magnificent setting for three variety packed
adventures. Each day we'll explore a unique feature of this region's
diverse landscape as we sea kayak, mountain bike, canoe, hike, sail,
snorkel, and scuba dive. Imagine trekking through virgin rainforest to
secret waterfalls and pools , canoeing beneath a canopy of towering
trees and vines alive with parrots and kingfishers, mountain biking to
crater lakes of an extinct volcano; sea kayaking azure waters dotted
with isolated white sand islands and snorkeling and diving amid
brilliantly colored coral gardens teeming with tropical fish. Each day
has been carefully planned to include plenty of flexibility for more
challenging excursions, and to allow ample time to relax and appreciate
nature. Evenings are enjoyed in the comforts of distinctive Aussie
lodges, and are complemented with one to three nights of
camping under the stars on the beach of an uninhabited island paradise.
Includes: All lodging, meals, guides, fees and equipment. Dates: April - November Difficulty: Easy to Moderate |
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| Day 1 - 2 | We'll enjoy a travel day. Then in the morning, discover the tropical rainforest scenery surrounding the Mulgrave River in two-person canoes. This class I-II river flows through a pristine forest with towering Strangler Figs, jungle vines, rare ferns and is home to a wide variety of wildlife including a great variety of birds such as kookaburras, kingfishers, parrots, herons and orioles. |
| Day 3 | We'll travel by way of the scenic Gillies Highway to the Atherton Tablelands. Here, we'll bike through local villages and a tunnel of lush vegetation. Our route takes us by the crater of Lake Eacham, Yungaburra historic village, Malanda Falls and other interesting places. |
| Day 4 | An early rise provides an opportunity to view the unique and elusive Duck Billed Platypus. After a hearty breakfast, we'll bike rainforest trails in the tropical Danbulla State Forest exploring Wright's Creek Falls, Lake Tinnaroo and Lake Barrine, featuring the water-filled crater of an extinct volcano. |
| Day 5 - 6 | We'll hike through the lush, virgin tropical Mount Bartle Frere Rainforest. As we walk under giant trees and through lush vegetation, your naturalist guide will interpret the intricacies of the rainforest environment. The following morning, we'll trek to a beautiful for a refreshing swim. |
| Day 7 - 8 | From Cairns, we cruise on a powerboat to the Great Barrier Reef where for two days we'll snorkel and explore the world's largest coral reef system, stretching 1400 miles along the northeastern coast. This fascinating reef has the greatest density and diversity of life of any marine ecosystem in the world, including 1800 known species of fish and 450 species of coral. |
| Day 9 | We'll venture to Kurrimine Beach. After an orientation and instructional course, we'll launch our sea kayaks for the first leg of our three-day tour, crossing King Reef en route to the Southern Barnard Islands. Sea Eagles and Nankeen Kestrels ride the thermals overhead, whilst below the sea surface, the waters team with a plethora of sea life. |
| Day 10 - 11 | After a hearty breakfast and perhaps a morning swim, we'll break camp and paddle to the Northern Barnard group of Islands where we may find dolphins and turtles. After lunch on the white sands of a tropical island, snorkel through colorful coral formations and view numerous tropical fish or bushwalk through evergreen rainforests to a historic island lighthouse. We'll then paddle to the mainland, passing nearby islands where we may explore mysterious caves. After landing on the mainland at Cowley Beach, we'll transfer to Cairns for our trip's conclusion. |