Tropical Queensland – Solo Group

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. Following lunch take your time and wander through the park at your own pace.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Our destination today is an area known as the Atherton Tablelands. We are welcomed at the Nerada Tea Plantation. Our host will share the secrets of tea blending on our information tour and we’ll learn more about the tea than we thought we already knew! A delightful high tea awaits us after our tour. We then 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, High Tea, Dinner
Stay: 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We farewell our wonderful hosts in Mareeba as we make our way to Port Douglas. First, we visit Jaques Australia Coffee for a delightful morning tea as we discover the world of coffee and how it’s grown. We also make a stop at Mount Molloy, home of the Great Bowerbird. Our afternoon is at leisure. You may like to visit Four Mile Beach or spend the day in town. Of course, some may like to relax around the pool and relax – the choice is yours.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Oaks Resort Port Douglas or similar – 3 nights

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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We head 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 of lunch the Daintree Heritage Lodge. Step from on UNESCO site to another as Cape Tribulation is where the ancient Daintree Rainforest and stunning Great Barrier Reef meet. 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.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast we return to Cairns for a free afternoon. Take a stroll through the shops in the city centre or explore further afield. Once again, your Tour Manager will check with everyone as to what they’d like to do. This evening we have a special venue overlooking the water for our farewell dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort or similar  -1 night

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

Meals Included: Breakfast

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