Five days based in Cairns gives you full access to the world's largest coral ecosystem stretching 2300 km along the Queensland coast. Snorkel over coral gardens with sea turtles and reef sharks, take a helicopter over the heart reef, kayak through the Daintree, and still have time for a sunrise hot air balloon over the misty Atherton Tablelands. The reef is older than humanity and more colourful than imagination.
Five days based in Cairns gives you full access to the world's largest coral ecosystem stretching 2300 km along the Queensland coast. Snorkel over coral gardens with sea turtles and reef sharks, take a helicopter over the heart reef, kayak through the Daintree, and still have time for a sunrise hot air balloon over the misty Atherton Tablelands. The reef is older than humanity and more colourful than imagination.
Arrive at Cairns Airport and transfer to your hotel in the city centre. Afternoon swim in the free Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, a large public swimming lagoon on the waterfront - Cairns itself has no beach. Evening at the Cairns Night Market for reef-themed souvenirs, massage, and dinner at the Esplanade seafood restaurants for fresh Queensland barramundi and coral trout. Overnight Cairns.
Full day catamaran cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef, 50 km offshore where the coral is most intact and vibrant. Two hours of snorkeling over hard and soft coral gardens with parrotfish, Maori wrasse, sea turtles, and reef sharks cruising beneath you. Introductory scuba dive for non-certified swimmers guided by a divemaster. Glass-bottom boat tour and semi-submersible for non-swimmers. Return to Cairns by 5 PM. Overnight Cairns.
Drive 2 hours north to the Daintree Rainforest, 135 million years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the Daintree River cruise to spot enormous saltwater crocodiles. Cross the Daintree River on the cable ferry and drive to Cape Tribulation where ancient rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef at the beach. Swim at Myall Beach before returning to Cairns. Overnight Cairns.
45-minute catamaran to Green Island, a coral cay sitting right on the reef surrounded by coral gardens accessible from the beach. Snorkel directly off the beach over living reef within 10 metres of the shore. Optional glass-bottom boat, underwater observatory, and reef walking in special weighted boots on the shallow reef platform. Afternoon return to Cairns for the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Overnight Cairns.
Optional 4:30 AM pickup for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Atherton Tablelands, the green volcanic plateau above Cairns, with views at dawn over the rainforest and coast. Return for breakfast and transfer to Cairns Airport for your departure. End of tour.
We reply within 1 hour with quotes and itinerary.
