Day 1 in Cairns

Welcome to Cairns! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city, take a leisurely stroll down The Esplanade, a 2 mile stretch of seafront promenade. Check out The Lagoon a large artificial saltwater swimming pool, take a refreshing dip with views over the Trinity Inlet. You can walk the promenade and check out the many restaurants and shops located along the waterfront, grab some food at one of the waterside restaurants where you enjoy the laid back lifestyle of this oceanfront paradise.

Visit the Cairns Botanic Gardens located on Collins Avenue about a 20-minute walk from the north end of The Esplanade or a few minutes ride by taxi. This tropical paradise features over 93 acres of native Australian gardens and houses over 4,000 plant species, check out the rainforest boardwalk that leads you to the Centenary Lakes, a bird watching haven.

Spend the rest of your day at one of the beautiful beaches along the coast including Palm beach, Ellis beach and Trinity beach some of the prettiest beaches in the area. Or get out on the water take a kayaking trip or a boat ride out to Fitzroy Island where you can snorkel and explore the unspoiled tropical island, walk to the summit which stands at 375 feet above sea level, this island is covered in tropical rainforest and features its own coral reef and a giant ocean trampoline.

Head back down to The Esplanade for your first night in Cairns, choose from one of the many amazing restaurants where you can sit back and enjoy some freshly caught seafood and watch the sunset while enjoying the ocean breeze. Take another walk along The Esplanade after dinner to witness the nightlife and activities featured here in the evening time.

Day 2 in Cairns

Start your day with a trip to Kuranda, a picturesque mountain retreat known as the `Village in the Rainforest`. Glide through the air on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which will transport you on a scenic ride above the World Heritage listed rainforest canopies and Barron Gorge National Park. The journey to Kuranda by cable car takes about an hour and a half you can stop off at two stations along the way to witness the spectacular Barron Falls and explore the rainforest on foot.

Once you reach the charming destination of Kuranda, there are some many things to experience! First, grab a bite to eat at one of the charming outdoor eateries located in the village where you can choose from local and international cuisines. Make your way over to the Koala Gardens where you can hand feed these cuddly animals and see other unique Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, freshwater crocodiles and wombats. Walk around the Kurunda Heritage Markets, these colorful lively markets are a famous attraction in the village with stalls offering souvenirs, food, drinks and live entertainment. Visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld Kuranda, the Ric Steininger gallery and much more.

On your journey back, take the Kuranda Scenic Railway ride, this breathtaking voyage takes you through the rainforest by train, across 125-year-old bridges and through handmade tunnels; the surrounding scenery is simply spectacular.

Spend your evening at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park just 15 minutes from downtown Cairns, the park offers visitors an insight into the fascinating culture of the indigenous Australians, one of the oldest cultures on earth. Nightfire is the parks signature evening event, where visitors meet the Bama (indigenous rainforest people) who will paint your face and guide you on a captivating journey into their world. Learn songs and stories, watch dances performed and enjoy dinner served around a fire.

Day 3 in Cairns

Start your day before dawn by taking a hot air balloon ride over Tropical North Queensland the hot air ballooning capital of the southern hemisphere! This journey gives you a bird`s eye view over the monumental Atherton Tablelands and the Great Barrier Reef. Capture a spectacular sunrise from the sky with an unforgettable journey.

On your arrival back on land grab some breakfast and refreshments on The Esplanade and head to Marlin Marina to catch a boat ride. Experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world with a journey out to the Great Barrier Reef, this once in a lifetime adventure will take you to one of the largest living structures on the planet, providing water activities such as swimming, diving and snorkeling in crystal clear waters with more than 3,000 colorful coral reefs and 300 coral cays with an abundance of marine life boasting over 1,600 species of tropical fish as well as dolphins, turtles, rays and sharks!

Green Island is well worth a visit while you are out on the waters, just 16 miles offshore from Cairns, one of 600 continental islands that make up the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This 6000-year-old beautiful island is covered in lush rainforest with serene white sand beaches and surrounded by a spectacular multitude of vibrant coral reefs, a tropical paradise providing an array of water activities and adventures on land.

On your last evening in Cairns visit the Reef Casino where you can dine at one of the finest restaurants in the city such as Tamarind or Café China, try your luck at some roulette or blackjack and play on over 500 gaming machines, or drink and dance the night away in one of the luxury bars/clubs.

Additional Days in Cairns

Spend some time in the Daintree Rainforest just north of Cairns featuring just under 300,000 acres of the largest continuous area of tropical rainforest in Australia, see the spectacular Daintree River and the forest which grows all the way down to the sea.

Port Douglas is worth a visit, situated in the far north of Queensland about 40 miles from Cairns, best known for the beautiful Four Mile Beach with aquamarine waters and the Daintree Forest as its backdrop. Visit Macrossan Street in the center of town for shopping, dining and wine bars along with Reef Marina where the rich and famous park their yachts.

Barron Gorge National Park is 20 minutes from central Cairns the park stretches from the coastal lowlands to the elevated regions of the Atherton Tableland featuring rugged mountains, tropical forests, and wildlife with a fascinating history. The Barron River runs through here, and over thousands of years has carved the Barron Gorge through the mountains which lead out towards the Coral Sea, also featured is the stunning Barron Falls.

Visit The Rainforestation Nature Park and get up close and personal with some of Australia`s native animals such as the Koala, Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, and freshwater crocodiles. The park is set on 100 acres of rainforest where visitors can explore the grounds or take guided tours.

Go River Rafting down the Barron River! An exhilarating experience filled with thrills and spills on a whitewater rafting trip! Take a guided raft tour down the river surrounding by the wet tropics! A great way to get some outdoor time, exercise and get your adrenaline pumping!

Spring into action! Literally, Go Bungee jumping at the Cairns Bungy Tower, Australia`s only purpose built tower located 20 minutes north of Cairns city center. Surrounded by the rainforest with views of the ocean and the reef, thrill seekers will enjoy this exhilarating experience also featured is the Minjin Swing which is a giant zip line through the rainforest. There is a bar on site to settle your nerves after you jump!

Learn to scuba dive at one of the most spectacular settings on earth, the Great Barrier Reef. The reef offers you one of the best experiences in the world with its natural beauty and colorful corals with an abundance of marine life surrounding you. What better place to learn how to scuba dive or snorkel while out in the tranquil turquoise waters of the Coral Sea.

Last Day in Cairns

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport, if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.