Day 1 in Northern Beaches

Welcome to Northern Beaches! 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 seaside town you are staying in which might include Holloway`s Beach, Trinity Beach, Kewarra Beach or Palm Cove. Each of these tropical beachside locations has its own unique character, offering long stretches of beautiful soft white sand, endless ocean views, water sports and inviting oceanfront restaurants, bars, and shops to explore. Wherever it is that you are staying take some time to get familiar with the area and also the connecting beaches as many of these seaside towns are situated close to one another, most are also only about a 20-minute drive from the popular city of Cairns.

The city of Cairns is a great base for exploring the surrounding sights such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Atherton Tableland, it is one of the most popular towns in Far North Queensland. Cairns is a launching pad for many tours and day trips out on the waters or into the lush rainforests, its a friendly laid back town featuring sprawling parks, tree line streets, and vibrant gardens.

Check out some of the top attractions in Cairns for the afternoon/evening including the spectacular Botanic Gardens, a tropical paradise covering 93 acres brimming with over 4,000 different plant species exclusive to this region. Wander through these magical gardens and through the rainforest boardwalk that leads you to the Centenary Lakes, a bird watching haven.

Capture a spectacular sunset on the 3-mile long Esplanade that runs along the oceanfront featuring a 4,800 sq meter outdoor swimming pool named `The Lagoon`. The Esplanade is a very popular place in the evenings lined by restaurants and nightlife options. Sit back at one of the restaurants with a view and enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down, then dine on some delicious freshly caught seafood while soaking in the cool ocean breeze and the breathtaking views.

Day 2 in Northern Beaches

Start your day with a peaceful morning walk along the beach, the Northern Beaches stretch for over 12 miles along the coast providing endless possibilities to explore on foot. Take a dip in the relaxing warm waters and grab some breakfast along the oceanfront while taking in the scenic surroundings.

Today spend some time on the idyllic Northern Beaches, the string of seaside towns stretches from Cairns up to the Kurunda National Park with beautiful locations like Palm Cove, Holloways` Beach, Yorkeys Knob and Ellis Beach. These picturesque beaches offer everything for a great day on the sand, including water sports, restaurants, bars and shops. Top up your tan on the soft white sands, do some snorkeling in the transparent waters, take out a paddleboard or play some volleyball, whatever it is you do, you are sure to be rewarded with sunny skies, warm waters, and breathtaking surroundings. Enjoy a beachside picnic for lunch, many of the beaches offer picnic tables and BBQ grills, you can also check out the eateries along the beachfront which include food stalls, cafes, and restaurants.

Head out on the open waters to the World Heritage-listed natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Great Barrier Reef extends off the Northern Coast of Queensland and stretches for 1,243 miles, it is the world`s largest coral reef system with over 3,000 individual reefs, 300 coral cays and a patchwork of mangrove islands that cover an area of 133,000 square miles, It is visible from outer space!!

Check out the wonders underwater by scuba diving or snorkeling over the vibrant reefs where you can see over 1,600 species of fish along with turtles, dolphins, sharks, giant clams and dugongs. Taking a helicopter ride over the reef is also a magnificent way to take in the vast beauty of this underwater wonderland.

As evening time approaches, head to the beach for another spectacular sunset over the beautiful Coral Sea. For dinner enjoy some fish and chips and other cuisine found along the beach in most of the neighborhoods, dine on the beach and take in the laid back atmosphere. Head for some drinks at one of the local restaurants and bars which offer great drink prices along with live music and entertainment.

Day 3 in Northern Beaches

Today start with a hearty breakfast at one of the quaint beachside cafes and fuel up for a day in the verdant green heart of Queensland. This stunning region is filled with National parks and hundreds of acres of lush Rainforests, there are a number of different destinations to choose from that are within close proximity to the Northern Beaches.

Visit Daintree National Park is the world`s oldest surviving rainforest covering an astonishing 295,000 acres on the northeast coast of Queensland. This awe-inspiring tropical rainforest is the largest continuous area of forest in Australia, it merges all the way to the sea and is a spectacular sight. The forest contains 3% of the frog, reptile and marsupial species, 7% of the bird species and 90% of the bat and butterfly species in the country.

Barron Gorge National Park extends from the coastal lowlands to the elevated regions of Atherton Tableland, the breathtaking topography here includes rugged mountains, tropical rainforests, and the Barron River. Popular activities in the park including hiking, mountain bike riding, and white water rafting, be sure to take a ride on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that runs through Barron Gorge providing unparalleled panoramic views over the region.

The cableway ends at the charming Kuranda Village, a picturesque mountain retreat known as the `Village in the Rainforest`. Visitors can also take the Kuranda Scenic Railway which travels through 15 tunnels and 93 curves in the rainforest. The train chugs through bridges and past waterfalls and 150-foot steep ravines. Explore the quaint village in the rainforest and dine at the local restaurants, then do some shopping in the artsy shops and vibrant markets. Some of the star attractions in Kuranda include the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld, and Kuranda Koala Gardens.

On your last evening make your way to either Holloway`s Beach or Palm Cove, both offer some unique dining options and quaint villages to wander around and pick up some souvenirs. The village at Holloway`s Beach offers a number of great restaurants, coffee shops, pizza and fish and chip shops that run along the beach. Palm Cove`s stunning tree-lined beachfront esplanade is lined by upscale restaurants, bars, chic cafes, and luxurious shops.

Additional Days in Northern Beaches

If you are able to spend additional days in Northern Beaches visit Green Island, a 6000-year-old coral cay and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This tropical paradise offers both the rainforest and beaches great for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and nature.

Take a trip to Port Douglas, a beachside town known for its famous Four Mile Beach and aquamarine waters that connect to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest is the town`s backdrop. Macrossan Street is the main street in town popular for shopping, wining and dining, it is lined by restaurants, bars, boutiques and wine bars where the rich and famous can be seen, it also features a multi-million dollar Marina with super yachts!

Cape Tribulation is a breathtaking area located with the Daintree National Park and the Wet Tropica Heritage Area boasting spectacular scenery including remote beaches and the coastline where the reef meets the rainforest.

Your Last Day in Northern Beaches

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.