ITINERARY:

Day 1: Depart Brisbane on the Spirit of Queensland
Board the Queenslander train from Brisbane for your overnight train tour to Cairns. The train departs Brisbane at 3.45 p.m. and arrive in Cairns at 4.30 pm the following day. The Spirit of Queensland is a Queensland Rail long-distance passenger rail service. It runs five times a week on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns, a distance of 1,681 kilometres. At the start of 2015, it replaced the diesel-hauled train The Sunlander.

The Spirit of Queensland combines modern seating and entertainment options with the charm of long-distance rail travel. Contemporary, comfortable and designed for relaxation, the Spirit of Queensland redefines the modern rail travel experience with a comfortable and convenient way to access spectacular holiday destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns.

Day 2: Arrive Cairns
Arrive Cairns railway station in the late afternoon and make your own way to your hotel for the next 6 nights.

Day 3: Great Barrier Reef Cruise & Snorkelling Tour
Set out from Cairns for a day of snorkelling and sightseeing at 2 spectacular destinations in the Great Barrier Reef. Each day, your captain chooses amongst 12 exclusive moorings at 6 reef locations based on the water and weather conditions, making sure you get the best experience to be found. Seasoned dive masters are on hand to provide an in-depth briefing on your gear and what to expect at each site. Relax aboard the vessel as you leave the Australian coast behind and get your gear ready for some quality time in the sea.

With outer reef locations chosen for their variety and the striking contours of the ocean floor, you're in for an outstanding experience when you plunge into the water. Once you've had a chance to mingle with the amazing sea life of beautiful corals and tropical fish, kick back aboard the vessel to enjoy a barbecue lunch before you cruise back to shore.

Day 4: Day Tour Daintree Forest & Cape Tribulation
Spend a day exploring the ancient Daintree Rainforest and its incredibly diverse tropical ecosystem with an expert guide. Cruise down the Daintree River and walk through the Daintree Entomological Museum before venturing further to the Cape Tribulation National Park.

Start your day with morning pick-up from your hotel, driving north to the Daintree Rainforest. Dating back 135 million years, the rainforest is one of the oldest in the world and is now home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Your guide takes you first to the Daintree River, where you enjoy morning tea before stopping on board a cruise. As you float down the gentle current, look for birds, frogs, crocodiles, and even flying foxes in the flourishing nature around you.

Following your cruise, take lunch by the Daintree Entomological Museum before touring its fascinating exhibits, which house the largest live and dead collection of insects in Australia. Your afternoon is spent visiting the Cape Tribulation National Park, where the beach beckons as you stroll along its coral sands. After a pause for refreshing afternoon tea, begin the return journey, catching sight of the extraordinary and primitive king ferns of the Alexander Range on the way back.

Day 5: Green Island Cruise
Cruise to Green Island, the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a lush rainforest. Spend the day exploring this protected Marine National Park—immersing yourself in its surrounding undersea universe teeming with coral and marine life.
Your journey begins aboard a high-speed catamaran steering for the soft, white beaches of Green Island. This 6000-year-old coral cay boasts its own rainforest—the only of its kind in the Great Barrier Reef. Mid-cruise, tune in to your local guide's informative snorkelling and reef presentation. Upon arrival, step ashore to soak up the turquoise waters, glittering sand, and fringe of emerald palms ringing the island. Climb into a glass-bottom boat and lean over the railings to get an up-close look at a colourful underwater world. Feast your eyes on brilliant colonies of zany Brain Coral, orange sea stars, and scores of blue damselfish flitting to and fro.
If you're craving a swim, strap on a snorkel and mask to see everything up close: black and white angelfish feeding on sponges and striped clownfish nestled amongst anemones. Emerge from the water to amble around the island at your leisure. Relax on the beach to soak up the sun, or choose to indulge in an optional semi-submarine tour, or buffet lunch before cruising back to Cairns.

Day 6: Free day Cairns
Today is a free day for you to enjoy the sights of Cairns at leisure, or take it easy by one of the resort pools.

Day 7: Kuranda Railway Tour
Immerse yourself in the ancient, World Heritage-listed rain forest of Tropical North Queensland. Your full-day adventure begins with pickup at your Port Douglas hotel and a ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway. During the 1.5-hour journey, wind around mountainous curves and stop briefly at beautiful Barron Gorge for photos. When you arrive at the station in Kuranda, enjoy several hours of leisure time to spend as you choose. Browse heritage markets and enjoy lunch at a local café (own expense), or select from a variety of optional activities. Join in an indigenous celebration at the Tjupakai Aboriginal Cultural Park, take an amphibious duck tour at the Rainforestation Nature Park or enjoy an up-close observation of some of Australia’s amazing animals at Birdworld and the Kuranda Koala Gardens.

Day 8: Depart Cairns
Your tour concludes today as you check out of your hotel and catch a taxi to the airport for flights home.

Please note: The day by day descriptions published are intended as an indicative guide only. Travel by nature is unpredictable. Weather patterns, road conditions, public holidays, travel restrictions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.