Rainforest And Waterfalls Cairns To Rockhampton

Day 1

Home - Cairns
Your tour begins with a flight to Cairns, where on arrival, we will visit the Botanic Gardens for lunch. Later, settle into our accommodation for the next two nights, with time to relax before dinner.

Day 2

Cairns - Kuranda
Today we visit the picturesque mountain retreat of Kuranda, surrounded by the world's oldest living tropical rainforest. Ride the Skyway Rainforest Cableway to the top, taking in the unique prospective from above the canopy. Enjoy free time to explore Kuranda - browse the markets, purchase your own morning tea and lunch, and perhaps visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and Birdworld (own expense). This afternoon, return to Cairns on the Kuranda Scenic Railway. This spectacular journey takes you through the Barron Gorge National Park on board a 127-year-old railway, which is considered to be an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude; even today.

Day 3

Cairns - Mission Beach
Following breakfast, our journey takes us to Babinda for a visit to Wooroonooran National Park. See the Babinda Boulders, a series of huge outcrops of granite boulders found along Babinda Creek amongst volumes of sparkling, cascading, cool, clear mountain water. Enjoy a walk along the walking track down stream surrounded by lush tropical rainforest to view the boulders. Next, stop at Josephine Falls, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Queensland. This afternoon, step back in time at Paronella Park and be amazed by the ingenuity and determination shown by one man with a dream. Later, we make our way to Mission Beach and the Cassowary Coast for our overnight stay.

Day 4

Mission Beach - Townsville
After breakfast, our journey will take us through the heart of one of our main sugar cane growing regions. Ingham has one of the largest raw sugar processing mills in operation in Australia. Stop for a cuppa at the TYTO Wetlands, a 110 hectare rehabilitated wetland area, before continuing on to Townsville. Enjoy some free time to explore and purchase your own lunch. This afternoon, visit the Museum of Tropical Queensland before checking into our overnight accommodation.

Day 5

Townsville - Airlie Beach
Travel through more sugar cane growing areas stopping in Ayr for a cuppa. As we make our way to Bowen, you will notice an increase in vegetable crops throughout this rich agricultural region. Situated at the top of the Whitsundays, Bowen relishes its links with movie history, including the fact that a large part of the movie 'Australia' was filmed here. Following a locally guided tour, spend some free time in town to purchase your own lunch, before continuing on to Airlie Beach. Known for its proximity to many of the Whitsunday Islands, there are a lot of water vessels that visit or reside in the area. See Shute Harbour and the views of the beautiful coastline as we take a drive around the area.

Day 6

Airlie Beach - Mackay
Departing Airlie Beach this morning, travel to Proserpine for a visit to The Whitsunday Crocodile Safari. Cruise the calm waters of the Proserpine River and view the estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat. This fascinating adventure is sure to be a highlight of your tour. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch that includes billy tea and damper before climbing aboard their specifically built, open air tractor-drawn wagon train, for a comprehensive tour through the Goorganga Wetlands. The experienced guides deliver expert commentary regarding the diverse species of flora and fauna to be found throughout the wetlands. This afternoon, continue on to Mackay for our overnight stay.

Day 7

Mackay - Rockhampton
This morning after breakfast, travel to the seaside township of Hay Point to see one of the world's largest coal export ports. Consisting of two separate terminals, the sheer size of the port is amazing. Continue onto Sarina, nestled in the foothills of the Connor's Ranges, for a visit to the Sarina Sugar Shed. See the authentic miniature sugar processing machinery which has been sourced from all over the world. Enjoy free time in Sarina, purchasing your own lunch, before making our way via Clairview and Marlborough, arriving into Rockhampton this afternoon. Be sure to keep your eye out for The Big Bulls - a set of seven large statues of that decorate the city, highlighting Rockhampton's claim as the Beef Capital of Australia.

Day 8

Rockhampton - Home
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a town tour of Rockhampton. See the Tropic of Capricorn marker, discover Australia's longest National Trust Streetscape, and stroll through one of the oldest public gardens in Australia. It's then time to make our way to the airport, where your Hostess will assist with your check-in, ready for your flight home.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner