Island and Rainforest with Sailing (Start Cairns)

Get the most of Australia's East Coast with this tour to explore and relax. Take in the crystal clear waters and the lush tropical settings of this magnificent island. Ride the Captain Cook Highway with rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other, it's not your typical road trip. You'll make friends for life as you explore Down Under with this Contiki Australia travel package.

Itinerary

1. Day Depart for Australia

   Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.

2. Day Arrive Cairns

   Check into the Rydges Esplanade and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.

3. Day Cairns to Cape Tribulation

   Meet up with the other Contiki travellers and your Tour Manager in Cairns. Then we hit the road and travel north to Port Douglas. Known for its idyllic white sands and palms trees, this resort town attracts both the rich & famous and travellers. You’ll soon see why. Sticking to the coast, we follow the Coral Sea past remote beaches and gorgeous scenery to the lush, tropical Daintree Rainforest. Get back to nature as we walk through this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and head to a stunningly clear swimming-hole in Mossman Gorge, where you can cool off in the waters. Tonight, get to know your group and Tour Manager over dinner in Cape Tribulation.

4. Day Cape Tribulation to Cairns

   Make a splash in a local watering hole then check out the mangroves on a walk with our local guide. This afternoon it's back to Cairns! Tonight we head out to a local restaurant for dinner where you have the opportunity to try kangaroo fillets, amongst other delicious Australian delicacies. In your free time on the first night in Cairns, walk around the buzzing night markets. It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos.

5. Day Cairns

   Wake up to the warm waters of Cairns where there’s something for everyone. This is your chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on an optional day trip. Put on your snorkel gear and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters. On day 2, for those who are keen for a fun and thrilling ride on the rapids of the Tully River, join our optional whitewater rafting adventure activity with our professional Local Guides. There are loads more activities available in Cairns like hot air ballooning, sky diving and bungy jumping – just ask your Tour Manager for some more info. Cairns is the last night on tour for some of the group so head down to a local hot-spot for dinner if you’re up for it.

6. Day Cairns to Whitsundays Sailing

   Relax on the coach as we cruise past thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best whitewater rafting. Slowly leaving the tropics behind us, we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive along the esplanade and into town where you can grab some lunch. See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels south to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays Islands and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park to board our sailing yacht. Enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands with your friends. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around the 74 islands of this tropical paradise, where you will pass the lush tropical islands, snorkel or dive the many spectacular coral reefs, laze on the world's best beaches and personally meet an extravagant array of sea life. You can help the crew & learn how to grind the winches & hoist the sails, and try your hand at or just relax and top up your tan in the sun. Please note: Accommodation on board the yacht is multishare only.

7. Day The Whitsundays

   The tour ends after breakfast, so it's time to swap email addresses & say farewell to your new friends.

Tour Map

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