Cairns, Daintree and Cooktown Escape

Day 1 - Tuesday 6 September 2022

Melbourne - Cairns (D)

Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel.  Meet your Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Aiport for your flight to Cairns.  Upon arrival we are met by our coach driver and start our visit to Tropical North Queensland with a Cairns city highlights tour including St Monica’s Cathedral & Cairns Museum. This afternoon, after our tour, it’s time to check in to our hotel before enjoying dinner in Moku Bar & Grill

Overnight Cairns: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort 

Day 2 - Wednesday 7 September 2022

Cairns - Green Island (B,D)

After breakfast this morning we spend the day in paradise with a trip out to Green Island, departing from Cairns Marina. Enjoy a boat ride followed by a leisurely experience on the island where we can swim , snorkel, sunbathe or just admire the beautiful scenery. Explore the island shops and museum before dining on a beautiful buffet lunch. This afternoon, explore Green Island's underwater world, part of the Great Barrier Reef in air-conditioned comfort on our exclusive Semi-Submarine.....without even getting wet!! Seated below water level, we are treated to a diver's view of the coral reef and marine life with informative commentary by the crew. Afterwards, return to our accommodation to freshen up before dinner in the hotel restaurant. After dinner, why not take a 5 minute walk to the famous Cairns Nigh Markets.

Overnight Cairns:  Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort 

Day 3 - Thursday 8 September 2022

Cairns - Kurunda (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning we make our way to Freshwater Station and board the Kuranda Scenic Rail, a spectacular journey comprising unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines and picturesque waterfalls. Rising from sea level to 328m, the journey to Kuranda passes through World Heritage protected tropical rainforest, waterfalls and into the awesome Barron Gorge. We arrive at Kuranda Village and explore the Heritage Markets, Art and Craft Galleries, and shops and cafés to purchase own lunch. This afternoon we commence the return leg of our journey on board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. This takes us 7.5kms over the top of the rainforest whilst taking in the stunning panoramic views from the city of Cairns all the way out to the glittering waters of the Coral Sea. Hop off at the Skyrail’s two mid-stations, Red Peak and Barron Falls, and take a walk around the forest floor on board-walks. Stop at the scenic look-outs and learn about this diverse area at the state of the art Rainforest Interpretation Centre. Our Skyrail experience is complete when we disembark at Smithfield Station and make our way back to our hotel. After another wonderful day out it’s time to return to Cairns and to our accommodation before enjoying dinner at Dundee’s Aquarium Restaurant located next door to the hotel.

Overnight Cairns:Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort 

Day 4 - Friday 9 September 2022

Paronella Park -Gallo Dairyland (B,L,D)

After breakfast and checkout another exciting day is ahead as we head south past Innisfail with a stop at the Australian Sugar Industry Museum, before travelling on to the fascinating Paronella Park which was developed in the 1920's and 1930's by Spanish immigrant Jose Paronella, an early eco-tourism operator. This park was 'lost' for 45 years and rediscovered in 1993, but it wasn't until 2009 that a full restoration was completed. The park is powered entirely by the flow of the Mena Creek Falls. Our tour includes the story of Jose Paronella's dream and is a unique piece of Australia and well worth the visit! Following our visit which includes lunch at the Café on the Deck we head up to the Atherton Tablelands via the scenic Millaa Millaa Falls. We then make our way to the last stop of the day at Gallo Dairyland before arriving into Atherton which will be our home base for the next two nights while we explore this beautiful area.  After check-in there will be time to rest before enjoying dinner in the motel. 

Overnight Atherton: Atherton Motel 

Day 5 - Saturday 10 September 2022

Atherton Tablelands - Herberton Village (B,D)

Our day begins with breakfast before making our way to the Herberton Train Station to make our rail journey to the Historic Village Herberton which is like stepping back in time. The village has over 50 original buildings that date from its foundation years. Strolling through the village gives a sense of being in a real township complete with chemist, school, bank, grocery store, frock salon, toy shop mechanic and lots more. We then travel across to Lake Barrine, a prehistoric volcano cone now a deep lake filled with the freshest of spring water and home to the twin Kauri pines and the giant Red Cedar tree. On arrival we take a Rainforest and Wildlife Cruise to see one of the most complex and amazing rainforest eco-systems in the world. After our cruise and afternoon tea in the Lake Barrine Teahouse we travel back Atherton for our overnight stay and enjoy dinner at the Chinese Restaurant Pagoda next door to the motel.

Overnight Atherton: Atherton Motel 

Day 6 - Sunday 11 September 2022

Mossman Gorge - Daintree - Cape Tribulation (B,L,D)

Today after breakfast and checkout, we begin the journey north along the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive to Mossman Gorge. We arrive at the Mossman Gorge Centre and enjoy a guided walk in the rainforest of the Gorge, before enjoying morning tea. Next is a 1 hour Daintree River Cruise, this unique environment is abundant with wildlife including Saltwater Crocodiles. We cross the Daintree River by ferry and make our way to the  Daintree Discovery Centre for a late lunch and a guided tour of the rainforest. It’s then time to check into our Daintree Rainforest accommodation where there will be time to freshen up before dinner in the open air “On the Turps” Bar and Restaurant. Evenings in the restaurant are very special and what more spectacular way to end the day than listening to the wild night life come alive in the heart of the Daintree as we ponder the day just gone or those ahead, surrounded by the smells and sight of the dark night here at the Lodge. Candles and flaming torches set the scene for a wonderful evening. The Head Chef Andrew will delight with his cuisine, sit back enjoy a cool drink (at own cost) and let the lodge team do the rest for an evening to remember.

Overnight Daintree Rainforest: Heritage Lodge  

Day 7 - Monday 12 September 2022

Bloomfield Track - Cooktown (B,L)

Part of our Daintree experience is starting the day with the smell of fresh bread and home-made jams drifting from the kitchen, as we sit and enjoy the rainforest as our backdrop whilst enjoying a complimentary continental tropical breakfast. The open air restaurant sitting on the edge of Cooper Creek with the rainforest enveloping us is idyllic as it is tranquil. Jungle Perch and Catfish sharing the creek with the fresh water turtles and birds high in the canopy slows our pulse. Following breakfast and checkout we enjoy a  a beach stroll on Myall Beach, before travelling north along the 4WD only Bloomfield Track through the rainforest. Our driver will share the fascinating history of the World Heritage Rainforest and areas we will travel through before arriving at the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel for lunch. This iconic pub is one of Queensland’s oldest, having been established in 1878. Once arrived in Cooktown, first stop is Grassy Hill Lookout which boasts 360 degree views from where James Cook surveyed his route in 1770.  Late afternoon we arrive at our Cooktown accommodation for the night. After a freshen up head out on one of the tours highlights, a 2.5 hour Endeavour River Sunset Cruise. Dinner tonight is at own cost and choice.

Overnight Cooktown: Sovereign Resort Hotel 

Day 8 - Tuesday 13 September 2022

Cooktown - Port Douglas (B,L,D)

Discover more about the history of this frontier town visiting iconic locations in Cooktown with our experienced guide, including the heritage listed Cooktown cemetery, the James Cook Museum and the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Art Gallery then enjoying lunch at Nature's Powerhouse. Leaving Cooktown our journey down to Port Douglas takes us via the outback and experience the contrasting difference between the rainforest we experienced on the way up. Stops at Black Mountain National Park Lookout, Byerstown Lookout and the Palmer River Roadhouse where remnants and pieces of history from the gold rush era. Standing at the solitary Palmer River Roadhouse perched on the hill above the famous river it is hard to imagine that in the 1870s tens of thousands of miners flocked to this area searching for gold. We arrive in Port Douglas late afternoon and check into the Mantra Portsea before dinner at the Port Douglas Surf Club.

Overnight Port Douglas: Mantra Portsea

Day 9 - Wednesday 14 September 2022

Port Douglas - Free Day (B)

Enjoy a day in Port Douglas at leisure, take a pre-breakfast walk along Four Mile Beach and then after breaky, hit the shops along the Macrossan Street shopping precinct. Tonight our suggestion is to head into the Salsa Bar and Grill for dinner - own arrangements

Overnight Port Douglas: Mantra Portsea

Day 10 - Thursday 15 September 2022

Port Douglas - Cairns - Home (B)

This morning, we pack our bags and enjoy our final breakfast before transferring to the Cairns airport to check in for our homeward flight to Melbourne arriving in late afternoon.  Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.