Australia · Route map
Tropical Icons of Northern Queensland
Experience Australia's two greatest natural wonders back-to-back on a car-free tropical adventure perfectly paced for families.
- 1
Port Douglas
3 nights
Reef trips and rainforest on your doorstep
- 2
Cairns
2 nights
Easy Esplanade walks and scenic railway adventures
- ✦2 stops · 5 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to the Tropics
Arrive into Cairns Airport
Flight · Morning · Cairns
Private transfer to Port Douglas
Transfer · Afternoon · Port Douglas
A scenic one-hour drive along the coast.
Sit on the right side of the vehicle for the best Coral Sea views.
Afternoon at leisure on Four Mile Beach
At leisure · Afternoon · Port Douglas
Walk to the northern end where the kids can safely explore the shallow rock pools.
Overnight in Port Douglas
Accommodation · Evening · Port Douglas
The Outer Barrier Reef
Outer Reef cruise with Wavelength
Excursion · Morning · Port Douglas
A family-friendly snorkeling trip led by marine biologists.
This local operator bypasses the massive pontoons for a much quieter, more personal reef experience.
Relax at Macrossan Street
At leisure · Afternoon · Port Douglas
Grab a classic locally made macadamia ice cream at Mocka's Pies.
Overnight in Port Douglas
Accommodation · Evening · Port Douglas
Daintree Rainforest Magic
Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge tour
Excursion · Morning · Daintree National Park
A guided small-group day tour with local transfers.
The Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk here is led by local Indigenous guides and is fantastic for kids.
Overnight in Port Douglas
Accommodation · Evening · Port Douglas
Wildlife and Cairns Boardwalks
Croc spotting at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures
Excursion · Morning · Wangetti
An eco-certified wildlife park set in natural Melaleuca hills.
The boat cruise on the lagoon gets you incredibly close to giant jumping crocodiles.
Transfer from Hartley's to Cairns hotel
Transfer · Afternoon · Cairns
Afternoon swim at Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
At leisure · Afternoon · Cairns Esplanade
It is completely free, fully patrolled, and has great grassy lawns for a relaxed sunset spot.
Overnight in Cairns
Accommodation · Evening · Cairns
Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda
Excursion · Morning · Kuranda
Glide just meters above the ancient canopy in a gondola.
Get off at Red Peak station for the short, guided boardwalk boardwalk loop.
Kuranda Scenic Railway return journey
Excursion · Afternoon · Cairns
Historic train winding through hand-carved tunnels and past waterfalls.
Sit on the right side of the carriage on the way down for the Barron Gorge views.
Overnight in Cairns
Accommodation · Evening · Cairns
Goodbye Cairns
Taxi transfer to Cairns Airport
Transfer · Morning · Cairns
Departure flight from Cairns
Flight · Morning · Cairns Airport
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