Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the city where most people set up their base to visit the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical World Heritage listed rainforests or to visit the Highlands or distant Outback. Others will continue north through the Daintree Rainforests to Cooktown and the York Peninsula beyond. Although the city has now lost much of it's unique frontier mentality it is still has many attractions for visitors. There are a huge range of restaurants and cafes, many shopping opportunities and for those who enjoy some night life there is plenty happening when the sun goes down. A fun and relaxing place to stay and offering something for every age group and interest.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the wonders of the natural world, the world's largest coral reef ecosystem, declared a World Heritage area in 1981. The reef is scattered with beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays and covers more than 116,000 square miles. There are more than 3000 reefs which range in size from half a mile to 38 square miles in area. Visits to the Reef to dive or snorkel are available from Cairns and Port Douglas and if you add this experience to your Wish List we will incorporate it into your suggested vacation itinerary. No visit to Australia is complete without a visit to this massive and most beautiful reef.

In contrast to nearby Cairns, Palm Cove has the charm of a seaside village with the serene beauty of its palm fringed beach with spectacular views across the azure waters to the Great Barrier Reef. Situated on the tree lined Esplanade are a variety of quaint bars, cafes and dining experiences. With spa treatments aplenty, a myriad of water sports, bush walks, golf, mountain biking, horse-riding and the chance to discover the underwater beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, you can do as much as you like or as little. Enjoy the casual ambience as you take a romantic evening stroll down this tree lined Esplanade.

Port Douglas is nestled at the end of a peninsular and the town is our favorite as a base from which to explore The Reef & rainforests. On one side are the tranquil waters of a natural harbour and lively marina and on the other side is beautiful 4 Mile Beach. The relaxed seaside village ambience blends superbly with the vibrant tropical atmosphere. Soak up the sunshine on the beach, stroll among the village shops, galleries, historic buildings and Sunday seaside market. Visit a rainforest wildlife centre or relax over cocktails at a boardwalk cafe. At night enjoy a delicious tropical dinner at one of the many alfresco restaurants in Macrossan Street.

The most well known tropical rainforest in Australia is Daintree National Park, just over an hours drive north of Cairns and 20 minutes from Port Douglas. Here you will find rugged mountain backdrops, plants and animals that are unique to Australia and experience the indigenous aboriginal culture. Daintree township is a laid back village where you can lunch on freshly caught barramundi or enjoy the local art and crafts shops. Wildlife flourishes on the Daintree River where the most famous inhabitants are the estuary crocodiles. Add this experience to your Wish List and we will include it in your suggested vacation itinerary.

An hours drive west of Cairns is the lush, green high plateau of the Cairns Highlands, formerly called the Atherton Tablelands. Or journey on to the raw untamed beauty of the Gulf Savannah outback. In the Highlands you can swim in crystal clear crater lakes or marvel at blazing sunsets. You can explore limestone caves, and in the wild see unique Australian wildlife like platypus, cassowaries, and tree kangaroos. Relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this region, add a couple of nights at Yungaburra a historic village renowned for its architecture, arts and crafts. If you add this to your Wish List we will include a two day visit into your suggested vacation itinerary.

Just 15 minutes from Cairns this world first in environmental tourism takes you on an amazing experience over Australia's World Heritage listed Tropical Rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. Spanning nearly 5 miles over pristine rainforest, the excursion allows you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth. Gliding just yards above the rainforest canopy in comfortable six-person gondola cabins, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you'll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment.