Deal

Arrive in Cairns and make your way to your hotel for the first night at leisure (dinner and transfers, own expense).

Picked up at 7am from your hotel by your expert wildlife guide you will head into the lush Atherton Tablelands, where the air is a good few degrees cooler and there is abundant lush rainforest. Heading up the Gillies Highway you’ll first stop at the Curtain Fig before heading on to Nerada to look for Tree Kangaroos … yes, seriously, kangaroos that live in trees. Then it’s time to watch platypus while enjoying a picnic lunch of local produce. Finally, you’ll head over to Granite Gorge and see the local tame Rock Wallabies, check for Fruit Bats at Tolga and kangaroos at Mareeba. The last part of your journey will be a scenic drive through Smithfield and ending up at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, where you’ll be dropped at your accommodation.

After an early breakfast, you’ll will be picked up and transferred to Port Douglas to board Wavelength IV. Today you expect to visit three sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef, starting with a guide to learn snorkelling. Hopefully we will get the chance to swim with Green Turtles! On the way out, we’ll observe and learn about the bird life and maybe even get the chance to spot Dwarf Spinner Dolphins and (seasonally) there is the chance of several different species of whale. Experts will talk about the reef conservation programs and what Wavelength are doing, in association with universities, to protect fragile areas of the GBR. You will get the chance to plant some coral yourself and see the impact this work has had.

Today you will head to Mossman Gorge to join local Aboriginal guides for a journey learning about Aboriginal culture. Returning to accommodation later, you will have time to enjoy the pool, facilities and spa, wander on the beach and explore the nature reserve.