Day 1 (L,D) MELBOURNE, BRISBANE, TOWNSVILLE

Following Melbourne metropolitan home/hotel pick up we transfer to Melbourne Airport for our morning flight north. A short stopover in Brisbane before continuing to Townsville. Lunch as we fly. Passengers from other states may fly direct to Townsville. Townsville was founded in 1864 when a wharf was built to handle the infant cattle industry. We arrive mid afternoon and take in the views from Castle Hill before we arrive at our home for two nights, the Mercure Inn Townsville.

Day 2 (B,L,D) TOWNSVILLE, MAGNETIC ISLAND

This morning we take a short ferry ride to beautiful Magnetic Island, landing at Picnic Bay. A local coach tour operator will take us on a tour of the island, including bays, beaches, lookouts and island attractions. We return to the mainland with lunch at the Reef HQ Café. Following lunch we enjoy the world’s largest coral reef aquarium, home to 130 species of coral, 120 species of fish and the size of 50 home swimming pools. The predator display, which has the bow of an actual shipwreck as an artificial reef, is also not to be missed. Leopard and black lip sharks, sawfish and shovelnose rays abound. Later we visit the Museum of Tropical Queensland, with various galleries including Discover Tropical Queensland.

Day 3 (B,L,D) TOWNSVILLE, INGHAM, TULLY, INNISFAIL

This morning our journey takes us to Ingham and Tully, at the base of Mt Tyson, an area with the highest rainfall in Australia. An inspection of the Tully Sugar Mill is planned (subject to local conditions). Lunch in Tully then travel via Mission Beach to Mourilyan where we visit the Sugar Industry Museum. We continue the short distance to Innisfail and our home for tonight the Barrier Reef Motel.

Day 4 (B,L,D) MILLAA MILLAA FALLS, ATHERTON, MAREEBA

Turning inland, we travel along the Palmerston Highway into the Atherton tablelands visiting Millaa Millaa Falls and the amazing Curtain Fig Tree at Yungaburra before arriving in Atherton, the major centre for the tablelands, named after John Atherton, a grazier in this district over 150 years ago. Rich volcanic soil and abundant rainfall make this one of Queensland’s greenest areas, a rich farming area with crops including macadamia, coffee, sugar and cattle. On to Tolga to visit the Tolga Woodworks Gallery, view craftsmen at work and browse the showroom. Lunch here today before continuing to Mareeba. Home for tonight, the Mareeba Motor Inn.

Day 5 (B,L,D) MAREEBA, COOKTOWN

We travel via Mt Molloy along the Peninsula and Cooktown Development Roads with lunch at Lakeland on route to the northern-most point of our holiday, Cooktown, on the Endeavour River. Captain Cook beached the Endeavour here to make repairs after running aground on a coral reef. Over 2,000 kilometres north of Brisbane, the area was once part of the northern gold rush. We take a short diversion to the Lions Den Hotel, a landmark in this area with a wood & iron construction, famous for its quirky decorations and walls adorned with visitors’ signatures. Home for two nights, the Sovereign Resort Cooktown.

Day 6 (B,L,D) COOKTOWN

A most relaxing day today. A guided town tour includes Grassy Hill Lookout, overlooking the Endeavour River, the Chinese Cemetery and the WWII Airport. We also visit the James Cook Historical Museum. A highlight today is a cruise on the Endeavour River.

Day 7 (B,L,D) COOKTOWN, PALMER RIVER, MT MOLLOY, PORT DOUGLAS, CAIRNS

Heading south we return along the Cooktown Development Road, travelling through Palmer River and Mt Molloy before arriving in Port Douglas. A later lunch at the Port Douglas wharf and marina. During the afternoon we browse in the Port Douglas township, see the historic church and Captain Cook Lookout, overlooking the beautiful, sandy Four Mile Beach. Continue to Cairns, Queensland’s most northern city, originally founded as the port for the Hodgkinson goldfields in 1876. Cairns now has almost 100,000 residents and an international airport. Our home for four nights is the Cairns Harbour Lights Apartments situated on the waterfront.

Day 8 (B,L,D) CAIRNS, PALM COVE

This morning a little time at Cairns Marina or browse in the city shops before visiting the northern beaches and the beautiful setting of Palm Cove, a delightful village setting with shaded grassed areas between the beach and the village thoroughfare and our luncheon destination. During the afternoon we visit Cairns Tropical Zoo, see many animals close up, stroke a snake, cuddle a koala, pat a wombat (not compulsory), and see the free flight bird show, along with other attractions. Alternatively, you may wish to join a full day Great Barrier Reef Sunlover Cruise to Moore Reef (additional cost – $198 per person).

Day 9 (B,L,D) CAIRNS, DAINTREE

A short journey this morning to Daintree for a tour of the Rainforest Habitat, a man-made rainforest with rare free-flying birds. Observe close up a huge range of plants, animals and birds from the surrounding rainforests. Lunch today in the village of Daintree. During the afternoon we join the Daintree River Train, an eco-environmental wilderness cruise in a State Marine Park. Watch for crocodiles on the banks and in the river. World heritage country today!

Day 10 (B,L) CAIRNS, GONDOLA TO KURANDA, KURANDA SCENIC RAILWAY

A special experience as we travel by gondola cableway on a 7.5 kilometre journey over spectacular world heritage forest. We commence at Caravonica Lakes Station with panoramic views of the Coral Sea on route to Red Peak Station. A short walk before continuing to Barron Falls Station, where we view the falls from the cliffs which form the Barron Gorge. On to Kuranda, “village in the rainforest”, with time to explore this mountain village, famous for its craft market. Lunch here today. We return to Cairns via the 15 tunnels and 40 bridges on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Day 11 (B,L) CAIRNS, MELBOURNE

This morning we visit the Cairns Regional Gallery, displaying vibrant works of local, national and international artists, including the work of aboriginal and Torres Strait islander artists. An early lunch prior to travelling to Cairns Airport for our return flight. Melbourne passengers depart early afternoon on a direct flight arriving in Melbourne at approximately 5:00 p.m. Passengers travelling to other locations may have different flights. Home/hotel transfers in Melbourne complete a most enjoyable Queensland Tropical Splendour holiday.