Tropical North Queensland: Hamilton Island, Port Douglas, Cairns & More - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Whitsundays & Travel to Hamilton Island

Welcome to Australia! Upon arrival, collect your luggage and go to the designated transfer area to meet your driver, who will take you to your Hamilton Island accommodation.

Part of the 74 Whitsunday Islands, Hamilton Island is located in the heart of the famed Great Barrier Reef. It is the perfect getaway to explore the unique tropical environment of the Whitsundays, with its scenic surroundings, calm waters, warm weather, fascinating coral reefs, and diverse flora and fauna. The island offers various activities to keep busy—snorkeling the reef, sea kayaking, scenic helicopter flights, and golf.

If you're tired from your travels, perhaps simply laze around a range of pools, or relax on Catseye Beach. Enjoy the rest of this first day exploring the island at your leisure.

Day 2: Whitehaven Beach Tour

Whitehaven Beach—with its warm, turquoise-hued water and pristine white sand—is the preserved, beautiful host of today's adventure. Enjoy its beauty on a day cruise to the island. Explore the island on guided bushwalks, learn about Whitsunday's traditional owners, get insight into the history, and hear stories of this picturesque area. Have your camera ready to capture postcard-style views at the lookouts. Swim, hike, sunbathe and take time to enjoy the natural surroundings. Enjoy a scenic beachside lunch before it is time to return to Hamilton Island. 

Day 3: Travel to Cairns & Port Douglas

This morning, travel to the airport to catch a flight to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Upon arrival at Cairns, collect your luggage. Then, meet with your transfer, who will drive you to your Port Douglas hotel. The day is at your leisure to explore the area. A few activities to consider include the below: 

• Take a tour of Atherton Tablelands: Go hiking, biking, walking, and hot air ballooning, or indulge in a food and drink tasting in this rural town
• Visit Hartley's Crocodile Adventures: This 25-acre wildlife sanctuary is home to the local wildlife of Tropical North Queensland, where you can get up-close and personal with crocodiles, wallabies, wombats, and koalas
• Relax on Four Mile Beach: Go for a swim, a snorkeling session, or simply kick back and relax on this iconic beach
• Dine at Flames of the Forest: Enjoy a traditional aboriginal meal, along  with a live performance, in a unique rainforest setting

Day 4: Tour Daintree Rainforest

Rise early today, and enjoy a scenic drive up north to the oldest rainforest in the world. From the Kulki Lookout in Cape Tribulation, view scenic mountain peaks and pristine white beaches. Witness the rare sight of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites together: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef—the only place in the world where the rainforest meets the reef.

Board the Daintree River Cruise to learn about the wildlife environment—the bird habitat, tree snakes, unique plants, and the estuarine crocodile. Then, indulge in a tropical-style lunch at a private rainforest property in the Daintree Rainforest. Next, visit the Mossman Gorge Centre, an important cultural hub of the Kuku Yalanji. Learn about the indigenous people who have lived here for 50,000 years—using the local flora and fauna of the wild jungle to survive and thrive. 

Day 5: Great Barrier Reef tour

If you are an early riser, join a morning yoga session before boarding a luxury vessel for a full day on the Great Barrier Reef. Marine biologists will give you a better understanding of the reef, where you can visit up to three different reef systems and enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch.

One of Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef, is the world's largest coral reef. The reef contains an abundance of marine life and is home to more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays. Surrounding the reef are hundreds of picturesque tropical islands that contain some of the best golden beaches. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most sought-after tourist destinations.

Following the reef tour and some snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing, return to your hotel in the late afternoon, and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Day 6: Free Day in Cairns

In the morning, make the transfer to Cairns and enjoy a full day of discovery in this tropical destination.

Some activities to consider include the below:

• Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park: Enjoy a meal at this sprawling eatery in an indigenous cultural center, which delivers homestyle meals and a buffet
• Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: Located in Kuranda,  this locale is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as Australia's largest butterfly flight aviary and exhibit
• Koala Gardens: Hold a koala, and visit with other native species, like wombats and kangaroos
• Cairns Aquarium: Stroll this landmark, rich with Tropical North Queensland species, followed by a meal at a restaurant with its own near-2,000-gallon Under the Pier Shark Habitat
• Cairns Lagoon: Visit this iconic swimming pool, which is located in the business district, and then relax on the grassy knoll 
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Take the 4.66-mile scenic ride up to Kuranda, which passes over Barron Gorge National Park

Day 7: Depart Cairns

Enjoy the morning to unwind and reflect on your trip to Australia before transferring to the airport for your departure flight home. Take with you all the new memories from your trip Down Under, and come back soon!

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