Reef & Rain Forest

Reef & Rain Forest Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Cairns, Australia. Arrive in charming Cairns and transfer on your own to the waterfront hotel that will serve as our “base camp” throughout the next two weeks. We’ll stay here whenever we overnight in Cairns, a city of 126,000 people that was originally settled in 1876 to serve miners working in the Hodgkinson River goldfield. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll have the remainder of the day to relax or explore before our 6:30 p.m. group rendezvous. We’ll meet our guide and have dinner together this evening. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  A full day of whitewater rafting today on one of Australia’s most famous action-packed rivers, set in a remote World Heritage rain forest. We drive south to the Tully River (Class IV) where our guides will provide detailed instructions on safety, paddling and maneuvering the eight-person rafts through the rapids. It’s easy to be distracted by the tropical rain forest scenery, but we’ll have time at lunch to relax on the bank, swim and enjoy the surrounding wilderness. After our afternoon paddle, we’ll travel to nearby Mission Beach for dinner and overnight. Note: Our guides can suggest alternate activities for those not wishing to participate in the rafting.  Rafting: Full day on Class IV river. Breakfast and lunch included.

• Days 3-4

  We depart early to drive to the trailhead near Kuranda and begin our two days of forest hiking.  En route, we pass stunning waterfalls, cross over mountain streams and spend time swimming in pools while our experienced guide explains the intricacies of the rain forest environment as well as the historical and cultural significance of the region.  Watch for kookaburras, parrots, wallaby and multi-colored butterflies.  We’ll camp on the night of Day 3 and resume our hiking after a hearty breakfast the following day through open eucalyptus forests offering spectacular panoramic views.  On the afternoon of Day 4, we’ll return to our minibus and begin the drive to the Atherton Tableland and a comfortable local hotel where we’ll spend the night.  Hiking: approx. 5 hours (both days). Terrain: level to rough, including climbing over logs and roots.  All meals included.

• Days 5-6

  After an introduction to the region and safety briefing, we’ll jump on our mountain bikes for a ride through a string of picturesque towns that dot the rural countryside.  Passing through rain forest, our route takes us by Lake Eacham (a water-filled crater formed 12,000 years ago by a magma explosion and now fed by underground springs), the 28 heritage buildings in Yungaburra historic village, and Malanda Falls, one of the few areas in the world where it’s possible to see tree-kangaroos in the wild.  After a picnic lunch, we’ll ride back to our hotel, cycling at a perfect pace to soak up the laid-back local atmosphere.  In the late afternoon, there’s time to explore the village or relax in the comfort of the hotel before dinner.  On the morning of Day 6, an early rise provides an opportunity to visit a nearby creek to view the unique and elusive duck-billed platypus, a marvelous semi-aquatic animal with a flat, rubbery bill and a tail that resembles a beaver’s.  The platypus is endemic to eastern Australia and is one of only five species of mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.  Later this morning, we’ll set out for our second day’s ride through the tropical Little Mulgrave Valley and have a support vehicle available for our use wherever trail entry permits.  We return to our waterfront hotel in Cairns late this afternoon.  Cycling: 4-5 hours both days (extensions are possible for more active riders).  Terrain: Undulating hills, both sealed and gravel roads.  All meals included.

• Day 7

  A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a highlight of many people’s visit to Queensland.  Our voyage begins this morning as we rendezvous with our live-aboard boat and set a course for this renowned natural wonder.  We are motoring toward the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching 1400 miles along Australia’s northeastern coast and containing the greatest density and diversity of life of any marine ecosystem, with 1,800 known species of fish and 450 species of coral.  Snorkelers and divers alike will have numerous opportunities to float through this incredible waterscape world filled with kaleidoscopic colors and marine life of every imaginable shape and size.  Snorkeling is available to all participants; Scuba diving is an optional extra for those who are certified or wish to take an introductory course.  See the “Dive Fees” section for more details.  Half day of various water activities.  All meals included.

• Days 8-9

  We spend these days exploring the remarkable Great Barrier Reef, with plenty of time for snorkeling, diving and relaxing aboard ship.  On Day 9, we motor back to Cairns, arriving in the late afternoon and transferring back to our comfortable hotel.  Various water activities.  All meals included on Day 8.  Breakfast and lunch included on Day 9.

• Day 10

  We head south along the coastal plain catching frequent glimpses of white sand and turquoise-green ocean.  Our destination is Kurrimine Beach, where we begin the sea kayaking portion of our adventure.  Our guide will explain paddling techniques and safety procedures before the kayaks are launched for the first leg of the trip, crossing King Reef and out to the Southern Barnard Islands.  Sea eagles and Nankeen kestrels ride the thermals overhead and the waters teem with life below the sea surface.  Before arriving at camp, energetic paddlers may circumnavigate Sisters Island, a protected bird sanctuary (landing is not permitted).  In the afternoon, we set up our tents and then take time to swim, snorkel or explore the island with its dramatic rock formations formed by thousands of years of water and wind activity.  At night, we camp on the beach of the uninhabited island.  Paddling: approx. 2.5 hours depending on wind conditions.  All meals included.

• Day 11

  After a hearty breakfast and perhaps a morning swim, we break camp and paddle our kayaks to the Northern Barnard group of islands.  Dolphins and turtles inhabit these waters and we may be lucky enough to see them both during our crossing.  We have lunch on the beach of a tropical islet, with ample time to snorkel over colorful coral formations and numerous tropical fish.  We then can opt to take a bush walk through the evergreen rain forests, visit a historic island lighthouse or paddle further in the afternoon.  We camp on one of the North Barnard Islands tonight.  Paddling: approx. 2 hours with an option to do more.  All meals included.

• Day 12

  On our last day of sea kayaking, we have a leisurely start before setting out on the 3-hour paddle back to the mainland.  En route we pass nearby islands with the possibility of making a landing (wind & current dependent) to explore a network of mysterious caves.  We land on the mainland at Cowley Beach, where our bus is waiting to take us back to our familiar hotel in Cairns for a final celebration dinner.  Paddling:  approx. 3 hours, depending on wind conditions.  All meals included.

• Day 13

  Transfer on your own to the Cairns airport for return flights home, or extend your stay in the “land down under”. Meals on your own.
  
  Extend Your Stay: Trip members participating on the October 6-18 departure can choose to extend their Australian adventure by joining our Tasmania Hiking Extension. We are excited to offer two guided hiking itineraries in Tasmania, both include double occupancy accommodations, all meals and experienced guide leadership:
  
  Bay of Fires: 4-day guided walk in Mt. William National Park.
  Cradle Mountain: 6-day guided walk in Cradle Mountain / Lake St. Clair National Park
  
  Trip members booking both extensions will receive a 5% discount off the total extension price. Please call for additional details and current pricing.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is half of the full single supplement. There is very limited availability, and single accommodations are provided on a first come, first serve basis.

All accommodations; all land and sea transportation from Day 2 to Day 12; guide leadership; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; equipment for camping, mountain biking, rafting, sea kayaking, snorkeling; entry fees and permits.

Air transportation to Cairns; transfers from/to airport; 1 breakfast and 2 dinners; departure taxes; dive fees (see below); optional activities including introductory scuba dive course and dive medical for scuba; AUD $35 reef tax & fuel surcharge; guide gratuities; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as soft drinks or liquor, laundry fees, cost of obtaining a passport, immunizations or insurance.

This trip is rated Moderate [3] but is very active and offers the opportunity to participate in a variety of different outdoor activities. Participants should arrive in good physical condition and be able to swim. We strongly recommend a conditioning regimen beginning at least 3 months prior to departure that includes as many of the trip activities as possible. Hiking, jogging, cycling paddling and swimming are all great ways to prepare for this adventure and will improve your cardiovascular fitness level. While snorkeling excursions are included in this itinerary, scuba diving is optional and only available at an additional cost. The minimum age to participate on this trip is 16 years.

We avoid Queensland’s wet season by operating our departures from May to October, when the weather is generally optimal for outdoor activities. From May through August, temperatures in Cairns average between 65°-80°F while temperatures in the interior (the Tableland, etc.) range from 50°-75°F.  September/October temperatures in Cairns are slightly warmer (65°-85°) with interior temperatures creeping up as well (55°-85°). Conditions on the Great Barrier Reef can vary greatly and are highly dependent on the prevailing winds. Southerly winds bring cooler temperatures and can result in choppier seas.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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