cairns rainforest tours: trek north
Daintree Explorer
Enjoy the Daintree rainforest including Mossman Gorge combined with Port Douglas and the Rainforest Habitat all in one awesome day. You are picked up from your hotel in a small personalised air-conditioned coach, and head along one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives, with island and mountain scenery and lush sugarcane farms along the way to the picturesque Mossman Gorge.
Marvel at the crystal clear water that cascades over large granite boulders within the Daintree National Park. Lush rainforest cloaks the steep mountain sides from the river banks up to the rugged eastern slopes. Here you will do a 40 minute guided walk through the rainforest and learn about the ancient rainforest and its flora and fauna. The tour continues to the Mossman Sugar Mill where passengers will be driven around the mill, whilst the driver explains the process of the sugar cane harvest and crushing. You will be able to see different sections of the mill in operation; the crushing seasons operates from June to November.
Travelling further north, there is a stop at a pineapple plantation where you learn about this delectable fruit. Did you know that the pineapple is a part of the bromeliad family and takes 18 months to ripen, and the farmers get 2 crops every 3 years or 3 crops every 4 years? All plants have to be manually planted and harvested by hand.
Following morning refreshments of locally grown produce, kick back and relax while you cruise deep into the mangrove lined Daintree River, the habitat of the Estuarine crocodile, and learn about this incredible ecosystem from a knowledgeable guide. The guide will assist you in spotting unique river wildlife and the infamous Estuarine crocodile. A few of the ones regularly spotted are Fat Albert, the largest at 5 metres; and Lumpy and Scar Face (for obvious reasons), both 4 metres.
After the cruise, you travel into Daintree Village where you indulge in a first class lunch consisting of barramundi (delectable) or steak (juicy) with fresh salads and tropical fruits. Whilst here they give you a 10 minute talk on our wide range of tropical fruit.
There is time here to browse through the village shops before you take your descent back to Port Douglas to the award winning Rainforest Habitat. Here you have plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with some interesting and uniquely Australian animals with 3 different environments to wander through. The Wetlands depicts the amazing diversity of our natural wetlands with over 60 species of wading birds and some koalas. Representing the Wet Tropics rainforest environment, where over 80 species of birds and wildlife live and can be viewed in a natural setting. The open-air Grasslands hosts crocodiles and Lumholtz tree kangaroos, and you can interact while hand feeding Queensland’s largest range of kangaroos and wallabies from the statuesque Eastern grey kangaroo to the petite Parma wallaby. A truly wonderful wildlife experience!
Upon departing the Rainforest Habitat, the tour continues into the township of Port Douglas for an informative tour around the relaxed seaside village; a place where presidents and movie stars like to frequent. Then, a stroll along the Marina Mirage, where you can marvel at the boats moored or take in some of the many beautiful shops.
From here you depart Port Douglas and make your way along the magnificent coast line. On this journey the driver will just let you chill out and reminisce of your awesome day.
The Tour Specialists Tip
LouiseThis tour is great for all ages and has a little bit of everything.
