Ultimate Reef to Rainforest Culture, Food & Wildlife Tour

A new environmental standard for travel packages to the wet tropics and GBR

Interstate travellers looking for a sophisticated alternative to their next overseas break, might consider joining Wildiaries/Diverse Travel Australia’s Ultimate Reef to Rainforest Culture, Food & Wildlife Tour this May. This trip sets a new environmental standard for travel packages to the wet tropics.

Wildiaries director Simon Mustoe says:

“Far north Queensland has more than its fair share of operators and organisations offering outstanding experiences with measurable benefits for the environment. We’re excited to offer Australians a new perspective on travel to the fragile wet tropics and Great Barrier Reef”.

This deluxe, small group tour for as few as 14 guests, is a rich smorgasbord of art, heritage, fine food, iconic wildlife and the best of the region's reef to rainforest experiences. Led by internationally-acclaimed experts and narrators all the way, it’s an intimate fully-guided adventure that will take you places the ordinary tourist never gets to see and spend quality time in nature, with people passionate about the region, its conservation and culture.

Key suppliers are actively involved in their own habitat restoration and conservation, plus the entire trip, including guest flights, is carbon offset with biodiverse forest restoration of habitat for Cassowaries. Guests even get to plant their own coral reef!

The journey begins with ascent into the cool climate Atherton Tablelands, on one of the world's longest cable-car journeys, over majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery. For four nights, guests are hosted in a world-famous luxurious rainforest retreat-style accommodation, nestled in its own private nature reserve.

Expert wildlife guides take you on a journey to swim in waterfalls, dine al fresco, look for elusive Tree Kangaroos, Platypus and maybe even a wild Cassowary. You will taste local produce grown in the forest, and learn about habitat regeneration, medicinal plants and rainforest fruits. You’ll be accompanied by internationally-acclaimed conservation-photographers and explorers, while local Aboriginal guides will take you on a special journey through their culture, art and music, exploring secret waterholes and learning their unique connection to country.

On board one of the fastest and most environmentally-conscious vessel operations on the whole Great Barrier Reef, you'll meet the team who have have the largest coral nursery on the reef, developed with University of Technology Sydney, and join marine biologists to participate in the program and see how it's effecting change. You'll learn from experts about how the reef works and explore their favourite spots in outer and inner-reefs with the chance to swim with turtles, see clownfish and maybe even spot whales and dolphins.

In the evening, you can luxuriate in your accommodation and relax in the secluded swimming pool, nestled among protected rainforest.

This trip has been specially designed to offer guests a fascinating and low-impact experience with some of the region's most accomplished conservation protagonists. May is traditionally one of the calmest weather periods and the low season for visitation. In every possible way, this tour offers exclusivity and access to one of Australia’s most rewarding destination.

Tour details

Environment & sustainability

• Our trip is locally-run.
• Most meals use locally-sourced produce. 
• Our accommodation at Thala Beach is based in private nature reserves.
• Several of our partners are actively restoring native rainforest vegetation. 
• All Aboriginal cultural elements are led by members of the Kuku Yalanji.
• Our reef vessels are among the most fuel efficient on the reef. 
• Our suppliers operate ethical wildlife viewing policies.  
• A portion of the fee goes directly into reef research with UQ, as well as planting temperature-resistant corals to regrow areas of reef.  
• This tour is expected to create about 54 tonnes of Carbon. We are contributing $20 per tonne to Greenfleet. Our first preference is that this will be invested in the Gurrbum Reserve, or equivalent project. Gurrbum https://qtfn.org.au/gurrbum/ is connecting Cassowary habitat in Mission Beach. This has both carbon and biodiversity benefits and is also contributing to a greater impact project, with investment from numerous partners. 

Highlights

• Skyrail onto the Atherton Tablelands over breath-taking rainforest scenery and waterfalls.
• Exclusive use of an outer-reef charter vessel.
• Stay in a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World on a private nature reserve.
• Travel with internationally-acclaimed conservation photographers.
• Eat local rainforest meals created by world-renowned ethnographers plus a private tour of their lifetime work.
• Dine al fresco and watch glow-worms after swimming in a privately-owned waterfall.
• Search for Tree Kangaroos, Platypus and Cassowaries.
• Travel with and learn from custodians of the country.
• Snorkel on some of the reef’s best locations in the company of local qualified marine biologist guides.
• Chance to swim with turtles and see whales and dolphins.
• Plant your own coral reef and contribute to research.
• Participate in an Aboriginal art workshop and take home your own hand-painted souvenir.
• Contribute to habitat rehabilitation and offset your tour’s carbon and biodiversity impact.

Price

This 8-day tour is priced from $6,695pp twin share (single supplement, $1,204). This trip is for over 18s only. It is suitable for anyone with a reasonable minimum level of fitness.

Bookings 

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