8 days
$AUD 837 per day
Recommended by
This small group tour is a rich smorgasbord of art, heritage, fine food, iconic wildlife and the best of the region's reef to rainforest experiences, led by expert guides and narrators all the way. With a maximum of eight couples or 14 guests, this intimate fully-guided adventure will take you to places the ordinary tourist never sees to spend quality time in nature, with people passionate about the region, its conservation and culture.
Your journey starts ascending into the cool climate Atherton Tablelands on one of the world's longest cable-car journeys over majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery. Your guides will take you on a journey to swim in waterfalls, look for elusive Tree Kangaroos, Platypus and maybe even a wild Cassowary. You will dine on local produce and journey to the Port Douglas coastline in the company of internationally-acclaimed conservation-photographers, who will be there to guide and entertain you with stories. Here, your luxurious accommodation (one of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World) is nestled among its own nature reserve. Local Aboriginal guides will take you on a journey through their culture, art and music, exploring secret waterholes and learning their unique connection to country. Only you will have exclusive use of the fastest and most environmentally-conscious vessel operations on the whole Great Barrier Reef. Here you'll meet the team who have developed coral growing technology with local Universities, 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 whales and dolphins.
Highlights
Our Environmental Impact
In keeping with the core philosophies of Diverse Travel Australia & Wildiaries, this tour is run as environmentally- and culturally-sustainable as possible. There will always be an impact from any trip but we aim to minimise this as much as possible and contribute back to biodiversity.
Note, we can arrange all travel to and from tour locations, quote for group bookings, and tailor any packages as required.
We will pick you up from Cairns. Most flights arrive about midday, so we aim to have everyone in Cairns by about lunchtime on day one. If you want to arrive earlier, we can arrange a place to stay and pick you up from your hotel.
GUIDES & LEADERS
Tim Harvey
Tim Harvey, co-founder of the Sea Turtle Foundation, was recently named one of Traveller Magazines "Heroes of Nature". For several years, Tim was the manager of the research station on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef and got to work with the likes of David Attenborough. Tim has an infectious knowledge and enthusiasm for wildlife and a unique perspective on the way we interact with the world around us. When Tim is not leading for us, either is on luxury small ship cruises, or at home in Australia. For Tim, protecting sea turtles is his passion, which is why he established the Sea Turtle Foundation. Tim takes his long-time experience with wildlife and reef-creatures, helping inspire a generation of conservationists. Tim will be our guest to look after you for the duration of this tour. Read more ...
STELLA AND JUERGEN FREUND
NINE-times among the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition, “Yogi”, as he’s known, started as an industrial photographer in Munich, purchasing his first underwater camera, even before learning to dive in Germany’s cold lakes. By the mid-1990s he found his sea-change and on assignment in the Philippines, met future wife Stella and won the prestigious 1999 World Press Photo Award for Photojournalism for his image of a whale shark hunt in Bohol. In 2009 they joined WWF for 18 months to live among the people and nature of the Coral Triangle so the world could start to see their stories and appreciate the urgent need for its protection - these are the very places they are now taking you back to so they can share the experience once more. With a heart for nature and a love of narrative Juergen continues to devote himself to conservation and is today honoured as one of very few Senior Fellows of the International League of Conservation Photographers. Stella and Juergen will join us for three days to tell their stories and help connect you with their home in far north Queensland. Read more ...
TOURING
Sicklebill Safaris
Our hosts for four days of memorable wildlife encounters are long-term members of Birdlife, Birds Queensland and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Sue, Phil and Rowan belong to the locally based Tree Kangaroo and Mammal group which is active in forest regeneration, creation of corridors for wildlife and educating people about the need for forests as a home and food source for the local fauna. They have planted rainforest corridors and food trees for Cassowaries and replaced fallen trees after cyclones. They bought a current property and set aside a large area of our land as a nature refuge and are looking into rainforest regeneration with rainforest fruit trees which will help feed local rainforest inhabitants, starting this coming wet season. They also work with local communities in places like the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, training bird guides and helping set up locally-owned nature lodges so local, island communities can get long-term sustainable income from the forests that surround them.
Wavelength Cruises
Jenny and John Edmondson own and operate Wavelength Cruises on the Great Barrier Reef. After the bleaching events in 2016, they set up the Coral Nurture program and are now coordinating reef restoration for a number of companies. Sustainability is at the heart of the business. They have one of the most fuel-efficient vessels on the reef. The vessel was furbished using mostly recycled materials. They invest in coral research and restoration while being accredited as a Climate Action business and Advanced Ecotourism Accredited, meaning a continual investment in minimising their impact and improving their strategy. Wavelength supports scientific researchers and qualified marine biologists form their staff who take people to the reef.
Walkabout Cultural Adventures
Walkabout Cultural Adventures owner, Juan Walker has been guiding in the Port Douglas Daintree region for 19 years. He prides himself on providing top quality service, information and guiding. Tours allow guests to participate in a truly unique cultural and interpretive soft adventure tour, which is a small and personalised experience. His business provides unique cultural tours within Kuku Yalanji country, focusing on Aboriginal culture, significant sites, environmental information and local tourist attractions, whilst being an educational and interpersonal Aboriginal cultural experience. Juan's ambition is to further develop the business and create employment opportunities for local Aboriginals who are proud to share their land and culture. This ambition has already proved viable with his latest investments in a second and larger tour vehicle and employing a third Aboriginal guide.
SPECIAL DINING
Rainforest Bounty
Dr Geraldine McGuire (PhD) has been collecting and tasting rainforest fruits since she was a child growing up in tropical North Queensland. Witnessing first-hand the destruction of Borneo’s tropical rainforests for logging and oil palm plantations inspired her and her husband Athy to replant their 80-acre former dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands and create an entirely new category of food products inspired by native foods and an ongoing mission to change the way we eat to restore people and the planet. 20 Years later and Geraldine is still doing what she loves and believes in and Rainforest Bounty has become a leader in regenerative agricultural systems sharing the bounty of the rainforest with Australia and the world. Our first evening meal will be spent at Rainforest Bounty.
Botanical Ark
Alan and Susan Carle commenced their project more than 35 years ago, first a subsistence farm, and more recently (1990) as a private ethno-botanical gardens. They travel the tropical regions of the world and specialise in plants that indigenous rainforest cultures have and still use for their foods, spices, shelter, medicine, cosmetics, fibres, oils, dyes - in fact for all their everyday needs. Emphasising the link between plants and peoples, Botanical Ark demonstrates this with some of the most unusual and interesting tastes and sights imaginable. On day 3, we will visit Botanical Ark for lunch and a tour, to discover some of the real values of tropical forests and how we can help save some of those forests for the Indigenous peoples.
ACCOMMODATION
Thala Beach Nature Reserve - National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve will be our accommodation for four nights. This privately-owned headland located between Cairns and Port Douglas in close proximity to The Great Barrier Reef. A selection of unique accommodation options are located throughout the property. Thala is a Port Douglas resort that has achieved the highest level of Advanced Eco Certification and is a member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World.
Here is a list of some of the items we recommend you bring.
On arrival in Cairns we will collect baggage and pick you up from the airport. We will transfer you to the Skyrail terminal where you will ride in a gondola over breathtaking waterfalls and rainforest on one of the world’s longest cable car experiences. While you are enjoying this we will drive the bus up the winding Kuranda Range Road with your luggage and we will meet you at the cable car station in Kuranda. From here we will set off towards Mareeba. Within 10 kilometres we have left the rainforest and come to an area of dry eucalypt forest which persists until we start climbing up towards Atherton. We can stop at Emerald Creek Ice Creamery near Mareeba for some home-made ice-cream (own expense) and will then drive south up to the cooler, higher areas of the southern Tablelands and your accommodation for the next 2 nights. After you have checked in and had time to refresh yourself we will head out for your evening meal. This will consist primarily of locally sourced produce served in a beautiful riverside setting at Rainforest Bounty.
After a leisurely breakfast we will make our way to a local tea plantation where as well as sampling their locally grown tea we have a good chance of seeing the ungainly Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. From here we will head to our favourite Platypus place where we have never missed them even in broad daylight, before heading to Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy where cheese platters showcasing locally made cheeses or a ploughman’s lunch will be waiting for your lunch. After lunch we will head to the nearby property of Rainforest Heart where we will visit a rainforest tree fruit farm and taste some of the fruits. We will also taste some of the products that are made from these fruits. Davidson Plum iced tea and Davidson Plum wine are usually firm favourites and can be purchased if desired.
From here we will continue down the road to Mungalli Falls, the only privately owned World Heritage listed waterfall in Queensland. It is a 3 tier waterfall. We will explore the area and while your evening meal is being prepared you can relax in the pools at the base of the first waterfall. Platypus and turtles are often seen in this area. After dinner we will take the track down to the base of the third and final waterfall. Here there is a viewing platform and we will marvel at the glow-worm display which only becomes visible after dark. From here we will spend a little time spotlighting along the track through the forest looking for some of the local native wildlife including possums and bandicoots.
After breakfast we will be ready to load luggage and pick up the group ready for departure about 1000. We will head out the way we came in through Mareeba where we will stop for morning tea or coffee. Instead of then turning down to Cairns we will keep going north through the dry cattle country past Lake Mitchell where Black Swans can often be seen and huge Osprey’s nest in trees by the road, towards Mt Molloy, Julatten and the Rex Highway, with the Mt Lewis massif looming above us, down to Mossman. We are aiming to get to the world famous Botanical Ark by 1330 in time for lunch. After lunch there will be a presentation on the work of the Botanical Ark. Owners Alan and Susan commenced the project over 35 years ago and travel to the tropical regions of the world specialising in plants that indigenous rainforest cultures have and still use for their foods, spice, shelter, medicine, cosmetics, fibres, oils and dyes. After this we take the group to the very comfortable Thala Beach Resort where they will check in for a four-night stay.
For those who want to, there is the chance of doing some snorkelling practice in the resort pool. There will be plenty of opportunity on the reef too (see our "other information" section for more on snorkelling).
After an early breakfast, we will be picked up and transferred to Port Douglas where we will get on board Wavelength IV. Stella and Juergen Freund will come along for the day to help with photography skills and prepare images and a short story about the day out. Today we will visit three sites on the outer Great Barrier Reef, starting with a guide to learn snorkelling. Hopefully we will get the chance to swim with Green Turtles! On the way out, we’ll observe and learn about the bird life and maybe even get the chance to spot Dwarf Spinner Dolphins and (seasonally) there is the chance of several different species of whale. Our experts will talk about the reef conservation programs and what Wavelength are doing, in association with universities, to protect fragile areas of the GBR. You will get the chance to plant some coral yourself and see the impact this work has had.
After an early breakfast, we will board Wavelength 4 around 8am. It takes about 90 mins to get to the reef and that’s plenty of chance for everyone to get to know the crew and marine biologists. We have eighteen moorings across three different reefs and use the best ones depending on the wind direction and tide. At all times, you will be accompanied by a marine biologist to help you in the water if you need it, but most of all, to look for interesting marine life. The sites we access in good weather are among the best you will find. We actively remove coral pest predators and have been boosting the abundance of heat tolerant corals at our sites…we also have the largest coral nursery on the GBR (spread across 8 different locations). We’ll get you to participate in growing corals and replanting them back onto the reef, where they provide nurseries for a variety of fish. There is an hour of snorkelling at each site followed by refreshments and a break before we continue to the next location.
The second day on the reef is weather dependent (so we may swap this around some days, so you get the best conditions). For the last five years, Wavelength has partnered with Tangaroa Blue for marine debris clean-ups from Snapper Island (just off Port Douglas) to Howick Island which is about 200 miles north. Cedar Bay is another possible location to participate in some beach cleaning and we combine this with some outer reef snorkelling on the way home. Alternatively, depending on wind direction, we might visit an isolated reef to the south east of Port Douglas that isn’t visited by tourism operators or open to the general public. Whatever happens, we will use this day to our best advantage, to show you different aspects of the Great Barrier Reef that tourists don’t normally get to see and to contribute back to its conservation.
Today we are joined by a local Aboriginal representative and guide to journey through the Mossman area, learning about Aboriginal culture. After lunch we will take part in an Aboriginal art workshop, with the chance to paint and own a souvenir. Returning to our accommodation in the afternoon, we'll join Wavelength one last time, departing the marine at 5pm for drinks at sunset at the Low Isles (weather permitting). We’ll be back by 6:30pm for a final dinner together at Salas at 7pm, to share stories and images from what is sure to have been an amazing week.
You will be picked up from Thala Beach after breakfast at around 0900 before heading south along the coast road with its beautiful views out over the ocean and turning inland at Smithfield and heading back up onto the Tablelands. A quick stop will be made for coffee at a local coffee estate along the way. And we will arrive at Granite Gorge at around 1100. The water that flows through the rocks attracts lots of interesting dry country birds including the wonderful Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and the very smart looking Squatter Pigeon. The area is most famous for a group of very friendly Mareeba Rock Wallabies which have made their home there. They like nothing better than to be hand fed with the special marsupial pellets which can be bought at the park shop.
Leaving Granite Gorge we will head south to the magnificent Curtain Fig where easy access is guaranteed with a very convenient boardwalk constructed around this enormous strangler fig. Situated in a remnant of the old Mabi rainforest which once covered most of the Tablelands this is a great place to stop and listen to the sounds of the rainforest, watch birds flitting around, and sometimes glimpse a Tree Kangaroo up in the trees or the diminutive Musky Rat Kangaroo down on the floor of the forest.
From the Curtain Fig we make our way to Lake Barrine. The lake has formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and offers a lovely backdrop to the Lake Barrine Tea House where we will have our lunch. A 45 minute wildlife cruise around the lake often allows us to see enormous amethystine pythons as well as a variety of birds and the very photogenic forest around the lake. If there is time we can take a short walk through the forest to see two enormous kauri pine trees and have another chance to see the Gondwana relict and Australia’s smallest and most primitive kangaroo the Musky Rat Kangaroo.
We will then head for Cairns travelling down the Gillies Highway with its winding road offering spectacular views across the Goldsborough Valley to the surrounding mountains. We expect to have you at your Cairns accommodation for check in around 4pm.
Final day at your leisure before your onward journey.
Snorkelling
Wavelength 4 has always been about snorkelling only, which means there’s no noisy equipment or a compromise with locations. As everyone is at the surface, communication is possible and means that we can give guided tours in the water. Snorkelling is very easy and staff are at hand to help give tips and there is always a thorough briefing about equipment and tips once on board. We are very mindful that a day with inappropriate equipment is a recipe for a bad day, so we have 3 sizes of masks plus corrective masks for those that wear glasses. Full body lycra suits are necessary in warmer months and provide protection from the sun – in cooler months we have 5mm short wetsuits – both are available for those that feel the chill year round … We have Cressi fins which are soft and easy to swim with – noodles and lifejackets are available also, for those who are less comfortable in the water.
Fitness
This trip is suitable for any age but will require a moderate level of fitness, if you wish to participate in snorkelling.
Can you swim 50m without any floatation assistance?
We would like to know if you are a competent swimmer and have confidence moving about in the water. If you haven’t snorkelled before that’s fine, but bear in mind that snorkelling can be a strenuous activity, so we recommend that you should be reasonably fit. For complete beginners that can already swim snorkelling is easy, especially in calm conditions. We have floatation devices and experienced crew to help you. Being relaxed makes snorkelling a lot easier. Most people who can swim will get their confidence within a couple of minutes, even if they’re nervous to start with. We will also help you practice in the resort pool before your trip.
Wavelength 4
Wavelength 4 carries up to a maximum of 48 passengers but we're only taking a maximum of 16 guests, plus guides. There is a comfortable air-conditioned saloon with lounge seating and added passive ventilation when moored to allow a quiet boat with no generator noise. A large shaded top deck has comfortable upholstered seating and lounge style open helm area. There are sun areas on the aft top deck and bow. Large panoramic windows in the saloon for great views, including forwards to help avoid seasickness. The slim hull forms, stabiliser fins and length, mean a smoother and more comfortable ride at high speed. A wide back deck with a lowering transom and swim platform make water access easy.
Minimum carbon footprint of construction was achieved by local build, recyclable materials, and welding with the help of solar electricity (50kW solar system at the boat builder). Modern technology Yanmar engines (IMO Tier 2) with specialised mufflers for noise reduction and optimum turbo performance giving clean fuel burn and peak fuel efficiency and there are large roof-mounted solar panels and smart technology electrical systems to reduce generator usage. We have a very low fuel use of approximately XX litres per passenger. (This emits XXkgs CO2). The offset value is about XX cents, which we add into our reef research fund. We don't use antifouling.
Seasickness
Should you have any concerns regarding seasickness, please take seasickness medication (i.e. Travacalm HO) with a light breakfast before boarding on the day to assist with your trip to the reef. Travacalm HO are readily available for purchase from all local pharmacies (open until 8pm daily). If you can’t get to a pharmacy we do have Travacalm for sale on board, but ideally it should be taken earlier.
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" Travel Product" means the service or product provided by a Provider, for example, an airline or a hotel.
" Website" means our website https://deluxelife.com.au/
Schedule of Professional Service Fees
Planning Fee |
$125 per itinerary. Creating unique travel itineraries is our specialty. For detailed quotations providing tailored recommendations for custom designed tours, a non-refundable planning fee applies. Should you proceed with booking, this fee is credited towards your trip.
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Service Fees |
$40 Domestic/Trans-Tasman airfare per person or as discounted
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$150.00 International airfare per person or as discounted
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$50.00 Domestic/Trans-Tasman business class airfare per person or as discounted
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$200.00 International business class airfare per person or as discounted |
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NIL Domestic/Trans-Tasman package, tour, or cruise per booking
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NIL International package, tour, or cruise per booking |
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$ Other Services dependent on service explained to you |
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$200 to $500 Itinerary planning per booking (credited towards reservation once booked) |
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Deposit & Balance |
For all bookings, the initial deposit is 20% and the balance of payment is due 60 days before departure. If Travel Provider terms and conditions vary, we may request an additional deposit from you, after the initial deposit is paid, plus the balance payment date may also vary. After you have paid your initial deposit, you will have five days cooling off period to accept these Booking & Advisory Terms and Conditions, during which time your deposit is refundable. After 5 days has passed, or you have accepted the Terms and Conditions, the deposit will automatically become non-refundable. Note, some Travel Products must be paid in full at time of booking. Service Fees must also be paid at time of booking and are non-refundable. After you pay the balance of payment this will become fully non-refundable 60 days before travel, or earlier, if specified by the supplier. |
Amendment Fees |
Changes to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Changes to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $50 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Cancellation Fees |
Cancellations to Domestic/Trans-Tasman bookings will incur a fee of $75 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Cancellations to International bookings (excluding Trans-Tasman bookings) will incur a fee of $150 per passenger per booking in addition to Provider and credit card fees.
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Credit Card Fees |
Visa - an additional 2.0% applies
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Mastercard - an additional 2.0% applies
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American Express - an additional 2.0% applies
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(All fees exclude GST, where applicable).
Privacy Notice
Darebin Travel collects your personal information to enable us to respond to your queries and provide you with the Booking & Advisory Services, including assisting in arrangements with Providers (such as hotels and flights).
We will also use your personal information to personalise the service we provide you, including your experience on our, and other, websites, and to provide you with information about our, and our partners’, business, products and services. Your personal information may be shared between entities within Darebin Travel and with DeluxeLife Pty Ltd (ACN: 647 484 115), disclosed to suppliers, Providers, our cloud infrastructure, our contractors and to others where authorised or required by law. Some of these entities may be located overseas.
ANNEXURE – TRAVEL TIPS FOR TRAVEL PRODUCTS
These tips set out below are NOT legally binding terms and conditions.
Passports, Visas and Health Requirements
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the required documents, including visas and passports, before travelling to a destination. For more information please log on to www.dfat.gov.au and www.smarttraveller.gov.au. Please check with the respective Embassy or Consulate of each country that you are travelling to, as many destinations require visas for both Australians and non-Australian passport holders. For more information, log on to www.visalink.com.au. You need to ensure that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date of your departure return.
For International travellers booked on flights to the USA, including Hawaii, it is now mandatory, under the Visa Waiver Program to receive an electronic authorisation known as ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) no less than 72 hours before travel to the USA. This can be obtained from the following website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/ .
For international travellers booked on flights to Canada, you either need a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through, a Canadian airport. An eTA can be obtained from the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/apply.html
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are aware of any health requirements for your travel destinations. Vaccinations are strongly recommended for certain destinations. You need to contact your local doctor who will advise you of these requirements. Please note that vaccinations may be recommended before your travel departure date.
Travel Advice
We recommend that you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit their website at www.dfat.gov.au for general travel advice, as well as specific advice (including safety alert levels) relating to the destination you wish to visit.
Ticketing
For international and domestic departure, e-tickets will be issued upon payment and completion of the booking process. All other travel documentation, such as hotel booking confirmations, will be emailed to the email address you provided as an e-document. Should the Provider issue paper vouchers, these will be posted to the address you provided.
Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and in many cases the airfare you have paid may not include the cost to cover checked baggage. Please check with your Travel Advisor and/or the airline providing your flights for the allowances.
Frequent Flyers & Special Requests
For more information on whether your airfare is eligible for Frequent Flyer rewards, please contact the airline directly. When booking online, please ensure that you have entered your correct number. For bookings made by telephone via our Customer Service Team, please advise of your Frequent Flyer details and these will be added to your reservation. We do not take any responsibility should an airline not register your trip. You should retain copies of your air ticket and boarding pass.
Special requests will be passed on to the Providers but cannot be guaranteed.