Cairns Tours

If its adventure, excitement or for the pure thrill of it, Blazing Saddles horse riding and ATV quad biking has it for you. This amazing family, friend and couples oriented property offers the opportunity to see many native Australian animals, and birdlife whilst exploring, either on horse back, ATV quad bike or why not do both. Set on 1,200 acres of Australian bush land, boasting, giant termite mounds, creeks and savanna plains this is truly an Aussie outback experience not to be missed.

Free Coach Transfers to Your Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches Accommodation

Located just outside of Kuranda a coach will pick you up from your accommodation, morning or afternoon and will bring you home once your tour is finished.

Horse Riding

On arrival coffee/tea are provided whilst you check in. Riding hats are chosen, and then its time to meet your horse, the guides will match you up with a horse that suits your ability and riding experience.  There is a horse to suit all levels and ages, minimum age being 4. The Guides will take you through their expansive property, meandering through creeks, gulleys and ruggered bush land, passing huge termite mounds, grass trees and a plethora of native flora and fauna.

Once back at the stables you are treated to an aussie sausage sizzle, to chow down before the bus takes you back, if you are doing a full day the bus will take you into Kuranda, where you can enjoy wandering around the many shops and market stalls for a couple of hours.

ATV Quad Biking (All Terrain Vehicles)

Blazing saddles has an awesome adventurous track to have extreme fun, fun, fun! These ATV’s are easy to ride and provide perfect transport through this ruggered terrain, no license or experience is necessary, if I can do it you can however there is a minimum age of 12 years. They cater for all levels of experience, and the guides will access your ability on the practice tracks and put you in your appropriate groups. Let the fun begin.

Once again this amazing property is the perfect landscape for these four wheel adventure machines, with creeks, gully’s, twist, turns and continuously changing terra firma from sandy, to rocky, bumpy to smooth where you can put the pedal to the metal and let it rip. The excitement doesn’t stop for close to two hours, once your back at the farm, light refreshments are served. It’s now time for the bus to transfer you back to your accommodation.

Recall your day forever, with a souvenir photo of either horse riding or your ATV quad biking adventure, with a professional photographer on site you are able to take home a memento of your fun filled, adventurous day to brag to your family and friends.

Your Horse Riding Experience Includes

-2 Hours of Horse Riding

-All transfers to and from Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches

-Professionally guided trail ride adventure

-All tuition – no experience necessary

-Horse safety lesson and introduction

-Morning/afternoon tea

-Aussie hotdogs (am) / finger food (pm)

Your ATV Quad Bike Experience Includes

-Approximately 2 hours of ATV quad biking

-All transfers to and from Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches

-Professionally guided ATV quad bike adventure

-All tuition – no experience necessary

-Training on obstacle course

-Morning/afternoon tea

-Aussie hotdogs (am) / finger food (pm)

What to Bring/Wear

-Your ticket

-Sunscreen

-Money for drinks and souvenirs

-Wear: Jeans/long pants, peak cap, enclosed footwear and T shirt (no singlets)

Jeans Hire: $4.00

Waterproof Poncho: $4.00

Shoe Hire: FREE

For More About Cairns Horse Riding and ATV Quad Biking Please Visit The Tour Specialists.

Migaloo is an icon one of a kind humpback whale that visits Cairns Australia yearly while migrating during July, August and September. Migaloos first sighting of the year was on July 21st, 2010 by Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruises on the way out to their Outer Barrier Reef pontoon. Migaloo was spotted playing 3 nautical miles north of Snapper Island at 10.37am. Others saw him later on in the day in the middle of a group of dolphins!

Many species of whales are spotted on the Great Barrier Reef, particularily the Outer Barrier Agincourt Ribbon Reefs during the winter months but to see Migaloo, the worlds only albino white whale, is a real treat and an experience that can only be found on Cairns and Port Douglas’ Great Barrier Reef.

For More About Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruises Please Visit The Tour Specialists

If you’re looking to get the most out of your day in Kuranda, especially if you’re travelling with children, maximize your time by combining Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail with Blazing Saddles. With the option of either horse riding or atv there is an activity to suit those from ages four and up. Enjoy approximately one hour in Kuranda before being whisked off to Blazing Saddles for an exhilarating horse ride or atv session in a combination of rainforest and tableland settings. Finish your day by soaring over the rainforest canopy on the world famous Skyrail back towards Cairns.

Kuranda Scenic Rail

Kuranda Scenic Rail departs twice daily from both Cairns and Freshwater Station and journeys through a spectacular section of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest. On the 37kms of track, you will pass through 15 tunnels, 55 bridges, 98 curves and ascend up to 327 metres. Your spacious coach will slow down for photo opportunities at Stoney Creek Falls, followed by a quick ten minute break at Barron Gorge Falls where you are able to jump off the Kuranda Scenic Rail and check out the magnificence that is Barron Gorge. After boarding the Kuranda Scenic Rail once again, it is only a short journey the rest of the way to Kuranda, the village in the rainforest. Upgrade to Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Rail for just a few dollars more and enjoy being spoiled by a dedicated Gold Class attendant who will lavish you with delicious, fresh appetizers and your choice of non alcoholic or alcoholic beverages. Have your very own window seat to get the best photos on your journey on the Kuranda Scenic Rail.

Kuranda – The Village in the Rainforest

Kuranda is a one of a kind village located atop a mountain in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest. Upon arriving in Kuranda via the Kuranda Scenic Rail, you’ll have approximately one hour to poke around in the world famous Kuranda markets which boast dozens of shops selling one of a kind arts and crafts, authentic Aboriginal artwork, and fresh home grown produce. Also in Kuranda you’ll find the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Birdworld Kuranda, Australian Venom Zoo and the Kuranda Koala Gardens where you can actually cuddle a Koala and hand feed a kangaroo. Kuranda is the perfect spot to relax, unwind, and explore.

Blazing Saddles Horse Riding & ATV

Located on the outskirts of Kuranda bordering on the tablelands is Blazing Saddles. Blazing Saddles is home to a stable of over 70 quiet and gentle horses and with a horse suited to nearly every experience level and age, horse riding at Blazing Saddles is a perfect family adventure. For those feeling a little more daring, Blazing Saddles also operates ATV, or All Terrain Vehicle, adventures. These little quad bikes are easy to operate and provide the perfect transportation through the rainforest. Check out the amazing views of the tablelands, rainforest, and experience both wet and dry river crossings. Blazing Saddles has a large fleet of 250cc ATVs plus a selection of 90cc ATV’s for children over the age of 12. ATV tours at Blazing Saddles are suited for either beginner or advanced ATV riders. Both of these fun filled tours at Blazing Saddles allow you to experience the rainforest up close and personal.

Skyrail

The Skyrail cablecar is a stunning 7.5km track that glides over the rainforest canopy. It has two stops, one at Barron Gorge and one at Red Peak Station. The panoramic views of the rainforest, Cairns, and the coastline are breathtaking. After being transferred from Blazing Saddles to the Skyrail depot, enjoy a smooth ride soaring above the rainforest. Be sure to explore the interactive rainforest interpretation centre at Barron Falls Station and join the guided ranger tour at Red Peak Station. Kuranda Scenic Rail, Blazing Saddles and Skyrail are a winning combination for the whole family.

For More About This Tour Please Visit The Tour Specialists

Are you looking for a half day tour sea kayaking over top of the Great Barrier Reef while you are in Cairns? Well make it a full day trip and go to Fitzroy Island!

Fitzroy Island was once part of the mainland and a very popular place for Aboriginals to go fishing and hunting. Now that it is an island, it is surrounded by an amazing fringing coral reef.  On the island there is a luxury resort, a camping ground and facilities and also the  beach hire.

Our check in time at the reef fleet terminal in Cairns was 8am at the Raging Thunder counter. We collected our boarding passes and made our way to the boat for an 8.30am departure. It took approx. 45 min to reach Fitzroy Island. Once we got there Blythe and I got set up to go on the morning sea kayaking tour. Our guide took us for a 3 hour sea kayaking adventure to explore the Beautiful Fitzroy Island, the marine life and the pristine coral reefs that surround it.  There were 6 double sea kayaks in our group and because the weather was so nice we went to explore Shark Fin Bay and little Fitzroy Island, we stopped in Shark Fin Bay to snorkel and had a look at the coral. This is one of the best spots on the island to go snorkelling. Another nice snorkel location is between Nudey beach and the Beach hire house on the other side of the island.

When we came back from sea kayaking it was time for lunch. You can bring your own lunch or get it organized by Raging Thunder. The Raging Thunder picnic lunch included a chicken and salad wrap, ham and cheese roll, piece of seasonal fruit, energy fruit bar, drink and bottle of water (vegetarian options are available on request.)

The rest of the day for us was free!  We had the choices of snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, jumping on the water trampoline or going for a walk to explore the walking tracks available on the island; The Island’s 339 hectares are covered in lush rainforest with 94% of the island protected and managed as a National park.  Some even go to Fitzroy Island simply for the hiking with tracks such as the Lighthouse Track (3.6 k return), the Summit Circuit (4.2k return), The Secret Garden Track (1k return) and Nudey Beach Track(1.2k return).

Blythe and I decided to go for a walk to Nudey Beach and a bit of a snorkel. Marine life is abundant on this side of the island, soft and hard corals, Nemos, giant claims and parrots fish! Unfortunately I didn’t spot any reef tip sharks! We snorkeled all the way back to the beach hire hut where we decided to have go at the water trampoline!  

Once the resort is open this June it will be a wonderful experience to spend the night on the island and go for a walk at night to explore the flora and fauna.

At the moment Raging Thunder is operating daily trips. You can have the choice between:
- Ferry Transfers:

- Ferry with lunch:
- Activity Pass 1: (Lunch + choice of snorkel gear or glass bottom boat tour)

- Activity Pass 2: (Lunch + snorkel gear + glass bottom boat tour included)

- Sea kayak tour: (Lunch + sea kayak tour + snorkel gear included)
Please note that there are additional fees to pay on board like reef tax and/or transfers.

Camping is also available.

Fitzroy Island is one of my favorite places in the Cairns area.
Go and see it for yourself!

By: Florence, Tour Desk Consultant at The Tour Specialists at the Hilton, Cairns.

For more about this tours to the Great Barrier Reef, please visit The Tour Specialists.

Last Friday I was lucky to experience an Outer Barrier Reef trip with an amazing operator called Poseidon.

Poseidon is owned locally and has been operating out of Port Douglas for the last 25 years now and offers a 5 star cruise to the famous Agincourt Ribbons Reefs, right on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

The boat departs daily at 8.30am from the marina and returns at 4.30pm. It visits 3 Great Barrier Reef sites during the day and has access to 45 fantastic locations at 16 different reefs!  Poseidon caters for snorkellers, introductory and certified divers (Up to 3 dives).

It is an ultra modern 24 meter, high speed luxury catamaran, with a top speed of 30 knots.

My pick up in Cairns was 6.50am. I enjoyed an hour scenic drive along the coast to Port Douglas with amazing beaches along the way. I took my favorite dive partner with me. Once we arrived at the Port Douglas marina, Blythe and I made our way directly to the boat.

Once on the boat Blythe signed up for 3 dives and I decided to do only 2 dives. During our trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, our dive instructor gave us a briefing for the day and a very professional talk about dive safety and procedures.

Our first location was Turtle Bay and this site was amazing. I was surprised to get a good visibility knowing that it has been blowing 30 knots for the last week! I even spotted a reef tip shark as well as isolated pinnacles surrounded by pelagic fish, and coral gardens with their endless variety of colourful wrasses, cods, parrot fish, clown fish, angel fish, clams and anemones.

Our second location was Advanced Bommie with again lots of marine life. I just went snorkelling there. Lunch was also served on the 2^nd location it consists of a buffet lunch with salads and cold meats as well as bread and fruits. Lunch was delicious.

Our 3^rd and last location for the day was Castle Rock.  Blythe and I jumped in the water for our last dive of the day. I spotted another reef tip shark, 2 turtles and 4 sting rays. This dive site was very unique and received its name from the unusual coral formation that resembles a castle and has a massive bommie of coral at the top! No doubt that the Agincourt Ribbons Reefs are one of the BEST reefs on the Great Barrier Reef. All 3 locations we visited today were amazing – You can not get it wrong by visiting the Ribbons Reefs!

Poseidon has been awarded one of the few permits to swim with the Dwarf Minke Whales.  These friendly mammals are regularly encountered from May to September; while their larger cousins, the Humpback Whales, appear from July to September, and are increasing in numbers, allowing passengers to deliberately swim with these curious and friendly whales.  A WORLD’S FIRST, this interaction relies upon Poseidon following very strict guidelines to avoid disturbing these beautiful animals.

Swimmers in groups of ten are sent out along a floating line once whales have been seen near the boat. And no weight belts, scuba gear or flash photography is permitted. By following this passive approach, invariably the whales swim close to the swimmers to satisfy their own curiosity, often staying close by for over an hour until the boat finally has to move on to the next site.

Of course whale watching is not guaranteed on your day of travel but if you’re looking for a unique experience, Poseidon is the boat to choose!

By: Florence, Tour Consultant at The Hilton Cairns Tour Specialists

For more about this tour please visit The Tour Specialists.

If you want great value and amazing Great Barrier Reef Sites then Reef Quest is the boat to go with!

Reef Quest offers fantastic value for money and gives you the opportunity to do up to 3 dives on the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkellers can enjoy unlimited snorkelling. This boat travels to 2 different locations including Norman, Saxon or Hastings Reefs and can choose between 17 locations. Snorkel and dive equipments are available on the boat.

Check in time starts at 8am directly on the boat located on B Finger at the Marlin Jetty in Cairns. It takes approx 1.5H to reach Saxon Reef our first location. My friend decided to snorkel only for the day and I took the option of doing one certified dive. Certified divers have the options of a guided dive or not. Last time I went diving on Saxon Reef was more than 10 years ago and I could remember the abundant and colourful marine life. This time was even better and above my expectations; the dive was amazing with excellent visibility and lots of marine life. During my dive, I spotted 3 reef tip sharks, 2 turtles as well as clown fishes and anemones. The water temperature was a beautiful warm 28 degrees Celsius.

Lunch is included in your day trip. It consists of a buffet lunch with cold meats, a variety of salads, breads and fruits. Complimentary tea and coffee are available all day.

On that day we visited 2 sites on Saxon Reef. Saxon Reef is one of my favorite Great Barrier Reef sites from Cairns. I was so impressed by the quality of the corals. The visibility was so good on Saxon Reef that the skipper decided to stay on this reef but in a different location.

The 2nd Great Barrier Reef destination was even better than the 1st and such a treat for us. We went snorkelling on this site and there were so much to see.

We came back to Cairns at approximately 4.30pm.

Deep Sea Divers Den has operated from Cairns, Australia for over 30 years, making them not only the largest but also one of the longest established Cairns dive centres (PADI accredited), weather you are looking for your PADI open water, advanced or referral course.

Deep Sea Divers Den also has a liveaboard vessel Ocean Quest that can accommodate 48 passengers. All cabins have an en-suite bathroom, TV and air-conditioning. Different packages are available for snorkellers, introductory divers or certified divers and range from 2 day/1night up to 5 days/4 nights.

By: Florence, Tour Desk Consultant at The Tour Specialists Hilton Hotel.

For More About This Tour Please Visit The Tour Specialists

Deep Sea Divers Den is the perfect choice for guests traveling with people of a different skill level.  A mixed group of snorkellers, first time divers, and certified divers will find an activity to suit each of them while spending the day aboard SeaQuest with Deep Sea Divers Den!

The day starts with an 8:00am check in onboard the SeaQuest down at Marlin Marina B finger in Cairns.  After filling out the appropriate paperwork for our days activities, we were given our snorkel equipment and wet suits and settled in with a cup of tea for the safety briefing.  The boat departed the marina at 9:00am bound for Norman Reef!

The journey to The Great Barrier Reef took approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes getting us to Norman Reef at 10:30am.  We were given a short snorkel brief and then we were in the water, right off the back of the boat.  One of the best things about going snorkelling or diving straight off a boat as opposed to a pontoon is the freedom in the water.  There are no roped off areas that you must remain in and the feeling of being free to explore the beautiful Great Barrier Reef without restriction is fantastic.  We had approximately one and a half hours to snorkel and the reef was stunning! Every time something caught your eye, another area of reef demanded your attention.  The best part about Norman Reef is that is had the combination of huge coral bommies as well as large areas of coral in shallower water so we were able to get incredibly close to the coral without damaging it.  The marine life was plentiful too with loads of parrot fish, angel fish and giant maori wrasse!

Lunch was served at approximately 12:30pm and it consisted of fresh salads, cold meats, rolls, soup, and fresh fruit.  While we were eating lunch, the boat moved to our second location of the day which was just a short five minute trip to a different area of reef called Tropos Reef.  Even though it was only a short distance away from the first location, the reef was completely different! There were all sorts of crevices and alleyways to explore where plenty of fish like to hide in between all the coral formations.  We had about an hour to explore and snorkel before climbing back onto the boat and departing for Cairns.  We made a brief stop to drop off some guests at SeaQuests sister over night boat, OceanQuest which is a liveaboard vessel. Then it was back into Cairns after a fabulous day in the water!

SeaQuest is a great day for those looking to see some beautiful areas of the Great Barrier Reef at a great price!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

 For More Information About This Tour Please Visit The Tour Specialists

Tropical island? Check.  Beautiful corals? Check.  Heaps of marine life? Check.  Frankland Islands offers all this and more including one of a kind rock pool tours, semi submersible boat rides and a fantastic buffet lunch – all of which are only a short 55 minute journey to island paradise!

The day starts with a 7:25am pick up from your accommodation on a comfortable air conditioned coach before driving south through Cairns, Edmonton and Gordonvale and arriving at our departure point in a little place called Deeral at approximately 8:30. Indulge in morning tea before the boat begins its cruise along the Mulgrave River for about 30 minutes during which the safety briefing is given.  This is followed by a 25 minute open water crossing out to Frankland Islands!

The island you actually spend the day on is called Normanby Island.  The boat moored off the edge of the island and a glass bottom boat acts as a shuttle service between the boat and the island for the day.  At approximately 9:45am we took our boat ride over and once there, all snorkel gear was distributed for the day.  After setting up our sun tent and putting all our equipment on, we set off on the advanced snorkel tour.  Our guide, Rhys, showed us all the best spots including a clam garden, several coral bommies, and his favourite type of coral – Christmas Tree Coral!  The best part of the tour was seeing all the turtles and there were heaps! Turtles prefer the shallowness of the island waters so you are more likely to see them in this type of environment than any where else.  The tour lasted about 45 minutes and there were floaties and a snorkel rest station provided in case anyone was tired of swimming.

Once the tour ended there was still about an hour before lunch was served so we had plenty of time to go snorkelling on our own or just relax and take in the beach atmosphere.  Lunch was served buffet style at 12:00pm and included cold meats, prawns, salads, rolls, bread, cheese, and fruit.  Picnic tables were set up underneath a huge tarp and cold drinks were available for purchase.

After lunch we had about two hours to participate in the different activities on offer.  Semi submersible and glass bottom boat rides were departing and they were each about 30 minutes in length.  Due to the location of Normanby Island, when low tide occurs around midday many of the corals become exposed and between the areas of coral and patches of sand, rock pools have formed.  This provides an excellent opportunity to get up close and personal with all of the little sea creatures that call the corals home including crabs, sea cucumbers, and clams.  A marine biologist narrates this tour which is approximately 45 minutes.  There is also time for another snorkel before the afternoon is over.  We were lucky enough to see two huge manta rays playing near the surface and we were actually able to get into the water and swim with them!  Between all the boat rides, guided island walks and snorkeling, hopefully you can find a few minutes to relax on the sand before it’s time to board the boat for our journey back to Deeral.

An afternoon tea of coffee, tea, and cake is served on the cruise back down the Mulgrave River and the boat pulls into the dock at around 3:45pm.  We hopped back on the bus and finished off this fantastic day with a smooth ride home.

Frankland Islands is the perfect choice for those looking to enjoy everything the Great Barrier Reef has to offer – with the added bonus of an island paradise!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

 For More Information About This Tour, Please Visit The Tour Specialists

For an authentic Outback experience in a day, look no further than Billy Tea Safaris Chillagoe Caves and Outback Experience.  This full day excursion travels through the rainforest and the tablelands before finally arriving at the ultimate destination: The Australian Outback.  So sit back, relax, and take in some of the most beautiful scenery you will ever see – all in a day you will never forget!

The day starts with a 6:50am pick up from our accommodation in a ‘purpose built overland vehicle’ which is definitely sturdy enough to handle the rough terrain of the day!  After ascending the McAllister Range towards Mareeba the first stop of the morning is the Mareeba Wetlands at approximately 8:30am.  On the drive into the park, Andrew, our incredibly knowledgeable guide, pointed out different lizards and birds that call the Wetlands home.  Morning tea is served before hopping aboard the environmentally friendly boat for a 20 minute cruise around the lagoon.  The lagoon is home to hundreds and hundreds of massive lotus pads and our informative guide explained the area and how the lotus flowers grew in different sections of the lake.  On our departure from the Wetlands at 9:20am a family of emus came right up to our bus to say hello!

Our next stop was at a little town called Dimbulah for a quick rest stop, followed by an even smaller town called Lappa.  In Lappa, we stopped at the extremely old Espanol Hotel & Public Bar for a quick informative tour.  The pub was used by the coalminers when they were transporting coal from Chillagoe to different towns throughout the region.

We arrived in Chillagoe around 11:30am and drove through the small town towards the Chillagoe smelters, where coal was mined and processed.  There isn’t much left of these old buildings as nature has done its damage over the years since the smelters shut down. However, what remains of the site is spectacular.  Placed against the never ending sky of the Outback, these smelters look like something out of a postcard and are definitely worth a photo or two.

After a fascinating morning, its time for lunch at the Post Office Hotel, located on the main street in Chillagoe.  Enjoy your choice of fish and chips or a burger before departing for the highlight of the day – the Chillagoe Caves!

Upon arrival at the caves, our tour guide Bob, gave us each a flashlight and at approximately 1:30pm we headed down into the caves.  Our tour was about 45 minutes during which Bob introduced us to the incredible underground world of stalagmites and stalactites and all of the breathtaking chambers of the caves.  There were plenty of little critters to keep us on our toes including snakes, spiders, and hundreds of bats!  The caves are quite extensive and are historically important to the aboriginal people who used them as shelter from the rain and as relief from the heat during the hot summer months in Chillagoe.  From the outside the caves look quite impressive but once you are inside and exploring, they are downright enchanting.

We departed Chillagoe for our return journey back to Cairns around 2:30pm.  The trip home always seems to go by faster so before we knew it we were arriving at Skybury Coffee, our final stop of the day.  Skybury coffee is a locally owned and operated coffee plantation that serves delicious coffee and boasts spectacular views of the tablelands.  It was the perfect way to end our tour of this beautiful region.  We were dropped back at our accommodation at approximately 6:00pm.

Chillagoe Caves and Outback experience is like nothing else on offer in the Cairns region.  If you’ve got the time during your holiday to explore this incredibly diverse part of Far North Queensland – do it!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For More Information About Other Billy Tea Safaris Please Visit The Tour Specialists

For a perfect combination of an authentic rainforest experience, a small personalized group and a day filled with discovering some of Cairns best kept secrets, the Ultimate 4WD Rainforest Adventure with Australian Wilderness Tours is all of the above and more.  With a maximum of 7 passengers and access to areas that no other tour company has, this day trip is guaranteed to leave you feeling that you have actually explored an area of Far North Queensland that very few are lucky enough to visit.

The day started at a reasonable hour with an 8:00am pick up from our accommodation in a luxury 4WD Toyota Land Cruiser.  After driving through Cairns, we began our ascent up the Lamb range towards Copperlode Dam.  There is an incredible lookout about halfway up the range where we stopped to take photos and take in some truly breathtaking views of Cairns and the coastline.  We arrived at Copperlode Dam around 9:00am for another photo op before continuing our journey into a ‘locked’ area where a key was actually required to unlock the gate, therefore giving us access to an area that few tourists have ever had the chance to explore.

This was where the fun began!  The 4WD track that we traveled along was about 20kms long and had it not been for the tire marks on the dirt track in front of us, we would have thought no one had been there before.  There were steep ascents and descents, shallow creek crossings, and a few beautiful lookout stops as well.  Jim, our incredibly knowledgeable driver and guide answered all our questions and was keen to share the history of the area as well.  Having explored many different rainforest areas in and around Cairns, this was hands down the most authentic and genuine day I’ve ever spent in the rainforest.  One stop we made before crossing the Clohesy River was at the Clohesy River Fig Tree and Boardwalk which is one of the oldest fig trees in the entire world.  Seeing this majestic tree up close was definitely one of the highlights of the day!  All too soon, we were crossing the Clohesy River and arriving back in the ‘real world’ via the Kennedy Highway just between Mareeba and Kuranda.

Jacques Coffee Plantation was the next stop of the day and we arrived there around 11:00am.  After watching a short film on the history of Jacques we had the opportunity to sample a delicious coffee in the stunning landscaped gardens.  One of the options you may choose to do while at Jacques is take a 20 minute flight in one of the two ultra light airplanes!

We departed from the coffee plantation around 12:00pm and continued our drive towards Kuranda.  Once there, we had a quick tour of the Koala Gardens where we saw koalas, kangaroos, fresh water crocodiles, snakes, and lizards. There is even an opportunity to hold a koala and hand feed the kangaroos!

Lunch was next on the itinerary and it was at the Windmill Café.  We had the choice of a cold or hot beverage and a gourmet sandwich served while enjoying the laid back atmosphere of Kuranda village.  Around 1:30 we hopped back into the Land Cruiser and made our way over to the Skyrail depot to catch our Kuranda Skyrail cable car ride down the mountain towards Cairns.

The Skyrail cable car is a stunning 7.5km track that glides over the rainforest canopy.  After boarding our carriage, we had about 15 minutes to take in the stunning views of the rainforest, mountains, and waterfalls before hopping off at the first stop and getting some great photos at the different lookouts of the Barron Falls and Barron Gorge.  After re-boarding, it was about 15 minutes again before the next stop, where we were able to test our rainforest knowledge at the CSIRO Information Station. The last stretch of track was amazing – after coming over the final crest of the mountain, the ocean and the coastline is stretched out before your eyes and the views were just spectacular!  We arrived in Caravonica around 2:45pm where we were met by our driver for our ride back to our accommodation.

Having the opportunity to experience a 4WD track in one of the oldest rainforests of the world is an experience not many people will be able to see they have done in their lives.  Take advantage of this during your holiday and have an authentic rainforest adventure with Australian Wilderness Tours!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For More Information About Rainforest Tours Please Visit The Tour Specialists

Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail are the second most requested touring options during a holiday in the Cairns Region.  Why not enjoy both of these fantastic choices! Combining the luxurious gold class service on the train and the interactive and entertaining Rainforestation in Kuranda Village guarantees a day filled with sights and experiences that will last a lifetime.

The day starts with a prompt 7:30am pick up from your accommodation in a newly refurbished air conditioned coach.  On our 30 minute journey out to Freshwater train station our driver, Greg, gave us a detailed rundown on our upcoming day.  We arrived at Freshwater station just past 8:00am and headed over to check in with the friendly and efficient Down Under Tours staff.  We received our personalized itinerary for the day and had a few spare minutes to grab a coffee and have a look around the museum and gift shop. 

The train pulled into Freshwater station at 8:45am and we were welcomed aboard the gold class carriages with our choice of soft drink, wine, or beer.  The train departed and began our decent up to Kuranda!  Selections of snacks were offered during the journey including croissants, pastries, and danishes.  The train slowed as we passed Stoney Creek falls allowing for a photo opportunity.  We were lucky enough to take this trip in the green season, so the falls were in full force!  Along the way there are several scenic views of Cairns and the coastline which provided some really fantastic shots as well.  The train stopped at Barron Falls and we had about 10 minutes to hop off the train and take some pictures.  From this point there were only ten more minutes to our journey before we arrived in Kuranda, a little village up in the rainforest!

Kuranda is a laid back little village that is extremely popular with both tourists and locals.  On any given day there are heritage markets for shopping and eating, and several different animal parks including koala gardens, bird world, butterfly sanctuary, and a venom zoo!  Many tour operators include Kuranda as part of other day trips such as Tjapukai, Hartley’s Crocodile Farm, and Rainforestation.  We selected the Rainforestation package so we had about an hour to look around Kuranda before meeting our driver for our transfer over to the park.

Upon our arrival at Rainforestation at 11:30am we were given an itinerary of the day.  The first stop was the animal tour where we were able to walk around in the kangaroo park and get up close to these beautiful creatures.  There were also cassowary, crocodiles, and all sorts of different lizards.  Our guide was knowledgeable and entertaining, showing us all the different characteristics of the different animals.  Next stop was lunch and the Rainforestation Restaurant.  It was served buffet style with international dishes including hot curries, vegetables, and meat as well as fresh salads and fresh fruit. 

After lunch it was time for the famous Army Ducks! There was some question between us as to whether these vehicles were cars or boats. Regardless of the answer, this water/overland tour was awesome.  It was about 30 minutes in length and our informative driver pointed out different ecological areas, as well as giving us some history on the Army Duck itself.  We managed to get the front seats in the boat and it was quite interesting seeing the duck go from car to boat just by going into water or coming back onto dry land.

Next up on the itinerary was the Pamagirri Dancers – a group of about 6 Aboriginal performers who acted out variations on different Australian animals such as the kangaroo and the cassowary.  They got the audience involved as well, teaching us songs and inviting a few people up on stage to perform a traditional Aboriginal dance with them!

The next stop was a spear throwing demonstration and a boomerang throwing demonstration.  We were able to have a go with the boomerangs, which is something that is a lot harder than it looks!  Soon enough, we boarded the bus for our transfer back through Kuranda to the Skyrail depot.

The Skyrail cable car is a stunning 7.5km track that glides over the rainforest canopy.  After boarding our carriage, we had about 15 minutes to take in the stunning views of the rainforest, mountains, and waterfalls before hopping off at the first stop and getting some great photos at the different lookouts of the Barron Falls and Barron Gorge.  After re-boarding, it was about 15 minutes again before the next stop, where we were able to test our rainforest knowledge at the CSIRO Information Station. The last stretch of track was amazing – after coming over the final crest of the mountain, the ocean and the coastline is stretched out before your eyes and the views were just spectacular!  About 15 minutes later we arrived at the Skyrail depot in Caravonica where we caught our coach ride back to our accommodation.

 Kuranda Scenic Rail and Skyrail are absolute must do’s during your stay in Cairns.  Adding the Rainforestation option provided us with a better understanding of the Aboriginal culture and the park was very entertaining.  This day does not disappoint so make sure you take advantage of Kuranda and all it has to offer during your holiday to Far North Queensland!

 By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For More Information About This Tour Please Visit The Tour Specialists

The annual Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim is set for a big splash on Sunday 26 September when competitors take on the 1.5km and 3km course in this unique Great Barrier Reef event.

Now in its 5th year, this is the only ocean swim to take place from a Great Barrier Reef island.

The Great Adventures Green Island Ocean Swim is open for swimmers aged 12 and over, with prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall for men and women in both the 1.5km and 3km swims. A fun swim is also included for junior swimmers under the age of 12.

The team from Green Island Resort in conjunction with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service were ecstatic with four outstanding awards achieved in the 2009 Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge.

Green Island was awarded three regional categories and one State-wide award, recognising the island’s pristine beaches and commitment to caring for this World Heritage environment.

Lisa Krause, General Manager of Green Island Resort said, “We work closely with National Parks to ensure our waste management, recycling and environmental management is a top priority. These awards are a wonderful accolade for all involved in contributing to our future sustainability.”

The Clean Beach Challenge awards are the culmination of a year-round collaborative effort by the staff of Green Island Resort, Great Adventures and the Quicksilver Group, and QPWS.

Green Island’s awards:

• “Resource Recovery” - Queensland
• “Environmental Protection” - Far North Queensland
• “Resource Recovery” - Far North Queensland
• “Litter Prevention” - Far North Queensland

Passengers and crew aboard the Port Douglas-based dive and snorkel vessel Silversonic were excited to see more than five whales, confirmed to be Sei Whales at Agincourt Reef in late February.

The Sei Whales, which remain on the endangered species list, were seen near Silversonic’s “Three Sisters” site at Agincourt Reef. While the boat was stationary, one of the whales emerged in full view spending several minutes around the boat before swimming away. Further in the distance, another four or more whales were seen diving and appeared to be feeding.

Quicksilver marine biologist and Environment Compliance Manager, Doug Baird, said the whales were between 15 –18 metres long and due to the inquisitive nature of the whale that approached the boat, several photographs were taken. This enabled the whales to be identified with the assistance of a whale researcher with extensive experience in whale identification. The key to identifying a Sei Whale is through the distinguishing feature of a single ridge extending from the blowholes to the tip of the upper jaw.

Silversonic had first recorded sighting one of these rare whales in January 2008.

The Sei (pronounced “say”) Whales are among the more elusive of the large whales and are rarely seen inshore preferring the deeper oceans. They are one of the fastest whales with bursts of speed up to 55km/hr. The Sei Whale is very similar in appearance to the Fin and Brydes whales being long, streamlined and having a V – shaped head which is flat on top.

Growing up to 20 metres and 30 tonnes, they are the third largest of the baleen whales, after the Blue Whale and the Fin Whale. Their body is dark grey with a paler underside. It has twin blowholes with a low splashguard to the front.

The Sei Whale is a filter feeder, feeding on small schooling fish, squid and crustaceans. It feeds by swimming at a relatively high speed, opening its jaw which causes it to engulf up to 18,000 gallons of water. It then closes its jaw and pushes the water back out its mouth through the baleen, allowing the water to leave while trapping the prey. They can consume up to 2 tons of food per day.

In general, the Sei whale migrates annually from cool and subpolar waters in summer to temperate and subtropical waters for winter, where food is more abundant and mating occurs.

The Sei Whale is on the endangered species list with reports of less than 54,000 in the world

Stunning corals, multitudes of fish, and a laid back atmosphere make sailing on the yacht Ocean Free one of the best trips I have ever done to the Great Barrier Reef.  Pinnacle Reef, located just off the eastern side of Green Island, is your destination for the day.  With sailing, snorkelling, and diving options available Ocean Free guarantees a relaxed day exploring the many wonders of the Cairns Great Barrier Reef.

Our day starts with a 7:30am check in onboard the sailing boat Ocean Free at Marlin Marina in Cairns.  After boarding the boat and safely storing our belongings we grabbed a cup of coffee and a fresh blueberry muffin and settled in for our 8:00am departure.  Due to the fact that this is primarily a sailing vessel, although there is a motor that is used for the journey out to Pinnacle Reef, the trip out takes approximately two hours depending on the winds and tides.  The time goes by quite quickly with the safety briefings, run down on the day, relaxing and taking photographs of the beautiful views and of course taking a turn to actually drive the boat!  With music playing and Cairns growing smaller behind us, the water becomes more and more brilliant azure blues and greens . As we were cruising along, all of a sudden there were dolphins playing in the wake of the boat! It was almost magical seeing them jump and swim through the water they stayed with us forever jumping and playing alongside Ocean Free.

We arrived at Pinnacle Reef at around 10:00am and the boat was moored off the eastern side of Green Island.  Everyone donned their snorkel gear and literally jumped off the side of the boat into the water!  The area that we had to snorkel and dive in was quite vast so there was plenty to explore.  The difference in Pinnacle Reef to other reefs is that the corals are in “bommies”, as opposed to looking as though the corals are covering the ocean floor.  So you’ll be snorkelling along and then see a faint outline of something in front of you. As you get closer it becomes more and more clear and then there are just the most stunning groups of corals right before your eyes.  There were hard corals, soft corals, and schools upon schools of fish.  From Parrot fish to Trevalli and so many “Nemos” it felt like every time something caught your eye, something else came along and distracted you.  We had about an hour and a half to snorkel around this beautiful reef in the morning and it absolutely flew by with everything we saw!

Around 11:45am we were called back to Ocean Free for a lovely lunch.  It was served buffet style at the rear of Ocean Free and there was plenty to go around!  Fresh green salads, pasta salad, coleslaw, cold meats, and rolls were available and after a full morning of snorkelling everyone dug in.  Cold drinks were also available for purchase.

If you are a vegetarian or have a special dietry requirement then please make sure you advise Ocean Free at least 24-48 hours in advance so a special meal can be catered for you

After lunch we were given the option of taking the boats tender over to Green Island to explore over there for a bit or we could stay on the boat and continue snorkelling amongst the coral gardens.  The tender was run like a shuttle service every fifteen minutes so you could stay on Green Island for as long or as short as you liked.  Majority of the people on the boat headed over to the island and only a handful remained on the boat.  We chose to put our snorkel gear back on and jumped back into the water as we have been to Green Island many a time. We all took turns doing flips off the side of the boat and it turned into a mini competition. Some people were lying around with a book, some were swimming, but everyone was enjoying themselves.  At that point, one of the Ocean Free crew asked if anyone would be interested in doing an impromptu guided snorkelling tour and most of us were keen.  About 8 of us headed out and our Great Barrier Reef guide took us all around. I thought we had seen a lot of corals and fish in the morning but it turns out there was so much more to see!

Much too short a time later we were called back to the boat again as it was time to head back into the Cairns City Port. Ocean Frees crew came around with platters of fresh fruit including kiwis fruit, grapes, watermelon, and oranges.  There was music playing and the sun was shining and it was so unbelievably relaxing, we couldn’t have asked for more.  White wine was served with more platters only this time it was cheese and crackers.  We arrived back at Cairns Marlin Marina at around 4:30pm.

If you’re looking for a fun, relaxed day on the Great Barrier Reef – look no further the Ocean Free yacht has it all!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For more information about this tour, please visit The Tour Specialists

Luxurious, relaxing, personalized.  These are the words that come to mind with Sailaway Low Isles.  Departing Port Douglas daily, this lush sailing vessel is a cut above the rest.  For a day of pure enjoyment and relaxation, there is nothing better than Sailaway.

The day started with a 7:20am pick up from our accommodation in a twenty seater air conditioned coach.  Heading north out of Cairns towards Port Douglas, we were able to take in the beautiful sights of the Coral Sea.  After arriving at Marina Mirage in Port Douglas around 8:30am we were welcomed aboard the incredibly luxurious Sailaway IV. Freshly brewed coffee, tea, and biscuits are served prior to departure so we grabbed a cup and settled down on the front of the boat, looking straight out over the ocean.

On the short one hour cruise out to Low Isles, we had our safety briefing and the crew gave us a rundown of how the day was going to go.  It all sounded a little like “relax, relax and when you think you’ve relaxed enough – relax some more!”  We were very lucky as there were only 12 people or the normally 30 person cruise so it felt like our very own private charter boat!

We arrived at Low Isles around 10:00am and the sailboat moored approximately 150 metres off the shoreline of Woody Island. After putting on our sun suits and grabbing all our snorkelling gear, everyone boarded the glass bottom boat for our ride over to the island.  Once on land, everyone donned their masks and fins and Peggy, one of the amazing crew members, took us all on a guided snorkelling adventure!  The tour took approximately 30 minutes but we saw so much marine life! There were turtles, and parrot fish, and heaps of giant Trevalli - all of which were enjoying lazy swims through the stunning orange, purple, and yellow corals.  The corals at Low Isles were like nothing I had ever seen before.  The colours were incredibly vibrant!

Since the purpose of our day seemed to be to relax as much as possible, after the guided snorkel tour we took full advantage of the beach and spent the next hour unwinding on the sand and cooling off with a dip in the ocean.

Around noon, everyone re-boarded the glass bottom boat and we departed the island for a tour of the reef we had just spent the morning exploring.  Brent, our knowledgeable skipper, explained different types of coral, the different impacts of the tides, and the species of marine life that lived in this particular are of the Great Barrier Reef.

By the time the tour ended we were definitely ready for lunch!  A lovely tropical smorgasbord had been laid out for us in the main cabin.  It included chilled prawns, fresh salads, cold meats and falafel, fresh bread, and tropical fruit.  We enjoyed our delicious lunch out on the front deck of the boat.

After eating we were eager to get back in the water and continue exploring the beautiful corals so we jumped off the back of the boat and snorkeled back towards Low Isles.  Located on the island is a stunning historic lighthouse that was built in 1878 and was in operation until 1993, when it became automated.  We took a short walk around the island, before snorkelling our way back over to the boat. 

It was time to head back to Port Douglas, and sadly, our beautiful day was coming to a close.  Coffee and tea, as well as some really delicious cakes were served before departure.  One of the highlights of the day was on the cruise back to Port Douglas, our skipper Brent shut off the engines and we sailed part of the way home.  With the sun falling low in the sky, and the Daintree Rainforest on one horizon and the endless blue ocean on the other, it was a truly memorable moment. 

Sailaway Low Isles is a beautiful day from beginning to end.  The crew, the corals, and the relaxed atmosphere of the cruise make Sailaway one of the best full day Great Barrier Reef trips on offer.  So go on – Sailaway!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For more information about this tour, please visit The Tour Specialists

Cape Tribulation and Daintree National Park: An amazing location in the Rainforest, approx. 153 Km North of Cairns.  There are lots of companies to choose from for this tour but I was lucky to experience it with Billy Tea Bush Safaris and I must admit: It was an AMAZING DAY!

Billy Tea is a family owned company since 1981.  They are an Eco Accredited Tour Operator and use purpose built long wheel base four wheel drives to cross the numerous creeks whilst you are sitting up high nice and comfortable enjoying the views. 

The pick up time is approximately 7:00am in Cairns.  During our drive along the scenic coast, Fin, our local, experienced tour guide/driver introduced us to the history and economy of Cairns and its area.

Our first stop was Mossman, a small town specialized in the sugar cane industry and located approximately 80 Km North of Cairns. We stopped at Raintrees Café for a short break (If you want to have breakfast).  It was now time to head up to our river cruise on the Daintree River.  In the mangroves we spotted birds, a snake and two baby salt water crocodiles. Amazing creatures!

After the cruise on the Daintree River, our guide took us to the Alexandra Range lookout, a beautiful location where you can enjoy the view of the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest and coast and take a photo.

Jindalba Walk was next. It is a boardwalk located in the national park. Fin took us on a 20 min walk through the rainforest and pointed out to us all the species of flora and fauna he could find.  Fin, having grown up in Cape Tribulation and Daintree, spent many years of his life being a local and subsequently knew everything and anything about the Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest and answered all of our questions in a heartbeat.

It was lunch time when we reached LyncHaven for our tropical Aussie BBQ: I have never seen steaks that size before, they were massive! Lunch consists of a choice of steak, reef fish or a vegetarian patty.  All meals were served with the freshest salads.  While the cook was busy preparing our lunch we went to the wildlife enclosure to hand feed the kangaroos. You can even pat these ever so friendly creatures.

After lunch we were all looking forward to our next adventure: The famous pioneer trail, Bloomfield Track for a swim at Emmagen Creek. The access to this creek is only by four wheel drive.

I must admit: The swim at Emmagen Creek was the highlight of my day. To be able to go for a swim in pristine water in the middle of the rainforest, especially when it is hot was so refreshing.Your body just cools down immediately with your senses taking in the purity of your surroundings. During our stop at Emmagen Creek our guide prepared for us a tropical fruit tasting including lady finger banana, Jack fruit, pineapple, passion fruit, black sapote as well as the traditional “Billy Tea”: How to prepare the tea the real Aussie way!

After our relaxing break it was time to go and visit the famous Cape Tribulation Beach, where the Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef: It is paradise on earth! We had spare time to go for a walk along the beach, take a peak at the lookouts and explore the boardwalks.

While in Cape Tribulation we did have time to stop at The Daintree Ice Cream Company to taste some daily fresh tropical fruit ice cream (More food - Delicious flavors!).

It was now time to catch the ferry across the Daintree River to go back to Cairns. We stopped at the Rex Range Lookout to take a shot of the scenery. We arrived back to Cairns at 6.30pm.

This tour is an all weather experience… But I personally think it is even better to go while it is raining to see the rainforest at its greenest best!

My tip for this trip: Bring swimmers, towel, camera, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, raincoat if you do have one.

Florence, TTS Consultant

For more information about this tour, please visit The Tour Specialists

To welcome her first day back after annual refit. Poseidon was met on arrival at the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs by a rare sighting of a whale in February! Onboard Marine biologist Herald Pinns identified this large whale as a Bryde’s Whales, commonly known as Brutus Whale.

 The Bryde’s Whale prefer tropical and temperate waters over the polar seas that other whales in their family frequent. They are largely coastal rather than pelagic. Bryde’s Whales are very similar in appearance to Sei Whales and almost as large. “Bryde’s whale” is sometimes misheard as “brutus whale”. They inhabit tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.

Bryde’s whales are considered medium-sized for balaenopterids, dark gray in colour with a white underbelly and grows to 11-12 meters in length with its very small dorsal fin far down its back.

All the guests on Poseidon vessel were delighted at the unexpected encounter on a perfect calm sunny day.  Photo taken by Trent, a happy guest onboard.

Billy Tea Safaris are experts in Far North Queensland travel.  Their Daintree/Bloomfield Track/Cape Tribulation full day trip is one of the best rainforest excursions on offer.  Take a day and explore the oldest rainforest in the world – with Billy Tea Safaris.

 Our day began with a 6:55am pick up from our accommodation in a purpose built overland vehicle which is spacious enough to accommodate two rows of two seats comfortably with seatbelts.  Our driver and guide, Mark, was full of information about Cairns, the weather, and our upcoming day.  We left the city limits and began our trek north towards the Daintree Rainforest. 

 Our first stop of the day was at Mossman for a quick break and breakfast (if you’re hungry!) at Raintrees Café.  The massive old trees that frame the road leading out of this little town are definitely worth a photo or two before continuing the drive up to the Daintree River Cruise departure point.  We were able to enjoy a cup of hot tea/coffee before boarding the boat for our hour long river cruise.

Cruising downstream we were surrounded by beautiful mangroves and picturesque mountains.  We saw loads of different wildlife including mangroves, cranes, and frogs – even a tree snake!  Our entertaining cruise guide took us right along the banks of the Daintree River in search of the elusive estuarine crocodile but no such luck.  Our guide said it happened to be nesting season and the majority of the female crocs were off hiding with their eggs.  After approximately an hour we docked at the cable ferry crossing where we met back up with Mark, our Billy Tea guide.  We climbed back into our sturdy ride and set off into the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest rainforest in the world!

The first stop was at the Alexandra Range lookout where we took in the views of the coastline, river and rainforest.  Soon enough we were back on the road and arriving at the Jindalba Walkway.  Jindalba in an Aboriginal word meaning ‘foot of the mountain’.  The walkway consisted of an elevated boardwalk that meanders through a small section of the rainforest.  Armed with cameras and our guide, we explored the short walking track while learning about different flora and fauna, insects, sounds, and even what damage had been created during previous cyclones.  The leisurely walk took approximately 30 minutes and by that time everyone was ready for a delicious traditional Aussie BBQ lunch!

Lunch is served at LyncHaven, a small restaurant/information centre located in the Daintree.  While the steaks and sausages were sizzling on the BBQ, we walked over to the kangaroo/wallaby enclosure where we actually got to hand feed them!  They ranged in size from knee height wallabies to shoulder height Grey Kangaroos but they were all equally hungry. There were also miniature crocodiles, cockatoos, and the more traditional: canine!  We were called over for lunch and helped ourselves to a variety of salads and barbequed meats.  

After eating we continued further north along the Bloomfield Track, an unsealed section of road north of Cape Tribulation.  Our destination was Emmagen Creek for a swim in the cool freshwater and to enjoy a tropical fruit tasting that included exotic selections such as mami sapote, passion fruit and custard apple.  Our driver also set up a small burner to brew the traditional ‘Billy Tea’, hence the name of the tour company!  Also available was Australian damper with golden syrup and chilled white wine.  Due to the fact that we were traveling in the wet season the creek was completely flooded over the road so our driver plowed right through! The weather and swollen waterways definitely added to the ambiance of our rainforest excursion.

Having cooled off in the creek we boarded our ride and began the drive south, out of the Daintree Rainforest and back towards Cape Tribulation!  We stopped at a small section of the Cape Tribulation beach and had a few moments to take in the gorgeous views of the only place in the world where two world heritage sites meet and it was incredible.  It was a perfect end to a very exciting day.  We departed the beach and made the crossing of the Daintree River by the cable ferry.  A short time later we had our final stop of the day at the Daintree Ice Cream Factory and had a chance to sample some uniquely flavored ice cream including wattle seed, macadamia nut, black sapote and wild blueberry.

After a very full on day we arrived back in Cairns around 6:15pm.  The Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and 4WD Bloomfield Drive Track with Billy Tea Safaris is a great option to fit many sights and experiences into a fully day trip.  I definitely recommend this tour to see some of the most beautiful areas on the planet in the span of a day!

By: Andrea Teed, TTS Tour Consultant

For more information about this tour, please visit The Tour Specialists

The Quicksilver group of companies offers a wide range of snorkel and dive trips to the Great Barrier Reef.  This full day pontoon option is an excellent way to see one of the most pristine areas of the reef – the Agincourt Ribbon

Reefs.  This particular region is located along the continental shelf and provides an ideal environment for many species of coral and marine life to call home.

Our day started with a 7:55am pick up from our accommodation in Cairns. The full size air conditioned coach was easily recognizable with the Quicksilver logo decorating the sides of the bus.  Our driver provided a running commentary and history lesson about Cairns and surrounds on our northbound journey.  We even saw a whole field of wallabies grazing in the grass for their breakfast!  The hour long trip up to the coast from Palm Cove to Port Douglas is toted as one of the most scenic drives in the world, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

We arrived at the quaint Marina Mirage in Port Douglas at approximately 9:15am and headed over to reception to check in with the efficient staff.  After showing our boarding passes, we were welcomed aboard with tea, coffee or chilled cordial and some bikkies. Soon enough it was 10:00am and we were on course for the Outer Barrier Reef!

The travel time out to the pontoon located at Agincourt #3 took approximately one hour and thirty minutes.  Along the way we saw the Low Isles and other various sandy coral cays that were visible at the low tide.

Upon our arrival at the pontoon, lunch was served almost immediately.  It was a delicious buffet style meal that included salads, vegetarian curries, chicken, beef, and fruit.  There was definitely something for everyone!  At the same time as lunch was being served, the first semi submersible boat ride of the day was departing from the back of the pontoon, to be continued every 30 minutes for the duration of our time at the reef.  We enjoyed our meal and then climbed aboard the semi submersible for our 30 minute underwater tour.  The views were incredible, with the glass windows providing a 360 degree view of the ocean surrounding us.  We saw so many different varieties of coral; it seemed every minute the scenery floating past us was changing!  There were also heaps of sea turtles and reef fish playing in the current of the boat.

Once we were back on the pontoon, we were so excited by what we had seen on the semi-submersible submarine that we grabbed our snorkelling gear, threw on our sun suits and jumped into the water.  There was just so much to see!  All the different hard and soft corals, along with the contrasts of bright coral and deep blue ocean provided well over an hour of swimming and snorkelling. We saw turtles, parrot fish, giant clams, and more bommies than you can count.

All too soon we were called back to the pontoon by the watchful crew.  We had time to have a quick freshwater shower and change in the facilities located on the deck of the pontoon.  We boarded the boat where tea, coffee, cordial and yummy cheese and crackers were waiting for us.

On our homeward journey, the crew had a continuous slideshow playing with all of the photos they had taken throughout the day which were available for purchase as well.  It was a great way to enjoy some of those once in a lifetime moments again.  We arrived back at the marina at approximately 4:40pm where we hopped aboard our coach and relaxed for our return journey back to Cairns.

Quicksilver pontoon is a wonderful way to see the Great Barrier Reef whether it is your first time out or your fourth.  This was a day to remember on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef!

For more information about this tour, please visit The Tour Specialists