itinerary
DAY 1. DEPART BRISBANE
This afternoon depart Brisbane on the Spirit of Queensland train. The train is scheduled to depart at 3.45pm from Roma Street Station. All meals included for RailBed fares. (D)
Note: If making your way to Cairns under own arrangements, please see Day 2 for details
DAY 2. CAIRNS WELCOME
Enjoying the rail journey, you arrive into Cairns mid afternoon with time to freshen up before enjoying the included Welcome Dinner at Dundee’s at the Aquarium. 3 Nights: DoubleTree by Hilton, Cairns (B,L,D)
Note: If arriving today under own arrangements, please check in and meet the host and other travellers for your welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant at 6pm.
Day 3. Cairns to Cooktown
Cooktown today! Making our way north via the Atherton Tablelands, we stop at the historic Palmer River Roadhouse for lunch. From here we pass the Annan Gorge and Black Mountain on the last leg into Cooktown. Black Mountain, named by the local Indigenous people ‘Place of Spears’, is a mysterious pyramid of stones and a natural geological formation thought to be 150 million years old. On arrival we check in with time to visit the Cooktown Botanical Gardens. 2 Nights: Cooktown River of Gold Motel (B,D)
Day 4. Discover Cooktown, Famous Lions Den Hotel, Endeavour River Cruise
Today we will embark on a town tour of Cooktown starting with Grassy Hill Lookout for breathtaking views of Cooktown and its renowned ‘River of Gold’. Next, we visit the Captain Cook Museum which showcases the history of this extraordinary town, including Cook’s significant encounter with Indigenous peoples during his stay at the Endeavour River. After this enriching experience, we travel to the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel for lunch and a refreshing beverage, situated by the banks of the Annan River and surrounded by century-old mango trees. After lunch, we visit the Cooktown Cemetery, a fascinating place to explore and absorb the history. Finally, we depart for a magical Sunset River Cruise on the Endeavour River. We embark on an informative journey down this historic river, stepping back in time as we go. (B,AT)
DAY 5. COOKTOWN TO CAIRNS
Departing Cooktown, we stop off at the little town of Mount Molloy for lunch at the local pub. Then on to Mareeba to visit the Heritage Museum and Coffee Works for all things coffee and chocolate. This afternoon we make our way back into Cairns for an evening at your leisure.
DoubleTree by Hilton, Cairns (B)
DAY 6. Paronella Park, Cairns
This morning, we make our way south to Innisfail. Jose Paronella’s dream was to build a castle and he chose a special part of Australia to created Paronella Park. On 5 hectares beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees, now a lush rainforest. We tour through the Castle Ruins in the rainforest and enjoy lunch before departing back to Cairns for an afternoon and evening at your leisure. 2 Nights: DoubleTree by Hilton, Cairns (B,L)
Day 7. Mossman Gorge, Daintree River Cruise, Port Douglas, Cairns
Today we venture to Mossman Gorge, where the Mossman River tumbles its way over and around huge granite boulders that line the gorge creating cool, clear, freshwater swimming holes. We then make our way to the Daintree River for our Croc Cruise. Snaking through the heart of the area, the densely populated mangrove estuary is home to an abundance of wildlife. Then into Port Douglas with time to explore the town before returning to Cairns for a free afternoon and our Farewell Dinner. (B,D)
DAY 8. DEPART CAIRNS ON THE SPIRIT OF QUEENSLAND
After breakfast, we board the Spirit of Queensland Train for your relaxing journey towards Brisbane. Overnight Spirit of Queensland train (B) (All meals included for RailBed passengers)
Note: If not using the rail service, please check out by 10am and enjoy your remaining time in Cairns. Extra nights in Cairns can be pre-arranged on request.
DAY 9. ARRIVE BRISBANE
The Spirit of Queensland arrives into Brisbane this morning leaving you with cherished memories of both the Australian outback and tropical north Queensland. The train is schedule to arrive at 9.00am.
B = Breakfast, M/T = Morning Tea, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
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