Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairns to Atherton Tablelands
Pick up your rental car in Cairns and head south toward the Atherton Tablelands. The drive takes about an hour covering roughly 80 km through scenic countryside. You'll arrive at your accommodation for a 2-night stay in the region.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Road trip to Atherton Tablelands
Landmarks/POIs Atherton Tablelands 
- Day 2
Atherton Tableland
You'll spend the day getting to know the Atherton region, starting with a visit to coffee and tea plantations where you can see how the crops grow and learn about local cultivation. From there, check out organic farms and farmers' markets to pick up fresh produce and get a feel for the community. If you're into outdoor activities, there's mountain biking at Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park, or you could hike out to see waterfalls instead. Curtain Fig National Park is also worth the trip if you want to see that massive 500-year-old fig tree that everyone talks about around here. The whole region's pretty accessible, so you'll have time to do a couple activities depending on what interests you most.
Included Activities
- Road trip according to itinerary
- Travel guide
Optional Activities
- Visit coffee and tea plantations
- Explore organic farms and farmers' markets
- Mountain biking in Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park
- Hike to region's waterfalls
- Visit Curtain Fig National Park
Landmarks/POIs Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park Curtain Fig National Park Curtain Fig Tree - Day 3
Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation
You'll drive north through farmland toward the Daintree Rainforest, covering about 170 km total. Stop at Mossman Gorge to check out the cultural center and learn about indigenous culture. After that, take the ferry across Daintree River, which takes around 15 minutes. Then it's on to Cape Tribulation where the reef meets the rainforest. The Kulki Boardwalk offers great views of the area. You'll reach your accommodation for a 2-night stay.
Included Activities
- Visit to Mossman Gorge Cultural Center
- Daintree River ferry crossing
- Kulki Boardwalk walk
Landmarks/POIs Mossman Gorge Cultural Center Daintree Rainforest Daintree River Cape Tribulation Great Barrier Reef Kulki Boardwalk - Day 4
Daintree Rainforest
Head into the Daintree Rainforest, which is about 180 million years old and happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is old, genuinely one of the world's oldest lowland tropical rainforests, and walking through it feels different than other forests you might have seen. Trails wind through giant ferns that tower over you, and the whole environment just feels prehistoric. If you want a different perspective, there's a boat tour option on the Daintree River where you can search for crocodiles from the water. Either way, bring good shoes and plan on spending a few hours here because there's a lot to take in.
Included Activities
- Stroll along rainforest-lined hiking trails with giant ferns
- Road trip according to itinerary
- Travel guide
Optional Activities
- Boat tour on Daintree River in search of crocodiles
Landmarks/POIs Daintree Rainforest Daintree River - Day 5
Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas
Head back across Daintree River by ferry, then drive along the coast to Port Douglas, covering about 85 km plus the ferry crossing. This town has a relaxed feel mixed with nicer establishments. Spend time on Four-Mile Beach, check out the galleries and restaurants, or explore the local cafe and bar scene. You'll settle in at your resort for a 2-night stay.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Daintree River ferry crossing
- Drive to Port Douglas
Optional Activities
- Four-Mile Beach
- Gallery visits
- Restaurant visits
- Café and bar visits
Landmarks/POIs Port Douglas Four-Mile Beach 
- Day 6
Great Barrier Reef
You're heading out to the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches about 2,300 km along the coast and includes hundreds of individual reefs and islands. The marine life here is incredible, with colorful fish, starfish, turtles, dolphins, whales, and sharks all living in this ecosystem. Getting out there by boat is really the way to experience it properly, so snorkeling or diving is the recommended approach. You'll see coral formations and wildlife you won't find anywhere else, so plan to spend most of your day on the water. Bring sunscreen and consider your comfort level with water activities when deciding between snorkeling and diving.
Included Activities
- Visit Great Barrier Reef
- Road trip according to itinerary
- Travel guide
Optional Activities
- Boat trip for snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef
- Boat trip for diving at Great Barrier Reef
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef 
- Day 7
Great Barrier Reef Drive to Cairns
Your drive along the Great Barrier Reef Drive covers about 50 km and winds south along the coast with constant views of the Pacific Ocean and bays on one side. It's one of Australia's most scenic coastal roads, so you'll want to take it relatively slowly and maybe stop for photos or a break. After you finish, drop off your rental car in Cairns. From there, you can extend your trip on your own if you'd like, or wrap up. The drive itself takes a couple of hours if you're moving steadily, but building in time to stop and take in the views makes it a full activity.
Included Activities
- Drive along Great Barrier Reef Drive
- Road trip according to itinerary
- Travel guide
Optional Activities
- Extend trip individually in Cairns
Landmarks/POIs Great Barrier Reef Drive
