Island and Rainforest (Reverse)

Australia's East Coast & Rainforest from Cairns to the Whitsundays

Map & Sightseeing List

12 days

Total Price From* $111 per day: $1339 per person

*Based on twin share.

Meals: 5 2
Transportation: Modern Coach
Accommodation: Resort

Daily Itinerary Island and Rainforest (Reverse)

Depart for Australia Days 1 and 2

Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.
Arrive Cairns Day 3
Check into the Cairns Colonial Club Resort and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.
- Resort
Cairns to Cape Tribulation Day 4
Meet up with the other Contiki travellers and your Tour Manager in Cairns. Then we hit the road and travel north to Port Douglas. Known for its idyllic white sands and palms trees, this resort town attracts both the rich & famous and travellers. You’ll soon see why.

Sticking to the coast, we follow the Coral Sea past remote beaches and gorgeous scenery to the lush, tropical Daintree Rainforest. Get back to nature as we walk through this UNESCO World Heritage listed site and head to a stunningly clear swimming-hole in Mossman Gorge, where you can cool off in the waters.

Tonight, get to know your group and Tour Manager over dinner at the resort in Cape Tribulation.
- Resort
- Dinner
Cape Tribulation Day 5
Discover Daintree National Park and its ancient rainforests today. Explore the lush greenery and incredibly colourful wildlife on an interpretive walk with your Local Guide, who’ll tell you about the plants and animals unique to this area. You’ll also learn about the Aborigines’ beliefs and why this area is important to them.

Enjoy another swim in these fabulous outdoor surrounds at a swimming hole, before heading back to Cape Tribulation, where thick forests grow all the way down to the water’s edge. Keep your camera handy!
- Resort
- Breakfast
Cape Tribulation to Cairns Day 6
After breakfast, we return to the popular traveller’s hub of Cairns and make our way to the rainforest village of Kuranda to join the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. Learn about Australia’s indigenous culture, have a go at throwing a boomerang and watch the highly-skilled spear throwing demonstration. Take in a traditional dance performance and listen to stories from the Dreamtime.

Use your free time to explore the quaint village and local markets before our return to Cairns. With a colourful tropical setting, vibrant restaurant scene and happening nightlife, this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests is one of Australia’s hottest destinations.
- Resort
- Breakfast
Cairns Days 7 and 8
Wake up to the warm waters of Cairns. For those who are keen for a fun and thrilling ride on the rapids of the Tully River, join our optional white-water rafting adventure activity with our professional Local Guides.

There are loads more activities available in Cairns like hot air ballooning, sky diving and bungy jumping – just ask your Tour Manager for some more info.

In your free time on the first night, walk around the buzzing night markets. It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos. There’s something for everyone.

On Day 2, there’s another chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on an optional day trip. Put on your snorkel gear and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters.

Later, hit the seaside esplanade back in Cairns, sit down with a coffee and people watch. For your last night in this city, there’s a chance to head down to a local hot-spot for a group dinner if you’re up for it.
- Resort
- Day 7
Cairns to the Whitsundays Day 9
Relax on the coach as we cruise past thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best white-water rafting.

Slowly leaving the tropics behind us, we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive to the downtown pedestrian-only area where you can grab some lunch.

See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels south and board a boat out to stunning Daydream Island in the Whitsundays.

As we cruise, soak up the crystal clear waters, white sands and mountain peaks of the islands.
- Resort
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The Whitsundays Days 10 and 11
After an included continental breakfast, day 1 is a free day to enjoy the picture-perfect Whitsundays.

If you’re keen to explore further afield and see the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef first hand, choose our optional trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Our fun Local Guides will kit you out with snorkel gear and show you around this natural wonder.

Otherwise, slow the pace down, kick back and make the most of the fantastic facilities available at the resort. Go for a rainforest walk, swim in the pool, get into some beach or water sports, try your hand at fish-feeding, catch a film at the big outdoor cinema or laze about on the beach. Resort (B)

On day 2, get away from it all with our optional day sail. Check out some of the Whitsunday’s 74 islands from the boat – you’ll soon understand why this region is so famous. Experience what is known as one of the top ten beaches in the world, the uninhabited Whitehaven Beach.

Swim off the boat and play beach volleyball or cricket with the local skipper and crew before enjoying a tasty lunch and a few drinks on the way back to Daydream Island.
- Resort
- Day 10
- Breakfast
- Day 11
- Breakfast
Finish The Whitsundays Day 12

Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning.