Arrive Cairns
Upon arrival at Cairns airport, collect your rental car and set your GPS for the Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel.
The coastal drive between Cairns and Port Douglas is famous for its breathtaking scenery. Pull over at Rex Lookout and take in the 180-degree vista of the Coral Sea with views of Double Island to the south.
Check in to the Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel and later, wander down to the Marina for a sunset cocktail while you wait for some locally caught prawns to come off the grill.
The Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy an early breakfast and a 7am collection from the hotel by Sailaway. After check in at the marina, board Sailaway VII and enjoy tea, coffee, muffins and pastries while other guests arrive. The boat sets sail at 8am for the Mackay Cay Outer Barrier Reef. Spend the morning snorkeling over coral reefs or go on a glass bottom boat tour or just relax and swim. A buffet lunch is served whilst the yacht is motoring to a 2nd reef site. Enjoy a guided snorkel tour by a Marine Biologist or just have a swim. Afternoon tea is served prior to departing the reef, relax for the 2.5hr trip back to the marina. Arrival at the marina is around 5pm, and a transfer is provided back to your hotel.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel restaurant Hi Tide which has magnificent views of Four Mile Beach.
Overnight Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel with breakfast
The Daintree Rainforest
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel & meet your driver/guide in the foyer of your hotel. After a leisurely drive north board the Daintree River car ferry, making your way to the Daintree Rainforest Boardwalks. Visit Cooper Creek for an immersive cruise through the mangroves, keeping your eye out for estuarine crocodiles and other wildlife. Lunch is then served at Heritage Lodge, a hidden rainforest resort. On your way back to Port Douglas, stop for an ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Company famous for its handmade fruit ice cream then the Mt Alexandra Lookout, enjoy panoramic views of the Daintree Rainforest, Snapper Island and Port Douglas in the distance.
Our dinner suggestion is Sassi La Cucina and Bar. Authentic Italian cuisine, Sassi is run and owned by Tony and Di Sassi. Their seafood platter is a particular highlight of ours.
Overnight Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel with breakfast
Relax Day
After breakfast collect your car and make your way to Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Follow the palm trees to paradise at Thala Beach Nature Reserve, situated on a private headland south of Port Douglas.
Next stop is Palm Cove, a tiny beachside village lined with glamorous resorts and stylish restaurants. Kick off your shoes, laze on the palm-fringed beach or have lunch at one of the village’s stand-out eateries like NU NU and VIVO. If you’re keen to get moving, hire a bicycle or kayak, or throw a line in from the jetty.
Overnight Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel with breakfast
Kuranda & Skyrail
After a leisurely breakfast make your way to Skyrail’s Smithfield terminal by car. Board the world famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in a Diamond View (glass floor) gondola and enjoy the view over the next 90 mins of Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Disembark at both Red Peak and Barron Falls along the journey for fantastic views. Your final stop is Kuranda, renowned for its eclectic mix of markets, stalls, arts & crafts, cafes and restaurants. After a wander, board Kuranda Scenic Railway for your journey back down the hill, some 328 metres to sea level. The journey to Freshwater passes spectacular waterfalls and into the stunning Barron Gorge. Upon arrival at Freshwater shuttle buses transfer guests back to their cars at Smithfield.
Our dinner suggestion is Zinc Restaurant which serves Modern Australian and seafood.
Overnight Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel with breakfast
Mossman and Mossman Gorge
After breakfast make your way by car to Mossman Gorge, the gateway to the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Walk through brilliant greenery, along elevated walkways and past crystal-clear rock pools (where there’s always time for a swim). Look out for the vivid blue and black wings of the Ulysses butterfly, an iconic symbol of the rainforest. Join a guided Dreamtime walk for an insight into the spiritual significance of this remarkable place. Enjoy lunch at Mayi Cafe and Restaurant, where bush ingredients star.
Make your way back to Port Douglas for a quiet afternoon wandering Macrossan Street, known for its high-end boutiques and more than 60 great restaurants.
Don’t miss Tropical North Queensland’s regional sport – cane toad racing – held at the IronBar on Macrossan Street every night at 8pm.
Overnight Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel with breakfast
Farewell to Port Douglas
Check out of your hotel and drive south on the highway.
Just before you get into Cairns, pull off the highway at one of the many quiet beaches for a final swim in the warm waters of the Coral Sea. Holloways Beach is for flop and drop, families love Trinity Beach and Yorkeys Knob is one of the world’s top 10 kite-surfing destinations.
Return car to the airport
7 days premium car hire
