Queensland's Reef & Rainforests

Days 1 & 2. Depart London

Depart London for Brisbane.

Days 3 & 4. Lamington National Park [B (Day 4 only)]

On arrival you will be met and transferred to O'Reilly's Rainforest Resort situated in Lamington National Park, where you spend two nights. O'Reilly's is renowned for its abundance of birdlife, splendid scenery and many trails through lush sub-tropical rainforest. It is situated in 20,000 hectares of rainforest with over 200 species of sub-tropical birds, attracting wildlife enthusiasts from the world over. King Parrots, Satin, and Regent Bowerbird and Albert's Lyrebird are amongst the bird specialities, whilst Short-beaked Echidna, Northern Brown Bandicoot and Feather-tailed Glider may also be seen. Wildlife-viewing includes guided bush walks with expert naturalists, spot-lighting after dark and 4-wheel drive safaris.

Days 5 & 6. Fraser Island [B]

After breakfast you transfer by train and boat to Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. Explore the resort, swim in the pools, go bush-walking or try your luck with fishing. Nocturnal activities include indulging in great Australian food and wine, relaxing in the Maheno Lounge or kicking up your heels at the Wilderness Bar. This top resort in a World Heritage listed area, nestles among tree-covered dunes on the edge of the calm waters of the Great Sandy Strait and is a paradise for boating, fishing, swimming, bush walking, four-wheel driving and just enjoying the magnificent, natural beauty of this island.

Days 7 & 8. Cairns [B]

Return to the mainland by catamaran and fly to Cairns, via Brisbane where you spend two nights at Hotel Cairns. Cairns has a magnificent backdrop of rugged, rainforested hills and overlooks a mangrove-lined bay that attracts a host of egrets, waders, terns and other wetland birds. You may like to explore the Botanical Gardens, the Esplanade or nearby wetlands in search of birds. Cairns has much to offer and you may like to consider extending your stay here by a night or two.

A cruise to the inner reef (Green Island) offers good snorkelling and diving, together with such birds as Black Noddy and Emerald Dove. A cruise to a coral cay on the outer reef - such as Michaelmas Cay - also offers fine underwater activities, as well as breeding colonies of Brown Booby, Common Noddy, and Sooty, Bridled and Crested Terns. Great, and Lesser Frigatebirds may also be seen. A night drive to search for the nocturnal birds and mammals of the Atherton Tableland rainforests is a must. Owls, flying foxes, tree kangaroos, gliders, possums and even Platypus should all be seen. If you would like us to organise any or all of these itineraries we should be delighted.

Days 9 & 10. Atherton Tablelands [B]

Today you collect your hire car and drive to Mt Quincan Crater Retreat in the Atherton Tablelands - an area of attractive upland dairy farming country, broken by pockets of high altitude rainforest and wetlands. This luxurious retreat offers six bungalows which have been sensitively placed in the rainforest on the slopes of the Mt. Quincan Crater so as to maximise the privacy of the relaxing surrounds.

During your stay you can choose to go on one of the variety of bush walks available and look out for some of the region's endemic birds and mammals in the rainforest around the lakes and famous 'Cathedral' and 'Curtain' Fig Trees. Wompoo Fruit-dove, Chowchilla, Atherton Scrubwren, Victoria's Riflebird and the obliging Musky Rat Kangaroo may be amongst the highlights.

Days 11. Mareeba Wetlands [B, D]

Depart Mt Quincan Crater Retreat this morning for a short drive to Mareeba Wetlands where you spend the night in safari-style tents at the shaded retreat of Jabiru Camp. Wake up to a dawn chorus alive with the sounds of the Blue-winged Kookaburra and Brolga and listen to the distinctive call of the Southern Boobook while stargazing under the southern sky. The Mareeba Wetlands protect over 2,500 hectares of savanna and wetlands, providing a sanctuary for much of tropical Australia's savanna and wetland flora and fauna, and cultural heritage.

Days 12 & 13. Daintree [B]

After breakfast travel to the coast and explore Mossman Gorge before continuing onto Cape Tribulation National Park and Cape Tribulation Heritage Lodge for a 2-night stay. Lying just eighteen kilometres north of the Daintree River, Daintree Cape Tribulation Heritage Lodge has crystal clear pools to explore, walking trails, night walks, snorkelling and horse-riding - not to mention the magnificent flora and fauna all around, so you should not be at a loss at what to do. Accommodation is provided in spacious en-suite rooms, each with a fan and veranda. Public areas include restaurant, lounge and bar area, together with a pool.

The village of Daintree is worth a visit from here - overlooking the ambling Daintree River and rugged rainforest, it is a magnificent spot. The habitats are varied around the village where 70 species of birds may be found, and you may enjoy an early morning birding cruise in the company of a local ornithologist. Exploring the backwaters of this magnificent river, as the morning mists rise, is usually rewarded with abundant birdlife, including the rare Great-billed Heron, Black Bittern and Little Kingfisher. You may also wish to take a guided day or night walk through the rainforest.

Day 14. Homeward [B]

After an early morning river cruise along the Daintree River in the company of a local ornithologist, make your way back to Cairns via Port Douglas. Drop off your hire car at Cairns airport before catching your flight home via Brisbane.

Day 15. Arrive UK