Discover Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights
Tantalize your taste buds as you traverse the Atherton Tablelands. Enjoy exploring the lush Rainforests surrounding the Cairns region. Together with a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, you will be able to experience the best this region has to offer. You will certainly be spoiled on the Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package.
A minimum of 3 days are required to complete all these activities. You can book them in any order you want! Here’s what we recommend:
Day 1: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Reef Experience is the only all–inclusive Great Barrier Reef Trip out of Cairns. Inner-city bus transfers, BBQ bacon and egg rolls for breakfast, and unlimited snorkelling. Your first dive is included for free, whether you are a certified diver or an introductory diver.
Join the crew aboard Reef Experience for an unforgettable day. For one thing, you will visit two pristine outer Great Barrier Reef locations. Here you can indeed discover the breathtaking wonders for yourself. Not to mention, also the perfect start to your Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package!
Day 2: Food Tasting Tablelands Tour
Cairns’ Tablelands Food and Wine Tour delivers small, personalised tours specialising in service excellence. Certainly putting the “Delights” into the Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package! Explore the Atherton Tablelands and consume local foods and drinks. Not only can you try some local wine, spirits, beers, and cheeses, but also Atherton red claw (crayfish), Kangaroo, Crocodile, Coffee, Chocolates, Nuts, and Tropical Fruits. Every farm visited is a small local producer with sustainable farming practices. While there is no pressure to purchase anything, your visit alone can help contribute to their survival.
Your guide will pick you up from your Cairns hotel at approximately 8:00 am. We will journey into the Atherton Tablelands, otherwise known as the “food bowl”. This region has certainly earned the nickname! We will travel past many farms, each place surprisingly different to the next. A wide variety of crops are farmed here, including coffee, sugar cane, and mangoes. As well as avocados, macadamia nuts, tea, and citrus. Dairy farming is also a staple of the Atherton Tablelands.
Our first stop for the day will be at Lake Barrine National Park, where we will stop for our first meal! The Heritage Tea House was built in the 1930s and has been Family owned and operated for three generations. This beautiful tea house overlooks Lake Barrine, a water-filled volcanic crater – but not to worry, as it is no longer active. What better way to enjoy your Breakfast than looking out over this marvel.
Anyone for Tea?
Soon enough, it will be time to head south, where we will visit the Nerada Tea Plantation. Sample some of the teas grown at the plantation. Paired with some cheese from Gallo Dairyland, you will be in for a treat. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled as you may be able to spot Misty and Billy, the resident tree-kangaroos.
A trip to the Atherton Tablelands wouldn’t be complete without spotting some wildlife. That is to say, our next stop will be the Australian Platypus Park. See one of the world’s most mysterious creatures, the Platypus. Soon it will be time to try some tasty handcrafted smoked morsels. Enjoy tasting crocodile, Red Claw (yabby), and Kangaroo alongside fresh salads. Wash it all down with a “Tarzali Lakes” boutique beer, Dragon Fruit cider, or even a Lemon Myrtle Tea. On the other hand, you could even try a wine from the local Murdering Point winery range.
At this point, we hope you have left some room in your stomach, as it is time to stop at Gallo Dairyland. A fully operational dairy farm that produces the most delicious cheeses and handcrafted Swiss-style chocolates. Taste and purchase these delicious treats before meeting some of the friendly animals living at this property.
It’s time to hit the road again and venture to our next stop – The Humpy Nut World. While it isn’t just about the nuts, you can also purchase the locally grown produce from the farms in the surrounding area. Enjoy tasting the in-season fruit, as well as some hot local peanuts. You might even discover a new Jam or Sauce, but most importantly, the delicious Macadamias!
It’s time for Happy Hour.
After all our snacking, it will be time to wet our whistles! Lucky we won’t need to drive far. Mt Uncle Distillery was named Australia’s distillery of the year for 2017. In fact, in 2021, they took home several Gold Medals in the London Spirits Competition, including the Botanic Australis Navy Strength Gin. This Gin is certainly one to try! Over the years, they have branched out to other spirits, so definitely try one of the Rum, Vodka or Whiskeys they have created.
Once we have tried all the tipples we can, it’s time to wrap up the day with a Coffee stop. Jacques Family Coffee Plantation is yet another 3rd Generation Farm. Here we can explore and learn about Coffee from Tree to Cup. Enjoy a cuppa made just how you like. At the same time, enjoy freshly made scones served with local jam and Mungalli cream (Another local dairy farm!).
Time To Head Home…
All in all, with our bellies full, it is time to sit back, relax and let your friendly guide drive you home. Gaze out the window at the rolling hills and stunning scenery as the afternoon sun sets over the mountain range.
Day 3: Kuranda Rainforest Tour
Your third day of the Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package will have you spending time at the Village in the Rainforest, Kuranda. After all, the Kuranda Scenic Railway is one of the most spectacular railways in the world.
Make your way through the Barron Gorge National Park. You will travel over bridges and through hand-made tunnels built by pioneers over 100 years ago during the journey. With commentary provided throughout the trip, you will step back in time to experience the history of the rail. Pass by many idyllic waterfalls and try to snap that postcard perfection shot!
Once you arrive in Kuranda, the world is your oyster! Wander through the picturesque Village in the Rainforest. Explore the local arts and crafts in its world-famous markets.
Heading Home…
Finally, round off your trip with a quiet glide over the tops of the rainforest canopy. After all, what better way to see the pristine World Heritage rainforest than from the Skyrail cable car.
Stopping first at Barron Falls and then again at Red Peak Station. Here you can wander under the canopy and explore the forest floor of the Skyrail’s rainforest boardwalk. Meander through the tropical undergrowth, past majestic trees, beautiful tree ferns and climbing wait-a-while palms. Soon it will be time to jump back on the gondola, sit back and relax as we complete the journey home. The perfect ending to the Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package!
Your Cairns Reef and Tropical Delights package day tours can be done in any order, of course! But please note this package includes 3 day tours only and does not include accommodation.
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