At Split Rock bushwalk to a world renowned collection of rock art paintings in the sandstone escarpment of the Great Dividing Range. In historic Cooktown relive Cook's adventures and a rollicking gold rush. Walk with Aboriginal guides to a spectacular waterfall. Travel through World Heritage rainforest and enjoy an interpretive walk in this primeval jungle. A great Australian safari with starkly contrasting landscapes and cultures.

• Outback Landscapes
• Guided Tour of “Quinkan” Aboriginal Rock Art
• Guided tour of Cooktown
• Interpretive walk with local Aboriginal guides
• 4WD Adventure on The Bloomfield Track
• World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest
• Interpretive Rainforest Walk
• All National Park, Site and Ferry Fees
• One night accommodation in Cooktown
• One night accommodation in the Daintree Rainforest

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Cairns to Cooktown (LD): Depart Cairns and travel over the Great Dividing Range into an outback landscape of termite mounds and cattle stations. Lunch along the way to Split Rock where we’ll climb the sandstone escarpment (suitable footwear and reasonable fitness required) to view ancient Aboriginal rock art depicting life and customs here thousands of years ago. An afternoon visit to Black Mountain National Park before arriving in historic Cooktown where we stay overnight.

Day 2 - Cooktown to Daintree Rainforest (BLD): A leisurely morning exploring in Cooktown. Walk where Captain Cook once walked, touch the sand where “Endeavour” was beached, and visit Grassy Hill and the James Cook Historical Museum (optional). Leaving Cooktown we drop-in to the Lion’s Den Hotel, a classic outback pub, en-route to Wujal Wujal Aboriginal community. Meet the Walker Family, Aboriginal women who share their traditional knowledge of bush tucker and medicine at the spectacular Bloomfield Falls, and join them for a picnic lunch at a picturesque riverside site. Now we cross the Bloomfield River to tackle the controversial 4WD Bloomfield Track which takes us to the Daintree rainforest. At Dubuji we’ll walk to Myall Beach on the southern side of Cape Tribulation. Further south we cross the Noah Range, pass by Thornton Beach and arrive at our overnight accommodation in the rainforest. An opportunity to walk and swim before dinner.

Day 3 - Daintree Rainforest to Cairns (BL): This morning we’ll see a real tea plantation, visit a forest of spectacular “fan palms” which feature in all pictorial works on the rainforest and Cow Bay so named for the Dugong, or Sea Cow. Now we’ll take a fascinating walk in the rainforest to witness and learn about this primeval jungle. Further south we cross the Daintree River on a cable ferry on the way to our lunch stop. An afternoon scenic cruise on the Daintree River to experience the fabulous birdlife and wildlife along the river, including the fearsome Estuarine Crocodile. Now we return to Port Douglas or Cairns ending your adventure in Far North Queensland.

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

2010 Departures

Departs Mondays & Fridays (May to Nov) from Cairns.

Rates

Rates per person and valid 01 Apr 2010 to 31 Mar 2011. Taxes and levies payable on board.