Tropical Paradise

Highlights

This self-drive journey provides revealing glimpses of tropical Australia. Beautiful beaches are always within easy reach from your luxuriously-appointed accommodation in the heart of Port Douglas. Cruise in style to experience the breathtaking wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and visit the fascinating Botanical Ark. This is not a group departure and itinerary dates are flexible. You travel at your own pace with your chosen companions.

DAY 1 - Cairns - Port Douglas
Collect your rental car from Cairns airport on arrival and drive north along the scenic coastal road to Port Douglas. Spend the afternoon lazing by the serene lagoon pool at the resort or visit nearby Four Mile Beach. Head into Port Douglas for plentiful dining options.
Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Two Bedroom Apartment

DAY 2 - Outer Great Barrier Reef
Embark on the ultimate snorkel adventure onboard a high-speed catamaran. Arrive at Agincourt Reef to snorkel crystal-clear waters at three different sites throughout the day. An informative briefing by a Marine Naturalist gives you a great introduction to the species of coral and fish that you will see. With advanced Eco-Tourism accreditation, you can be assured that you are travelling with an operator that plays an active role in conservation and sustainable visitation to the reef (B,L).
Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Two Bedroom Apartment

DAY 3 - Port Douglas - Mossman
Visit The Botanical Ark, an award-winning private ethno-botanical garden located in a jungle-clad valley in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy a private interpretive garden tour with the founder of this tropical oasis, Alan Carle. Be inspired as you learn about the intrinsic link between rainforest plants and humans, and discover some unusual and interesting tastes and sights. Relax and unwind on the verandah of this beautiful Queensland home as you are served morning or afternoon tea and enjoy a tasting of exotic fruits (B).
Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Two Bedroom Apartment

DAY 4 - Port Douglas
A day at leisure to laze by your private pool or explore the surrounding areas. Hit the beach at Port Douglas, browse the cafés and shops of Macrossan Street or perhaps visit Kuranda village (B).
Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, Two Bedroom Apartment

DAY 5 - Port Douglas - Cairns
Depart Port Douglas for Cairns and return your rental vehicle at the airport (B).

A&K Insider Access - Botanical Ark
The Botanical Ark is a private ethno-botanical garden located at the end of a jungle-clad valley in the heart of the remote Daintree Rainforest north of Mossman in Far North Queensland. Here you will meet Alan and Susan Carle, who founded the garden in 1983 to realise their dream of preserving the world's most unique rainforest plant species. Enjoy an interpretive garden tour and be inspired as you learn about the intrinsic link between rainforest plants and peoples. The property also houses one of only two private quarantine stations in tropical Australia, and the garden includes species that are extinct in their original homes. Enjoy morning or afternoon tea and a tasting of exotic fruits on the verandah of this truly beautiful home. Hear tales of the Carles' travels to remote indigenous communities where they further enhance their broad knowledge of anthropology and collect examples of rare equatorial plant life.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 5 day suggested journey in Queensland will cost from $1,375 per person based on two adults and two children sharing and subject to availability.