Cairns in Three Nights — The Great Barrier Reef and the Rainforest
Cairns exists because of what surrounds it. The Great Barrier Reef lies offshore, and the world's oldest continuously surviving rainforest climbs the ranges directly behind the town. Very few places let you spend one day on a coral reef and the next in a tropical rainforest without changing base.
Journey overview
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
Cairns exists because of what surrounds it. The Great Barrier Reef lies offshore, and the world's oldest continuously surviving rainforest climbs the ranges directly behind the town. Very few places let you spend one day on a coral reef and the next in a tropical rainforest without changing base.
Journey highlights
The moments that make this journey unforgettable — the signature experiences we have woven through every day, so the best of the destination is never left to chance.
- A full day on the Great Barrier Reef, with a choice of coral cay or outer reef pontoon.
- A full day in the rainforest, by cableway and heritage railway or guided tour.
- A complimentary wildlife park entry ticket.
- Private airport transfers both ways.
- Three nights with daily breakfast, reef and rainforest from one base.
Day-by-day itinerary
You are met at Cairns Airport and driven to your hotel by private vehicle. The rest of the day is free. Cairns is a small, walkable tropical town built around its waterfront esplanade, and an easy first evening after a long flight. Your complimentary wildlife park entry ticket is issued against this day. · Cairns
A full day out on the Great Barrier Reef, departing from Cairns and returning in the afternoon. You choose your reef destination when you book: - A coral cay — a full-day cruise from Cairns out to a coral island on the reef. - An outer reef pontoon — a moored platform further offshore, used as a base for the day on an outer reef. Both run on a shared basis and both give you a full day on the reef. The excursion does not collect from or return to your hotel, so you will make your own way to and from the departure point. · Cairns
A full day up into the rainforest-covered ranges behind Cairns, centred on the village set among the trees above the town. You choose your format when you book: - Cableway and heritage railway — travelling one way in a gondola above the rainforest canopy and returning the other way on the historic railway that winds down through the gorge. - The classic guided day tour — a guided excursion covering the same rainforest village and its surrounds. Both run on a shared basis. As on the reef day, the excursion does not collect from or return to your hotel. · Cairns
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and a private vehicle to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. Cairns Airport is close to town and the drive is a short one. Your onward flight is not part of this package, so allow the check-in time your airline requires. If you have been diving during your stay, check your operator's guidance on how long to wait before flying. If your flight leaves later in the day, ask the hotel about storing luggage after check-out.
What's included & excluded
Exactly what your journey covers — set out clearly, with no surprises, so you know precisely what to expect.
Included
- Three nights' accommodation in Cairns.
- Daily breakfast at the hotel, from Day 2 to Day 4.
- Private airport transfer on arrival, Cairns Airport to your hotel.
- Private airport transfer on departure, your hotel to Cairns Airport.
- One full-day Great Barrier Reef excursion from Cairns, on a seat-in-coach basis — your choice of the coral cay cruise or the outer reef pontoon.
- One full-day rainforest excursion, on a seat-in-coach basis — your choice of the cableway-and-railway combination or the classic guided day tour.
- Complimentary wildlife park entry ticket, issued against Day 1.
Excluded
- GST is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- TCS is extra and is charged on the final amount.
- International airfare is extra and is not included.
- Domestic and internal airfare is extra and is not included.
- Visa is extra and is not included — visa fees, associated service charges, airport taxes and any related charges.
- Travel insurance is extra and is not included.
- All meals other than the daily breakfasts listed above, including lunches, dinners and drinks with meals.
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off for both excursions. Neither the reef day nor the rainforest day collects from or returns to your hotel. Travel to and from the departure point is your own arrangement and at your own cost.
- Transport to the wildlife park. The entry is complimentary; getting there is your own arrangement and at your own cost.
- Any sightseeing, entry ticket, in-water activity or excursion not specifically listed under Inclusions. This includes diving, and any equipment hire or guided activity charged separately by the reef operator.
- Tips and gratuities.
- Personal expenses — laundry, telephone, minibar, and anything of a personal nature.
- Early check-in and late check-out charges, and any hotel upgrade.
- City taxes or resort fees charged directly by the hotel.
- Midnight transfer surcharge. A surcharge applies to airport transfers operating between 2200 and 0700 hours.
- Anything not specifically listed under Inclusions.
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