Discovery Tours Undara, Cobbold Gorge & Outback 4 Day Tour (Twin Share)

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A four-day small-group outback tour from Cairns through the Atherton Tablelands, the Undara Lava Tubes and Cobbold Gorge, with guided tours, meals and accommodation included.

Days

4 days, 3 nights

Age

5 to 99

Group size

Small group, max 13

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Twin, double or single room with private ensuite, including two nights at Cobbold Gorge Village

Transport

Modern 4WD vehicle with a guide, pick-up in Cairns or the Northern Beaches

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks

Route

Map of Discovery Tours Undara, Cobbold Gorge & Outback 4 Day Tour (Twin Share)

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Included experiences

Undara Lava Tubes — Archway Explorer tour
Cobbold Gorge — gorge cruise
Talaroo Hot Springs
Millstream Falls
Atherton Tablelands — crater lakes and tropical fruit tasting
Forsayth — overnight stay

Discovery Tours Undara, Cobbold Gorge & Outback 4 Day Tour (Twin Share)

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: THE TABLELANDS TO UNDARA

Your guide collects you in Cairns or the Northern Beaches and heads up the Gillies Range onto the Atherton Tablelands. Morning tea is scones at the teahouse on Lake Barrine, a lake filling a crater blasted out by a volcanic gas explosion, its rim still covered in rainforest. You cross the farming country to Ravenshoe, Queensland's highest town at about 920 metres, then stop at Millstream Falls, the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Past the dry vine thicket of Forty Mile Scrub National Park you reach savannah country and the Undara Lava Tubes. About 190,000 years ago a lava flow ran more than 160 kilometres from here, and its hollow tubes are what you walk into on the guided Archway Explorer tour.

Overnight: Forsayth (Finnigan's Rest)

DAY 2: TALAROO HOT SPRINGS TO COBBOLD GORGE

After an early breakfast you visit Talaroo Hot Springs, where an Ewamian Traditional Owner guides you through the cultural and geological story of the springs before you soak in the warm mineral water. Lunch stop is the old Einasleigh Hotel, and across the road Copperfield Gorge has cut a narrow slot through black basalt left by ancient lava flows. In Forsayth you call in at the pub, in the town at the end of the line for the Savannahlander train. Then it's on to Cobbold Gorge Village for the first of two nights, with a campfire under the outback stars before dinner at the bar and bistro.

Overnight: Cobbold Gorge Village

DAY 3: COBBOLD GORGE

This morning you glide into Cobbold Gorge on a guided boat cruise. The sandstone walls close in until in places the gorge is less than two metres wide, and the still water reflects them back like a mirror. Freshwater crocodiles bask on the ledges, and your guide shares the Aboriginal heritage of the gorge, the pioneering history of the area and life on Robin Hood Station, the cattle property it sits on. The afternoon is yours for the village pool and walking trails. Or, for an extra cost, you can add a helicopter flight over the gorge country, or a stand-up paddleboard or kayak session on the water.

Overnight: Cobbold Gorge Village

DAY 4: GEORGETOWN AND THE TABLELANDS TO CAIRNS

You rejoin the Gulf Developmental Road to Georgetown, a gold town whose information centre tells the story of the region's mining and gem fields. Its prize is the Providence Nugget, a lump of gold weighing 858 grams. Back across the Atherton Tablelands, the stops depend on the day and may include Innot Hot Springs, where hot water bubbles up through the sand of a creek, The Crater at Mount Hypipamee, a sheer-sided volcanic pipe with dark water far below the rim, Herberton Historic Village in a tin town founded in 1880, or Gallo Dairyland for chocolate and cheese tastings. The day ends with the drive down the Kuranda Range, back at your Cairns accommodation by about 6pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from your accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches, generally from 7am. Be ready at least 5 minutes before your pick-up time and allow a 15 to 20 minute window.
Minimum age: Ages 5 to 99. Not suitable for children under 4 unless on a private charter.
Fitness: Normal fitness required.
Dietary needs: Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Accommodation note: The accommodation named is a preferred option and may change with availability.
Please note: Luggage is limited to one soft bag of up to 10 kg per person, plus one small backpack or day pack. Itineraries may change with weather, road conditions or operational needs. Minimum of 2 guests.

What to bring

Small overnight-style soft bag (no hard cases or suitcases)
Swimwear and towel — the accommodation has pools
Lightweight clothing
Jacket for cooler evenings
Comfortable walking shoes
Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
Water bottle
Camera
Cash or cards for drinks and souvenirs

What is included

Tour guide
Pick-up from your accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners and snacks
Hotel or motel accommodation: twin, double or single room with private ensuite
Modern 4WD vehicle
All national park entry fees
Attractions as stated in the itinerary
All ferries and barges

Not included

Drinks and souvenirs

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I highly recommend the Undara, Cobbold Gorge and outback four-day tour. Our guide Troy was incredible and I enjoyed every minute.

Karin Koch Verified· Travelled 24th August 2026

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