Tropic Wings Daintree, Mossman Gorge & Wildlife Tour

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A full day north of Cairns on an electric coach: morning tea and an exclusive wildlife tour at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, a Kuku Yalanji Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at Mossman Gorge, a guided rainforest walk, café lunch and a crocodile-spotting cruise on the Daintree River.

Days

Full day, about 10 hours

Age

4 years and over

Group size

Small group coach tour

Start / finish

Cairns / Port Douglas / Mossman Gorge / Daintree River / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Electric coach

Meals

Morning tea and café lunch

Route

Map of Tropic Wings Daintree, Mossman Gorge & Wildlife Tour

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Included experiences

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas — keeper tour, morning tea, feed the kangaroos
Mossman Gorge — Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with Kuku Yalanji custodians
Mossman Gorge — guided rainforest walk to the river and swimming holes
Daintree River — mangrove cruise looking for crocodiles, kingfishers and sea eagles
Rex Lookout — coastal views on the Great Barrier Reef Drive

Tropic Wings Daintree, Mossman Gorge & Wildlife Tour

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: NORTH TO PORT DOUGLAS

Your electric coach collects you from your Cairns hotel early, around 7 to 7:30am, and heads north on the Captain Cook Highway, the road the locals call the Great Barrier Reef Drive. Opened in 1933, it squeezes between the rainforest-covered range and the Coral Sea, with beach after empty beach on your right. About an hour later you reach Port Douglas, founded in 1877 as a port for the inland goldfields and now the gateway to the Daintree.

MID-MORNING: WILDLIFE HABITAT

First stop is Wildlife Habitat, five minutes from town, where the animals live in recreated wetland, rainforest, savannah, woodland and nocturnal habitats. Your exclusive tour comes with morning tea and a talk on the park's conservation work. Kangaroos and wallabies roam free for hand feeding, and you'll see koalas, the southern cassowary, Australia's heaviest bird, and estuarine crocodiles, the largest reptiles alive today. Your ticket lets you come back free within five days, handy if you're staying nearby.

MIDDAY: MOSSMAN GORGE

At Mossman Gorge, the southern entrance to the Daintree, the Kuku Yalanji people welcome you to their country with a traditional smoking ceremony, the smoke of green leaves cleansing visitors before they enter. A guide then leads you through World Heritage rainforest to the Mossman River, where clear water runs over huge granite boulders and pools into swimming holes. Bring your swimwear if you'd like a dip. A café lunch follows.

AFTERNOON: THE DAINTREE RIVER

Further north you board a cruise on the Daintree River, which with the rainforest is named after Richard Daintree, a Queensland government geologist of the 1860s. The boat slides past mangroves while the guides scan the mud banks for wild saltwater crocodiles sunning themselves. Look up as well: azure kingfishers flash along the water's edge and white-bellied sea eagles circle overhead.

LATE AFTERNOON: REX LOOKOUT AND HOME

The drive home follows the coast road south, with a stop at Rex Lookout, where hang-gliders launch out over the Coral Sea and the beaches curve away below you. Then it's back to your Cairns accommodation, about ten hours after you set out.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns city hotels and most Northern Beaches accommodation. There is no pick-up from private homes such as Airbnb rentals.
Departure time: Early, around 7am to 7:30am; your pick-up time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 10 hours.
Minimum age: 4 years; children under 16 travel with an adult. Child prices are for ages 4 to 14.
Fitness: A moderate level of fitness is needed for the gorge walk. Let us know about any mobility needs when you book.
Please note: The tour needs a minimum number of guests to run.

What to bring

Comfortable walking shoes
Swimwear and a towel
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Insect repellent
A water bottle
A light rain jacket
Camera
Money for drinks and snacks

What is included

Return transfers from Cairns city hotels and most Northern Beaches accommodation on an electric coach
Exclusive wildlife tour at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, with 5-day re-entry
Morning tea
Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at Mossman Gorge
Guided rainforest walk at Mossman Gorge
Café lunch
Daintree River crocodile cruise
Rex Lookout stop

Not included

Extra drinks and snacks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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.