Kuranda & Outback Tours Outback Tasting Tour ex Port Douglas

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An adults-only food and wine tour from Port Douglas through the Atherton Tablelands, where rainforest meets savannah plains, tasting the region's local produce and meeting the producers along the way. Runs Wednesday to Saturday.

Days

Full day, about 9 hours

Age

Group size

Small group, 6 to 20

Start / finish

Port Douglas / Port Douglas

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Tour vehicle with a local guide and Port Douglas hotel pick-up

Meals

Breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon tea, and all tastings; vegetarian and gluten-free catered

Route

Map of Kuranda & Outback Tours Outback Tasting Tour ex Port Douglas

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Included experiences

Ellis Beach — breakfast by the sea
Emerald Creek Ice Creamery
Lake Barrine — lunch at the teahouse
Curtain Fig Tree
Gallo Dairyland — cheese and chocolate
The Humpy — fruit, nut and produce tasting
Mt Uncle Distillery — spirit tasting
The Platypus Hut — tropical fruit wines

Kuranda & Outback Tours Outback Tasting Tour ex Port Douglas

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: BREAKFAST BY THE SEA

Your guide collects you from your Port Douglas hotel or holiday apartment and heads south along the coast to Ellis Beach, where the Captain Cook Highway runs right beside the sand. Breakfast is at the Ellis Beach Bar and Grill, looking out over the water: shared platters of filled brioche and ciabatta, muffins and house-made banana bread, with coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Then the road climbs inland onto the Atherton Tablelands, a high volcanic plateau whose red soil grows bananas, avocados, mangoes, coffee, macadamias and citrus. The first sweet stop is Emerald Creek Ice Creamery, a family-run maker, for a tasting cup of homemade ice cream and sorbet.

MIDDAY: LAKE BARRINE AND THE CURTAIN FIG

Lunch is at the old teahouse on Lake Barrine, a volcanic crater lake ringed by World Heritage rainforest, with the forest right outside the windows. Near the teahouse, look for a pair of giant bull kauri pines more than a thousand years old. Next comes a quick stop at the Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra. It's a strangler fig whose host tree fell against a neighbour, and its aerial roots now hang 15 metres to the ground like a curtain. If you're lucky, you might spot a platypus nearby.

AFTERNOON: CHEESE, FRUIT AND SPIRITS

At Gallo Dairyland, a working dairy farm and cheese factory on 1,000 acres of volcanic farmland, you taste the cheeses and handmade chocolates. The Humpy is a farm produce stop with seasonal tropical fruit, freshly roasted peanuts, macadamias, and local jams, sauces and dried fruit to sample. Then it's on to Mt Uncle Distillery, North Queensland's first distillery, named Australian Distiller of the Year in 2017, for a tasting of spirits made with local botanicals.

LATE AFTERNOON: THE PLATYPUS HUT

The last stop is The Platypus Hut, on a private 160-acre property in the rainforest, where you sit back with a tasting of Shannonvale tropical fruit wines in a quiet bush setting. Then it's an easy drive home to Port Douglas, with views across the Julatten Range on the way.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from all Port Douglas hotels and holiday apartments; no pick-up from private residences or Airbnbs. The driver has several pick-ups, so times may vary slightly; your time is reconfirmed the day before.
Minimum age: 18; older teenagers may be considered case by case.
Fitness: Very little walking, with most stops dropping you at the entrance, though some have gravel or uneven paths. Wheelie walkers and mobility scooters can't be carried; a walking stick is fine.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian and gluten-free diets can be catered for if advised at booking; vegan and halal can't.
Please note: Runs Wednesday to Saturday, rain or shine. A stop may be replaced with a similar one if a producer is closed. No BYO alcohol; venues may refuse service to intoxicated guests. Minimum 6 guests.
Cancellation: Full refund or free rescheduling more than 24 hours before departure. No refund within 24 hours, for no-shows or late arrivals. If severe weather stops the tour, free rescheduling or a full refund.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes
Hat and sunglasses
Camera
Sunscreen
Water bottle
Spending money for purchases

What is included

Pick-up and drop-off from Port Douglas hotels and holiday apartments
Breakfast and lunch
All food tastings — cheeses, chocolates, nuts and tropical produce
All wine, spirit, liqueur and beer tastings
Local guide

Not included

Products you buy to take home
Personal expenses and souvenirs

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.