Far North Escapes 3 Day Cooktown Tour

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A three-day small-group 4WD tour from Cairns that shows Far North Queensland's natural beauty and culture, through the heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, up the Bloomfield Track to historic Cooktown.

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Days

3 days, 2 nights

Group size

Small group

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, Daintree (night 1)
Milkwood Lodge cottage cabin, Cooktown (night 2)

Transport

Air-conditioned 4WD with a naturalist guide, including the Bloomfield Track

Meals

Day 1 packed lunch and dinner; day 2 lunch and dinner; day 3 breakfast and lunch

Included experiences

Mossman Gorge — cascades and Cultural Centre
Daintree River — crocodile cruise
Daintree Rainforest — Marrdja Boardwalk and night walk
Bloomfield Track — 4WD drive to Wujal Wujal
Wujal Wujal — Bloomfield Falls and Indigenous tour
Cooktown — Botanic Gardens, Grassy Hill and James Cook Museum
Kuranda — Heritage Markets and Barron Falls

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairns to Cape Tribulation via the Great Barrier Reef Drive

The day begins with the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Mossman Gorge, one of the most beautiful drives in Australia, on a coast-hugging road with World Heritage rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other.

Mossman Gorge and its Cultural Centre are an award-winning ecotourism attraction at the entrance to the Daintree Rainforest, with clear cascades over large granite boulders surrounded by rainforest.

Then take an eco-friendly Daintree River crocodile cruise with Solar Whisper, the only zero-emission boat in the Daintree region, looking for birds, wildlife and estuarine crocodiles. The boat has a croc cam, so everyone gets a good view wherever they sit.

Cross the Daintree River on the ferry and travel to Alexandra Lookout, with views of the Daintree Rainforest and over the Great Barrier Reef. The Marrdja Boardwalk is a 1.2 km wheelchair-accessible rainforest walk, with signs that teach you about the history of this land and living specimens of each significant stage of plant evolution. A viewing platform looks out over Noah Creek — keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles.

Stop in at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, with ice cream made from exotic fruits grown in its own orchard and a self-guided orchard walk, then visit Cape Tribulation Beach, in an off-grid community where the rainforest is so dense it was one of the few places not affected by the Ice Age.

Unwind overnight at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge, with rainforest and mountain views, and dine at the Cassowary Restaurant. The evening finishes with a guided Daintree night walk, when the rainforest comes alive. Torch in hand, you look for wildlife — sightings aren't guaranteed, but guests have seen bioluminescent mushrooms, snails, owls, glowing scorpions, green-lipped tree frogs, bats, tree-kangaroos and even sleeping cassowaries.

Day 2: Cape Tribulation to Cooktown via the Bloomfield Track

Start with a gigantic 500-year-old fig tree, then cross the clear waters of Emmagen Creek in the 4WD and join the Bloomfield Track, a 4WD route steeped in conservation history that connects Cape Tribulation to the Indigenous township of Wujal Wujal, with coastline on one side and ancient rainforest on the other.

Bana Yirriji is a centre for artists in the rainforest, who create contemporary artworks inspired by their traditional culture and landscape. The collection includes paintings and works on paper, textiles and artefacts, with locally made jewellery, wearable art and products for the home.

Wujal Wujal is a remote region sacred to the Kuku Yalanji people. Travel alongside the winding Bloomfield River to the base of Bloomfield Falls, also known as Wujal Wujal Falls or "Roaring Meg", returning via a short 400 m walking track. The Walker Family share some of their knowledge of this place of great cultural significance to the Yalanji people.

Then on to Black Mountain. To the traditional owners, Kalkajaka is a sacred battlefield of both spirits and warring clan groups, and a site where water and fire formed the Earth. Kalkajaka has its own Rainbow Serpent, called Walumba.

Enjoy lunch and a cold one at the 1875 Lions Den Hotel, one of the oldest pubs in Far North Queensland, its walls and ceilings still signed by tin miners from the 1800s.

The Cooktown Botanic Gardens, established in 1878, were the first of their kind in Far North Queensland and are a refuge for birdlife, including the zebra finch and crimson finch. From the top of Grassy Hill there is a 360-degree view of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef — very little has changed since Captain James Cook first set foot on this land.

Spend the night in a cottage cabin at Milkwood Lodge, a rainforest retreat in Cooktown with rainforest and mountain views, with dinner at the Sovereign Resort.

Day 3: Cooktown to Cairns via the Mulligan Highway

Start the day with mountain views and breakfast at Milkwood Lodge, then visit the James Cook Museum, set in a nineteenth-century convent built in 1880. It houses a collection of local Guugu Yimithirr artefacts, along with an original anchor and cannon from HMB Endeavour salvaged in the 1970s.

Travel south towards Cairns on the Mulligan Highway, named after an old prospector, through an area steeped in mining history. The inland road is a contrast to the Bloomfield Track, so you don't travel the same road twice, with the rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands on the way. Stop at the Mt Molloy Pub, established in 1900, for lunch.

After lunch, visit Kuranda, a mountain village in the rainforest, and, subject to seasonal availability, walk through the Kuranda Heritage Markets, with stalls of food, crafts and souvenirs.

Finish at Barron Falls (Din Din), a steep tiered waterfall, then travel down the Kuranda Range and back to your accommodation.

Good to know

Finishes: Back at your accommodation in Cairns.
Fitness: Easy. The Marrdja Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and the night walk suits all ages, fitness and mobility.

What to bring

Camera

What is included

Fully guided tour with experienced naturalist guides
Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, small or private group
Daintree River crocodile cruise and Daintree ferry
Daintree night walk tour
Guided Indigenous tour hosted by the Walker Family
Bana Yirriji Art Centre and James Cook Museum
One night at Ferntree Rainforest Lodge in the Daintree
One night in a cottage cabin at Milkwood Lodge, Cooktown
Meals and snacks as per the itinerary
All national park fees and permits

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.