Day 01 : CAIRNS
On arrival at Cairns International Airport, transfer to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel. Day free at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : CAIRNS
Breakfast at the hotel. The Great Barrier Reef experience is ahead of you today. Travel to Port Douglas and depart on a Big Cat Green Island Cruise to Green Island, on the Great Barrier Reef. Green Island is a small forested coral cay, which, despite its popularity as a tourist destination, has in places retained its secluded character and tranquil natural setting. Approximately 12ha in area, Green Island lies 27km east-north-east of Cairns. Anchor at their pontoon and spend the day snorkelling, diving, coral viewing from our glass bottom boat or semi-submersible, or simply relax and enjoy the beaches and reef. A buffet lunch will be served on board at the reef.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : CAIRNS
Breakfast at the hotel. Day at leisure to take optional tour.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : CAIRNS
Breakfast at the hotel. Afternoon transfer to the airport to board the flight.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cairns Attractions

The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, is 344,000 square kilometres of clear, balmy waters filled with an array of amazing sea creatures, from sea slugs to migrating whales to brain coral that spawns on one night of the year in Spring. To see all the wonders of the reef, try either snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, a semi-submersible boat or an underwater observatory. For an exhilaratingly different view, fly over in a low flying plane or helicopter. Out on the boat, the Great Barrier Reef takes in the Hinchinbrook Channel, Mission Beach, Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, and the two islands near Cairns are Green and Fitzroy Islands. Green Island is a tropical island paradise and suitable for day trips from Cairns. Here you can find water and land activities including windsurfing, rainforest walks and snorkelling.

Kuranda, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforests
A visit to North Queensland isn't complete without witnessing the Rainforests of the region. See amazingly diverse flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers, lakes and national parks. View 200 year old palms that provide an enormous leaf canopy overhead. Everything here is larger, richer in colour and healthier including trees, leaves and seed pods. The area became World heritage listed in 1988 and covers nearly 900,000 hectares of rainforest and tropical vegetation, with the wet season between January and March bringing a time of regeneration and restoration. Centuries earlier, tremendous volcanic activity assisted in creating the fertile Tropical Tablelands area where lakes, waterfalls, rivers and spectacular national parks make for sights to behold.

Everything here is not only rare but incredibly beautiful. As most of the animals here are nocturnal, a nighttime excursion will provide an almost spiritual experience. See children's pythons, green tree frogs, tree climbing kangaroos, leaf-tailed geckos and rare Lemuroid possums.Kuranda is the central town of this region and two ways of reaching the area from Cairns is on the Kuranda Scenic Railway or in a gondola on the world's longest skyrail.

Kuranda Skyrail
View the magnificent tablelands from the world's longest gondola cableway.

Port Douglas Markets
One hour from Cairns the Sunday Port Douglas markets are full of exciting stalls.

The Beaches
Enjoy Cairn's beautiful beaches - Ellis Beach, Palm Cove and Trinity Beach are just some of the magnificent beaches Cairns has to offer.

Undersea World
Undersea World Cairns offers the opportunity to view the spectacular marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. See sharks being fed and take the chance to dive with the sharks.

Tjapukai Aboriginal Theatre
The world renowned aboriginal dance troupe, featuring ancient dances from the dreamtime. Local members of the Tjapukai Tribe perform the dances as they were performed by their ancestors and with the inclusion of state of the art lighting and sound techniques makes this a show not to be missed. Experience the culture of these ancient people and live the mystery.

Wild World
Our own little Zoo in the northern beaches, this is where you will find some of Australia's most famous mascots, the Kangaroo and the Koala. Along with these, you will see cassowarys and other not so famous wildlife such as the wombat,the cane toad and many more. Watch as the animals feed and have your photos taken with the baby koala's. Definitely to be included in every itinerary. Only 20 minutes from Cairns on the Captain Cook Highway.

Paronella Park
Visit the Spanish Castle built by Jose Paronella . This award winning site has to be seen to be believed. The History will inspire you as well as feel for the man who single handedly built his dream. This almost superhuman feat of building an entire castle as well as a cinema and hydro-electric plant in the early 1930's, after clearing the dense rainforest and carving all the stones and mortar to build monument after monument in the relentless pursuit of his dream. Most of the main castle is still intact along with the public change rooms for holiday makers back at the turn of the century and now serves as a reminder of this popular spot.

Also witness the beautiful Mena Creek falls the source of the early electricity produced by Jose's own hydro-electric plant. Which was later to be the demise of his dream, when flooding of the Creek almost totally destroyed the Spanish Castles. But like the true pioneers of his day, the elements and nature were obstacles, but none which could not be overcome and so he started the painstaking task of once again recreating his dream.

Undersea World
Undersea World Cairns is a 'boutique" aquarium offering people of all ages the opportunity to view the spectacular marine life of the Great Barrier Reef in 17 natural marine habitats, including a popular touch pool. Divers hand feed the sharks and outer reef fish during the day. Opportunity to dive with the sharks.
Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Experience the feeling of having hundreds of butterflies fluttering around you in this truly unique experience. The all weather enclosure allows the butterflies to fly freely in their natural environment for visitors to enjoy. See the brillance of the Ulysses butterfly found through North Queensland.

The Esplanade
The Esplanade is peaceful during the day with visitors catching the early morning rays and watching the unique birdlife feeding along the mudflats. Palm trees line the length of the Esplanade highlighting the Tropical feel of this warm city.

Crystal Cascades
A beautiful swimming hole for those long hot summers. Crystal Cascades is a hidden secret to most visitors and tourists only find there way there after being told by locals. Nestled in the rainforest - the icy cold mountain water provides much relief in the summer months. You will be pleasantly surprised by the untouched natural beauty of this swimming hole. Don't forget your camera!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cairns Dining

In Cairns you will find a huge array of mouth watering and tempting foods. Flavours from all over the world are at your fingertips. Choose from Innovative Australian Cuisines such as Emu, Crocodile and Kangaroo. All budgets are catered for with dining and there are plenty of local restaurants offering the freshest in local produce for great prices.

The Esplanade is a hive of activity at nights with hungry visitors looking for delicious food. Here you will find a large selection of Seafood, Australian, Italian, Chinese, Lebanese Cuisines.

Further along Shields Street you will find other popular restaurants and cuisines such as contempary Australian, Italian, Indian, Thai, Malaysian & European . This has been developing into the "Restaurant Precinct" in Cairns over the last few years.

Cairns Tipping Advice

No service charge applies in Australia. Tipping is not mandatory but a 10% tip in restaurants and hotel bars is normal for good service. Waiters and waitresses do not rely on tips for their income, but tips are an incentive to performance as bad service usually results in no tip. Bar staff in pubs are happy with loose change. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but it is usual to `round-up' the fare to the nearest dollar or two - a little more if you have plenty of luggage or the driver has been particularly helpful. And some cabbies round down if they've had a good chat - $20.30 may result in "make it $20. Visitors may wish to tip a tour guide or tourist coach driver, though this is not expected either.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

TOUR COST :

HOTEL Rate (Per person on Twin sharing basis)
Palm Royale Resort (3*) : AUD 255
Rydges Plaza (4*) : AUD 315
Hilton (5*) : AUD 415

PRICE INCLUDES:
1) 3 nights accommodation at the chosen Hotel.
2) Daily Breakfast.
3) Return Transfers ( Airport – Hotel – Airport ) on Seat in Coach basis.
4) Full Day Reef Cruise with lunch.

OPTIONAL TOURS
1) Kuranda with Skyrail & Tjapukai : AUD 115 per person
2) Cairns night zoo with BBQ dinner : AUD 95 per person
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Have a great trip! This itinerary and supplementary information has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it may be subject to change, and DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and AirCruise.

________________________________________________________________________________________________