Great Barrier Reef and Beyond

Meet your Tour Director and begin exploring.

After bustling Sydney, the city of Cairns may feel like a sleepy little tropical village. Everything in town seems built for relaxation. The homes are built on stilts to catch the cool ocean breezes and overhead fans whirl in every room. Walk down the lively, slightly bohemian Esplanade, the focal point of the city. This is where the city began in 1876 as a gold- and tin-mining port. Wharf Street was once the main drag, at a time when the entire area was known as the Barbary Coast because of its rough, criminal element. Now, it is a thriving port, where big-game fishing is a major industry. Minutes away, see the hustle and bustle at the Cairns Night Market filled with with knick-knacks and tropical food delights. This city is the gateway into Australia's Tropical North and two significant natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Picture this... A series of small waterfalls flowing into large pools surrounded by large impressive granite boulders. The rainforest trees hang over the mountain water, keeping it cool and refreshing. Crystal Cascades is a secluded freshwater swimming hole, hidden in the middle of a tropical rainforest. It's no wonder locals wish they could keep this North Queensland secret to themselves.

No trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the world's top natural wonders. Transfer from Cairns towards Moore Reef where the underwater universe awaits. Upon arrival at the reef, take part in a guided snorkel safari and participate in the Eye on the Reef program with a marine biologist to monitor the health of the reef. See firsthand the incredible array of life and colors that exist just below the surface with a semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour.

Lunch is included instead of dinner today.

Visit the Nature Park, enjoy a BBQ lunch, and participate in a Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.

Enjoy a free afternoon at one of Cairns' many beautiful beaches.

LEAP Activity | Out and Back

Move to the beat of Australian life! Meet Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers and learn how to play the didgeridoo and clapsticks. Throw a boomerang, then paint and decorate your own to take home as a souvenir!

Travel along the Coral Sea coast, one of Australia's most scenic roads, to Daintree National Park. Home to the Kuku Yalanji people, it’s the world’s oldest rainforest where the creeping vines and emerald canopy have been growing for more than 180 million years. First stop, a Daintree River cruise, don't forget to keep those eyes peeled for a big salty croc! Next, learn about the significance of fragile environments—the biology, ecology, and antiquity of the forest environment and walk through the rainforest canopy. After lunch visit an organic orchard and learn about the exotic fruits locally grown for tropical ice-creams. After perhaps sampling a scoop or two continue on a guided nature walk through Mossman Gorge, a spectacular and scenic part of the rainforest where you will learn about Australia's flora and fauna and the area’s traditional custodians, the Kuku Yalanji. Finish up with a stop at Palm Cove, where the rainforest meets the coral reef.

Transfer to the airport in Cairns and board your flight to Sydney, the Harbour City.

With a storied history, a dazzling setting and its fair share of beautiful people, Bondi Beach is rightly recognized as one of the best beaches in the world. Upon arrival at this enticing stretch of sand, you’ll first learn about what makes Bondi so unique—the surfers, the rescues and all the action you might expect at one of Australia’s most famous destinations. From there, you’re on your own. Catch some rays, feel the sand between your toes, rent a boogie-board or even take some surfing lessons.

Today you will discover Sydney with your Tour Director.

Walk across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and take in the spectacular views of the stunning Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and the city.

As you stroll along the narrow, cobblestone streets of The Rocks, you can’t help but get caught up in the area’s intriguing past, present and future. Here you’ll find chic restaurants, stylish bars and hearty pubs, all amidst some of the oldest surviving buildings in Sydney. One moment you’ll be touring historic Cadman’s Cottage, and the next you’ll find yourself amongst the eclectic shopping, artisan markets and glitzy galleries that make The Rocks the engaging destination that is it today.

Hop aboard the Manly Ferry, one of Sydney’s most iconic experiences. Departing regularly to and from Manly to Circular Quay, the ferry cruises past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before passing Kirribilli House the official residence of the Prime Minister.

Get to know the vibrant Manly, known for its stunning beaches, outdoor cafés, and cool restaurants. The streets are lined with surf and beach-ware shops and little boutique stores. Get active with a scenic coastal walk or go for a swim, hire a bike or walk to Fairy Bower Beach, where the little penguins reside.

Spend a day at the scenic Blue Mountain National Park. Travel through rainforests and encounter new plants and wildlife. Observe the amazing sandstone rock formation known as the Three Sisters. The Blue Mountains offer a variety of hiking trails and lookout points for you to explore and take in the views.

LEAP Activity | Boomerangs and Barbie!

See koalas up close and handfeed kangaroos! Visit a working farm and see sheep shearing, wool classing, working sheep dogs, and boomerang throwing. Wrap up your adventure with another Australian tradition—a delicious lunch on the “barbie” (barbecue).

Board your flight home or extend your travels by visiting New Zealand.

Extend your stay | Visit New Zealand

Visit New Zealand. See the Cathedral, Canterbury Arts Centre, the Museum, botanical gardens, and the Mona Vale Estate Gardens in Christchurch. Enjoy a Maori Cultural Evening. Travel to Kaikoura. Board a whale watching boat. Take the TranzAlpine Rail Service into the Southern Alps. Stroll the Beech Forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park, speedboat down the Waimakariri River, and visit Dean’s Farm.