Summary
Short description
Get behind the wheel to discover the outback and beaches of North Queensland
Highlights
- Explore the Atherton Tablelands' rainforests, waterfalls and walking trails
- Encounter native wildlife on included safaris in the Mareeba Wetlands Reserve
- End in Port Douglas, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Beach | Natural world | Self-drive | Wildlife
This self-drive begins in the rolling landscapes and pristine rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands, where you'll spend two unforgettable nights at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat. From there you'll head to the Mareeba Wetlands Reserve, a hotbed of native animal and birdlife where you'll enjoy guided safaris and eco-cruises in the company of expert guides. Finish your holiday in the picturesque seaside town of Port Douglas, renowned for its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests and beaches of the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
UK
Days
3-5
Atherton Tablelands
Arrive in Cairns and collect your hire car at the airport before driving the short distance to the Atherton Tablelands and the wonderful Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat where you'll spend the first two nights of your holiday. Adjoining Wooroonooran National Park, this intimate, eco-friendly retreat is surrounded by pristine rainforest with streams, waterfalls, walking tracks and creeks where, if you're lucky, you might see a platypus playing in the water. Accommodation is in a series of gorgeous treehouses with high ceilings, four-poster beds and luxurious spa baths, the perfect place to relax after a day exploring the beautiful landscapes, rural farms and picturesque villages of the Atherton Tablelands.
Stay: Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Atherton Tablelands (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
6-7
Mareeba Wetlands Reserve
Continue your journey through the Atherton Tablelands as you head to Daintree Ecolodge, a stunning tropical wetlands retreat in the Daintree rainforest. Stay in one of the 15 luxurious treehouses as the canopies rustle and sing with the abundant birdlife. An on-site swimming pool, waterfall, swimming hole and lagoon provide the relaxation, while organic, sustainable foods complete the wellness.
Stay: Daintree Ecolodge
Meals: B D
Days
8-12
Port Douglas
Head to Port Douglas, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Here, balmy evenings encourage al fresco dining along the length of the golden sands of Four Mile Beach, while the ancient rainforests of the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation - where the rainforest meets the reef - are just a stone's throw away. Spend long days relaxing in the Queensland heat, or pre-book some of our optional excursions, there's everything from full-day cruise aboard the high speed catamaran Poseidon to the outer Great Barrier Reef, and an action-packed 4WD tour long the Captain Cook Highway to the Daintree National Park.
Stay: Peninsula Boutique Hotel, Port Douglas (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
13
Departure
Drive the short distance south to Cairns airport, drop off your hire car and board your overnight flight.
Day
14
UK
Arrive back in the UK and continue your onward journey.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
14-day tailor-made self-drive
from £2,300 pp
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634
Meet the team