Australia Reef and Rainforest Multi-Sport

Hike, Mountain Bike, Whitewater Raft, Sail, Snorkel and Dive in the "Land Down Under"

Experience two magical UNESCO World Heritage areas--the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef--and see wildlife found nowhere else on earth. From snorkeling and SCUBA diving to rafting and mountain biking, adventure reigns supreme in Queensland. We sample it all while enjoying an elegant inn, live-aboard boat and eco-lodge along the way.

Days 1-2 Cairns-Daintree National Park. A welcome orientation is followed by a sunset cruise through the harbor. The next morning we hike with an aboriginal guide through the rainforest, listening for the call of the cockatoo or the laughing kookaburra. Next it's into Mossman Gorge, a UNESCO World-Heritage site and home to several unique species. We top off the day with the Rainforest Habitat, refuge for native animals such as cassowaries, crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, and countless exotic birds.

Days 3-4 Great Barrier Reef. Early this morning we set sail for the Great Barrier Reef on the "Vagabond", taking the opportunity to trim the sails and steer the vessel or simply soak up the sun. For two days snorkelers delight in a thousand shades of coral, angelfish, anemones, elusive white-tipped reef sharks, and giant turtles. SCUBA divers log up to six dives, including a phenomenal night dive. In the evening our crew offers up a hearty meal, good conversation, and perhaps a round of karaoke.

Day 5 Wooroonooran National Park-Mission Beach. Hike through some of the world's oldest continually surviving rainforest to enchanting Nandroya Falls, where the creek drops in an uninterrupted 165-foot fall from a basalt parapet. Next explore the Waterfalls Circuit: a series of three grand waterfalls. Conclude with a short hike through the jungle to Josephine Falls--where the triple-tiered cascades end with a natural waterslide into a refreshing swimming hole.

Day 6 Tully Gorge National Park. Raft through the rainforest and below waterfalls that tumble from the walls of the gorge. Rousing rapids with evocative names like The Staircase, Corkscrew and Alarm Clock mark the start. Another 41 rapids await, stopping midway for a riverside BBQ.

Days 7-8. Little Mulgrave Valley-Departure. Mountain biking in Cairns is a biker's dream: with mild to challenging singletrack, fun rolling terrain, gorgeous vistas and little-seen wilderness areas. Choose a thrilling singletrack circuit through the Little Mulgrave Valley or a more relaxed scenic route, ending in either case at a refreshing swimming hole. After breakfast on the final morning, prepare for your journey onward or sample one final activity--Skyrail, balloon flight or helicopter tour.