3 Day Cooktown Cape Tribulation Atherton Tablelands

• Knowledgeable and experienced tour guide
• Pick up from your accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches
• Fresh, healthy meals (2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners and snacks)
• Hotel or Motel Ensuite accommodation (Twin or double with private ensuite bathroom)
• Small group – offering unrivalled, friendly and personalised service
• Modern 4WD vehicle
• All National Park entry fees
• Daintree River Cruise
• All Attractions as per itinerary.

Day 1 – Cairns to Cooktown via Wet Tropics and Atherton  Tablelands

After pick-up from your accommodation, we travel up the Kuranda Range above Cairns, taking in expansive views across the rainforest canopy, the city below and the Coral Sea beyond.

With special access permits, we leave the sealed road behind and venture by 4WD through rainforest tracks and shallow river crossings to the Clohesy River Boardwalk in the World Heritage–listed rainforest. Here you’ll walk beneath a magnificent Giant Strangler Fig — an impressive example of the region’s ancient ecology.

We continue through the agricultural hub of Mareeba and the small communities of Mount Molloy and Mount Carbine, stopping at Bob’s Lookout for sweeping southern views, with morning tea along the way.

Descending from the Atherton Tablelands, we enter the wide-open landscapes of Savannah Country and stop at the Palmer River Roadhouse for lunch. Travelling north along the Mulligan Highway, we pass the striking Black Mountains before turning off the highway to visit Archer Point Lighthouse, an important coastal beacon guiding ships along the Great Barrier Reef.

From here, we make our way into Cooktown and settle into our accommodation

• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Overnight in Cooktown Single/ Twin/ Double (ensuite)

Day 2 – Cooktown -Bloomfield Track to Cape Tribulation

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Cooktown, including a visit to Grassy Hill Lookout for sweeping views over the township and the Endeavour River — once known as the “River of Gold”.

We then visit the Captain James Cook Museum, one of Queensland’s most respected regional museums. Located in a former convent, it shares the story of Captain Cook’s seven-week stay on the Endeavour River, the early encounters between Europeans and Indigenous Australians, the Palmer River gold rush era, and the lives of Cooktown’s early settlers.

With Cooktown’s rich history explored, we continue to the iconic Lion’s Den Hotel for lunch (included). Built on the banks of the Little Annan River and shaded by century-old mango trees, this historic pub is a true Australian landmark. Enjoy a relaxed meal and, if you wish, add your name to the walls alongside travellers from across Australia and around the world (drinks at own expense).

From here, we journey south toward Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Travelling by 4WD along the Bloomfield Track, we take in scenic highlights including Bloomfield Falls, sections of Cedar Bay National Park and rainforest boardwalks.

Upon arrival at Cape Tribulation, you’ll have time to walk along the beach and visit Kulki Lookout, where the rainforest meets the reef. We then continue to our overnight accommodation.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Overnight in Cape Tribulation. Single/ Twin/ Double (ensuite)

Day 3 – Cape Tribulation – Mossman Gorge – Port Douglas – Cairns 

After a relaxed breakfast, we travel north to Thornton Beach, set beneath Thornton Peak (1,374m) — Queensland’s fourth highest mountain. Here you can enjoy a stroll along the sand, breathe in the fresh sea air and capture some stunning coastal photos.

We continue to Alexandra Lookout for sweeping views across the Daintree River, out to the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and Snapper Island. From there, we reach the Daintree River and board the cable ferry for our crossing into the northern section of the rainforest.

On the other side, enjoy a one-hour wildlife cruise along the Daintree River. With a knowledgeable local naturalist guide, keep watch for estuarine crocodiles and native birdlife while learning about one of the most diverse river systems in the world.

Following the cruise, we head to the Daintree Tea House for a special lunch at one of the region’s long-established restaurants. You may choose fresh local barramundi or another menu option, complemented by tropical fruits.

After lunch, we visit Mossman Gorge in the southern section of Daintree National Park. Here, you’ll experience the rich traditions of the Kuku Yalanji people on an extended guided walk through this culturally significant landscape.

Our journey concludes with a scenic drive south along the spectacular Captain Cook Highway — one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal roads — with an optional stop in Port Douglas. You’ll be returned to your accommodation in Cairns or Port Douglas in the early evening.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch