Cairns Adventure - Cairns

The Cairns Adventure package offers a combination of tours to the best attractions this region has to offer as well as good, central budget accommodation.

Package Inclusions:

• 5 Nights at The Balinese
• Continental Breakfast Daily
• Unlimited Internet
• King, Twin or Triple Bedding
• Barrier Reef-Intro Dive or Guided Snorkel
• Kuranda Train & Skyrail
• Daintree Rainforest 4WD tour
• 2 Days at your Leisure

Day 1: Arrive into Cairns and check into The Balinese - 
Enjoy the relaxed style and character of Bali at "The Balinese"- simple warm hospitality, to truly remember your holiday in the Tropical North Queensland.  All eighteen hotel rooms are furnished in the Balinese style, all uniquely produced by Indonesian craftsmen.

Rooms Feature:

• Fully air-conditioned and fans
• Queen/Twin or Triple size beds
• Austar TV 
• Ensuite bathrooms with shower
• Hairdryer
• Tea & Coffee facilities
• Serviced Daily
• (Disabled modified room available)

Communal Facilities Feature:

• Community Kitchen
• Iron and ironing board
• Unlimited Internet
• Coin laundry facilities on ground level

Location:  Cairns City is located a 12 minute walk from The Balinese.  Only a 3 minute walk to the Cairns Base Hospital and Cairns Private Hospital.  There are 2 restaurants within a 2 minute walk.  There is a health club with yoga, pilates etc; across the road. 

Day 2: Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef

Passions of Paradise experience is the best trip going to the Great Barrier Reef with more inclusions than any other cruise to the Great Barrier Reef.

What makes it Great?

• FREE Guided Snorkel Tour
• On-board marine naturalist presentation
• 10 minute FREE Scuba Diving demo
• Dedicated snorkelling instructor 
• FREE Snorkel tuition 
• Exclusive mooring at Paradise Reef 
• Spacious & Comfortable vessel
• Two Reef locations
• Easy snorkelling for 'first timers'
• Sailing experience, no motor noise!
• Environmentally friendly practices

Your Tour Includes:

• On arrival-Fresh brewed coffee & muffins
• Cheese platter for afternoon tea
• Tropical Buffet lunch-hot & cold dishes
• including prawns & fruit
• Highest quality masks, snorkels & fins
• Floatation vests to aid non-swimmers

Passions of Paradise visits two very special reef locations on the Great Barrier Reef; Michaelmas Cay and Paradise Reef.  The sleek, modern, 25 metre maxi-sailing catamaran will ensure you travel in style and comfort with small numbers.  

The crew at Passions are dedicated to providing a truly unique and personalised reef experience

Award Winners:  Having recently won the Queensland State Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for Adventure Tourism you can be confident you are in great company.  Passions of Paradise is also awarded as a Climate Innovator with Eco-Tourism Australia.  Passions of Paradise have made significant progress towards reducing their carbon and environmental footprint.  

You will visit Michaelmas Cay:   An unspoilt paradise recognised internationally as one of the most important bird nesting sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef. The cay combines brilliant white sand, warm shallow water, and has an abundance of coral and marine life. The cay also provides excellent protection no matter what the weather and our rare permit allows beach access which is perfect for first time snorkellers.

Pristine Paradise Reef  is Passions very own exclusive destination.  Located on the famed, Outer Great Barrier Reef, this hard coral reef system boasts excellent water clarity, is host to many exciting fish species and the coral is in magnificent condition.  Many species of marine life are unique to this area allowing passengers to witness unequalled diversity all in one day!

Lunch consists of a huge chef prepared tropical smorgasbord including two hot dishes, a full range of cold meats, salads and fresh tropical fruit as well as fresh bread rolls and prawns. On the way home with the sails up, chill out, sample some refreshments from the fully stocked bar and soak up the atmosphere.

Optional Extras:
Introductory diving is safe, fun, easy and the best way to see the Great Barrier Reef.  No experience is necessary, and you don’t even have to be able to swim. You will be given a full on-deck briefing, shown how the equipment works and in small groups of no more than 4 divers, be led on a diving instructor controlled dive.  A medical questionnaire is required.

Certified scuba divers have a beautiful range of reefs to dive.  Paradise Reef is on the true outer Great Barrier Reef where the water visibility is best and the coral most dramatic.

Glass Bottom Boat Tour available:  For those passengers who wish to see the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef and not get wet, Passions offers a 30 minute glass bottom tour with a Marine Naturalist (extra cost).

Prescription Masks are available on board.

Departures:
Check in at the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns at 7:30am for an 8am departure.  The Balinese is a 15-20 minute maximum walk from the Reef Fleet Terminal.  The Reef Fleet Terminal is located at the Wharf end of the Esplanade and Spence St in the city.  The trip returns into Cairns at 5pm.  Times are approximate only.

The Balinese Hotel Transfers for Passions of Paradise:  If you would like return accommodation transfers from The Balinese this is possible and is $14/person.  Please let us know when booking so that we can make these arrangements

Day 3: Kuranda Skyrail & Train

Kuranda in a Day is an unguided budget tour option which combines the famous Scenic Rail and Skyrail Cableway into a relaxing scenic day trip.

What makes it Great?

• Excellent value
• Return Coach transfers from your Cairns accommodation or self drive
• Choose to add on attractions
• Choose from 2 or 4 hours in Kuranda

A1 ITINERARY (Train up, Skyrail down):
* 8:15-8:30am pickup from your hotel
* 9:45am Kuranda Scenic Rail from Freshwater Station
* Choose 4 hours in Kuranda Village
* 3:30pm Skyrail Cableway
* Barron Falls Boardwalk
* Red Peak Boardwalk
* 4:40pm Return transfer to accommodation

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Freshwater Station:  Freshwater Connection station includes a museum, and pioneer cottage which provide visitors with an interesting and educational experience.  There is time to see the museum and take photos.  There is also a cafe here where you have time to grab a coffee or a bite to eat.   

Kuranda Scenic Railway: Since June 1891 this famous railway has offered passengers a very special journey between Kuranda and Freshwater Station. Admire the toil of the men and women who built this line over 100 years ago as it passes through 15 hand hewn tunnels and over many bridges, crossing waterfalls and ravines as it traverses the very edge of the Barron River Gorge where you will stop at the Observation Deck for photographs.

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway: Skyrail is the world's only rainforest cableway, traversing the Barron Gorge National Park, offering superb views of the Coral Sea and World Heritage Rainforest from a 'birds eye view'. Alight at Red Peak Station to stroll on an interpretive rainforest boardwalk and at Barron Falls Station enjoy short walks to view points of the Barron Gorge and Falls, together with a visit to the high quality Rainforest Interpretive Centre.

Kuranda Station: For over one hundred years Kuranda has been attracting the tourist in search of exotic scenery and mountain air.  Today Kuranda Station is world renowned for its tropical gardens and historic significance. It is possibly one of the most photographed railway stations in the world. The heritage-listed buildings blend with the tropical surrounds providing a relaxed environment to enjoy. The Kuranda Railway Tea Rooms at the station offer a great range of souvenirs and refreshments.

Kuranda Village: Stroll the tree-lined streets of Kuranda, punctuated with quaint village architecture, shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. Spend a few hours or just a short visit, the choice is yours. You will have 2-4 hours free time to purchase your lunch and explore Kuranda. Discover the charm, colour and diversity that Kuranda has to offer:

Kuranda Markets: The 'Original' Kuranda Markets are open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday. The Kuranda Heritage Markets are open 7 days a week.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary: Experience the magic and enchantment of Australia's largest live butterfly display (own expense).

Birdworld: This is the largest collection of free-flying birds in Australia with over 70 species (own expense).

Kuranda Koala Gardens: Cuddle a koala (souvenir photo optional) and experience Australia's first walk through snake enclosure (own expense).

OPTIONAL UPGRADES:

Train Gold Class:
For an additional charge, upgrade the Kuranda Scenic Railway (KSR) leg of your journey to KSR Gold Class -
KSR Gold Class provides a premium experience for passengers wanting that extra comfort and a little bit of luxury for a most memorable experience.  KSR Gold Class includes a dedicated host service, individual seating in lounge style chairs, in ambient historical décor carriages. Advance bookings are essential.

Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class includes:
* Gold Class Attendant
* Individual seating, movable tub style chairs, Club lounge seating - seats assigned at time of ticketing
* Beverage selection - coffee, tea, orange juice, soft drink, sparkling Australian wine, beer, wine and mocktails
* Selection of fresh appetisers - Morning service: savoury croissants, mini muffins and danishes as well as warm spinach and feta rolls/ Afternoon service: locally grown macadamia nuts, selection of Australian cheeses, antipasto, crackers and dried fruits
* KSR Gold Class souvenir pack including pewter KSR pin, pen and postcard & refresher towel
(If guests write their postcards during the journey KSR will post the card free of charge for them)

Kuranda Wildlife Experience includes entry to the Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. You will have access to all three attractions at a great saving off the normal admission price!

Day 4: Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest 4WD tour

Billy Tea Bush Safaris is the longest established 4WD day tour operator to Cape Tribulation. The first 1/2 of the journey north is very scenic with beautiful ocean views in contrast with the lush farmland around Mossman.

After morning tea you will learn about the mangrove rainforests, and hopefully observe local wildlife including the Estuarine Crocodiles on the Daintree River Cruise.

This tour offers a little more. It takes you beyond Cape Tribulation along the 4WD only 'Bloomfield Track', allows time for a swim in the Coral Sea at Cape Tribulation (seasonal) . There is no set timetable. You can enjoy elevated walks through the Cape Tribulation National Park with experienced guides who allow ample time for questions and photographs.

While you are taking a swim in a tranquil freshwater stream the BBQ lunch is prepared then served with home made salads, tropical fruit and Australian wine. You will probably see fish and turtles in the creek, butterflies and exotic birds in the trees and often Goannas on the forest floor all at the luncheon site.

On the way home enjoy a short afternoon refreshment stop where you can pat a Kangaroo, scratch a cockatoo, have a cold beer or sip a cup of local tea. Return to Cairns by 6:30pm.

Day 5: At your leisure.

Day 6: Check out of The Balinese - End of Package.

Please Note: The Cairns Adventure Package includes accommodation and tours.  A Continental breakfast by the pool daily and lunch on your tours is included. You can start this package any day of the week and in any order.