Recharge with four days in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

There’s no better way to reconnect with nature than to sleep in the thick of it. On this four day Cairns & Great Barrier Reef itinerary, you won’t need to rough it and roll out the swag: instead, have every luxury at your fingertips at Daintree Ecolodge.

A boutique lodging of 15 secluded bayans surrounded by the oldest living tropical rainforest on earth. Rise to the sound of the birds in the rainforest above, breathe in the fresh tropical air and discover the lodge’s private onsite waterfall. Do as little as you want – or sign up for a cooking class, practice yoga and rejuvenate at the day spa.

Just a 90 minute drive from Cairns, with access to the Great Barrier Reef too, you’ll feel world’s away in this untouched sanctuary nestled in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. A stay here is an experience in itself – though Cairns has more than its fair share of eco-friendly accommodation where you can switch off, and switch on to a more meaningful ‘every day’.

Day One: Meet Mossman Gorge

Get to know Mossman Gorge from all sides today. This jewel of Daintree National Park is not just a convenient stop en route from Cairns, but a pocket of paradise that allows you to play among spectacular scenery, where crystal-clear water cascades over large granite boulders in the Mossman River.

Rich in history and Indigenous heritage, the best way to dive in is on an Indigenous Dreamtime tour from Mossman Gorge Centre. You’ll visit culturally significant sites, learn stories and legends passed down by the Kuku Yalanji, and get a greater understanding of Mossman’s magic. It makes cooling off afterwards that much more special.

Before you leave, spark your creative side while learning more about the region’s Indigenous culture at Aboriginal-owned Janbal Gallery in Mossman. 

Day Two: Head deeper into the Daintree

The Daintree is a place that doesn’t only fascinate on paper: wander its nature trails, climb into the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cablewa, tackle the river rapids with Cairns Adventure Group, and spot the wildlife, and you’re sure to be even more mesmerised. There are so many experiences available from day trips to multi-day tours, where you’ll explore highlights of the rainforest, squelch your toes in the sand of remote Cape Tribulation beaches, feed your appetite along the food trail and even cruise out on the river to spot crocs.

Day Three: Jump into the Great Barrier Reef

Swap sneakers for snorkels today. You simply can’t spend four days in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef without heading out to the reef – this natural world wonder demands exploring.

If you want to stay on the reef’s quieter side, make your way north onto the Daintree Coast at Cape Tribulation. Untamed, rugged, and wild, this region of the Reef is largely untouched, making for some extraordinary snorkelling, diving, and fishing trips. The rest of the world feels a world away up here.

Want to be guided by the experts? Opt for a half day eco-tour with Ocean Safari. It’s an exhilarating but short ride out into the big blue, and you’ll quickly meet an abundance of marine life from giant clams and turtles to thousands of tropical fish among the two dive locations at Mackay and Undine Reefs.  

Or check out Quicksilver Cruises’ - their diverse range of activities for scuba divers, snorkellers and non-swimmers will ensure everyone has no trouble filling up their day on the floating pontoon at Agincourt Reef.

The crew at Pro Dive Cairns operate one of the best Great Barrier Reef tours for those who know their way around the bottom of the ocean. Although, new divers with zero experience are welcome, as are snorkellers.

The Silverswift Cruise (from Cairns) is also an ideal day trip for those who want to see as much of the Outer Reef as possible in one day. The tour move between three select sites which have been chosen out of more than 35 exclusive locations according to the best weather conditions that day.

Day Four: Tour the Tablelands

Let your sense of adventure guide you to a place where reality is better than the Instagram feed, every time. If cascading falls surrounded by rainforest and fertile farmland dotted with makers and producers spells bliss for you, spend a day exploring the Atherton Tablelands.

Pick up picnic supplies from the locals and throw out your blanket on the lawn in front of Millaa Millaa Falls. Wander the short boardwalk to find an enormous 500 year old strangler fig tree that looks as if it’s been pulled from the pages of a storybook. Paddle out onto a deep crater lake then stop for scones at the teahouse perched on its shores. And if you’re after a more secluded adventure, we’ve saved you a spot under Nandroya Falls: a 2.5km (1.5 miles) hike along a rainforest trail will lead you to its base. Feel the spray, or dive right it: it’s up to you.

Here are a few other waterfalls worth finding close by that will give you goose bumps. 

There are plenty more reasons to stick around a while longer in Cairns, if you can – including some adventure-packed nature activities that’ll really get your heart racing.