Highlights
Cairns city sightseeing
Kuranda Scenic Rail
Kuranda Village - Heritage Markets; Art & Craft Galleries, Shops & Cafés
Rainforest Boardwalk Trail
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
Paronella Park
Millaa Millaa Falls
Gallo Dairyland
Atherton Tablelands
Giant Curtain Cathedral Fig Tree
Lake Barrine Rainforest & Wildlife Cruise
Historic Herberton Village
Guided walk Mossman Gorge
Wildlife Daintree River Cruise
Cape Tribulation beach
On the Turps Bar & Restaurant
The Bloomfield Track
Lunch at Lion’s Den Hotel established 1878
Cooktown - Grassy Hill Lookout, Cooktown’s Guided History Walk
Endeavour River sunset cruise
Heritage-listed Cooktown Cemetery
James Cook Museum
Cooktown Botanic Gardens & Art Gallery
Nature’s Powerhouse
Black Mountain National Park Lookout
Byerstown Lookout
Palmer River Roadhouse
Day trip catamaran cruise to Low Isle
Free day in Cairns and Port Douglas to explore at leisure
Friends for Company!
Inclusions
Personally escorted by an experienced Sisterhood Hostess who is on hand to assist with making your holiday a memorable one
Return flights to Cairns, including luggage ex Melbourne (other cities available upon request)
Comfortable coach touring throughout
Accommodation with private facilities
Fabulous range of included sightseeing and activities
All meals as detailed in the itinerary
Free time for personal discovery
Room sharing option (subject to availability)
Zoom Meet and Greet prior to departure (subject to minimum numbers)
Notice
Basic Fitness Rating - A basic level of fitness is necessary for this tour. Typically, a day of walking entails approximately 10,000 steps, and you should be capable of boarding and disembarking coaches, trains, and boats unaided as well as managing steps and uneven terrain, including cobblestones and unsurfaced roads and paths. For more information please click here
Itinerary
Day 1 - Tuesday 19 May 2026
Melbourne - Cairns (D)
Welcome to Sisterhood Womens Travel. Meet your Tour Hostess and fellow travellers at the Melbourne Airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival, we are met by our coach driver and start our visit to Tropical North Queensland with a Cairns city highlights tour, including St Monica’s Cathedral with its famous Peace Windows, Cairns Museum for a glimpse into the region's past, and a stroll through the lush Botanic
This afternoon, after our tour, it’s time to check into our hotel before enjoying dinner at the Moku Bar & Grill.
Overnight: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (or similar)
Day 2 - Wednesday 20 May 2026
Cairns - Kuranda (B,D)
Today, we journey deep into the tropical rainforest for a day of stunning scenery and cultural charm. We begin with a heritage ride on the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, departing from Freshwater Station, as it ascends through tunnels and across bridges, offering views of cascading waterfalls and dense rainforest.
Upon arriving in Kuranda Village, we enjoy time at leisure to explore the Heritage Markets, browse local crafts, and purchase our lunch.
In the afternoon, we glide above the canopy on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, descending to Smithfield Terminal with immersive stops at Red Peak and Barron Falls for rainforest boardwalks and interpretive centres.
After a day of wonder, we return to Cairns for dinner at Dundee’s Waterfront Restaurant, Cairns’ most iconic waterfront restaurant.
Overnight: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (or similar)
Day 3 - Thursday 21 May 2026
Cairns - Free Day (B,D)
Today is a day to relax and unwind at our own pace. We can lounge poolside, stroll along the Cairns Esplanade, or browse local shops and galleries; this free day allows us to soak up the tropical atmosphere.
In the evening, we regroup for a relaxed dinner at the hotel, and afterwards we can wander through the vibrant Cairns Night Markets.
Overnight: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort (or similar)
Day 4 - Friday 22 May 2026
Paronella Park - Atherton Tablelands (B,L,D)
This morning, we check out and ascend into the lush Atherton Tablelands, travelling through picturesque landscapes of sugarcane fields and tropical farmland.
Our first major stop is the enchanting Paronella Park, a magical Spanish-style castle built in the rainforest by visionary José Paronella in the 1930s. With its romantic ruins, cascading Mena Creek Falls, and rainforest gardens powered by hydroelectricity, it’s a truly unique experience. We enjoy a delicious lunch on-site surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the park.
This afternoon, we journey along the scenic Waterfall Way, pausing at the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls – one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia. Our final stop is at Gallo Dairyland, where we enjoy delicious artisan cheeses and have time to browse their handmade chocolates.
In the late afternoon, we arrive in Yungaburra, a charming Tablelands village, and check into our accommodation before enjoying a relaxed group dinner at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Yungburra Park Motel (or similar)
Day 5 - Saturday 23 May 2026
Atherton Tablelands - Herberton Village (B
Our day begins with breakfast before making our way to the Historic Village Herberton, which is like stepping back in time. The village has over 50 original buildings that date from its foundation years. Strolling through the village gives a sense of being in a real township complete with chemist, school, bank, grocery store, frock salon, toy shop, mechanic, jail, and lots more.
We continue our journey with a quick stop at Curtain Fig Tree Road to stroll the boardwalk and view the spectacular curtain fig tree from different vantage points.
We then travel across to Lake Barrine, a prehistoric volcano cone now a deep lake filled with the freshest of spring water and home to the twin Kauri pines and the giant Red Cedar tree. On arrival, we take a Rainforest and Wildlife Cruise to see one of the most complex and amazing rainforest ecosystems in the world.
After the cruise and afternoon tea in the Lake Barrine Teahouse, we travel back to Atherton for our overnight stay, and dinner tonight is at leisure.
Your tour hostess will arrange a venue.
Overnight: Yungburra Park Motel (or similar)
Day 6 - Sunday 24 May 2026
Mossman Gorge - Daintree - Cape Tribulation (B,L,D)
Departing Yungburra, we descend to the coast and travel along the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef Drive to Mossman Gorge. Here, our coach driver guides us for a gentle walk through the ancient rainforest, followed by morning tea at the Mossman Gorge Centre.
Next, we embark on a peaceful Daintree River Cruise, where we hope to spot saltwater crocodiles and learn about this incredible estuarine ecosystem. Lunch is enjoyed en route before we visit the renowned Daintree Discovery Centre. Elevated walkways, informative displays, and an aerial walkway reveal the rich biodiversity of the world’s oldest living rainforest.
This evening, we check into the charming Heritage Lodge nestled in Cape Tribulation’s rainforest and dine at the atmospheric "On the Turps" Restaurant, surrounded by nature and candlelight.
Overnight Daintree Rainforest: Heritage Lodge (or similar)
Day 7 - Monday 25 May 2026
Bloomfield Track - Cooktown (B,L)
We begin the day with a tranquil rainforest breakfast before heading north on the scenic and adventurous Bloomfield Track, one of Australia’s great 4WD coastal drives.
Along the way, we pause at Myall Beach for a short walk and a chance to absorb the beauty of the reef-meets-rainforest coastline. Continuing through rugged terrain, we arrive at the historic Lion’s Den Hotel for a hearty lunch and a touch of outback hospitality. On reaching Cooktown, we stop at Grassy Hill Lookout for panoramic views of the Coral Sea and Endeavour River.
Later, we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise along the Endeavour River, a magical way to end the day.
Dinner tonight at leisure, your Sisterhood hostess will arrange a venue.
Overnight: Sovereign Resort Hotel, Cooktown (or similar)
Day 8 - Tuesday 26 May 2026
Cooktown - Port Douglas (B,L)
Discover more about the history of this frontier town by visiting iconic locations in Cooktown with visits to the heritage-listed Cooktown cemetery, the James Cook Museum, and the Cooktown Botanic Gardens and Art Gallery, and enjoy lunch at Nature’s Powerhouse.
Leaving Cooktown, we travel south to Port Douglas via the outback and experience the contrasting difference between the rainforest we experienced on the w, ay up. Stops at Black Mountain National Park Lookout, Byerstown Lookout, and the Palmer River Roadhouse, where remnants and pieces of history from the gold rush era remain. Standing at the solitary Palmer River Roadhouse perched on the hill above the famous river, it is hard to imagine that in the 1870s tens of thousands of miners flocked to this area searching for gold.
We arrive in Port Douglas late afternoon and check into the Mantra Portsea for the next 3 nights.
Overnight: Mantra Portsea, Port Douglas (or similar)
Day 9 - Wednesday 27 May 2026
Port Douglas - Low Isles (B,L)
Today we enjoy your full Day Cruise to the Low Isles. A secluded tropical paradise, set like a jewel in the Great Barrier Reef, Low Isles is an idyllic, unspoilt coral cay island – a tropical island paradise. Combined with the romance of sailing aboard Quicksilver’s luxury 30 metre sailing catamaran, Wavedancer.
Dinner at leisure tonight, your Sisterhood hostess will arrange a venue.
Overnight: Mantra Portsea, Port Douglas (or similar)
Day 10 - Thursday 28 May 2026
Port Douglas (B)
Today is ours to enjoy the tropical paradise of Port Douglas at our own pace. Buddy up and hit the boutique shops of Macrossan Street, and indulge in a long lunch at one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants. Enjoy a gentle stroll along the iconic Four Mile Beach.
We'll regroup for dinner tonight and enjoy our last night, celebrating fun times and new friendships.
Day 11 - Friday 29 May 2026
Cairns - Home (B)
This morning, we pack our bags and enjoy our final breakfast before transferring to the Cairns airport to check in for our homeward flight to Melbourne arriving in late afternoon.
Thank you for travelling with Sisterhood Womens Travel and we look forward to welcoming you back for your next adventure.