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Far North Escapes
Join us on a day trip to vast landscapes. From the mountains and rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands to the dry country, home to the famous Chillagoe Caves. Enjoy a full day experiencing some of the best natural scenery of Far North Queensland.
As we travel south out of Cairns witness the spectacular views of cane fields back dropped by the surrounding mountains and rainforest. Along the journey you’ll pass Queensland highest peak, the iconic towering Mount Bartle Frere as we wind our way up the Gillies Range to the Atherton Tablelands. Our first stop for the day is the 500 year old Cathedral Fig Tree. With a crown as big as 2 Olympic swimming pools and over 50 meters tall this mighty tree will take your breath away. Learn all about the tree from the signs on the boardwalk and gaze at the roots and canopy in search of the plentiful wildlife that call it home. Then onto the picturesque village of Yungaburra, a vibrant mix of alfresco cafés and boutique shopping surrounded by spectacular rainforest and countryside. On we travel witnessing the landscape change along the Wheelbarrow Way, from lush rainforest to dry tropical woodlands. We stop at the Camp 64 Museum and Café in the small town of Dimbulah for lunch, before arriving at Chillagoe for our National Parks Ranger guided walk. We tour the Royal Arch Cave which is a passage of 11 chambers and one of the largest cave systems in the area.
Delight in the spectacular caverns and passages decorated by stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. Their formation began over 400 million years ago, with fluctuating groundwater slowly dissolving and sculpting the caves. Once an ancient coral reef, now transformed into limestone buffs with a network of 560 caves. A short drive on we arrive at Balancing Rock and the nearby Indigenous Rock Art. Take time to soak it all in as we admire the savannah landscape that surrounds us before heading back through the rainforest zone to Cairns. Our last stop is the mighty Barron Falls lookout at Kuranda. This steep tiered cascade waterfall is where the rivers descend from the Tablelands to the costal plains. We wind our way down the Kuranda range for your late afternoon arrival back into Cairns.
Meals: Packed Lunch, at Cooktown Botanic Gardens.
Please note: All itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, unexpected circumstances or Tour Guides decision based on what is best for the group and preferences. This itinerary is ONLY a guide. Our itineraries are flexible, at Far North Escapes we modify our itineraries based on our guests needs and requirements. We believe in accommodating all our guest's needs and creating a remarkable Far North Queensland Adventure.
Fully guided tour. Experienced naturalist guides.
Chillagoe Caves. Prehistoric limestone caves filled with ancient fossils.
Yungaburra. Historic Village surrounded by spectacular countryside.
Atherton Tablelands. See a diverse range of landscapes.
Curtain Fig Tree. 500-year-old Fig with aerial roots that drop 15 metres to the forest floor.
Balancing Rock. See the rock that has been balancing for thousand of years.
Camp 64 Museum. A small country business located in the heart of Dimbulah in Far North Queensland.
Secluded Beaches and Swimming Holes. Experience the hidden gems of the jungle.
All national parks. Including fees and permits.
Small or private touring group. Comfortable and airconditioned vehicle.
Meals and snacks. As per itinerary.
PICK UP & RETRUN
Cairns 7:30am - 6:00pm
Northern Beaches 7:30am - 6:00pm
Port Douglas 6:00am - 6:30pm
Port Douglas pick-up: this is an additional cost of $300. Exemplar Coaches will pick you up between 6am - 6.15am and transfer you to the bottom of the Kuranda range where you will be picked up by your Far North Escapes tour guide. Returns between 6pm - 6.30pm.
We have a strong focus on client experience, and as such our groups are small in size. We want to give you the best, most immersive experience and that just cannot be delivered with large group touring. We have capped our numbers for this reason. The tour you have booked will determine the vehicle you are travelling in and your group size.
For our Day Trips and Multi-Day Tours, you will be travelling in a spacious late model LandCruiser Prado. Featuring 5 seats, we work on a rotational seating arrangements to give all guests the best experience possible.
Our tours have been designed to suit a reasonable standard of fitness – for instance the ability to walk on some uneven surfaces. There are occasions, such as at Bloomfleld Falls (Wujal Wujal), where you can walk up to a distance of 400 meters on uneven ground. The ability to cope with remoteness is essential.
We have no age limits on our Tours. We have had young families on tours, and clients in their 90s. When completing the Medical Waiver Form, it is the guests responsibility to ensure their health and physical fitness is of a reasonable level and they have disclosed any ailments that are of concern. We suggest you seek advise from your GP if you are unsure.
Mobility Challenges & Disabilities: Yes, we have had clients with extra considerations join our Tours and it brings us great joy to be able to make their dream a reality. Please speak with our Agents if you or a member of your group has mobility challenges, a disability or is wheelchair bound. We are able to make adjustments accordingly.
Rest assured, you are in great hands with our experienced guides and we make every effort to ensure your trip is an enjoyable and inclusive one.
Yes, as we do not offer shared or paired accommodation for single travelers. See our (single) rates
Thank you for supporting our Family owned and operated local business. We’re so pleased you are back for another Escape! Please discuss your past travels with our friendly Agents for a discount to be applied.
Accommodation is subject to availability. Please note, there are instances where accommodation in your itinerary can change or be amended due to operational or supplier requirements. Under no circumstances will you be required on any tour to share accommodation with any other member of the group.
Our Far North Escapes Agents are experienced in all aspects of Travel arrangements, and happy to assist you in organising your Pre and Post tour plans. Please call us to discuss.
Far North Escapes and/or its agents are not responsible or liable for loss, damage or theft of luggage or personal belongings whatsoever, nor for personal injury, accidents, hospitalization, illness or medical expenses. In our experience, most claims arise from personal or close-family illness before holiday departure, resulting in cancellation charges. We strongly recommend all intending passengers consult their travel or insurance provider, and take out adequate travel insurance to cover events that may affect your ability to travel(including, but not limited to, health, baggage, loss of monies through cancellation, additional expenses incurred through illness or personal liability prior to travel and early return, for example, following the death of a relative). We do not have any affiliation or personal recommendations regarding insurance – its important you do your own research and choose cover suited to your personal circumstances.
We do have a Stand By List should your preferred departure date be sold-outonline. Please contact us by your preferred contact method to request to beplaced on Stand By should a space become available, and we will be in contact.
Yes, we balance our tours for the comfort and experience of our clients on tour. There are opportunities throughout your Itinerary where you will have time at Leisure – where you can book optional extra activities or just soak up your surroundings.
You will be provided with a suggested Packing List pertaining to your relevant booked Tour.
Luggage type is at your preference; however please note we do have a strict 15kg limitation per guest due to internal Flights.
You’re on holiday! At no time during our tours will you be required to cook.
If you are on a Private Charter, yes, we can make arrangements for you to bring your pet. This is on a request basis and needs to be discussed prior to booking with one of our friendly Agents.
As per government regulations, Smoking is not permitted inside our vehicles at any time. Ample stops on route can provide time for “Smoko” breaks.
All of our Cairns Tours are Guaranteed departures when at least 3 guests are confirmed.
Our one day and multi-day tours are a minimum of 2 guests for a Guaranteed departure.
At the time of writing: for recreational purposes, you do not need a permit to use a drone in Queenslands National Parks as long as it weighs under 2kgs,there are less than 10 people involved in the shoot and no buildings or structures are being filmed. For up to date information consult the Queensland National Parks website, or use the “Can I fly there” app.
Yes, we cater to all Dietary requirements for our guests. Please ensure we have your considerations available to us upon booking.
Water is provided and available at all times to our guests. If you would like to bring your own reusable water bottle, you are encouraged to do so.
We provide ample stops and consider our guests comfort. On remote stretches, we provide port-a-loos.
Our vehicles operate with a daily seat rotation system to ensure passengers enjoy a different perspective each day on tour.
Your treatment will depend on the particular circumstances and your location. Our experienced crew members are first-aid trained, and our vehicles are equipped with a full First Aid kit. If you require medical evacuation in a remote location, the Royal Flying Doctor Service operate on a donation service. We will ensure you get the best treatment, and get you back on tour, or home, safely as soon as possible.
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