New Zealand tour itinerary name and information
Rainforest, Reef, and Outback

Experience Tropical North Queensland in effortless style on this 9 day luxury escape. From the white sands and crystal-clear waters of Lizard Island to the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the rugged outback of Mt Mulligan, this journey offers a seamless blend of seclusion, adventure, and indulgence. Travel by scenic flight and private helicopter between remote, world-class lodges, each offering privacy, comfort, and unrivalled surroundings. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, unwind with spa treatments in the rainforest canopy, and savour gourmet dining that celebrates the region’s freshest produce. Along the way, connect with local culture through exclusive, guided experiences, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary landscapes that make Tropical North Queensland truly unforgettable.

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Map and Itinerary
Itinerary
Cairns to Lizard Island Resort Scenic Air Transfer

Depart Cairns on a short flight to Lizard Island, where your private tropical escape awaits.

Welcome to Lizard Island Resort

Lizard Island doesn’t announce itself loudly, but the moment you land, you know you’re somewhere special. Just 40 suites and villas sit scattered across this private patch of the Great Barrier Reef, giving guests an unmatched level of privacy and quiet luxury. Think barefoot sophistication without the need to try too hard. Check in and head straight to Saltwater restaurant for lunch with ocean views that make every bite taste better. Later, step behind the scenes at the Lizard Island Research Station. It’s a rare peek at pioneering reef conservation work, and it makes you appreciate the coral gardens you’ll be exploring in the days ahead. As the afternoon fades, hop aboard a private dinghy and slip away to a secluded beach for a sunset picnic. Champagne, curated nibbles, and nothing but the horizon in front of you.

Your accommodation: Lizard Island Resort

Lizard Island Resort is the only resort on this exclusive Great Barrier Reef island, offering unmatched seclusion and understated elegance. Featuring a serene day spa and fine dining overlooking the Coral Sea, the resort immerses you in a truly remote setting. Enjoy private beach picnics, daily sunset drinks, and effortless access to world-class snorkeling and diving.
Explore Lizard Island at leisure

Lizard Island moves at its own pace, and today is yours to set. If you have never snorkelled before, or it has been a while and your confidence is lacking, we recommend that you participate in a complimentary snorkel lessons.The waters surrounding Lizard Island are a swimming, diving and snorkelling wonderland, featuring an array of outstanding sites such as Mermaid Cove and the Clam Gardens, home to an array of Giant Clams. Venture beyond the island to the stunning outer reef, including the world-famous Cod Hole, just 90 minutes away. Other complimentary water activities include motorised dinghies, kayaks, Sea Darts and stand up paddle boards. For fishing enthusiasts, the surrounding reefs offer excellent opportunities for trolling and bottom line fishing. You might even catch a Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, Queenfish, or Trevally! And remember, Lizard Island promotes catch and release. But if you'd like to enjoy your catch, the chefs can prepare it for you to savor in restaurant. Enjoy lunch or dinner at the Salt Water Restaurant. It is the idyllic setting to take full advantage of the views along the seascape. With an emphasis on fresh and superb local produce, the daily changing menus draw on the flavours of modern Australian cuisine, combining a multicultural mix of Mediterranean and Asian flavours.

Your accommodation: Lizard Island Resort

Lizard Island Resort is the only resort on this exclusive Great Barrier Reef island, offering unmatched seclusion and understated elegance. Featuring a serene day spa and fine dining overlooking the Coral Sea, the resort immerses you in a truly remote setting. Enjoy private beach picnics, daily sunset drinks, and effortless access to world-class snorkeling and diving.
At Leisure: Explore, Indulge, Immerse

Awake in paradise and begin your day with a hike to Cook’s Look, the island’s highest peak. This four-kilometre trail winds through lush tropical greenery and can be enjoyed self-guided or with an expert guide. Whichever path you choose, the reward is the same, panoramic views of reef and ocean that are nothing short of breathtaking.

Back at the resort, lunch at Saltwater reaches new heights. This signature dining experience celebrates the freshest local produce, sourced from the island’s surrounding waters and the mainland hinterland, flown in daily for your enjoyment.

The afternoon is yours to design as you please. Explore hidden coves aboard your personal motorised dinghy or unwind in blissful seclusion on a private beach. Lizard Island’s untouched coastline and crystalline waters invite endless discovery - whether by snorkel, paddleboard, or simply soaking up the serenity.

As evening falls, enjoy dinner and drinks from an exclusive cellar collection before retreating to your villa for a starlit night of complete tranquillity.

Your accommodation: Lizard Island Resort

Lizard Island Resort is the only resort on this exclusive Great Barrier Reef island, offering unmatched seclusion and understated elegance. Featuring a serene day spa and fine dining overlooking the Coral Sea, the resort immerses you in a truly remote setting. Enjoy private beach picnics, daily sunset drinks, and effortless access to world-class snorkeling and diving.
Lizard Island Resort to Cairns Scenic Air Transfer

Bid farewell to Lizard Island as you board your short, scenic flight to Cairns. 

Private Transfer from Cairns Airport to your Accommodation

Arrive into Cairns. A private driver will meet your flight and transfer you to your accommodation.

Welcome to Silky Oaks Lodge

There’s something almost cinematic about the drive from Cairns to Silky Oaks Lodge. The Great Barrier Reef Drive winds its way along the Coral Sea, rainforest on one side, turquoise water on the other. Arrive to a warm welcome and a cool signature drink before checking into your elegant treehouse retreat tucked among the treetops. The afternoon is yours, wander down to the Mossman River, take a dip in the freshwater billabong, or simply sit back on your balcony and listen to the hum of the rainforest. As the sun sets, head to the Treehouse Restaurant where fine local produce set the tone for your first evening in the tropics.

Your accommodation: Silky Oaks Lodge

Silky Oaks Lodge is a luxurious rainforest retreat offering treehouse-style suites with stunning Mossman River or rainforest views. Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine with Indigenous influences at the treetop Treehouse Restaurant, rejuvenate at the Healing Waters Spa, and unwind in elegant lounges.
Ngana Kulkinga Dungay: We All Going Cape Tribulation with Walkabout Cultural Adventures - Lunch Included

Travel through Kuku Yalanji country, led by your local Aboriginal guide and learn about the culturally significant sights and local attractions between Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation including the World Heritage Daintree rainforest. Hear about the unique relationships the Kuku Yalanji people still have with their land and experience these diverse environments. Walk through the world’s oldest living rainforest, see the majestic Daintree River, and reach Cape Tribulation: where the rainforest meets the reef, explore coastal habitats learning about the environment, different foods and medicines utilised from nature, sample some bush tucker, swim at one of the pristine freshwater streams in the area before returning to your accommodation.

Your accommodation: Silky Oaks Lodge

Silky Oaks Lodge is a luxurious rainforest retreat offering treehouse-style suites with stunning Mossman River or rainforest views. Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine with Indigenous influences at the treetop Treehouse Restaurant, rejuvenate at the Healing Waters Spa, and unwind in elegant lounges.
Explore Silky Oaks Lodge at Leisure

Slow mornings suit this place. Pour another coffee, linger over breakfast, and watch the light shift through the canopy. The day moves entirely at your pace:  unhurried, easy, and deeply relaxed. Wander along rainforest trails dappled in sunlight, take a refreshing dip in the Mossman River, or stretch out by the pool with a book and the soft soundtrack of the tropics. For those seeking renewal, the Healing Waters Spa offers treatments inspired by the purity and energy of the surrounding rainforest. If you’re feeling active, grab a kayak or head to nearby Mossman Gorge for a swim in crystal-clear water. As the afternoon fades, sip a cocktail on the Jungle Perch and soak in the serenity before another unforgettable evening of dining among the treetops at the Treehouse Restaurant.

Your accommodation: Silky Oaks Lodge

Silky Oaks Lodge is a luxurious rainforest retreat offering treehouse-style suites with stunning Mossman River or rainforest views. Enjoy contemporary Australian cuisine with Indigenous influences at the treetop Treehouse Restaurant, rejuvenate at the Healing Waters Spa, and unwind in elegant lounges.
Private Transfer from your Accommodation to Cairns Airport

A private driver will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to Cairns Airport in time for your departing flight.

Cairns Airport to Mount Mulligan Lodge Scenic Air Transfer

Board a private helicopter in Cairns and fly to the remote and exclusive Mt Mulligan Lodge.

Welcome to Mt Mulligan Lodge

Arrive at the quiet grandeur of this private estate, where every detail blends comfort with the raw beauty of the outback. Begin your stay with the Mount Mulligan Station Tour, guided by experts who bring the property’s rich heritage to life. Hear the stories of pioneering settlers, explore the remnants of the old township, and discover the gold and coal industries that shaped this remote corner of Queensland.

As the afternoon fades, paddle across the lodge’s tranquil waters, framed by the dramatic ridges of Mount Mulligan, or wander the estate’s trails, taking in the unique flora and fauna that call this land home.

Lunch and dinner are served at the lodge’s main pavilion, where seasonal menus highlight local produce, complemented by thoughtfully curated wines. As evening falls, retreat to the Sunset Bar for cocktails and watch the landscape transform under the outback sky.

Your accommodation: Mt Mulligan Lodge

Set on a private 28,000-hectare estate, 160km northwest of Cairns, this exclusive lodge welcomes just 20 guests, ensuring an intimate and indulgent retreat. Surrounded by the majesty of Mount Mulligan, the lodge boasts a stylish main pavilion for dining and relaxation, an infinity pool, and the iconic Sunset Bar. Each suite comes with its own electric buggy, allowing effortless access to communal spaces.
Explore Mt Mulligan Lodge at leisure

Today, shape your own adventure at Mt Mulligan Lodge. A curated range of experiences allows you to connect with the region’s history, landscape, and natural beauty. Early risers may embrace Sunrise Splendour, a tranquil morning experience that captures the breathtaking beauty of the outback at dawn. History comes alive at the Mount Mulligan Old Township, where the stories of a once-thriving settlement unfold, or on the Coal Mine & Cemetery Tour, tracing the coal mining past and paying respects at the historic cemetery.

For those seeking adventure, the Branch Lookout ATV Tour offers an exhilarating ride along rugged tracks, revealing sweeping panoramic views across the estate. Alternatively, explore at a gentler pace along The Weir Walk, Lodge Loop Track, Railway Track, or Geraldine Rock Track, each presenting unique perspectives of the surrounding ranges, waterways, and wildlife.

Step back in time at the Tyrconnell Gold Mine, where you can try your hand at gold panning, while fishing enthusiasts may cast lines for barramundi and other prized catches in the peaceful waters of Barrayak. 

Your accommodation: Mt Mulligan Lodge

Set on a private 28,000-hectare estate, 160km northwest of Cairns, this exclusive lodge welcomes just 20 guests, ensuring an intimate and indulgent retreat. Surrounded by the majesty of Mount Mulligan, the lodge boasts a stylish main pavilion for dining and relaxation, an infinity pool, and the iconic Sunset Bar. Each suite comes with its own electric buggy, allowing effortless access to communal spaces.
Mt Mulligan Lodge to Cairns Scenic Helicopter Transfer

Conclude your stay with a private helicopter flight back to Cairns, taking in the outback from above.

Farewell from Cairns

Your tour comes to an end today, but if you are itching to explore more amazing sights throughout Australia, we can customise your holiday to include more days or additional destinations. Our trusted travel specialists can book transfers to your onward flight, and even assist in booking these flights for you. Our team can't wait to help you design your ultimate getaway!

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Tailor-Made Itineraries. Premium Transfers. Private Experiences.

In a country defined by scale and space, how you get there matters. We arrange everything from helicopter landings and 4WD outback drives to private flights and yacht charters.

The result? A seamless, scenic trip, thats always on your terms. Giving you the freedom to move well beyond the usual path.

 

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