...Trip idea
Queensland’s Contrasts in the Outback, Rainforest & Reef
This intrepid ten-day trip explores the colourful contrasts of tropical Queensland’s north, from the rust red of the outback, the rainforest’s collage of lush greens to the cerulean blues of the Great Barrier Reef.
NORTHERN OUTBACK
MOUNT MULLIGAN LODGE
Arriving in Cairns, travel onwards by private helicopter to Mount Mulligan, taking in sweeping aerial views of the 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest and the far-removed magnificence of your destination. Be introduced to your home for the next three nights – Mount Mulligan Lodge, located in a 28,000-hectre outback cattle station with just eight luxurious suites.
Guided explorations will allow you to immerse yourself in the extraordinary wide-open landscapes, awash in the legacy of the gold and coal rush era in eerie mines, abandoned ghost towns and a still-in-operation gold stamper. Head out into the rugged terrain through boulder-strewn creeks for a gourmet picnic or kayak in the weir that runs alongside the lodge, as well as fishing for barramundi. End each day at the lodge’s sunset bar, on a rocky escarpment with endless views that truly embodies the untouched, wild beauty of the outback.
THE DAINTREE
SILKY OAKS LODGE
Take to the skies again by helicopter and then by road for the next chapter of your northern Queensland exploration. Where the flourishing greens of the Daintree Rainforest meet the tropical beauty of the Great Barrier Reef sits Silky Oaks Lodge, a peaceful retreat cradled around Mossman River and the verdant rainforest. Settle into your River House suite; its speciality feature is the outdoor tub overlooking the gushing river.
Take a day to go deeper into the Daintree on an electric river cruise, a quiet way to explore the riverine surroundings with a chance to see some of the most primitive forms of animal and plant life in the world. Mossman Gorge should not be missed – encircled with walking trails within the World Heritage Site, soak up the sights and smells of this ancient rainforest and cool off in crystal-clear natural pools, sculpted from the river. Back at the hotel, savour fine dining in the open-air restaurant for exquisitely crafted Australian-Asian culinary fusions.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
LIZARD ISLAND
A private transfer will escort you back to Cairns for a scenic light aircraft journey over the mesmerising blues of the Great Barrier Reef to Lizard Island, located just offshore of Queensland’s most northern pinnacle and encircled by azure-blue water and silky-soft sand. Peace and tranquillity characterise your time on Lizard Island, as you choose to do as little or as much as you like.
Enjoy the variety of activity that the calm Coral Sea offers from paddleboarding and ‘clear view’ kayaking to fishing and scuba diving. On land, start the morning with yoga on the beach or take a tennis lesson, hike the island pathways or indulge your senses in the spa with a reviving ritual that includes Australian lemon myrtle. Snorkel the ‘clam garden’, a short swim from the resort or head further afield by boat to marvel at colourful coral gardens, schools of brightly hued fish, turtles and more on the Inner and Outer Barrier Reef. As your time in northern Queensland comes to a close, take one last bird’s eye view of the reef before dropping down to Cairns, and your return journey home.
Stephanie Carthy
Personal Travel Designer
01488 689700 stephanie.carthy@baileyrobinson.com Read Stephanie’s profile
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Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
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