Auswalk - Tropical Hiker Highlights
• Daintree World Heritage Area - where the rainforest meets the reef
• Learn how the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people lived in the tropical rainforests
• Unique wildlife - azure Ulysses butterflies, platypus, cassowaries, crocodiles
• Stunning waterfalls on the Atherton Tablelands
• Unwind at beautiful Mission Beach - all rooms have ocean views
• Take a ferry then hike on picturesque Dunk Island

8 Day Trip - Itinerary Guide
Day 1: This holiday starts in Cairns at 8.00am - the meeting point is the Hotel Cairns (Cnr Abbott and Florence Streets). Hike in the Barron Gorge National Park. From Glacier Rock there are sweeping views of Trinity Inlet, the Coral Sea and the city of Cairns (moderate walking, 4 hours). Travel the scenic coastal route to Mossman then across the Daintree River by ferry into the heart of the Daintree National Park. This is the first crocodile territory encountered during the tour, so we will keep well away from the edge! On the route to Cape Tribulation the distances are small, but the steep, rainforest-covered mountains and narrow roads reduce driving speeds, eventually averaging just 40kmph. We will spend two nights in the heart of the rainforest in an area frequented by elusive cassowaries. Accommodation: Cottage / motel-style rooms in a tropical retreat in the Daintree area.

Day 2: Begin the day with an early morning walk looking for cassowaries (1 hour, easy). After breakfast, our Daintree walk starts out along a picturesque stretch of sandy beach. Along the way we will head inland along an elevated boardwalk through tidal mangroves and freshwater swamps where we often see kingfishers and catbirds (you would swear that it was a cat calling). The track eventually emerges at a tropical beach overhung by the lush rainforest at Cape Tribulation – where the rainforest meets the reef (4 hours, easy). There is time to walk along the beach, relax or have a swim. After lunch we will board a small boat on a crocodile spotting cruise. After that we will stroll along a boardwalk through a fascinating environment (45 minutes, easy). Then it is back to our accommodation for the night. Accommodation: Cottage / motel-style rooms in a tropical retreat in the Daintree area.

Day 3: Back south of the Daintree River, our first walk for today is at beautiful Mossman Gorge. This rainforest circuit walk is accessed by a high suspension bridge over a fast flowing, turbulent river. The gorge teems with wildlife, especially birds. Next is a special treat – the Kuku-Yalanji Bush Tucker Walk with the traditional custodians. Here you can learn how the Aborigines prepared and used various rainforest plants for shelter, medicines and food. This walk is a very popular part of our trip. Finish the walk sharing tea and damper with locals from the nearby village. After lunch we leave the Daintree behind and hike up the historic “Bump Track”, an old trail blazed by early settlers to move supplies from the coast onto the Atherton Tablelands (choice of 2½ challenging or 40 minutes easy). Home for the next two nights will be in the historic tablelands village of Yungaburra. There’s an excellent day spa facility here if you are looking for some pampering. Accommodation: Motel in Yungaburra.

Day 4: After an al-fresco breakfast we will enjoy a day of exploring the Atherton Tablelands. First stop is the Curtain Fig Tree, a strangler fig that is one of the largest trees in Queensland and has a distinctive shawl of aerial roots. Next is Mt Hypipamee where we will hike to an unusual volcanic crater shaped like a (very) deep cylindrical hole (1½ hours, moderate). The Tablelands were formed after many volcanoes erupted. Some of these have now filled with water, are surrounded by rainforest and are home for numerous birds. Our final walk for the day is a circuit walk right around the edge of one of these pristine crater lakes (2 walks, each about 2 hours, one easy/one moderate). Accommodation: Yungaburra.

Day 5: Today we start with the scenic Waterfalls Circuit drive where we will visit four waterfalls including picture-postcard Millaa Millaa Falls. There are waterfalls of all descriptions gigantic, pretty, invigorating, serene and intimidating. Time to leave the tourists behind now and walk to Nandroya Falls walk in the Wooroonooran National Park (choice of 4-5 hours moderate with some challenging river crossings or 3-4 hours moderate). This delightful hike is our favourite and culminates in several waterfalls, cascading one after the other right beside the track. It makes a great picnic lunch stop. Then we will descend from the Atherton Tablelands, heading for Mission Beach on the coast. The day ends with the short, but spectacular, Licuala Walk and the hope of spotting another cassowary. Licualas are commonly known as fan palms and these spectacular palms dominate the rainforest canopy above our meandering walking path. Accommodation: Tropical resort at Mission Beach.

Day 6: The morning walk features picturesque beaches and rocky coves of the Kennedy Track as we follow the coast south towards the remote Hull River (5 hours, moderate). After a beach-side picnic lunch and swim in the crystal clear waters (if you want) there will be a choice of afternoon walks – an easy beach stroll back to Mission Beach (2 hours) or a more challenging hike through rainforest to a high vantage point overlooking the region (2 hours) or you can have free time at the hotel. They also have an excellent day spa facility here. Accommodation: Tropical resort in Mission Beach.

Day 7: Start the day with an easy coastal stroll to the ferry terminal (1 hour). Travel to Dunk Island by ferry and spend the day enjoying rainforest and beach walks. The island circuit walk includes picture-postcard beaches like Coconut Beach and Muggy Beach with giant callophylum trees stretching long shady branches across the sand (choice of 4-5 hours moderate or 3 hours easy). There will also be time to enjoy some optional water activities such as swimming, snorkelling, sailing or sea kayaking. A fitting finale! Accommodation: Tropical resort in Mission Beach.

Day 8: Travel back to Cairns after breakfast, finishing around 11.00am.

How hard is the walking?
This walk combines the best of two holiday experiences, the exhilaration of walking through superb National Parks, with the convenience of comfortable accommodation at the end of each day. This walking holiday has about 4½-7 hours of steady walking most days. For average healthy walkers this allows lots of time to take in the views, have a snack, photograph your delightful surroundings or simply sit and relax. The walking distances are more than you are likely to do at home and you may be quite weary by the end of each day. The best preparation is a program of regular walking, preferably in an area with lots of ups and downs. Do this for at least three weeks before the start of your holiday. Alternatively take up an active sport like aerobics, tennis or swimming. A bit of sweat now will make your walking holiday much more enjoyable.

Specifics: The rainforest walking in the Daintree and Mission Beach is easy and includes boardwalks, sandy beaches and foot tracks. The opportunity to stretch out comes on the Atherton Tablelands and Dunk Island – the harder options will be more challenging, though we still offer easier walks as well. Overall, for those preferring easier walks, this is probably one of our easiest walking holidays.

Accommodation: The first two nights are spent in a tropical rainforest retreat in the Daintree World Heritage area. You will stay in spacious cottages in a delightful garden setting and dine al-fresco in the rustic tavern on the property. Then it is two nights in the historic village of Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands. We will stay in a Motel with spacious rooms and enjoy a BBQ breakfast in the outdoor gazebo. You can then unpack and settle in for the last three nights in a tropical resort hotel in Mission Beach. The property is situated right on the waterfront and all rooms have balconies or patios overlooking the gardens and beach beyond. There is a swimming pool, restaurant and bar and it is all within 10 minutes walking distance from the shops and restaurants.

What's Included
Accommodation, most meals (7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners), 2 guides, all transport from Cairns, guided Kuku-Yalanji Aboriginal walk, ferry across the Daintree River, crocodile spotting river trip, cruise to Dunk Island, national park fees, information booklets, insulated lunch bag, map case, notes, maps.

Meals: Breakfast is provided each morning and you will be given a packed lunch to carry on full day walks. On other days we will stop at cafes en-route so you can buy your own lunch. Dinners are included on 5 nights – on the other nights there are restaurants nearby where you can buy your own dinner. If you have any special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies) please ensure that you have notified us at time of booking, we will then pass this information onto the accommodation properties you will be staying at.

What's not Included
Travel insurance, meals not specified, drinks with meals (except tea/coffee and fruit juice with breakfast).

2012 Departure Date
8 Day Guided Walk - departs 11 August, 2012

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