This trip has been designed for more general interest and younger student groups. It visits a range of iconic regions, from the Great Barrier Reef, to the rainforests and rivers of the Daintree, to the caves and bush of the outback, and to the mountains, lakes and waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands. We conduct a range of activities within the trip including hikes, ‘bushwalks', boat cruises, snorkeling to wildlife viewing and night-spotlighting. We see tropical rainforest, coal reefs, kangaroos, shops and beaches. With sufficient lead time, the trip can have it's focus and design changed to suit the interests of the group. You are guided by a biologist or ecotourism qualified guide for the entire trip, and other various local guides during the tours. We stay in a range of accommodation, from lodges in the jungle, to hotels in tropical cities, to permanent tents in the bush. We taste of a range of food, from hotel breakfasts, to picnic lunches, to BBQ dinners, to local fruits.

Day 1 - arrive Cairns

ETA picks you up at the airport, and transfers the group to the hotel in Cairns. On the way, we give you an introductory orientation of Cairns (pronounced "cans"). After checking in, you then have free time to either to recover from the flight or explore Cairns. There is a range of cafes and restaurants along the waterfront in this growing tropical city. Overnight in Cairns Queenslander, Cairns.

Day 2 - the Great Barrier Reef

After breakfast, our transfer arrives to take us to the Cairns Pier. From here, our boat takes us out to Green Island. This is a great example of a large coal cay, basically an accumulation of sand associated with coral reefs. We have a chance to snorkel around these coral reefs and watch the stunning colours of the local fish. While here, you are also free to explore the islands beaches and rainforest. There is also the option to try SCUBA diving. We will have lunch and also a glass bottom boat tour with fish feeding while on the island. The boat returns us back to Cairns in the later afternoon, after which you have a free night to explore Cairns. Overnight in Cairns Queenslander, Cairns.B, L,

Day 3 - from Cairns to Cape Tribulation

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we head north, travelling along the Captain Cook highway, a beautiful scenic drive with views of the Coral Sea. We stop in at the tropical resort town of Port Douglas, allowing time to explore the shops, cafes and 4 mile beach. We will regroup in town for lunch. We then stop in at the Mossman Gorge section of Daintree National Park. Here, one of the local aboriginal guides will take us a walk through the rainforest, explaining about ‘bush tucker' and medicine. We drive out through the town of Mossman and to get to Cape Tribulation, we need to cross the Daintree River, and we do this on the cable car ferry. After driving through the Cape Tribulation section of Daintree National Park, we arrive at Cape Tribulation itself and check into our accommodation. That night we have dinner at the lodge. Cape Tribulation Beach House, Cape Tribulation.B, L, D.

Day 4 - exploring the Daintree

We will spend the entire day exploring the beaches, rainforest, rivers and mangroves of the Daintree lowlands. After a leisurely breakfast we take a stroll along Cape Tribulation beach itself, exploring the tropical beach and mangrove habitats. We then explore the tropical rainforest from two different perspectives, from the top of the canopy at the Daintree Discovery Centre, and from aboard a boat as it slowly cruises along the lowland rivers of the Daintree. Between these activities we visit our local tropical fruit orchard and sample the local ice cream made from these fruits and have lunch at the wonderfully located Café by the sea, followed by a break for some lazy beach time. Dinner tonight is at the lodge and afterwards we invite you out for a stroll along the beach by night. Cape Tribulation Beach House, Cape Tribulation. B, L, D.

Day 5 - from the coast to the mountains

After breakfast we depart to cross the Daintree River once again. We then drive up to the mountains behind the coast. We stop at small outback town for lunch and try the ‘largest burgers in outback Australia'. We continue further west into the 'outback' where the roads are long and dusty. We stop and check into our accommodation at the small town of Chillagoe. This area is home to a series of spectacular limestone caves, formerly coral reefs. This afternoon we have time to relax by the waterhole and tonight after dinner we invite you out for some stagazing. Chillagoe. B, L, D.

Day 6 - exploring the outback

After being woken by the kookaburras and cockatoos in the morning, we have breakfast at our accommodation. Today we explore the caves of Chillagoe, including a chance to climb and squeeze into these fascinating caves, led by our ranger guides. This afternoon is also our chance to have a go at throwing around the Aboriginal hunting tool, the boomerang. Chillagoe. B, L, D.

Day 7 - from the outback to the mountains

After breakfast in our accommodation, we leave the outback behind and head into the mountains. Here in the tablelands the rainforest is quite different, as at higher altitudes it is less humid and it is cooler. After visiting a giant bat colony, we check into Chambers, a lodge nestled in the upland rainforest, and a great place for wildlife viewing. After an orientation of the grounds, we will have a BBQ dinner. Tonight our hosts will help us look for rainforest mammals, such as rainforest kangaroos known as ‘pademelons' and tiny, cute marsupial gliders. Overnight Chambers Rainforest Apartments, Lake Eacham. B, L, D.

Day 8 - exploring the Atherton Tablelands

Today we spent the entire day exploring the scenic and lush Atherton Tablelands. This morning after breakfast at the lodge we will be exploring the Crater Lakes National Park, with hikes and cruises. First, we prepare ourselves for a hike around the entire perimeter of Lake Eacham, a volcano lake surrounded by upland rainforest. You may want to take a well deserved dip into the cool green waters of the lake after the walk. We continue on to Lake Barrine, where we have lunch in café with stunning views of the lake, followed by a wildlife cruise on the calm waters. We return to the lodge for a short break and to ready ourselves for tonight's activities. We will visit a private conservation property where we search for platypus just before dusk. We then have an early dinner and follow this with an excursion into the rainforest at night. Overnight Chambers Rainforest Apartments, Lake Eacham. B, L, D.

Day 9 - from the rainforest to the coast

After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, we pack and check out. We make a stop at the famously pretty Millaa Millaa waterfalls (you can go for a swim in the chilling water if you dare) where we also have an outdoor lunch. We take the winding Palmerston highway back down to the coastal lowlands, past tea plantations and sugar cane farms. We then arrive at the historical Paronella Park where we take a tour of the romantic ‘castle in the rainforest' and catch some aboriginal traditional dancers. On the way back to Cairns we stop in at Josephine Falls for a swim in the natural waterslide. We return to check into our hotel in Cairns late that afternoon, and then you have the night free to explore (and shop). Overnight in Cairns Queenslander, Cairns. B, L.

Day 10 - Adventure/Options day

Today, depending on your budget, we either have a group adventure such as white water rafting, or we have a free day where you have the options to either to book your own adventure, or just have an easy day exploring Cairns. Overnight in Cairns Queenslander, Cairns. meals to be determined.

Day 11 - depart Cairns

This morning after breakfast, we transfer those who are leaving to the airport.