Wild Encounters: Outback, Rainforest and Reef

Day One: Cairns to Mount Mulligan Lodge

Arrive in Cairns and transfer to the heliport for a spectacular scenic flight over the Wet Tropics. Ancient rainforest, waterfalls and escarpments unfold beneath you before touching down at Mount Mulligan Lodge, a remote outback retreat set beneath a vast sandstone mountain. Settle into your private retreat and take in the scale of the landscape. This is your introduction to outback Queensland.

Day Two: Exploring the Outback

Spend the day discovering Mount Mulligan’s rich natural and cultural landscape. Guided touring introduces you to the history of the gold and coal rush, the wildlife that thrives across the station and the daily rhythm of a working cattle property. Explore by ATV, take nature walks, try your hand at barramundi fishing or simply enjoy the stillness of the weir. This evening, enjoy a signature dining experience under the stars, a seven-course degustation served beside the water with views of the mountain.

Day Three: Helicopter Flight and Junior Rangers

Take to the skies for a scenic helicopter flight over Ngarrabullgan, a sacred mountain ten times the size of Uluru and central to Kuku Djungan culture. From above, the scale and geological story of the landscape becomes clear. In the afternoon, join the Junior Rangers experience, a hands-on introduction to the outback’s wildlife, bush medicine and ecology. Track animals, identify plants and feed the resident barramundi before returning to the lodge for a relaxed evening.

Day Four: Mount Mulligan to Silky Oaks Lodge

Meet your private guide for a scenic journey toward the Daintree. Travel through open savannah, stopping in Mareeba for lunch before visiting Granite Gorge to observe endangered rock-wallabies in their natural habitat. Continue into the uplands, where the landscape shifts from woodland to cool rainforest. Arrive at Silky Oaks Lodge, set beside the Mossman River, and settle into your treehouse retreat.

Day Five: Daintree Cultural Experience

Begin the day with the Ngana Julaymba Dungay experience, a guided walk through the rainforest with expert guides who share the ecological and cultural stories of this ancient environment. Look for cassowaries, wallabies, frogs and birdlife as you explore. The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure. Swim or paddleboard on the river, explore walking trails, join a yoga class or relax at the Healing Waters Spa. Optional touring includes river cruises, Cape Tribulation, birdwatching, kayaking and scenic helicopter flights.

Day Six: Conservation in the Daintree

Meet your private guide for an exclusive conservation experience with the Australian Quoll Conservancy. Visit research sites, check camera traps and learn about the behaviour and habitat of the elusive spotted-tailed quoll. After a relaxed lunch in the field, continue exploring the rainforest’s diverse ecosystems before returning to Silky Oaks Lodge for a quiet evening.

Day Seven: Silky Oaks Lodge to Lizard Island

Transfer to Cairns Airport for your scenic charter flight to Lizard Island. As you fly over the Coral Sea, the scale and colour of the Great Barrier Reef becomes clear. On arrival, settle into your beachfront suite and begin exploring the island’s 24 beaches, fringing reefs and walking trails. Snorkelling, paddleboarding and guided nature walks are included during your stay.

Day Eight:. Exploring the Northern Reef

Spend the day exploring the northern Great Barrier Reef with expert guides. Snorkel vibrant coral gardens, swim with turtles and visit the giant clam gardens. In June and July, you may encounter dwarf minke whales during their annual migration. This evening, enjoy a private beachside dinner beneath the stars, a memorable end to a day spent on the reef.

Day Nine: Lizard Island Research Station

Visit the Lizard Island Research Station for a behind-the-scenes look at world-leading reef science. Learn about coral ecology, climate research and conservation projects

shaping the future of the reef. The afternoon is free to explore the island or enjoy one of the optional activities, from guided snorkelling to spa treatments.

Day Ten: Depart Lizard Island

Transfer to the airstrip for your scenic charter flight back to Cairns. Enjoy one final aerial view of the reef before connecting with your onward flight. Your journey through outback, rainforest and reef comes to an end with a deeper understanding of this extraordinary region.