Reefs, Rainforests, Canyons, and Kangaroos: Wild Australia

The Trip

Where can you find the planet’s oldest rainforest, largest barrier reef, rainforested canyons -- nearly as deep as the Grand Canyon -- and a wildlife population of 80% species found nowhere else in the world? Our outing to northeast Australia also includes visiting indigenous cultural heritage sites with over 60,000 years of continuous habitation.  We will have opportunities to observe wild kangaroos, wallabies and wombats, platypus, parrots and echidna, sea turtles, colorful reef fish, and many species of birds, to name just a few types of wildlife. This is an active, wildlife focused adventure to the Land Down Under, where we will explore by hiking, snorkeling, sea kayaking, cruising on a river, and river rafting.

Our trip starts in the cosmopolitan city of Sydney, then we travel to the deep canyons of the World Heritage listed Blue Mountains. Most of our outing is in one of Australia’s most bio-diverse and largest states, Queensland. Here, you’ll immerse yourself in three distinct bioregions, the ancient Daintree rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, and off-the-beaten-track locales in the Atherton Tablelands. In our 12-day inclusive program, we’ll explore 5 national parks and 4 World Heritage Sites.

We’ll visit the renown Sydney botanical gardens with an Aboriginal guide to learn about the amazing flora of the country and how it has been used for thousands of years. We’ll tour the famous Sydney Opera House, which is also adjacent to the Harbor Bridge -- the world’s highest arch viaduct. Then we will take a five-mile hike along the rugged coastline of the Pacific Coast. We will pass the famous golden sand beaches and maybe even enjoy a short swim, before returning to our historic downtown hotel.

After Sydney we’ll travel two hours by private minibus to the 3,000 feet elevation in Blue Mountains National Park and revel in an introductory hike along the rim of a deep escarpment covered by forest. An early morning shuttle into a protected valley takes us to up-close views of kangaroos, wallabies and possibly goanna, wombats, echidnas and many birds. The afternoon includes a moderately strenuous hike following the 1836 footprints of naturalist Charles Darwin past water-filled side canyons and lush temperate vegetation. Darwin was so impressed with this area that he wrote:

“Following down a little valley & its tiny rill of water, suddenly & without any preparation, through the trees, which border the pathway, an immense gulf is seen beneath one’s feet.”

Darwin later used his observations of Australian wildlife to start formulating his ideas on evolution.

Leaving our comfortable hotel in the Blue Mountains, we change elevation and location after a flight from Sydney to Cairns in Queensland on the Coral Sea. Following a bus shuttle and lunch we’ll jump into a raft with an experienced guide and paddle 2 hours on the exciting (class III) Barron River. Refreshed and exhilarated, we are shuttled to the heart of the Daintree Rainforest near Cape Tribulation for an evening walk along a clear creek listening to bird songs, followed by dinner and overnight in our comfortable rainforest lodge.

Rising with the sun, we’ll explore the magnificent forest, a relic from the age of dinosaurs, looking for colorful birds you probably have never heard of before (perhaps even the illusive Cassowary), via two short and one longer naturalist-led hikes. We’ll take a last look for birds in the Daintree Rainforest and swim in a creek with cool clear pools, before we move to our next destination. We'll take a solar powered boat to view crocodiles and birds among a chorus of frogs. You'll enjoy a forest walk in Mossman Gorge led by a Kuku Yalanji ranger from a lineage of Aboriginal people living in the area for thousands of years.

The third bioregion we now stopover is the Atherton Tablelands, a less visited, 3,000 ft high plateau extension covered by rainforest interspersed with small farms containing a World Heritage Site and two national parks. The secluded private nature preserve where we stay provides outstanding birding and comfy cottages with amazing vistas of the forest and mountains. Here we may see the elusive platypus, a tree kangaroo or the bright red king parrot and many other bird species.

The excitement builds as our shuttle bus drops us at a ferry dock in Cairns to our final destination – a tropical island in Great Barrier Reef National Park surrounded by a healthy fringing coral reef, home to sea turtles and over 200 species of colorful fish. We will stay at a comfortable resort, accessible only by boat, and fronted by a coral sand beach. The island of over 900 acres and is 90% national park covered in forest.  We’ll paddle after our guide in a sea kayak and snorkeling adventure engage and then a marine conservation activity to learn about the reef and help this stunning area. There will be opportunities for free time to relax and enjoy the ocean on your own.

On our final day, we’ll have an early hike to see the sun rise over the ocean with an optional hike to the island summit. After the hike to see the sunrise, we return for breakfast and get ready for a fast ferry which carries us back to Cairns. A shuttle takes us to Cairns’s airport, where sadly, our Australia adventure ends. Guests on their own can opt to catch a flight back to Sydney and then home, to Uluru/Ayers Rock in the outback, New Guinea, New Zealand, or stay overnight in Cairns. Any day 12 outgoing flight, taxi, lunch, dinner and hotel are not included in the trip price.

Please keep in mind that this itinerary may be altered due to inclement weather, adverse sea conditions, trails closed for repair, or any reason that may affect the safety of the group. All times and distances in this itinerary are approximate. After registration and acceptance, the outing leader will provide details about the lodging and locations.

Day 1: Sydney welcome dinner and trip orientation

We’ll start our outing in Sydney with a welcome dinner, trip orientation, and overnight stay at a historic downtown hotel. Before and after our dinner and orientation, you can enjoy, on your own, Sydney’s beautiful architecture, old town, and nightlife. Dinner and hotel are included in the trip price.

Day 2: Sydney tours and Bondi walk

We meet an Indigenous ranger for a tour of the famous Sydney botanical gardens with an Aboriginal guide. Then we will switch the focus to a guided tour of the stunning Sydney Opera House. A shuttle bus transports us to near iconic Bondi beach, one of the area’s most famous strands of sand.  Following lunch, we commence a guided hike along the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean. We then make our way back to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (walking, 5-6 miles; easy)

Day 3: Travel to Blue Mountains and introductory hike 

After breakfast, we start a 2.5-hour shuttle ride travelling west to Blue Mountains National Park (a World Heritage Site) where we meet our local guides.  We’ll embark on a moderate hike on a scenic trail which explores the canyon rim and then drops to a cascading waterfall with amazing views of sandstone escarpments.  You finish with a steep climb up stairs by tumbling Leura Falls. Besides seeing the natural beauty, this hike helps us acclimate and prepare for a more strenuous hike the next day. After a shuttle to our hotel, we check-in and enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant. Following dinner, take an optional easy 1.5 mile night walk to view the southern constellations and nocturnal wildlife. (Hiking 4-6 miles, 3-4 hours, moderate)

Day 4: Wildlife safari and scenic challenging hike

We depart very early (for best wildlife viewing) on a shuttle from the escarpment rim down 3,000 feet to the valley below to observe kangaroos, wallabies and amazing birds in the wild, and possibly goanna, wombats and echidnas. A bush breakfast is then provided. Our minibus then shuttles us to the rim for a more strenuous guided hike in Blue Mountains N.P. The path follows Charles Darwin's final expedition in 1836 where history was made. Darwin’s Walk leads us into the remote wilderness as he did, to a 1,400-foot waterfall and the extensive gorge where he noted the ancient landscape. We will continue along the escarpment.  In our ascent, we climb stairs to the cliff edge, our final lookout and a fragrant eucalyptus forest.  After a drive back to our accommodation you’ll enjoy a hearty dinner. (Hike 8 miles, 4-5 hours, strenuous).

Day 5: Flight to Cairns, rafting, and shuttle to Daintree Rainforest

With an early start, you are shuttled to Sydney Airport and take a 3-hour flight to the City of Cairns (included in the price) on the Coral Sea. We enjoy a delicious lunch before preparing for a 2-hour rafting trip down the Barron River in Barron River Gorge National Park. This is an exciting paddle rafting experience (class III rapids) suitable for experienced or novice rafters with a sense of adventure. You will grab a paddle and stroke together with 5 others and a guide in the raft. Refreshed, we are shuttled to the Daintree River where we cross by ferry, then check into our comfortable lodge in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest, a World Heritage Site.  Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (Rafting rapids are of intermediate-advanced difficulty).

Day 6: Guided hikes in the Daintree Rainforest and swim in a clear water pool

An early breakfast is followed by two easy guided hikes in the heart of the 135-million-year old Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. You’ll learn about and observe the unique plants and wildlife that inhabit the forest. Good birding opportunities may allow you to expand your life list. After lunch at a local café, we complete a more strenuous third walk through a lush forest with bizarre plants from the time of the dinosaurs. Late afternoon is a time to relax or take a swim in a clear water pool in a creek near our lodge. Enjoy a delicious dinner and overnight at our lodge. (3 hikes, 8 miles total, easy-moderate)

Day 7: Daintree River wildlife cruise and Indigenous ranger-led forest walk

Post breakfast we drive to the start of a private, solar-powered boat cruise on the Daintree River to see crocodiles and other wildlife. Then a short shuttle takes us to Mossman Gorge for a forest walk led by a native ranger from a lineage of Aboriginal people.  We start a drive toward the remote Atherton Tablelands and stop for lunch along the way.  Our destination is a remote private wildlife preserve with outstanding birding and wildlife observation opportunities and cozy cabins.  After check-in you’ll go on a short naturalist-led wildlife walk, before a pleasant dinner in the charming village of Yungaburra and overnight. (Hiking 3-4 miles, easy)

Day 8: All day wildlife and waterfall hikes

You rise early for breakfast to start a full day of scenic, leisurely wildlife hikes. A naturalist leads you to a variety of wildlife viewing locations on the preserve, ranging from native giant eucalyptus forests to a waterfall-filled stream along World Heritage listed Wooroonooran National Park below 5,300-foot Mt. Bartle Frere, the highest point in Queensland.  Following free time in the afternoon there is an evening bird walk to hopefully see some rare species.  Dinner and overnight at the preserve, or nearby- restaurant.  (Hiking 6-7 miles, moderate)

Day 9: Wildlife walk, shuttle to Cairns, ferry to island, snorkel safari

Enjoy a short early morning wildlife walk before a shuttle takes us back to Cairns. Lunch on your own with fixed funds provided by the leader. There is free time for shopping and exploring the waterfront before a 45-minute fast ferry drops us at an island only accessible by boat in Great Barrier Reef National Park and World Heritage Site.  We check in to a low-key resort that provides easy snorkel access to the reef, comfortable rooms, and delicious meals. A marine naturalist leads you on a snorkel safari in the afternoon. Evening presentation on the reef, its health and the next day’s marine conservation activities. Buffet dinner and overnight at resort. (Hike 1 mile, easy; snorkeling 1.5 hours, leisurely pace, moderate).

Day 10: Sea kayaking and marine conservation program

After an early morning breakfast, we paddle sea kayaks, with a kayaking guide and marine biologist, for about 1 hour to the location of our first marine conservation activity.  Under their supervision we learn about, assist in a conservation program, monitor, and record reef conditions.  After a shoreline lunch we will continue kayaking and hopefully visit a coral restoration project, before paddling back to the resort. Dinner and overnight at the resort. (Sea kayaking about 1 hour each way, leisurely pace, moderate, dependent on wind and wave conditions)

Day 11. Guided lengthy snorkel and visit to turtle recovery center

Following an early lite breakfast, we walk just under one mile to a remote beach.  Then you start a stunning, guided, very leisurely snorkel/swim, with or without use of a floatation buoy, over massive coral formations, through schools of darting colorful fish and past feeding sea turtles back to the resort. Return to resort for full breakfast.  Time to relax on the beach. After lunch we will visit a sea turtle recovery center and learn about the status and efforts to rebuild turtle populations in GBRNP.  The late afternoon is free to relax before our celebration dinner and overnight at the resort.  (Hiking 3 miles total, easy; snorkeling about 7/8 mile, moderate)

Day 12. Sunrise hike, ferry to Cairns and trip ends

You are up early for a hike to a lighthouse to view the brilliant sun as it rises over the vast ocean. Optional continuation hike to the summit for a grand vista.  Return to resort, for breakfast and prepare for morning departure.  Catch the fast ferry to Cairns, arriving in the late morning.  A shuttle takes us to Cairns’s airport, where, sadly, our Australia adventure ends. Guests have options for flights that same day to Sydney and other destinations, or to stay longer in Cairns.  Any outgoing flights, taxi, lunch, dinner, and hotel on this day are not included in the trip price.

Note: It is important to view the trip as a group activity where the needs of the group may outweigh those of the individual. An open attitude and respect for the culture and nature are important attributes that enhance participant’s enjoyment of the trip.  Sea kayaking is dependent on wind and wave conditions.

Getting There

The trip begins in Sydney and ends in Cairns, Australia. Many airlines serve Sydney International Airport (SYD). You must arrange your own flight to Sydney and transfer from the airport to the meeting place hotel, located in the historic downtown. Taking a taxi is the easiest, or the train. Starting on Day 2, all travel during the trip as part of our itinerary is included in the trip cost. The outing ends in the late morning or early afternoon at the Cairns International Airport (CNS). There are numerous travel options from CNS, such as a flight back to Sydney and then home, to Uluru/Ayers Rock (2.5 hours), Hawaii, New Zealand, New Guinea, or stay overnight in Cairns. Any outgoing flight, taxi, lunch, dinner, and hotel for the last day are not included in the trip price.

Upon being accepted for the outing by the leader, your during-trip Sydney to Cairns flight will be reserved and a deposit of $85 will be charged to your credit card; and paid to our concessionaire to hold your flight reservation. This $85 flight deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable if you should cancel your outing reservation. The price of the SYD-CNS flight, less the $85 deposit, is included in the trip cost.  At trip’s end, you are responsible for making reservations and paying for any flights or transfers from CNS.  Your trip leader will provide additional details upon being accepted to the outing.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

From our welcome dinner in Sydney on day 1, to breakfast on day 12, all meals are included. Neither lunch nor dinner are provided on the last day.  Vegetarians can be accommodated on this trip. Please contact the leader if you have other dietary restrictions. 

Alcoholic drinks and beverages are not included. Also excluded are extra snacks and any meals not taken with the group. The tap water in our accommodations is drinkable. Please bring a canteen or a water bladder that can hold two liters of water -- these can be filled at the hotels. If you request water in a restaurant, ask for tap water, which is free, otherwise you will likely be served bottled water, which is not covered by the trip price and comes in environmentally unfriendly plastic bottles. Help us minimize single use plastic bottles on this outing.

The trip includes comfortable lodging from day 1 through day 11. They range from 3 and 4 star historic hotels, an eco-resort, to lodges surrounded by natural settings. On day 1 our hotel accommodation will be available after 3 p.m.  All rooms are priced at double occupancy. Participants traveling by themselves will be assigned a same-sex roommate or will need to pay extra for a single room. To reserve a single room, please get in contact with your leader after registering.

Your trip leader will provide more lodging information after sign up.

Trip Difficulty

This is an active, physically demanding trip that provides you with a very personal, up-close travel experience. You will be hiking on trails varying from steep steps ascending to the rim of a canyon or an island summit, to gentle grades; paddling a sea kayak for 1 hour; snorkeling for up to an hour on the ocean; and helping to paddle a whitewater raft.

The outing requires intermediate level skills and  experience hiking, along with average swimming abilities (non-swimmers are not accepted), and prior snorkeling experience. Please note that your hiking and swimming experience must be recent. Pre-conditioning by frequent hiking and swimming, started well before the outing, is required.  Contact the leader with questions or for more details.

Hikes will range from easy to strenuous. The most difficult hike is 8 miles with an elevation decent of 2,500 feet and gain over 4-5 hours. The trails are generally in good condition, but several have some steep grades up or down, and the trails have a mixture of steps, soil, rocks, and roots making the surface uneven. The pace will be leisurely to moderate. Anyone in good physical condition who enjoys hiking in the mountains will enjoy the trip. Pre-conditioning by hiking similar distances on similar terrain is a prerequisite for acceptance on the trip.

The sea kayaking and rafting activities do not require previous experience. However, those with no kayaking experience will find it helpful to take a basic kayaking course or go paddle with friends before the trip. Guests must have adequate upper body and core strength to paddle a kayak for up to 60 minutes at a leisurely pace and paddle in a whitewater raft over several hours.

The rapids encountered are considered class III, intermediate-advanced in difficulty. You must be able to paddle with five others and a guide through the rapids. There are no oar powered rafts.

The guided ocean snorkeling is generally in protected waters with some small waves. You can also snorkel on your own to a part of the reef which is about 20-30 yards off the beach at the resort. You must have at least average swimming skills, recent swimming experience and be comfortable snorkeling for an hour on one guided program, with the aid of a flotation device (if desired).

Equipment and Clothing

Remember that Australia seasons are opposite of North America, and we will be there during their early to mid-spring.  In Queensland, September is the dry season, and we usually have only a little rain and plenty of sunshine.  Your outing visits four distinct bioregions but temperatures are relatively similar.

The interior (Atherton Tablelands) is a little warmer with temperatures in September ranging from lows in the 60s to highs in the upper 80s. The coastal rain forest and coastal islands have a more humid temperate climate with highs in the mid 80’s and lows in the lower 70s. Rain is possible at any time, so a good quality raincoat is recommended.

Rain gear can also be used when rafting and sea kayaking. Ocean water temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef region are in the low 80s and a wetsuit is not needed for snorkeling.  This is not stinger jellyfish season, but full-length jellyfish stinger suits are available.

Lightweight hiking boots with good ankle support or low-top hiking shoes with heavy soles are the preferred footwear for hiking, since some trails are rocky, uneven and occasionally steep. Hiking poles are recommended for the rougher or steeper trail sections.

Sea kayaks, rafts, paddles, life jackets, snorkels, masks and fins are provided. Water shoes or sandals with ankle straps are recommended for kayaking, rafting and walking on coral sand beaches. You’ll need plenty of sun protection, including a wide brim hat, sunscreen and lip balm. Upon approval for the trip, the leader will provide a more comprehensive equipment list to all participants. 

References

Books:

• Bodkin, Frances. 2019. D’harawal, Dreaming Stories. A beautifully illustrated compilation of ancient stories from the D’haraawal Aboriginal Culture.

• Bryson, Bill. 2000. In a Sunburned Country. A hilarious informative travelog about the author’s travels through Australia. A classic.

• Campbell, Iain. 2013. Wildlife of Australia.  A pocket guide with plenty of photos of the most commonly seen animals.

• Cohen, Martin and Julia Cooper.2013. A Field Guide, 101 Animals of the Great Barrier Reef. A good very basic photo guide.

• Hughes, Robert. 1988. The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding. Incredible true history of the colonization of Australia.

• Lloyd, Rohan. 2022. Saving the Reef; The human story behind one of Australia’s greatest environmental treasures. Good background on efforts being made to save the Great Barrier Reef.

• Pascoe, Bruce, 2018. Dark Emu, A powerful book about aboriginal traditional culture and knowledge.

• Lonely Planet. 2021. East Coast Australia. A comprehensive guide to Queensland, with a section on Sydney and handy maps.

• National Geographic Maps, 2022. Eastern Australia. Map #3502.  Has details on where we are going.

• Pizzey, Graham and Frank Knight: The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Good for serious birders.

• Reader Digest Travel Guide, 1989. Great Barrier Reef. Still one of the best books on the reef, details about ecology and natural history, with many great photos of a huge variety of fish and coral. A classic.

• Watson, Don. 2014. The Bush. Exploring the heart of Australia, The Bush delves into the complexity and wonder of the vast inland that greatly impacted Australian culture.

Websites:

• Australia Institute of Marine Science. Environmental Issues: Understanding the challenges facing Australia’s tropical marine environments

• Sierra Club:  Protecting Our Home

Conservation

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources. This and other outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding and advocacy. Australia is famous for its unique wildlife, such as kangaroos, dingoes, wallabies and wombats, koala, platypus, parrots and echidna. More than 80% of their native plants, mammals, reptiles, and frogs are unique to Australia and are found nowhere else in the world.

We’ll hopefully see and learn about some of these distinctive animals in the wild. The country has a recent history of progressive conservation policies and efforts at protection of the environment. For example, it has the second oldest national park in the world (one of about 650 current national parks), created over 200 marine protected areas and has saved about 12% of its land area within protected zones.

We plan to visit four world natural heritage sites and five national parks during our outing and observe how these are conserving diverse terrestrial and marine environments and resident wildlife. Participants will get opportunities for hands-on conservation actions, as our itinerary includes a full day of marine conservation activities, such as reef monitoring and coral protection, with several nonprofit organizations in Great Barrier Reef National Park and tree planting in the Daintree forest.

However, Australia today also has significant environmental and conservation challenges, including coastlines being threatened by extreme weather events (such as a massive storm that flooded many parts of north Queensland in December 2023), invasive species, rapid tourism and urban development. Despite recent meaningful restoration successes, some nearshore reefs, including parts (not all) of the Great Barrier Reef, are in poor condition due to poor water quality, marine heatwaves, and invasive species.

The country still relies heavily on coal for energy production.  Inland, there is increasing water scarcity with pressure to over develop remaining wild rivers and streams, as well as deforestation from agricultural and urban development. Climate change is implicated as a major cause of recent extreme floods, droughts, heatwaves, and storms over the past five years.  Bush fires are increasingly severe and more frequent. In 2019-2020 wildfire killed or displaced nearly 3 billion animals and impacted many threatened wildlife species. There are many conservation lessons, good and bad, to be learned from this outing.

Aboriginal people are known to have occupied mainland Australia for at least 60,000 years. They lived a sustainable lifestyle until European settlement and introduced diseases. Today Indigenous knowledge and conservation practices, such as fire management, are being used more frequently by resource managers to improve environmental conditions. During the outing we will have opportunities to learn from Aboriginal descendants about how they perceive the land and ocean, and ways to restore and protect them.

We’ll also see for ourselves and hear from other experts about recent efforts for improving biodiversity, such as restoration of habitat, reintroducing threatened species, and translocation (moving a species from a threatened habitat to a safer one).

The outing will provide you with myriad perspectives on the unique wildlife, forests and coral reefs of eastern Australia, and how the country is conserving these unique resources and also the challenges they face in a warming world.