Australia Family Multisport
Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef
Home to dense jungle, fascinating wildlife, endless strands of white beach and the world's largest coral reef, Australia's Far North Queensland provides the spectacular setting for this unforgettable, adventure-filled family trip. Pedal through Cedar Bay National Park on remote dirt roads that rarely see travelers. Explore unspoiled beaches and woodland, looking for tree frogs, kangaroos and colorful birds. Kayak the astoundingly clear aquamarine waters off Cape Tribulation and sun yourself on silky-soft sand. Bike into Daintree National Park, the oldest living rain forest on Earth, and learn about the area's history and Aboriginal culture on intimate guided walks. Cap it all off by snorkeling or diving at the Great Barrier Reef. Come evening, you're embraced by warm Aussie hospitality at the region's most exquisite and unusual lodgings. Join us Down Under and experience Queensland at its wildest and fun-loving best!
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Helenvale
Meet in Cooktown 
Head out from Endeavour Lions Park on a beautiful bike ride through quaint historic Cooktown and its stunning countryside, a wonderful introduction to the region's rugged beauty Keep your eyes open for Australia's amazing wildlife - owls, tree kangaroos and rare stream frogs 
At Archer's Point, enjoy a signature Backroads picnic and soak in the sounds of the surf Shuttle - or pedal if you're feeling ambitious - down eucalyptus-lined roads to our rustic home for the night, nestled in the rain forest.
Days 2-3 Ayton
Bike on dirt roads through Cedar Bay National Park, watching for wildlife Take a scenic boat ride across Weary Bay to reach our exclusive lodge Follow a rain forest trail, seeking out Australia's most unique birds Take a river cruise up the Bloomfield River, said to be the most stunning waterway on the Coral Coast Relax in the idyllic surroundings of our hotel, where you can nap poolside, indulge in a spa treatment or go fishing.
Day 4 Cape Tribulation
Boat back to "civilization" and hop in a four-wheel-drive bus known as the "duck" for a true Australian adventure through Daintree National Park - across streams, up steep hills and over potholes amid the thick Queensland rain forest With a stunning backdrop of rain forest and mountain peaks, paddle open-deck kayaks near secluded Cape Tribulation, a World Heritage site.
Days 5-6 Mossman
Bike along paved forest-lined roads through Daintree National Park, the world's most ancient rain forest Hike at Cooper Creek, Daintree's central tributary, keeping an eye out for colorful parrots and Boyd's forest dragons - giant lizards indigenous to Queensland's rain forests Pedal over the Alexandra Range Stroll in the river-carved Mossman Gorge, a land inhabited by the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal tribe Spend an evening with a local naturalist learning about the region's abundant reptile population - don't be surprised if he brings along one or two slithering friends Enjoy a candlelit barbecue overlooking the Mossman River.
Days 7-8 Port Douglas
Board the Poseidon, a spacious catamaran, and sail to the Great Barrier Reef for an unforgettable snorkeling or scuba excursion Encounter some of Australia's multicolored luminescent, iridescent, polka-dotted and zebra-striped residents Cap off your adventure with mellow spin on rolling terrain through gorgeous rain forest or spend the morning relaxing in Port Douglas.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
My husband and I weren't sure that our first trip with Backroads could really be matched secondary to our extraordinary experience at that time but I must say you were able to pull it off again and provided not only us but our three children with a magnificent trip that will be etched in all of our minds forever. We could not have asked for a more excellent way to celebrate sending our first born off to college this fall.- Muncie, IN More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For multisport tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our multisport tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here.
Australia Family Multisport
SLUMBER IN STYLE: Premiere Inns*
Mungumby Lodge
Helenvale (1 night) Mungumby Lodge may not be luxurious - in fact, its bungalows are the definition of basic - but it is perfectly located along our route and offers a wonderful setting. (There aren't a lot of options out here!) Enjoy the sights and sounds of Australia's Tropical Rainforest National Park from your rustic cabin's patio or while dipping in the pool.
* Casual Inn
Bloomfield Wilderness Lodge
Ayton (2 nights) One of Australia's most exclusive retreats and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this deluxe wilderness lodge - with its unspoiled idyllic location, incredible spa, pool and gourmet cuisine - is one you'll never want to leave.
Ferntree Rainforest Resort
Cape Tribulation (1 night) A short stroll from a white-sand beach and cradled by the Daintree Rain Forest, this simple eco-friendly resort offers comfortable rooms, two swimming pools and a wonderfully tranquil experience.
* Casual Inn
Silky Oaks Lodge
Mossman (2 nights) This splendid retreat, with its luxurious cottages (complete with hammocks!), refreshing pool and renowned Healing Water Spa, is set amid the oldest rain forest on the planet, with views of the Mossman River.
Peppers Beach Club
Port Douglas (1 night) A sense of peace and calm overtakes you upon entering this sophisticated open-air Mediterranean-style resort that offers a spa, fitness center, swimming pool and proximity to Four Mile Beach.
Australia Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route Options Available
- Biking 7, 17, 34 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Optional hiking 1.5 Miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 9, 24 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 2.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Wildlife river cruise 2.5 hours (weather permitting)
Day 4
- Four-Wheel Drive Safari 2 hours (conditions permitting)
- Kayaking 3.5 hours (weather permitting)
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 4 4 Route ptions Available
- Biking 13, 21, 45 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 2.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 8, 16 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Hiking 2 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Snorkeling & Diving (all day)
Day 8
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Biking 15 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Our biking routes follow moderately rolling terrain with some challenging sections. Much of the biking, especially on the first two days, is on uneven and potholed dirt roads with stream crossings, making the riding feel more challenging than the mileage would suggest.