Holiday Overview
This has got to be one of the most unique ways to enjoy the delights of Tropical Queensland In Style. Be it inland, or out to sea, your experiences will be maximised as you indulge yourself at every turn. Experience the Great Barrier Reef with a recognised Quicksilver excursion and travel to the highland region of the Atherton Tablelands to stay in the Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, set within 230 acres of forest. Your experiences won’t end as you still have the pleasure of exploring the native forest at Thala Beach Nature Reserve.
Start Cairns End Cairns
7 nights / 8 days
States visited: Queensland
Highlights;
Great Barrier Reef on a Quicksilver Excursion.
Gaze in awe at the the views at the Atherton Tablelands in Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat.
Stargaze at Thala Beach Nature Reserve.
Consider more experiences on the Kuranda Railway and/or the Daintree Rainforest
Tropical Queensland In Style includes:
- 2 Nights accommodation in Cairns
- Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
- 7 days car hire
- 2 nights Tree House accommodation
- 3 nights accommodation Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 1 - Arrive Cairns
Arrive in Cairns, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Shangri La Hotel
Day 2 - Cairns
Enjoy a day of leisure acclimatising to tropical Queensland. Ask your consultant for information on some of the many day tours and attractions available.
Featured accommodation
Shangri La Hotel
Day 3 - Cairns - Atherton Tablelands
Collect your car and venture to the Atherton Tablelands, with its breathtaking waterfalls, scenic vistas, impressive lakes, lush rainforest and rugged outback - a visit to this region promises to be one of beauty and exploration. Your home for the next two nights is the Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat.
Featured accommodation
Rose Gums Wilderness Resort
Day 4 - Atherton Tablelands
Spend the day exploring the 230 acres of forest that comprises Rose Gums, wildlife experiences include ample birding opportunities and rare Platypus’s are often spotted. There are plenty of tracks and trails to follow through the forest, starting from a gentle 20 minutes. At the end of the day return to your treehouse and savour the views across the canopy.
Featured accommodation
Rose Gums Wilderness Resort
Day 5 - Atherton Tablelands - Port Douglas
Journey to the coast and Thala Beach Nature Reserve, just outside Port Douglas. Deluxe eco accommodation options are sensitively positioned amongst the resort’s 145-acre property. Complimentary experiences are provided for guests including nature/wildlife walks, star gazing nights, Coconut Odyssey tour and specialist talks from local experts.
Featured accommodation
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 6 - Port Douglas
A full day at leisure to enjoy the beach and native forest at Thala Beach nature Reserve.
Featured accommodation
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Day 7 - Port Douglas & the Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy a day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef.
Featured accommodation
Thala Beach Nature Reserve
Unmissable Experiences
Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Day 8 - Port Douglas - Cairns
Take the leisurely drive back to Cairns where this self-drive itinerary concludes.
Shangri La Hotel, Cairns Holidays
Cairns’ outstanding seascape sprawls before you. You recline on the deck chair and gaze upon this immense spectacle of nature from your spacious balcony. A sight of unparalleled beauty unfolds at Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns.
Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Daintree Holidays
Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat is situated on 75 hectares of tropical rainforest just ten minutes from Lake Eacham bordering the World Heritage Wooroonooran National Park. The retreat features large luxury baths, cosy fireplaces and balconies with mountain and rainforest views.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve, Port Douglas Holidays
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is a deluxe family-owned eco and wildlife retreat containing 58 hectares of native forest adjacent to secluded Oak Beach. Thala has proudly achieved the highest accreditation of eco-certification through sustainable practices and environmental sensitivity. Boutique timber bungalows are built high on stilts within the forest canopy providing a private and unobtrusive approach to nature.
Image Gallery
Daintree
Shangri-La Cairns
Daintree
Thala Beach nature reserve
Thala Beach Bedroom
Thala Beach nature reserve
Thala beach nature reserve
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums
Thala Beach Lodge
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums Tree House
Daintree Cruise
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums
Shangri-La Cairns
Daintree
Shangri-La Cairns
Daintree
Thala Beach nature reserve
Thala Beach Bedroom
Thala Beach nature reserve
Thala beach nature reserve
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums
Thala Beach Lodge
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums Tree House
Daintree Cruise
Great Barrier Reef
Rose Gums
Shangri-La Cairns
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2025, 2026 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0069 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
South West Edge Self Drive
- Perth
- Bunbury
- Margaret River
- Karri Valley
- Denmark
- Albany
- Explore Rottnest Island and spot Quokkas
- Taste some of Australia's best wines in the Margaret River
- Spot marine wildlife as you drive along Western Australia's coastline
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
10 Nights from £3015pp
Australia's Coastal Wonders and Vineyards
- Melbourne
- Hobart
- Strahan
- Cradle Mountain
- Launceston
- Freycinet National Park
- Blue Mountains
- Hunter Valley
- Sydney
- Explore the Great Ocean Road
- Visit the Blue Mountains
- Experience the iconic sights of Sydney
- Learn about Tasmania's Convict History
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
21 Nights from £3120pp
Sunshine Coast Fly Drive
- Brisbane
- Hervey Bay
- Fraser Island
- Noosa
- Sunshine Coast - Queensland
- Glass House Mountains
- Visit the spectacular Glass House Mountains
- Drive along Austraila's Sunshine Coast
- See Fraser Islands beauty spots
- Explore one of the only Everglades in the world
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
12 Nights from £3555pp
Ultimate Australia East Coast Self Drive
- Sydney
- Hunter Valley
- Port Macquarie
- Coffs Harbour
- Byron Bay
- Brisbane
- Noosa
- Hervey Bay
- Rockhampton
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Cairns
- Explore the iconic sights of Sydney
- Visit the spectacular Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy bohemian Byron Bay
- Visit the cosmopolitan city of Brisbane
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
23 Nights from £3930pp
Australia's East Coast Self Drive
- Brisbane
- Hervey Bay
- Noosa
- Sunshine Coast - Queensland
- Glass House Mountains
- Melbourne
- Apollo Bay
- Mornington Peninsula
- Port Fairy
- Grampians National Park
- Ballarat
- Blue Mountains
- Hunter Valley
- Sydney
- Discover the natural beauty of Fraser Island
- Drive the Great Ocean Road
- Explore the iconic sights of Sydney
- Visit the Glasshouse Mountains
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
28 Nights from £5155pp
Wilderness, Wine and Wildlife Self Drive Holiday
- Perth
- Margaret River
- Karri Valley
- Mandurah
- Adelaide
- Wilpena Pound
- Barossa Valley
- Kangaroo Island
- Melbourne
- Spot Kangaroos & Koala's on Kangaroo Island
- Explore the wineries of the Barossa Valley
- Experience the Outback in the Flinders Ranges
- Visit the Mystical Pinnacles
- Save £400 per booking on Australia and New Zealand Holidays book by 30 April
- Receive a free M&S Gift Voucher
23 Nights from £5185pp