Calling all active travellers!
- Do you love being in the outdoors?
- Do you enjoy working hard for a good cause?
- Do you love being fit and healthy?
- Love to travel with like minded people?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to these questions, our 2012 Cairns Adventure just might tick all your boxes. We start with a day trek up to Glacier Rock, through the stunning Barron Gorge National Park. You will be blown away by the vista from the Rock, and you’ll love your gourmet lunch – you’ve earned it!
But the activity has just begun! Participating in the Cairns Cardiac Challenge is a great way to find a focus to see this beautiful region. Over 3 days, we will cycle the 335km from Cairns to Cooktown, and you will love the country, love the exhilaration and love the camaraderie of your pack.
On completion of the ride at Cooktown, join the rest of the gang for lunch on the Endeavour River, and the Gala Dinner, where you can enjoy a few drinks, celebrating your achievements!
We return to Cairns, for some R&R before your final activity – choose between a snorkelling cruise on the Great Barrier Reef, or a kayak tour from Palm Cove to Double Island.
Three different ways to get out off the beaten track and enjoy Far North Queensland – it’s a different world!
So what are you waiting for?
Cairns 7 Nights / 8 Days Adventure
Day 1 Cairns
Upon arrival in Cairns you will be met and transferred to our hotel. Tonight is at leisure. Overnight: Cairns. (-/-/-)
Day 2 Glacier Rock Trek
An early start this morning to beat the heat. We will travel a short distance to Barron Gorge National Park, where we will leave our vehicle. Our walk commences along the road for approximately 2 kilometres, before moving off road and onto the beautiful natural tracks of the Park.
We will trek for approximately 3 hours, enjoying drink breaks and photo stops along the way to Glacier Rock, where we will stop for an early lunch. Food never tasted so good! After enjoying the magnificent vista from Glacier Rock, we will commence our descent and continue the loop back to our start point at Stoney Creek.
The rest of your afternoon will be at leisure, though we must deliver our cycles to the start point for loading, and attend the briefing tonight at 5pm. Overnight: Cairns (B/L /-)
Day 3 Cardiac Challenge Start – Day 1
Another early morning will see us at the cycle start point on the south side of Cairns. There will be an official send off involving some short speeches, and then we are off!
Those electing to ride up the Kuranda Range will be monitored and set-off by the Army support team; those selecting the less strenuous option will have our bikes loaded into trucks before alighting the bus for this part of our journey. At the top of the range we will collect our bikes and commence the ride.
Today we will ride to Mareeba, where we will stop for morning tea. Lunch will be at Mount Molloy and in the afternoon, we will ride through to Mt Carbine, where we will overnight at the caravan park. Overnight: Mt Carbine Caravan Park (B/L/D)
Day 4 Cardiac Challenge – Day 2
Breakfast is served from 6am, and those electing to take the Desailey Range Challenge will be sent out first. All other riders will be supported to the top of the range before continuing on their ride. Lunch today will be at the Palmer River Roadhouse, followed by a short ride in the afternoon. Overnight: Lakeland School, Lakeland Hotel or Lakeland Caravan Park (B/L/D)
Day 5 Cardiac Challenge – Day 3
Although a shorter day, it can be challenging due to headwinds! We will be riding through to Cooktown for lunch on the banks of the Endeavour River and a mass photo session in front of the boat near the Captain Cook monument.
Our group will join together at the Annan River and again at the Information bay on the outskirts of Cooktown – this is where the local police will co-ordinate our mass ride through the town centre.
We will enjoy a BBQ lunch on the banks of the Endeavour River, before preparing our bikes for the return transport. Then, it’s onto a hot shower and fresh clothes, before dinner and a few drinks with the gang. Overnight: Cooktown Hotel (or similar) (B/L /D)
Day 6 Return to Cairns
A cooked BBQ breakfast will be available on our last morning together, and our bus will be aiming to leave at 9.00am. On arrival in Cairns, check back into our hotel and the rest of your day is at leisure – you might want to hit the shops, visit the Esplanade, have a massage, or just relax by the pool! Overnight: Cairns. (B/-/-)
Day 7 Cairns
Today you have a choice of activities to help you enjoy this most beautiful part of Australia. Please note only minimal fitness is required for both:
- Travel out to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef on one of Cairns’ cruisers. Enjoy some snorkeling, or you may even want to try scuba diving. Lunch is included, and this tour will run from 8am – 4pm.
- Those feeling a bit more energetic may choose a half day tour, kayaking out to Double Island. Snorkeling is also lovely here, and a morning tea of fresh fruit, juice and cakes will keep the munchies at bay for your return paddle. This tour will run from 8.30am – 12.30pm.
As tonight is our last night, we will enjoy a group dinner at our hotel. Overnight: Cairns. (B/L/D)
Day 8 Departure
The hotel shuttle will take you to the airport to connect with your flight. You may have some muscles you didn’t know about, but you will also have some great memories and hopefully, some new friends!
Cairns Adventure Inclusions
- Tour leader
- Twin share accommodation (single supplements available)
- All transfers
- All breakfasts
- Full day trek including lunch
- Dinner final night
- Entry to cycle challenge
- Compulsory $300 fundraising contribution
- Camp sites during cycle component
- Individual tents
- Option to upgrade to hotel accommodation for duration of cycle
- Snorkel OR kayak experience
- Free Getaway Trekking walking Shirt
- Drink bottle
- Opportunity to join regular training sessions
- Public Liability Insurance
Cairns Adventure Exclusions
- International and Australian domestic airfares
- Passport & Visa costs
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations and anti-malarial medicines
- Camping equipment (hire of equipment can be arranged)
- Alcohol & personal expenditure
Cairns Adventure Cost
Land component
- $2,195 – 8 Day fully escorted tour
- $250 – Single Supplement
- $220 – Hotel upgrade for cycling (twin share)
- $300 – Single Supplement
The Fine Print
- A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure a booking. The remaining monies are payable 60 days prior to departure.
- A medical certificate is required from your doctor no more than 30 days from departure, stating that you have no medical condition that could endanger your life on the this trek.
- Travel Insurance is mandatory.
- Participation in this trek is by application, and we reserve the right to withhold approval, depending on fitness and experience.
- Training is necessary. This trek is challenging and you will require a high level of fitness. For appropriate trekkers, we can offer support in this area. Please contact us for details.
Minimum group size: 6
Departure: 26 September – 4 October 2012
