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The First Nations people of Australia have lived here for at least 65,000 years and have one of the oldest continually surviving cultures on Earth. The Daintree Dreaming day tour takes you on a journey of discovery and provides the unique opportunity to have authentic cultural experiences, in simply stunning natural destinations. This small group tour is rich with history, meaning, discovery and connections. Tour numbers are limited to 16 guests, to maximise the experience. Daintree Dreaming begins with a coastal adventure with the Kubirri Warra guides on beautiful Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu), the traditional fishing grounds of the Kuku Yalanji people. From there the magical Mossman Gorge awaits your discovery, with a tour by your Down Under Tours guide. Lunch is at the Mayi Café at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre overlooking the tropical rainforest’s edge. To finish the day, the amazing opportunity to participate in an art class with renowned Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley, who will guide you to create your own small canvas to take home.
This tour operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with return transfers available from Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.
Authentic cultural experiences with First Nations people in simply stunning natural destinations. Rainforest. Mossman Gorge. Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu).
Get a free underwater camera rental when you book tours through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
Down Under Tours provide an extensive range of fully guided day tours to some this region’s best destinations. They prioritise customer service and experience, through unique itineraries, professional guides and a fleet of modern, luxury touring coaches. Their Daintree Dreaming day tour delivers an amazing day of cultural discovery and connection. It’s a big day on the bus and not all experiences are suitable for all ages and as such, this tour is not suitable for children aged under 4 years old. Please note the tour does include beach walking and participants should have reasonable mobility. Cairns pick-ups start from 8am and return around 5.30pm. Northern Beaches pick-ups start from 8.30am and return around 5pm. Port Douglas pick-ups start from 9am and return around 4pm. Lunch is included in the tour price, as is all tours and experiences detailed here, a knowledgeable local driver guide and transfers on an air conditioned coach.
Mossman Gorge is a part of the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and ticks all the boxes for rainforest experience. Towering trees reach into the sky, covered with climbing palms, basket ferns and staghorn ferns, and at its heart is the Mossman River which snakes its way through the rainforest. The cool clear and green waters of the river move effortlessly around giant granite boulders and you almost always see dragonflies dancing above the water. Access to the gorge is by shuttle bus transfer from the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. Your Down Under Tours guide will accompany you and share stories and insights of the gorge, as you explore on trails and elevated boardwalks. Please note this tour does not include time for swimming at the gorge.
Get creative and participate in an artist guided creation session at Janbal Gallery, with renowned Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley. This is one of the few places in Australia where you can learn about Aboriginal art and culture through a hands-on painting and storytelling experience. During your time here you will learn how ochre paints are made and create your very own canvas as a unique souvenir and reminder of your time at Janbal Gallery. You don’t need to be artistic you just need to come with an open mind and willingness to learn new skills and ancient techniques.
The Daintree Dreaming day tour provides the opportunity to explore World Heritage listed Rainforest at Mosman Gorge. There are sealed pathways which take you through the rainforest, bridges that cross streams and a section of elevated boardwalk which put you higher in the canopy. Keep an eye out for Boyd’s Forest Dragons as you explore with your Down Under Tours guide. These tiny rainforest residents cling to the side tree trunks and are like miniature dinosaurs in appearance, you might also see flashes of the bright blue Ulysses butterflies. The boardwalk takes you to the upper reach of the gorge, with a lookout providing panoramic views of Mossman Gorge and Mossman River.
Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu) is a beautiful location. It faces forward to the Coral Sea and combines long expanses of sandy beaches and tidal lagoons, with mangrove forests which provide habitat for Great Barrier Fish, crabs and assorted other wildlife. With its abundance of plants and animals, this was a special place and traditional hunting grounds for the Kuku Yalanji people. On this tour you join Kubirri Warra guides and walk with them in the footsteps of their ancestors, as their share some of their knowledge of bush medicines, traditional foods and the use of hunting tools. You’ll also learn how to handle and throw a traditional spear, under their guidance and instruction. Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu) is on the Great Barrier Reef Drive and is 10 minutes north of Port Douglas, 5 minutes from Mossman.
This whole tour is dedicated to providing you with an authentic cultural experience, delivered by the proud descendants of the Kuku Yalanji people, Traditional Owners of the Mossman Gorge and surrounding areas. Walk in their footsteps and be immersed in this living culture, with shared stories, practical demonstrations and guided learning. From the beaches to the mangroves, to the rainforest and the rivers, you’ll explore this stunning landscape with rich cultural connection.
This Daintree Dreaming day tour itinerary is based around the ‘usual’ Down Under Tours itinerary. However, please note that exact times and order of activities can change pending weather, tides and other circumstances. Tour pick-ups commence in Cairns from 8am and you return from 5.30pm. For the Northern Beaches, pick-ups commence at 8.30am and you return at 5pm. Port Douglas tour participant pick-ups start at 9am and you return at 4pm. Tour numbers are limited to 16 people, to maximise experience and connection. Travel is in an air conditioned bus, with an experienced driver guide. The tour is fully guided and the ticket price covers everything outlined above, including lunch at the Mayi Café at the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. Bring additional funds for additional drinks or souvenir purchases. This tour operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Down Under Tours commences its tour pick-ups from various Cairns city locations. Exact pick-up times are confirmed closer to travel time.
If you are staying at the Northern Beaches pick-ups commence from 8.30am, if you are in Port Douglas they commence from 9am
The first experience of the tour is a coastal adventure with the Kubirri Warra guides on beautiful Cooya Beach (Kuyu Kuyu), the traditional fishing grounds of the Kuku Yalanji people. Here you’ll learn about traditional foods, medicine and hunting techniques. Learn to throw a spear, under guide instruction.
Mossman Gorge is a spectacular rainforest location. Explore it with your Down Under Tours guide, on pathways and elevated boardwalks. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, including forest dragons and butterflies.
Enjoy a lunch infused with rainforest flavours at the Mayi Café, part of the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre. Expect a meal that showcases local produce and Indigenous-inspired flavours. Enjoyed amongst rainforest surrounds.
Creativity flows at your stop at Janbal Gallery, located in the township of Mossman. Learn about Aboriginal Art and culture through a guided hands-on painting and storytelling experience. Acclaimed Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley will show traditional paints and techniques, as you create your own masterpiece and unique souvenir.
Depart Mossman and commence return transfers to your accommodation.
The tour includes return transfers from selected Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas accommodation locations, travel in an air-conditioned coach, a knowledgeable Down Under Tours driver guide. It also includes all scheduled cultural experiences: the Kubirri Warra coastal experience at Cooya Beach and guided artist session at Janbal Gallery, where you create your own Aboriginal artwork to take home.
The Daintree Dreaming tour includes two hands-on First Nations cultural experiences. At Cooya Beach, Kubirri Warra guides share knowledge of traditional foods, bush medicines, hunting tools and the cultural significance of the coastal environment. At Janbal Gallery, Aboriginal artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley shares stories, traditional techniques and information about ochre paints while guiding you through your own artwork.
The tour visits Cooya Beach, also known as Kuyu Kuyu, Mossman Gorge, the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre and Janbal Gallery in Mossman. These locations combine coastal landscapes, mangrove habitat, World Heritage-listed rainforest and vibrant Aboriginal culture.
The Daintree Dreaming day tour operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Return transfers are available from selected locations in Cairns, the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.
This is a full-day tour. Cairns pickups begin from approximately 8am, with return around 5.30pm. Northern Beaches pickups begin from approximately 8.30am, with return around 5pm. Port Douglas pickups begin from approximately 9am, with return around 4pm. Exact times can vary depending on pickup locations, tides, weather and operating conditions.
The tour includes walking on sand at Cooya Beach, as well as sealed paths, bridges and elevated boardwalks at Mossman Gorge. The Mossman Gorge walk is around 1km return and is classified as an easy walk. Guests should have reasonable mobility and be comfortable walking outdoors, getting on and off the coach and using the Mossman Gorge shuttle bus.
The tour is not suitable for children aged under four years. It is a full-day itinerary involving coach travel, beach walking, guided cultural activities and rainforest exploration. Families should consider whether younger children will be comfortable participating in each experience and travelling for an extended period.
No. The Daintree Dreaming itinerary includes a guided rainforest walk at Mossman Gorge, but there is no allocated time for swimming. Guests explore the gorge using pathways, bridges and elevated boardwalks while learning about the rainforest from their Down Under Tours guide.
No artistic experience is required. Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley guides guests through the painting process and explains the stories, materials and techniques involved. The session is suitable for beginners, and each participant creates a small canvas to keep as a souvenir.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and lightweight clothing suitable for tropical weather. Bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and a rain jacket or umbrella during wetter weather. Additional money may also be useful for drinks, artwork or souvenirs. As the Cooya Beach experience is affected by tides and weather, it is a good idea to wear clothing and footwear that can cope with sand and potentially damp conditions.
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