We arrive in Cairns and meet our guides, setting the scene with a full trip and safety briefing before heading to Yarrabah on Gunggandji Country. One of Queensland’s largest Aboriginal communities, Yarrabah offers a strong introduction to living culture shaped by resilience, creativity and connection to Country. We spend the afternoon at the Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct, exploring local art forms including painting, weaving and textiles. Getting hands-on, we create our own screen-printed designs while learning directly from Traditional Owners about community, history and contemporary Aboriginal culture. Accommodation: Cairns Hotel

Meals:  D

We begin beneath the towering Cathedral Fig Tree, a 500-year-old rainforest giant, where a Welcome to Country connects us to the land and its stories. Travelling through the Atherton Tablelands, we visit significant sites of the Bundaburra-Yidinji and Mbabaram people, with each stop bringing creation stories and cultural knowledge to life. Crossing into savannah country, we set up camp and step into daily life on Country—learning spear-making and traditional hunting methods. We also contribute to the local community by assembling support packs, before ending the day around the campfire with a Mbabaram Elder, hearing powerful personal stories. Accommodation: Camping on Country

Meals:  B,L,D

Today blends hands-on learning with big-picture thinking. We start by cooking damper over the fire, exploring its cultural context, before learning traditional fishing techniques that highlight seasonal knowledge and respect for natural resources. After time to swim and recharge, we take part in a structured land-use debate focused on a proposed development on Mbabaram Country. Working in groups, we consider environmental, cultural and economic perspectives, gaining insight into the complexity of real-world decision-making and the importance of balancing competing priorities. Accommodation: Camping on Country

Meals:  B,L,D

We head out on a guided walk to Lion Mountain, visiting the site known as “The Castle,” where ancient rock art reveals stories, law and cultural identity passed down over generations. Back in community, we take part in a dot painting workshop, creating our own canvas while learning the meaning behind the symbols. The experience continues with hands-on cultural workshops, including didgeridoo making, weaving and bush tucker. In the evening, we settle in for a movie under the stars, watching an Indigenous film that explores the intersection of traditional culture and modern life. Accommodation: Camping on Country

Meals:  B,L,D

We farewell our hosts and travel to Chillagoe, where the landscape shifts to classic outback terrain. With a Wakaman Traditional Custodian, we visit culturally significant rock art sites that are rarely seen, gaining insight into their meaning and importance. In town, we explore its mining history before taking part in a river blessing with Wakaman custodians. The afternoon is spent exploring extensive cave systems, discovering fossils and hearing stories of the region. After a swim and a chance to try boomerang throwing, we finish the day at the observatory, where the clear outback sky offers exceptional stargazing. Accommodation: Camping at Chillagoe

Meals:  B,L,D

We begin with an outback sunrise before exploring Chillagoe-Mungana National Park, known for its unique limestone formations shaped over millions of years. We visit the striking Balancing Rock before travelling back towards the rainforest. Near Kuranda, we walk through World Heritage-listed forest filled with orchids, palms and strangler figs, leading to the Barron Falls lookout. Here, powerful water flows through the gorge, providing a dramatic contrast to the dry landscapes of the previous days and highlighting the diversity of Far North Queensland. In the afternoon we bid farewell to the Country which has looked after us and provided such a unique and grounding experience. We head back to Cairns and enjoy an evening stroll and exploration of town. Accommodation: Cairns Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

No trip to Far North Queensland is complete without the Great Barrier Reef—and today is a clear highlight. We head out to Moore Reef on the Outer Reef, where the day is all about getting in the water and experiencing it firsthand. Snorkelling among coral gardens, reef fish, turtles and rays, we see up close what makes this ecosystem so globally significant. It’s a high-energy, fun day, but also a chance to connect everything we’ve learned so far—linking cultural perspectives on Country with the science of marine environments. This is where the journey comes together, turning knowledge into real-world experience in one of Australia’s most iconic settings. Accommodation: Cairns Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

It's our last morning together and we spend it relaxing over breakfast, doing any last minute shopping before transferring to the airport to begin our journey home. We take with us a deeper understanding of Country, culture and community and with strengthened friendships with our peers. After experiencing rainforest, outback and reef environments, along with meaningful cultural connections, we leave with new perspectives and shared experiences that will stay with us well beyond the trip.

Meals:  B