Reef Encounter and Kuranda: The Ultimate Reef and Rainforest Adventure
Reef Encounter and Kuranda: Combine your overnight stay on the Great Barrier Reef with a full-day adventure at Kuranda, the famous “village in the rainforest”.
Australia’s floating hotel, “Reef Encounter”, is one of Australia’s most unique holiday escapes. Reef Encounter offers the facilities of a land-based resort while cruising the pristine waters of the marvellous Great Barrier Reef.
Participate in snorkelling and scuba diving to explore this marvellous underwater world. Enjoy stunning sunrises and sunsets on the Great Barrier Reef, all while enjoying the facilities of our liveaboard vessel.
The second part of this tour package takes you to Kuranda, a picturesque village surrounded by a World Heritage Rainforest.
The journey to and from Kuranda is an experience all on its own. Hop on board Kuranda Scenic Railway and enjoy a 1 ½ hour train journey winding through dense rainforest and past magnificent waterfalls.
You will also return using the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. On Skyrail, you will float above the trees, enjoying a bird’s eye view of the rainforest canopy.
Once you arrive in Kuranda, you will have plenty to do. Browse the markets and purchase some local fare, or visit one of the wildlife parks located in this quirky and quaint village.
Reef Encounter
Reef Encounter is the perfect live-aboard trip for anyone wishing to experience the Great Barrier Reef in comfort and style.
Design your own Great Barrier Reef liveaboard package with Reef Encounter. Depart any day of the week and stay for as many or as few days as you wish! You can design this trip to depart on the day that suits you best.
Spending its time floating between different spectacular outer reef locations, Reef Encounter ensures that any keen snorkeler or scuba diver will get to experience the best that the Great Barrier Reef has to offer.
About the Vessel
Reef Encounter is a 35-meter catamaran designed for stability and comfort at sea. The vessel has 21 spacious staterooms with either one double bed or two single beds.
Our spacious liveaboard vessel features a large lounge and dining area. Outside, there is ample deck space, a vast sundeck, and deck chairs. There is also an outdoor heated spa for relaxation during your free time.
Reef Encounter is also equipped with a helipad for those opting to transfer to and/or from the vessel by Helicopter! Please note helicopter transfers are optional. You can select this during your booking process.
Reef Encounter also boasts unlimited hot showers. Unlike most liveaboard boats, Reef Encounter uses fresh water, so you are NOT limited to one short shower per day.
Onboard Reef Encounter features purpose-built dive and snorkel platforms. Stairs lead into the water, providing easy snorkelling and scuba diving access.
Reef Encounter is equipped with two compressors for quick air refills
Stateroom accommodation, dining and facilities can cater to most people’s needs. Please inform us if you have any special requirements, such as dietary, allergies, or disability/mobility issues.
You can inform us of these by leaving a note in the ‘booking message’.
Reef Encounter Facilities
- Air conditioning
- Modern Ocean-View rooms
- Private Bathrooms
- Large Dining Area
- Bar and Lounge area
- Onboard heated spa
- Onboard water desalination Plant
- Hydraulic drive/Snorkel Platform
- Helipad
- Large Sundeck
Our Rooms
Snorkel and Scuba Dive Packages
What’s included?
Your Great Barrier Reef Stay Includes
- Onboard accommodation with a private bathroom
- Coffee, Tea, and water
- Our on-board chef freshly prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Snorkelling equipment
- Scuba diving equipment (with purchase of diving package)
- Marine Biologist presentation
- All Government Reef Tax and Levies
What will your liveaboard stay with Reef Encounter look like?
This Itinerary is an approximate guide only and can change due to seasons and weather conditions.
Important information
Room check-in is at 10:00 a.m., and check-out is at 8:00 a.m. on the morning of departure. A shared transfer/baggage room with a bathroom and all other boat facilities is available.
What to Bring
- Small overnight bag no bigger than standard airline carry-on baggage
- For safety reasons, Reef Encounter has a “No Shoe” policy. (There is no need to bring extra pairs of shoes)
- Cash or credit card for purchases of snacks from the bar/souvenirs for sale on-board or underwater camera hire.
- Sun hats, swimming clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light casual clothing.
- As the air-conditioning is at a set temperature for the heat during the day, it can become quite cool in the evenings; even just being on the Great Barrier Reef can be cooler at night-time; therefore, a light pullover and cardigan should be packed.
Optional Extras
- Underwater camera hire is available for $89.00 per day
- Wetsuit $5.00 per day
- Prescription masks
- Snacks and drinks from the bar
- Dive guide
- Scuba Diving packages and courses
- Night diving for introductory divers
Please Note: Accommodation is not included on the night between the liveaboard and Kuranda Tour.
Kuranda Train, Skyrail and Rainforestation
Kuranda is a world-famous tourist destination known as the “Village in the Rainforest”.
Combining the Scenic Train journey with the world-famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is the best way to experience this World Heritage-listed Tropical Rainforest.
During the 90-minute train journey, you will climb over 40 small bridges and through many dark tunnels while learning about the Pioneering history of the Tropical North.
On Skyrail, you’ll glide just meters above the Rainforest canopy before descending through the canopy layers. You will have the opportunity to stop at two stations, Barron Falls and Red Peak Station. Here, you will enjoy stunning views and rainforest boardwalks.
Kuranda is not complete without a visit to Rainforestation
Rainforestation is home to the Army Duck Rainforest Tours on land and water, the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, and a wildlife park home to many native Australian animals.
This unique tourist attraction is set on 100 acres of World Heritage Rainforest.
Kuranda Tour Inclusions
- Kuranda Scenic Railway
- Kuranda Village
- Rainforestation Nature Park
- Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience
- Army Duck Rainforest Tour
- Koala and Wildlife Park
- BBQ Buffet Lunch
- Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
- Return Transfers to and from Cairns City Accommodation
Kuranda Tour Itinerary
- 7:30 am Approximate pickup from your Cairns Accommodation
- 8:50 am Board the Kuranda Scenic Railway at the Freshwater Heritage Train Station
- 10:30 am Arrive at Kuranda Railway Station.
- 11:45 am Please be at the bus stop outside the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary to transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park.
- BBQ Lunch. Enjoy a delicious hot buffet and a wide selection of salads, cheeses and fruits.
- Army Duck Rainforest Tour with Tropical Fruit Orchard.
- Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.
- Learn to throw a boomerang and watch spear-throwing and didgeridoo playing.
- Koala and Wildlife Park. Join a guided tour and see crocodiles, wombats, snakes, dingoes, a cassowary, hand-feed kangaroos, and wallabies.
- You’ll have the opportunity to have your photo taken cuddling and holding a small crocodile (Optional extra)
- 3:45 pm Transfer to Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Terminal for 4.00 pm boarding.
- 5:15 pm Your coach will be at the Caravonica Skyrail Terminal to transfer you to your accommodation.
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