Experience Wildlife: Australia
Great Barrier Reef and Beyond
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The Power of Partners
Join Stephanie Arne and award-winning wildlife photographer Jennifer Leigh Warner of Experience Wildlife, on a once in a lifetime adventure to Australia. Spend time living aboard a dive boat in the Great Barrier Reef. Take the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway and journey through the World Heritage-listed rainforest from Cairns to the village of Kuranda, Queensland. We will end our tour at the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia, the world's oldest tropical rainforest.
Highlights
Hands-on photo instruction for wildlife conservation photography with Nikon Professional Jennifer Leigh Warner
Hands-on instruction from Stephanie Arne, an accomplished international wildlife conservationist, expedition guide, TV personality, and a spirited and engaging storyteller.
Spend two nights on a liveaboard boat on the Great Barrier Reef with the VIP upgrade and top deck service.
Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway to a World Heritage site.
Visit the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, Daintree Rainforest.
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Day 1 - Arrive in Cairns, Australia
After checking into the hotel you will have the afternoon to rest and explore the city on your own.
We will meet for a welcome dinner at a restaurant in town.
Day 2 - 7:30 am Breakfast onboard Reef Experience, Cairns Marina Marlin Jetty “A” Finger, Cairns Meet your top deck club attendant.
8:00 am Depart Marlin Marina Biologist Presentation Scuba Dive and Snorkel briefing
9:30 am Arrive at the Outer Great Barrier Reef ~ Transfer to Reef Encounter
10:30 am Water session—Sunbake and relax
Noon Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session—Relaxation time
3:00 pm Cruise to our next Outer Great Barrier Reef Location
3:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session—Relaxation Time
5:30 pm Sunset Cocktails
6:30 pm Next Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
7:30 pm Night scuba dive, Relaxation time, Stargazing, board games or movie
Day 3 -.6:30 am Early Morning Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session
7:30 am Breakfast served in your Stateroom
8:00 am Cruise to next Outer Great Barrier Reef Site
8:30 am Water session
10:30 am Water session
Noon Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm Water Session, Sunbake and Relax
3:00 pm Cruise to our next Outer Great Barrier Reef Location
3:30 pm Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session—Relaxation Time
5:30 pm Sunset Cocktails
6:30 pm Next Dinner under the stars (weather permitting)
7:30 pm Night scuba dive, Relaxation time, Stargazing, board games or movie
Day 4 - 6:30 am Early Morning Scuba Dive and Snorkel Session
7:30 am Breakfast served in your Stateroom
8:00 am Cruise to next Outer Great Barrier Reef Site
8:30 am Water session
10:30 am Water session
Noon Buffet Lunch
1:30 pm Water Session, Sunbake and Relax
2:30 pm Check out and get ready to transfer back to Cairns.
3:00 pm Transfer from Reef Encounter to Reef Experience Wine, Cheese and Tropical Fruit Platters on Return Journey
4:30 pm Arrive at Marlin Marina Cairns.
Check back into our hotel in Cairns.
Day 5 - 08:30 am (approx) Pickup from your Cairns City Accommodation
09:30 am Glide over the rainforest from Kuranda on Skyrail
10:25 am Arrive at Kuranda Village
11:15 pm Please be at the bus stop outside the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary to transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park
12:00 pm Army Duck Rainforest Tour with Tropical Fruit Orchard.
12:45 pm or 1:30 pm Transfer to Kuranda Village
3:00 pm Kuranda Scenic Railway
5:15 pm head back to your Cairns accommodation
Day 6 - 7.00 – 7.30 am Pickup from your Cairns Accommodation
Scenic drive along the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Port Douglas
Then, stop at Rex Lookout for stunning views of the Coral Sea
Cruise to Port Douglas, picking up additional guests
Next, visit Flagstaff Hill for views overlooking 4 Mile Beach
Refreshment break at Mossman Gorge with local tea, coffee, or cold drinks
Explore Mossman Gorge and its rainforest paradise
Guided walk and optional swim in the cool, clear waters of Mossman River (weather and time permitting)
Enjoy a quality restaurant lunch with meal options
1-hour cruise on the Daintree River, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and wildlife
Cross the Daintree River Cable Crossing into the ancient Daintree Rainforest
Panoramic views from Alexandra lookout over the Daintree River, and Coral Sea
Then, enjoy a guided botanical walk beneath the ancient rainforest trees
Visit Kulki Lookout at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef
Stop at a local Daintree Ice-Cream Company to purchase tropical ice-cream (own expense)
Finally, return to Port Douglas by around 5.30 pm or Cairns and the northern beaches slightly later around 6.30 pm
Day 7 - Open Day
We can book any activity for you at an additional cost
Day 8 - Fly home
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Two camera bodies to limit lens changes
Telephoto lens – 400 mm or larger (for wildlife)
Mid range variable – 24-100mm (for environmental and people images)
Underwater housing or compact underwater camera.
Tripod for extra support or help with creative images
Camera sling/harness/strap of some sort to secure it to your person while not in a pack
Plenty of batteries and memory cards
Laptop or other system for backing up images
You need both a plug adapter and a voltage converter if your home country uses a different electrical system than Australia, which runs on 230V at 50Hz. A plug adapter changes the pin configuration to fit the Type I Australian socket, while a voltage converter steps the voltage down to prevent damage to your devices. However, if your device is dual-voltage (e.g., labeled 100-240V), it will only need a plug adapter.ription text goes here
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Layers, including a long sleeve quick dry top to keep you safe from the sun.
Brimmed hat
Waterproof hiking boots.
Thick socks
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Personal water bottle
Australian currency
Any medication you may need
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In November, Australia's weather transitions from spring to a warm start to summer, with pleasant and sunny conditions in the south, while the tropical north becomes hot, humid, and experiences the beginning of the wet season. Southern cities like Sydney and Melbourne will see warm days, while the Outback can get very hot, and parts of the tropical north will be humid with rain, and it's stinger season in the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef area.
Meet Your Guides
Jennifer Leigh Warner
Jennifer Leigh Warner is a fine art conservation wildlife photographer, writer, public speaker, and workshop leader living in Central Texas, specializing in creating meaningful images that convey a message of hope for the natural world. Jennifer is a Nikon Professional, a certified Texas Master Naturalist, serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Nature Photography Association, and has been serving as the Chair of the Ethics Committee since 2018.
Stephanie Arne
Stephanie Arne is an accomplished wildlife conservationist, explorer, and public speaker. She is the former host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, where she filmed stories on everything from polar bears to penguins. Steph has appeared on the Harry Connick Jr. Show, Animal Planet, and The Drew Barrymore Show. Her community conservation work has taken her to 20+ countries to witness and find creative solutions for human/animal conflict, and now she is thrilled to bring fellow wildlife enthusiasts on conservation trips around the world to share ways to make tangible impacts.
Photo Credit- Mutual of Omaha
Accommodations
Reef Encounter Liveaboard
Reef Encounter is a 35-metre catamaran hotel designed for stability and comfort at sea. Fully air-conditioned and purpose-built, it combines the luxury of a boutique hotel with the excitement of a liveaboard adventure. During your stay, you’ll explore some of the most breathtaking areas of the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Encounter offers stylish accommodation, fresh dining, and excellent facilities to suit most travelers. If you have special requirements—such as dietary needs, allergies, or mobility concerns.
Double Tree Cairns
Enjoy Coral Sea views at our Cairns oceanfront hotel, surrounded by landscaped tropical gardens. Cairns Aquarium, Cairns Art Gallery, the Esplanade Lagoon, and the city center are all just steps away, and we’re five kilometers from Cairns Airport. Our restaurants, bars, and 24-hour fitness center complete your escape.
