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Hands On Country Eco Tour

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Departure Times

Departs: 9:00am - Mon, Wed, Fri
Returns: 12:00pm - Mon, Wed, Fri

Departure Point: Finger Wharf C at the Cairns Marlin Marina

Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the Mandingalbay Yidinji people with this Hands On Eco Country Tour!

  • 3-hour guided tour through an Indigenous Protected Reserve
  • Learn about Mandingalbay Yidinji food, plants, ceremonies, and practices
  • Cruise along Hills Creek where you may spot wildlife in the mangroves
  • Immersive and interactive guided bushwalk along the Mayi Bugan Rainforest Trail
  • Take part in a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony 

Connect with the local culture on a Hands On Country Eco Tour with Mandingalbay Yidinji Authentic Indigenous Tours! This 3-hour guided experience allows you to fill your morning with nature, history, food, and human connection as you explore an Indigenous Protected Reserve near Cairns. Cruise through the mangroves and wetlands on a river cruise, learn about natural remedies and plants on a guided bushwalk, engage in a sacred Welcome to Country ceremony, and enjoy light refreshments as you bond with and learn from your friendly indigenous guides. 

Highlights:

  • 3-hour hands-on cultural tour with Mandingalbay Yidinji guides
  • Departs from Cairns Marina
  • River cruise through the lush wetland environment of Hills Creek
  • Admire the mangrove forests and look for crocodiles
  • Exclusive access to an Indigenous Protected Reserve
  • Guided bushwalk along the Mayi Bugan Rainforest Trail
  • Discover bush medicines and native foods with the help of your guide
  • Join a traditional smoking and cleansing ceremony
  • Enjoy light snacks and chat with your indigenous guides
  • A moving and enlightening learning experience

Cairns tropical scenery near Trinity Inlet

Sample Itinerary

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River cruise from Cairns Harbour

Your exciting morning begins with a tranquil river cruise onboard a sturdy, covered vessel. After meeting your tour guides and boarding the boat, cruise across the Cairns Harbour for about 10 minutes until you reach the dense, flourishing mangrove forests and wetlands of Hills Creek. Learn about the local ecosystems from your guide and keep your eyes peeled for ...

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River cruise from Cairns Harbour

Your exciting morning begins with a tranquil river cruise onboard a sturdy, covered vessel. After meeting your tour guides and boarding the boat, cruise across the Cairns Harbour for about 10 minutes until you reach the dense, flourishing mangrove forests and wetlands of Hills Creek. Learn about the local ecosystems from your guide and keep your eyes peeled for saltwater crocodiles lounging on the muddy river banks if the tide is low. This tour gives you exclusive access to an Indigenous Protected Reserve that is full of ancient history and wildlife, so cherish this unique experience!

boat cruise heading through trinity inlet

Explore a working Indigenous Ranger base

When your river cruise finishes up, you'll board a bus and head over to a nearby working Indigenous Ranger base. From here, your knowledgeable Mandingalbay Yidinji guide will lead you on the Mayi Bugan Rainforest Trail. It's recommended to wear long sleeves to protect against insects and also wear comfortable walking shoes. 

As you wander through the serene forest environment, your indigenous guides will teach you about their treasured traditions, customs, and holistic practices. Learn about native foods and bush medicines, and get hands-on experience identifying plants and remedies in the forest. 

Welcome to Country Ceremony

Another highlight of the tour itinerary is the traditional Welcome to Country ceremony, where initiated male elders use the leaves from a paperbark tree to "smoke" and cleanse guests. Welcome to Country ceremonies may also incorporate mugra, a traditional ochre paint that is applied to the face to symbolize welcome. While participating in ancient traditions, you'll get to connect with the culture and enjoy light refreshments before returning to Cairns Harbour. 

woman getting her face painted

Departs/Returns

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Check in: 8:45am at the Mooz Gelato and Juice Bar - Marina Point, 5/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns.

Look for our A-Frame sign out front of the cafe. Our guides will meet you there, and walk you down to ou...

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Check in: 8:45am at the Mooz Gelato and Juice Bar - Marina Point, 5/2 Pier Point Rd, Cairns.

Look for our A-Frame sign out front of the cafe. Our guides will meet you there, and walk you down to our river cruise vessel.

Departs: Finger Wharf C at the Cairns Marlin Marina at 9am

More Information

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What To Bring

  • Wear sturdy, covered flat footwear
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Poncho or waterproof jacket if raining
  • Camera
  • Water (no plastic bottles please)

What's Included

  • 3-hour morning eco country tour
  • Guided river cruise
  • Exclusive access to an Indigenous Protected Reserve
  • Mandingalbay Yidinji traditional welcome either through smoke or marking the face with traditional paint
  • Bus tour through the mangroves, wetlands,...

Read More

What To Bring

  • Wear sturdy, covered flat footwear
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellant
  • Poncho or waterproof jacket if raining
  • Camera
  • Water (no plastic bottles please)

What's Included

  • 3-hour morning eco country tour
  • Guided river cruise
  • Exclusive access to an Indigenous Protected Reserve
  • Mandingalbay Yidinji traditional welcome either through smoke or marking the face with traditional paint
  • Bus tour through the mangroves, wetlands, and market gardens
  • Guided Mayi Bugan Rainforest bushwalk
  • Morning Tea with local fruits 
  • Return transfer by vessel to Cairns Marlin Marina

What's Extra

  • All-inclusive tour

Terms and Conditions

Important Information:

The minimum age for this tour is 5 years. 

Because you participate in a light bushwalk, a basic level of fitness is required. 


Your Responsibilities:

Please advise us before booking if any passengers are under 18 years old to ensure this is the appropriate trip. 

You must reconfirm all booked tours prior to travel as specified on your voucher. If applicable, notes such as dietary requirements, pick-up locations and additional fees should also be confirmed at this time. Reconfirmations cannot be actioned through Fraser Tours / Mr Travel, and must be done so directly through the Service Operator as specified on each ticket.

It is your responsibility to notify us of ticket discrepancies. Please read through the details on your voucher thoroughly to ensure all details such as passenger names, ages and dates of travel on vouchers are correct.

It is the responsibility of all passengers travelling to advise both your travel agent at the time of booking and vessel check-in agent before boarding of any medical conditions including food allergies you may suffer from.

You need to allow adequate time to check-in prior to the specified departure time. 


Prices/Extra Costs:

All prices are stated in Australian dollars and include GST. Surcharges over peak holiday seasons may apply. 

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices and extra costs. Extra costs may include EMC fees, Stingersuit/Wetsuit Hire, Luggage Storage, Insurance, Linen Hire, National Park Fees, Fuel Levies, Dietary Fees, etc. Bonds may also apply.

We will also endeavour to communicate these extra costs with you at the time of booking, and on your ticket. However, it is your responsibility to confirm which (if any) additional costs apply with each Service Operator upon reconfirming your trip.


Travel Risk/Insurance:

It should be noted that adventure travel involves risk. Whilst we make every effort to safeguard clients, we cannot be responsible for personal injury or loss due to the actions of our clients which are beyond our control. All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Tour Operator. We highly recommend that all clients have travel insurance covering illness, injury, loss or damage to personal belongings and not being able to travel on the confirmed date of departure. You should also ensure your travel insurance will cover special circumstances including weather events preventing guests from travelling to their tour departure destination and cancelled flights due to unforeseen circumstances. 


Merchant Fees:

Please be aware operators pass on credit card merchant fees so there is a non-refundable 1% surcharge for VISA and MASTERCARD card purchases.


Other: 

Terms and Conditions (including the Cancellation Policy) are subject to change. The most recent versions can be found online on the relevant product pages. 

All ticket/voucher reissues attract a $20 administration fee. 

Open Date Vouchers / Gift Certificate:

Shipping Costs are in addition to the ticket price and will be added at check-out. Shipping costs are non-refundable and do not makeup part of the ticket value. 

E-Vouchers incur no shipping fees.

You have 5 years to use the value of the voucher. Seasonal Price Rises will apply if travelling out the current seasons pricing. Vouchers can be exchanged for free up to the full value of the voucher excluding credit card fees and charges.

Cancellations

Client Cancellations:

No shows or client cancellations made within 48 hours of departure forfeit 100% of the total ticket price. Cancellations within 7 days of departure forfeit 50% of the ticket price. 

Transfers between tours can be made at the supplier's discretion, however, it should be noted that supplier fees may apply. Tour transfers also incur a $20 administration fee. 

It is compulsory that all cancellation requests are in writing and sent via email to admin@mr-travel.com. Cancellations attempted via online chat or phone will not be actioned.


Supplier Cancellations:

The Service Operator reserves the right to alter prices, alter itineraries, apply a fuel surcharge, cancel departures, arrange alternative transport and vary itineraries and services if necessary.

All departures and itineraries are subject to weather. Tours may be changed or cancelled for any reason at the discretion of the Service Operator. If the Service Operator has to cancel the trip or activity (prior to departure) and we cannot offer a suitable alternative, then a refund will be given minus a 20% administration fee and any associated card fees. We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance, especially during the wet season.

In the unlikely event of your trip being cancelled or stood down, all guest communication is required to go through our Online Store via telephone or email. While there is a Sailing Whitsundays retail outlet located Airlie Beach, please be aware that they operate as a separate entity and are unable to access reservations made by the Mr Travel online department.


Refunds:

All refunds are in Australian Dollars and must be made to the card of payment. Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel is not liable for exchange rate fluctuations or fees, or any other merchant/bank fees associated with domestic and/or international transactions.

Where a full refund is applicable, there is the option to transfer the whole cost of the tour to another tour or “Credit” to avoid the administration fee. A transfer fee of $20 will apply.

You will be emailed confirmation once the refund has been processed. Once the refund has been processed, it may still take time for the banks to clear the amount. Please allow 7-10 business days for the funds to clear into Australian accounts and up to 21 business days for international accounts.


Accountability/Misconduct:

All Service Operators have the right to provide client feedback and to cancel bookings based off of feedback from other Service Operators. 

Please enjoy your travel experience in a kind and responsible manner.

Sailing Whitsundays/Mr Travel will treat this as any normal client cancellation and therefore the cancellation fees stated in the Client Cancellation Policy will apply.


Thank you for booking with our East-Coast travel experts here at Mr Travel / Cairns-Tours.com. If you would like any further advice, assistance in arranging accommodation, transfers or additional tours please get in touch.

Taylor
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