Journey Beyond has officially launched new partnership packages to trade, combining the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Indigenous culture into one seamless Tropical North Queensland experience.
Sailaway Port Douglas has teamed up with Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, both recent Journey Beyond acquisitions, to launch two new all-inclusive experiences combining the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Indigenous culture in a single itinerary.
At an industry launch event in Sydney last night director of Sales & Partnerships at Voyages Tourism Australia, Peter Graham, recalled the hairs on his arms standing up when he first experienced the Indigenous guide asking ancestors permission to enter on Country.
The Sailaway offering, meanwhile, was purchased from founders Steve and Katrina Edmondson last year. The combined suite of tours was presented to trade, along with prize draws, by both Graham and business development manager Josh Basir at Journey Beyond’s York St offices in Sydney Thursday night, which Voyages also now shares. Glenn Davis from Tourism Australia was one winner of the exclusive Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef four-day tour, as was Daniela Gailer from Terra Nova Tours.
Designed to showcase two of Tropical North Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes, the new packages give visitors the choice of a full-day Rainforest to Reef experience or a half-day Rainforest to Sunset Sail tour.
Guests begin at Mossman Gorge with the 90-minute Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk, where Kuku Yalanji guides share stories of Country, visit a sacred ceremony site and demonstrate traditional soap and ochre paint making.
“This new package perfectly blends the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the lush Daintree Rainforest into a one-day, all-inclusive package,” Journey Beyond executive general manager sales & partnerships, Alicia Triggs, said. “Guests can experience the best Tropical North Queensland has to offer, and discover three worlds – reef, rainforest and Indigenous culture – all while connecting with the rich traditions of the Traditional Owners.”
The full-day Rainforest to Reef package continues with Sailaway’s Low Isles experience, including snorkelling, a guided marine tour, a glass bottom boat tour, lunch and sunset sailing, with fares from $495 for adults.
Alternatively, the Rainforest to Sunset Sail package pairs the Dreamtime Walk with a 1.5-hour sunset cruise from Port Douglas, including drinks and canapés, with adult tickets from $240.
The new partnership brings together two of the region’s leading eco-tourism operators, offering travellers a seamless way to experience reef, rainforest and Indigenous culture in a single day.
