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Frequently Asked Questions

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about our trips. Below you'll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive. If you don't find the information you are looking for here, please email us or call us at +61 7 4053 2878 and we will be happy to speak with you.

Accommodation and Dining

Does “ecotourism” mean rustic accommodation?
Do the hotel rooms have private baths?
What is the food like?
I am a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements. Can you accommodate me?

Group Info

What is your maximum group size?
What if I'm traveling alone?
Does Small World Journeys allow children?
What are my responsibilities/obligations as a trip member?
Do you offer custom trips?
Who are your guides?

Activities

When is the best time to visit Cairns? What is the weather like?
What is an “eco-tour”?
What about sharks? Or stinging jellyfish? Can I still go diving?
What if I don’t want the carbon offsets or the sponsored rainforest tree that are included in the trip
price?
How fit do I need to be and how long will we be active each day?
How are Small World Journeys’ trips rated?

Pre-Departure

Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
What do I need to bring?
Why should I purchase trip cancellation insurance?
Can you recommend a travel agent to help with booking my airfare?

Bookings and Cancellations

How do I book a space on a Small Group Trip?
How do I book an Independent Journey or an Educational Adventure?
What happens after I make my booking?
What if I have to cancel?
What if there are fewer than the required number of participants?
What is included in the price of my trip?
Is airfare included in the trip price?

About Small World Journeys

Why doesn’t the company have a brochure?
I hear a lot about “green” travel. How do I know you’re legitimate?
How do you ensure the quality of your trips?

Accommodation and Dining

Does “ecotourism” mean rustic accommodation?

No. On our Small Group trips, we have hand-picked 4-star boutique accommodation that will please even the fussiest traveler. What makes hotels “eco” is their use of such things as recycled grey water, solar panels, aerated taps, recycled building materials, and their involvement with reforestation projects, on-site interpretation, and contribution to local conservation efforts.

On our Small Group Travel, we use eco-lodges and hotels with amenities such as a pool and outdoor spa, cardio gym, laundry facilities, WiFi, piped in pure spring water, yoga classes, and rooms with air conditioning, en suite bathrooms, satellite TV and DVD players. Some are free standing rainforest villas, while others have won ecotourism awards .

Accommodation on custom trips can include these accommodations as well.

Do the hotel rooms have private baths?

Yes. All of our chosen hotels and eco-lodges on our Small Group Travel have private baths. In some cases, the bathroom even has a prime view of the rainforest. The only time you will not have access to a private bath is when you are on the sailboat. In this instance, there are two bathrooms for 11 guests, both equipped with sink, toilet, and hot shower.

What is the food like?

We dine in locally-owned restaurants that are known for fresh, inventive, and delicious cuisine. For example, we dine at Nick’s Swiss Restaurant in the Cairns Highlands—a local favorite and home of the yodeling accordion player.

Breakfasts are typically eaten at our accommodation, and lunches vary from buffet lunches on our sailboat to an intimate picnic in a national park.

On our Independent Journeys, a list or our favourite restaurants is included in your pre-departure packet.

I am a vegetarian or have special dietary requirements. Can you accommodate me?

We are happy to cater to vegetarians. We can accommodate most dietary requests, so please let us know how we can best assist you.

On our Booking Form, you will be asked to list any special dietary requirements, limitations or preferences you may have (vegan, nut allergies, etc.) We then pass that information along to our guides and restaurants so that you do not have to worry about it during the trip.

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Group Info

What is your maximum group size?

Our group will never exceed 10 people on our Small Group Travel. Independent Journeys and Educational Adventures will vary according to your preference and our availability.

What if I'm traveling alone?

No worries. Solo travellers are welcome on our Small Group Travel, and it is a perfect opportunity to make friends with other travellers. We can also create an Independent Journey just for you.

On our Small Group Travel, accommodation is based on double occupancy. You may pay an additional fee—a “single supplement”--to have your own room, or if you wish to share accommodation, we will attempt to match you with a roommate of the same gender. However, if a roommate is not available, the single supplement will be charged, but we will only charge you half of the single supplement.

Does Small World Journeys allow children?

We encourage families with young children to allow us to design a custom Independent Journey. We can put together an exciting departure that will appeal to the whole family. On Independent Journeys, kids 4-14 years old travel for half price with a full paying adult.

On our Small Group Travel, we can accommodate young people who are accompanied by a legal guardian and who can handle the physical and emotional requirements of the trip. Please note The Adventurer and The Explorer have a minimum age requirement of 13 years old. Please contact us to discuss whether a trip is suitable for your child.

What are my responsibilities/obligations as a trip member?

Please see our Terms and Conditions to understand what your responsibilities are as a guest.

Do you offer custom trips?

Yes. Our Independent Journeys are designed for solo travellers, couples, families, or special groups and organizations. Our Educational Adventures are created for students of all ages. We can create a special version of a Small Group Trip you see on our website, or a totally unique itinerary based on the activities and you want.

Who are your guides?

Our guides know, love and live in Cairns. They have been selected for their maturity, professionalism, and their ability to deliver rich, eye-opening experiences, and they will enthusiastically show you things you would never find on your own. Quite simply, they make our trips.

Small World Journeys guides are well educated, extremely friendly, and fully committed to our vision. They have a strong background in the natural sciences, and are experienced in teaching about flora, fauna, and natural history. In addition, they are used to facilitating groups of people of diverse backgrounds and personalities, and will make sure your trip runs safely and smoothly. In addition to being highly experienced leaders, our guides are also delightful human beings. We know you will agree.

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Activities

When is the best time to visit Cairns? What is the weather like?

Cairns is a tropical place, and outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round. In our winter (June-August), the climate is at its most mild, with warm days, cool nights, and little rainfall. Average temperatures are 18-26 degrees Celsius/64-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

In our summer (December-February), the weather is at its warmest and wettest. You can expect hot days with occasional tropical storms, producing lush green hillsides and plenty of waterfalls. Average temperatures are 23-31 degrees Celsius/73-87 Fahrenheit.

What is an “eco tour”?

An eco tour, in our opinion, is a trip in which everyone benefits: the community, the environment, you and us. Simply by joining one of our trips, you will be supporting carbon offsetting, the Australian Rainforest Foundation’s tree-planting initiative, aboriginal cultural ventures and locally-owned businesses who are working towards a more sustainable future in tourism. As our guest, you are supporting us as well. Thank you! For more information, see 10 Reasons Why We’re Eco.

What about sharks? Or stinging jellyfish? Can I still go diving?

The ocean is home to sharks, but the ones we may encounter at the Great Barrier Reef are small and pose little threat to swimmers or divers. In fact, divers and snorkelers often consider themselves lucky to spot one of these shy, magnificent creatures. Australia’s famed Great White sharks prefer cold water, and therefore are not found in this area of the country.

Stingers, also known as box jellyfish, breed in estuaries and are not found at The Great Barrier Reef. Therefore, they do not pose a big threat to snorkelers or divers. Stingers are only a consideration on the beaches between November and April, and most of the local beaches have stinger nets so that people may still swim.

What if I don’t want the carbon offsets or the sponsored rainforest tree that are included in the trip price?

Should you not wish to participate in carbon-offsetting or the Australian Rainforest Fund’s reforestation program, please tell us upon booking. These items will then be subtracted from the cost of your trip.

How fit do I need to be and how long will we be active each day?

As with every active journey, the more fit you are, the more you will enjoy your trip. Our Small Group trips are appropriate for the average active and healthy adult. Our days often start at 7 am, and finish well after dark. To see how active we will be each day on our Small Group Trips, please refer to the detailed trip itinerary. Also see our Trip Ratings below.

How are Small World Journeys’ trips rated?

You do not have to be an athlete or a fitness buff to join our Small Group Travel; however, our trips are NOT “sight-seeing tours”. Our trips are active, and we will be outside the majority of the day, every day. We can accommodate a range of fitness and skill levels within one trip, and you will always have options.

Our two Small Group trips are rated as follows:

The Explorer: EASY ACTIVE

Activities: Day hiking, sailing, snorkeling and optional SCUBA diving

Hiking: Hikes up to 4 miles/6 kms, gentle grade walking tracks.

Sailing: Sailing up to 4 hours at a time on open sea.

Snorkeling: Swimming ability required, but no previous snorkeling experience necessary.

SCUBA Diving: SCUBA certification needed; Intro Dives require no previous SCUBA diving experience, but participants must pass an easily arranged Queensland medical exam if they have any medical conditions.

The Adventurer: MODERATE

Activities: Day hiking, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, sailing, snorkeling and optional SCUBA diving

Hiking: Hikes up to 3.5 miles/5.7 kms, gentle grade walking tracks.

Biking: Easier Option is up to 12 miles/20 kms, 3 hours with light rolling terrain, dirt track (no mountain biking experience necessary). More challenging option is up to 10 kms, 3 hours, with technical tracks and significant ascents and descents (Previous mountain biking experience required)

Whitewater Rafting: Grade III-IV rapids, approximately 5 hours of rafting. No previous experience necessary.

Sailing: Sailing up to 4 hours at a time on open sea.

Snorkeling: Swimming ability required, but no previous snorkeling experience necessary.

SCUBA Diving: SCUBA certification needed; Intro Dives require no previous SCUBA diving experience, but participants must pass an easily arranged Queensland medical exam if they have any medical conditions.

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Pre-Departure

Do I need a visa to visit Australia?

All visitors to Australia need a visa, with the exception of visitors from New Zealand. An Australian entry visa, commonly known as an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) will let you spend up to three months in Australia. In most countries it is easily obtained by the travel agent who issues your ticket, and should be free of charge. There is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application, and you do not need a stamp or label in your passport. Upon check in at the airport, the airline agent will be able to confirm your ETA electronically.

All visitors will also need a passport, valid for at least six months after the planned return date.

What do I need to bring?

A detailed packing list of recommended clothing and gear is provided on our website for each Small Group trip. A packing list for Small Group Travel, Independent Journeys, and Educational Adventures will also be included in your Confirmation Packet.

Why should I purchase trip cancellation insurance?

We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance for your protection. Should you need to cancel your trip for any reason, our cancellation policy applies. However, travel insurance protects any loss you may experience should you or an immediate family member become ill or sustain an injury that prevents you from going on the trip. For insurance options, see our World Nomads page for a quote and important information, or visit www.worldnomads.com

 

Can you recommend a travel agent to help with booking my airfare?

Yes.

In the United States, we recommend Sandra Marron at Millennium Travel--a locally owned travel agency in San Francisco. She has more than a decade of experience booking trips specifically to Australia. You may contact her at 1888 700 2182 or milltrav@aol.com

We know you will be pleased with her service. Please enquire with us for travel agents in other countries.

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Bookings and Cancellations

How do I book a space on a Small Group Trip?

It's easy. Please see how to book.

How do I book an Independent Journey or an Educational Adventure?

Designing an Independent Journey or and Educational Adventure is a creative process between you and Small World Journeys, and one that warrants more than just an email exchange. Once you express an interest, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire on which you can specify exactly what you want. Then we will call you personally to discuss your ideas more in-depth and from there create your ideal journey. For the complete process, please see how to book.

What happens after I make my booking?

Once you have signed up for a trip, Small World Journeys will email you forms to sign and additional information to help you prepare:

Confirmation Packet: Will include a detailed itinerary, packing list, payment invoice, Resposible Travel Policy, information about local businesses and giving back to the community, reading list, background information on the Cairns region and other travel information.

Pre-Departure Packet: Includes last-minute information or updates on the trip, trip roster if applicable, rendezvous instructions, and emergency numbers--sent approximately 2 weeks prior to your scheduled departure date.

What if I have to cancel?

Accidents happen, emergencies occur. For that reason, we highly recommend that you purchase travel Insurance. Should you or an immediate family member get sick or injured, thus preventing you from going on your trip, in most cases travel insurance will protect any loss you may experience. Please refer to our cancellation policy on our Terms & Conditions

One option for travel insurance is World Nomads, available to both Australian and international guests.

What if there are fewer than the required number of participants?

Our Small Group Travel requires a minimum number of 4 paid guests for departure. However, if you would like confirmation on a departure of 2 or 3 people, you may pay an additional fee for this assurance. If the price drops due to an increase in group size before your trip departs, you will be refunded the difference.

Our Independent Journeys can be confirmed with just one person.

What is included in the price of my trip?

All Small Group Travel includes the following:

To see specific information on what's included for each individual trip, please review the detailed itinerary or call and speak with our staff. International airfare, travel insurance, optional certified SCUBA diving, $20 AUD reef tax, optional gratuities, and personal items are not included.

Our Independent Journeys and Educational Adventures are tailored to your budget, so inclusions will vary from trip to trip.

Is airfare included in the trip price?

No. Our prices are land costs only. Airfare to and from Cairns is additional.

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About Small World Journeys

Why doesn’t the company have a brochure?

We endeavour to be as “paper free” as possible in our operations, and we don’t feel we could claim to be an ecotourism company if we used a lot of trees to promote our business. Therefore, we made a conscious decision not to produce a multi-page brochure to advertise our trips. Although people often like to “hold something in their hands”, we believe that our guests will understand and support our decision not to do so. In addition, our correspondence is sent electronically, unless guests specifically request otherwise.

I hear a lot about “green” travel. How do I know you’re legitimate?

There are many travel companies out there who claim to be eco-friendly, green, or sustainable. Some companies are doing great things, while others use the “eco” label simply for marketing purposes or have made superficial changes in their operations. Some questions you should ask your potential company include:

For information on Small World Journeys' contributions to eco tourism, please see 10 Reasons Why We’re Eco.

How do you ensure the quality of your trips?

As a Cairns tour operator, we research and develop our own trips. We have personally met all of our outfitters, suppliers, and hoteliers. We hire expert local guides who are well-connected in the region. Finally, we actively ask for and pay attention to our guests’ feedback, using it to continually improve our operations.

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