Your day of creativity and connection begins right here at Cassowary Falls, where Liz – one of your hosts and qualified chef – starts things off with a breakfast worth waking up for. Delivered fresh to your chalet door, Liz’s morning creations are full of flavour, heart and local inspiration. Enjoy them on your private deck as the rainforest stirs around you, listen for the birds calling through the trees, enjoy butterflies drifting past and in the distance, soft mountain mist drapes the valley and rainforest mountains. With fresh juice in the fridge and tea and coffee at your fingertips, this is the perfect way to fuel up and experience the creations of your first maker of the day. Breakfast is in addition to accommodation and needs to be booked in advance. Get away by 9am to enjoy the day.

Janbal Gallery in Mossman offers a truly special experience, the opportunity to connect with Aboriginal culture through art, storytelling and shared knowledge. In a 2 hour hands-on workshop, you’ll join respected Kuku Yalanji artist Brian ‘Binna’ Swindley and create your very own A5 artwork to take home – a truly personal keepsake. As you paint, Binna will guide you through the meaning behind traditional symbols, colours and linework, while sharing stories of Country, language and culture passed down through generations. It’s more than an art class; it’s a cultural exchange rooted in respect and creativity. This memorable experience will stay with you long after the paint has dried. All materials are provided, and there’s even the option to paint an ornamental boomerang. Workshops run Monday to Friday from 10am–12pm (there’s also an afternoon session). Advance bookings essential. It’s a 40 minute drive to Janbal Gallery from Cassowary Falls. There’s also the option to purchase one of Binna’s original artworks or print at the gallery (his work is featured in the banner of this page.)

Our Meet The Makers itinerary continues at the Australian Chocolate Farm, a sweet stop for lunch and learning. Their café is open from 9am to 4pm and serves light lunches – think wraps, sandwiches and salads – as well as barista-made coffee, rich hot chocolates, house-made desserts and their signature single-origin chocolate. After lunch, join the 1pm farm tour for a guided walk through the cacao plantation, where you’ll see how chocolate is grown, harvested and crafted, from ‘bean to bar’. Taste raw cacao, learn about traditional and modern production methods, and sample award-winning creations. It’s a rich, sensory experience for food lovers and chocolate fans alike. Advance bookings are essential for the farm tours. Open Wednesday to Sunday.

From one indulgence to the next, take a short drive (just 1km down the road) to the Shannonvale Tropical Fruit Winery. This boutique, family-run winery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm and offers a relaxed, rainforest-fringed cellar door experience. We suggest booking the 3pm tasting to suit the pace of your day (other sessions run at 10:30am, 12pm and 1:30pm). Their handcrafted wines are made from organically grown tropical fruits like mango, passionfruit, lychee and black sapote. For something a little different, try the ginger and kaffir lime—perfectly paired with Asian-style cuisine. Grab a bottle (or 2) of your favourites and bring them back to your chalet for sunset in the spa. Bookings are recommended to enjoy a personalised tasting experience.

After a full day of meeting the makers and feasting on local flavours, return to Cassowary Falls in time for a sunset soak in your private outdoor spa. Let the rainforest sounds wash over you as the light fades and the valley settles into evening, perhaps enjoying a glass of tropical fruit wine or maybe a few chocolate treats from earlier in the day. Dinner is your call. You can self-cater in the comfort of your chalet, making use of the fully prepped kitchen and utensils (make sure you pick up supplies in Mossman on your way back), or head into Daintree Village, for a night out. Julaymba Restaurant at the Daintree Ecolodge serves elegant rainforest-inspired meals with seasonal local ingredients. Dinner is available from 5:30pm to 9:30pm (last reservations at 8pm) and bookings are highly recommended. Prefer something casual? The Daintree Village Hotel offers hearty pub-style meals and takeaway until 7:30pm.