Day 1
Sydney – Coffs Harbour
Welcome to Sydney! Discover the landscapes of the east coast as you travel northward to the costal town of Coffs Harbour. Known for its beaches and take time to explore Little Diggers Beach and Diggers Head, enjoy the early evening sea breeze like the locals. In the evening, enjoy a welcome reception and dinner with your tour guide and fellow travellers.
Overnight: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort (Dinner included)
Day 2-3
Gold Coast
Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse to admire the phenomenal views from Australia’s most eastern point then visit Byron Bay for lunch and some free time. Afterwards, follow the Tweed River Valley to the famous Gold Coast where you’ll have the evening free to dine at one of the restaurants or cafés this area has to offer. Here is where you'll spend the next 2 nights.
Have free time to explore the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland to discover the rainforest and village of Mt. Tamborine, or simply relax and take a stroll on the Surfers Paradise Beach.
Overnight: Novotel Surfers Paradise (Two breakfasts included)
Day 4
K'gari
Take in the landscape of rolling hills, surrounding mountain peaks and the coastline of the Sunshine Coast before arriving for a relaxed coastal vibe at Hervey Bay. This afternoon the ferry will take you across to the World Heritage Listed K’gari. Ground yourself back in nature on this sand island, your home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort (Breakfast included)
Day 5
K'gari
Spend the day discovering K'gari by a 4WD tour which takes you for a ride around the island’s must-see sites. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with stunning white sandy beaches, walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek which features huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Travel up the sand highway on the eastern coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands; cooling, calm waters of Eli creek and the famous sinking Maheno Shipwreck.
Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 6
K'Gari – Rockhampton
The morning ferry will take you back to the mainland where it’s back on the coach and travelling through cattle country to Langmorn Station, a fully operational family run cattle station. Meet the Creed family and take a guided tour of the property including the original family homestead, built in 1873. Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden while you hear about the history of the station and what it is like to live and grow up on a cattle station! Cross the Tropic of Capricorn as you arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia! Your night is free so why not try some local beef at one of the town’s steakhouses.
Overnight: Quality Hotel Regent (Breakfast included)
Day 7
Rockhampton – Airlie Beach
Travel north to the sugar town of Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital, to Sarina Sugar Shed, a working miniature sugar mill. On your tour you’ll get a peak into sugar cane processing and witness fully functioning sugar processing and distilling equipment in action. Afterwards you can taste some of the products made on site before sitting down for a light lunch. Continue to Airlie Beach, the gateway hub to the Whitsundays. Spend the next two nights in this vibrant coastal town where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.
Overnight: Mantra Club Croc (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 8
Airlie Beach free time
The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 tropical islands with white sandy beaches and dense rainforest surrounded by The Great Barrier Reef. This tropical oasis offers numerous activities for all budgets and interests. With so many bucket list reasons to get up early, why not take an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef or perhaps the famous Whitehaven Beach beckons. Take an optional cruise aboard a catamaran to this slice of paradise, where you can simply relax on the beach, take a swim, or get involved in some fun beach activities.
Overnight: Mantra Club Croc (Breakfast included)
Day 9
Airlie Beach – Cairns
Today we head north to Cairns along the Bruce Highway. Relax and take in the scenery as we travel through sugar cane fields and large farming lands with the ocean to one side and lush rainforests and mountains on the other. We’ll make a stop along the way at a town where you can soak up the relaxed lifestyle that tropical North Queensland has to offer.
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton Cairns (Breakfast included)
Day 10
Cairns
Today travel to the Atherton Tablelands the offers lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and peaceful lakes. Visit the Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree followed by some free time in Kuranda, the “village in the rainforest” before travelling on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Cairns (Breakfast included)
Day 11
Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran in the morning to cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef where you’ll be enjoying a reef education presentation and the opportunity to view the coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory. Go snorkelling afterwards to view this underwater landscape up close before being treated to a tropical buffet lunch onboard. Afterwards make your return journey to Cairns and celebrate your trip in the evening with a farewell dinner with your group.
Overnight: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Hotel Cairns (Breakfast, lunch and dinner included)
Day 12
Cairns
This is the final day of the trip – make your way to Cairns Airport for your departing flight.
(Breakfast included)