East Coast Beaches & Reef

Days 1-2

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Arrive in Cairns and meet your Travel Director for an orientation tour of the city.

On day two you’ll cruise to the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel the World Heritage listed reefs and get a close-up view of this natural living wonder, with its wonderful coral and tropical fish, from an underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. A tropical buffet lunch will be served before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. Enjoy a free evening to stroll the esplanade and explore the Cairns night markets.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns or similar, 3 nights. (One breakfast, one lunch and one dinner included).  

Day 3

Cairns – Mission Beach

Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda to explore ‘the village in the rainforest’. You’ll carry on to the Atherton Tablelands to see rainforests, waterfalls and lakes and stop off at Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree.

Overnight: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns or similar. (Breakfast included).

Day 4

Cairns - Airlie Beach

Today you'll enjoy a scenic journey to Airlie Beach, with views of sugar cane fields, the ocean and the rainforest.

Overnight: Mantra Club Croc or similar (Breakfast included)

Day 5

The Whitsunday Islands

The day is free for you to the enjoy the beauty of the Whitsundays. Choose from optional activities including a helicopter ride over Heart Reef or a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach.

Overnight: Mantra Club Croc or similar (Breakfast included)

Day 6

Airlie Beach – Rockhampton

Heading back to the mainland, you’ll venture south through Mackay, Australia’s sugar capital, for a guided tour through a sugar mill and distillery in the town of Sarina. Taste the produce and before a light lunch and continuing on to Rockhampton. Try one of the town’s steakhouses on your free night in Australia’s beef capital.

Overnight: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton or similar. (Breakfast and lunch included).

Day 7

Rockhampton – K'gari (Fraser Island)

Stop at Langmorn Station as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn. You’ll be treated to a tour by The Creed family at this fully operational cattle station and enjoy morning tea in the gardens at the family homestead, built in 1873.  Look out for their pet kangaroo! A ferry to Fraser Island is next, which is particularly wonderful during whale migration.

Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort or similar. (Breakfast included).

Day 8

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Fraser Island has a really long sand highway, which you'll explore via an adrenaline-fuelled 4WD tour along 75 Mike Beach to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, Eli creek and the Maheno shipwreck. Next is Lake McKenzie, a beautiful lake formed only with rainwater, before discovering the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek.

Overnight: Kingfisher Bay Resort or similar. (Breakfast and lunch included).

Day 9

Fraser Island – Gold Coast

Back on the mainland, you'll journey to the Gold Coast to see the surfers and the lush rainforest. In the afternoon, your time is free to explore the vibrant food and drink scene.

Overnight: Novotel Surfers Paradise or similar (Breakfast included).

Day 10

Gold Coast

The day is free for you to discover the Gold Coast. If you love the beach, why not stay at Surfers Paradise to enjoy the sands and cool cafes. Or, why not enjoy a leisurely cruise along the network of canals.

Overnight: Novotel Surfers Paradise or similar (Breakfast included).

Day 11

Coffs Harbour

Today you'll journey to the beachside town of Byron Bay. After seeing incredible views from the Cape Byron Lighthouse, you'll travel down to Coffs Harbour to explore the tropical gardens, Little Diggers Beach and Diggers Head. In the evening, you'll enjoy your farewell dinner with the group.

Overnight: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort or similar (Breakfast and dinner included).

Day 12

Coffs Harbour – Sydney

Your coastal adventure draws to a close in Sydney today.

(Breakfast included.)