Day 1 : Sydney
We start in Australia's Harbour City, the glittering jewel in the east coast's crown. Check into your room, freshen up, then meet your tour leader and new travel mates for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Then we are off for a great welcome dinner, and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
Included Activities:
• Get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome meeting and dinner.
Meals: Welcome Dinner.
Driving Distance: No driving.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Potts point or similar.
Meals :Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 : Hunter Valley and Newcastle
We leave behind Sydney's skyscrapers and sidewalks for a wildlife park boasting an all-star cast of koalas, kangaroos, and more. We're in the heart of the Hunter Valley, so there's nothing better to do than a wine, cheese & chocolate tasting. We'll also visit the sunny port city of Newcastle, rounding off an eclectic day.
Included Activities:
• Conservation Wildlife Park visit - Get close to many native / unique australian animals like kangaroos, emus and more.
• Hunter Valley wine, cheese & chocolate tasting.
• Newcastle orientation tour.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 280 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks.
Accommodation – Lucky Hotel Newcastle or similar.
Meals :Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 : Port Macquarie & The Koala Hospital
After breakfast, we’re off to Port Macquarie, where we’ll have a chance to meet the volunteers at a Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. If you're unable to tear yourself away from the cuddly critters, don’t worry – you’re not the first. Expect to come away with loads more knowledge about these often misunderstood creatures, & how by joining our tour, you are supporting this amazing center's conservation efforts. Relax for the evening with a stroll along the foreshore & a free night for dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the local bird population and keep your eyes peeled for the local wild dolphins.
Included Activities:
• Visit Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
• Foreshore walk and a chance to spot wild dolphins.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 250 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – El Paso Motor Inn or similar.
Meals :Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 : Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) & Byron Bay
Take part in an immersive First Nations experience of the Gumbaynggirr nation, that will get you in touch with the traditional custodians of this land. Then we're headed to Byron Bay, a laid-back surf paradise with boundless coastline, sand and friendly locals. We'll pay a visit to Cape Byron, for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life.
Included Activities:
• Immersive Gumbaynggirr First Nations experience.
• Visit to Cape Byron to see the famous local lighthouse, the most easterly point of Australia for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales in season, and other marine life.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 400 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 5 : Byron Bay
Today we're talking relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation. Spend the morning on the warm sand, shopping for bargains, or indulge in one of our optional activities: surfing or kayaking plus many activities like balloon rides, whale watching, brewery tours etc. The day is all yours – put your feet up, head to a cosy bar, or watch the world go by from one of the local cafes.
Included Activities:
• Free day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience.
Meals: None.
Driving Distance: None.
Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 6 : Noosa & Rainbow Beach
We're crossing into Queensland – the Sunshine State. Your first stop is laid-back Noosa, and Noosa National Park where you will have the chance to spot koalas and other Aussie critters. We continue further up the Sunshine Coast to our base for the next 2 nights, it's time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the vibrant Rainbow Beach.
Included Activities:
• Noosa National Park & the chance to spot koalas in the wild.
• Noosa orientation including Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 420 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 7 : K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Ready, steady, go, for a once-in-a-lifetime 4WD K’Gari adventure today. Once known as Fraser Island, the destination has been returned to its original name K’gari. K’gari is the local Butchulla nation’s name for the island, meaning ‘paradise’ – you’ll find out why soon enough.
You'll never want to leave, as we explore the largest sand island in the world, kick back at some of Queensland's most renowned lookouts, take a walk on the wild side in a lush rainforest, dive into Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) a crystal-clear lake, see the famous S.S Maheno shipwreck and course go dingo-spotting along the golden 75 Mile Beach. The fun needn't stop there; after the tour feel free to enjoy Carlo Sand Blow and Rainbow Beach, or put your feet up in your accommodation.
Included Activities:
• Once-in-a-lifetime 4WD bus adventure to K’Gari (Fraser Island).
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Driving Distance: 200 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points (5KM total).
Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 8 : Brisbane
It’s Bris-vegas baby! We’re off to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. See for yourself how wonderful Brisbane is with a walk (or ferry ride) along the aptly named Brisbane river and its surrounds.
Included Activities:
• Orientation tour.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 240 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walk.
Accommodation – The Point Hotel Brisbane or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 9 : Brisbane to Airlie Beach
Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is yours.
Included Activities
• Domestic Flight to the Whitsunday Coast.
• Free afternoon & evening to explore Airlie Beach.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 40 kms.
Domestic Flight: from Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) included. 1 hour 50 minutes (990 km).
Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 10 : Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands
After breakfast, we’re heading out on a full-day speedboat cruise through the postcard-perfect Whitsunday Islands, including a stop at the iconic Whitehaven Beach aboard the award-winning Red Cat Adventures Thundercat vessel. Words can’t quite capture the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and lush greenery of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get up close by snorkeling among colourful coral, playful fish, and maybe even a sea turtle or two. Afterwards, unwind at your own pace or head into town to discover the best local food and drink spots.
Included Activities
• Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkeling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk and lunch.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch.
Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 8 hours. 46 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walk / Hill inlet lookout point overlooking whitehaven beach.
Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 11 : Mission Beach
A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. This afternoon, kick back and enjoy. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. We may be even lucky enough to spot some cassowary in the wild!
Included Activities:
• Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 505kms (Biggest drive day).
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Mission Beach Resort or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 12 : Cairns via the Atherton Tablelands
Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We'll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands.
Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water, and visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We'll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia's most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities.
Included Activities:
• Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus.
Meals: Breakfast.
Driving Distance: 220 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar.
Meals :Breakfast
Day 13 : Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkeling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a 20 metre luxury motor catamaran. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day at one of the seven natural wonders of the world (and the only one seen from space), join us for an optional dinner to share stories of our adventures together!
Included Activities:
• Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Freedom - including snorkeling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch.
• Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 6.5 hours. 30 kms.
Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points.
Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar.
Meals :None
Day 14 : Ends in Cairns
Your tour ends after breakfast. Time to say farewell to your travel buddies after a great trip together.
Meals: Breakfast.
Meals :None
