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Australia’s East Coast is where the country’s laid-back soul meets its most spectacular natural beauty. This sixteen-day journey lets you experience it all at an easy pace — from the harbour lights of Sydney to the tropical warmth of Cairns — with a small group and a touch of comfort at every stop. It’s a chance to see the coast’s biggest icons and hidden gems in one seamless trip.
Taste wines in the Hunter Valley, meet koalas in Port Macquarie, and wander Byron Bay’s sun-drenched shores before heading north to K’gari, the Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef. Travel through rainforest canopies by gondola, walk among ancient trees in the Daintree, and watch where the reef meets the rainforest at Cape Tribulation. It’s the East Coast in full — relaxed, diverse, and unforgettable.
Includes
- Fully Guided Tour
- Small Groups of 16
- Boutique Comfort Hostels/Resort
- Knowledgable & Friendly Guides
- Sydney to Brisbane Tour
- Visit Fraser Island
- Visit Bryon Bay
- Conservation Wildlife Park
- Fine Food Tasting
- Visit Cape Byron
- Visit Koala Hospital
- Hikes and Walks
- Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
- All Park Entry Fees
- Trip length: 16 Days
- Group size: Max 16
- Start: Sydney
- End: Cairns
- Vehicle: Bus, Boat, 4x4, Ferry
- Sleep: Boutique Comfort Stays
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Physical Demand:
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Comfortlevel:
Itinerary
See MapDay 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:
- 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
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:
- 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
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 the Koala Hospital.
Expect to come away with loads more knowledge about these often misunderstood creatures, and how by joining
our tour, you are supporting this amazing centre's conservation efforts. Relax for the evening with a stroll along the
foreshore and a free night for dinner. Keep your eyes peeled for wild dolphins.
Included:
- 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
- Accommodation: El Paso Motor Inn or similar
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:
- Immersive Gumbaynggirr First Nations experience
- Visit to Cape Byron to see the famous local lighthouse and the most easterly point of Australia
- Meals: Breakfast
- Driving Distance: 400 kms
- Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points
- Accommodation: Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar
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 more 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:
- Free day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience
- Meals: None
- Driving Distance: None
- Accommodation: Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar
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:
- 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
- Accommodation: Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar
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, meaning ‘paradise’. You’ll explore the largest sand island in the world,
kick back at some of Queensland's most renowned lookouts, take a walk in a lush rainforest, dive into Lake McKenzie,
see the famous S.S Maheno shipwreck, and go dingo-spotting along the golden 75 Mile Beach.
Included:
- 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
- Accommodation: Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar
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 with a walk or ferry ride
along the Brisbane River and its surrounds.
Included:
- Orientation tour
- Meals: Breakfast
- Driving Distance: 240 kms
- Walking Distance: Short easy walk
- Accommodation: The Point Hotel Brisbane or similar
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:
- 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
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.
Get up close by snorkelling among colourful coral, playful fish, and maybe even a sea turtle or two.
Included:
- Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkelling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
- Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 8 hours. 46 kms
- Walking Distance: Short easy guided walks (2 km total)
- Accommodation: Mantra Club Croc or similar
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:
- Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway
- Meals: Breakfast
- Driving Distance: 505 kms
- Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points
- Accommodation: Mission Beach Resort or similar
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:
- Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus
- Meals: Breakfast
- Driving Distance: 220 kms
- Accommodation: Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar
Day 13: 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 snorkelling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary,
onboard a 20 metre luxury motor catamaran.
Included:
- Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Freedom including snorkelling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 6.5 hours. 30 kms
- Accommodation: Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar
Day 14: Kuranda and Port Douglas
Take the Skyrail gondola over the rainforest canopy to Kuranda, explore the local markets, then head north to Port Douglas.
Relax in this stunning tropical town, with an optional dinner or sunset drinks by the beach.
Included:
- Skyrail gondola ride over the rainforest canopy
- Kuranda markets
- Port Douglas orientation tour
- Meals: Breakfast
- Driving Distance: 100 kms
- Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort or similar
Day 15: Daintree & Cape Tribulation
Today we head into the Daintree Rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Walk among ancient trees, spot cassowaries,
and cruise the Daintree River on a wildlife adventure to see crocodiles and exotic birdlife before returning to Port Douglas
for a farewell dinner.
Included:
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation guided walk
- Daintree River eco wildlife cruise
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Driving Distance: 160 kms
- Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort or similar
Day 16: Cairns
Your tour ends after breakfast. Time to say farewell to your travel buddies after a great trip together.
Included:
- Meals: Breakfast
