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Australia’s east coast is bursting with natural beauty, coastal towns, and tropical highlights — but you don’t need to rush to experience it all. This two-week adventure connects Sydney and Cairns through a relaxed, comfort-style journey, blending iconic stops with local discoveries and plenty of time to unwind along the way.
From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley to meeting koalas in Port Macquarie, this trip takes you through the surf-washed shores of Byron Bay, across K’gari’s endless sands, and out over the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays. Finish with a day on the Great Barrier Reef — the ultimate finale to a trip that captures the very best of Australia’s east coast.
Includes
- Fully Guided Tour
- Small Groups of 21
- Boutique Hotel/Resort
- Knowledgable & Friendly Guides
- Visit Cape Tribulation
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Visit Fraser Island
- Visit Bryon Bay
- Conservation Wildlife Park
- Fine Food Tasting
- Visit Cape Byron
- Sail on the Whitsundays
- Visit Koala Hospital
- Hikes and Walks
- Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
- All Park Entry Fees
- Trip length: 14 Days
- Group size: Max 16
- Start: Sydney
- End: Cairns
- Vehicle: Bus, Boat, 4x4, Ferry
- Sleep: Boutique Hotel/Resort
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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: 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 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 centre'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 who frequent the area!
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 / look out points
- 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 in season, and other marine life.
Included:
- 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
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:
- Free day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience & more
- 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 / look out points
- 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. 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:
- 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
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:
- 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. 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 snorkelling 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:
- 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) / Hill inlet look out point over looking whitehaven beach
- 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: 505kms (Biggest drive day)
- 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: Snorkelling 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 snorkelling 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:
- Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Freedom - including snorkelling, 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 – Crystalbrook Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar
Day 14: Ends in Cairns
Your tour ends after breakfast. Time to say farewell to your travel buddies after a great trip together.
Included:
- Meals: Breakfast.
