East Coast Islands and Rainforest
On this Sydney to Cairns tour, you’ll discover that life between these two cities revolves around water and sand, with Australia’s most fabled islands and beaches strung along the coast. Think, blinding Whitehaven in the Whitsundays, surf meccas in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast, glam Hamilton Island, steamy Mission Beach and Fraser Island’s 75 Mile Beach. In contrast to these, try tasting the outback on a working cattle farm.
EAST COAST ISLAND AND RAINFOREST
Flexible Holidays
From beaches to rainforest, restaurants to theme parks, the Gold Coast delights. Choose your own adventure in paradise.
Iconic Sites
Two nights on the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island? Tick! Time spent exploring the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef? Tick!
Time For You
Experience the Whitsundays your way, whether blissing out poolside, wandering Whitehaven or soaring above Heart Reef in a chopper.
Sustainable Travel
A small holiday gesture of picking up 10 pieces of rubbish goes a long way for the future of the environment. Ask about our initiatives.
Select a departure date
From 4 April 2022
$5491 Adult Twin $6635 Single $4946 Child
Departs Returns
04 Apr 22 15 Apr 22 Departure
06 Jun 22 17 Jun 22 Departure
11 Jul 22 22 Jul 22 Departure
12 Sep 22 23 Sep 22 Definite Departure
10 Oct 22 21 Oct 22 Departure
07 Nov 22 18 Nov 22 Definite Departure
05 Dec 22 16 Dec 22 Departure
From 9 January 2023
$5656 Adult Twin $6834 Single $5096 Child
Departs Returns
09 Jan 23 20 Jan 23 Departure
06 Feb 23 17 Feb 23 Definite Departure
06 Mar 23 17 Mar 23 Definite Departure
From 3 April 2023
$5656 Adult Twin
$6834 Single
$5096 Child
Departs Returns
05 Jun 23 16 Jun 23 Departure
10 Jul 23 21 Jul 23 Departure
11 Sep 23 22 Sep 23 Departure
09 Oct 23 20 Oct 23 Departure
06 Nov 23 17 Nov 23 Departure
04 Dec 23 15 Dec 23 Departure
From 8 January 2024
$5820 Adult Twin
$7033 Single
$5245 Child
Depart Returns
08 Jan 24 19 Jan 24 Departure
05 Feb 24 16 Feb 24 Departure
04 Mar 24 15 Mar 24 Departure
Day 1 Sydney to Coffs Harbour
Welcome to Sydney! Start discovering the landscapes of Australia’s east coast as you travel northward to the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. From your accommodation nestled amongst sprawling tropical gardens, you’ll have the opportunity to wander down to Little Diggers Beach and Diggers Head. Enjoy the early evening sea breeze just like the locals do! Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your newfound friends.
Hotel: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Coffs Harbour - Gold Coast
Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy superb views from Australia’s eastern-most point over the Pacific Ocean. At the right time of year, you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales frolicking off the coast. For lunch we recommend fresh fish and chips on the beach at Byron Bay, there’s nothing more Australian. Continue to the famous holiday destination, the Gold Coast where you’ll stay for the next two nights.
Hotel: Novotel Surfers Paradise, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Gold Coast Free Time
Today you have the freedom to enjoy the Gold Coast in your own style with optional activities to choose from. Nature lovers may head to Mt Tamborine, foodies explore the growing culinary culture or those needing relaxation just stroll down to the sand and salt of Surfers Paradise Beach.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Gold Coast - K'gari (Fraser Island)
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, also known as Fraser Island. Ground yourself back in nature on this sand island, your home for the next two nights.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 K’gari (Fraser Island)
A day of discovery lies ahead as your 4WD tour takes you for a bumpy ride around the island’s must-see sites. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Across the island to 75 Mile Beach, the sand highway will take you up the eastern coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands; cooling, calm waters of Eli Creek and the famous sinking Maheno Shipwreck.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 K’gari (Fraser Island) – 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.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals: Breakfast
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.
Hotel: Mantra Club Croc, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Cairns
Before breakfast feel free to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes before you depart. Today you’ll travel through the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly while you’re there. Continue to Kuranda where you’ll stop around lunch time. Enjoy some free time to explore this village in the rainforest. From Kuranda you will take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park before arriving at your hotel in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 The Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. The world heritage listed reef is the only living organism you can see from the moon. Imagine that! You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up- close (equipment provided) and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the glass bottom boat. Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. Tonight, is your farewell dinner at a restaurant on Cairns Harbour.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner, Lunch
Day 12 Farewell from Cairns
Your wonderful holiday concludes after breakfast when you bid farewell to your fellow travellers.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
Discover the best of Coffs Harbour accommodation at BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort - a relaxed, tropical style beachfront resort which is ideal for families and couples looking for their next seaside adventure. There's accommodation to suit everyone at BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, making your beach holiday extra special with a fantastic range of facilities and great choice of room types.
Features
- Microwave and toaster
- Air-conditioning
- In-room internet access
- Cable TV
- DVD player
- CD player
- Hairdryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Tea and coffee making facilities
Novotel Surfers Paradise
Kingfisher Bay Resort
Kingfisher Bay Resort is the gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and is internationally renowned following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal visit, during their official Australian tour .
Features
- Air Conditioning
- Bath/Shower
- Colour TV
- STD/ISD Phone
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Hair Dryer
- Iron
Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
The 1914 Historical Heritage Listed TAFE College has been converted into a 4 1/2 Star 49 room hotel with conference and licensed restaurant facilities. The Quality Regent Hotel Rockhampton is part of the Choice group of quality hotels and offers superior accommodation and professional functions facilities in a premier position in the CBD. It is situated within walking distance to shops, businesses, restaurants and waterfront. Airport and Rail - only minutes drive away. We will cater to our guests every need to ensure their stay is most enjoyable.
Features
- Guest Laundry
- Air Conditioning
- Swimming Pool
- Wireless Internet access
- Refrigerator
- Room service
Mantra Club Croc
Families, couples and groups will find Mantra Club Croc ideally positioned in the coastal town of Airlie Beach, within a five-minute drive of its lively hub. Centrally located on Shute Harbour Road, you’ll be set to experience the best of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations. Providing a glimpse into the region’s past, Mantra Club Croc’s traditional Queenslander exterior complements its modern interior and boasts a tropical carefree atmosphere throughout. Hotel rooms are refurbished with natural tones reflect the nearby coastline, coupled with modern features to ensure you are relaxed while on vacation.
Features
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Air-conditioning
- LCD TV
- Hair Dryer
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Wi-Fi (additional cost)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Cairns
Boasting uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea, and a stunning natural setting amidst landscaped tropical gardens, the oceanfront DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns is just a short walk from the city center, and Cairn’s business, retail and entertainment districts. The hotel overlooks the picturesque Cairns Esplanade, and is just moments from Cairns Lagoon and Cairns Casino. The Great Barrier Reef departures terminal is 100m away, and Cairns International Airport is only 10 minutes’ drive from our Cairns hotel. Our onsite tour desk will help you explore the wonders of this unique region.
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
- • 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – K’gari (Fraser Island), Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropics of Queensland (Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail)
- • Centrally located premium hotels
What to Bring
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Camera
Fitness Requirements
- • Low level of fitness required
Dining
- • 11 Full Breakfasts
- • 3 Lunches
- • 1 Dinner
- • 1 Farewell Dinner
Flight Information
- • Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
- • Day 12 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
