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Explore Australia's Islands and Adventure in the Reef!
Sydney - Coffs Harbour - Gold Coast - Fraser Island - Rockhampton - Hamilton Island - Townsville - Dunk Island - Skyrail Cableway - Great Barrier Reef - Rainforest - Cairns
13-Day Tour from only $4085!
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Tour Name
Great Barrier Reef Wanderer
Duration
13 Days/12 Nights
Package Inclusions
- Visit Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo
- Tour the cattle station at Henderson Park
- Stroll Rockhampton's beautiful Botanic Gardens
- Explore World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and enjoy a Bush Tucker talk with the ranger
- Ride the Skyrail Cableway above rainforest to Kuranda
- Tour the picturesque Atherton Tablelands - see Millaa Millaa Falls and Curtain Fig Tree
- Discover bohemian Byron Bay and see Cape Byron
- Enjoy two-night stays on Hamilton Island and Fraser Island
- Spend a night in stunning Port Douglas
- Stay at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast
- Guaranteed Mercedes-Benz coaches
- Fully trained Tour Director and Driver/Guide
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney, Coffs Harbour
Departing Sydney we travel over the Hawkesbury River and through some of New South Wales' beautiful coastal towns. This afternoon we reach the subtropical resort town of Coffs Harbour, home to thriving timber, banana, vegetable, dairy and fish industries.
Day 2: Byron Bay, Gold Coast
Traveling through picturesque countryside, we visit bohemian Byron Bay and its unspoiled sandy beach. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point. Cape Byron is the most easterly point of the Australian mainland and is an excellent place to watch the humpback whales which travel along the coastline (Jun.-Jul.). Continue to Queensland's beautiful Gold Coast with its wonderful beaches. 12-Day passengers join the tour.
Day 3: Glass House Mountains, Fraser Island
Today we journey past the stunning peaks of the Glass House Mountains to the Australia Zoo, home of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. With more than 750 animals on 50 hectares of land, the zoo's biggest attraction is the 150 or so freshwater and saltwater crocodiles. You can see these amazing animals feeding, lazing in the sun or "having a go" at their keepers. Other animals at the zoo include snakes, birds of prey and koalas. We join a cruise to the beautiful World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. As the world's largest sand island, Fraser is home to Australia's purest strain of dingo.
Day 4: Freedom of Choice Touring, Bush Tucker Talk, and Barbecue
This morning there's the opportunity to join a guided early morning birdwatchers tour. Then explore Fraser Island with our Freedom of Choice options. Join the local ranger for a 4WD adventure, traveling Seventy-Five Mile Beach to the Coloured Sands, Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek. Alternatively, tour the island's inlets and rainforest, visiting Lake McKenzie, a freshwater lake, and visit Wanggoolba Creek. Or join a whale-watching cruise (Aug.-Oct.). Tonight, relax and enjoy our Bush Tucker Talk with a park ranger and chef before savoring a delicious Bush Tucker Barbecue.
Day 5: Rockhampton, Botanic Gardens
Today we farewell Fraser Island and re-cross the Great Sandy Strait where dolphins play. Rejoining the coach we travel through cattle country to Rockhampton. Take the time for a leisurely stroll through the tropical Botanic Gardens. Rockhampton is known for its considerable architectural charm.
Day 6: Henderson Park, Mackay, Whitsunday Cruise to Hamilton Island
We begin the day with a visit to Henderson Park, where we learn about the operation of a working cattle station. We then travel past Mackay to Shute Harbour. Then take time to relax and enjoy a cruise through the Whitsunday Passage, a magnificent stretch of tropical water, to Hamilton Island. Hamilton Island is nestled in the heart of the Whitsundays and boasts a range of facilities and shopping. This island has both water and land activities for you to enjoy at your own pace. 8-Day passengers join tour.
Day 7: Hamilton Island, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today it's Freedom of Choice Touring. Relax on a Whitehaven Beach cruise or play Aquatic Golf or feed the fish at Catseye Beach. Or you may wish to join an island bus tour around beautiful Hamilton Island and visit the fauna park. Perhaps hire a golf buggy to see the island's sights or cruise around Hamilton Island on the Banjo Paterson Twilight Cruise (in lieu of sunset drinks). Meet for sunset drinks on the Hamilton Island yacht club and watch the sun set over the Whitsundays.
Day 8: Whitsundays Cruise, Townsville, Mission Beach, Cruise to Dunk Island
Great experiences continue as we cruise through the Whitsunday Passage to join the coach. Driving north past sugarcane and banana farms, we stop in Townsville, Australia's largest tropical city. From Mission Beach, cruise to magnificent Dunk Island.
Day 9: At Leisure on Dunk Island
Today is yours to relax on this tropical paradise. It was known to the first inhabitants as 'Coonanglebah' - the Island of Peace and Plenty. Explore the walking trails, birdlife, butterflies, wild orchids and native flowers of the rainforest or explore the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 10: Millaa Millaa Falls, Curtain Fig Tree, Dine Around Dinner
Tour the lush Atherton Tablelands, with its high rainfall and rich volcanic soils. Visit beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls and the unique Curtain Fig Tree. Later, join the Skyrail Cableway for a journey above the rainforest. As we head to Port Douglas, take in views of the magnificent coastline. Meet for drinks before our Dine Around Dinner.
Day 11: Quicksilver Barrier Reef Cruise, Freedom of Choice Touring
Explore the Great Barrier Reef your way. Cruise to the Outer Reef on the "Wavepiercer" and snorkel the clear waters or view the marine life from the semi-sub. Alternatively, spend the day on the "Wavedancer" luxury catamaran and cruise the Coral Sea, before mooring at the Low Isles for a host of reef activities. Or, board the "Silversonic" for a day of discovery on the reef. Alternatively, chose an early morning balloon flight including breakfast.
Day 12: Freedom of Choice Touring
Today you can choose to visit Rainforestation to watch a traditional Aboriginal corroboree being performed. Later ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Alternatively, choose an adventure tour to Cape Tribulation. Or, adventurers can go white-water rafting on the Barron River or enjoy a half hour Spa treatment. This evening it's time for our poolside Farewell Barbecue Dinner.
Day 13: Morning at Leisure in Cairns
Afternoon transfer to Cairns Airport.
Pricing
starting from $4085 |
