12 Day Cairns to Sydney East Coast Escape

Summary

"Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows."

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Cairns

On arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your hotel. Join your Tour Director for an orientation tour of Cairns. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director.

Hotel: Rydges Esplanade, Cairns, 3 nights.

Meals: D

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef

Join Sunlover Cruises for a full day cruise to Moore Reef. Enjoy a reef presentation to learn more about the wonders of the reef, view the spectacular coral and tropical fish on a glass bottom boat tour. There is also the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch, before returning to Cairns.

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Cairns 'Free Time'

Enjoy a day at leisure in Cairns. There is an opportunity to take an optional tour to the rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the various stalls of the colourful Kuranda Markets. Ride the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the rainforest. You may like to visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to experience the History, Creation and Dance Theatres where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. Why not try hot air ballooning on the Atherton Tablelands. There is the opportunity to visit Port Douglas, explore the World Heritage listed Cape Tribulation rainforest or join a guided cruise on the Daintree River.

Meals: B

Day 4: Cairns - Townsville

Climb the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Enjoy a guided cruise on the serene crater of Lake Barrine and watch for pelicans and other wildlife. View the Curtain Fig Tree and Millaa Millaa Falls, before our journey to Townsville. This evening you may like to take a stroll along The Strand, Townsville's beachfront promenade.

Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Townsville.

Meals: B, D

Day 5: Daydream Island Resort & Spa

Enjoy breakfast with the animals and a guided tour of the wildlife park at the Billabong Sanctuary. You can interact with many animals. Cuddle a koala, hold a wombat and if you're brave enough, there's snake and crocodile handling too. We continue south through to Airlie Beach. At Airlie Beach take a ferry to Daydream Island in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Hotel: Daydream Island Resort & Spa, Garden View Rooms, 2 nights.

Meals: B, D

Day 6: Daydream Island 'Free Time'

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Daydream Island, located in the beautiful Whitsundays. There are sailboarding and catamaran classes. You have the opportunity to take a rainforest walk, play beach volleyball, tennis, water polo or you could go snorkelling or kayaking. Perhaps just laze by one of the pools or on a beach or replenish your body and soul at the Rejuvenation Spa.

Meals: B

Day 7: Rockhampton

Today we take a ferry back to Airlie Beach. Travel south through Mackay, Australia's sugar capital, to Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River.

Hotel: Rockhampton Plaza, Rockhampton.

Meals: B D

Day 8: Hervey Bay

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station.
Enjoy morning tea at the homestead, a restored 'Queenslander' built in 1873. Continue south to Hervey Bay, which is our base for the next two nights. Just offshore lies remarkable Fraser Island waiting to be explored.

Hotel: Mantra Hervey Bay, 2 nights.

Meals: B ,D

Day 9: Fraser Island 4WD

Cruise to World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the largest island off Australia's east coast. Board your 4WD vehicle for a half-day tour of the island. Tour 75 Mile Beach, marvel at the majestic rainforest at Central Station. Visit Lake McKenzie, a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by white sandy beaches. We stop at the popular beauty spot Eli Creek which pours out 80 mega litres of water daily. A buffet lunch is included today.

Meals: B, L

Day 10: Hervey Bay - Gold Coast

Today we travel to Brisbane. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city and learn about opals, before continuing to the exciting Gold Coast, Australia's premier holiday destination. Tonight, the evening is free for you to discover the vibrant Gold Coast and dine at one of the many local restaurants.

Hotel: Australis Sovereign Hotel, Surfers Paradise.

Meals: B

Day 11: Gold Coast - Coffs Harbour

Clients departing this morning on the Gold Coast (Tour Code: LCG) will be transferred to Coolangatta Airport. Today we follow the lush Tweed River Valley to Cape Byron Lighthouse for superb views from Australia's eastern-most point. We stop at colourful Byron Bay at lunchtime before continuing along the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour. Enjoy an overnight stay in this picturesque town.

Hotel: Opal Cove Resort, Coffs Harbour.

Meals: B, D

Day 12: Coffs Harbour - Sydney

Stop at the town of Port Macquarie. Continue along the scenic coastal route crossing the Hawkesbury River into Sydney. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B

Further Information

Tour Highlights

Stay in tropical Cairns, Great Barrier Reef cruise, Cruise on Lake Barrine, See the Curtain Fig Tree, Visit Millaa Millaa Falls, Tour Atherton Tablelands, Billabong Sanctuary breakfast, Stay on Daydream Island, Historic Langmorn Station, Fraser Island 4WD adventure, Opal demonstration, Sights of Brisbane .

Tour Includes

Hotel Porterage, 11 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 6 Hotel Dinners, Twin share accommodation with private facilities in quality hotels, Welcome drink, Travel wallet and map .

Transportation

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats and panoramic windows., Professionally Guided Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver. .

Airport Transfers

Day 1 from Cairns Airport - flights to arrive prior to 1.00pm, Day 12 to Sydney Airport - flights to depart after 7.00pm.