Enjoy 12 days as
you explore the East Coast of Australia. Depart Sydney to
travel north where the stunning Queensland Islands of
Moreton, Fraser and Daydream awaits you. Cruise, swim and
snorkel the Great Barrier Reef aboard a catamaran then
finish your holiday in the tropical city of Cairns.
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Day 1 Thur. Sydney,
Port Macquarie.
From Sydney, drive over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then
on to the Central Coast en route to Port Macquarie, situated
on the mouth of the Hastings River and home to several
beautiful beaches. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Port Macquarie, Rydges Hotel.
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Day 2 Fri. Port
Macquarie, Byron Bay.
Enjoy the scenic drive to the coastal resort of Byron Bay,
renowned for its surf beaches, stunning landscapes and lush
hinterland as well as it’s attraction to an eclectic mix of
creative people. Take in some incredible views from Cape
Byron, the Australian mainland’s most easterly point. Watch
the surfers, maybe even spot dolphins off the point, and see
the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
Stay: Kingscliff, Mantra on Salt Beach.
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Day 3 Sat. Gold Coast,
Brisbane, Moreton Island.
Today a short drive brings us to Brisbane, capital of the
state of Queensland. Enjoy time to explore the shops or
perhaps take a leisurely stroll across the pretty Brisbane
River to Southbank. Join a cruise across the waters of
Moreton Bay to picturesque Moreton Island National Park.
Two Night Stay: Moreton Island, Tangalooma Wild Dolphin
Resort.
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Day 4 Sun. Moreton
Island, Tangalooma, Wild Dolphins, Day at Leisure.
Enjoy a full day to explore this beautiful island. Perhaps
snorkel around the shipwrecks, try sand tobogganing, quad
bike riding or take a 4WD tour of the island (all at own
expense). There are also many different and exciting
watersports to engage in and two swimming pools at the
resort. Tonight is a highlight – the opportunity to interact
with the wild dolphins that swim close to the shore of their
own accord. Most evenings the dolphins swim up to the beach,
where they are rewarded with fresh fish hand-fed to them by
the resort staff. You will also have an opportunity to
hand-feed them yourself, a truly memorable experience.
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Day 5 Mon. Moreton
Island, Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay.
Return to the mainland and visit renowned Australia Zoo,
made famous by the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin. Watch the
feeding of the crocodiles who ‘have a go’ at the keepers or
interact with many native animals, including koalas, that
handlers walk around the zoo with. We travel through the
beautiful Sunshine Coast, a region that appeals to the
stylish holiday maker, before arriving in the coastal town
of Hervey Bay. With its beautiful beaches and sparkling
waters, Hervey Bay is a popular tourist destination,
especially in whale watching season (Aug.-Oct.) when
humpback whales can be seen playing offshore.
Two Night Stay: Hervey Bay, Mantra Hervey Bay in a one
bedroom Marina View Suite, located right on Urangan Harbour.
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Day 6 Tue. World
Heritage-listed Fraser Island.
Today cruise to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, home to
Australia’s purest strain of dingo. This island offers
natural beauty in the form of uninterrupted white beaches,
striking colored sand cliffs and over 100 freshwater lakes.
On a 4WD adventure discover unspoilt surf beaches, pristine
inland lakes and lush rain forest. Fraser Island is the only
place in the world where rain forest grows on sand at
elevations of over 650 feet. Cross the Great Sandy Strait
again as we cruise to Hervey Bay and watch for humpback
whales migrating (Aug.-Oct.).
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Day 7 Wed. Tropic of
Capricorn, Rockhampton.
Journey to Rockhampton, situated on the banks of the Fitzroy
River and located on the Tropic of Capricorn. Take a
leisurely stroll around the Botanic Gardens, among the best
in regional Australia. Excellent specimens of palms, cycads
and ferns are found throughout the manicured grounds, and an
specially-designed Japanese garden gives a sense of peace
and tranquility. Marvel at the charm of this city, including
stone buildings and churches set off by beautiful
bougainvilleas.
Stay: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel.
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Day 8 Thur. Mackay,
Airlie Beach, Cruise to Daydream Island.
This morning make tracks for the town of Mackay. Surrounded
by sugarcane crops, Mackay is known as the sugar capital of
Australia. Continue to stunning Airlie Beach, our gateway to
the islands of the Whitsunday Passage. We cruise to idyllic
Daydream Island, part of the World Heritage-listed Great
Barrier Reef Marine Park and described as the jewel of the
Whitsunday Islands. This is one of Australia’s most enticing
destinations, an archipelago of green islands lying in rich
blue tropical waters.
Two Night Stay: Daydream Island Resort and Spa.
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Day 9 Fri. Great
Barrier Reef.
Voyage to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a
catamaran. Arrive at Reefworld, one of the largest reef
pontoons in Australia. Enjoy a reef education presentation
and view the schools of tropical fish from the underwater
observatory and the semi-submersible vessel. For the
adventurous, follow a snorkeling trail and view the coral up
close. Or simply relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy amazing
360° view of the Great Barrier Reef. Your lunch on board
today is included.
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Day 10 Sat. Daydream
Island, Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns.
This morning return to the mainland and head to Townsville,
North Queensland’s largest city, then continue along the
coast to Cairns, a cosmopolitan city boasting a tropical
lifestyle. Cairns is the gateway to two of Australia’s World
Heritage areas, where the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet
Tropics Rainforest, converge.
Two Night Stay: The Hotel Cairns, a tropical haven in the
heart of Cairns.
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Day 11 Sun. Port
Douglas, Kuranda, Farewell Dinner.
This morning enjoy one of Australia’s greatest coastal
drives to Port Douglas, passing by Palm Cove, a luxurious
coastal resort town. Enjoy some free time at Port Douglas,
perhaps strolling the palm-fringed beach or browsing the
shops along the sophisticated Macrossan Street. We then
journey to Kuranda, a village in the rain forest where you
can wander the local markets. Travel aboard the Skyrail,
Kuranda Scenic Railway (own expense) or by coach back to
Cairns. Tonight dine at our special Farewell Dinner at
Tjapukai by Night – discover the Dreamtime and play a role
as part of an ancient corroboree. Then be led along a
flame-lit pathway to a dinner banquet featuring the region’s
best food.
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Day 12 Mon. Cairns.
Your tour concludes today after breakfast. Spend some time
souvenir shopping or take a walk along the picturesque
Esplanade. You will then be transferred to Cairns Airport
for your onward flight.
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Coach touring
Itinerary
This Premier Escorted tour has been designed to allow you to
explore...
Sightseeing & Highlights
See every highlight, discover hidden treasures, and enjoy time
to explore for yourself.....
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