East Coast Explorer - Cairns to Gold Coast

Highlights

SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover the spectacular Great Barrier Reef
• Enjoy a full day at leisure in tropical Cairns
• Tour through the Atherton Tablelands
• Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree
• Cruise on Lake Barrine
• Stop for breakfast with the animals at Billabong Sanctuary
• Stay on beautiful Long Island in the Whitsundays
• Enjoy a free day on Long Island
• Join a full day tour to Fraser Island
• See the sights of Brisbane and the Gold Coast
• Visit Byron Bay and the Cape Byron Lighthouse
• Enjoy an overnight stay in Coffs Harbour

GREAT VALUE INCLUSIONS

Transportation

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professional Team

Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Included Meals

Full Buffet Breakfasts (11) (B)

Lunches (2) (L)

Hotel Dinners (6)

Quality Hotels

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• 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)
• Hotel porterage included

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 with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.

Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Harbourside, Cairns, 3 nights.

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 an included buffet lunch. (BL)

Day 3: Cairns at leisure

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.
You may like to visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and experience the History, Creation and Dance Theatres. Or perhaps visit beautiful Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park. (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 with full commentary on the serene crater of Lake Barrine and watch for pelicans and other wildlife. View the famous Curtain Fig Tree and Millaa Millaa Falls, before our journey to Townsville. This evening you may like to take a stroll along the Strand.

Accommodation: Townsville Plaza Hotel, Townsville. (B)

Day 5: Townsville – Long Island

This morning enjoy breakfast with the animals at the Billabong Sanctuary. Enjoy a guided tour of the wildlife park, before continuing south through to Airlie Beach. At Shute Harbour, we take a ferry across to Long Island, the base for the next two nights.

Accommodation: Long Island Resort, Long Island, 2 nights. (B)

Day 6: Long Island at leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Long Island located in the beautiful Whitsundays. Opportunity to take some scenic walks through Conway National Park, enjoy the many water activities on offer or perhaps you may like to explore the island yourself. (B)Day 7: Rockhampton

Today we take a ferry back to Shute Harbour. Travel south through Mackay, Australia's sugar capital, to the town of Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River. See the historic buildings including the Customs House and Quay Street.

Accommodation: Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton. (B)

Day 8: Rockhampton – Hervey Bay

Today we cross the Tropic of Capricorn and continue south to the bustling coastal town of Hervey Bay, which will be our base for the next two nights. Just offshore lies remarkable Fraser Island ready to be explored.

Accommodation: Outrigger Hervey Bay, 2 nights. (B)

Day 9: Fraser Island 4WD Adventure

Cruise to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the longest sand island in the world and the largest island off Australia's East Coast. On arrival, board a 4WD and traverse the sand dunes. Tour 75 Mile Beach, see The Cathedrals, cliff faces of coloured sands, stop at Eli Creek and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Enjoy a leisurely cruise back to Hervey Bay this afternoon. (BL)

Day 10: Hervey Bay – Gold Coast

Today we travel via Noosa to Brisbane. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city, 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 leisure.

Accommodation: Mercure Resort, Surfers Paradise. (B)

Day 11: Gold Coast – Coffs Harbour

Clients departing this morning on the Gold Coast conclude after breakfast (Tour code: LCG). You will be transferred to Coolangatta Airport for your onward flight (flights to depart anytime).

Prices & Dates