Island Hopper and Dolphins

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• Travel on the Kuranda Railway to the village of Kuranda
• Ride the Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest
• Visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life
• Stay on beautiful Hamilton Island
• Discover the Great Barrier Reef
• Snorkel or watch the fish swim by in the glass-bottomed boat
• Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Hamilton Island
• Take a 4WD adventure tour of Fraser Island
• Join the evening feeding of the dolphins on the beach on Moreton Island
• Stop in Byron Bay and visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse
• Stay in picturesque Coffs Harbour

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

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

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (11) (B)
• Lunch (1) (L)
• Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (6)

Accommodation

• 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 Tue: Arrive Cairns

On arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of Cairns. In the evening, join your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a welcome drink.

Accommodation: The Oasis Resort, Cairns, 2 nights.

Day 2 Wed: Kuranda Railway – Skyrail – Tjapukai

Board the Kuranda train for an historic journey taking you through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Arrive at the cultural rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the various stalls of the colourful Kuranda Markets. Later, board the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.
Visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Experience the History, Creative and Dance theatres where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B)

Day 3 Thu: Cairns – Hamilton Island

Today we travel to Shute Harbour via Townsville and Airlie Beach. We then take the ferry across to the beautiful Hamilton Island, nestled in the glorious Whitsundays. Tonight enjoy a barbecue dinner at the Yacht Club overlooking the Marina - a delightful experience!

Accommodation: Reef View Hotel - Coral Sea View Rooms, Hamilton Island, 3 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 4 Fri: Great Barrier Reef

This morning we head off on a full day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef with Fantasea Cruises where we indulge in a lavish buffet lunch. Enjoy a range of activities including snorkelling, swimming or sit back, relax and watch colourful schools of fish in the semi-submersible coral viewer and large Underwater Observatory. (BL)

Day 5 Sat: Hamilton Island

Today enjoy a day at leisure to explore Hamilton Island. You may like to join a morning tour of the island including the fauna park, take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach or perhaps hire a golf cart and explore the island yourself. Your Tour Director will be able to assist you with bookings. Tonight is free for independent dining at one of the many restaurants available on the island. (B)

Day 6 Sun: Hamilton Island - Rockhampton

Depart by catamaran and enjoy a short cruise back to the mainland, before rejoining our coach at Shute Harbour. Tour south through Mackay, Australia's sugar capital, to Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River.

Accommodation: Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton. (B)

Day 7 Mon: Rockhampton – Fraser Island

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and head further south to Hervey Bay. Travel by launch to remarkable Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Renowned for its beauty and unique ecology, this island is now protected for posterity as a World Heritage Area. We enjoy a relaxing two-night stay on magnificent Fraser Island.

Accommodation: Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village, Fraser Island, 2 nights. (B)

Day 8 Tue: Fraser Island

This morning there is the chance to join a ranger-escorted bird watching tour. Join your 4WD vehicle for a half-day tour of the island. Marvel at the tall forest at Pile Valley and the majestic rainforest at Central Station. Stop a while at Lake McKenzie, one of the island's beautiful freshwater lakes, surrounded by white sandy beaches. There is also time to relax and enjoy the Resort's facilities. (B)

Day 9 Wed: Fraser Island – Moreton Island

This morning we take a ferry ride back to the mainland and stop in Noosa, before continuing to Brisbane. After an orientation tour of the city, enjoy time at leisure to explore further. We board our next ferry this afternoon and cruise to Moreton Island.

Accommodation: Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort, Moreton Island, 2 nights. (B)

Day 10 Thu: Moreton Island

You have a full day at leisure to explore Moreton Island today. You may like to join an optional 4WD wilderness tour to visit Queensland's oldest lighthouse at Cape Moreton, the Ocean Beach and Blue Lagoon, or enjoy a short trip to the 'Desert' for the exhilarating sport of sand tobogganing. Perhaps join one of many activities including tennis, archery, fishing, snorkelling, sailing or scuba diving: the options are endless. This evening, we head down to the beach to hand feed fresh fish to the dolphins eagerly waiting inshore. (B)

Day 11 Fri: Moreton Island – Coffs Harbour

Today we take a ferry back to the mainland and then follow the lush Tweed River Valley to Cape Byron Lighthouse for superb views from Australia's most easterly point. We stop at colourful Byron Bay for lunch (own expense), before continuing along the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour.

Accommodation: Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. (B)

Day 12 Sat: Coffs Harbour – Sydney

Stop at the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Continue along the scenic coastal route, before crossing the beautiful Hawkesbury River and arriving in Sydney at approximately 5.00pm. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Aboriginal Cultural Experience

Symbol denotes INCLUDED

M.V. REEF ENDEAVOUR

You can start your tour with a 3 or 4 night cruise on the M.V. Reef Endeavour. Purpose built for the Great Barrier Reef, the M.V. Reef Endeavour is a first class cruise ship with the comfort of a liner and the intimacy and manoeuvrability of a small vessel. Please ask for details at time of booking.

Prices & Dates