Tropical Discovery

Tour Code: AQL-qsc

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

  • Stay in picturesque Coffs Harbour
  • Stop in Byron Bay and visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse
  • Take a 4WD adventure tour of Fraser Island
  • Stay on beautiful Hamilton Island
  • Visit the animals at Billabong Sanctuary
  • Enjoy an orientation tour of Brisbane
  • Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree
  • Cruise on tranquil Lake Barrine
  • Discover the Great Barrier Reef
  • Snorkel or watch the fish swim by in the Underwater Observatory
  • Travel on the Kuranda Railway to the village of Kuranda
  • Ride the Skyrail Cableway over the rainforest
  • Visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

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 (12) (B)
  • Lunch (1) (L)
  • Exciting Highlight Dinners (2) (HD)
  • Hotel Dinners (5)

Accommodation

  • Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

  • Welcome drink
  • All purpose travel bag and map
  • Airport transfers
    (Day prior from Sydney Airport – flights to arrive anytime;
    Day 13 to Cairns Airport – flights to depart anytime)
  • Hotel porterage included
qsc.jpg (35466 bytes)

Itinerary

Day 1 Thu: Sydney – Coffs Harbour

Depart Sydney at 7.30am. Travel the scenic coastline of New South Wales, stopping at the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Continue through Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellowtravelling companions.

Accommodation: Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour.

Day 2 Fri: Byron Bay – Gold Coast

This morning journey to the Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy the superb views from Australia's most easterly point. Stop in exclusive Byron Bay for lunch (own expense), before following the lush Tweed River Valley to the famous Gold Coast. Tonight is free to dine at one of the many restaurants and cafés.

Accommodation: Watermark Hotel, Gold Coast. (B)

Day 3 Sat: Gold Coast – Fraser Island

Travel along the Gold Coast to Brisbane for an orientation tour of the city and learn about opals. Continue on to Hervey Bay for the ferry crossing to remarkable Fraser Island.

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

Day 4 Sun: Fraser Island

Today join your 4WD vehicle for a half-day tour of the island. Marvel at the majestic rainforest at Central Station. Visit 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 5 Mon: Rockhampton

Return to the mainland this morning, cross the Tropic of Capricorn and continue to Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River.
Dine out this evening at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre. Learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions and be entertained by their colourful dances.

Accommodation: Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton. (B) (HD)

Day 6 Tue: Hamilton Island

Travel north to Mackay, before continuing to Shute Harbour where you join a catamaran for your short cruise through the Whitsundays to Hamilton Island. Tonight, delight in a barbecue dinner at the Yacht Club overlooking the marina - a delightful experience.

Accommodation: Reef View Hotel – Coral Sea View Rooms, Hamilton Island, 2 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 7 Wed: Hamilton Island

Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Hamilton Island. Opportunity to join a morning tour of the island including the fauna park, or take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach. Perhaps hire a golf cart and explore the island yourself. Tonight is free for independent dining at one of the many restaurants available on the island. (B)

Day 8 Thu: Townsville

Head north to the tropical city of Townsville. Enjoy a guided tour of Billabong Sanctuary. This afternoon is free to relax or perhaps take a stroll along The Strand.

Accommodation: Jupiters Townsville Hotel & Casino, Townsville. (B)

Day 9 Fri: Atherton Tablelands

Journey north from Townsville, then climb the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Enjoy a guided cruise on Lake Barrine, before making our way to Port Douglas.

Accommodation: Radisson Treetops Resort, Port Douglas, 2 nights. (B)

Day 10 Sat: Port Douglas

A full free day in Port Douglas awaits you today. There is an opportunity to explore the World Heritage Rainforest, enjoy a walk along Four Mile Beach, or just sit back and relax by the pool. Your Tour Director will be able to assist you with bookings. (B)

Day 11 Sun: Great Barrier Reef

Join the Great Adventures catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation and view the spectacular corals and tropical fish from the Underwater Observatory and the semi-submersible craft. There is the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up close (equipment provided). Enjoy an included delicious tropical buffet lunch, before we return to Cairns this afternoon.

Accommodation: The Oasis Resort, Cairns, 2 nights. (BL)

Day 12 Mon: Kuranda

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 tropical rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park.
Visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B)

Day 13 Tue: Depart Cairns

Your tour concludes today after breakfast. You will be transferred to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Aboriginal Cultural Experiences

Symbol denotes INCLUDED

RAIL JOURNEYS

Take the opportunity to travel the coastal stretch between Cairns and Brisbane on The Sunlander or the revolutionary Tilt Train. Enjoy sweeping views and a taste of real Queensland hospitality in a travel experience with comfort and style. Please ask for details at time of booking.

Additional Pick-Up Points

Please request at time of booking.

Hornsby clients join opposite the Police Station on the Pacific Highway at 8.15am.

Gosford clients join at the Tourist Information Centre at the Railway Station at 8.45am.

Newcastle clients join at the Train Station, corner Watt Street and Wolf Road at 9.45am.

Prices & Dates

Tour Dates
Departs Returns
2005
A$3695
  07 Apr     19 Apr*
  12 May     24 May  
  09 Jun     21 Jun*
  07 Jul     19 Jul  
  14 Jul     26 Jul  
  28 Jul     09 Aug*
  04 Aug     16 Aug  
  25 Aug     06 Sep  
  08 Sep     20 Sep  
  15 Sep     27 Sep  
  29 Sep     11 Oct*
  13 Oct     25 Oct  
  20 Oct     01 Nov  
  03 Nov     15 Nov  
  10 Nov     22 Nov  
  17 Nov     29 Nov*
  01 Dec     13 Dec  
  15 Dec     27 Dec  
2006
A$3695
  05 Jan     17 Jan*
  12 Jan     24 Jan  
  02 Feb     14 Feb*
  09 Feb     21 Feb  
  02 Mar     14 Mar  
  09 Mar     21 Mar  
  06 Apr   18 Apr
  11 May   23 May
  08 Jun   20 Jun
  06 Jul   18 Jul
  13 Jul   25 Jul
  27 Jul   08 Aug
  03 Aug   15 Aug
  24 Aug   05 Sept
  07 Sept 19 Sept
  14 Sept   26 Sept
  28 Sept   10 Oct
  12 Oct   24 Oct
  19 Oct   31 Oct
  02 Nov   14 Nov
  09 Nov   21 Nov
  16 Nov   28 Nov
  30 Nov   12 Dec
  14 Dec   26 Dec

* = Guaranteed Departure

Supplements

Adult Single Supplement   A$920
Triple Discount Save A$185
Child Discount Save A$740
Concession Card Holders Save A$45
Friendly Fours Save A$185
Frequent Traveller Save A$185
Meal Discount Save A$140