East Coast Explorer

Day 1: Arrive Cairns (D)
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: 3 nights in the Mercure Hotel Harbourside Cairns

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef (B,L)
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). Buffet lunch included.

Day 3: Cairns at leisure (B)
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.

Day 4: Cairns – Townsville (B,D)
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 leisurely stroll along the Strand.
Accommodation: 1 night Townsville Plaza Hotel.

Day 5: Townsville – Long Island (B,D)
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, our base for the next two nights.
Accommodation: 2 nights Long Island Resort, Long Island

Day 6: Long Island at leisure (B)
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.

Day 7: Rockhampton (B,D)
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: 1 night Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton

Day 8: Rockhampton – Hervey Bay (B,D)
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: 2 nights Outrigger, Hervey Bay

Day 9: Fraser Island 4WD Adventure (B,L)
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. Cruise back to Hervey Bay this afternoon.

Day 10: Hervey Bay – Gold Coast (B)
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: 1 night Mercure Resort, Surfers Paradise

Day 11: Gold Coast – Coffs Harbour (B,D)
Today 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, before continuing along the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour.
Accommodation: 1 night Pelican Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour

Day 12: Coffs Harbour – Sydney (B)
Stop at the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Continue along the scenic coastal route, before crossing the beautiful Hawkesbury River into Sydney. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight.