Day 1 Tue: Arrive Cairns
On arrival at Cairns Airport you will be transferred to your hotel, the MERCURE HARBORSIDE HOTEL. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of Cairns. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and travelling companions.

Day 2 Wed: 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 a tropical buffet lunch. Overnight at the MERCURE HARBORSIDE HOTEL. (BL)

Day 3 Thu: Cairns ‘Free Time’
Enjoy a day at leisure in Cairns. Perhaps take an optional tour to the rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the various stalls of the colourful Kuranda Markets. Return aboard the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. 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. Overnight at the MERCURE HARBORSIDE HOTEL. (B)

Day 4 Fri: 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! Overnight at the HOTEL IBIS. (B)

Day 5 Sat: 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, our base for the next two nights. Overnight at the LONG ISLAND RESORT. (B)

Day 6 Sun: Long Island ‘Free Time’
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Long Island, one of over 70 islands which make up 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. This evening is free for independent dining. Overnight at the LONG ISLAND RESORT. (B)

Day 7 Mon: Rockhampton
We take a ferry back to Shute Harbour. Travel south through Mackay, Australia’s sugar capital, to Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River. See the historic buildings including the Customs House and Quay Street. Overnight at the LEICHHARDT HOTEL. (B)

Day 8 Tue: Rockhampton – Hervey Bay
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. Enjoy morning tea at the homestead, a restored ‘Queenslander’ built in 1873. Continue south to the bustling coast town of Hervey Bay. Overnight at the MANTRA HERVEY BAY. (B)

Day 9 Wed: Fraser Island 4WD
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. Overnight at the MANTRA HERVEY BAY. (BL)

Day 10 Thu: Hervey Bay – Gold Coast
Today we travel to Brisbane. Enjoy an orientation tour of the city and learn about opals 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. Overnight at the AUSTRALIS SOVEREIGN HOTEL. (B)

Day 11 Fri: Gold Coast – Coffs Harbour
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. Overnight at the PELICAN BEACH RESORT. (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 into Sydney. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. (B)