Escorted Coach Tours in Queensland

Barrier Reef Island Wanderer

13 DAYS
• Byron Bay • Gold Coast • Fraser Island •Whitsundays • Hamilton Island • Dunk Island • Port Douglas • Great Barrier Reef • Cairns

Day 1 Thur: Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Welcome Dinner.
Depart Sydney and travel along the Central Coast past the picturesque Hawkesbury River and its many oyster farms to the subtropical resort town of Coffs Harbour, home to a thriving banana industry. Tonight enjoy our Welcome Dinner in Coffs Harbour. Stay: Coffs Harbour, Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, right on the beachfront. (FD)

Day 2 Fri: Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane
Visit bohemian Byron Bay with its artists’ community and unspoilt beaches, making it a popular holiday spot with Australians. Cape Byron marks the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. Explore beautiful Gold Coast where there is 57 kilometres of clear waters and find golden sand. Then take a tour of Brisbane, capital of Queensland, on the banks of the Brisbane River. Brisbane's mix of old and new architecture, tropical climate and historical heritage gives it a laid-back appeal. Stay: Brisbane, Royal on the Park. (B)

Day 3 Sat: Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Cruise to Fraser Island.
Visit the Australia Zoo, made famous by the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’, Steve Irwin. The zoo’s biggest attraction is, of course, crocodiles. You can see these animals feeding, lazing in the sun or ‘having a go’ at the keepers. We pass the Sunshine Coast, well named for its almost perfect weather all year round. We then join a cruise from Hervey Bay, a great place to see migrating whales (seasonal), to Fraser Island. Two Night Stay: World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, an ecotourism experience on this amazing sand island. (B D)

Day 4 Sun: Fraser Island, Freedom of Choice Touring, Bush Tucker Talk and Barbecue.
Rise early this morning to join an escorted birdwatching walk through native bushland (optional). Later, choose to join the local ranger for a 4-wheel drive adventure, discovering the lakes and rainforest of the island, visiting the pristine Lake McKenzie andWanggoolba Creek, or join a humpback whale watching or dolphin cruise (subject to season). Perhaps upgrade to a full day 4WD Beach & Rainforest tour (additional expense). Tonight, enjoy our exclusive Bush Tucker Talk with a park ranger and chef before enjoying a delicious barbecue. (B FD)

Day 5 Mon: Rockhampton, Botanic Gardens.
We farewell Fraser Island and cross the Great Sandy Strait. Rejoining the coach we travel through cattle country to Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia which straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens, and explore Rockhampton’s Quay Street. Stay: Rockhampton, Travelodge. (B D)



Day 6 Tue: Henderson Park, Mackay, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Cruise to Hamilton Island.
Visit Henderson Park to learn about the operation of a working cattle station. We travel along the Hibiscus Coast to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. From Shute Harbour we cruise the Whitsunday Passage to Hamilton Island, one of the Whitsunday’s largest islands, with a wide range of activities and opportunities to visit the reef Two Night Stay: Hamilton Island Resort, guaranteed Coral View rooms at the Reef View Hotel.

Day 7 Wed: Hamilton Island, Sunset Drinks, Dine Around Dinner.
Spend your day at leisure, choosing from over 40 different activities offered on the island. Relax by one of the 7 luxurious pools, wander the shops down at the marina or take a day trip out to the pristine Whitehaven Beach (own expense). You are spoilt for choice at our Dine Around Dinner. Choose from one of Hamilton Island’s great restaurants. (B D)

Day 8 Thur: Townsville, Mission Beach, Cruise to Dunk Island
Great experiences continue as we cruise through the Whitsunday Passage back to the mainland. We drive north past mango plantations and stop in tropical Townsville, the centre for marine research for the Great Barrier Reef. From Mission Beach, which is fringed by coconut palms and World Heritage-listed wet tropical rainforest, we cruise to Dunk Island. Two Night Stay: APT EXCLUSIVE! Dunk Island Resort, Garden rooms. (B D)

Day 9 Fri: Relaxation on Dunk Island.
Today is yours to relax on Dunk Island, regarded as one of Australia’s most serene islands. Explore the walking trails, birdlife and native flowers of the rainforest or discover the highlights of the resort. Visit the Artists' Colony, or perhaps be adventurous and try parasailing, perhaps indulge at the Spa of Peace and Plenty, including holistic spa therapies and aromatherapy products, surrounded by the lush foliage of the tropical rainforest (all own expense). (FB)

Day 10 Sat: Millaa Millaa Falls, Curtain Fig Tree, Port Douglas, Dine Around dinner.
Return to the mainland and tour the lush Atherton Tablelands. Join a wildlife cruise at Lake Barrine and visit beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls and the unique Curtain Fig Tree, a strangler fig that has consumed its host tree, sending down a curtain of roots. We travel to the resort town of Port Douglas where you can choose to dine at a selected local restaurant along the renowned Macrossan Street or enjoy dinner and a quiet evening at the resort. Stay: Port Douglas, Mantra Treetops Resort and Spa, absolute luxury set in rainforest gardens. (FB D)

Day 11 Sun: Port Douglas, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today explore the Great Barrier Reef your way, at no extra cost. Choose from three exciting Quicksilver cruises, all including a delicious lunch on board and offering bar facilities. Cruise to the Outer Reef on the ‘Wavepiercer’. Snorkel the clear waters of Agincourt Reef or view the marine life beneath the waters from the semi-submersible. Alternatively, go sailing on the ‘Wavedancer’ luxury catamaran, before mooring at the Low Isles for a host of reef activities. Or, board the ‘Silversonic’ for a day of snorkelling and discovery on the remote Outer Reef. Two Night Stay: Cairns, Tradewinds Hotel, guaranteed Ocean View rooms, right on the waterfront. (B FL)

Day 12 Mon: Cairns, Kuranda, Farewell Dinner.
Journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway up to Rainforestation where you will be treated by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. There’s also time to ride aboard the Army Duck for a journey on land and through water. Later traverse the Kuranda Skyrail, and glide just meters above the rainforest canopy, passing the lush Cairns Highlands and waterfalls as we journey down the range. This evening enjoy our special Farewell Dinner at Cairns Night Zoo – a great Australian night to celebrate with your newly found friends. (B FD)

Day 13 Tue: Morning to Relax in Cairns. Do some last minute shopping or sightseeing before your afternoon transfer to Cairns Airport. (B)

B – Breakfast; FB – Feature Breakfast; L – Lunch; FL – Feature Lunch; D – Dinner; FD – Feature Dinner.

FULLY INCLUSIVE