East Coast Islands & Rainforest Tour • View Itinerary
Home Wish List Enquire Phone
SAVE ON 2024 TOURS
Sunset, Coffs Harbour
Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Fraser Island Sand Dunes
4WD Fraser Island, South Queensland
cows
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Cairns Marina, Queensland
Dreamtime Great Barrier Reef Cruise
View Of Cairns

East Coast Islands & Rainforest

12 day Escorted Tour – from £4260 £3835

With flights from £5085

Join this well-planned tour of Australia’s stunning East Coast, from Sydney to Cairns. A fascinating 1,500 mile journey of tropical discovery.

Highlights:
  • Spend two nights on the World Heritage Listed Fraser Island (K’gari)
  • Relax on the endless beaches of the Gold Coast
  • Take the opportunity to visit the beautiful Whitsunday Islands
  • Explore the lush rainforest of the Atherton Tablelands
  • Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride on the Great Barrier Reef

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or activities before of after your East Coast Australia tour. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Sunset, Coffs Harbour

Day 1 – Sydney to Coffs Harbour

As much as you’ll want to linger in Sydney, Coffs Harbour is calling. On the mid-North…

As much as you’ll want to linger in Sydney, Coffs Harbour is calling. On the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, this pocket of paradise has some of the state’s most impressive beaches, not to mention the glorious national parkland that surrounds. Follow the breeze (and lead of locals) to the beach for a dazzling end of day, before a Welcome Dinner with your fellow adventure seekers.

    BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort

    Dinner
Sunset, Coffs Harbour
Gold Coast

Day 2 – Coffs Harbour – Gold Coast

Australia’s most easterly point is the stuff that postcards were made for, as you’ll discover when…

Australia’s most easterly point is the stuff that postcards were made for, as you’ll discover when you reach the Cape Byron Lighthouse, standing proud over the Pacific Ocean. Dolphins are a common sight year round, and they’re joined by whales during migration. For lunch, we can point you in the direction of a tasty Byron Bay fish-and-chip shop – order a haul to eat with your feet in the sand. Which you’re going to see plenty of at your next destination.

    Novotel Surfers Paradise

    Breakfast
Gold Coast
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Day 3 – Gold Coast Free Time

Your base in Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast, a city that really…

Your base in Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast, a city that really does sparkle. Today you might choose to explore beaches (there are too many to count), lingering in light-filled cafés and restaurants. Or enlist in a Gold Coast tour to see another side of the ‘Goldie’ in the Mt. Tamborine hinterland – a hub for creatives and foodies. The city also breaks records for its extensive network of canals, which you might opt to explore on a leisurely cruise.

    Novotel Surfers Paradise

    Breakfast
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast
Fraser Island Sand Dunes

Day 4 – Gold Coast – K’gari (Fraser Island)

Follow the waves north to Hervey Bay, the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island). The ferry ride…

Follow the waves north to Hervey Bay, the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island). The ferry ride across the strait is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Landing on K’gari, expect to see a lot of sand. This is, after all, the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand.

    Kingfisher Bay Resort

    Breakfast
Fraser Island Sand Dunes
4WD Fraser Island, South Queensland

Day 5 – K’gari (Fraser Island)

The island also has a really long sand highway, which you’ll get to zip along on…

The island also has a really long sand highway, which you’ll get to zip along on a 4WD tour across 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.

    Kingfisher Bay Resort

    Breakfast, Lunch
4WD Fraser Island, South Queensland
cows

Day 6 – K’gari (Fraser Island) – Rockhampton

Back on the mainland you’re in Queensland’s cattle country. Case in point Langmorn Station, where the…

Back on the mainland you’re in Queensland’s cattle country. Case in point Langmorn Station, where the Creed family will welcome you with afternoon tea and a tour of the immense (and historic) cattle property – the original family homestead was built in 1873. The Creeds will regale you with stories about life on the land. The theme continues as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. See if it deserves its title sampling some of the town’s restaurants. Ask us for tips.

    Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton

    Breakfast
cows
Airlie Beach, Queensland

Day 7 – Rockhampton – Airlie Beach

Another town with an impressive title is Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. If you’ve ever wanted to…

Another town with an impressive title is Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. If you’ve ever wanted to know how sugar cane is processed and distilled, you’ll find the guided tour at the Sarina Sugar Shed a sweet addition to the itinerary. And yes, you get to sample the wares. Continue, on a high, along the east coast to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Life moves at a leisurely pace here. Fall into step and take things slow tonight.

    Mantra Club Croc

    Breakfast, Lunch
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands

Day 8 – The Whitsunday Islands Free Time

The Whitsunday Islands need little introduction, the 74 tropical drops of land a beguiling union of…

The Whitsunday Islands need little introduction, the 74 tropical drops of land a beguiling union of powdery beaches and rainforest, all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to explore this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot.

    Mantra Club Croc

    Breakfast
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands
Airlie Beach, Queensland

Day 9 – Airlie Beach – Cairns

After all the excitement of yesterday, today it’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery –…

After all the excitement of yesterday, today it’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery – more sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Cairns and soak up this steamy part of the state.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Cairns Marina, Queensland

Day 10 – Cairns

The Cairns Esplanade is a hive of activity in the morning, with active locals out before…

The Cairns Esplanade is a hive of activity in the morning, with active locals out before the humidity of the day sets in. Keep pace, before cooling off in the Atherton Tablelands, a high tropical plateau of rainforest, including the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree. And Lake Barrine, where it’s ‘all aboard’ for a tranquil cruise. Explore Kuranda before getting some perspective on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast
Cairns Marina, Queensland
Dreamtime Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Day 11 – Great Barrier Reef

Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier…

Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel with six of the world’s sea turtles bobbing over fans of coral, as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dreamtime Great Barrier Reef Cruise
View Of Cairns

Day 12 – Farewell from Cairns

A ridiculous number of beaches, world-record breaking rainforest, dreamy islands and even dreamier ocean… it’s going…

A ridiculous number of beaches, world-record breaking rainforest, dreamy islands and even dreamier ocean… it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this backdrop. Not to mention your fellow travellers.

    Breakfast
View Of Cairns

Your Itinerary

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or activities before of after your East Coast Australia tour. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1

|

Sydney to Coffs Harbour

As much as you’ll want to linger in Sydney, Coffs Harbour is calling. On the mid-North Coast of New South Wales, this pocket of paradise has some of the state’s most impressive beaches, not to mention the glorious national parkland that surrounds. Follow the breeze (and lead of locals) to the beach for a dazzling end of day, before a Welcome Dinner with your fellow adventure seekers.

    BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort

    Dinner
Sunset, Coffs Harbour

Day 2

|

Coffs Harbour – Gold Coast

Australia’s most easterly point is the stuff that postcards were made for, as you’ll discover when you reach the Cape Byron Lighthouse, standing proud over the Pacific Ocean. Dolphins are a common sight year round, and they’re joined by whales during migration. For lunch, we can point you in the direction of a tasty Byron Bay fish-and-chip shop – order a haul to eat with your feet in the sand. Which you’re going to see plenty of at your next destination.

    Novotel Surfers Paradise

    Breakfast
Gold Coast

Day 3

|

Gold Coast Free Time

Your base in Surfers Paradise is the heart of the Gold Coast, a city that really does sparkle. Today you might choose to explore beaches (there are too many to count), lingering in light-filled cafés and restaurants. Or enlist in a Gold Coast tour to see another side of the ‘Goldie’ in the Mt. Tamborine hinterland – a hub for creatives and foodies. The city also breaks records for its extensive network of canals, which you might opt to explore on a leisurely cruise.

    Novotel Surfers Paradise

    Breakfast
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

Day 4

|

Gold Coast – K’gari (Fraser Island)

Follow the waves north to Hervey Bay, the gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island). The ferry ride across the strait is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Landing on K’gari, expect to see a lot of sand. This is, after all, the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand.

    Kingfisher Bay Resort

    Breakfast
Fraser Island Sand Dunes

Day 5

|

K’gari (Fraser Island)

The island also has a really long sand highway, which you’ll get to zip along on a 4WD tour across 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.

    Kingfisher Bay Resort

    Breakfast, Lunch
4WD Fraser Island, South Queensland

Day 6

|

K’gari (Fraser Island) – Rockhampton

Back on the mainland you’re in Queensland’s cattle country. Case in point Langmorn Station, where the Creed family will welcome you with afternoon tea and a tour of the immense (and historic) cattle property – the original family homestead was built in 1873. The Creeds will regale you with stories about life on the land. The theme continues as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. See if it deserves its title sampling some of the town’s restaurants. Ask us for tips.

    Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton

    Breakfast
cows

Day 7

|

Rockhampton – Airlie Beach

Another town with an impressive title is Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. If you’ve ever wanted to know how sugar cane is processed and distilled, you’ll find the guided tour at the Sarina Sugar Shed a sweet addition to the itinerary. And yes, you get to sample the wares. Continue, on a high, along the east coast to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Life moves at a leisurely pace here. Fall into step and take things slow tonight.

    Mantra Club Croc

    Breakfast, Lunch
Airlie Beach, Queensland

Day 8

|

The Whitsunday Islands Free Time

The Whitsunday Islands need little introduction, the 74 tropical drops of land a beguiling union of powdery beaches and rainforest, all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to explore this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot.

    Mantra Club Croc

    Breakfast
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands

Day 9

|

Airlie Beach – Cairns

After all the excitement of yesterday, today it’s time to relax and enjoy the scenery – more sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Cairns and soak up this steamy part of the state.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast
Airlie Beach, Queensland

Day 10

|

Cairns

The Cairns Esplanade is a hive of activity in the morning, with active locals out before the humidity of the day sets in. Keep pace, before cooling off in the Atherton Tablelands, a high tropical plateau of rainforest, including the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree. And Lake Barrine, where it’s ‘all aboard’ for a tranquil cruise. Explore Kuranda before getting some perspective on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast
Cairns Marina, Queensland

Day 11

|

Great Barrier Reef

Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel with six of the world’s sea turtles bobbing over fans of coral, as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.

    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dreamtime Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Day 12

|

Farewell from Cairns

A ridiculous number of beaches, world-record breaking rainforest, dreamy islands and even dreamier ocean… it’s going to be hard to say goodbye to this backdrop. Not to mention your fellow travellers.

    Breakfast
View Of Cairns

This Tour Includes

11 nights accommodation
11 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners
Expert tour director
Activities and experiences as detailed in the itinerary
Professional and experienced driver
Travel by luxury air conditioned coach

Departure Dates

Check for departure dates that suit you:

2024-09-09

2024-10-07

2024-11-04

2024-12-02

2025-01-06

2025-02-03

2025-03-03

2025-08-25

2025-11-03

2026-02-02

2026-03-02

To confirm availability call 0333 234 2889

Flights & More

With FREEDOM, you can book your East Coast Islands & Rainforest escorted tour and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.

You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:

  • Extra nights in Sydney or Cairns before or after your tour
  • A stopover to Australia in Dubai, Singapore or another destination

Next Step

Please get in touch with our Australia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.

East Coast Islands & Rainforest

12 day Escorted Tour – from £4260 £3835

With flights from £5085

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room and include meals shown. Seasonal supplements may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations to confirm departure dates and availability.

Map

East Coast Islands & rainforest, Tour route map, Australia