Feel the excitement build as you arrive in Australia’s most iconic city. With four nights at your centrally located hotel you have time to explore Sydney at your leisure.

Wandering through the Royal Botanic Gardens is a must, arriving at Sydney Opera House, where you can enjoy a drink in the waterside bar over looking Sydney Harbour Bridge. You could also catch a ferry to Manley, take a dip in Iceberg Pools at Bondi Beach, or try out the restaurants in Darling Harbour. It’s up to you!

On a day of your choice, we have included an excursion into the Blue Mountains, an impressive one million hectares of tall forest, sunken valleys and stunning waterfalls just waiting to be explored.

Oaks Sydney Castlereagh Suites

Make your way to the airport for your flight from Sydney to Brisbane, for a two night stay.

Brimming with positive energy, Brisbane is a city of rooftop bars and boutique breweries, forward-thinking museums, and glorious parks and gardens – bathed in 283 days of sunshine per year!

You could rise early to watch the sunrise over the city from Mount Coot-tha Lookout, marvel at the masterpieces on show at the Queensland Art Gallery, Treat your tastebuds at Eat Streets Northshore, then spend a lazy afternoon in the South Bank Parklands by the Brisbane River.

Royal on the Park, Brisbane

After meeting up with your Tour Director and fellow travellers, depart Brisbane and pass through the picturesque Sunshine Coast en route to River Heads.

Enjoy the ferry transfer across to K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) where you will spend the next two nights at the wonderful Kingfisher Bay Resort. Drift off to sleep to the rhythmic sounds of the ocean and wake to birdsong outside your window.

Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari

Lunch, Dinner

Today, you’ll enjoy a full day 4×4 tour of K’gari, driving along 75 Mile Beach to the coloured sands of the Pinnacles and iconic Maheno Shipwreck.

You’ll stop for a paddle or swim in the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie, which is surrounded by pristine white beaches, before enjoying a second dip in Eli Creek.

Lastly, you’ll explore the island’s towering rainforest on your way back to Kingfisher Bay Resort mid-afternoon.

Kingfisher Bay Resort, K’gari

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely start to the day, you’ll catch the mid-morning ferry back to the mainland, then journey up the east coast along the Bruce Highway, passing through Childers en route to Gladstone.

Enjoy a tour of the town including a visit to Round Hill Lookout, before checking in to the 4.5 star Mantra Hotel later this afternoon.

Mantra Hotel, Gladstone

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, enjoy a scenic two hour ferry ride to Heron Island, a natural coral cay, 80 km off the coast of Queensland, in the Southern Great Barrier Reef.

Staying two nights at Heron Island Resort, you have the rest of the afternoon, and all day tomorrow, to do as much or as little as you please!

You could snorkel from the beach or join a guided walk to learn about the island’s flora and fauna, including the turtles that waddle ashore to nest between late-October and early-March.

You could also spot sharks and rays on a semi-submersible tour, or enjoy a glass of wine on a sunset cruise. A full list of activities will be provided prior to your arrival.

Heron Island Resort

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, take the ferry back to the mainland to continue your tour of Australia’s East Coast. Arriving in Rockhampton, check in to the Empire Apartment Hotel, in the heart of the CBD Riverfront Precinct.

Empire Apartment Hotel, Rockhampton

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, head north through Mackay and Proserpine to Airlie Beach, where you’ll board the ferry to Hamilton Island for a two night stay at the Reef View Hotel.

Relax this evening on your private balcony, take a dip in the stunning, 35 metre swimming pool, or enjoy a stroll along Catseye Beach.

Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Experience the magic of The Whitsundays on a half day cruise from Hamilton Island to the magnificent Whitehaven Beach.

As you relax on deck, your friendly skipper will provide an informative commentary on the history and geography of the 74 tropical islands in the archipelago. At Whitehaven Beach, sink your toes into the fine white silica sands and enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters. This is Mother Nature at her best!

Back on Hamilton Island, enjoy a wander along Front Street and through Marina Village, perusing the galleries and boutique shops. If you wish, you can use the hop-on hop-off bus to explore further afield.

This evening, enjoy yet another stunning Great Barrier Reef sunset.

Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, you’ll cruise back to Airlie Beach and continue north to Proserpine, than Townsville.

Regarded as the capital of North Queensland, Townsville has a regional population of around 160,000. After lunch along ‘The Strand’ you’ll take the ferry across to Magnetic Island.

Enjoy a tour of the island including Arcadia, where you might spot some friendly rock wallabies. You’ll travel back to the mainland in the afternoon and spend the night at Ville Resort.

Ville Resort, Townsville

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Before departing Townsville, there’s time for a visit to the Maritime Museum, where you can learn about the Battle of the Coral Sea during World War II, and board the HMAS Townsville, a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat.

After morning tea, you’ll continue north, passing through Ingham and Cardwell en route to Mission Beach, where you will spend the night at Castaways Resort & Spa.

Located on the waterfront, you can enjoy stroll along the town’s sensational beach before dinner overlooking the Coral Sea.

Castaway’s Resort & Spa, Mission Beach

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Around 40 minutes from Mission Beach, you’ll arrive at the heritage-listed Paronella Park, one of Queensland’s quirkier attractions. It was built in the 1930’s in the style of a Spanish castle, complete with a grand staircase, ball room and pleasure gardens.

Next you’ll head into the Atherton Tablelands to visit the magnificent Millaa Millaa Falls, surrounded by lush rainforest.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue on to Mareeba, Mount Molloy and Port Douglas, where you have two nights at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning you’ll board the ‘Wavedancer’ catamaran and set sail to Low Isles in the Great Barrier Reef.

An idyllic and unspoilt coral island, Low Isles is surrounded by clear and calm waters, ideal for snorkelling and swimming. You can also enjoy a glass bottom boat ride above the coral gardens, which are home to magnificent giant clams and hundreds of different types of tropical fish. Keep an eye out for passing turtles!

Visitor numbers to the Low Isles are limited to help protect the reef’s ecology, so the whole of this beautiful, palm fringed island beach is yours to explore and enjoy!

Late this afternoon you’ll return to the Port Douglas for another treat – the unique ‘Flames of the Forest’ dining experience, a short drive out of town.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, enjoy a one hour cruise on the Daintree River through the world’s oldest rainforest. Your expert guide will share their intricate knowledge of the local ecosystem, and point out the odd croc…

Your escorted tour of East Coast Australia then comes to a close, as you head south to Cairns, where you’ll be dropped off at the airport or your chosen hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch