Australia's East Coast Islands & Sun • View Itinerary
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Airlie Beach
Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Mission Beach, North Queensland
Island Adventure Rail Escape Hamilton Island
Kangaroos In Mackay
Hervey Bay
Champagne Pools, Fraser Island
Noosa, South Queensland
Brisbane beach, South Queensland, Australia
Story Bridge in Brisbane

East Coast Islands & Sun

16 day Holiday Idea – from £2249

With flights from £3349

An incredible journey from Cairns to Brisbane, hopping between secluded bays, seaside towns and tropical islands!

Highlights:
  • Spend two nights on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Visit Milaa Milaa Falls in the Atherton Tablelands
  • Look out for koalas in Noosa National Park
  • Discover the rainforests and freshwater lakes of K’gari (Fraser Island)
  • Enjoy city stays in Cairns and laid-back Brisbane

Your Itinerary

Expand All

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Day 1 to 2 – Welcome to Cairns

Arrive in tropical Cairns for a two night stay overlooking Trinity Harbour. Epitomising the relaxed Aussie…

Arrive in tropical Cairns for a two night stay overlooking Trinity Harbour. Epitomising the relaxed Aussie lifestyle, Cairns is a city that offers open-air markets, alfresco dining and palm-fringed beaches.

Here you can just relax after your flight, or head out to explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest or join a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, which you can pre-book before you travel.

Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Mission Beach, North Queensland

Day 3 – Mission Beach

Collect your chosen car this morning and travel through the high tropical plateau Tablelands to

Collect your chosen car this morning and travel through the high tropical plateau Tablelands to Kuranda for a chance to explore the village in the rainforest. Continue to the Atherton Tablelands where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes are in an abundance. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. This evening, stretch your legs as you walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes on Mission Beach.

    Cairns > Mission Beach | 240 kms
Mission Beach, North Queensland
Airlie Beach

Day 4 – Airlie Beach

Follow the Bruce Highway along the picturesque Queensland coast. Take the time to look around Townsville…

Follow the Bruce Highway along the picturesque Queensland coast. Take the time to look around Townsville before continuing on to the resort town of Airlie Beach. With the nearby tropical rainforest and waterfalls of Conway National Park, Airlie Beach offers pal-fringed beaches, lush waterfront parks, vibrant markets and al fresco restaurants that take advantage of the year-round tropical weather.

    Mission Beach > Airlie Beach | 495 kms
Airlie Beach
Island Adventure Rail Escape Hamilton Island

Day 5 to 6 – Hamilton Island

Airlie Beach is also known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. This morning catch the…

Airlie Beach is also known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. This morning catch the ferry to Hamilton Island, where you will stay for the next two nights. Hamilton Island is one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You will be surrounded by pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life!

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful resorts and superb snorkelling, take a cruise to spectacular Whitehaven Beach, voted the number one beach in Australia. If you’re feeling active, take a walk to Hill Inlet for views over the Whitsunday islands and the sparkling turquoise waters.

Island Adventure Rail Escape Hamilton Island
Kangaroos In Mackay

Day 7 – Rockhampton

Return to the mainland and travel south through the town of Mackay, known as Australia’s sugar…

Return to the mainland and travel south through the town of Mackay, known as Australia’s sugar capital. Continue on to the town of Rockhampton, that straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. The town celebrates the success of the local cattle stations with statues of bulls all around the town. Make sure you try some of the local beef at one of the town’s popular steakhouses.

    Airlie Beach > Rockhampton | 480 kms
Kangaroos In Mackay
Hervey Bay

Day 8 – Hervey Bay

Continue south along the Bundaberg Coast to Hervey Bay, dotted with cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes. Its…

Continue south along the Bundaberg Coast to Hervey Bay, dotted with cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes. Its safe, sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year-round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. It is also well known for its spectacular whale watching cruises.

    Rockhampton > Hervey Bay | 385 kms
Hervey Bay
Champagne Pools, Fraser Island

Day 9 to 11 – K’gari (Fraser Island)

Hervey bay is also the departure point for the ferry to K’gari, the largest sand island…

Hervey bay is also the departure point for the ferry to K’gari, the largest sand island in the world. Also referred to as Fraser Island, you will be able to relax and explore the amazing variety of landscapes on the island during your three night stay.

K’gari’s unique and untamed wilderness, offers the opportunity to join nature tours, get close to passing whales, take a 4×4 adventure to seventy-five mile beach, swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie or explore the iconic Maheno shipwreck. Of course, you can also sit back and relax in your eco-friendly resort.

Champagne Pools, Fraser Island
Noosa, South Queensland

Day 12 to 13 – Noosa

Return on the ferry back to Hervey Bay, before driving through the Tuan and Toolara State…

Return on the ferry back to Hervey Bay, before driving through the Tuan and Toolara State Forests, to the laidback, coast town of Noosa.

Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy, spectacular walk along the headland through to Noosa National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may like to hire a stand-up paddle board or even take a boat ride through the incredible Noosa Everglades, one of Australia’s most beautiful wilderness areas. You’ll love the dark waterways and myriad of wildlife along the Noosa River – it is truly spectacular!

    Hervey Bay > Noosa | 175 kms
Noosa, South Queensland
Brisbane beach, South Queensland, Australia

Day 14 to 16 – Brisbane

After an exciting road trip, continue to Brisbane where you can return your car and explore…

After an exciting road trip, continue to Brisbane where you can return your car and explore a city with contagious energy and plenty of activities to choose from.

Walk along the South Bank of the Brisbane River, to enjoy the city parklands, cool-off in the Blue Lagoon and view the impressive city skyline. Discover the waterside gastropubs and microbreweries at the Howard Smith Wharves, or browse Valley Laneways Markets.

    Noosa > Brisbane | 140 kms
Brisbane beach, South Queensland, Australia
Story Bridge in Brisbane

Day 16 – Farewell from Brisbane

Finally, head to Brisbane Airport today for your flight home or to continue your journey. You…

Finally, head to Brisbane Airport today for your flight home or to continue your journey. You will have plenty of photos and memories of your Queensland road trip.

Story Bridge in Brisbane

Your Itinerary

You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.

Day 1 to 2

|

Welcome to Cairns

Arrive in tropical Cairns for a two night stay overlooking Trinity Harbour. Epitomising the relaxed Aussie lifestyle, Cairns is a city that offers open-air markets, alfresco dining and palm-fringed beaches.

Here you can just relax after your flight, or head out to explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest or join a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, which you can pre-book before you travel.

Great Barrier Reef Cruise

Day 3

|

Mission Beach

Collect your chosen car this morning and travel through the high tropical plateau Tablelands to Kuranda for a chance to explore the village in the rainforest. Continue to the Atherton Tablelands where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes are in an abundance. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. This evening, stretch your legs as you walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes on Mission Beach.

    Cairns > Mission Beach | 240 kms
Mission Beach, North Queensland

Day 4

|

Airlie Beach

Follow the Bruce Highway along the picturesque Queensland coast. Take the time to look around Townsville before continuing on to the resort town of Airlie Beach. With the nearby tropical rainforest and waterfalls of Conway National Park, Airlie Beach offers pal-fringed beaches, lush waterfront parks, vibrant markets and al fresco restaurants that take advantage of the year-round tropical weather.

    Mission Beach > Airlie Beach | 495 kms
Airlie Beach

Day 5 to 6

|

Hamilton Island

Airlie Beach is also known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. This morning catch the ferry to Hamilton Island, where you will stay for the next two nights. Hamilton Island is one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You will be surrounded by pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life!

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful resorts and superb snorkelling, take a cruise to spectacular Whitehaven Beach, voted the number one beach in Australia. If you’re feeling active, take a walk to Hill Inlet for views over the Whitsunday islands and the sparkling turquoise waters.

Island Adventure Rail Escape Hamilton Island

Day 7

|

Rockhampton

Return to the mainland and travel south through the town of Mackay, known as Australia’s sugar capital. Continue on to the town of Rockhampton, that straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. The town celebrates the success of the local cattle stations with statues of bulls all around the town. Make sure you try some of the local beef at one of the town’s popular steakhouses.

    Airlie Beach > Rockhampton | 480 kms
Kangaroos In Mackay

Day 8

|

Hervey Bay

Continue south along the Bundaberg Coast to Hervey Bay, dotted with cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes. Its safe, sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year-round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. It is also well known for its spectacular whale watching cruises.

    Rockhampton > Hervey Bay | 385 kms
Hervey Bay

Day 9 to 11

|

K’gari (Fraser Island)

Hervey bay is also the departure point for the ferry to K’gari, the largest sand island in the world. Also referred to as Fraser Island, you will be able to relax and explore the amazing variety of landscapes on the island during your three night stay.

K’gari’s unique and untamed wilderness, offers the opportunity to join nature tours, get close to passing whales, take a 4×4 adventure to seventy-five mile beach, swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie or explore the iconic Maheno shipwreck. Of course, you can also sit back and relax in your eco-friendly resort.

Champagne Pools, Fraser Island

Day 12 to 13

|

Noosa

Return on the ferry back to Hervey Bay, before driving through the Tuan and Toolara State Forests, to the laidback, coast town of Noosa.

Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy, spectacular walk along the headland through to Noosa National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may like to hire a stand-up paddle board or even take a boat ride through the incredible Noosa Everglades, one of Australia’s most beautiful wilderness areas. You’ll love the dark waterways and myriad of wildlife along the Noosa River – it is truly spectacular!

    Hervey Bay > Noosa | 175 kms
Noosa, South Queensland

Day 14 to 16

|

Brisbane

After an exciting road trip, continue to Brisbane where you can return your car and explore a city with contagious energy and plenty of activities to choose from.

Walk along the South Bank of the Brisbane River, to enjoy the city parklands, cool-off in the Blue Lagoon and view the impressive city skyline. Discover the waterside gastropubs and microbreweries at the Howard Smith Wharves, or browse Valley Laneways Markets.

    Noosa > Brisbane | 140 kms
Brisbane beach, South Queensland, Australia

Day 16

|

Farewell from Brisbane

Finally, head to Brisbane Airport today for your flight home or to continue your journey. You will have plenty of photos and memories of your Queensland road trip.

Story Bridge in Brisbane

This Holiday Includes

14 nights accommodation
7 nights car hire, with unlimited kilometers
Activities and experiences as detailed in the itinerary

Flights & More

Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.

They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for. Popular options include:

  • Nights in Cairns or Brisbane before or after your self drive
  • A Hervey Bay Whale Watching Cruise (mid July to October)
  • 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 & Sun

16 day Holiday Idea – from £2249

With flights from £3349

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room. Flights, hotels and tours are subject to availability and seasonal variations may apply. Please call Freedom Destinations for details.

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East Coast Islands & Sun. Holiday Idea, Route Map, Australia