With flights from £6945
Explore Australia’s beautiful east coast in style, staying in luxurious hotels and secluded rainforest retreats on your journey between Sydney and Cairns.
Highlights:
Arrive in the beautiful city of Sydney, and take in some of the best sights from your deluxe city view room at the Four Seasons Hotel. The hotel overlooks the famous Circular Quay, with views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from various angles. Situated in the historic Rocks district, the weekly crafts and food markets are on the doorstep and the fashionable restaurants of Campbell’s Cove are just a short walk away.
Hotel: The Four Seasons, Sydney
Fly from Sydney to Hamilton Island in the stunning Whitsunday Islands, where a private Leeward Pavilion awaits at the luxurious Qualia Resort. Hamilton Island is one of Australia’s most desirable holiday destinations, making up a part of the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsundays are actually made up of 74 different islands, with Hamilton Island being the largest.
The ultimate hideaway, Qualia Resort is located at the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island, with panoramic views across the ocean. From here you can enjoy swimming and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, sailing around the majestic Whitsunday Islands, or even enjoy a round of golf at the only championship course on the island.
Hotel: Qualia, Hamilton Island
Fly from Hamilton Island to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Your luxury hotel on the city’s fashionable South Bank, has the river and all its attractions on the doorstep. There are plenty of things to do in Brisbane, including wandering through the Botanic Gardens, enjoying the Queensland Art Gallery and crossing Story Bridge to dine at the Howard Smith Wharves.
The boutique Emporium Hotel not only overlooks the Brisbane River but also boasts a stunning rooftop infinity pool and bar with uninterrupted panoramic views over the city skyline.
Hotel: The Emporium, Brisbane
Collect your rental car and drive just 90 minutes north of Brisbane to Australia’s Nature Coast, where you head inland to the rainforested Hinterlands. Here your boutique rainforest retreat awaits; your own private cottage amongst the trees providing the perfect location for relaxing and absorbing the undisturbed natural habitats that surrounds the resort.
The emphasis is very much on downtime and recharging your batteries, but there are exclusive walking trails through the forest to explore, and the nearby town of Montville offers visitors the chance to browse quaint boutique shops and galleries as well as sample some of the fresh Hinterland produce in one of the many restaurants and cafes along its high street.
Return your car at Brisbane Airport and fly further north to the tropical town of Cairns. Epitomising the relaxed Aussie lifestyle, Cairns is a city that offers open-air markets, alfresco dining and palm-fringed beaches. It is the main gateway to North Queensland with easy access to the World Heritage sites of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
The five-star Crystalbrook Riley Hotel commands a prime seafront location overlooking the Cairns Esplanade and the Coral Sea. A short walk to the marina, shopping areas and the Cairns Lagoon, the hotel has its own private pool with beach, award-winning restaurants and the highest rooftop bar in Cairns.
Collect your rental car and depart Cairns for the scenic coastal drive to Port Douglas. The perfect location to explore the northern Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas is a laidback, tropical town with a compact centre, lined with boutique cafes and bars. The palm fringed sands of Four Mile Beach extend around the bay and the sheltered waters of Port Douglas marina are home to exclusive yachts and cruisers.
The Shantara Resort offers guests the opportunity to enjoy a self-contained apartment overlooking two lagoon-style swimming pools. Although a tranquil resort, Shantara remains just five minutes from the shops and restaurants of Macrossan Street as well as the beach.
The World Heritage-Listed Daintree Rainforest is your home for the next couple of nights. The world’s oldest rainforest, its emerald canopies have been growing for millions of years. The road to Cape Tribulation takes you past Mossman Gorge with various trails through the rainforest, and across the Daintree River, where it is possible to take a cruise to spot crocodiles and tropical birdlife.
Offering almost total seclusion, Daintree Ecolodge provides individual treehouses amongst the lush rainforest canopy. With an emphasis on sustainability and local produce, the lodge offers guests the ability to wake up surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. With its own private waterfall and pool the lodge really offers the perfect escape from everyday life.
Fully rested, follow the Great Barrier Reef Drive south to Cairns. Here you can can enjoy a last day of relaxation in the tropical sunshine, or perhaps an alfresco dinner. Watching a final sunset from the rooftop bar, will certainly mark a fitting end to this luxurious journey.
Following a leisurely breakfast in Cairns, return your rental car to the airport, in plenty of time for your international flight home.
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room, and include pre-booked accommodation, air conditioned car and unlimited kilometres. Hotels specified are subject to availability and may be substituted by one of a similar or higher standard. Seasonal supplements may apply.
You can book this holiday as it is or ask your Travel Consultant to add extra days in the places you choose.
This holiday includes:
