Arrive into Sydney for a four night stay giving you time to explore the harbour, beaches and inner-city precincts of this lively city. Spend time relaxing on Circular Quay surrounded by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which you can climb if you are feeling adventurous. In the evenings there is a great selection of harbourside or city restaurants. There is also time to take the ferry to Manly, stroll along Bondi, or relax in the beautiful Botanical Gardens.

This morning take a full day tour to the majestic Blue Mountains, you’ll be stopping at the Jamison Valley, Leura, Echo Point and the iconic Three Sisters rocks. Ride the Skyway cable car or meet the koalas, kangaroos, wombats and others at the Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Collect your car and leave the bright lights of Sydney behind as you cross the Harbour Bridge and head towards the rolling vineyards of the Hunter Valley along the Pacific Highway. Detour through the towns of Gosford and Newcastle and enjoy a scenic walk along the foreshore. From Newcastle, travel via Maitland into the Hunter Valley. With wineries in abundance, take the opportunity to taste and purchase some of Australia’s finest wines as well as explore the art and gourmet delights that the Hunter Valley offers.

Leave the Hunter Valley and travel northeast to Port Stephens. Known as the Blue Water Wonderland, Port Stephens is a natural bay, twice the size of Sydney Harbour and almost completely enclosed by two dormant volcanic headlands. There is fabulous seafood to sample and more than 26 golden sandy beaches to explore. Perhaps take an afternoon cruise to see the Bottlenose dolphins.

Depart Port Stephens and continue north to Bulahdelah, the entrance to the Myall Lakes National Park. Travel north along the Lakes Way, a scenic route through rainforest with spectacular views of the inland lakes and ocean beaches. Travel on through the Manning Valley and Taree to Port Macquarie. Continue on to Coffs Harbour, which is the start of the sub-tropical northern coast of New South Wales and the surrounding district produces timber, bananas, vegetables, dairy products and fish. The ‘Big Banana’ is open daily with a comprehensive display on the banana industry.

This northern stretch of New South Wales contains some of the most beautiful landscapes in Australia. From Coffs Harbour, the highway follows the coast to Woolgoolga and then turns inland towards Grafton, a graceful old country town on the banks of the mighty Clarence River. From Grafton travel to Woodburn and on to Ballina, and then a further 38 kilometres to Byron Bay, which attracts surfers from near and far to Wategos Beach, on Cape Byron – its northerly aspect makes it one of the best beaches for surfing on the East Coast of Australia. Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian coast.

Today is free to spend at your leisure. Enjoy the restaurants and cafes, take a surfing lesson or simply relax on the beach. For those who may have time on their hands, we recommend adding an additional night’s stay at Byron Bay.

Cape Byron is the most easterly point of Australia, and is topped by an extremely powerful lighthouse. Located only 300 metres south of Australia’s easternmost point, Cape Byron, the lighthouse was completed in 1901. Byron Bay has a number of surf beaches, and the breaks are famous all around the world. Watego’s Beach, with its white sands and crystal waters, also has a break that is popular with bodysurfers and boogie boarders. It is just under the Cape Byron light. There are also some great drives in the Byron hinterland, with spectacular views of the coast.

For early risers, it’s well worth going a trip to the beach this morning to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. Then depart Byron and travel north to Brunswick Heads. Continue along the coast via Pottsville Beach and Kingscliff and travel onto Brisbane via the Gold Coast,

Spend two nights in the lively city of Brisbane. Laze in the lush riverside gardens of South Bank, browse the Eagle Street markets and swim in its man made lagoon. Stroll through the City Botanic Gardens, shop on the famous Queen Street mall or take a ferry ride down the Brisbane River to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

Travel north to Hervey Bay and join the passenger ferry across to Kingfisher Bay, where you will stay whilst on Fraser Island for two nights. Whilst on the island you will enjoy a full day guided tour to explore the beauty spots of Fraser Island by 4WD.

Learn about the natural and cultural history of the world’s largest sand island, swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie, walk along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek and drive along spectacular Seventy-Five Mile Beach.

Your guided experience continues with stops at the famous Maheno shipwreck, the coloured sands of the Pinnacles and a refreshing swim in Eli Creek.

From August to October keep a lookout for whales en-route to Antarctica.

Spend the rest of your time on Fraser Island relaxing in the resort, before joining the ferry back to Hervey Bay and then back to Brisbane airport for your onwards journey.