Queensland Coastal Explorer

Today you arrive in Tropical Queensland. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure until dinner at the hotel.

Heading just South of Cairns lands you deep in the Far North Queensland rainforest, with waterfalls, swimming holes, and all the secret places that locals love.  Along the way, see natural wonders like the Curtain Fig Tree, and take a swim beneath Millaa Falls.

A leisurely hour and a half drive south of Cairns, discover the breathtaking beauty of the region’s rainforest canopy at Mamu Tropical Skywalk. Take a walk in the clouds in Wooroonooran National Park just 15 minutes. Elevated walkways, a cantilever, and observation tower offer you an exhilarating experience of being high in the rainforest canopy, along with providing spectacular panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes. The Mamu Skywalk allows you to explore the rainforest from the forest floor to the canopy, in comfort and safety. The Skywalk passes through one of the largest-remaining continuous stands of complex vine forest on basalt soils in the Wet Tropics. Enjoy close-up views of rainforest plants, insects and birds, and take in sweeping vistas.

After your workout on the walkways, a pretty drive down the Palmerston Highway lands you at the Mena Creek Hotel for lunch. This true country-style pub was built in 1929, and has a reputation for gourmet pub lunches, and the sort of friendly customer service that Far North Queensland is known for.

Following lunch, the perfect way to end your exploration of Far North Queensland’s Great Green Way is to visit Paronella Park. This property is steeped in history, and was voted the ‘Number 1 Must Do in Queensland’ by the RACQ. We then continue to our hotel.

Today we will be driving to Townsville, distance is 235km, approx. 3 to 3.5hrs drive. We stop at Cardwell Spa Pool a naturally-fed seasonal creek. Located in the coastal town of Cardwell, just 2.5 hours south of Cairns, the pools are somewhat of a geological wonder. Thanks to the chemistry of the rocks and water, the colour can vary from a bright, baby blue to a more milky-blue colour depending on the time of day and available sunlight.

Afterwards we make a coffee stop (own expense) in Queensland’s Little Italy, Ingham, before continuing on to Wallaman Falls Lookout. As we arrive, barely a few steps from the car park and you’ll find yourself at the lookout staring out across at this magnificent beast of tumbling water. A towering 268 metres tall, Wallaman Falls is Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall.

Next is Little Crystal Creek, the crystal clear waters and pristine waterfalls of this freshwater creek are ideal for a refreshing swim. The mountain water cascades under a picturesque heritage-listed stone arch bridge built in the 1930s depression. It's bridge is a popular place amongst the Townsville locals on the weekend. Just above the bridge as some very spectacular waterfalls. It's also the most popular place in Little Crystal Creek and for good reasons. A perfect place to escape the summer heat by having a quick dip in refreshingly cool water. The rain forest has a good canopy so the vegetation isn't too dense.

We then continue to Townsville and our hotel, where dinner is included tonight.

Today we travel by ferry to Magnetic Island. After arriving, sit back and relax as we tour and you will get to experience the island through the eyes of a local guide, and learn about its history, geography, wildlife, folklore and those secret spots that only locals know about. The tour has been developed from the combined knowledge of over 40 years of experience of visiting and living on ‘Maggie’, and is one not to be missed!

Juru walk is a walking trail developed in partnership with the local shire council located at the bottom of Plantation Park, Ayr. Juru Walk was supported by Juru and Bindal Traditional Owners and the artist for the Juru Walk sign was Kelvin Lampton & Alfred Smallwood, the walk showcases the cultural importance of Plantation Park and provides a ‘learning space’ for the Burdekin community. Lunch today is at Gudjuda Café, located at the top of Plantation Park, where cultural and food mix for an unique experience.

We then continue our road trip south and the first stop first is Burdekin, the Sugar Cane Capital of Australia.  There is a photo stop at the Cane Cutter Statues, which were completed in May 2016, the two Hand Cane Cutter sculptures represent the multicultural history of the Australian sugarcane industry.                

Our final stop for the day is Flagstaff Hill, which offers some of the best coastal views you will ever see with a 360-degree panorama of the whole Bowen region – and you won’t have to walk up a hill! The views encompass the Whitsunday Islands of Gloucester, Middle, Stone, Holbourne and close to shore, North Head Island and its historic lighthouse.  We then continue on to Airlie Beach, where the evening is at leisure.

Today, we get to see the beautiful Whitsundays, aboard the catamaran Camira. The 'Camira' is a world first with her sleek lines, spacious deck areas and breathtaking performance. Today we explore the magnificent Whitehaven Beach (where the sand squeaks as you walk on it), and the spectacular Whitsunday Islands National Park. Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and bays and a superb barbecue lunch.

We head back out to sea, but today it is a cruise through the stunning Whitsunday Islands and on to the Great Barrier Reef onboard a comfortable cruise vessel. Explore one of the region's most acclaimed Great Barrier Reef sites - Knuckle Reef Lagoon Enjoy time at the spacious and safe reef pontoon and enjoy the numerous features and activities including snorkelling. Check out the spectacular, panoramic underwater viewing observatory. Meals included today are morning tea, afternoon tea and a buffet lunch (featuring fresh prawns, ham, delicious salads). There are two bars on board serving a full range of alcoholic and soft drinks. Free tea and coffee is also available.

Our journey down the Queensland Coast continues as we depart Airlie Beach for Mackay. After arriving in the Mackay area, our first stop is Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens - The Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens showcases the flora of the Central Queensland Coast Bioregion, a diverse area featuring lush tropical rainforests, wide sweeping beaches, mangrove lined waterways and open eucalyptus forests. After arriving at our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure, but there is time to enjoy some fun at Mackay’s Bluewater Lagoon if you wish…

Accommodation: Oaks Mackay Rivermarque Hotel 

We travel from Mackay to Rockhampton via Clairview today. A short distance from Mackay, we stop at the Sarina Sugar Shed, where you guide will take you on a brief historic journey into the pioneering days of the sugar cane farmers in the Mackay region. Then it is back indoors, into our mill and distillery area, where your guide will take you through the process of extracting juice from fresh sugar cane. The tour finishes with tastings of their rum and fruit liqueur products, chutneys, relishes and sauces, and their non-alcoholic ginger beer, and freshly-spun fairy floss. After leaving Sarina, we continue for a stop in Clairview, a rustic seaside community on the Isaac Coast, with golden sands famous for crabbing.

As we continue towards Rockhampton, we will tour Capricorn Caves.  Our tour will showcase the largest and most spectacular caves, this walk leaves you with lasting memories of ancient geological history, early explorers, the wonders of wildlife and special cave acoustics. Leaving the caves through the Zig Zag passage and suspension bridge, you finish with a sense of adventure. Walkways and ramps make this the most accessible tour. Experienced local guides deliver the captivating stories of this ancient Australian landscape on small-scale interpretive tours. Afterwards, we continue to Rockhampton and our hotel. A steak dinner is included tonight.

Accommodation: Mercure Rockhampton 

History buffs take note; the city of Rockhampton rose quickly back in the 1880s thanks to gold being discovered on Mount Morgan. Today, a collection of 26 buildings fit the National Trust’s classification.

Settled on Quay Street bordering the Fitzroy River sit the bulk, including Customs House (1900), the Supreme Court house (1888), and the Post Office (1892). The historic railway system will also tempt lovers of the past; Archer Rail Park Museum and Mount Morgan Historical Railway Museum are stand-outs. Rockhampton Heritage Village will also thrill those seeking a step back in time

Later we continue our road trip south to Hervey Bay, stopping en route at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery & Museum. After exploring the museum, join one of their expert distillery guides on a journey deep into the heart of the working Bundaberg Rum Distillery. Start by visiting the molasses well, which holds up to 5 million litres of molasses, fresh from their neighbours at the sugar mill across the road.

Then on to fermentation where you'll get a sneak-peak into one of the fermentation tanks, before learning all about the double distillation process. Finally head on to the grand Barrel House where you’ll learn about how the rum is aged and matured for a minimum of two years before the liquid makes its way into a bottle.  Once you’ve experienced the sights and smells of the distillery, you’ll return to the Bundaberg Rum Tasting Bar, where you can sample any of the top shelf rums from their range. Cheers to that!  Our drive continues onto Hervey Bay, where we will spend the next two nights.

Accommodation: Ramada Resort Hervey Bay 

Today it is time to explore the largest sand island in the world! Our tour today is shared touring.

K’Gari Explorer allow you to see all the major sites including Lake McKenzie and Seventy-Five Mile Beach , with its coloured sands of the Pinnacles, and the wreck of the cruise ship Maheno with a local guide. You also explore Central Station, a former forestry camp with huge satinay, scribbly gum, brush box and kauri trees, walk along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek which flows gently and silently through lush rainforest. There is also time to stop for a swim in Eli Creek, which flows swiftly through the dunes out to sea.

After breakfast, we depart from Brisbane. As we travel, we are able to visit Noosa’s Sunday Farmer Market and enjoy some free time at the Main Beach in Noosa.

Crikey our next stop is the Australia Zoo, which was home of the Crocodile Hunter, and is an ultimate wildlife experience. Located on over 70 acres of natural Australian bushland the Zoo is home to over 1000 native and exotic species. Australia Zoo features a variety of animal enclosures, lush gardens and amazing wildlife. See slithering snakes, beautiful free flight birds, crocodiles launch a strike in the 5000 seat Crocoseum, cuddly koalas, cheeky Asian Otters, birds of prey and the beautiful tigers. There is also an opportunity to have your very own intimate animal experience. You can hand feed a giant tortoise or gorgeous Asian Elephant, waddle with a wombat and even meet the lemurs exclusively behind the scenes. (extra fees apply). We then continue to Brisbane, where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Voco Brisbane City Centre 

Our last full day is spent seeing the sights of the Brisbane area. It begins with a one-way cruise aboard Brisbane's most famous river Boat, MV Mirimar, which takes you upstream through some of the city 's most attractive suburbs and most interesting wildlife habitats. The Mirimar is a large and comfortable cruise boat with a licensed bar and tea/coffee facilities for your comfort. Our destination is Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, as the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, with 80 years of experience and over 130 koalas. Unwind with an organic coffee in the “Koala Forest” surrounded by 40 koalas! Watch the antics of cute female koalas like “Crumpet” and “Bertha” and dine in the spacious covered courtyard (not included), or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Photos opportunities are available all day, so make sure you get up close and personal with one of their cuddle trained koalas (additional cost)

After departing Lone Pines, we tour the city area, where you can enjoy a Panoramic view from the bus that include: The Botanical Garden, Parliament House, City Hall, then cross Story Bridge and Mt Cootha for scenic view of Brisbane, before ending back at our hotel. Tonight, enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.  

Our tour has sadly come to an end. You will be transferred to Airport in time for your homeward flight. We hope you had a wonderful journey with us in Queensland!