Gold Coast: Tropical Islands and Rainforest: Guided Vacation
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,320
MODERATE | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: Embark on this 9-day vacation along Australia’s Gold Coast with a highly experienced travel director and driver. Relax on the many beaches, tropical islands, and rainforests as you make your way from the Gold Coast to Cairns, stopping at Fraser Island, Langmorn Station, Rockhampton, Sarina, Airlie Beach, and the Whitsundays Islands.
Start your 9-day Australia vacation in the beautiful Gold Coast. Enjoy the beaches along the 43 mi / 70 km coastline before departing to Fraser Island. Take in the breathtaking sight of whales accompanying you along your ferry ride to the largest sand island in the world, as the protected tranquil waters are a perfect place for them to calve during migration season. Embark on a 4WD tour of the 75 Mile Beach and stop at the Pinnacles Coloured sands, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck, decaying on the shore since 1935. Drive inland and make your way through the ancient scribbly gum and kauri trees in the world’s only sand island rainforest to the beautiful blue Lake McKenzie and Wanggoolba Creek.
Return to the mainland and head to Langmorn Station, a 150-year-old cattle farm and standing homestead owned and operated by the Creed Family, who will welcome you with rich stories and tea. Enjoy a tour of their massive and historic cattle property before driving to Rockhampton, Australia’s beef capital, for a savoury dinner. Travel to Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital, for a delicious lesson on sugar cane distillation before arriving in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays Islands. Discover the 74 tropical Whitsundays Islands on a morning helicopter tour over Heart Reef or on a high-speed catamaran tour to the squeaky silica sands at Whitehaven Beach.
Drive north through the sugar cane fields and rainforest-clad mountains to Cairns, the gateway to Queensland’s wet tropics and the Great Barrier Reef. Take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to the small rainforest town of Kuranda. Travel into the Atherton Tablelands and witness the electric blue Ulysses butterflies at the heritage-protected Millaa Milla Falls and Curtain Fig Tree. Immerse yourself in the colourful Great Barrier Reef on a catamaran and snorkel tour or from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat to cap off your trip to Australia.
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 4,320
Itinerary View Trip Map
Gold Coast - K'gari (Fraser Island)
We hope you love sinking your toes into the sand, because there’s a lot to come. Bid adieu to the Gold Coast’s 70-kilometre coastline and venture north to Hervey Bay for the ferry ride to the world’s largest sand island, and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows from the sand. Welcome to World Heritage listed K’gari. Disconnect from tech, and reconnect with nature.
Accommodation: Kingfisher Bay Resort
| Duration | 2 Nights |
|---|
K'gari (Fraser Island)
The other thing sandy is K’gari’s highway, which you’ll get to zip along on a 4WD tour across 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck. Bring your camera, because between the wreck and Lake McKenzie – a dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater – you’ll accumulate dozens of happy snaps. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|
K'gari (Fraser Island) - Rockhampton
In a whiplash, you leave the coast behind and reunite with Queensland’s cattle country. First stop: Langmorn Station, where the Creed family welcome you to their immense (and historic) cattle property with open arms and afternoon tea. And just a few stories about life on the land… The theme continues as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. See if it deserves its title sampling some of the town’s restaurants. Ask us for tips.
Accommodation: Quality Hotel Regent
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Night |
Rockhampton - Airlie Beach
From Australia’s beef capital to its sugar capital – today you’re en route to Sarina. If you’ve ever wanted to know how sugar cane is processed and distilled, you’ll find the guided tour at the Sarina Sugar Shed a sweet addition to the itinerary. And yes, you get to sample the wares. Continue, on a high, to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Life moves at a leisurely pace here. Fall into step and take things slow tonight.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast and Lunch |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Nights |
Airlie Beach Free Time
The Whitsunday Islands are the stuff of postcards, a dreamy collection of 74 tropical islands that are all white sandy beaches and dense rainforest, surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. You have to decide how to take it in. Perhaps on a scenic flight over the legendary Heart Reef, or on a cruise to Whitehaven Beach, where high amounts of silica in the sand means that it squeaks under your feet. Bring your sunglasses – the colours are blinding.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Airlie Beach - Cairns
Relax – today is all about soaking up the scenery. Think sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains on one side, and the Coral Sea on the other. Stretch your legs en route to Cairns and soak up this steamy part of the state.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 Nights |
Cairns
Early morning is the ideal time to explore Cairns, before things get too steamy. Join locals on a heart-starting stroll along the Esplanade. The temperature dips as you climb into the Atherton Tablelands, a high tropical plateau of rainforest, including the heritage listed Curtain Tree. And waterfalls, like Millaa Millaa Falls, where enormous iridescent Ulysses butterflies like to dance. Explore Kuranda before getting some perspective on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, high above and through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Great Barrier Reef
Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel with six of the world’s sea turtles bobbing over fans of coral, as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner |
|---|
Farewell from Cairns
From underwater love to overwater love – bid adieu to your new crew of travel buddies
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
|---|
Other Information
DEPARTURE DATES:
Daily
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 12 meals included (8 Full Buffet Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Farewell Dinner)
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
- Local Specialists (Guides) at:
- • K’gari (Fraser Island)
- • Langmorn Station
- • Sarina Sugar Shed
- • Great Barrier Reef
- 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – K’gari (Fraser Island), Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropics of Queensland (Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail)
- Centrally located premium hotels
- Crater Lake National Park entrance fees (Millaa Millaa Falls)
- 9 included attractions/experiences
- For a beach, island and water themed break mixed with regional Australian life
- Great for those who enjoy watching the changing scenery of nature
- Enjoy 4 different beach locations along the East Coast
- Experience 2 different island lives, the nature and discovery of K'gari plus the relaxation and spoils of Hamilton Island
- Gain insight into Australian rural life with a visit to Langmorn cattle station hosted by the Creed Family
- Discover the beauty of the Tropical North rainforest
- Jump from the Rainforest to the Reef and swim amongst the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Items of a personal nature.
- Pre or Post Tour accommodation
- Meals and Beverages not listed in itinerary
- Optional Excursions/Tours
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
23 Apr 2024
