Day 1: Cairns
Travellers will be arriving from all over the world today at different times so there are no activities arranged. Please check the hotel's noticeboard for suggestions on places to see and things to do in Cairns should you arrive early - and we recommend you do! You will also find information about our first group meeting, held on the evening of day 1 at approximately 1800hrs. Your leader will collect your local payment today (AUD300).

Cairns is North Queensland's main commercial centre and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Atherton Tableland and Cape Tribulation to the north. With fantastic swimming, snorkelling, diving and coral-viewing opportunities, Cairns is a great base for explorations of the reef and north Queensland, so we highly recommend you spend a few extra nights here if your time allows!

Day 2: Magnetic Island
With Great Barrier Reef Islands and mountainous national parks surrounding the region, this is a beautiful stretch of the classic east coast route and travelling in our own vehicle allows us plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in. Our destination tonight is a real treat. Magnetic Island is a very laid-back and beautiful place to wind down and get you in the holiday mode. We hop on a ferry across to the island and are taken to our accommodation. From there we have many opportunities for optional activities including walks to view wild koalas, swimming, sea kayaking, diving and horse riding.

Day 3-4 Airlie Beach
The long, mostly-deserted stretches of road along the Capricorn Coast provide a constant reminder of the vast expanses of uninhabited land so typical of outback Australia. Our journey today is a long one (6 hours) but our destination makes it totally worthwhile.

The 74 islands of the Whitsunday Islands are the focus of this part of Queensland and it's easy to see why. We have a full day based in the travellers' hub of Airlie Beach (itself a brilliant spot to hang out, people-watch, swim and more) to take it all in. We enjoy snorkelling, diving and sailing on our island excursion.

Day 5 Eungella
Heading further south we divert inland to one of the East Coasts most ecologically diverse landscapes. The Mackay Highlands are home to cloud shrouded mountains and rainforests, magnificent gum trees and waterfalls. Take one of the many walks through tranquil forests and keep an eye out for the iconic platypus in the creeks. This is one of the best places in the world to see this incredible animal in the wild.

Day 6-7 Outback Farmstay
We have a long day on the road today (8 hours) as we head towards our cattle station farmstay. In contrast to our recent coastal excursion, the landscape here is serene and rugged as cane farms give way to grazing lands and signs of mining exploits are evident. Craggy blue ranges provide a dramatic backdrop and little rural hamlets offer interesting stop-off points with which to break our journey.

We will be warmly welcomed as we arrive at our farmstay in the late evening. Spending time with our host family on a working cattle station is a unique Aussie experience. Milking the cows, horse-riding, taking 4WD farm tours and joining in seasonal farm activities - it's all dirty, fun and different! Imagine telling your friends back home that you've learnt to crack a stock whip or lasso a calf! Find a spot for your swag (bedroll) by the campfire and test the bush shower, before we spend a night under the stars and enjoy a camp-oven dinner.

Day 8 Hervey Bay
Leaving our friendly farm family behind us, we make our way to Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast, our final stop today and gateway to Fraser Island. With a well-developed tourism infrastructure, Hervey Bay offers us plenty of dining options tonight. Fish and chips on the beach is a popular pastime.

Day 9-10 Fraser Island
Another early morning as we catch a ferry across to Fraser Island and anticipate a full day in the great outdoors. 4WD beach-cruising, exploring the interior on rough sand tracks, swimming in one of the 200 freshwater lakes and taking rainforest walks are just the beginning.

Teeming with bird and animal life, washed-up shipwrecks and the occasional remote settlement, Fraser Island is a nature lovers' paradise. Taking our time, we can fully appreciate Fraser's many features and wonders. We'll cross the desert, see coloured sands, have a game of cricket on the beach, and take time for a barbecue. We return to Hervey Bay late on day 10

Please note that we will be combining with other independent travellers while on Fraser Island. Accomodation on Fraser Island is in twin-share tents.

Day 11-12 Byron Bay
And then there's Byron Bay (6 hours). In some ways this popular destination is laid-back, in others it's buzzing - a travellers' Mecca that draws backpackers and luxury-seekers alike. There's a collection of beautiful beaches, world-class restaurants, cafes and galleries, alternative cultures and a plethora of adventure activities to choose from. Luckily, we have two days to enjoy this wonderful town.

Take a leisurely walk on the 4km track to Captain Cook Lookout before dropping down to Watego's Beach to cool off. Try some surfing (lessons are optional) or, if you are feeling more adventurous, try mountain-biking in the rainforest, hang-gliding, parasailing or ultra-light flying or sea kayak out to the headland for some dolphin-spotting. At the other end of the scale, Byron is the place for alternative therapies and massages.

Day 13 Myall Lakes
We head to Myall Lakes National Park on the coast (5 hours). This is a unique spot popular with Australian holiday-makers. The landscape features lakes, beaches, sand dunes, rocky headlands and forests. We hike to the spectacular viewpoint on Yacaaba Headland and take some time to go kayaking or simply relax by the lake at our accommodation quarters and enjoy a barbecue.

Day 14 Sydney
We head towards Australia's oldest wine-growing region (2 hours) - the Hunter Valley and its manicured rows of vines and quaint villages. There will be ample opportunities to sample the local produce.

Then its off to marvellous Sydney! The food, activities and sightseeing options in Sydney are endless.

Our trip ends on arrival in Sydney on day 14 and there are no group activities planned.

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