17 Days Great Barrier Reef Island Explorer Tour Package
Duration: 17 Days / 16 Nights
Priced From: $4,539 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Dec /08, Jan - Mar/09

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Fly to Australia
Board your transpacific flight and skip a day as you cross the International Date Line on your way Down Under for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 3 Sydney, Australia
G’day and welcome to Australia! Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Day 4 Sydney
Enjoy the morning at leisure. Then, a sightseeing tour of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. See the Botanic Gardens with sweeping views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Take a stroll along Bondi Beach and see vibrant Kings Cross and the historic Rocks area, home to Sydney’s original convicts. (B)

Day 5 Sydney–Coffs Harbour
Leave Sydney behind and travel over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, crossing beautiful Hawkesbury River en route to the resort town of Coffs Harbour. Tonight, enjoy a welcome diner and meet your traveling companions. (B,D)

Day 6 Coffs Harbour–Byron Bay–Brisbane
Travel to Byron Bay, famous for its bohemian lifestyle, unspoiled beaches, and coastal scenery. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point. Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian mainland and is an excellent place to spot humpback whales along the coastline ( June through July). Cross over the Queensland border to its capital city, Brisbane. (B)

Day 7 Brisbane–Sunshine Coast–Fraser Island
See the Glass House Mountains on our way to australia zoo, made famous by ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin and housing more than 500 animals. We continue north via the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its golden beaches fringed with native bush. Arriving in Hervey Bay, join a cruise to Fraser Island, a unesco World Heritage Site and the world’s largest sand island. (B,D)

Day 8 Fraser Island
For the early risers, perhaps join our optional escorted bird-watching walk through bushlands. Later, choose to join the ranger for a 4wd adventure tour to explore the island’s lakes and rainforest, or join a CRUISE watching for humpback whales or dolphins (subject to season). Tonight, enjoy a bush tucker talk and barbeque. (B,D)

Day 9 Fraser Island–Rockhampton
Today we bid farewell to Fraser Island and recross the Great Sandy Strait to Hervey Bay before heading north. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn in the cattle town of Rockhampton and visit the botanic gardens. (B,D)

Day 10 Rockhampton–Hamilton Island
Enjoy a fascinating tour of Henderson Park, a working cattle ranch. Then, travel north to Mackay, the sugar capital. At Shute Harbour we join a scenic cruise through the Whitsunday Passage to arrive at Hamilton Island. (B)

Day 11 Hamilton Island
Awaken to views of the Whitsundays and spend the day at your leisure. Choose to relax on the beach or perhaps take one of the many touring options available on the island. This evening, enjoy sunset drinks followed by dinner at a local island restaurant. (B,D)

Day 12 Hamilton Island–Townsville–Dunk Island
Today, CRUISE through the Whitsunday Passage back to the mainland. Stop in Townsville, the center for marine research for the Great Barrier Reef At Mission Beach, we transfer to Dunk Island, one of the most beautiful Barrier Reef islands. Unwind with two nights on this idyllic resort. (B,D)

Day 13 Dunk Island
Today has been left at leisure for you to relax at the resort or explore the nearby reef and rainforest. Perhaps discover the vibrant marine wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. (B)

Day 14 Dunk Island–Port Douglas
Explore the lush Atherton Tablelands with its rich volcanic soil, tropical setting and spectacular waterfalls. Hop on a wildlife cruise at lake barrine, formed by volcanic processes and surrounded by lush rainforest. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk to beautiful millaa millaa falls and then marvel at the unusual curtain fig tree. Travel to the resort town of Port Douglas and tonight, dine at a local restaurant along the renowned Macrossan Street or enjoy dinner and a quiet evening at the resort. (B,D)

Day 15 Port Douglas–Great Barrier Reef Excursion–Cairns
Today, explore the Great Barrier Reef your way, at no extra cost to you. Choose from three exciting Quicksilver cruises. Cruise aboard the Wavepiercer to go snorkelling, the Wavedancer over the Coral Sea, or ride on the Silversonic for a reef discovery. Arrive in Cairns this evening. (B,L)

Day 16 Cairns. Excursion to Kuranda
Journey aboard the kuranda scenic railway up to Rainforestation Nature Park. Here you can see the pamagirri aboriginal dancers and view wildlife, including koalas. There’s also time to ride aboard the Army Duck for a journey on land and through water. Later, traverse the kuranda skyrail and glide just meters above the rainforest canopy, passing the lush Cairns Highlands and waterfalls as we journey down the range. This evening, enjoy a special farewell diner hosted by your Tour Director. (B,D)

Day 17 Homebound Flight
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Highlights

Sydney
Half-day sightseeing tour

Coffs Harbour
Welcome Dinner

Sunshine Coast
Visit the Australia Zoo

Fraser Island
Cruise to/from the island; 4WD tour of the island or whalewatching cruise; Bush Tucker Talk and Barbeque

Rockhampton
Henderson Park Cattle Ranch; visit the Botanic Gardens

Hamilton Island
Cruise to/from the island; two nights on this beautiful reef island

Dunk Island
Cruise to/from the island; two nights on this beautiful reef island

Atherton Tablelands
Cruise on Lake Barrile; see Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree

Port Douglas
Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef

Cairns
Kuranda Scenic Railway; watch the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers perform; Ride the Kuranda Skyrail; Farewell Dinner

Inside Visits
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.

3/09