12 Day AAT Kings East Coast Islands and Rainforest 23/24

Welcome to Sydney! Start discovering the landscapes of Australia’s east coast as you travel northward to the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. From your accommodation nestled amongst sprawling tropical gardens, you’ll have the opportunity to wander down to Little Diggers Beach and Diggers Head. Enjoy the early evening sea breeze just like the locals do! Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your newfound friends.

Staying in:

• BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort (1 night)

Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy superb views from Australia’s eastern-most point over the Pacific Ocean. At the right time of year, you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales frolicking off the coast. For lunch we recommend fresh fish and chips on the beach at Byron Bay, there’s nothing more Australian. Continue to the famous holiday destination, the Gold Coast where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

Staying in:

• Novotel Surfers Paradise (1 night)

Today you have the freedom to enjoy the Gold Coast in your own style with optional activities to choose from. Nature lovers may head to Mt Tamborine, foodies explore the growing culinary culture or those needing relaxation just stroll down to the sand and salt of Surfers Paradise Beach.

Staying in:

• Novotel Surfers Paradise (1 night)

Take in the landscape of rolling hills, surrounding mountain peaks and the coastline of the Sunshine Coast before arriving for a relaxed coastal vibe at Hervey Bay. This afternoon the ferry will take you across to the World Heritage Listed K’gari, also known as Fraser Island. Ground yourself back in nature on this sand island, your home for the next two nights.

Staying in:

• Kingfisher Bay Resort (1 night)

A day of discovery lies ahead as your 4WD tour takes you for a bumpy ride around the island’s must-see sites. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Across the island to 75 Mile Beach, the sand highway will take you up the eastern coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands; cooling, calm waters of Eli Creek and the famous sinking Maheno Shipwreck.

Staying in:

• Kingfisher Bay Resort (1 night)

The morning ferry will take you back to the mainland where it’s back on the coach and travelling through cattle country to Langmorn Station, a fully operational family run cattle station.  Meet the Creed family and take a guided tour of the property including the original family homestead, built in 1873. Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden while you hear about the history of the station and what it is like to live and grow up on a cattle station! Cross the Tropic of Capricorn as you arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia! Your night is free so why not try some local beef at one of the town’s steakhouses.

Staying in:

• Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton (1 night)

Travel north to the sugar town of Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital, to Sarina Sugar Shed, a working miniature sugar mill. On your tour you’ll get a peak into sugar cane processing and witness fully functioning sugar processing and distilling equipment in action. Afterwards you can taste some of the products made on site before sitting down for a light lunch. Continue to Airlie Beach, the gateway hub to the Whitsundays. Spend the next two nights in this vibrant coastal town where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.

Staying in:

• Mantra Club Croc (1 night)

The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 tropical islands with white sandy beaches and dense rainforest surrounded by The Great Barrier Reef. This tropical oasis offers numerous activities for all budgets and interests. With so many bucket list reasons to get up early, why not take an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef or perhaps the famous Whitehaven Beach beckons. Take an optional cruise aboard a catamaran to this slice of paradise, where you can simply relax on the beach, take a swim, or get involved in some fun beach activities.

Staying in:

• Mantra Club Croc (1 night)

Today we head north to Cairns along the Bruce Highway. Relax and take in the scenery as we travel through sugar cane fields and large farming lands with the ocean to one side and lush rainforests and mountains on the other. We’ll make a stop along the way at a town where you can soak up the relaxed lifestyle that tropical North Queensland has to offer.

Staying in:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns (1 night)

Before breakfast feel free to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes before you depart. Today you’ll travel through the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly while you’re there. Continue to Kuranda where you’ll stop around lunch time. Enjoy some free time to explore this village in the rainforest. From Kuranda you will take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park before arriving at your hotel in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Staying in:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns (1 night)

Board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. The world heritage listed reef is the only living organism you can see from the moon.  Imagine that! You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up- close (equipment provided) and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the glass bottom boat. Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. Tonight, is your farewell dinner at a restaurant on Cairns Harbour.

Staying in:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns (1 night)

Your wonderful holiday concludes after breakfast when you bid farewell to your fellow travellers.