QUEENSLAND ESSENTIALS
Routing: Cairns to Brisbane
Duration: 14 Days
Code: C12
From AUD$2,010.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 13 nights’ accommodation, 14 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach, half day great beach drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$2,415.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 13 nights’ accommodation, 14 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach, full breakfast in Montville, half day great beach drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$2,630.00* per person, based on boutique double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 13 nights’ accommodation, 14 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach, continental breakfast in Airlie Beach, full breakfast in Montville, half day great beach drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps
DAY 01: Cairns to Port Douglas (67 km)
Today is a short drive along the coast. Make time to stop for lunch at the picturesque town of Palm Cove before continuing along the highway to the beautiful tropical town of Port Douglas. Enjoy the humidity with a cold drink at one of the local bars, or even by the pool.
DAY 02: Port Douglas
Spend a day at leisure in Port Douglas, take a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, perhaps do some shopping or explore more of Port Douglas.
DAY 03: Port Douglas to Mission Beach (204 km)
Today you will depart Port Douglas, and head south along the Bruce Highway. Pass though the sugarcane farming town of Innisfail, why not stop at Paronella Park for morning tea? Explore the romantic 1930’s Spanish Castle and its beautiful lush green grounds (own expense) before arriving to Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the sea. Walk some of the 14kms of golden sandy beach and cool off for a swim before finishing the day off with a cool drink or cocktail.
DAY 04: Mission Beach
Take time to walk the along the beach, visit the Mission Beach Markets (held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month) or take a drive out to visit Paronella Park, a beautiful semi-ruined Spanish Castle built in 1913 on 5 Hectares of lush ground next to a waterfall.
DAY 05: Mission Beach to Townsville (235 km)
Continue following the picturesque Queensland coast line, through the towns of Ingham, known as “little Italy” for its Italian settlers heritage and Cardwell. Townsville is a modern, tropical city and the administrative capital of North Queensland. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland is recommended; it houses the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. This evening join in with the locals for a walk along the waterfront esplanade, known as “The Strand”.
DAY 06: Townsville to Airlie Beach (273 km)
Continue south from Townsville along the Bruce Highway and pass through the twin towns of Ayr and Home Hill. Take a detour through Bowen, before arriving in Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. Airlie Beach is one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations and gateway to the seventy-four islands of the Whitsundays.
DAY 07: Airlie Beach
A day at leisure to enjoy what the beautiful Whitsundays has to offer. We suggest you take a sailing trip and spend the day on one of the many beautiful Whitsunday Islands. There are many operators offering different cruise and island combinations for you to choose from.
DAY 08: Airlie Beach to Rockhampton (481 km)
From Airlie Beach, travel back to Proserpine to join the highway and continue your journey south onto Mackay. Travel south towards Marlborough. Detour to Yeppoon, a seaside resort located on the coast overlooking Great Keppel Island. 40 kilometres south of Yeppoon is Rockhampton. There is a large spire at Curtis Park; this marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn.
DAY 09: Rockhampton to Agnes Waters (225 km)
Travel south along the Bruce Highway. Lush green cane fields line the roads as you arrive into the quaint Agnes Waters town of 1770 (Seventeen Seventy). Take a walk along the serene 7kms of beach and enjoy one of the 267days of sunshine!
DAY 10: Agnes Waters to Rainbow Beach (322 km)
Travel south along the A1 to Rainbow Beach. This will take you through the historic town of Bundaberg, the home of Bundaberg Rum. Lush green cane fields line the roads to Rainbow Beach. Here you will discover an adventure playground with striking natural beauty, including Carlo Sand Blow, the coloured sands and Double Island Point.
DAY 11: Rainbow Beach
Today enjoy a half day 4WD tour beach drive. Experience some of the best beaches Australia has to offer with kilometres of golden sand. Learn how the aboriginals used the world famous Coloured Sands for painting and decorating boomerangs. Exclusive drive access will take you to the Lighthouse at Double Island Point for breathtaking 360 degree views across the Pacific Ocean and scenic surrounds of the Great Sandy National Park.
DAY 12: Rainbow Beach
Today enjoy an included tour to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Head across the Noosa River bound for the Cooloola National Park via Teewah and Rainbow Beach coloured sands, where you will stop for morning tea on the beach. Cross over to Fraser Island and travel along the spectacular Seventy Five Mile Beach to explore the natural beauty of this magnificent wilderness with a guided rainforest walk through Central Station, then continue on ‘self-guided’ through Wanggoolba Creek
and Pile Valley. You will spend time at Lake McKenzie for a refreshing swim, with a lunch stop consisting of cold meats and salads. Return through the towering forests of Satinay and Brushbox and navigate your way down the ‘beach highway’ to enjoy an afternoon tea stop on a remote stretch of beach, before returning to the mainland.
DAY 13: Rainbow Beach to Montville (188 km)
Drive southwest and once you reach Gympie, head south towards Montville. This afternoon, experience what the Sunshine Coast Hinterland has to offer; maybe even walk part of the 58km Hinterland Great Walk, a world-class walking track.
DAY 14: Montville to Brisbane (100 km)
Depart for Brisbane for an easy one hour drive south along the Bruce Highway. You may wish to stop in at Mooloolaba or Caloundra for lunch along the way before heading back to Brisbane. Time today, stop in at Australia Zoo (own expense) to see native wildlife.
Your vehicle needs to be returned today at the city or airport, by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1 to avoid any
additional charges.
*Prices are subject to availability and conditions apply. Valid until 31 March, 2021. For dates after this or if you would like to make any changes, please contact us direct for a quote.
