BEST OF QUEENSLAND
Routing: Brisbane to Cairns
Duration: 16 Days
Code: B14
From AUD$2,280.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 15 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, lightbreakfast in Mission Beach, Half day Great Beach Drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$2,750.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 15 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car, full breakfast in Montville, light breakfast in Mission Beach,Half day Great Beach Drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$3,00.00* per person, based on boutique double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 15 days unlimited km use of a compact sized car,full breakfast in Motville, continental breakfast in Airlie Beach, light breakfast in Mission Beach, Half day Great Beach Drive 4WD tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Brisbane to Montville (100 km)
Depart Brisbane for an easy one hour drive north along the Bruce Highway, to the Glass House Mountains National Park. Steeped in Aboriginal Legend, the Glass House Mountains are a series of volcanic plugs rising dramatically from the coastal plain. There are a number of panoramic lookouts and many wonderful dining options where you can sit and soak up the mystical beauty. Visit the charming towns of Montville and Maleny for magnificent views right down to the Sunshine Coast, rainforest walks, fresh local produce, cafes and fine arts and crafts.
DAY 02: Montville to Rainbow Beach (188 km)
Start your day experiencing the Sunshine Coast Hinterland; maybe even walk part of the 58km Hinterland Great Walk, a worldclass walking track. Drive north and once you reach Gympie, head northeast towards 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 03: 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 04: 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 05: Rainbow Beach to Agnes Water (322 km)
Travel north along the A1 towards Agnes Water. This will take you through the historic town of Bundaberg, the home of Bundaberg Rum. 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 267 days of sunshine!
DAY 06: Agnes Water to Rockhampton (225 km)
Explore the Eurimbula National Park before continuing north through the rural community of Calliope and Gladstone, one of Australia’s busiest harbour before arriving into Rockhampton, which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn.
DAY 07: Rockhampton to Airlie Beach (481 km)
Depart Rockhampton and return to the Bruce Highway travelling north towards Marlborough and onto Mackay. Just outside of Mackay detour to the Cape Hillsborough National Park; where the rainforest meets the reef. The headland area contains several good walking trails. Continue onto Proserpine and turn off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, Queensland’s pristine 74 islands. It is a cosmopolitan and vibrant town filled with palm-fringed beaches and waterfront parks.
DAY 08: Airlie Beach
Today is at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful Whitsundays and what better way to do this than with a full day Whitehaven Beach and Three Island Cruise (own expense).
DAY 09: Airlie Beach to Townsville (273 km)
Depart Airlie Beach and travel north towards Townsville, detour to the beautiful country town of Bowen and the twin towns of Home Hill and Ayr. 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 10: Townsville to Mt Surprise (Undara National Park – 418 km)
An early start, this morning leave Townsville travelling inland to Charters Towers which is bursting with living history of the gold rush day of the 1800’s, before continuing to Undara National Park. Arrive at Undara Volcanic National Park by mid-afternoon and take a walk to the One Hundred Mile Wetland to view the array of birdlife before enjoying the evening campfire activity conducted by a Savannah Guide.
DAY 11: Undara Lava Tubes
The Undara Lava Tubes were formed 190,000 years ago and is the largest Lava Tube systems on earth. Today meet your Savannah Guide for a fascinating Volcano Valley tour followed by an evening Wildlife at Sunset Tour.
DAY 12: Mt Surprise to Mission Beach (276 km)
Leaving Undara Lava Tubes, travel through the heart of the Forty Mile Scrub National Park – part of the Undara lava Fields. Continue east on the Kennedy Highway to Innot Hot Springs, famous for its unique natural thermal mineral springs before arriving into Ravenshoe. The Visitor Centre is worth a visit, as is Windy Hill, one of Queensland’s largest wind farms. From Ravenshoe, travel through the rich wet tropics rainforest of Johnstone River Valley to the spectacular Millaa Millaa Falls along the Palmerston Highway, to Innisfail. Continue onto the Bruce highway before arriving at your next stop Mission Beach.
DAY 13: Mission Beach
With a day at leisure in Mission Beach the activities are endless, visit the Reef, Dunk Island or try some fishing. For the adventurers you can Sea Kayak, White Water Raft or go Parachuting (all at own expense) and with 100 of kilometres of rainforest walking track you will wish you had another day to do it all.
DAY 14: Mission Beach to Port Douglas (204 km)
Depart Mission Beach for Port Douglas along the Bruce Highway. At Silkwood take the Old Bruce Highway scenic drive through Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park. Continue onto South Johnstone, an historic sugar town, before reaching Innisfail, which is home to the Australian Sugar Museum and many Art Deco buildings. Detour near Babinda to explore the natural wonders of the Wooroonooran National Park, including The Boulders. Travel through Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and enjoy the scenic coastal drive before arriving into Port Douglas, famous for its “Four Mile Beach” and marina lined with boutiques and harbour side cafés.
DAY 15: Port Douglas
Today is at leisure. With the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest to the North and the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef to the East; the number of activities is endless.
DAY 16: Port Douglas to Cairns (67 km)
Heading south the drive along the coast is one of the most scenic drives in Australia. Be sure to stop at “Rex Lookout” for spectacular views along the coast. It is worth taking a short detour to stop and look around the delightful resort of Palm Cove before continuing along the Captain Cook Highway into Cairns. It is also possible to detour to Kuranda – the “Village in the Rainforest”.
Your journey has now come to an end, drop your car off at the airport or city today 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.
