EAST COAST HIGHLIGHTS
Routing: Cairns to Sydney
Duration: 20 Days
Code: C15
From AUD$3,000.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 19 nights’ accommodation, 20 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, continental breakfast in Cape Tribulation, light breakfast in Mission Beach & Capricorn Caves, Dreamtime Gorge Walk, Fraser Island to River Heads transfers and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$3,540.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 19 nights’ accommodation, 20 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, full breakfast in Mossman, light breakfast in Mission Beach & Capricorn Caves, Dreamtime Gorge Walk, Fraser Island to River Heads transfers and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Cairns to Cape Tribulation (139 km) or Mossman (80km)
The beginning of your journey will see you travelling north along the Captain Cook Highway towards Cape Tribulation. Make time to stop for lunch at the picturesque town of Palm Cove before continuing along the highway. From Port Douglas you will be following the Mossman Daintree Road, where you will catch the vehicle ferry across the Daintree River.
In Mossman join the Dreamtime Gorge Walk, a hiking tour through the Curtain Figs and hear the stories from the Dreamtime.
DAY 02: Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas (86 km) or from Mossman (64 km)
Today you are heading back 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 03: 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 04: 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 05: 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 06: 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 07: 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 08: 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 09: Airlie Beach to Capricorn Caves (461 km)
From Airlie Beach, travel back to Proserpine to join the highway and continue your journey south onto Mackay. Travel south towards Marlborough before arriving at Capricorn Caves. Here you can explore spectacular caves set in a limestone ridge.
DAY 10: Capricorn Caves to Agnes Waters (253 km)
Travel along the Bruce Highway through Rockhampton; which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn. 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 11: Agnes Waters to Fraser Island (252 km)
Travel along the Isis Highway to River Heads, the departure point for Fraser Island. This will take you through the historic town of Bundaberg, the home of Bundaberg Rum. From River Heads you will board the Kingfisher Bay Catamaran and be transported to the stunning Fraser Island. (Secure car storage is available at River Heads and should be booked in conjunction with accommodation).
DAY 12: Fraser Island
World Heritage-listed Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world, and today you are free to explore all its glory! You can join a Whale Watching tour between the months of August to March or the Beauty Spots Tour operates year round which lets you discover all the best that Fraser has to offer.
DAY 13: Fraser Island to Noosa (199 km)
After your morning catamaran transfer back to River Heads you have an easy drive to the relaxed beach side town of Noosa. Take time to walk along the beautiful beach and stop at one of the cafes for lunch before Indulging in some shopping.
DAY 14: Noosa to Brisbane (141 km)
Departing Noosa for Brisbane, you will drive along the M1.This is a short drive so you have time to stop at the Australia Zoo (own expense) along the way and spend a half day with a few of Australia’s natives, before arriving in the bustling city of Brisbane.
DAY 15: Brisbane to Gold Coast (81 km)
From Big City lights to the high-rise lined beaches of the Gold Coast. A nice easy 1 hour drive south will take you through to Surfers Paradise, Australia’s holiday Mecca; with a vast array of apartments and hotels stretching for 42 kilometres from Tweed Heads to Southport along the many beaches
DAY 16: Gold Coast
Today is at your leisure; why not scour the shops of Cavill Avenue before heading to the world famous Surfers Paradise Beach for a swim and relax in the sun. With plenty of bars and restaurants lining the streets, you won’t be short of dinner options.
DAY 17: Gold Coast to Byron Bay (92 km)
Another short drive today will take you to a different kind of beach side destination. Head through Brunswick heads and through the rolling hills towards Byron Bay. Byron Bay is renowned for its beaches, Café Culture and totally relaxed vibe.
DAY 18: Byron Bay to Port Macquarie (396 km)
A mostly coastal drive today will give you some great photo opportunities. Make sure you take a short detour to Cape Byron, the most easterly point on the Australian coast and it also has Australia’s most powerful lighthouse. Pass through the seaside towns of Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour before arriving at Port Macquarie, one of the oldest towns in New South Wales.
DAY 19: Port Macquarie to Hunter Valley (271 km)
Continue to track the coast south, before heading west from Newcastle onto the Hunter Valley, a world renowned wine region, filled with luscious gardens, vineyards and friendly cellar doors. Pick up a few bottles of local wine to enjoy over dinner and take a walk through the extensive Hunter valley gardens where you might just find yourself in the middle of a fairy tale.
DAY 20: Hunter Valley to Sydney (175 km)
Your last day of driving today takes you onto Sydney, Australia’s gateway city. Make time to stop in one of the many affluent suburbs for lunch as you arrive into Sydney, the views of the harbour and the harbour side mansions are not to be missed.
Your car is booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off 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.
