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EAST COAST EXPLORER

 

Routing: Cairns to Sydney

Duration: 23 Days

Code: C21

 

From AUD$3,380.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 22 nights’ accommodation, 23 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, continental breakfast in Atherton Tablelands, Fraser Island day tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.

From AUD$4,060.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 22 nights’ accommodation, 23 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, full breakfast in Montville, Fraser Island day tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.

From AUD$5,190.00* per person, based on boutique double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 22 nights’ accommodation, 23 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, continental breakfast in Airlie Beach, full breakfast in Montville & Port Stephens, Fraser Island day tour and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.

 

DAY 01: Cairns
Spend sometime today exploring Cairns, the Marlin Marina and the Cairns Foreshore Promenade.

 

DAY 02: Cairns
Spend sometime today exploring Cairns, the Marlin Marina and the Cairns Foreshore Promenade.

 

DAY 03: 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 04: Port Douglas
Spend a day at leisure in Port Douglas, take a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef or explore the nearby Mossman Gorge.

 

DAY 05: Port Douglas to Atherton Tablelands (135 km)
Today your journey takes you inland, to Mareeba, where you can savour the region’s aromatic coffee before heading west to the Atherton Tablelands. The flora on the Atherton Tablelands is a lovely tropical green most of the year due to the high rain fall in the area.

 

DAY 06: Atherton Tablelands
Highlights of the Atherton Tablelands include the deep blue waters of extinct volcano crater lakes – Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham and the amazing Curtain Fig Tree. Travel to Millaa Millaa, where you can start your rainforest drive of the Waterfall Circuit, an essential part of any visit to the Atherton Tablelands. Short walks lead to viewing areas and swimming holes at Millaa Millaa Falls, Elinjaa Falls and Zillie Falls.

 

DAY 07: Atherton Tablelands to Townsville (356 km)
Today your journey takes you south, take a small detour onto the Old Bruce Highway and travel through Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park. Continue south to Cardwell and Ingham. Townsville is a modern, tropical city and the administrative capital of North Queensland.

 

DAY 08: 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 09: 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 10: Airlie Beach to Yeppoon (500 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.

 

DAY 11: Yeppoon to Hervey Bay (433 km)
Continue south today, passing through Rockhampton, where there is a large spire at Curtis Park marking the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn. Arrive in Hervey Bay where you can take in the stunning beach, and if travelling over whale season (around September to November), try and spot them on the horizon.

 

DAY 12: Hervey Bay – Fraser Island
Today enjoy a full day guided Fraser Island Safari Tour. Learn about the natural and cultural history of the island, swim in clear freshwater lakes, walk through towering rainforest and drive along the amazing Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Other highlights include Lake Garawongera, Eli Creek and the Maheno Shipwreck. Lunch and afternoon tea is included.

 

DAY 13: Hervey Bay to Rainbow Beach (123 km)
Upon leaving Hervey Bay head south along the Bruce Highway to Maryborough, from here, head southeast 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 14: 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 15: Rainbow Beach to Montville (188 km)
Drive southwest and once you reach Gympie, head south towards 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 16: Montville to Lamington National Park (184 km)
Depart south along the Bruce Highway, you may wish to stop in at Mooloolaba or Caloundra at the Southern end of the Sunshine Coast. Continue south through Brisbane and onto Lamington National Park.

 

DAY 17: Lamington National Park
Today is a day at leisure to explore this beautiful National Park, with over 20,000 hectares of sub-tropical rainforest. Hear the calls of native birds as you walk through the tree tops, 16 metres above the rainforest floor. Take a hike or bush walk along the many trails which wind through the ancient Antarctic Beech forest.

 

DAY 18: Lamington National Park to Byron Bay (127 km)
Drive back through Nerang before joining the motorway and traveling past Tweed Heads and Coolangatta Head. Take a detour and travel along the Coastal Road through Kingscliff, Casuarina and Hastings Point before arriving into Byron Bay, which attracts surfers from near and far to Wategos Beach, on Cape Byron – its northerly aspect makes it one of the best beaches for surfing on the East Coast of Australia. Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian coast.

 

DAY 19: Byron Bay
Today is free to spend at your leisure, enjoying Byron Bay. Enjoy the restaurants and cafes, take a surfing lesson or simply relax on the beach. Other beaches to explore include Lennox Head to the south and Brunswick Heads to the north, both of which offer quieter beach options. Hike to Cape Bryon Lighthouse.

 

DAY 20: Byron Bay to Coffs Harbour (240 km)
For early risers, it’s well worth going out on the beach this morning to watch the sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. From Byron Bay travel 38 km to Ballina, and then through Woodburn to Grafton. Grafton is a graceful old country town on the banks of the mighty Clarence River. Continue on to Woolgoolga and then return to the coast and follow it south until you reach Coffs Harbour. relax and discover nearby Boambee Beach at Sawtell or travel inland and discover the “Waterfall Way” on your way to the Dorrigo National Park.

 

DAY 21: Coffs Harbour to Port Stephens (418 km)
There are a couple of ways to Port Stephens but we recommend the scenic route. Follow the Lakes Way through the rainforest with spectacular views of the inland lakes and ocean beaches. Continue south to Bulahdelah, the entrance to the Myall Lakes National Park and then on to Port Stephens. There is no actual township of Port Stephens, rather it is the name given to the area that encompasses the towns of Nelson Bay, Corlette, Salamander Bay, Soldiers Point and Shoal Bay. The white volcanic sand and aquamarine waters of the beaches of Port Stephens have a distinctly tropical look and the annual temperature is very mild.

 

DAY 22: Port Stephens to Hunter Valley (100 km)
Take a stroll around the harbour or a morning cruise with the dolphins before heading on to the Hunter Valley. From the Port Stephens area continue along the Pacific Highway and then turn west through Hexham and Kurri Kurri and into the Hunter Valley. 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 23: Hunter Valley to Sydney (212 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 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, 2020. For dates after this or if you would like to make any changes, please contact us direct for a quote.

 

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