PACIFIC COAST TOURING ROUTE
Routing: Cairns to Sydney
Duration: 16 Days
Code: C14
From AUD$2,080.00* per person, based on standard double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 16 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$2,625.00* per person, based on superior double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 16 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
From AUD$3,370.00* per person, based on boutique double/twin share accommodation.
Includes: 15 nights’ accommodation, 16 days unlimited km use of a compact size car, light breakfast in Mission Beach, continental breakfast in Airlie Beach and fully detailed itinerary with local and regional maps.
DAY 01: Cairns
Spend the day leisure today, perfect opportunity to cruise to the Great Barrier Reef to dive or snorkel with the fish and see the wonders of the coral up close (own explense).
DAY 02: Cairns
Take the day to visit Kuranda, the “Village in the Rainforest” or a longer day trip to Cape Tribulation, where the Rainforest meets the reef (each at own expense).
DAY 03: Cairns to Mission Beach (204 km)
Head south and 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 short water taxi ride across to Dunk Island (own expense).
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 Hervey Bay (234 km)
Travel along the Isis Highway to Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay is one of Queensland’s best natural holiday destinations offering some of the best whale watching with humpback whales as well as easy access to Lady Elliot Island; the first coral cay on World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. It’s safe, sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops,
parklands, picnic areas, playgrounds, piers and a vibrant marina.
DAY 11: Hervey Bay
Today is a day at leisure for you to explore more of Hervey Bay has to offer. Why not take a day tour to Fraser Island (own expense).
DAY 12: Hervey Bay to Noosa (184 km)
Heading south from Hervey Bay, drive to Tin Can Bay, one of the few places in Australia where dolphins can be hand fed in their natural environment. Or for lovers of adventure and nature, continue driving to see the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach before continuing back along the highway through Gympie to Noosa Heads.
DAY 13: Noosa
Today enjoy a full 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 14: Noosa to Byron Bay (303 km)
Departing Noosa, you will drive along the M1. If you have time stop at Australia Zoo (own expense) along the way and spend a half day with a few of Australia’s natives. Continue south, past Brisbane towards Brunswick heads and through the rolling hills towards Byron Bay. Byron Bay is renowned for its beaches, Café Culture and totally relaxed vibe.
DAY 15: 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 16: Port Macquarie to Sydney (384 km)
Continue to track the coast south, you may wish to head 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. Continue onto Sydney, Australia’s gateway city.
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, 2020. For dates after this or if you would like to make any changes, please contact us direct for a quote.
