Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Beaches and Reefs

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Detailed Trip Description

Enjoy 17 Days Beaches and Reefs tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in Queensland and New South Wales, including Sydney, Fraser Island, Surfers Paradise, the Whitsundays and Cairns. This wonderful trip starts in Sydney where you will see the Sydney Opera House and the Harbor Bridge; you can also visit Mrs Macquarie's Chair for a panoramic view of Sydney Harbour and see the Hawkesbury River and its oyster farms. Then travel to Hunter Valley to see the vineyards and enjoy a delicious wine tasting. Next it's off to the banana plantations of Coffs Harbour. Visit Cape Byron, Australia's most eastern point. You can then go to Currumbin to visit the wildlife sanctuary, cuddle a koala and see native Australian animals, emus, crocodiles, dingoes and Tasmanian devils! Off to Surfer's Paradise to see the Gold Coast beaches and Jupiter's Casino. Travel to Brisbane for a sightseeing tour to see the Brisbane River, Southbank and an opal demonstration. Ever stayed at a traditional Country Homestead? On this trip you'll be able to! You will also have a farm tour and an evening of bush dancing among the farm animals and kangaroos! The next stop on this lovely adventure is Noosa where you will visit the picturesque seaside and beach. On to Fraser Island which is a World Heritage Listed Island. There you will enjoy a scenic boat trip and resort facilities and stay in an eco-village. Then go to the Tropic of Capricorn to relax on the Capricorn Coast and have a Rockhampton sightseeing tour. Curious about the Australian sugar cane industry? Go to Mackay, the center of all things sugar cane! Before leaving, visit the vibrant seaside town of Airlie Beach and then travel to Whitsundays. Continue on this lovely trip to Whitsundays where you will go to Long Island and enjoy resort facilities while you see native birdlife and wallabies! Then have a city sightseeing tour in Townsville. Next it's on to Tully where you will cross the Tully River which is home to Australia's best white water rafting. In Cairns you will have a city sightseeing tour, a scenic drive from Atherton Hinterland to Kuranda and you will visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Don't forget to throw a boomerang and see spear throwing!

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1-2 - On the Plane

 
Depart for Australia.
Commercial Flight

Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.


Day 3 - Sydney

 
Arrive Sydney.
Hotel

Check into your Travelodge Hotel Sydney after 2.00pm, and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore.


Day 4 - Coffs Harbour

 
Sydney to Coffs Harbour.
Sightseeing

Meet your crew and before heading across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, we'll make a photostop at the harbour and Opera House.

Coffs Harbour Sightseeing picture
Wine

Then to the picturesque vineyards of the Hunter Valley to sample some of the local Hunter wines before continuing along the 'holiday coast' to our accommodation at Coffs Harbour.

Beach

Then it's playtime - a drink, a dip or maybe a stroll along the beach.


Day 5 - Surfers Paradise

 
Coffs Harbour to Surfers Paradise.
Sightseeing

Heading northwards, we'll stop at Cape Byron, Australia's most easterly point.

Bus

Then onto trendy Byron Bay where you can shop or swim. By evening, we'll have crossed the Queensland border arriving at Surfers Paradise.

Gambling

After dinner, try your luck at Jupiter's Casino! ( Breakfast )


Day 6 - Surfers Paradise

 
Beach

So much to do in the name of leisure. Here goes! Relax on 42km (26miles) of white sand beaches, or if you're feeling adventurous - why not try a tandem skydive or a Harley Davidson ride. All are available in Australia's biggest playground.


Day 7 - Surfers Paradise

 
Surfers Paradise to Country Homestead.
Sightseeing

First up we'll take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane, before heading into the fertile farming lands of the Darling Downs.

Food and Dining

Enjoy a good ol' Aussie 'knees-up' tonight at our Country Homestead near Toowoomba. ( Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 8 - Australia

 
Country Homestead to Fraser Island.
Beach

Onwards to Noosa Heads with its stunning beaches and great shopping.

Sailing

We'll continue north along the coast meeting our launch to Fraser Island. (Breakfast, Dinner )


Day 9 - Australia

 
Sightseeing

Now you're on the largest sand island in the world! What to do? Here are a few clues. Why not take a 4-wheel drive bus tour through the rainforests, a guided bushwalk or a swim in the fresh water lakes? With this many options there's no chance of going troppo!


Day 10 - Rockhampton

 
Fraser Island to Capricorn Coast.
Bus

Returning to the mainland, we'll travel north to Rockhampton - gateway to the tropics.

Sightseeing

This evening why not come face-to-fang with huge estuarine crocodiles at the Koorana Crocodile Farm? (Breakfast)


Day 11 - Airlie Beach

 
Capricorn Coast to the Whitsundays.
Sightseeing

On our way to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, we'll visit Mackay - Australia's sugar capital.

Sailing

Boarding our launch at Shute Harbour, we make the short journey to Long Island one of the jewels of the Whitsundays. (Breakfast, Dinner)


Day 12-13 - Long Island

 
Whitsundays.
Beach

Time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and great amenities of Long Island. Feeling energetic, why not go bushwalking, play tennis or beach volleyball, take to the water with a snorkel or a jet ski? Want to relax? Then unwind on the palm-lined beach, have a massage, or sip cocktails on the veranda as you watch another perfect sunset.


Day 14 - Cairns

 
Whitsundays to Cairns.
Sightseeing

It's north to Townsville to explore the scenic lookout of Castle Hill, overlooking Magnetic Island.

Hotel

This evening we'll check into our Cairns hotel, situated in a lush tropical setting. ( Breakfast )


Day 15 - Cairns

 
Rafting

For the adventurous a chance to do some white water rafting on the rapids of the Tully River, or take the opportunity to visit the famous Outer Barrier Reef aboard a high-speed catamaran.

Scuba Diving

Why not scuba dive amidst amazingly colourful tropical fish? Or if you prefer, maybe spend the days at leisure doing some shopping in town.

Nightlife

In the evening we'll check out more tropical wildlife at one of Cairns' nightclubs! ( Breakfast )


Day 16 - Cairns

 
Performing Arts

Our morning is spent with a visit to Tjapukai to watch traditional aboriginal dancers and learn how to throw a boomerang.

Relaxation

Then spend the rest of the day at leisure in Cairns.


Day 17 - Cairns

 
Airport Transfer

Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning.


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