Reef, beach and mountains

Tour highlights

  • The azure waters of Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands
  • A guided tour to Fraser Island
  • Noosa, one of Australia’s most popular beachside destinations
  • Coffs Harbour for Whale Watching
  • The Blue Mountains
  • Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise

Days 1 - 12: Cairns to Airlie Beach

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Days 1 - 5: UK to Cairns

Landing on day three, you will be met at Cairns Airport and transferred to your hotel which is close to the Cairns Esplanade lagoon. A welcome dinner with your fellow travellers will take place on the evening of day four and, on day five, there’s an included excursion to Frankland Island. 

The day begins with a begin with a river cruise along the Mulgrave River where migratory and breeding birds can be spotted. At the mouth of the river, the Frankland islands slowly come into view and it is only a short open-water crossing to your destination. All of the snorkelling equipment and tuition on how to use masks, fins, and snorkel is provided and a Marine Biologist with support from the experienced snorkel guides will take you on a guided snorkelling tour which is straight off the beach, so perfect for all levels and ages.

See the amazing variety of corals and marine life that inhabit the area, including an abundance of colourful fish, sea turtles, giant clams, and sea anemones. A semi-submersible tour or glass-bottom boat is also included which is run with commentary, where you can see the underwater world whilst staying dry!

Days 6 - 7: Mission Beach 
Distance: 139km / 87 miles

Collect your motorhomes and start your journey south. Perhaps make a stop at the Babinda Bakery for a coffee and a cream bun, from here you can also visit Babinda Boulders which are scattered along the Babinda Creek, there’s a beautiful swimming hole and at the nearby Josephine Falls there’s a 750m rainforest walk with several lookouts along the way.

Mission Beach is actually four separate towns that are spread along the 14km stretch of palm-fringed-beach, despite its popularity, the town has retained its dreamy, laid-back vibe and the welcoming locals are never outnumbered by its visitors.

Days 8 - 9: Townsville
Distance: 235km / 147 miles

Today’s drive will take you through the heart of Queensland’s sugar cane industry. Make a stop in Ingham to view one of the largest sugar cane mills in Australia. The stunning green landscapes surrounding Ingham are also a bird lover's paradise, with more than 245 species residing in the TYTO Wetlands.

Townsville is in the dry tropics’ region of Queensland, adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, home to a sea turtle hospital and plenty of other attractions.

Days 10 - 12: Airlie Beach 
Distance: 275km / 172 miles

Airlie Beach is set on a striking peninsula that reaches out into the stunning blue Whitsunday waters. From here enjoy one of the many day trips out to the Whitsunday Islands, do the Whitsunday Great Walk from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, discover the stunning Whitehaven Beach or take a crocodile watching tour.

Days 13 - 22: Rockhampton to Coffs Harbour

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Days 13 - 14: Rockhampton 
Distance: 482km / 301 miles

Rockhampton is the heart of the Fitzroy Basin, Australia’s second-largest river system, and bordered by the Berserker Ranges. Known as the Beef City, Rockhampton is a modern throwback to the heydays of Queensland’s colonial past, offering all the cosmopolitan conveniences in a contemporary riverside setting. 

Days 15 - 16: Hervey Bay 
Distance: 382km / 239 miles

Visit Queensland’s whale hot spot where humpback whales stop to breed and nurse their young, see their playful antics on an optional whale watching tour. You’ll also visit Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and only place on earth where rainforests grow on sand dunes. Fraser Island is also home to the purest strain of dingoes which can often be seen scavenging around the rainwater lake.

Days 17 - 18: Noosa 
Distance: 186km / 116 miles

It takes just over 2 hours to drive to the stylish town of Noosa, so perfect timing for lunch at one of the many restaurants on Hastings Street, or perhaps get a takeaway and eat it with your toes in the sand! After lunch, you could take a stroll along the coastal track to the village of Sunshine Beach or visit Halse Lodge, a heritage-listed Queenslander house which is just off the main strip but still close to the beach.

Days 19 - 20: Byron Bay 
Distance: 307km / 192 miles

Home to Australia’s most eastern point and the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, the region is known for its spectacular beaches, unique shopping and dining experiences, world-class festivals, and vibrant community spirit.

Days 21 - 22: Coffs Harbour 
Distance: 232km / 145 miles

The city of Coffs Harbour is at the heart of the spectacular Coffs Coast and not only offers some stunning beaches but also a marine sanctuary, whale watching and a great selection of bushwalking trails, however, it’s probably best known as being the home of the iconic Big Banana amusement park.

 

Days 23 - 33: Port Macquarie to Sydney

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Days 23 - 24: Port Macquarie 
Distance: 153km / 96 miles

Port Macquarie is best known for its beaches, wildlife and penal colony past. Take the coastal walk to the lighthouse for some stunning views across the water, as well as sightings of whales and dolphins. Another great place to visit is the Billabong Zoo which has a koala breeding centre.

Days 25 - 26: Lake Macquarie 
Distance: 272km / 170 miles

Lake Macquarie is a place where the simple things you love never went out of style, where the dress code reads ‘barefoot’ and the soundtrack is the gentle lapping of waves on the shore or the sizzle of a barbecue. It is home to the largest saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere which is more than twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

Days 27 - 28: The Blue Mountains 
Distance: 164km / 106 miles

The Blue Mountains cover an area of 3861 square miles encompassing tall forests, sandstone cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls. From your base at Katoomba Falls, you will be within easy walking distance to the famous Three Sisters, Scenic World Skyway and the Katoomba township. Take one of the bushwalks that lead to spectacular viewpoints and hidden waterfalls and you’ll be just a short walk from Echo Point (home of the fabled Three Sisters). After a long day exploring the natural wonders of the Blue Mountains, the cafes, restaurants and friendly pubs of Katoomba town centre are close by.

Days 29 - 31: Sydney
Distance: 72km / 45 miles

The last day of driving takes you to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, also Australia’s oldest and largest city. It has one of the most beautiful deepwater harbours in the world and is famous for landmarks such as the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, as well as some of Australia’s best surfing beaches.

With 3 nights in Sydney, you will have plenty of time to explore and on the last night, you can say goodbye to Australia in style with a Sunset Dinner Cruise around the harbour with your fellow travellers and tour hosts.

Days 32 - 33: Sydney to the UK

Transfer to the airport for your journey home, arriving back into the UK the next day.

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