19 day Sydney, Gold Coast & Reef Explorer
Highlights
Sydney • Blue Mountains • Brisbane •
Surfers Paradise • Hamilton Island • Port
Douglas • Great Barrier Reef • Cape
Tribulation
• Start this amazing east coast tour with four
nights in fabulous Sydney
• Access to Sydney Attractions including
Sydney Wildlife World, Sydney Aquarium and
a cruise on the world-famous harbour
• Small group tour and two-night stay in the
picturesque Blue Mountains National Park
• Soak up the fun on the Gold Coast with time
to explore the theme parks in the lively
resort of Surfers Paradise
• Explore the rainforests of Lamington
National Park
• Three nights on fantastic Hamilton Island in
the Whitsundays with a cruise to spectacular
Whitehaven Beach
• Four nights in the laid-back resort of Port
Douglas, your base for exploring Tropical
North Queensland
• Cruise to the spectacular Great Barrier Reef
• Visit the remote Cape Tribulation, where the
rainforest meets the reef
Departures: Daily.
Day 1: Arrive Sydney
What better way to begin the epic journey of
Australia’s popular east coast than in fabulous
Sydney, often described as the most beautiful city in
the world. On arrival, transfer from the airport to
your chosen hotel for a two-night stay.
Standard: Mercure Sydney
Superior: Holiday Inn (Darling Harbour).
Deluxe: InterContinental Sydney
Day 2: Sydney
Sydney’s Darling Harbour is packed with attractions,
and your Darling Harbour Experience Pass (included)
gives you access to many of these at a great value.
You can visit the fantastic Sydney Wildlife World and
the famous Sydney Aquarium; take a Matilda
Harbour Cruise with five stops around the harbour
and hop on and off as you please; enjoy a
restaurant meal at Jordon's Seafood (bookings
essential); travel the monorail with a full-day pass,
and much more!
Day 3: Sydney - Blue Mountains
A trip to the Blue Mountains is an essential part of
the Sydney experience, and we recommend staying
a couple of nights whenever possible. Today, join a
fantastic small group tour into the heart of the Blue
Mountains visiting remote regions, crossing creeks,
and climbing trails, all in the comfort of a small
custom-built vehicle. You'll stop for breakfast with
the koalas at Featherdale Wildlife Park, with the
chance to see the huge variety of native animals
whilst they are at their most active. Stop for worldclass
views such as Govett’s Leap and the Three
Sisters before continuing on to your overnight Blue
Mountains accommodation for a two-night stay.
(BL)
Standard: Best Western Alpine Motor Inn.
Superior: Mountain Heritage (incl. breakfast).
Deluxe: Lilianfels (incl. breakfast)
Day 4: Blue Mountains
The pace relaxes today as you have a full day at
leisure to explore the galleries and cafés on offer in
Katoomba and Leura. Take a bush walk down into
the eucalyptus-scented valleys, ride the scenic
railway (own expense), or simply enjoy the
spectacular scenery of the Blue Mountains at your
own pace.
Day 5: Blue Mountains - Sydney
Your driver-guide will collect you this afternoon for
your return journey to Sydney, stopping en-route to
wander amongst the wild kangaroos at the peaceful
Euroka Clearing. You'll be dropped back at your
chosen Sydney hotel for a further two-night stay.
Day 6: Sydney
If you didn’t visit all of the attractions that were
included on your Darling Harbour Experience Pass,
then today's the day to complete your Sydney
sightseeing.
Day 7: Sydney - Brisbane
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Brisbane,
the main gateway into Southern Queensland. The
rest of the day is yours to explore the city, head over
to the South Bank Parklands, visit the Botanical
Gardens and check out the plentiful waterfront
dining options along the Brisbane River.
Standard: Ibis Brisbane
Superior: Mantra on Queen
Deluxe: Sofitel Brisbane Grand Central
Day 8: Brisbane - Gold Coast
Today, it’s off to Australia’s top beach holiday
destination, the dazzling Gold Coast, for a twonight
stay in the bustling resort of Surfers Paradise.
Standard: Vibe Hotel Gold Coast.
Superior: Mantra Legends.
Deluxe: Q1 Resort & Spa
Day 9: Gold Coast
With a full day of leisure today, you can head down
to the beautiful beach, or alternatively you might
like to visit some of Australia’s biggest and best
theme parks (own expense) - Warner Bros. Movie
World, Dream World, Wet ‘n’ Wild or Sea World.
Day 10: Gold Coast - Lamington NP
Venture inland and leave the crowds behind as you
transfer to the tranquil Gold Coast Hinterland for a
two-night stay at the historic O'Reilly's Rainforest
Retreat.
Standard: O’Reilly’s (Garden View Room).
Superior: O'Reilly's (Mountain View Room).
Deluxe: O'Reilly's (1-Bedroom Mountain Villa) -
Day 11: Lamington National Park
There's no shortage of complimentary activities to
enjoy here in the rainforest, and guests at O'Reilly's
can look forward to early morning birdwatching
walks, rainforest discovery walks, audio-visual
presentations and evening stargazing.
Day 12: Lamington NP - Hamilton Island
Transfer back to Brisbane airport to board your flight
to beautiful Hamilton Island. Located in the heart of
the idyllic Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier
Reef, Hamilton Island is a vibrant and popular
holiday destination with plenty of exciting
sightseeing and activity options for a fun-filled
three-night stay. Standard: Palm Bungalows.
Superior: Reef View Hotel. Deluxe: Beach Club (incl.
breakfast) -
Day 13: Hamilton Island
This morning is yours to explore Hamilton Island.
This afternoon, you are booked on a cruise to
beautiful Whitehaven Beach, a 'must-see' attraction
within the Whitsunday Islands. From Hamilton Island
marina, you’ll cruise to Whitsunday Island and
disembark onto the pristine silica white sands of
Whitehaven Beach. For the best views, walk to the
lookout and see both Whitehaven Beach and idyllic
Hill Inlet from above.
Day 14: Hamilton Island
Today, you have a full day at leisure on Hamilton
Island, which offers more than 40 different activities.
You may like to laze at one of the island’s swimming
pools, dine at one of its many restaurants or cafés,
try watersports or bushwalking, or simply relax at
the beach.
Day 15: Hamilton Island - Port Douglas
From Hamilton Island's airport you'll fly directly to
Cairns, where you'll be transferred to your chosen
accommodation in Port Douglas. Tropical North
Queensland is one of the most popular gateways to
the Great Barrier Reef, priding itself on its laid-back
Aussie charm as well as its stunning natural
heritage. With its relaxed ambience and
sophisticated boutiques and eateries, Port Douglas
makes an ideal base, both for exploring the region
and for a relaxing four-night stay. Standard: Bay
Villas. Superior: Sabaya Resort Port Douglas. Deluxe:
Sea Temple Port Douglas
Day 16: Great Barrier Reef
Transfer to the marina at Port Douglas this morning
to board Quicksilver’s catamaran cruise to Agincourt
Reef on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef.
Travel in comfort to the spacious reef pontoon and
view coral from the underwater observatory or jump
in the water for a spot of snorkelling. You will enjoy
a sumptuous lunch out at the reef before your
return to Port Douglas. (L)
Day 17: Port Douglas
Today is yours at leisure to explore the charming
resort of Port Douglas. The town boasts the
beautiful Four-Mile Beach, a bustling marina,
galleries and boutiques.
Day 18: Cape Tribulation
At Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef is
remarkably close to shore. This, coupled with the
majesty of the ancient Daintree Rainforest National
Park, makes Cape Tribulation one of the highlights
of the east coast and a perfect finale to your
journey. Today you’ll be collected from your hotel to
visit this untouched region. Cross the Daintree River,
take a walk along Cape Tribulation beach, and enjoy
lunch in a unique rainforest setting. (L)
Day 19: Port Douglas - Cairns
It’s farewell to the Australia’s spectacular east coast
as you transfer from your Port Douglas hotel to
Cairns airport for your onward or homeward flight.
Prices Include
• Return flights from London Heathrow in economy
class (supplements may apply from UK regional
airports) – included in ‘Tour & Flight’ prices only
• Domestic flights as specified in the itinerary –
included in ‘Tour & Flight’ prices only
• 18 nights’ accommodation as specified
• Transfers and sightseeing as specified (excludes
anything described as ‘optional’)
• Meals as specified (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch)
