Discover the highlights of Australia’s eastern coastline, travelling from Sydney
to Cairns via Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Fraser Island,
and Daydream Island. From Cairns, head inland to the Red Centre and explore Uluru,
Kings Canyon and Alice Springs. You may even wish to extend your journey by
another three nights, travelling to Darwin for a further insight into Aboriginal culture
Grand Australian Discovery Escrted Tour
15 days • Sydney • Byron Bay • Fraser Island • Great Barrier Reef • Uluru • Kata Tjuta • Alice Springs
Departure Dates
18 Days Sydney to Darwin
15 Days Sydney to Alice Springs
2010 Apr. 22; May 1*; June 10; July 8, 17*;
Aug. 5, 14*; Sept. 2, 11*, 30; Oct. 9*, 28; Nov. 6*.
2011 Jan. 20, 29*; Feb. 24; Mar. 5*.
*Operates in reverse, Alice Springs to Sydney
Most dates are guaranteed – ask when booking.
Grand Australian Discovery Tour Highlights
Explore the coastal town of Port Macquarie
Visit Byron Bay, a resort town renowned for its surf beaches
Discover Queensland’s capital, Brisbane
Cruise to Moreton Island and enjoy the opportunity to interact with dolphins
Visit Australia Zoo, made famous by Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin
Explore World Heritage-listed Fraser Island
Cruise over the Great Barrier Reef
Discover the delights of tropical Cairns
Tour the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Explore the domes of Kata Tjuta (Olgas) and Walpa Gorge
Discover Kings Canyon
Comfortable Accommodation
Enjoy two nights at Tangalooma
Wild Dolphin Resort on Moreton Island
Stay two nights on Daydream Island
Relax at Ayers Rock Resort overnight
Quality Dining – Includes 18 Meals
11 Breakfasts (B) and 3 Dinners (D)
4 Feature Meals (FL, FD):
Welcome Dinner & Drinks
Buffet lunch of tropical delights onboard
Great Barrier Reef Cruise
T japukai Aboriginal Cultural Dinner and Show in Cairns
Grand Australian Discovery Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Thur. Sydney, Port Macquarie,
Welcome Dinner & Drinks. The adventure begins in Sydney this morning.
Drive across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Central Coast, making your
way to Port Macquarie. Tonight, get to know your Tour Director and fellow
travellers at a Welcome Dinner & Drinks.
Stay: Rydges Port Macquarie, located a stone’s throw from the buzz of the
town centre. FD
Day 2 Fri. Port Macquarie, Byron Bay.
This morning enjoy the drive to Byron Bay, a relaxed town world-renowned
for its surf beaches. Every year this stunning backdrop attracts wealthy
city dwellers and bohemian lifestylers alike. Take in the views from Cape
Byron, the Australian mainland’s most easterly point, and watch the surfers
and maybe see dolphins off the point. Continue to Kingscliff and perhaps take
a stroll along the beach at the doorstep of your hotel tonight.
Stay: Kingscliff, Mantra on Salt Beach. B
Day 3 Sat. Gold Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Island.
A short drive takes you to Brisbane, where you will enjoy some time at leisure
to discover Queensland’s capital. Later, cruise across Moreton Bay to Moreton
Island, home to Queensland’s wild dolphins, and your home for the next two nights.
Two Night Stay: Moreton Island,
Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. BD
Day 4 Sun. Moreton Island, Tangalooma,
Day at Leisure, Wild Dolphins. Enjoy a full day to explore the island. Perhaps
snorkel around the shipwrecks, try sand tobogganing, quad bike riding or take
a 4WD tour of the island (all activities at own expense). Tonight is a highlight,
you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the friendly dolphins that swim
close to shore of the island. B
Day 5 Mon. Moreton Island, Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay.
Return to the mainland and visit Australia Zoo, made famous by the Crocodile
Hunter, the late Steve Irwin. You will then travel through the Sunshine Coast
to Hervey Bay, a popular tourist destination, especially in whale watching
season (Aug.-Oct.) when Humpback whales can be seen offshore.
Two Night Stay: Hervey Bay, Mantra Hervey
Bay in a One Bedroom Marina View Suite. B
Day 6 Tue. World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.
Cruise to Fraser Island this morning, which offers exceptional beauty in the
form of uninterrupted white beaches and striking coloured sand cliffs.
Explore the world’s largest sand island in 4WD vehicles and discover
incredible unspoilt surfbeaches, inland lakes and lush rainforest. As you
cruise back to Hervey Bay, keep an eye out for humpback whales migrating
to their breeding grounds (Aug.-Oct.). B, FL
Day 7 Wed. Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton.
Journey to Rockhampton, located on the Tropic of Capricorn, this morning.
On arrival, take a leisurely stroll around the Botanic Gardens, one of the
best in regional Australia. Admire the excellent specimens of palms, cycads
and ferns which can be found throughout the grounds.
Stay: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel. BD
Day 8 Thur. Mackay, Airlie Beach, Cruise to Daydream Island.
Head for the town of Mackay, the sugar capital of Australia. Continue
to Airlie Beach and cruise to Daydream Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef.
The island is described as the jewel of the Whitsundays.
Two Night Stay: Daydream Island Resort
and Spa, a tropical island getaway. BD
Day 9 Fri. Great Barrier Reef Experience.
Voyage to the heart of the Great Barrier Reef aboard a catamaran.
Arrive at Reefworld, one of the largest reef pontoons in Australia. Enjoy a
reef education presentation and view the tropical fish from the Underwater
Observatory and the semi-submersible. For the more adventurous,
follow a snorkelling trail and view the coral and sea life.
Lunch on board is included. B, FL
Day 10 Sat. Daydream Island, Whitsundays,Townsville, Cairns.
Return to the mainland and head to Townsville. Continue along the
coastline, travelling between lush mountains with tropical vegetation and
sandy beaches. Your destination is Cairns, a cosmopolitan city where its
residents enjoy an enviable tropical lifestyle.
Two Night Stay: Hotel Cairns, a tropical haven
in the heart of Cairns. B
Day 11 Sun. Port Douglas, Kuranda,
Farewell Dinner. Drive along the coast to Port Douglas. Then head to
Kuranda, a village in the rainforest where you can wander the local
markets. Travel aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway (own expense)
or by coach back to Cairns. Tonight enjoy a Farewell Dinner with
your Tour Director at Tjapukai by Night. B, FD
Day 12 Mon. Cairns, Fly to Uluru,
Base Tour, Uluru Sunset. Fly to Central Australia and arrive before
1 pm and transfer to your hotel . Your Central Australian tour is led by a
driver/guide only. Visit the Cultural Centre and join the guided Mutitjulu
and Mala walks. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine as you view
an Uluru sunset.
Stay: Ayers Rock Resort – Outback Pioneer Hotel. B
Day 13 Tue. Uluru Sunrise, Kata Tjuta (Olgas).
Rise early to view Uluru in the first light of day. Travel to Kata Tjuta and
walk into Walpa (Olga) Gorge. Depart for Kings Canyon.
Stay: Kings Canyon Resort.
Day 14 Wed. Kings Canyon, Alice Springs.
Choose between two guided walks at Kings Canyon before travelling
to Alice Springs.
Stay: Aurora Alice Springs.
Day 15 Thur. Depart Alice Springs.
Enjoy a free morning in Alice Springs before your transfer to the airport.
Extend Your Stay in Darwin
Why not continue your journey with an optional extension to Darwin?
On Day 15, fly from Alice Springs to Darwin and spend two nights in
Darwin and one night in Kakadu National Park. Visit the Warradjan
AboriginalCultural Centre, cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, visit
Nourlangie Rock,cruise the East Alligator River, visit the Bowali Visitor
Centre and enjoy a glass of wine at Window on the Wetlands.
