Via Travel Australia Ghan Animal Encounter

Sydney to Brisbane – 8 Day Boutique Tour
Australia’s east coast, distilled into eight glorious days. Explore the style and swagger of Sydney, the jewel in the east coast crown, and one of the world’s great cities! We continue on an Aussie adventure – wine and cheese-tasting in the Hunter Valley, getting up close and personal with the wildlife, chilling out at Byron Bay, and enjoying the lush rainforest and glittering turquoise waters of K’gari (Fraser Island) – before finishing in the country’s most laid-back city, Brisbane.
Included
Enjoy the wonderful Byron Bay and it’s famous Cape Byron Lighthouse
Hunter Valley wine, cheese, chocolate tastings
Conservation Wildlife Park visit - Get close to many native / unique australian animals like kangaroos, emus, wombats and more
Gumbaynggirr First nations experience
Koala Hospital visit in Port Macquarie
K'gari (Fraser Island) 4WD Experience – explore the largest sand island in the world
Small Group Tour (Max 16 Guests)
All transport (Private buses, transfers & boat trips)
All accommodation (boutique locally owned hotels/resorts)
Friendly & experienced local guide
6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner


Full Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney
We start in Australia's Harbour City, the glittering jewel in the east coast's crown. Check into your room, freshen up, then meet your tour leader and new travel mates for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Then we are off for a great welcome dinner, and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
Included Activities
Get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome meeting and dinner
Included Meals
Welcome Dinner
Accommodation – Holiday Inn Potts point
Day 2: Hunter Valley and Newcastle
We leave behind Sydney's skyscrapers and sidewalks for a wildlife park boasting an all-star cast of koalas, kangaroos, and more. We're in the heart of the Hunter Valley, so there's nothing better than to take a wine, cheese & chocolate tasting. We'll also visit the sunny port city of Newcastle, rounding off an eclectic day.
Included Activities
Conservation Wildlife Park visit - Get close to many native / unique australian animals like kangaroos, emus and more
Hunter Valley wine, cheese & chocolate tasting
Newcastle orientation tour
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Lucky Hotel Newcastle
Day 3: Port Macquarie & The Koala Hospital
After breakfast, we’re off to Port Macquarie, where we’ll have a chance to meet the volunteers at a Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. If you're unable to tear yourself away from the cuddly critters, don’t worry – you’re not the first. Expect to come away with loads more knowledge about these often misunderstood creatures, & how by joining our tour, you are supporting this amazing centre's conservation efforts. Relax for the evening with a stroll along the foreshore & a free night for dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the local bird population and keep your eyes peeled for the local wild dolphins who frequent the area!
Included Activities
Visit Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Foreshore walk and a chance to spot wild dolphins
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – El Paso Motor Inn
Day 4: Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) & Byron Bay
Take part in an immersive First Nations experience of the Gumbaynggirr nation, that will get you in touch with the traditional custodians of this land. Then we're headed to Byron Bay, a laid-back surf paradise with boundless coastline, sand and friendly locals. We'll pay a visit to Cape Byron, for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life.
Included Activities
Immersive Gumbaynggirr First Nations experience
Visit to Cape Byron to see the famous local lighthouse, the most easterly point of Australia for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales in season, and other marine life.
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay
Day 5: Byron Bay
Today we're talking relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation. Spend the morning on the warm sand, shopping for bargains, or indulge in one of our optional activities: surfing or kayaking plus many activities like balloon rides, whale watching, brewery tours etc. The day is all yours – put your feet up, head to a cosy bar, or watch the world go by from one of the local cafes.
Included Activities
Free day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience & more
Included Meals
None
Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay


Day 6: Noosa & Rainbow Beach
We're crossing into Queensland – the Sunshine State. Your first stop is laid-back Noosa, and Noosa National Park where you will have the chance to spot koalas and other Aussie critters. We continue further up the Sunshine Coast to our base for the next 2 nights, it's time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the vibrant Rainbow Beach.
Included Activities
Noosa National Park & the chance to spot koalas in the wild
Noosa orientation including Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments
Day 7: K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Ready, steady, go, for a once-in-a-lifetime 4WD K’Gari adventure today. Once known as Fraser Island, the destination has been returned to its original name K’gari. K’gari is the local Butchulla nation’s name for the island, meaning ‘paradise’ – you’ll find out why soon enough.
You'll never want to leave, as we explore the largest sand island in the world, kick back at some of Queensland's most renowned lookouts, take a walk on the wild side in a lush rainforest, dive into Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) a crystal-clear lake, see the famous S.S Maheno shipwreck and course go dingo-spotting along the golden 75 Mile Beach. The fun needn't stop there; after the tour feel free to enjoy Carlo Sand Blow and Rainbow Beach, or put your feet up in your accommodation.
Included Activities
Once-in-a-lifetime 4WD bus adventure to K’Gari (Fraser Island).
Included Meals
Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments


Day 8: Brisbane
It’s Bris-vegas baby! We’re off to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. See for yourself how wonderful Brisbane is with a walk (or ferry ride) along the aptly named Brisbane river and its surrounds. Your tour ends this afternoon, but why not join for a last dinner to say farewell?
Included Activities
Orientation tour
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – none