Via Travel Australia Ghan Animal Encounter

Sydney to Cairns – 14 Day Boutique Tour

14 days. Countless memories. This Sydney to Cairns trip is designed to give you a leisurely, expansive view of one of the world’s great coastlines. You’ll explore all the iconic hot spots, of course – Sydney’s famous harbour, snorkelling with sea-life at the Great Barrier Reef, the glittering sand at Whitehaven beach, and meeting koalas – but you’ll also get the hidden gems that only locals know about. And of course, out-of-this-world food and wine. Ready to discover the east coast?

No hidden cost on our tours. Look closely at the value for money with our amazing inclusions below!

Included

• Great Barrier Reef day cruise including snorkelling & glass bottom boat

• Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven beach day trip & snorkelling

• K'gari (Fraser Island) 4WD Experience - the largest sand island in the world

• 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

• Enjoy the wonderful Byron Bay and it’s famous Cape Byron Lighthouse

• Atherton tablelands tour – Volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus

• Small Group Tour (Max 16 Guests)

• All transport (Private buses, transfers, domestic flight & boat trips)

• All accommodation (boutique locally owned hotels/resorts)

• Friendly & experienced local guide

• 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinners

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. 

Included Activities

• Orientation tour 

Included Meals

• Breakfast 

Accommodation – The Point Hotel Brisbane

Day 9: Brisbane to Airlie Beach 

Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is  yours. 

Included Activities

• Free afternoon & evening to explore Airlie Beach

• Domestic Flight to the Whitsunday Coast

Included Meals

• Breakfast

Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc

Day 10: Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands 

After breakfast, we're taking a day cruise through the postcard-perfect islands of the Whitsundays, including a stop at the famed Whitehaven beach. Words can't do justice to the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and densely verdant vegetation of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get a closer look by snorkelling with colourful coral, and an array of playful fish and maybe even some turtles. Afterwards, it's your chance to relax or seek out the town's best food and drink options. 

Included Activities

• Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkelling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk and lunch

Included Meals

• Breakfast & Lunch

Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc

Day 11: Mission Beach 

A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. This afternoon, kick back and enjoy. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. We may be even lucky enough to spot some cassowary in the wild!

Included Activities

• Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway

Included Meals

• Breakfast 

Accommodation – Mission Beach Resort 

Day 12: Cairns via the Atherton Tablelands 

Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We'll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands. Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water, and visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We'll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia's most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities.

Included Activities

• Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus

Included Meals

• Breakfast 

Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns

Day 13: Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef 

It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkelling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a fantastic catamaran. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day at one of the seven natural wonders of the world (and the only one seen from space), join us for a farewell dinner to share stories of our adventures together!

Included Activities

• Great Barrier Reef day cruise including snorkelling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch

• Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Included Meals

• Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns

Day 14: Cairns 

Your tour ends after breakfast. Time to say farewell to your travel buddies after a great trip together 

Included Meals

• Breakfast