12-day Discover the East Coast (Sydney to Cairns)
Cruise to pristine Fraser Island and the Whitsundays, and head to tropical Cairns to discover the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. There are hinterland experiences too – you’ll taste premium wines in the Hunter Valley and tour a remote Rockhampton cattle station.
Choose This Trip If You'd Love To:
- Soak up island life with two nights on Hamilton Island
- Gain insight into farm life at Langmorn Cattle Station
- Snorkel the world-famous Great Barrier Reef
- Relax and enjoy four two-night stays on this tour
Tour Highlights:
- FLEXIBLE HOLIDAYS - Choose your own adventure on the Gold Coast: perhaps taste a new cuisine or hike out to a waterfall!
- ICONIC SITES - Spend two nights on incredible Fraser Island, then enjoy a day out further north, on the Great Barrier Reef
- TIME FOR YOU - Live it up on Hamilton Island as you please: take a ferry to Whitehaven Beach or enjoy an indulgent dinner
- SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL - Take a sneak peek at Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital and Koala Rehabilitation project
- 11 nights in quality accommodation
- 11 Full breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
- 1 Farewell Dinner
- Travel by luxury coach
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Airport transfers (see FAQ below)
Day 1 - Sydney – Coffs Harbour
Start discovering the landscapes of Australia’s east coast as you travel northward to the coastal town of Coffs Harbour. From your accommodation nestled amongst sprawling tropical gardens, you’ll have the opportunity to wander down to Little Diggers Beach and Diggers Head. Enjoy the early evening sea breeze just like the locals do. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner with your Travel Director.
Please note: Sydney Central, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night.
Hotel: BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Coffs Harbour – Gold Coast
Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse for superb views from Australia’s eastern-most point over the Pacific Ocean. Afterwards spend time discovering the relaxed bohemian vibe of Byron Bay. For lunch we recommend fresh fish and chips on the beach, there’s nothing more Australian. Continue to the famous holiday destination, the Gold Coast.
Hotel: Novotel Surfers Paradise (2 nights)
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - Gold Coast Free Time
Today you have the freedom to enjoy the Gold Coast in your own style. Nature lovers may head to Mt. Tamborine, foodies explore the growing culinary culture or those needing relaxation just stroll down to the sand and salt of Surfers Paradise Beach.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 - Gold Coast – K’gari (Fraser Island)
This morning visit Australia Zoo made famous by the Crocodile Hunter, the late Steve Irwin and his family. Enjoy a sneak peek into the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and see how AAT Kings works with the Wildlife Warriors to support the koala rehabilitation project at the hospital, the country’s largest and busiest wildlife facility. This afternoon the ferry will take you across to the World Heritage listed K’gari, also known as Fraser Island.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - K’gari (Fraser Island)
A day of discovery lies ahead as your 4WD tour takes you for a ride around the island’s must-see sites. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Across the island to 75 Mile Beach, the sand highway will take you up the eastern coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands; cooling, calm waters of Eli Creek and the famous sinking Maheno Shipwreck.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6 - K’gari (Fraser Island) – Rockhampton
Visit Langmorn Station, a fully operational family run cattle station. Meet the Creed family and take a guided tour of the property including the original family homestead, built in 1873. Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden in the company of the pet kangaroo! Cross the Tropic of Capricorn as you arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. Your night is free so why not try some local beef at one of the town's steakhouses.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Rockhampton – Hamilton Island
Travel north to Sarina today for a guided tour of its unique miniature sugar mill and distillery. At Airlie Beach you’ll catch the ferry to Hamilton Island, one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday group in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. The spectacular island boasts pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life.
Hotel: Reef View Hotel, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8 - Hamilton Island Free Time
Today is yours to indulge in your own pleasures – consider an optional experience. Perhaps cruise to famous Whitehaven Beach, take a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef or sit back with a good book by one of the resort’s stunning pools.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Hamilton Island – Mission Beach
Take the ferry back to the mainland this morning, from where you'll head north to the seaside town of Mission Beach. Nestled between World Heritage rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, your accommodation offers superb views over the Coral Sea.
Hotel: Castaways Resort & Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Mission Beach – Cairns
Today’s journey takes you to the Atherton Tablelands, with its lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and peaceful lakes. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the heritage listed 500-yearold Curtain Fig Tree, and keep an eye out for the magnificent Ulysses butterfly. Spend some free time in Kuranda, the ‘village in the rainforest’, before travelling on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Your six-person gondola will provide spectacular views of the rainforest and the Coral Sea.
Hotel: Pacific Hotel Cairns, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Great Barrier Reef
Board a high-speed catamaran today and cruise out to the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the only living organism that can be seen from the moon. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling (equipment provided) or view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and glass bottom boat. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board, before you return in the late afternoon for a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and new-found friends.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner
Day 12 - Farewell from Cairns
Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note that prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
$99 pp DEPOSIT* - Until 17 December 2020, secure your future travel for only $99 per person. Applicable for travel from 01 September 2020 – 31 October 2021.
- Twin share - from $4825 per person
- Sole Use - from $6105
This tour has many departures between Mar 2021 and Mar 2023. Call us on 1300 414 198 to check up to date availability and to book your preferred travel date.
Don't want to pay the single supplement? Ask us how you can be matched with another traveller of the same gender to pay twin share prices.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
- BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour
- Novotel Surfers Paradise
- Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island
- Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
- Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island
- Castaways Resort & Spa, Mission Beach
- Pacific Hotel Cairns
Flight Information:
- Day prior – Flights to arrive anytime into Sydney Airport
- Day 12 – Flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Fitness Requirements:
- Low level of fitness required
What to Bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Water bottle
- Warm layers in cooler months
Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.
At the time of booking a non-refundable deposit of $200 per person is required. Balance of payment for your tour is to be paid 45 days prior to departure or at time of booking if departure is within 45 days.
$99 per person deposit valid for new AAT Kings bookings created between June 15, 2020 – Dec 17, 2020. Deposit is due within 5 days of booking. Applicable for travel departures Sep 1, 2020 - Oct 31, 2021. $99 Deposit is combinable with Early Payment Discount, Last Minute Deals, year-round savings and exclusive partner offers on selected itineraries. Offer is not applicable to custom itineraries or group bookings. Offer is not available on selected itineraries and where third-party costs apply. Not valid for travel departures after the Oct 31, 2021. The $99 per person deposit qualifies for 30-day refund guarantee – cancel for any reason within 30 days of deposit being made and receive a full refund of your $99 per person deposit (refund is not valid if your booking is within 30 days of departure). Fees apply for cancellation outside 30 days of deposit and/or within final payment due date (whichever comes first). $99 per person fee outside 30 days of deposit; 50% fee within 30 - 15 days of departure; 100% within 14 - 0 days of departure. Full payment required 30 days prior to departure (to qualify for Early Payment Discounts full payment date may differ). If booking is made within 30 days of departure, payment in full is required immediately. Discounts are subject to availability, seasonal surcharge, limited seats and offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. If trip is suspended, receive 100% refund on monies paid (refund made within 30 days of notification of trip suspension) or receive Future Travel Credit with full discount protection. Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to new bookings until further notice.
When booking with the $99 deposit offer AAT Kings is offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure. This fee waiver allows you to change the destination and/or trip you are traveling on. If you choose a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, you are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Normal penalties apply for full cancellation without rebooking or cancellations within 30 days of departure. Please note, airlines may impose different change policies, and if you declined travel insurance, you are responsible for any airline cancellation penalties. Other booking conditions apply.
This holiday deal has expired.
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