Coastal Explorer

Price Includes:

• International flights included
• All airport taxes included
• Airport transfer one way – Brisbane Airport to City
• 15 nights accommodation
• 15 days Hertz Group B car rental
• Return Ferry transfer included from Hervey Bay to Fraser Island

Itinerary

Day 1: Brisbane
Upon arrival into Brisbane, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure or simply relax after your international flight
2 nights: Mercure Hotel, Brisbane

Day 2: Brisbane - Gold Coast (100km)
This morning, pick up your Hertz car rental. Spend the day enjoying the pristine beaches of the Gold Coast, just one hour’s drive south of Brisbane. At Burleigh Heads you will find a scene of beachfront markets and restaurants with spectacular northerly views to Surfers Paradise, or spend the day in one of the famous Gold Coast theme parks. Visit Warner Bros Movie World, home of impressive rides and shows, Wet’n’Wild Water World, Dreamworld, or the waterfront village of Sanctuary Cove before heading north to Brisbane for the night.

Day 3: Brisbane – Fraser Island (280km)
Enjoy sailing on Moreton Bay or a city river cruise along the Brisbane River before heading north to Hervey Bay. Park your car at Urangan Harbour and take the ferry to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. The rest of the day is at your leisure 
2 Night Stay: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island

Day 4: Fraser Island
The day is yours to explore Fraser Island. Book a personalised 4WD-day tour with Kingfisher Bay Resorts expert rangers. Visit Lake McKenzie, the island’s most beautiful perched lake and drive along famous Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Stop to swim or paddle in the cool fresh waters of Eli Creek and visit the Maheno Shipwreck and the coloured sands of the Pinnacles. 

Day 5: Fraser Island – Gladstone (300km)
Take the morning ferry to Hervey Bay to collect your car and travel north to Gladstone via the sugar cane City of Bundaberg. This is the gateway to 17 sandy beaches, 140km of coastline and coral cays. En route why not try a surfboard, boogie board or surf ski at some of Australia’s finest surf beaches.
Overnight: Rydges Gladstone

Day 6: Gladstone - Rockhampton (109km)
Spend a morning in Gladstone and visit the Tondoon Botanic Gardens and Spinnaker Park, and the Gladstone Marina which is superb. Today is an easy drive to Rockhampton and there are lots to do - the 130-year old Rockhampton Botanic Gardens also has a zoo where you can feed the koalas.
A stroll along Quay Street, with its marvellous architecture is a must; this street is the longest National Trust Heritage Street in Australia.
Overnight: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel, Rockhampton

Day 7: Rockhampton - Mackay (334km)
Visit Olsen’s Capricorn Caverns or try barramundi fishing before exploring the seaside villages of Yeppoon and Rosslyn Bay. Both offer easy access to the Great Keppel Island. Explore the underwater beauty of coral reefs, or the intriguing limestone caves. Pass through cattle stations and cane fields en route to the beachside town of Sarina. Enjoy the beautiful beaches including Blacks Beach, Dolphin Heads, Eimeo and Bucasia. Your overnight stay is in Mackay. Greenmount Homestead is also worth a visit for a historic view of life on the land.
Overnight: Comfort Resort Blue Pacific, Mackay

Day 8: Mackay - Airlie Beach (289km)
Head north early this morning to take advantage of The Whitsunday’s, Australia’s favourite aquatic playground. Viewing the reef can be done by snorkelling, diving, day cruising or even on a semi submersible submarine.
2 nights: Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach

Day 9: The Whitsunday’s
The Great Barrier Reef and 74 tropical islands combine to make one of Australia’s most beautiful holiday destinations - The Whitsunday’s. You can access the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach. Take a day trip to one of the island resorts such as Hamilton and capture the essence of fun and relaxation in the region. Or take a day trip to Whitsunday Island, home of the magnificent Whitehaven Beach.

Day 10: Airlie Beach - Townsville (289km)
On your journey north today travel through Bowen, home of Australia’s best mangoes, tomatoes and rockmelons and enjoy excellent fishing or just relax on a palm-lined beach. Head north to Townsville in time for a trip to Magnetic Island, a hiker’s dream.
Overnight: Seagulls Resort, Townsville

Day 11: Townsville - Cairns (346km)
Today’s drive is known as the Great Green Way, alongside sandy beaches, World Heritage rainforests and plunging waterfalls. On the way, visit Mission Beach or Dunk Island. Cairns: The northern gateway to Australia. Where the palm-fringed esplanade and the close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest, make it a desirable city.
2 nights: Bay Village Tropical Retreat and apartments

Day 12: Cairns
Today, enjoy this time at leisure, relaxing in Cairns ‘The gateway to the Tropical North’.

Day 13: Cairns – Port Douglas (70km)
Spend the morning in Cairns, before you drive north to the sophisticated yet relaxed town of Port Douglas. Like its spectacular surroundings, Port Douglas has so much to offer. Soak up the sunshine on the beautiful Four-Mile Beach, stroll among the village shops, galleries, historic buildings and the seaside Sunday market.
3 nights: Breakfree Reef Club, Port Douglas

Day 14 – Day 15: Port Douglas
Spend these days at leisure relaxing and taking in the beautiful surroundings of Port Douglas. Take a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder abundant with incredible biodiversity, colourful coral gardens of every shape and form, plus a abundant array of tropical marine life. Play a round of Golf, visit a rainforest wildlife centre, relax over sundowner drinks at a board walk café. With so much to choose from you will be spoilt for choice.

Day 16: Port Douglas – Cairns (70km)
This morning, depart Port Douglas for Cairns International airport. Drop off your car at the airport before you check-in for your international flight back to the Uk.