Day 1: Welcome to Cairns

Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an orientation tour of the laid-back tropical city. This evening there is an opportunity to enjoy Aussie hospitality at its best – join a local family in their home in Cairns for a Be My Guest BBQ dinner. Spend a leisurely evening enjoying an informal chat with the family and learning about life in the tropics. The open, warm and friendly nature of Australians will be there in abundance.

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef

Board a high-speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. The World Heritage listed reef is the only living organism you can see from the moon. You’ll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up-close (equipment provided) and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. You have a free evening to do as you choose. Why not take a stroll along the esplanade and check out the Cairns Night Market?

This morning you will take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to Kuranda village, where there's time to explore the 'village in the rainforest' including the heritage village markets. Continue to the Atherton Tablelands where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly! There will be time to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes when you arrive in Mission Beach this afternoon.

Day 4: Mission Beach – Hamilton Island

Travel down the coast towards tonight’s stopover in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef on spectacular Hamilton Island. You’ll visit Townsville where there’s time for a stroll along the Strand, then travel to Airlie Beach to catch the ferry to the island, one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You’ll be surrounded by pristine beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life!

Day 5: Hamilton Island & Whitehaven Beach

The famous Whitehaven Beach beckons this morning. Cruise aboard a catamaran to this slice of paradise, where you can simply relax on the beach, take a swim, or get involved in some fun beach activities. Back at Hamilton Island the afternoon is yours to indulge in your own pleasures – hire a buggy to explore the island or maybe tee off in paradise against the magnificent backdrop of an azure ocean.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.