Tropical Beaches and Reef
9 Day Guided Vacation | Cairns to Gold Coast
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Tropical Beaches and Reef
9 Day Guided Vacation
| Cairns to Gold Coast
Travel period
Tropical Beaches and Reefs
9 Day Guided Vacation
Cairns to Gold Coast
Explore the picturesque coastline that stretches from Cairns to the Gold Coast with a guided tour that takes you from the iconic Great Barrier Reef and Hamilton Island to Fraser Island, before finishing off with a visit to the sunny Gold Coast.
Why you'll love this trip:
- For a beach, island and water themed break mixed with regional Australian life
- Great for those who enjoy watching the changing scenery of nature
- Enjoy 4 different beach locations along the East Coast
- Experience 2 different island lives, the relaxation and spoils of Hamilton Island plus the nature and discovery of K'gari
Tropical Beaches and Reefs (Travel Period: 01 Apr 2021 – 31 Mar 2022)
Flexible Vacations
Choose your island lifestyle at Hamilton Island. Take a ferry to famous Whitehaven Beach or hike up to Passage Peak followed by a dip in the pool. You have the freedom to roam around just the way you like.
Iconic Sites
Take a deep breath of fresh air in the peaceful beauty of K'gari (Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island
Time For You
Wander around the tropical city of Cairns, wedged between the Rainforest and Reef
Sustainable Travel
Take part in our sustainable '10 Pieces' programme, an initiative whereby you find and dispose of 10 pieces of rubbish, leaving the environment and the communities that you visit in a more pristine condition than how you found them.
Welcome to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef! Take your time to settle into the warm weather and relaxed vibe of the tropical north. Tonight, you’ll meet your newfound friends whilst enjoying a welcome dinner at a Cairns Harbour restaurant.
Hotel: Pacific Hotel Cairns, 2 nights
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
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. Imagine that! 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 glass bottom boat. Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
From the Reef yesterday, to the Rainforest today! You’ll be dropped off at Smithton for your peaceful Skyrail Rainforest Cableway journey across the canopy of Barron Gorge National Park. You’ll disembark at the Rainforest village of Kuranda with free time to explore. Your journey continues through the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforest, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree making sure to keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly. Your destination for the night is Mission Beach where you’ll stay with views over the ocean. Magic!
Hotel: Castaways Resort & Spa
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning there will be time to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes before you depart. Your drive today takes you to Airlie Beach where the ferry will transport you to the relaxed lifestyle of Hamilton Island, on of 74 tropical islands that make up with Whitsundays. You’ll be surrounded by pristine beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life!
Hotel: Reef View Hotel, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
At Hamilton Island the day is yours to indulge and relax by the pool or on the beach – you may prefer to hire a buggy to explore the island (you’ll need your driver’s licence) or tee off in paradise against the magnificent backdrop of an azure ocean. Or perhaps the famous Whitehaven Beach beckons. Take an optional 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
This morning you’ll board a ferry back to the mainland and continue south to Australia’s sugar capital Sarina. Thought you knew sugar? Sarina Sugar Shed is a working miniature sugar mill where you’ll get a peak into the sugar cane industry. Witness fully functioning sugar processing and distilling equipment in action. Afterwards you can taste some of the products made on site before sitting down for a light lunch. Balance out that sugar high this evening with some protein in the beef capital of Australia, Rockhampton. Your night is free so why not try some local beef at an Aussie pub or go the modern route at the newly built Pier restaurant.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
You’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn this morning on the drive out of Rockhampton however we’re not quite leaving the beef behind yet. This morning, you’ll experience some true Australian hospitality and farming life at 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 morning tea in the garden in the company of the pet kangaroo! This afternoon a ferry will take you across to the World Heritage Listed K’gari, also known as Fraser Island. Ground yourself back in nature on this sand island, your home for the next two nights.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
A day of discovery lies ahead as your 4WD tour takes you for a bumpy 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
It’s back to the mainland this morning aboard your return ferry. Wildlife discovery awaits with your visit to 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. Catch one of the many shows and wander through the zoo’s fascinating grounds. Your tour ends upon arrival into the Gold Coast this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Pacific Hotel Cairns is centrally located on the picturesque Cairns Esplanade overlooking Trinity Harbour and the Reef Fleet Terminal, the main departure point to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns. Opposite the main shopping precinct, casino and the new restaurant area, the Pacific is also a short walk to the Esplanade Lagoon with waterside boardwalks and parklands.
- Balcony or Terrace
- Wi-Fi
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Laundry facilities (Self-Service)
- Swimming Pool
Features
Castaways Resort & Spa is your ultimate beachfront escape in the tropics. Idyllically bound by the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest, Castaways resort is the perfect destination for couples, families or groups of friends. Positioned absolute beachfront with direct access to the 14 km long beautiful, white sandy beach you have found your own tropical little paradise right here!
- Free wireless internet access
- Flat Screen TV
- Foxtel
- Clock radio
- Direct Dial Telephone
- Air-conditioning
- Refrigerator
- Hairdryer
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Iron / Ironing Board
Features
With large, comfortable, modern rooms, the Reef View Hotel offers a perfect getaway for couples, families or groups of friends. Spacious, comfortable and with most rooms boasting incredible sea views, the Reef View Hotel offers stylish and family-friendly Hamilton Island accommodation.
- Private balcony
- Air-conditioning
- Ceiling fan
- Clock Radio
- Ensuite
- Bathtub and shower
- In-room safe
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Phone
- Refrigerator
- In-room Movies (fee applies)
- Wireless Internet access
- Mini-bar (surcharge)
- Room service
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- TV
- iPod connectivity
Features
The 1914 Historical Heritage Listed TAFE College has been converted into a 4 1/2 Star 49 room hotel with conference and licensed restaurant facilities. The Quality Regent Hotel Rockhampton is part of the Choice group of quality hotels and offers superior accommodation and professional functions facilities in a premier position in the CBD. It is situated within walking distance to shops, businesses, restaurants and waterfront. Airport and Rail - only minutes drive away. We will cater to our guests every need to ensure their stay is most enjoyable.
- Guest Laundry
- Air Conditioning
- Swimming Pool
- Wireless Internet access
- Refrigerator
- Room service
Features
Kingfisher Bay Resort is the gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island and is internationally renowned following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal visit, during their official Australian tour .
- Air Conditioning
- Bath/Shower
- Colour TV
- STD/ISD Phone
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Hair Dryer
- Iron
Features
Need accommodation before or after your tour?
Our special discounted rates make booking accommodation with us during your holiday both easy and affordable at selected AAT Kings hotels and resorts. Find out more
- Comfortable accommodation
- Travel in luxury coach
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Airport Transfers (see flight information below)
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Water bottle
- Warm layers in cooler months
- Swimwear and beach towel (if swimming)
Fitness Requirements
- Low level of fitness required
Dining
- 8 Full Buffet Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 1 Dinner
- 1 Dinner with Wine
Flight Information
- Day 1 – Flights to arrive by 4pm into Cairns Airport
- Day 9 – Flights to depart after 9pm from Gold Coast Airport
Reviews
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