Best Buys
Tropical Beaches and Reef
9 Day Guided Vacation | Cairns to Gold Coast
Travel Period
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: the Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary.
Current season sold out Code: QCG
$
Above lowest price is based on departure
$
Above lowest price is based on departure
Child prices are available on request
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
- • 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- • Centrally located premium hotels
Dining
- • 8 Full Breakfasts
- • 3 Lunches
- • 1 Dinner with Wine
Flight Information
- • Day 1: Flights to arrive by 2:00pm from Cairns airport
- • Day 9: Flights to depart after 8:30pm from Gold Coast Airport (Next day departure is recommended)
- • Airline schedules may change at short notice. Please consider possible flight disruption when booking your flights.
What to Bring
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Comfortable walking shoes
Fitness Requirements
- • Low level of fitness required
Itinerary

Cairns, the gateway to two World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. And you’re about to see both. Take it easy today, because the next few are going to be jam-packed with adventures.
Hotel:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns,
3 Nights
Included Meals:
Dinner with Wine
It’s not quite James Bond, but your high-speed catamaran over the Great Barrier Reef is certainly thrilling. Pause to snorkel over immense fans of coral, a verdant habitat for six of the world’s sea turtles as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
And now for that second World Heritage Site. Enjoy perspective of the Wet Tropics on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, lifting you above and through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to Kuranda. The Atherton Tablelands awaits, this high tropical plateau a tangle of dense forest – look out for the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree – where waterfalls drop from high escarpments. Millaa Millaa Falls is among the most dramatic, a natural magnet for iridescent Ulysses butterflies.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Some days, the journey matters just as much as the destination. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you travel south through sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Airlie Beach and soak up this steamy part of the state.
Hotel:
Mantra Club Croc,
2 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Sand, sun and seriously dreamy vistas are your outlook exploring the Whitsundays, 74 tropical drops of land all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to take in this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot. Decisions, decisions.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Your day starts on a natural high as you venture into Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. Your guided tour takes you behind the scenes of processing and distilling sugar cane at the Sarina Sugar Shed. And yes, you get to sample the wares. You’ll be bouncing off your seat all the way to Rockhampton, another town with a big title: this is the country’s beef capital. See if it deserves its accolade at any of the restaurants that line the streets. Ask us for dining tips.
Hotel:
Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
More beef awaits after you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to the Creed family’s Langmorn Station. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about life on the land, this is your chance – the Creeds have endless anecdotes to share over afternoon tea and a tour. Your next destination involves water. Lots of it. The ferry ride to World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island) is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Alight on the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand.
Hotel:
Kingfisher Bay Resort,
2 Nights
Included Meals:
Breakfast
The island also has a really long sand highway. Jump in a 4WD and zip along 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Back on the mainland, follow the waves of Hervey Bay south to the Gold Coast, where you can be surfing one minute and surrounded by rainforest the next. This is where we say goodbye, but you don’t have to – this sparkling Queensland city has 70 kilometres of coastline to explore
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Tropical Beaches and Reef
Best Buys
9 Day Guided Vacation
Cairns to Gold Coast
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: the Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary.
Highlights

Flexible Vacations
Hard decisions await in the Whitsundays: Cruise? Snorkel? Catch a chopper over the Great Barrier Reef? You choose.

Iconic Sites
The world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island delivers adventure (beach highways) and bliss (dreamy lagoons) in equal measure.

Time For You
Two World Heritage Sites unite in Cairns, the rainforest and the reef. Explore either or both, or sit back with a sundowner.

Natural Wonders
Some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest envelops Cairns, this verdant tangle of ferns and palms a natural magnet for native wildlife.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Boasting uninterrupted views of the Coral Sea, and a stunning natural setting amidst landscaped tropical gardens, the oceanfront DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns is just a short walk from the city center, and Cairn’s business, retail and entertainment districts. The hotel overlooks the picturesque Cairns Esplanade, and is just moments from Cairns Lagoon and Cairns Casino. The Great Barrier Reef departures terminal is 100m away, and Cairns International Airport is only 10 minutes’ drive from our Cairns hotel. Our onsite tour desk will help you explore the wonders of this unique region.


Families, couples and groups will find Mantra Club Croc ideally positioned in the coastal town of Airlie Beach, within a five-minute drive of its lively hub. Centrally located on Shute Harbour Road, you’ll be set to experience the best of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations. Providing a glimpse into the region’s past, Mantra Club Croc’s traditional Queenslander exterior complements its modern interior and boasts a tropical carefree atmosphere throughout. Hotel rooms are refurbished with natural tones reflect the nearby coastline, coupled with modern features to ensure you are relaxed while on vacation.
- Tea & Coffee Facilities
- Air-conditioning
- LCD TV
- Hair Dryer
- Iron / Ironing Board
- Wi-Fi (additional cost)
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. Ask our friendly reservations at the time of booking.
Optional Experiences
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Excursions for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The excursions can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Nautilus Aviation (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $199
Take to the sky on a 10-minute scenic flight. You will have the best seat to witness the iconic Great Barrier Reef from above.
Sunlover Guided Snorkel Safari (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $55.00 Child Price: AUD$37.00
Have marine experts guide you on a personal 35 minute tour exploring areas of the reef not accessible by others, highlighting brilliant corals and fascinating marine life. Our marine naturalist has a large rubber ring that you can hold on to, making it great for non-swimmers and those who aren't confident to snorkel alone, as well as those who want an in-depth experience of the outer reef.
Sunlover Introductory Dive (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $149.00
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet, Chill & Grill (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD $235.00 Child Price: AUD $122.00
Spend the whole day experiencing the wonders of the magnificent Whitehaven Beach. Following the cruise over, your day on the whitest of sands commences on the southern end of the beach. The crew will advise of the days activities available including a trip to Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach, walking tours and paddle-boarding. Your trip includes morning and afternoon tea plus a gourmet burger with side salads served on the beach.
Cruise Whitsundays - Half Day Whitehaven Beach Cruise (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD 120.00
Child Price: AUD 47.00
The whitest sand in the Whitsundays is found on the magical Whitehaven Beach. This half day tour has you boarding a high speed catamaran directly to Whitehaven Beach where you will have time to explore, swim and relax. Morning departure, including morning tea.