Best Buys
Tropical Beaches and Reef
9 Day Guided Vacation | Cairns to Gold Coast
Travel Period
Australia enjoys its share of postcard-worthy beaches; you’ll experience many on this sun-kissed Cairns to Gold Coast tour. Perhaps palm-lined Mission Beach, deserted stretches of sand glimpsed on a Great Barrier Reef cruise, secluded coves on Hamilton Island, or powdery swathes across Fraser Island. It’s your chance to experience multiple World Heritage Sites and world-record breaking attractions, all in one.
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Tropical Beaches and Reef
Best Buys
9 Day Guided Vacation
Cairns to Gold Coast
Australia enjoys its share of postcard-worthy beaches; you’ll experience many on this sun-kissed Cairns to Gold Coast tour. Perhaps palm-lined Mission Beach, deserted stretches of sand glimpsed on a Great Barrier Reef cruise, secluded coves on Hamilton Island, or powdery swathes across Fraser Island. It’s your chance to experience multiple World Heritage Sites and world-record breaking attractions, all in one.
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.

Sustainable Travel
Your travels now can make a big different in the future: discover our ‘10 Pieces’ program to pick up rubbish where we roam.
Itinerary

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: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today we head south along the Bruce Highway. Relax and take in the scenery as we travel through sugar cane fields and large farming lands with the ocean to one side and lush rainforests and mountains on the other. We’ll make a stop along the way at a town where you can soak up the relaxed lifestyle that tropical North Queensland has to offer. Continue to Airlie Beach, the gateway hub to the Whitsundays. Spend the next two nights in this vibrant coastal town where you will have free time to explore at your own pace.
Hotel: Mantra Club Croc, 2 nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
The Whitsunday Islands are a collection of 74 tropical islands with white sandy beaches and dense rainforest surrounded by The Great Barrier Reef. This tropical oasis offers numerous activities for all budgets and interests. With so many bucket list reasons to get up early, why not take an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef 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 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. Take in the landscape of rolling hills, surrounding mountain peaks and coastline of the Sunshine Coast before arriving at the vibrant Gold Coast where your tour ends upon arrival this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
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.
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
- • 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- • Centrally located premium hotels
What to Bring
- • Camera
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
Fitness Requirements
- • Low level of fitness required
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)