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Welcome to Cairns
With its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a haven of scuba diving, snorkelling, reef cruises, all types of fishing, rainforest walks, native bird and wildlife watching.
Arrive at any time, and settle in at your own pace today: there are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Tonight is your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Accommodation: Cairns - 1 Night
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Cairns to Cape Tribulation
From Cairns you will head north to Cape Tribulation, a remote headland famed for its beautiful beach and rainforest landscape. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Included Activity: Aboriginal Interpretive Walk at Mossman Gorge
Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Follow an Indigenous guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants and the lasting relationship of the Kuku Yalanji people with their natural environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Cape Tribulation - 2 Nights
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Cape Tribulation at Leisure
A free day in beautiful Cape Tribulation. Why not opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park?
Option Activity: Explore Daintree National Park - Free
Step back in time in this lush tropical rainforest, reported to be more than 110 million years old! Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 430 species of birds, including the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher and flightless cassowary. On the ground, look for possums, bandicoots, echidna and musky rat kangaroo. Discover why the Aborigines consider this a spiritual place.
Optional Activities: Great Barrier Reef Visit, Daintree Rainforest Night Walk
Meals: Breakfast
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Cape Tribulation to Cairns
Bid farewell to the rainforest and return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.
Sun-seekers and locals alike flock to Cairns Esplanade's swimming lagoon on the city's foreshore. There are picnic areas, birdwatching viewpoints, free barbecues and fitness equipment along the boardwalk, perfect for unwinding after today's journey.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cairns - 1 Night
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Cairns to Airlie Beach
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach. Sit back, relax and put your favourite tunes on while you enjoy the scenery from the convenience of your private vehicle.
Airlie Beach
Palm-fringed beaches and waterfront parks are a staple of this seriously laid-back holiday destination. After your journey, why not cool off at Airlie Beach Lagoon? Here you can swim all year round and there are even lifeguards on duty in the daylight hours.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Airlie Beach - 2 Nights
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Great Barrier Reef Boating Trip
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
Included Activity: Whitsunday Islands Sailing Excursion
Enjoy a day out on the water amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
Included Activity: Barrier Reef Visit
The Whitsunday Islands are in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day out on a boat cruising through the waters around the islands. Then, when it gets too hot, pull on a mask and snorkel and dive overboard to check out the variety of brightly coloured marine plants, coral and fish that thrive right in these warm tropical waters.
Meals: Lunch
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Airlie Beach to Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in Australia's famous "hippie" paradise.
Byron is one of Australia's most creative locations, with a huge population of musicians, writers and designers living here and enjoying the relaxed beach lifestyle. Think chic boutiques, luxury wellness retreats, organic cafes and yoga on the sands.
Accommodation: Byron Bay - 2 Nights
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Onwards to Port Macquarie
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
Accommodation: Port Macquarie - 1 Night
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Port Macquarie to Blue Mountains
Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Blue Mountains - 2 Nights
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Explore the Blue Mountains
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
Included Activity: Blue Mountains Scenic Railway
This railway is steep and plunges into the rainforest and through the valley. The ride is scenically stunning. At the end, opt to take a rainforest walk or a cable car back to the visitor's centre.
Included Activity: Jamison Valley Walk
Take in some amazing lookouts over the Jamison Valley, via the iconic Three Sisters. Descend down the 900 step giant staircase to the valley floor. Walk amongst the beautiful forest to the steepest incline railway in the world — The Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride its 52-degrees angle or take the Scenic Cableway. If you're keen for more walking, and time permitting, take the 900 stairs back up.
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Blue Mountains to Sydney
Welcome to Sydney, the oldest and grandest of Australia's big cities. Blessed with a glorious natural harbour, golden beaches and a blissful climate, this incredible metropolis is guaranteed to impress.
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
You have a free afternoon, so why not settle in with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Harbour Bridge at one end and the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic place to begin exploring?
Accommodation: Sydney - 2 Nights
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Sydney
Enjoy a free day to explore one of Australia's most exciting cities. Today is your day to get a feel for the city, relax seaside at Bondi Beach, and enjoy an optional final night out with the group. Discover the city at your leisure, or you can opt to pre-book some amazing Sydney activities:
Optional Activity: Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach Coastal Walk - Free
Go for a walk along one of the most iconic trails in Australia. Pass by secluded beaches, massive cliffs, and more breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean than imaginable – all before arriving at the world-famous Bondi Beach. From May to December, keep a keen eye on the ocean to try and spot migrating humpback whales.
Optional Activity: Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
Climb one of the most famous bridges in the world - the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Soak in amazing panoramic city views of Sydney at the top - a perfect photo opt and memory to take home with you!
Optional Activity: Sydney HarbourJet Boat Ride
Want an adrenaline rush? Hold on and get ready for a white-water thrill while gorgeous scenery whizzes past. Explore Sydney Harbour, jetting by the Opera House, Harbour Islands and more!
Optional Activity: Sydney Opera House Visit
Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Catch the boom of the grand organ - with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world.
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Farewell from Sydney
Bid farewell to Sydney this morning and, after any last-minute sightseeing, prepare to embark on your journey home.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Solo Travellers
No extra fee for Solo Travelers—same gender roommate will be provided or pay extra for your own room.
Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.
What Elizabeth says about this tour: "If you're short on time, a small group tour is an ideal way to see Australia: someone else is doing all the driving so you can spend every minute enjoying yourself! This 2-week guided Australia tour focuses on the East Coast's diverse natural wonders, sandy beaches and hip cities. With highlights including the Daintree Rainforest, Great Barrier Reef and wonderful Sydney, you'll be amazed by the range of climates and environments you travel through, from tropical gorges to forested mountains."
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