Coral Reef, Island & Outback Fly/Drive Itinerary

Brisbane is Queensland's capital city. With subtropical weather all year round and a wealth of cultural attractions, world-class arts and impressive natural wonders it's an exciting destination to begin your Australian Pacific Coast Self Drive Tour.

After checking in at your centrally located accommodation, a relaxing way to explore is to take to the water. The Brisbane River runs right through town and you can take a guided cruise past Brisbane’s most iconic sights including the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, City Centre, and the Story Bridge.

Accommodation: Brisbane - 1 Night

After collecting your comfortable rental car, enjoy a scenic drive to Noosa, one of Australia's best-loved beachside destinations.

En route, you may wish to stop at Australia Zoo to cuddle a koala or hand-feed kangaroos. Founded by the late Steve Irwin (known to millions worldwide as TV's Crocodile Hunter), the zoo is passionate about preserving Australia's incredible animal life and introducing them to international visitors.

Noosa

Surrounded by stunning beaches and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park, the resort town of Noosa is famed for its surf. Home to luxurious day spas, world-class golf courses and stylish shopping, it's a fun destination to explore

Approximate Distance: 150 km | 93 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours

Accommodation: Noosa - 2 Nights

Enjoy abundant wildlife spotting and photographic opportunities on a cruise of the Noosa Everglades: one of only two Everglades systems on the planet.

Board your purpose-built vessel at Habitat Noosa for a cruise along the pristine Lake Cootharaba, before moving into the tranquil, mirrored waterways of the Everglades. Stop for morning tea at historic Harry’s Hut – a relic of the early timber cutting days.

Explore, take a swim in pristine waters, photograph the abundant wildlife or simply relax in this unique natural environment.

After further exploring the Everglades you will return to Habitat Noosa for a roast lunch. (vegetarian + vegan available upon request). Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Cootharaba while you dine and maybe even spot a few kangaroos before heading back to Noosa at 3 pm.

Included Meals: Lunch

Travel to the pristine beaches of Hervey Bay: it's also known as the Whale Watch Capital of the World.

Hervey Bay

This charming coastal city has a pleasant subtropical climate and some very special tourists who return annually. Between July and November whales migrate to the safe, sheltered waters of Hervey Bay here to use the area as their calf nursery.

The calm waters of Hervey Bay make it an ideal watersports location for all the family: swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing are all popular pastimes.

Approximate Distance: 160 km | 99 miles   Total Driving Time: 2 hours 15 mins

Accommodation: Hervey Bay - 1 Night

Lady Elliot Island is a small coral cay sitting at the southern tip of the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. Miles from civilisation, it's the perfect place to live like a castaway. With sparkling white coral beaches and crystal clear lagoons, it's hard to imagine a more relaxing getaway.

Giant manta rays, migrating whales and rainbow-coloured fish are a handful of the 1200 species of sea creatures at your doorstep. Look out for migrating whales too.

Visitor numbers to the island are capped to protect the Island's fragile ecosystem. This guarantees you a peaceful stay where you will experience this fragile ecosystem to the fullest with minimal impact.

Accommodation: Lady Elliot Island -  2 Nights

Enjoy a free day on Lady Elliot Island: today is yours to discover this exotic Island however you desire.

Staying at Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, you'll find incredible natural experiences on offer, both above and below the waterline. Here are some awesome ways to make the most of your day:

• Reef Walking: Take a guided walk in the lagoon at low tide, armed with reef walking poles, seascapes and protective shoes. You'll see sea cucumbers, starfish, sea urchins, coral, clams, crabs and colourful fish of all shapes and sizes.
• Diving: Lady Elliot Island boasts 20 incredible dive sites around the island. They are within close proximity to the shore and have an almost limitless variety of marine and coral life.
• Snorkelling: You can snorkel straight from the beach or take a glass-bottom boat tour and hop over the side. Try the Eastern side of the island for tropical fish and colourful corals. The Western side is where you'll discover manta rays, reef sharks and dolphins (experienced snorkellers only).

Say farewell to your island haven and fly back to Hervey Bay. From here you will make your way back to Brisbane to return your rental car.

Relax after your journey with a stroll along the footpath by the meandering Brisbane River: it will lead you to the lagoon for a refreshing swim, or to trendy South Bank for a delicious dinner.

Approximate Distance: 285 km | 177 miles   Total Driving Time: 3 hours 30 mins

Accommodation: Brisbane - 1 Night

Fly to Australia's Red Centre , Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Ayers Rock is also known as Uluru; this is the name given by the Yankunytjatjara people, whose land the rock is situated on. This sacred 348-metre-high monolith stands in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The park also encompasses the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), both dating back hundreds of millions of years.

3 Day Uluru - Small Group Guided 4WD Outback Adventure

This small group, three-day inclusive adventure showcases the very best of the Centre with sunset at Uluru, sunrise at Kata Tjuta and an early morning inspirational Rim Walk or stroll along the creek at Kings Canyon. Your outback adventure includes the wonderful Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience at Kings Canyon and even takes you off-road along the Giles Road to Alice Springs with a picnic lunch along the way. Travel in our modern air-conditioned 4WD Mercedes Benz Sprinters and come see the real outback. 

Join the SEIT Uluru tour including sunset sparkling wine and nibbles this afternoon to kick off your outback adventure.

Accommodation: Uluru - 1 Night 

Embark on the SEIT Kata Tjuta morning tour, complete with a delightful picnic breakfast before continuing  your journey to Kings Canyon, enjoying a picnic lunch at Curtin Springs Station along the way.

Experience the Karrke Aboriginal Cultural Experience near Kings Canyon, offering a unique insight into Indigenous traditions.

Relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure. Optional activities include the Dining Under a Desert Moon experience (available April to October if staying at Kings Canyon Resort) or a scenic helicopter flight, which can be arranged on-site subject to availability and at an additional cost. Dinner is at your own expense.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Kings Canyon - 1 Night

Begin your day with the Rim Walk or Kings Creek Walk, accompanied by a picnic breakfast. From here you will set off for Alice Springs, taking the scenic off-road route along Giles Road and enjoying a picnic lunch on the way.

Stop at Anzac Hill in Alice Springs for breathtaking panoramic views of the town. Your guide will drop you off to your accommodation this evening.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 1 Night - Alice Springs

Fly 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 must be seen to be believed.

Settle into Sydney with a stroll along Circular Quay. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge at one end and the white sails of the Opera House at the other, is there any more iconic view in the world?

Accommodation: Sydney - 3 Nights

To help you tick everything off your Sydney bucket list today, we've included a hop-on-hop-off Ferry Pass - there's no better way to discover the city. Sydney's ferries are an easy way to travel around, and any ferry trip is worth it for the views alone.

Hop On Hop Off rocket ferries depart Sydney's main tourist precincts for a 60 to 90-minute cruise around the harbour with 11 famous stopovers along the way. These include the beach town of Manly, pretty Watsons Bay, Luna Park theme park and bustling Darling Harbour. Disembark at any one, stay as long as you like and board the next Explorer.

Enjoy some free time to discover Sydney in depth, at your own pace.

Adventurers can climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge: as well as 360-degree harbour views, you'll learn all about this engineering marvel from an expert guide. Or tackle the Bondi to Bronte walking trail along the sandstone cliffs for panoramic views of the South Pacific Ocean.

The Sydney Fish Market is the largest market of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can pile your plate with fresh mud crab, Balmain bugs, lobsters, fish n chips or freshly cut sashimi, and take your haul outside to eat on the pier.

However you choose to spend your day, Sydney is guaranteed to win your heart.

Say farewell to Sydney today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your Coral Reef, Island & Outback Fly/Drive and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.