Tour itinerary
DAY 1: Cairns
Welcome to the Tropical North! We meet and greet at our hotel in the heart of Cairns before we head off to explore the nearby tropical Rainforest and Kuranda before returning via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In an evening tailor-made especially for Connections Adventures, you will be taken on a journey that commences with the effects of European settlement on the Tjapukai people in the History Theatre. Hides Resort
DAY 2: Cairns - Optional Great Barrier Reef
Cairns is the perfect hub for numerous adventure and nature based activities. Try an optional trip to the Great Barrier Reef today aboard a maxi-catamaran with Passions of Paradise, or go crazy with other optional adventures. At day's end, regroup and freshen up for dinner Connections style.Hides Resort
DAY 3: Cairns to Undara
Leaving Cairns behind after an early start, we make tracks for the Savannah country, behind the ranges to the West, leaving the coast behind us for a short while. Undara is famous throughout the world for Lava Tubes – plus it’s unique outback style accommodation, gorgeous bush setting and abundance of native wildlife. This will be a highlight of your 14 days!
Undara Outback Experience - Swag Tents Share Facilities
DAYS 4 & 5: Whitsundays
Leaving the outback behind it’s an early start as we make our way south on the inland highway back to the coast via Townsville. It’s then on to Airlie Beach, the heart of the thriving Whitsundays. If there’s a heaven on earth, it’s definitely in the Whitsundays so prepare to enjoy! And the best way to experience this gorgeous region is onboard a boat – your home for the next 2 nights! You’ll be watching the sunset over the water tonight from the heart of paradise. (Bx2, Lx1, Dx2)
Tall Ship Sailing - Multi Share Bunks
DAY 6: Whitsundays to Airlie Beach
This morning we set sail again for another idyllic location before sadly returning to the mainland and the resort town of Airlie Beach. Here our Landlubber Friends will rejoin us and we’ll get to experience a night out in “Airlie” – famous for it’s laid back lifestyle, colourful characters and toad racing!!Club Crocodile Resort Airlie Beach
DAY 7: Airlie Beach to Rockhampton
We make a morning drive to Mackay - commercial centre of Queensland’s huge sugar industry. Here we'll stop for an early lunch at one of the gorgeous beaches - your last real chance to enjoy North Queensland. This is a great spot for a quick game of football or to take a walk on the beach and stretch your legs. After a short break it’s on to Rockhampton (beef capital of Australia and “Rocky” to the locals). Tonight we explore the local “Rocky” nightlife – if we’re lucky we’ll check out a real life Rodeo! Giddy up!!! Hope you’ve packed your Akubra!Sundowner Rockhampton
DAY 8: Rockhampton to Fraser Island
Today we reunite with the Bruce Highway and travel south through more beef and sugar cane country towards the Fraser Coast. We make a short stop for lunch and back on the road again to Hervey Bay – beachside resort town and stepping off point for the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island. Here we board our ferry to cross the Great Sandy Straight, bound for Fraser Island.Kingfisher Bay Wilderness Lodge - share facilities
DAY 9: Fraser Island
Fraser Island – Great Sandy National Park is World Heritage Listed and is the world’s largest sand island. It was home to the Badtjala Aboriginal people for some 5000 years and was known as ”K’gari”. This special place supports an extraordinarily diverse rainforest, wildflower heath, mangroves, birds and a large population of dingoes. The island has dunes that reach 240 metres in height and about 40 dune lakes – half the number in the world. A great way to see this magnificent national park is on an optional 4-wheel drive tour*, along the unspoilt surf beaches and to pristine inland freshwater lakes that are ideal for swimming. Kingfisher Bay Wilderness Lodge - Share Facilities
DAY 10: Fraser Island to Gold Coast
This morning we say our last goodbyes to Fraser Island, board our ferry and return to the mainland, where we continue our journey south through the old gold mining town of Gympie and past the world famous Glasshouse Mountains to the Gold Coast.Paradise Resort
DAY 11: Gold Coast to Byron Bay
Enjoy a relaxed start to the morning before we make the leisurely drive across the New South Wales border towards the popular resort town of Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly township. Renowned for its surfing beaches, beautiful rainforests and eclectic lifestyle, Byron Bay oozes a relaxed vibe that "hooks" many a traveller. Some have been known to visit and never leave. After checking into our cabins, we head off to explore this vibrant town and see what all the fuss is about! Glen Villa Resort Cabins
DAY 12: Byron Bay
A full day ahead to enjoy what Byron Bay has to offer. Famous for its great beaches and counter culture, we have plenty of optional activities here to keep us busy. Try a surfing lesson*, go diving* sea kayaking* or just chill out on the beach. The galleries and craft shops are also sure to fascinate, as are the many cafes and alternate cuisines that are available here. A great scenic walk is to the lighthouse at Cape Byron where the views are breathtaking. It’s even possible that you may see some dolphins or whales as they pass by. No matter if you do too much or too little here, you are certain to enjoy it. Glen Villa Resort Cabins
DAY 13: Byron Bay to Myall Lakes
Our journey commences bright and early when we depart Byron Bay southwards along the Pacific Highway. With the Great Dividing Range to our west and the Pacific Ocean on our east, you'll travel through some picturesque rural regions today - be sure to keep your eye out for the "Big Banana"! We travel through the Northern Rivers towns of Ballina and Grafton before arriving at our secluded Eco-Resort situated on the waters edge of Myall Lake within a National Park. Myall Shores Resort
DAY 14: Myall Lakes to Sydney
Today we say goodbye to this tranquil location and make for the "big smoke"! Our first stop will be the Hunter Valley a region famous for some great wines, particularly Semillon and Shiraz. Sydney looms large as we take time to stop for a group photo with this gorgeous harbour city as our backdrop before crossing the Harbour Bridge. It’s then time to bid our travelling companions farewell as our journey reaches its completion in this great city.