Reisbeschrijving

Itinerary effective 1 April 2007.
Tours prior follow 14 Day itinerary. Please enquire for details.

Day 1 Thur. Sydney, Port Macquarie, Welcome Dinner.
The adventure begins in Sydney. We drive across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and then on to the Central Coast en route to Port Macquarie, home to some beautiful beaches. Tonight is our Welcome Dinner where you can meet fellow travellers.
Stay: Port Macquarie, Rydges Port Macquarie. FD

Day 2 Fri. Port Macquarie, Byron Bay.
Enjoy a morning drive to Byron Bay, a coastal town renowned for its superb surf beaches that has attracted both wealthy city dwellers looking to escape the city as well as the bohemian lifestylers. Take in the incredible views from Cape Byron, the Australian mainland’s most easterly point. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point, and see the Cape Byron Lighthouse. Stroll along the pristine beach located at the doorstep of our hotel tonight as the sun sets.
Stay: Kingscliff, Outrigger on the Beach at Salt. B

Day 3 Sat. Gold Coast, Brisbane, Moreton Island.
Today a short drive brings us to Brisbane, capital of the state of Queensland. Enjoy time to explore the shops or perhaps take a leisurely stroll across the pretty Brisbane River to Southbank. 11 Day (TQ11) passengers join tour. Then it is time to join a cruise across the waters of Moreton Bay to picturesque Moreton Island National Park.
Two Night Stay: Moreton Island, Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort. BD

Day 4 Sun. Moreton Island, Tangalooma, Day at Leisure, Wild Dolphins.
Enjoy a full day to explore this beautiful island. You can be as relaxed or as adventurous as you please. Snorkel around the shipwrecks, try sand tobogganing, quad bike riding or take a 4WD tour of the island (all activities at own expense). There are also many different and exciting watersports, two pools or you can just relax at the resort. Tonight is our highlight – the opportunity to interact with the dolphins that swim close to shore. Most evenings the dolphins swim up to the beach, where they are rewarded with fresh fish hand-fed to them by the staff
and you will also have an opportunity to hand-feed them yourself. B

Day 5 Mon. Moreton Island, Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay.
Return to the mainland and visit renowned Australia Zoo, made famous by ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin. Watch the feeding of the crocodiles who ‘have a go’ at the keepers or interact with many native animals that the handlers are walking around the zoo with. We travel through the picturesque Sunshine Coast, a region that appeals to the stylish holiday maker, before arriving in the coastal town of Hervey Bay. With its beautiful beaches and sparkling waters, Hervey Bay is a popular tourist destination, especially in whale watching season (Aug.-Oct.) when humpback whales can be seen playing offshore.
Two Night Stay: Hervey Bay, Kondari Resort, set among lush gardens. B

Day 6 Tue. World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.
This morning we cruise to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, home to Australia’s purest strain of dingo, and offering exceptional natural beauty in the form of uninterrupted white beaches, striking coloured sand cliffs and over 100 freshwater lakes. Enjoy the chance to explore the world’s largest sand island in specially-designed 4WD vehicles. On your 4WD adventure discover unspoilt surf beaches, pristine inland lakes and lush rainforest. Fraser Island is the only place in the world where rainforest grows on sand at elevations of over 200 metres. Recross the
Great Sandy Strait. As we cruise to Hervey Bay, watch for humpback whales migrating to their breeding grounds (Aug.-Oct.). B, FL

Day 7 Wed. Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton.
Journey to the city of Rockhampton, situated on the banks of the Fitzroy River and located on the Tropic of Capricorn. Take a leisurely stroll around the Botanical Gardens, regarded among the best in regional Australia. Excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns are found throughout the beautifully manicured grounds,
and an architecturally-designed Japanese garden gives a sense of peace and tranquillity. Marvel at the architectural charm of this city, including stone buildings and churches set off by beautiful bougainvilleas.
Stay: Rockhampton Plaza Hotel. BD

Day 8 Thur. Mackay, Airlie Beach, Cruise to Daydream Island.
This morning we make tracks for the town of Mackay. Surrounded by sugarcane crops, Mackay is also known as the sugar capital of Australia. Continue to stunning Airlie Beach, our gateway to the 74 idyllic islands of the Whitsunday Passage. We cruise to Daydream Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and described as the jewel of the Whitsunday Islands, an archipelago of green islands lying in rich blue tropical waters. 6 Day (TQ6) passengers join tour.
Two Night Stay: Daydream Island Resort and Spa. BD

Day 9 Fri. The Whitsundays, Daydream Island.
Today explore other nearby Whitsunday Islands or relax on Daydream’s secluded beaches. The more energetic can discover the island’s lush rainforest and colourful native birdlife. Perhaps wade out from the shore to snorkel the fringing reefs, head out on the water on a windsurfer or catamaran, or simply unwind on the beach. Perhaps try out the mini-golf course, lagoon-style swimming pools and spas, gymnasium, sauna, tennis courts, plus Australia’s most scenic outdoor movie cinema. Be as active or as laid-back as you like (all activities at own expense). B

Day 10 Sat. Daydream Island, Whitsundays, Townsville, Cardwell, Mission Beach.
This morning we return to the mainland and head to Townsville, North Queensland’s largest city. We continue along the coastline travelling between lush mountains with tropical vegetation and sandy beaches beside clear waters. Our destination today is Mission Beach, a region of unspoilt rainforests and wide beaches, and a relaxed yet vibrant beachfront township which provides an idyllic overnight stay. Here two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest, converge to create a pristine environment.
Stay: Mission Beach, Castaways on the Beach Resort, next to the beach. B

Day 11 Sun. Millaa Millaa Falls, Curtain Fig Tree, Cairns, Farewell Dinner.
We climb the high tablelands of Atherton for great views of the North Johnstone River. Visit beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree where the host tree has been subsumed. There is time to explore the volcanic Lake Barrine, filled with cool, clean, crystal-clear water, surrounded by lush tropical highland rainforest (optional cruise available). We then journey to Cairns – you can choose to journey aboard the Skyrail, Kuranda Scenic Railway (own expense) or by coach. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore this tropical city. Tonight dine with your new-found friends at our special Farewell Dinner at Tjapukai by Night – discover the Dreamtime and be an interactive part of an ancient corroboree. Then be led along a flame-lit pathway to a dinner banquet of the region's best food.
Two Night Stay: Cairns, Mercure Harbourside Hotel, overlooking Trinity Bay. B, FD

Day 12 Mon. Cairns, Green Island.
This morning join a cruise to beautiful Green Island, a coral cay located on the Great Barrier Reef. Green Island is more than a tropical island surrounded by magnificent coral reef. There are white sandy beaches, safe swimming all year round and self-guided snorkelling trails. Here spend the morning snorkelling offshore among the colourful coral and tropical fish. Or, for a different perspective, you can join a glass-bottom boat tour. Later return to Cairns for an afternoon at leisure or you can extend to a full day on Green Island and surrounding reef. B

Day 13 Tue. Port Douglas, Coral Coast.
This morning enjoy one of Australia's greatest coastal drives to Port Douglas. On arrival at this coastal town, enjoy some free time to explore. Perhaps stroll the palm-fringed beaches with an opportunity to visit the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. Here you can wander through four different and unique environments that depict over 180 species of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands, (own expense). Explore the beautiful coastal resort town of Palm Cove. We return to Cairns at approximately 4.00 p.m. where your tour concludes. B

Inclusions and Essentials    
Sightseeing Highlights  
•  Interact with wild dolphins with opportunities to feed them
•  Take a 4-wheel drive tour of Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island
•  Visit Australia Zoo and see the crocodile show
•  Cruise to beautiful Green Island, a coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef
•  Cruise the Whitsunday Islands
•  Explore the exclusive resort towns of Port Douglas and Palm Cove

Finest Dining – Includes 18 Meals
•  Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Tjapukai by Night and be part of a corroboree
•  12 hot breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 5 Dinners (D)

Outstanding Places to Stay
•  Two nights on Moreton Island, staying at Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort
•  Enjoy two nights on idyllic Daydream Island
•  Stay two nights in tropical Cairns overlooking Trinity Bay