Great Barrier Reef Escape

Discover some of the most spectacular scenery along Australia’s East Coast, including Fraser Island and Lillaa Falls as well as experiencing the vibrant city of Sydney, the pristine white beaches of the Whitsundays Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and the tropics of Cairns.

MEAL PLAN → The price includes daily breakfast from Day 2, 1 lunch and 7 dinners.

ACCOMMODATION → Accommodation is predominately in centrally located four star hotels, although three star hotels may be provided in smaller regional areas.

TOUR INCLUDES → Sightseeing and entrance fees as detailed. Hotel porterage is included. This tour is also available from Brisbane. Please contact us for details.

TRANSPORT INFORMATION → Departure and arrival airport transfers are included. Modern luxury coaches are airconditioned with reclining seats, 2 door access, onboard toilet, ample legroom and large panoramic windows. All AAT Kings coaches operate a non-smoking policy.

GROUP SIZE → 25-50 passengers.

NB → International flights are not included in the price.

DAY 1 → Early morning departure from Sydney to Port Stephens. Board a luxury dolphin watching boat with three viewing decks for a scenic cruise to spot pods of bottlenose dolphins.

DAY 2 → Visit Port Macquarie then continue through Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour for the night.

DAY 3 → Journey to the Cape Byron Lighthouse enjoying superb views from Australia’s most easterly point. Lunch in Byron Bay (own expense) before following the lush Tweed River Valley to the Gold Coast. Visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Tonight at leisure on the Gold Coast.

DAY 4 → Travel up the coast to Brisbane for a tour of the city and an opal demonstration. Continue on to Hervey Bay for a ferry ride to Fraser Island for two nights.

DAY 5 → An exhilarating 4x4 half-day tour of the Fraser Island. Marvel at Lake McKenzie, a beautiful freshwater lake surrounded by white sandy beaches.

DAY 6 → Return to the mainland this morning and stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. Continue across the Tropic of Capricorn to Yeppoon. Dine out this evening, on crocodile of course, at the Koorana Crocodile Farm. Home to around 3,000 crocodiles, your guide will take you on a spotlight tour, where a visit to the pens will reveal crocodiles as small as 150 grams and as large as 750 kilograms!

DAY 7 → Travel through Mackay, Australia’s sugar capital, to Airlie Beach and take ferry to Daydream Island, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

DAY 8 → Day at leisure to explore Daydream Island, one of the 70 islands that makes up the Whitsundays. There are wind surfing and catamaran classes, rainforest walks, beach volleyball, tennis, water polo, snorkelling and kayaking.

DAY 9 → Head north to the tropical city of Townsville. This afternoon perhaps stroll along the beach front promenade.

DAY 10 → Journey further north and climb the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Enjoy a guided cruise on tranquil Lake Barrine before heading to Port Douglas.

DAY 11 → A day at leisure in Port Douglas.

DAY 12 → Join the Quicksilver catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a reef education presentation and view the spectacular corals and tropical fish from the Underwater Observatory and the semi-submersible craft. There is the opportunity to go snorkelling (equipment provided). Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch, before returning to Port Douglas and on to Cairns for two nights.

DAY 13 → Board the Kuranda train for a historic journey taking you through the scenic countryside behind Cairns. Wander the Kuranda Markets and the Rainforestation Nature Park. Later board the Skyrail Cableway that takes you above the canopy of the tropical rainforest.

DAY 14 → Transfer to Cairns airport for your onward flight.