Beaches and Reefs

DAY 1 - Start Sydney

Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! This morning we'll set out to explore this sun-drenched, cosmopolitan and eternally cool city. Your Trip Manager will give you the lowdown on all of Sydney's best bits as you get a tour of the highlights, before we venture over to Bondi Beach where you can spend the afternoon lazing about in the sunshine. Then it's time to whip out your best party outfits for the main event of today, the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. This year, Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride unite to present a truly global LGBTQI+ pride festival - the very first in the Southern Hemisphere - and we get to be part of it! Think tight 'n' bright, rainbow face paints and as much glitter as you can handle. Not ready to call it a night? We'll keep the party going at the official Mardi Gras afterparty for a joyous evening of music, dancing, connection and celebration. Lucky us.

DAY 2 - Sydney

Sydney

Morning sunshine! Sore head? A classic Sydney brunch and coffee fix at Roy's Café will sort that right out. Today you can take the day to recover on one of Sydney's beautiful beaches or keep the World Pride celebrations going by attending the Laneway Festival, a cherished tradition of the Mardi Gras Festival including over 10 hours of music, dance areas and pop-up shows.

DAY 3 - Sydney

Sydney

With a full free day to choose your own adventure, we have plenty of Free Time Add-Ons for you to pick from. Wine-lovers can sign up for an Australian wine tasting experience; water-lovers can opt for a sunset cruise or jetboat across the Sydney Harbour, plus much more. It's up to you! Tonight we'll wrap up with an included farewell to Sydney dinner (our treat), followed by the chance to hit up some of the famed Oxford Street nightclubs. A trip to Sydney wouldn't be complete without experiencing the nightlife, and Oxford Street is the heart of Sydney's LGBTQI+ scene with multiple dance floors, performers, DJs, themed nights and drag shows. What are you waiting for?

DAY 4 - Sydney to Byron Bay

Sydney

With Sydney satisfaction levels at a high this morning we jump on a plane to Byron Bay where all your hippie dreams can come to life.

Byron Bay

Landing in Byron Bay, we'll drop off our bags at the accomodation and start as we mean to go on, heading straight to the beach. Here in Byron we'll unleash our secret talent for surfing with an included lesson. You'll be a pro in no time! Afterwards, why not finish the afternoon with some beer tasting at a famous Byron Bay Brewery?

DAY 5 - Byron Bay

Byron Bay

We'll continue the surf vibes today with the option to kickstart our morning with sunrise at Australia's most easterly point. Then you have the rest of the day free to explore like a local. With the afternoon stretched out ahead of you, there's kayaking, relaxing on the beach and whale watching (seasonal) all on offer - your time here will be nothing short of magic.

DAY 6 - Byron Bay to Noosa Everglades via Hosanna Farm

Byron Bay

It's time to wave goodbye to Byron and head up the coast to Noosa Everglades. But first, why not opt for early morning yoga on the beach as you watch the golden sun stretch over the famous bay?

Hosanna Farm

On the way north we'll stop at Hosanna Farm, an authentic Aussie farm where you'll have the chance to meet and feed the farm animals, as well as try some traditional Australian tucker - damper & billy tea. 

Noosa Everglades

Buzzing from our farm adventures, we'll head to our next destination, the Noosa Everglades. Here we'll unpack at our Special Stay Eco Lodge home for the next two nights and relax with a group dinner in the bistro & bar area, surrounded by the chatter and rustling of local birds and kangaroos.

DAY 7 - Noosa Everglades - K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Trip

Noosa Everglades

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping at our Eco Camp this morning (you might even spot a kangaroo) and grab a quick brekkie before heading out for a day on K'gari (Fraser Island).

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Your spirits will be at an all-time high after this day full of sand dunes, scenic lakes and dense rainforests. We'll cruise along the world's longest sand highway before you appease your hunger with a tasty lunch.

Noosa Everglades

It's back to the Eco Camp this evening for our final night here. You have free time to tuck into some food at the bistro, sample the offerings at the CootharaBAR boutique brewery, or just relax and enjoy the lush surroundings of this beautiful protected National Park.

DAY 8 - Noosa Everglades to Airlie Beach

Noosa Everglades

What better way to say goodbye to The Glades than with an optional Canoeing Excursion on one of only two Everglades in the world? Afterwards we're on our way to find coastal nirvana at the pristine beaches of the Whitsundays. We'll hop on a plane for a flight to Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach

Landing in Airlie Beach, you'll notice everything starting to look a bit more tropical. Hello Whitsundays! We'll head to our accommodation for the night and enjoy an included dinner, ready to begin our Whitsundays sailing adventure tomorrow.

DAY 9 - Airlie Beach - Whitsundays Day Trip

Airlie Beach

Whitsundays

Is there anywhere in the world more beautiful than the Whitsundays? We think not. With 74 perfect islands at your fingertips, an open sea calling your name, today you'll get to explore one of the worlds most lusted-after holiday destinations with a day trip to the spotless Whitehaven Beach, including snorkelling. This is as close to heaven as you can find on planet earth.

DAY 10 - Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach

We've got a free day in Airlie Beach today! This vibrant hub of the Whitsundays is ours to explore. We could get out onto the waters with an optional sea kayaking adventure, take to the sky with a Skydive over Australia's most beautiful drop zone or even a relaxing scenic flight over the Whitsunday islands including Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. For those looking for a more relaxed option, kick back on the beach sipping something sweet or explore the cute boutiques, bistros and alfresco restaurants that adorn the seafront. It's a hard life.

DAY 11 - The Whitsundays to Magnetic Island via Townsville

Airlie Beach

Is there anything better than the Whitsundays? We think our next destination comes close. We'll board a train this morning heading for Townsville.

Townsville

After soaking up some East Coast scenery on our train journey, we'll hop on a ferry headed towards the spellbinding Magnetic Island.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is an apt name for this captivating isle, with its coastal walking trails and gum trees teeming with lazy koala bears. We'll have plenty of time to explore, try some water sports in the bright turquoise waters or meet some of the local marsupials. But this evening, we'll enjoy a drink (our treat) and watch the sunset over the bay. Blissful or what? 

DAY 12 - Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island

We have a whole day on this paradise island - lucky us! We'll waste no time meeting the locals, with a chance to eat an unlimited chef-cooked breakfast with some Koalas at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village. Then we can check out some of the walking trails - such as the Forts Walk which offers up stunning views of the Palm Island Group as well as WWI fortifications, and the chance to see more koalas in the wild-  or enjoy some free time at Horseshoe bay, taking a dip on the azure waters and relaxing on the beach. See Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk before a free evening, where we can watch the sunset and check out some of the local bars.

DAY 13 - Magnetic Island to Cairns via Townsville

Magnetic Island

After breakfast this morning we'll say farewell to our koala friends and depart Magnetic Island on a ferry. But we'll never forget its singular beauty.

Townsville

Back in Townsville we won't hang around too long, as we're hopping on a train headed to Cairns, where we'll arrive late afternoon after a gloriously scenic journey along Australia's East Coast.

Cairns

Welcome to the city where rainforests meet reefs. We'll enjoy an included interactive Bush Food tutorial and dinner at Ochre restaurant. An experienced chef will guide us through a history of Bush Food as you sample a variety of native spices and fruits, explaining their tastes, origins, and traditional uses before we enjoy our dinner, which features native game. It's in an incredible cultural feast, and the perfect way to start our adventure in Cairns.

DAY 14 - Cairns

Cairns

Rise and shine, today is day packed with history, heritage and natural beauty, as we take a day trip to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world: Daintree. With its ancient ferns and vibrant canopies, this place will take our breath away. There's a reason David Attenborough called it 'the most extraordinary place on earth.' As well as admiring the lush rainforest, we'll also meet the local Kuku Yalanji people and learn about their rich Aboriginal culture and history. We'll get the chance to view a smoking ceremony and take an art class with an Aboriginal artist. We'll also learn about ancient Dreamtime stories, local history and how these are shared through art. Then, we'll get to create our own unique souvenir to take home in the form of a canvas that tells our own stories. What a day; and we're not done yet. 

DAY 15 - Cairns

Cairns

Today you'll have the option to board a catamaran out to the reef to snorkel or dive in the crystal waters and gaze at the colourful coral and even more vibrant marine life. Back on board, the expert marine crew will tell us all there is to know about this stunning, but vulnerable, natural miracle.

DAY 16 - Depart Cairns

Cairns

Our adventure ends this afternoon, but not before we have a chance to escape our comfort zones and try some of the adventurous activities that Cairns is famous for. Anyone for bungy jumping?