Best Buys
Tropical Beaches & Reefs
9 Day Guided Vacation | Cairns to Gold Coast
Travel Period
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: the Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary.
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Prices From CODE: QCG
Was $4375
Was $5815
$3938
Above lowest price is based on 2024-11-15 departure
$5234
Above lowest price is based on 2024-11-15 departure
Single rooms are limited and subject to availability
Child prices may be available on request
Secure your trip with a deposit
Trip Details
What's included
- • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
• 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – K’gari (Fraser Island), Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropics of Queensland (Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail)
• Centrally located premium hotels
• Crater Lake National Park entrance fees (Millaa Millaa Falls)
Dining
- • 1 Dinner with Wine
- • 8 Full Breakfasts
- • 3 Lunches
Flight Information
- Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 2.00pm into Cairns Airport
Day 9 – flights to depart after 8.30pm from Gold Coast Airport
Flights are not included in the vacation price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the vacation price
What to Bring
- • Water bottle
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Camera
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
Fitness Requirements
Low level of fitness required.
Itinerary Generating PDF...
Cairns, the gateway to two World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. And you’re about to see both. Take it easy today, because the next few are going to be jam-packed with adventures. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner this evening.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
It’s not quite James Bond, but your high-speed catamaran over the Great Barrier Reef is certainly thrilling. Pause to snorkel over immense fans of coral, a verdant habitat for six of the world’s sea turtles as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Included Meals: Lunch, Breakfast
And now for that second World Heritage Site. Enjoy perspective of the Wet Tropics on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, lifting you above and through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to Kuranda. The Atherton Tablelands awaits, this high tropical plateau a tangle of dense forest – look out for the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree. And waterfalls, like Millaa Millaa, where enormous iridescent Ulysses butterflies like to dance.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Included Meals: Breakfast
Some days, the journey matters just as much as the destination. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you travel south through sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Airlie Beach and soak up this steamy part of the state.
Hotel: Mantra Club Croc
Included Meals: Breakfast
Sand, sun and seriously dreamy vistas are your outlook exploring the Whitsundays, 74 tropical drops of land all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to take in this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot.
Hotel: Mantra Club Croc
Included Meals: Breakfast
Your day starts on a natural high as you venture into Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. Your guided tour takes you behind the scenes of processing and distilling sugar cane at the Sarina Sugar Shed. And yes, you get to sample the wares. You’ll be bouncing off your seat all the way to Rockhampton, another town with a big title: this is the country’s beef capital. See if it deserves its accolade at any of the restaurants that line the streets. Ask us for dining tips.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals: Lunch, Breakfast
More beef awaits after you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to the Creed family’s Langmorn Station. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about life on the land, this is your chance – the Creeds have endless anecdotes to share over afternoon tea and a tour. Your next destination involves water. Lots of it. The ferry ride to World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island) is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Alight on the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast
The island also has a really long sand highway. Jump in a 4WD and zip along 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort
Included Meals: Lunch, Breakfast
Back on the mainland, follow the waves of Hervey Bay south to the Gold Coast, where you can be surfing one minute and surrounded by rainforest the next. This is where we say goodbye, but you don’t have to – this sparkling Queensland city has 70 kilometres of coastline to explore.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Tropical Beaches & Reefs
Best Buys
9 Day Guided Vacation
Cairns to Gold Coast
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: the Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary.
Highlights
Flexible Vacations
Hard decisions await in the Whitsundays: Cruise? Snorkel? Catch a chopper over the Great Barrier Reef? You choose.
Iconic Sites
The world’s largest sand island, K'gari (Fraser Island) delivers adventure (beach highways) and bliss (dreamy lagoons) in equal measure.
Natural Wonders
Some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest envelops Cairns, this verdant tangle of ferns and palms a natural magnet for native wildlife.
Sustainable Travel
Our Take 3 for the Sea program helps conserve our oceans through small collective efforts of rubbish collection.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Optional Experiences
Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Nautilus Aviation (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $199
Take to the sky on a 10-minute scenic flight. You will have the best seat to witness the iconic Great Barrier Reef from above.
Sunlover Guided Snorkel Safari (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $52.00 Child Price: AUD$39.00
>Have marine experts guide you on a personal 35 minute tour exploring areas of the reef not accessible by others, highlighting brilliant corals and fascinating marine life. Our marine naturalist has a large rubber ring that you can hold on to, making it great for non-swimmers and those who aren't confident to snorkel alone, as well as those who want an in depth experience of the outer reef.
Sunlover Introductory Dive (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $149.00
For an underwater adventure to remember, experience an introductory dive! It’s fun and no experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive. Professional and experienced instructors will guide you through every aspect of your dive, allowing you to have a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet, Chill & Grill (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD $263.00 Child Price: AUD $152.00
Spend the whole day experiencing the wonders of the magnificent Whitehaven Beach. Following the cruise over, your day on the whitest of sands commences on the southern end of the beach. The crew will advise of the day's activities available including a trip to Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach, walking tours and paddle boarding. Your trip includes morning and afternoon tea plus a gourmet burger with side salads served on the beach.
Cruise Whitsundays - Half Day Whitehaven Beach Cruise (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD 153.00
Child Price: AUD 62.00
The whitest sand in the Whitsundays is found on the magical Whitehaven Beach. This half day tour has you boarding a high speed catamaran directly to Whitehaven Beach where you will have time to explore, swim and relax. Morning departure, including morning tea.
Evening Glow Worm & Rainforest Experience (Gold Coast)
Adult: $109.00 AUD
Child: $89.00 AUD
Join an unforgettable night in the rainforest after dark! Enjoy a guided walk by torchlight with an expert local guide through the night time rainforest. Along the walk see the nocturnal rainforest inhabitants that are unique to the region and experience the sounds and sights of the rainforest in the evening. Along the rock face, see the glowing lava which is Glow Worms, unique to the Australian east coast.
Lamington National Park, O'Reilys & Vineyard Tour (Gold Coast )
Adult: $119.00 AUD
Child: 99.00 AUD
This tour provides you with all the best highlights packed beautifully into one fantastic day. A fully guided tour visiting the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest, the famous O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Canungra Valley Vineyard. Experience stunning panoramic views, a canopy treetop walk, wild bird feeding and more on this relaxed journey to 1,000 metres above sea level.
Natural Bridge & Sprinbook Waterfalls Tour (Gold Coast)
Adult: $109.00 (AUD)
Child: $89.00 (AUD)
Join an afternoon tour to the World Heritage Rainforests of Springbrook and view 5 stunning waterfalls. Learn about the history, culture and stories of the region on a fully guided rainforest walk to Natural Bridge and stand on the edge of an extinct 23 million year old volcano. Take in the view at lookouts with views across to the Gold Coast, Mt Warning and Green Cauldron of Northern NSW and enjoy light refreshments.
SeaWalker Helmet Dive (Cairns)
Adult: $149.00 (AUD)
For an amazing underwater walking experience, let Seawalker’s expert guides show you wonders of the reef as you stroll along Green Island lagoon’s sea floor. There’s no equipment to operate, non-swimmers welcome and you don’t even have to get your hair wet! It’s a great opportunity for those who don’t scuba dive or snorkel to see the reef from a different perspective.
The Tastes of Tamborine Mountain (Gold Coast)
Adult: $210.00 AUD
Child: $190.00 AUD
This is a Tamborine Mountain tour like no other. Experience Tamborine through the eyes of a local with a guided walk through the rainforest, taste locally grown produce at lunch and try the region’s best coffees and spirits. Meet passionate local producers, buy handmade art and crafts then take in the waterfalls and lookouts of the Gold Coast’s most famous mountain top village. Whilst on the tour our local guide will tell the stories of the local people, history of the region, show you their favourite spots and share their knowledge on the rainforest’s unique flora and fauna.
Waterfall, Wetlands & Skyrail Adventure (Kuranda)
Adult: $299.00 AUD
Child: $225.00 AUD
Embark on a Make Travel Matter® guided Waterfall, Wetlands & Skyrail adventure from Cairns. Explore Cattana Wetlands' palm forest with your experienced driver guide and Barron Falls with a Djabugay cultural guide. Savour lunch at Skybury, then journey to Emerald Creek Ice Creamery. Finish the day on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway travelling over and through the World Heritage Listed rainforest.
Trip Details
What's included
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
- 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Centrally located premium hotels
Dining
- • 8 Full Breakfasts
- • 3 Lunches
- • 1 Dinner with Wine
Flight Information
- Day 1: Flights to arrive by 2:00pm from Cairns airport
What to Bring
- • Warm layers in cooler months
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- • Water bottle
Fitness Requirements
- •
Itinerary
Cairns, the gateway to two World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. And you’re about to see both. Take it easy today, because the next few are going to be jam-packed with adventures.
Hotel: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns, 3 Nights
Included Meals: Dinner with Wine
It’s not quite James Bond, but your high-speed catamaran over the Great Barrier Reef is certainly thrilling. Pause to snorkel over immense fans of coral, a verdant habitat for six of the world’s sea turtles as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
And now for that second World Heritage Site. Enjoy perspective of the Wet Tropics on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, lifting you above and through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to Kuranda. The Atherton Tablelands awaits, this high tropical plateau a tangle of dense forest – look out for the heritage listed Curtain Fig Tree – where waterfalls drop from high escarpments. Millaa Millaa Falls is among the most dramatic, a natural magnet for iridescent Ulysses butterflies.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Some days, the journey matters just as much as the destination. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you travel south through sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Airlie Beach and soak up this steamy part of the state.
Hotel: Mantra Club Croc, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
Sand, sun and seriously dreamy vistas are your outlook exploring the Whitsundays, 74 tropical drops of land all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to take in this part of the Great Barrier Reef – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot. Decisions, decisions.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Your day starts on a natural high as you venture into Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital. Your guided tour takes you behind the scenes of processing and distilling sugar cane at the Sarina Sugar Shed. And yes, you get to sample the wares. You’ll be bouncing off your seat all the way to Rockhampton, another town with a big title: this is the country’s beef capital. See if it deserves its accolade at any of the restaurants that line the streets. Ask us for dining tips.
Hotel: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
More beef awaits after you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to the Creed family’s Langmorn Station. If you’ve ever wanted to learn about life on the land, this is your chance – the Creeds have endless anecdotes to share over afternoon tea and a tour. Your next destination involves water. Lots of it. The ferry ride to World Heritage listed K’gari (Fraser Island) is a highlight, particularly during whale migration when these gentle giants come to the calm, protected waters to calve. Alight on the world’s largest sand island, and the only place in the world where rainforest grows from the sand.
Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 2 Nights
Included Meals: Breakfast
The island also has a really long sand highway. Jump in a 4WD and zip along 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Just when you thought the island couldn’t get any prettier, Lake McKenzie appears on the horizon, this dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Back on the mainland, follow the waves of Hervey Bay south to the Gold Coast, where you can be surfing one minute and surrounded by rainforest the next. This is where we say goodbye, but you don’t have to – this sparkling Queensland city has 70 kilometres of coastline to explore
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.
Tropical Beaches and Reef
Best Buys
9 Day Guided Vacation
Cairns to Gold Coast
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: the Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary.
Highlights
Flexible Vacations
Hard decisions await in the Whitsundays: Cruise? Snorkel? Catch a chopper over the Great Barrier Reef? You choose.
Iconic Sites
The world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island delivers adventure (beach highways) and bliss (dreamy lagoons) in equal measure.
Time For You
Two World Heritage Sites unite in Cairns, the rainforest and the reef. Explore either or both, or sit back with a sundowner.
Natural Wonders
Some of the world’s oldest tropical rainforest envelops Cairns, this verdant tangle of ferns and palms a natural magnet for native wildlife.
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort.
The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Optional Experiences
Please note, prices for Optional Experiences are subject to change.
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Experiences for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The experiences can be booked on tour through your Travel Director.
Nautilus Aviation (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $199
Take to the sky on a 10-minute scenic flight. You will have the best seat to witness the iconic Great Barrier Reef from above.
Sunlover Guided Snorkel Safari (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $52.00 Child Price: AUD$39.00
>Have marine experts guide you on a personal 35 minute tour exploring areas of the reef not accessible by others, highlighting brilliant corals and fascinating marine life. Our marine naturalist has a large rubber ring that you can hold on to, making it great for non-swimmers and those who aren't confident to snorkel alone, as well as those who want an in depth experience of the outer reef.
Sunlover Introductory Dive (Cairns)
Adult Price: AUD $149.00
For an underwater adventure to remember, experience an introductory dive! It’s fun and no experience is necessary to take a fully supervised introductory dive. Professional and experienced instructors will guide you through every aspect of your dive, allowing you to have a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Whitehaven & Hill Inlet, Chill & Grill (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD $263.00 Child Price: AUD $152.00
Spend the whole day experiencing the wonders of the magnificent Whitehaven Beach. Following the cruise over, your day on the whitest of sands commences on the southern end of the beach. The crew will advise of the day's activities available including a trip to Hill Inlet at the northern end of the beach, walking tours and paddle boarding. Your trip includes morning and afternoon tea plus a gourmet burger with side salads served on the beach.
Cruise Whitsundays - Half Day Whitehaven Beach Cruise (Whitsundays)
Adult Price: AUD 153.00
Child Price: AUD 62.00
The whitest sand in the Whitsundays is found on the magical Whitehaven Beach. This half day tour has you boarding a high speed catamaran directly to Whitehaven Beach where you will have time to explore, swim and relax. Morning departure, including morning tea.
Evening Glow Worm & Rainforest Experience (Gold Coast)
Adult: $109.00 AUD
Child: $89.00 AUD
Join an unforgettable night in the rainforest after dark! Enjoy a guided walk by torchlight with an expert local guide through the night time rainforest. Along the walk see the nocturnal rainforest inhabitants that are unique to the region and experience the sounds and sights of the rainforest in the evening. Along the rock face, see the glowing lava which is Glow Worms, unique to the Australian east coast.
Lamington National Park, O'Reilys & Vineyard Tour (Gold Coast )
Adult: $119.00 AUD
Child: 99.00 AUD
This tour provides you with all the best highlights packed beautifully into one fantastic day. A fully guided tour visiting the world’s largest sub-tropical rainforest, the famous O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and Canungra Valley Vineyard. Experience stunning panoramic views, a canopy treetop walk, wild bird feeding and more on this relaxed journey to 1,000 metres above sea level.
Natural Bridge & Sprinbook Waterfalls Tour (Gold Coast)
Adult: $109.00 (AUD)
Child: $89.00 (AUD)
Join an afternoon tour to the World Heritage Rainforests of Springbrook and view 5 stunning waterfalls. Learn about the history, culture and stories of the region on a fully guided rainforest walk to Natural Bridge and stand on the edge of an extinct 23 million year old volcano. Take in the view at lookouts with views across to the Gold Coast, Mt Warning and Green Cauldron of Northern NSW and enjoy light refreshments.
SeaWalker Helmet Dive (Cairns)
Adult: $149.00 (AUD)
For an amazing underwater walking experience, let Seawalker’s expert guides show you wonders of the reef as you stroll along Green Island lagoon’s sea floor. There’s no equipment to operate, non-swimmers welcome and you don’t even have to get your hair wet! It’s a great opportunity for those who don’t scuba dive or snorkel to see the reef from a different perspective.
The Tastes of Tamborine Mountain (Gold Coast)
Adult: $210.00 AUD
Child: $190.00 AUD
This is a Tamborine Mountain tour like no other. Experience Tamborine through the eyes of a local with a guided walk through the rainforest, taste locally grown produce at lunch and try the region’s best coffees and spirits. Meet passionate local producers, buy handmade art and crafts then take in the waterfalls and lookouts of the Gold Coast’s most famous mountain top village. Whilst on the tour our local guide will tell the stories of the local people, history of the region, show you their favourite spots and share their knowledge on the rainforest’s unique flora and fauna.
Waterfall, Wetlands & Skyrail Adventure (Kuranda)
Adult: $299.00 AUD
Child: $225.00 AUD
Embark on a Make Travel Matter® guided Waterfall, Wetlands & Skyrail adventure from Cairns. Explore Cattana Wetlands' palm forest with your experienced driver guide and Barron Falls with a Djabugay cultural guide. Savour lunch at Skybury, then journey to Emerald Creek Ice Creamery. Finish the day on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway travelling over and through the World Heritage Listed rainforest.