Island Hopper & Dolphins

Island Hopper & Dolphins
From $3,135 Land Only

ESCORTED

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation in hotels listed or similar, in twin-bedded rooms
• 11 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 7 dinners (D)
• Services of a professional Tour Director
• Luxury motorcoach featuring panoramic windows
• Sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges where applicable
• All local taxes
• Flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

Itinerary

Day 1, Tue. ARRIVE CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA.
On arrival in Cairns, you will be transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, take an orientation tour of Cairns. In the evening, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome drink. (D)

Day 2, Wed. CAIRNS.
Board the Kuranda train for a journey through the scenic countryside. Arrive at the cultural rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the stalls of the colorful markets. Later, board the Skyrail Cableway that travels above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. Ex-perience the History, Creative and Dance theaters where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B)

Day 3, Thu. CAIRNS / HAMILTON ISLAND.
Today travel to Shute Harbour. Take the ferry across to beautiful Hamilton Island, nestled in the glorious Whitsundays. Tonight enjoy a delicious dinner, including ocean-fresh seafood, on the terrace of the Toucan Tango Café overlooking the main swimming pool and Catseye Beach. (B,D)

Day 4, Fri. GREAT BARRIER REEF EXCURSION.
Head out this morning for a full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. A range of activities are available, including snorkeling and swimming, or just sit back, relax and watch colorful schools of fish from the semi-submersible coral viewer and Underwater Observatory. A delicious buffet lunch is included. (B,L)

Day 5, Sat. HAMILTON ISLAND.
A full day at leisure to explore Hamilton Island. You may want to join a morning tour of the island including the fauna park, take a cruise to Whitehaven Beach or perhaps hire a golf cart and explore the island yourself (all own expense). (B)

Day 6, Sun. HAMILTON ISLAND / ROCKHAMPTON.
Depart by catamaran and enjoy a short cruise back to the mainland, reboarding the coach at Shute Harbour. Travel south through Mackay, Australia's sugar capital, to Rockhampton situated on the broad Fitzroy River. (B,D)

Day 7, Mon. ROCKHAMPTON / FRASER ISLAND.
Your first stop today is Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and head further south to Hervey Bay. Then, travel by launch to remarkable Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, for a relaxing two-night stay. Renowned for its beauty and unique ecology, this island is now protected as a World Heritage Area. (B,D)

Day 8, Tue. FRASER ISLAND.
Take a half-day, 4WD tour of the island. Marvel at the tall forest at Pile Valley and the majestic rainforest at Central Station. Stop at Lake McKenzie, one of the island's beautiful freshwater lakes, surrounded by white sandy beaches. There is time later to relax and enjoy the resort's facilities. (B)

Day 9, Wed. FRASER ISLAND / MORETON ISLAND.
After a ferry ride back to the mainland, continue to Brisbane. Take an orientation tour of the city, and learn about opals. This afternoon, board a ferry and cruise to Moreton Island. (B,D)

Day 10, Thu. MORETON ISLAND.
A full day at leisure. Perhaps join an optional 4WD wilderness tour to visit Queensland’s oldest lighthouse at Cape Moreton, the Ocean Beach and Blue Lagoon, or enjoy a short trip to the “Desert” for the exhilarating sport of sand tobogganing (both own expense). Lots of activities, including tennis, archery, fishing, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving, are available as well. This evening, head down to the beach to hand feed fresh fish to the dolphins eagerly waiting. (B,D)

Day 11, Fri. MORETON ISLAND / COFFS HARBOUR.
Ferry back to the mainland and follow the lush Tweed River Valley to Cape Byron Lighthouse for superb views from Australia's most easterly point. Stop at colorful Byron Bay, then continue along the Pacific Highway to Coffs Harbour. (B,D)

Day 12, Sat. COFFS HARBOUR / DEPART SYDNEY.
Leaving Coffs Harbour, stop at the town of Port Macquarie. Continue along the scenic coastal route, before crossing the beautiful Hawkesbury River and arriving in Sydney at approximately 5.00 pm. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Hotels
Cairns - The Oasis Resort (SF)
Hamilton Island - Reef View Hotel – Coral Sea View Rooms (F)
Rockhampton - Leichhardt Hotel (ST)
Fraser Island - Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village (F)
MORETON Island - Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort (F)
COFFS HARBOUR - Novotel Pacific Bay Resort (F)

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Judith Kitzes: Judith Kitzes is a four-time Opal Award winner; Premier Aussie Specialist and active since 1993 . In addition to that, she is also a New Zealand Specialist, Tahiti Tiare Specialist, Fiji Matai Specialist, and Cook Islands Specialist.  She's travelled all over the South Pacific, and knows all kinds of little secret places to stay and things to do.  She's passionate as ever about Australia and New Zealand, and wants to help you plan your vacation of a lifetime.  So sharpen your spirit of adventure and grab your hat.  Give Judith a call to book your trip now. Explore a new itinerary from this Opal Award Winning Aussie specialist.
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