Tropical Discovery

AUSTRALIA - Fully Escorted Tour

If you're seeking a vacation that offers a wide variety of activities, Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific are the perfect destinations for you.

Tropical Discovery
From $3,335 Land Only

ESCORTED

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation in hotels listed or similar, in twin-bedded rooms
• 12 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L), and 7 dinners (D) including a Welcome Dinner
• 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, Thu. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA / COFFS HARBOUR.
Depart Sydney at 7.30 a.m. Travel the scenic coastline of New South Wales, stopping at the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Continue to Coffs Harbour. Tonight enjoy a Welcome Dinner with your traveling companions. (D)

Day 2, Fri. COFFS HARBOUR / BYRON BAY / GOLD COAST.
This morning journey to the Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy the superb views from Australia's most easterly point. Stop in exclusive Byron Bay before following the lush Tweed River Valley to the famous Gold Coast. (B)

Day 3, Sat. GOLD COAST / FRASER ISLAND.
Travel along the Gold Coast to Brisbane for an orientation tour of the city and to learn about opals. Continue on to Hervey Bay for the ferry crossing to spectacular Fraser Island, protected as a World Heritage Area. (B,D)

Day 4, Sun. FRASER ISLAND.
Board a 4WD vehicle for a half-day tour of the island. Marvel at the majestic rainforest at Central Station, and visit Lake McKenzie, a beautiful freshwater lake, surrounded by white sandy beaches. (B)

Day 5, Mon. FRASER ISLAND / ROCKHAMPTON.
Return to the mainland this morning, cross the Tropic of Capricorn and stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. Enjoy afternoon tea at the homestead, a restored “Queenslander” built in 1873. Continue to Rockhampton, set on the broad Fitzroy River. This evening, dine at the Dreamtime Cultural Centre. Learn about Aboriginal culture and traditions, and enjoy their colorful dances. (B,D)

Day 6, Tue. ROCKHAMPTON / HAMILTON ISLAND.
Travel north via Mackay, to Shute Harbour. Board a catamaran for a short cruise through the Whitsundays to Hamilton Island. Tonight savor a delicious dinner, including ocean-fresh seafood on the terrace of the Toucan Tango Café. (B,D)

Day 7, Wed. HAMILTON ISLAND.
A day at leisure to explore Hamilton Island. Optional tours include a morning tour of the island and the fauna park, or a cruise to Whitehaven Beach. You may want to rent a golf cart and explore the island yourself. (B)

Day 8, Thu. HAMILTON ISLAND / TOWNSVILLE.
Head north to the tropical city of Townsville. See koalas and other native animals on a guided tour of Billabong Sanctuary. This afternoon is free to relax or perhaps take a stroll along The Strand. (B,D)

Day 9, Fri. TOWNSVILLE / ATHERTON TABLELANDS / PORT DOUGLAS.
Journey north, then climb the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Then enjoy a guided cruise on Lake Barrine, before traveling to Port Douglas. (B,D)

Day 10, Sat. PORT DOUGLAS.
A day at leisure in Port Douglas. Perhaps explore the World Heritage rainforest, join a guided cruise on the Daintree River to spot the fearless saltwater crocodile, enjoy a walk along Four Mile Beach, or just sit back and relax by the pool. (B)

Day 11, Sun. PORT DOUGLAS / GREAT BARRIER REEF / CAIRNS.
Board the Great Adventures catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. View the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the Underwater Observatory and the semi-submersible craft. You might want to go snorkeling and view this natural living wonder up close. Enjoy a delicious tropical buffet lunch before traveling on to Cairns this afternoon. (B,L)

Day 12, Mon. CAIRNS.
Board the Kuranda train for a journey through the scenic countryside. Arrive at the rainforest village of Kuranda with time to wander through the stalls of the colorful markets. Later, board the Skyrail Cableway and ride above the canopy of the tropical rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Finally, visit the famous Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. (B,D)

Day 13, Tue. DEPART CAIRNS.
Transfer to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Hotels
Coffs Harbour - Novotel Pacific Bay Resort (F)
Gold Coast - Hotel Watermark (SF)
Fraser Island - Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village (F)
Rockhampton - Leichhardt Hotel (ST)
Hamilton Island - Reef View Hotel – Coral Sea View Rooms (F)
Townsville - Jupiters Townsville Hotel & Casino (SF)
Port Douglas - Radisson Treetops Resort & Spa (SF)
Cairns - The Oasis Resort (SF)

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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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