14 Days • 13 Nights
East Coast Highlights: Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll climb the sails of the Sydney Opera House with your eyes, laze on the golden sand of Byron Bay, meet the koalas of Brisbane, sail the impossibly blue Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach, and finally snorkel the outer Great Barrier Reef off Cairns before losing yourself in the ancient Daintree Rainforest. It is the greatest hits of the East Coast, done properly.
With hand-picked hotels, local guides and the key experiences pre-booked, all you have to do is show up for the best two weeks of your year.
Trip Highlights
- Sydney's Opera House, Harbour Bridge and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- The laid-back beaches and lighthouse of Byron Bay
- Koalas and river city charm in Brisbane
- A full day sailing the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Snorkelling or diving the outer Great Barrier Reef off Cairns
- The ancient Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
- The Skyrail cableway and Scenic Railway to Kuranda
- Internal flights included so the long legs are effortless
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 14-day journey.
Arrive in Sydney, Australia's dazzling harbour city, and settle into your hotel. Meet your group for a welcome dinner with your first glimpse of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge lit against the night.
A guided morning around Circular Quay, the Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden and the historic Rocks, then the afternoon on the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk past cliff-top pools and surf beaches.
Fly north to Ballina and transfer to Byron Bay, Australia's easternmost and most relaxed beach town. Ease into the pace with a swim and a sunset stroll along the sand.
Walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point of the mainland, watching for dolphins and, in season, migrating whales. The rest of the day is yours for the beaches, cafes and markets.
Travel to Brisbane, Queensland's sunny riverside capital. Cuddle up to a koala or hand-feed kangaroos at a wildlife sanctuary, then explore the South Bank parklands and riverfront.
Head north to Hervey Bay, gateway to K'gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. Settle in on the calm bay, a famous launching point for whale watching in season.
A full-day four-wheel-drive adventure across K'gari — the mirror-clear Lake McKenzie, the ancient rainforest growing from sand, and the long sweep of Seventy-Five Mile Beach.
Fly to the Whitsunday Coast and settle into Airlie Beach, the buzzing gateway to the seventy-four Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
A full day on the water sailing to Whitehaven Beach, its silica sand impossibly white, and the swirling turquoise of the Hill Inlet lookout, with snorkelling over coral gardens and lunch aboard.
Fly north to Cairns, the tropical capital of Far North Queensland and your base for the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree. An easy afternoon along the lagoon esplanade.
A full-day cruise to the outer Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Snorkel or take an introductory dive over coral gardens teeming with fish, turtles and rays, with lunch on board.
Journey into the Daintree, the oldest surviving rainforest on earth, where the jungle meets the reef at Cape Tribulation. A boardwalk, a crocodile-spotting river cruise and Mossman Gorge.
Glide over the rainforest canopy on the Skyrail cableway to the village of Kuranda, returning on the historic Scenic Railway past waterfalls and gorges. A final free afternoon in Cairns.
A final tropical breakfast before your transfer to Cairns Airport, East Coast memories in tow.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- 13 nights in hand-picked hotels across six destinations
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner, and lunches on the reef and island days
- Internal flights along the route (Ballina, Whitsunday Coast and Cairns sectors)
- A guided Sydney city tour and the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- A full-day Whitsundays cruise to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet with lunch
- A full-day outer Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkelling and lunch
- A Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation day tour
- The Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway experience
- Local guides and all sightseeing entry fees per the itinerary
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from Australia
- Australian visa or ETA fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Domestic flights between hubs beyond those stated in the itinerary
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional activities, experiences and upgrades
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa arranged online before travelling, and a passport valid for at least six months. We can point you to the right application
- Southern seasons: Australia's seasons are reversed — summer is December to February and winter June to August. The tropical north runs on a wet (Nov-Apr) and dry (May-Oct) season instead
- Sun protection: The Australian sun is fierce. Pack high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and reapply often — slip, slop, slap, as the locals say
- Distances: Australia is vast, so some legs use short internal flights or scenic drives. We build these into the pace so you are never rushed
- Marine stingers: In the tropical north, jellyfish season runs roughly November to May — swim in the stinger suits provided and always follow your guide
- Currency & tipping: The currency is the Australian Dollar. Cards are accepted almost everywhere and tipping is appreciated but never expected
- Wildlife: Respect wildlife and never feed animals unless guided. In the outback and tropics, always heed crocodile and swimming warnings
- Water & health: Tap water is safe to drink and pharmacies are everywhere. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for every visitor
- Outback readiness: In the Red Centre and Top End, carry water, wear sturdy shoes and start walks early to beat the midday heat
- Power & connectivity: Power is 230V with type I plugs, so bring an adapter. Mobile coverage can drop out in remote areas — part of the escape
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific lunches and dinners named in the itinerary (such as a reef cruise lunch or an outback barbecue). Other meals are left free so you can explore Australia's superb food scene.
Are transfers and touring private?
Yes — your sightseeing, transfers and day tours are arranged for you with local guides, so there is no logistics to worry about.
Do I need a visa for Australia?
Most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa, applied for online before you travel. It is quick and inexpensive, and we can guide you to the right one.
When is the best time to visit?
It depends on the region: the tropical north is best in the dry season (May-October), the Red Centre in the cooler months (April-September), and the southern cities and Tasmania shine in spring to autumn (September-April).
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels and activities can all be tailored, and we can extend your stay or combine regions. Just tell us what you have in mind.
Are internal flights included?
Where the route hops between distant hubs, the relevant domestic flights are included as stated in the inclusions. Any additional sectors can be arranged on request.
How much of this is flying versus driving?
A few short internal flights (included) cover the long jumps — Sydney to Byron, the Fraser Coast to the Whitsundays and on to Cairns — while shorter legs are scenic drives. It keeps a fortnight comfortable rather than exhausting.
Will I see whales?
Between roughly June and November, humpback whales migrate along this coast, and Hervey Bay and Byron Bay are among the best places on earth to see them.
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