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Family Adventure Down Under

From £3973

Excluding Flights

16 Nights

Year Round

Overview

Discover Queensland’s top coastal gems on this epic East Coast road trip from Brisbane to Port Douglas! Travelling independently by car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you like – you’ll find plenty of reasons to do so along the way.

This adventure-packed itinerary showcases Queensland’s stunning beaches and national parks, where you can spot native wildlife from tiny kangaroos to turtles, dolphins, and all sorts of incredible birdlife. There’s a great mix of exploring and downtime time, so you can enjoy every moment of this amazing journey.

You get the freedom of the open road, but we’ve taken care of all the logistics. So just hop in the car and let the journey unfold!

Itinerary

On arrival in Brisbane you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. The rest of your day is free to relax and unwind in this uncomplicated, laid-back and fun-loving city. Be sure to experience the festival buzz of South Bank, with markets, bars, restaurants, live performances and Australia’s only inner-city beach.

Spend an amazing day exploring beautiful Moreton Island. Cruise along the Moreton Bay Regions protected marine park in a pontoon boat. Keep a look out for marine life including dolphins, dugongs and turtles along the way. Friendly guides will explain the island and its surrounds, making this a great mix of fun and learning.

Collect your rental vehicle and set off on your drive to the Gold Coast. The iconic Surfers Paradise beach is perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, or just relaxing. Perhaps visit the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 building for breathtaking 360-degree views of the Gold Coast.

Spend a free day exploring Surfers Paradise. Perhaps start your morning with a stroll along the golden sands, feeling the ocean breeze. Then wander through the vibrant Cavill Avenue, browsing the shops and grabbing an ice cream. Or if you’re looking for more excitement, the Gold Coast is famous for its world-class theme parks!

Leave the glittering Gold Coast behind and travel to Noosa Heads today. This area has the perfect mix of cosmopolitan atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. Spend your afternoon soaking up the sun at the beach, then take a leisurely stroll down Hastings Street. It’s the buzzing heart of Noosa, filled with family-friendly restaurants, great shops and local entertainment.

Spend the day at leisure discovering Noosa. If your children enjoy nature and wildlife, Noosa national park is a must visit. There are plenty of scenic trails that weave through the park, leading to some great attractions like the Boiling Pot, Hell’s Gates, and Paradise Cave. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for koalas in the wild!

Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and whisked away to K’gari (formally Fraser Island) for an exciting day of adventure! World Heritage-listed K’gari is a unique part of the Fraser Coast region known for its unusual formation of sand and rainforest landscape. Travel along narrow 4WD sand tracks through stunning heathlands and towering forests to reach some incredible places. The breathtaking Lake Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) is the perfect spot for a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters or to relax on dazzling white sands. You’ll also visit Central Station, an old forestry station surrounded by lush rainforests, where you can wander along Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalks and soak in the beauty of the area.

Head back to Brisbane Airport this morning to catch your flight to Hamilton Island. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy! Relax on the beach or take advantage of the many activities available including snorkelling and kayaking (additional cost).

 

Spend the morning at leisure enjoying everything Hamilton Island has to offer. In the afternoon you’ll take a cruise to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven Beach. Wander along the powder-white sands, hike the short Solway Circuit for some show-stopping views, or cool off in the gin-clear waters. Enjoy stunning views as you travel back to Hamilton Island.

australia queensland whitehaven beach aerial view

Whitehaven Beach Cruise, Hamilton Island

A half-day cruise to the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven, the elegance of a catamaran will be your mode of transport on this tour.

Today is all yours to spend as you wish on beautiful Hamilton Island! You may like to simply relax on the beach and soak in the stunning views or dive into some of the great activities on offer.

Transfer by ferry to Airlie Beach this morning. On arrival, collect your car and travel north through mango orchards and green fields of sugar cane to Townsville. Wander the scenic beach promenade and enjoy the views of tiny Magnetic Island.

For those with more time why not consider adding a couple of nights on Magnetic Island. This small island offers a mix of outdoor adventures, wildlife experiences, and beautiful beaches.

Depart Townsville and set off on the drive to Cairns. Along the way you may like to stop at Mission Beach. This small coastal town has a lovely long white sandy beach with tropical rainforest and relaxed cafes. On arrival in Cairns why not stretch your legs with a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade.

Spend today discovering the Great Barrier reef on a catamaran cruise. You’ll get to check out two amazing Outer Reef spots and enjoy a classic Aussie BBQ lunch on board. Spot colourful fish while snorkelling or diving this incredible reef.

australia queensland snorkelling over reef as

Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Cruise, Cairns

Cruise on-board Ocean Freedom, a high speed luxury 20 –metre catamaran to Upolu Cay on the Great Barrier Reef.

Travel further into Queensland’s tropical north to Port Douglas. Along the way visit the charming village of Kuranda. Travel on the historic Scenic Railway and soar above the treetops on the Skyrail for a different perspective of the stunning rainforest. You might like to step into a tropical paradise and be surrounded by hundreds of beautiful butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas offers an ideal blend of natural beauty and laid-back charm. Spend today at leisure relaxing on Four Mile Beach or perhaps take explore the Mossman River beneath the rainforest canopy on a half day river draft tour. You may wish to enjoy more marine adventures at the Great Barrier reef via a cruise or take in spectacular aerial views from a scenic helicopter flight.

Optional Experiences

australia green turtles great barrier reef istk

Outer Barrier Reef Cruise, Port Douglas

Departing from the Port Douglas Marina on board a high-speed, wave-piercing catamaran, this cruise carries guest to the outer reaches of the famous Great Barrier Reef.

Experience the magical Daintree Rainforest on an exciting 4WD adventure. Board a morning cruise of the Daintree River to spot Estuarine Crocodiles, mangroves, and wildlife in the breathtaking Daintree setting. Ascend the Alexandra Range for panoramic views where the rainforest meets the Coral Sea. Walk along the National Park Boardwalk to get a closer look at the unique flora and fauna, and keep an eye out for the elusive Southern Cassowary. After a BBQ lunch, travel along the 4WD Bloomfield Track to pristine Emmagen Creek for a refreshing freshwater swim. Stroll along the beach at Cape Tribulation Beach and take the boardwalk to the photographers’ platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the ‘Rainforest meets the Reef.

australia queensland daintree national park teq

Cape Tribulation & Daintree, Cairns

A day exploring the rainforest and endearing landscapes of Cape Tribulation, this holiday begins by heading to the Mossman Gorge Gateway Centre.

Your epic East Coast adventure comes to an end as you drive from Port Douglas to Cairns to return your rental vehicle.

Prices & departures

What's Included

  • Accommodation with private bathroom and two rooms

  • Car rental throughout

  • Private transfer on arrival in Brisbane

  • Moreton Island Marine Discovery cruise

  • K’gari (formally Fraser Island) tour

  • Afternoon Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach trip

  • Great Barrier Reef catamaran tour

  • Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway

  • Daintree, Cape Tribulation & Bloomfield Track 4WD Tour

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £3973 Excluding Flights

16 Nights

Year Round

Prices are per person based upon 2 adults sharing, subject to availability. Up to 2 children under 12 years travel free if sharing a room with their parents. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

Gary
6

Continents visited

5

Times visited New Zealand

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience