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EAST COAST ISLANDS & RAINFOREST TOUR 13 DAYS/12 NIGHTS Note: As this guided tour departs early morning, accommodation should be pre-booked for the night prior. Meals included: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner DAY 1: Arrival – Sydney & Coffs Harbour (D) Begin your exciting tour of Australia by leaving Sydney behind for the striking coastal city of Coffs Harbour. Get to know your group as you head north, stopping at Port Macquarie along the way for lunch on your own. Continue on to Coffs Harbour, where you'll enjoy a welcome reception dinner with your tour director and new companions, and spend the night in town at Opal Cove Resort. DAY 2: Byron Bay & Gold Coast (B) This morning, journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse to take in the views from Australia's easternmost point. A stop in exclusive Byron Bay gives you the opportunity to sit down to lunch if you choose, before following the lush Tweed River Valley to the famous Gold Coast. Dinner is also at your leisure; you'll have more than enough options near your accommodations at the Vibe Hotel Gold Coast. DAYS 3 – 4: Brisbane, the Australia Zoo & Noosa (B) A brief scenic tour of Brisbane provides a fresh start to your day, with free time for lunch on your own. The Australian Zoo, made famous by Steve Irwin—the Crocodile Hunter—and his family, is your next stop. Here, you'll be privy to a peek at the Wildlife Hospital and its patients of various species, and learn about conservation efforts through exciting education. Wind down with a drive to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, where you'll overnight at the Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa for two nights. In the morning, a full free day in Noosa lends itself to walks along the headland through Noosa National Park; swimming at the beach; or a boat ride through the Noosa Everglades. DAY 5: Fraser Island & Hervey Bay (B, L, D) See for yourself why this destination is World Heritage-listed, starting with a four-wheel drive vehicle across Rainbow Beach's colored sands before heading to the magnificent white beaches of Lake McKenzie. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station, among huge, satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees. Lunch "on the barbie" awaits you before your transfer to your mainland hotel, Mantra Hervey Bay. DAY 6: Hervey Bay & Rockhampton (B) Today you'll head to the beef capital of Australia, stopping at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station, along the way. Enjoy a guided tour of the property and its restored Queenslander homestead, built in 1873, followed by afternoon tea in the garden as a pet kangaroo watches on. Cross the Tropic of Capricorn to historic Rockhampton, where Quality Hotel Regent Rockhampton provides a comfortable base for the night. DAYS 7 – 8: Mackay & Hamilton Island (B, L, B) Travel north to the sugar-producing town of Sarina for a firsthand tour of its miniature sugar mill, learning the distilling and processing method and sampling some of the sweet treats before enjoying a light lunch. Then, it's on to Mackay, where the majority of Australia's cane sugar is produced, before reaching Airlie Beach, a gateway to the famous Whitsunday Islands. From here, take the ferry to Hamilton Island in the heart of the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. Sleep well at Reef View Hotel, where you'll also stay the following night. A day on your own gives you a chance to explore the island at your own pace with a bushwalk, on a kayak, snorkeling, with a visit to the island's WILD LIFE park, or just lounging by the hotel pool or beach. DAY 9: Tropical Queensland (B, D) Return to the mainland for a visit to Townsville; take advantage of your free time to stroll along the Strand and take in views of Magnetic Island. Head to Mission Beach afterward to settle in at Castaways Resort & Spa. DAY 10: Mission Beach to Cairns (B) An idyllic stroll along the beach is a great way to start the day— a warm-up to the journey through the picturesque tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, vivid with rainforests, waterfalls, and lakes. Your first stop is a tour of family-run Mungalli Creek Dairy, where delicious, naturally produced biodynamic cheeses and yogurt complement morning tea; afterward, visit iconic Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree, one of the largest in Queensland, and a favorite haunt of the brilliantly blue ulysses butterfly. Complete your day with a scenic cruise along Lake Barrine, then off to Cairns and Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort, your home for the next three nights. DAYS 11 – 12: Great Barrier Reef & Cairns (B, L, B, D) A high-speed catamaran whisks you to the Great Barrier Reef on a fun- filled cruise of this World Heritage Site. View the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and semi-submersible craft. Get up close with provided snorkeling equipment, and reenergize with a tropical lunch buffet. Upon returning to Cairns, the evening is yours for strolling the Esplanade, browsing the Cairns Night Market, or simply relaxing. Continue exploration at your own pace with the following day at your leisure. Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway to the rainforest village, learn native traditions at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, dine alfresco at a local café, or enjoy the quiet peace of the resort pool—the choice is yours. This evening, you'll be treated to a farewell dinner with your tour director and new friends. Stay again at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. DAY 13: Departure All good things must come to an end, and you'll close the book on your Australia adventure after a hearty breakfast. A transfer to Cairns Airport, where you'll connect with your flight home, concludes your tour. East Coast Islands & Rainforest Tour | 9 Consult your travel agent for more details on this and other tours.

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