East Coast & Outback Australia Tour
30 Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Sydney to Barrington Tops
We head to the Hunter Valley wine area to do a tasting at one of Australia’s most famous vineyards. We then head through the backcountry to our stunning stop on the edge of Barrington Tops National Park (a World Heritage Listed Area). Tonight, we stay in a private lodge overlooking the Barrington River, and we have included river tubing down a scenic part of the river for this afternoon. Warm up and relax in the giant hot tub before dinner.
STAY: Hilltop Lodge – dorm share accommodation.
Day 2 – Barrington Tops to Surf Camp
Wake up in the morning and enjoy breakfast with an amazing view. We then head north, with a break to visit a koala hospital to learn about their efforts in preserving Koalas, and at a nature reserve to spot wild kangaroos hopping along the incredible coastline. We then travel on to our waterfront accommodation at the Surf Camp, arriving in the early evening.
STAY: Spot X Surf Camp – quad share accommodation.
Day 3 – Surf Camp to River Retreat
This morning you can take part in a group surf lesson or just relax on the beach. The surf lesson is included in the price of the tour package. In the afternoon we travel to our River Retreat and go for a guided canoeing trip, spotting wildlife along the way. In the evening have an Aussie BBQ, learn how to cook some damper and toast marshmallows around the campfire.
STAY: Shared Cabins.
Day 4 – River Retreat to Byron Bay
We leave our camp and head north towards Byron Bay, Australia’s famous surf and arts town. We stop in the picturesque town of Yamba along the way and go for a walk or a swim at the Angourie blue pools (weather dependent). We have an orientation drive on the way to Byron Bay to help you get your bearings.
STAY: Backpacker Resort in Byron Bay.
Day 5 – Free Day Byron Bay
Explore, learn to surf, party, visit the alternative town of Nimbin (additional cost), or just relax and take in the laidback, hippy vibe. We recommend taking a walk to the lighthouse to view the Australian mainland’s most easterly point.
STAY: Backpacker Resort in Byron Bay
Day 6 – Free Day in Byron Bay
Continue to enjoy this laidback little town
STAY: Backpacker Resort in Byron Bay
Day 7 – Byron Bay (Via Gold Coast & Brisbane) to Rainbow Beach
This morning we depart Byron Bay and cruise up to the New South Wales/Queensland border, we then drive into the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Noosa before we continue onto Rainbow Beach for the night. We recommend taking a walk up to Carlo Sand Blow for sunset (weather permitting)
STAY: Frasers on Rainbow, 18 Spectrum St, Rainbow Beach.
Day 8 and 9 – Rainbow Beach <> Fraser Island (2days/1night)
Get ready for two full days of exploring World Heritage Fraser Island. After a short 10-minute ferry ride from Rainbow Beach you start your adventure of four-wheel-driving on the roads of sand.
During your stay on Fraser you will have the chance to spot dingoes in the wild, swim in crystal clear freshwater lakes and swimming holes and explore the diverse landscapes in this unique habitat.
In the late afternoon of day eight your guide will return you to your Rainbow accommodation where you have dinner included.
STAY: DAY 8 Eurong Beach Resort Fraser Island
DAY 9 Frasers on Rainbow, Rainbow Beach
Day 10 – Rainbow Beach
Today you will have the chance to witness some of the spectacular marine wildlife the Fraser Coast is famous for. You will be treated to a dolphin-watching kayak tour and Great Beach 4WD ride within the Great Sandy National Park.
On this three-hour tour you have the chance of seeing Bottlenose dolphins, Humpback whales (May to November), turtles, manta rays, sting rays, soldier crabs and an array of marine birdlife.
Make sure you bring along your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, camera, a dry change of clothes and any snacks you may wish to eat.
STAY: Frasers on Rainbow, 18 Spectrum St, Rainbow Beach.
Day 11 – Rainbow Beach to Emu Park
We then head to Cooroy where we start our train journey. Travel by train to Rockhampton where we are met by a local bus which takes us to Emu’s Beach Resort. We are welcomed onto the resort and find out more about our Stray Treasure Island Experience for the next day.
STAY: Emu’s Beach Resort, 92 Pattison Street, Emu Park.
Day 12 – Emu Park by Overnight Train to Airlie Beach
This morning we head to a tropical paradise like nowhere else on our Treasure Island Adventure. Our destination Great Keppel Island is located on the southern of the Great Barrier Reef with untouched coral, turtles, reef fish and manta rays all straight off the beach. Relax or have a go at snorkeling or kayaking (additional cost) before exploring the island. We have dinner at Emu’s Beach Resort before we catch the train in the evening and travel overnight to Airlie Beach – the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. where you will have time to store your luggage before your Whitsundays day trip.
STAY: Overnight Train (reclining seats)
Day 13 – Whitsunday Islands, Snorkeling, Reef & Whitehaven Beach
Today provides an exhilarating ride to world famous Whitehaven Beach, pristine snorkeling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Park walks.
Visit the Northern and Southern ends of Whitehaven Beach, spending at least two hours relaxing or exploring the 7km of white silica sand.
Walk to the Southern Whitehaven lookout with breathtaking views of Pentecost Island, join the guided walks to Hill Inlet lookout and snorkel for an hour enjoying the amazing hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs.
Upon completion of your Whitsundays day trip, you will have the night free to explore Airlie’s great nightlife and choice of restaurants.
STAY: Backpacker Resort in Airlie Beach.
Day 14 – Airlie Beach (via Townsville) to Magnetic Island
We an early start today with a local bus to the train, a ferry out to tropical ‘Maggie Island’, and a local transfer to the accommodation. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your guide will join you on a walk around the Island; otherwise, you can do more exploring or just relax by the pool.
STAY: Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Magnetic Island
Day 15 – Free day Magnetic Island
Today you are free to relax or explore as you wish. Maybe take a visit to the wildlife park at the resort (extra cost).
STAY: Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Magnetic Island
Day 16 – Magnetic Island to Tully Rainforest
We travel back to the mainland on the ferry, travel by train to Tully – getting in at around lunchtime. We travel by bus into the amazing rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. Cool off with a swim in a beautiful swimming hole, before a BBQ dinner and stories about the campfire.
STAY: Camping in a campground in a World Heritage listed rainforest.
Day 17 – Tully to Cairns
We wake early at our rainforest camp for breakfast and then have an interpretative walk through the forest, learning about the traditional indigenous use of the land. We then travel back to Tully to catch the train north, arriving into Cairns central train station at approximately 4.30pm. Make your own way to tonight’s accommodation.
STAY: Gilligan’s, 57-89 Grafton St, Cairns.
Day 18 – Cairns <> Great Barrier Reef day tour
ReefQuest – This luxury vessel takes you to the Great Barrier Reef in only 90 minutes for a full day of snorkelling and/or the chance to do up to three dives (extra cost).
Enjoy exclusive moorings at various reefs and a variety of dive sites to ensure minimal environmental impact to the pristine coral formations we visit. Dive sites are frequented by a myriad of tropical and pelagic fish, rays, turtles, (friendly) sharks and the ever-popular Maori Wrasse. There are swim-throughs, wall and drift dives to appeal to every level of diver. Your tour include a wetsuit or stinger suit, as well as floatation noodles. Crew keep a constant watch over the snorkelling sites, so you can enjoy the wonders of the reef in complete safety.
IMPORTANT NOTES: A direct payment of AU$20.00 Reef Tax and Fuel Levy is to be paid at the ReefQuest check in.
STAY: Gilligan’s, 57-89 Grafton St, Cairns.
Day 19 – Fly from Cairns to Alice Springs
We leave behind the pristine white sands for the renowned red dirt of the Australian Outback today! Today’s flight will need to be pre-purchased and secured on your own behalf. Present your travel voucher at Alice Springs airport to get to Haven Alice Springs by transfer for just 13 AUD. All meals, activities and your flight are not included today and you will not be accompanied by your guide on this day.
Day 20 – Alice Springs to Uluru
It’s an early rise if you are joining us in Alice Springs where you will make the journey to Ayers Rock and meet our fellow travelers joining us there. This afternoon embark on an interpretive walk at the base of Uluru. The Cultural Centre is impressive and well worth a visit before watching the ever-changing colours of Uluru at sunset. After dinner, some stories and stargazing, it’s time for a good night’s rest at our private campsite before another active day tomorrow.
Day 21 – Uluru to Kings Creek Station
Your guide will wake you bright and early to experience a mesmerizing Uluru sunrise which can be viewed close-by our campsite, early mornings being such a magical time in the desert. Then it’s a short drive to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), an Aboriginal word for “many heads”, to explore its domes of which there are 36 in total. Pull on your hiking boots and take the Valley of the Winds to walk through creek beds, domes, and beautiful wilderness. After lunch, it’s farewell to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park as we travel to Kings Creek Station where we camp for the night.
Day 22 – Kings Creek Station to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon
This morning we enter the Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park, home of a mighty chasm with sheer red rock faces which soar over 100 metres above lush palm forests. The rim of Kings Canyon is a 6km round trip walk. You will visit the Amphitheatre, Lost City and tranquil Garden of Eden. After our final meal together we begin our journey back to Alice Springs arriving in the late afternoon. Two nights dorm accommodation in Alice Springs is included (For passengers on 2 nights Alice Springs Option only). Dinner at own expense.
Day 23 – Alice Springs to Banka Banka via Devils Marbles
You will be collected from your Alice Springs accommodation at approximately 6.00 am and then our adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Darwin begins. Just north of Alice Springs is the Tropic of Capricorn (80% of the Northern Territory lays north of this point). Further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu) which are a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Our day winds to a close just north of Tennant Creek at historic Banka Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night.
Day 24 – Banka Banka to Mataranka Hot Springs
No trip to the ‘Territory’ is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer, a bit of history and a ‘fair dinkum outback experience’! Later in the day you can take a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees and nearby where we camp overnight.
Day 25 – Mataranka to Darwin
Your guide will wake you early this morning for the short drive to the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a boat cruise, paddle a canoe (all optional, seasonal and at additional cost) through the peaceful water or enjoy a breathtaking hike. In the afternoon, relax and watch the changing landscape as we travel to cosmopolitan Darwin. Overnight dorm accommodation in Darwin is included.
Day 26 – Free day Darwin
Discover Darwin by exploring its natural landscapes, enjoying the vibrant cafe culture, hitting the shops or relaxing in a swimming lagoon- it’s up to you! Please note that your guide will not be available on this day and that todays meal and activity costs are not included in the tour.
Day 27 – Darwin to Kakadu National Park via Mary River Wetlands
You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation bright and early where our Top End adventure begins as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our cruise. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway, buffalo, birds and other wildlife. Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic lunch. There’s the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. Here you will view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. As the day draws to a close we head to our private campsite for dinner and our overnight stay.
Day 28 – Kakadu National Park to Mount Bundy
This morning the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. After breakfast and departing camp we travel off road to the majestic Twin and Jim Jim Falls* for a day of adventure and exploration. Travelling into Twin Falls by 4WD track, a boat shuttle and finally a rocky track and boardwalk we will be rewarded by the beauty of this remote waterfall deep within Kakadu National Park. Afterwards we stay off the beaten track where a walk through monsoon forests and over boulders lead us to Jim Jim Falls. Surrounded by 150 metre cliffs, we spend some time soaking up the natural beauty of this majestic location. This afternoon we depart Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park where we will stop along the way at our private campsite. Tonight, enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow adventurers.
Day 29 – Litchfield National Park to Darwin
Today is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls*. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before our early evening arrival back in Darwin.
Day 30 – Darwin
Your journey with us ends today! Choose to have some downtime in Darwin or depart to your next destination. Any activities, meals or accommodation on this day will be at your own expense. We hope Australia has been a memorable experience for you and wish you safe travels in your departure.
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