Today our East Coast Sydney to Great Barrier Reef Highlights tour kicks off in Sydney with a City Orientation tour. We will visit all of the cities famous landmarks and finish at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House! Tonight, we depart the city on our journey up the East Coast. First stop, the vibrant Byron Bay.
After settling into our beachfront Byron Bay accommodation, we will explore town to get familiar with the laid back bohemian vibes this spot is known for. The Byron Bay lighthouse is situated on Cape Byron, an area so naturally beautiful it’s begging you to explore on foot. The coastal walking track is the best way to take it all in! We will also explore the surrounding area visiting Killen Falls, Lenox Head and Lake Ainsworth.
This morning we bid farewell to Byron and arrived at the famous Surfers Paradise where we’ll spend the night! On arrival, we will go explore the golden sands of Surfers Paradise Beach and have the option to see the views from the tallest building in Australia! This evening we will head out and discover the endless entertainment on offer in this lively town.
We continue our travels up to Brisbane, the capital of the Queensland state. We spend our first day exploring the Southbank cultural precinct of the city. The Southbank parklands feature the man-made Streets Beach (outdoor swimming pools!), walking tracks and picnic areas. Our second day is spent at the home of the crocodile hunter, Australia Zoo! Our day will be spent learning about the conservation efforts of the famous Irwin family and exploring the variety of native Australian wildlife.
The start of our second week on the East Coast involves arriving into Rainbow Beach, one of the gateways to the World’s largest sand island. On arrival, we will head to the famous Rainbow Steps and ‘Carlo Sand Blow’, a unique “moonscape” sand mass covering over 15 hectares! Over the coming days, we will adventure K’gari (Fraser Island) and swim the crystal waters of secret lakes, explore the Maheno shipwreck and hike to various island lookouts for stunning panoramic views across the island. We return to Rainbow Beach for a night before catching an overnight bus to Airlie Beach. Not included: $20 insurance payable on arrival. $10 Sleeping Bag Hire.
When we are done exploring the majestic Fraser Island, we continue our journey to Airlie Beach, home to the Whitsundays Islands, made up of 74 island wonders. We settle into the vibrant coastal town and explore the local lagoons before boarding our Sailing Boat for a two night sail around the Whitsunday Islands! You will be treated to the perfect mixture of adventure and relaxation. Take it easy on deck while you sail around the islands, stopping off to snorkel, swim and explore the world famous Whitehaven beach.
The final stop on our journey is Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the adventure capital of Australia! Check into our resort-style accommodation, chill by the pool and settle in ready for an awesome few days ahead!
Today is a free day on tour and we can spend it however you like! Hang out at the popular Cairns Lagoon, learn more about Australian Indigenous culture or take on more adventures with a Skydive – Cairns has endless adventures on offer! On our second final night in this North Queensland paradise your group leader will be available to help you plan your ongoing adventures and travels.
Today is our last day on tour and we have the opportunity to spend it on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef! The vessel we travel on caters for snorkelers, certified and introductory divers. Our dive locations on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef (approx 70km offshore) offer outstanding underwater visibility, superb coral formations and abundant, colourful marine life.Day 19 and 20 of the itinerary are interchangeable, and the order of activities is subject to change. Your Great Barrier Reef Day Trip may occur on either Day 19 or Day 20 — your Group Leader will confirm this at the start of your tour. This full-day trip includes snorkelling, and you are safe to fly within 24 hours after snorkelling. Introductory scuba dives are also available as an optional upgrade, which can be organised and booked on the day of your trip. Please note that diving introduces a risk of decompression sickness (commonly known as “the bends”) due to nitrogen build-up in the body. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you do not fly for at least 24 hours after diving. If you choose to upgrade to a dive, you must take this recommendation into account when planning your onward travel. You accept full responsibility for ensuring that your flight schedule aligns with this safety window. Ultimate cannot guarantee the exact day your Great Barrier Reef trip will operate, but you should plan for it to most likely take place on Day 20.
Today our East Coast Adventure comes to an end and we bid farewell to our new friends and the East Coast. Tour Ends 10am