18-to-Thirtysomethings: East Coast Encompassed Sydney to Cairns (OAEC)

Countries Visited: Australia
Trip Style: Information Not available
Service Level: Basic
  • Excellent value, amazing prices, quality experiences
  • Simple and clean hotels, guesthouses and hostels chosen for location and character
  • Affordable public and private transport for maximum cultural interaction
  • Plenty of optional activities tailored to your interests and budget
    Physical Demands Rating: 1 - You'll have to walk around on your own, climb some stairs and carry your own bag. Easy does it.
    Group Size: Max 20, avg 16
    Meals Included: 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
    Accommodations: Not Availaible

    Highlights
    Island hop by yacht through the Whitsunday Islands, overnight at a traditional sheep station, zip over dunes in a 4x4 on a remote sand island

    Description
    Rugged landscapes, crashing surf, and Indigenous culture stretching back through time and beyond - Australia's East Coast possesses a truly otherworldly allure. This trip offers you a comprehensive, authentic, and wholly affordable experience in one of the country's most popular regions. Raw thrills and refined pleasures abound out here. In the space of a few days, you'll sample wines in the Hunter Valley, snorkel the Whitsundays, and catch a few waves. When people back home ask what you did on your trip, just tell `em: "Everything."

    • Call (888) 825-2779 for more information or to book today! Mention code 13721457

    Tour Operator
    G Adventures
    Duration
    18 Days
    Escorted
    Escorted - Yes
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1SydneyDay 1 Sydney
    There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, head down to the harbours edge to The Rocks historic area and the Opera House. Additional Notes: Want to start your Down Under adventure with an adrenaline rushs Add the Sydney Adrenaline Bundle or Sydney Bridge Climb extra to your tour. Get an incredible view of the iconic Sydney Harbour from the top of the Harbour Bridge, then zip through the waterways on a jet boat ride if you book the Adrenaline Bundle. PLEASE NOTE: If booking either of these extras, a pre-night in Sydney is highly recommended as the Bridge Climb starts early in the morning on Day 1. Included Activities: Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
    Day 2NundleDay 2 Sydney/Nundle (1B, 1D)
    Depart in the morning and head to a small country town for lunch before continuing to Nundle Sheep Station for the night. At the sheep station, have the unique opportunity to meet an expert sheep shearer. Experience a shearing demonstration and learn about local sheep farming. At the end of the day, enjoy dinner with the locals before sleeping in historic shearers quarters. Additional Notes: The sheep station is quite remote, and there is usually no reception for mobile phones. Included Activities: Wine Tour Sheep Shearing Transport: Private Vehicle (6.00 hour(s), 380km)
    Day 3BingaraDay 3 Nundle/Bingara (1B, 1D)
    After breakfast, drive to Tamworth, the country and western music capital of Australia and home to a giant guitar. Arrive in Bingara in the early afternoon for an included visit to a historic gold mine where you can try gold panning. Later, opt for a swim in the local watering hole. Included Activities: Gold Mine Tour Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00 hour(s), 210km)
    Day 4YambaDay 4 Bingara/Yamba (1B)
    Continue north, visiting Raspberry Lookout and Boundary Falls in Gibraltar National Park en route. Once in Yamba, head to the beach for a swim. Transport: Travel distance: 380km (236 mi) Private Vehicle (5.00 hour(s), 380km)
    Day 5Byron BayDay 5 Yamba/Byron Bay (1B)
    After breakfast, travel the coastal road to the stunning surf and arts town of Byron Bay. Enjoy plenty of free time to experience the hippie surfing town. Options are abound - walk to the lighthouse (located on Australias most easterly point) for a chance to see whales swimming off shore or hang ten with the locals after an included surfing lesson. Included Activities: Surfing Lesson Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s), 128km)
    Day 6Byron BayDay 6 Byron Bay
    The free time is yours to explore. Walk along the long stunning beach, play in the surf, or simply hang out at the Byron Bay Brewery and people watch. Want to get your adrenaline pumpings Go skydiving, try sea kayaking, or go on a dolphin watch.
    Day 7BrisbaneDay 7 Byron Bay/Brisbane (1B)
    Travel north, and opt for a night out in Queenslands capital. Additional Notes: Stop along the way to Brisbane for a quick break at one of the many surf spots such as the Gold Coast. Transport: Private Vehicle (4.00 hour(s), 288km)
    Day 8Noosa EvergladesDay 8 Brisbane/Noosa Everglades (1B, 1L)
    Head north to Noosa, and enjoy a free afternoon for surfing or strolling the boardwalk to Noosa National Park, where koala sightings are common. Included Activities: Noosa Everglades Overnight Excursion Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s), 135km)
    Day 9Noosa EvergladesDay 9 Fraser Island/Noosa Everglades (1B, 1L)
    Travel by private 4x4 and ferry to reach Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island. Walk through the rainforest, visit Lake Mackenzie, and drive along Australias only sand highway. Additional Notes: While on Fraser Island and the Noosa Everglades, main luggage will be stored in a secure storage facility. Each person will need to pack a bag for the night with max weight of 5kg. This is due to luggage capacity restrictions in 4x4 vehicles. Included Activities: 4x4 Excursion Noosa Everglades Overnight Excursion Transport: 4x4 Ferry Ferry 4x4
    Day 10Emu ParkDay 10 Noosa Everglades/Emu Park (1D)
    Catch a train up the Capricorn Coast which is well-known as Cattle Country. Transport: Shuttle Train (6.00-8.00 hours) Private Vehicle (1.00 hour(s))
    Day 11Whitsunday IslandsDay 11 Emu Park/Whitsunday Islands (1B, 1D)
    Drive north to the town of Airlie Beach, and embark on a maxi yacht which will be our home for the next three days. Set sail to a secluded cove in the Whitsunday Islands where you will drop anchor for the night. Included Activities: Whitsunday Islands Sailing Trip, Day 1 Transport: Private Vehicle (7.00-7.50 hours, 539km) Maxi yacht Private Vehicle (7.00-7.50 hours, 505km)
    Day 12Whitsunday IslandsDay 12 Whitsunday Islands (1B, 1L, 1D)
    The sailing route today allows us to follow part of Captain Cooks route up through the Whitsunday Islands. There is the option for certified divers to scuba dive. Again we drop anchor in a secluded bay for the night. Included Activities: Whitsunday Islands Sailing Trip, Day 2 Transport: Maxi yacht
    Day 13Airlie BeachDay 13 Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach (1B)
    After three days at sea, we sail back to Airlie Beach for a night on land in a local beach hostel. Feel free to relax by the pool at the end of the day. Included Activities: Whitsunday Islands Sailing Trip, Day 3 Transport: Maxi yacht
    Day 14CairnsDay 14 Airlie Beach/Cairns (1L)
    Admire the scenery on the train north to Tully. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and a tour of the G Adventures-supported Ingan Cultural Centre. Participate in a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists before continuing on to Cairns. Additional Notes: Get ready for an early morning wake-up today for the journey to Cairns. Make sure to stock up on snacks and bring personal entertainment - it may be one of the longer travel days on this trip, but its worth it to reach The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef! Included Activities: Cafe Chloe Transport: Local bus (0.75-1.00 hours) Train (6.50-7.00 hours, 482km) Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s), 140km) Local bus (0.75-1.00 hours)
    Day 15CairnsDay 15 Cairns
    Enjoy a free day to visit the Great Barrier Reef or get the adrenaline pumping by skydiving, whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. Cap it all off with a Big Night Out in Cairns. Included Activities: Big Night Out
    Day 16Cape TribulationDay 16 Cape Tribulation
    Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest. Included Activities: Aboriginal Interpretive Walk Transport: Private Vehicle (3.00 hour(s), 140km)
    Day 17YungaburraDay 17 Cape Tribulation/Yungaburra (1B)
    Enjoy a free morning to further explore the rainforest or chill out poolside. Head towards Yungaburra in the Atherton Tablelands for the night, and enjoy additional free time to explore the area. Transport: Private Vehicle (3.50 hour(s), 185km)
    Day 18CairnsDay 18 Yungaburra/Cairns (1B)
    Stop at Lake Eacham, a volcanic crater lake, before continuing on to visit some of the waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands, including Josephine Falls and the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. Later, go for a swim in the waters of Babinda Boulders before travelling back to Cairns where the tour ends upon arrival. Additional Notes: Ask your GCO about booking post night accommodation in Cairns, as this trip arrives back late in the evening. Included Activities: Lake Eacham Visit Babinda Boulders Visit Millaa Millaa Falls Visit Departure Day (Activities) Transport: Private Vehicle (2.00 hour(s), 70km)
    Disclaimer

    Local Flights: N/A

    Dossier Disclaimer:The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

    VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

    Itinerary Disclaimer: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

    Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
      
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