13 DAY EAST COAST ISLANDS & RAINFOREST
EAST COAST ISLANDS TOUR
Explore the glittering coastline of Eastern Australia.
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Start Location: Sydney
End Location: Cairns
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Stay on Hamilton Island
- Stop at the Sarina Sugar Shed for a guided tour and lunch at a miniature sugar mill
- Visit a working cattle property, Langmorn Station
- Take an exciting 4WD tour on Fraser Island
- Let your hair down in the ultimate holiday town of Noosa
- See the cute koalas at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
- Visit Australia Zoo, home of the Irwin family
- Enjoy a delicious winery lunch and wine tasting in the Hunter Valley
- Tropical paradise Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach
- Stop at Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree
- Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
ITINERARY
Day 1: Sydney - Port Macquarie
As this guided holiday departs at 7:30 AM, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night. Welcome to Sydney! Travel to the Hunter Valley for an exclusive wine tasting and get to know your fellow travellers over a delicious lunch at a local winery. Continue north to picturesque seaside Port Macquarie. This evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception.
Overnight: Port Macquarie
Meals: Lunch
Day 2: Port Macquarie - Gold Coast
Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy superb views over the Pacific Ocean from Australia's eastern-most point. At the right time of year you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales frolicking off the coast. For lunch we recommend fresh fish and chips on the beach at Byron Bay - there's nothing more Australian! Continue to the famous holiday destination, the Gold Coast, where you'll stay for the next two nights.
Overnight: Gold Coast
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Gold Coast Sightseeing
Today is yours to do as you choose. You may like to take an optional experience to the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland to discover the rainforest and the picturesque village of Mt. Tamborine or just take the opportunity to relax and unwind with a stroll along famous Surfers Paradise beach.
Overnight: Gold Coast
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Gold Coast - Noosa
After a short tour of buzzing Brisbane, visit Australia Zoo made famous by the Crocodile Hunter, the late Steve Irwin and his family. Enjoy a sneak peek into the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and see how AAT Kings works with the Wildlife Warriors to support the koala rehabilitation project at the hospital, the country's largest and busiest wildlife facility. Catch one of the many shows and wander through the zoo's fascinating grounds. Later travel to the resort town of Noosa for a relaxing stay. This evening join your fellow travellers for dinner at a restaurant with views over the beach.
Overnight: Noosa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Noosa Sightseeing
Take time out to discover Noosa for yourself. Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy, spectacular walk along the headland through Noosa National Park. If you're feeling adventurous, you may like to hire a stand-up paddle board or even take a boat ride through the incredible Noosa Everglades, one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas. You'll love the dark waterways and myriad of wildlife along the Noosa River - it's truly spectacular! This evening choose one of the town's eateries and dine on inspiring local delights.
Overnight: Noosa
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Noosa - Hervey Bay
A day of discovery lies ahead as you cross by ferry to explore World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Your 4WD tour takes you to the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach (tidal) and beyond. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees and enjoy a delicious lunch before arriving in Hervey Bay.
Overnight: Hervey Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Hervey Bay - Rockhampton
Stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. A member of the Creed family will treat you to a guided tour of the property including their original family homestead, built in 1873. Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden in the company of the pet kangaroo! Cross the Tropic of Capricorn as you arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. Your night is free so why not try some local beef at one of the town's steakhouses.
Overnight: Rockhampton
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Rockhampton - Hamilton Island
Travel north to the sugar town of Sarina for a guided tour through a miniature sugar mill. Discover the growing, harvesting and crushing processes of sugar cane. See how it's turned into a tantalising array of handmade and sugar-inspired boutique products. Afterwards you can taste some of the products made on site before sitting down to a light lunch. Continue past Mackay to Airlie Beach to catch a ferry to Hamilton Island, one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You'll be surrounded by pristine beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life.
Overnight: Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Hamilton Island
Take a cruise to explore famous Whitehaven Beach, voted Australia's best! Feel the sand between your toes and if you're up to it, take a walk to a lookout for views over the beautiful waters and islands of the Coral Sea. This afternoon you're free to enjoy paradise.
Overnight: Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Hamilton Island - Mission Beach
This morning you'll board a ferry back to the mainland and continue north along the Bruce Highway for a stop at lunchtime in Townsville, when you'll have the opportunity to take a stroll along the Strand with views to Magnetic Island. Your destination for the night is Mission Beach where you'll stay with views over the ocean. Magic.
Overnight: Mission Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Mission Beach - Cairns
This morning there will be time to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes before you depart Mission Beach. Today you'll travel through the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and see the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly while you're there. Continue to Kuranda where you'll stop around lunch time. Enjoy some free time to explore 'the village in the rainforest'. You may choose to journey to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. The world heritage listed reef is the only living organism you can see from the moon. Imagine that! You'll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up-close (equipment provided) and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. This evening join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll get the opportunity to taste traditional Australian bush flavours.
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Depart Cairns
Your wonderful holiday concludes after breakfast when you bid farewell to your new-found friends.
Meals: Breakfast
DATES & PRICES
We accept 
Interested in this trip? Contact Us for 2023 dates and prices
Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Airport transfers
- Travel by luxury coach
- 12 nights of accommodation
- Sightseeing and attractions as listed
EXCLUSIONS
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
FEATURED ACTIVITIES
Join this small group wildlife and rainforest tour to see rare Australian wildlife by day and by night. Departing in the afternoon you will be taken southwest of Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands,...
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Tour Questions
What is the maximum number of travellers in a group?
Anderson Vacations specializes in Small Group Fully Escorted tours. If the tour is classified as a ‘Classic Tour’ up to 24 persons may join the tour although tours commonly travel with anywhere between 18 to 24 travellers. If the tour is classified as a 'Tour of Distinction’ only up to 18 persons may join the tour and many 'Tours of Distinction' travel with 12 to 18 travellers.
What are Guaranteed Departures?
After dreaming about travel to an exciting destination, arranging for time off work, booking your flights the last thing you need is for your trip to be cancelled. Anderson vacation's pre-Guaranteed tours take the uncertainty away from planning your travel and give you peace of mind to book our tours. Pre-Guaranteed Tours are group tours that we have already confirmed as certain to travel on the specified date. All 'Guaranteed Tours' will travel except in the event of a natural disaster or a catastrophic event that is beyond our control. They may already have the minimum number of people booked or else are tours that are known to be popular. Only select departures of tours are 'pre-Guaranteed'.
What happens if I book on a tour that is not Guaranteed?
We pride ourselves on providing “a small shared group experience.” In the event that we have fewer than ten participants on a tour we will offer a “small-group surcharge” to ensure that the tour runs as scheduled. This fee, which is up to 15% of the “land” portion of the tour, will be offered to you as an option to continue with the trip. This fee will cover the costs associated with handling a smaller group.
What is the average age of passengers for this tour?
Our tours are suitable for all age demographics. The average age of travelers is typically 45+.
How physically demanding is this tour? Are you able to accommodate people with mobility restrictions/limitations?
Some tours are mainly coach based and may not be physically demanding while others may require walking inclines or on rough surfaces to access interesting locations. Please check with us and your booking agent carefully and discuss your mobility restrictions before completing any tour booking to ensure this style of travel is right for you.
Can you accommodate passengers with dietary restrictions (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian etc.)?
Yes, we do accommodate dietary restrictions (within reason) such as, food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. There are many meals included on our fully escorted tours. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking so we can ensure there are alternative meal choices.
Booking & Flight Questions
Do you arrange airport transfers?
Yes, we can assist you with airport transfers for you in most locations at a reasonable extra cost. Several tours have airport transfers already included. Please contact us for more details.
Can you assist with booking additional accommodation?
Yes, we can certainly assist with booking additional nights of hotel accommodation for you before and after your fully escorted tour. This is available upon request and subject to availability. Please inquire for further information and prices.
How much luggage should I bring?
Each passenger may bring one large suitcase and one carry-on bag. The weight limit for baggage is 20 kilograms or about 40 pounds. Baggage handling is provided at the hotels in our tour packages but there may be places where you will be required to wheel in your bags for quicker access. Be sure to advise our reservations staff if you will be bringing additional items such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair. You may also bring one small soft-sided carry-on bag, which should easily fit into the overhead shelf of a coach. Each person is responsible for his/her own carryon luggage. Remember to check your airline baggage restrictions if you are flying, as they may differ from Anderson Vacations guidelines.
I am a solo traveller. Is there a single surcharge?
There are options for single travelers to join most tours. Solo travellers can choose to pay a Single Supplement and have their own room throughout the tour. For those willing to share with a co-traveller of the same gender, we have a Twin Share option that is offered for most tours where you share a hotel room with another same gender traveller. In this case, you will not be charged for Single Supplement.
Is it possible to book a triple share accommodation?
Yes, it is possible to book triple share accommodations on select trips. Please inquire or contact us regarding this option, as prices and availability vary from tour to tour.
Can we book this tour with our exclusive group?
Yes, you can! Anderson Vacations works with many private groups and helps to customize a tour to traveller’s needs. Please contact us for more details.
Are gratuities included in the tour cost?
For convenience, gratuities for local guides and meals that are specified in the itinerary are included in the tour price. For meals not included in your tour package please remember that it is customary to tip your server 10-20% in North America. Gratuities for your Coach Driver (where appropriate) and Tour Director are entirely at your discretion. We recommend about CDN $5.00 per person, per day, for your Driver and CDN$7.00 per person, per day for your Tour Leader.
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Tour Code
QSC
13 Day East Coast Islands & Rainforest
13 days
Created On: 01 Oct 2022
Highlights
- Stay on Hamilton Island
- Stop at the Sarina Sugar Shed for a guided tour and lunch at a miniature sugar mill
- Visit a working cattle property, Langmorn Station
- Take an exciting 4WD tour on Fraser Island
- Let your hair down in the ultimate holiday town of Noosa
- See the cute koalas at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital
- Visit Australia Zoo, home of the Irwin family
- Enjoy a delicious winery lunch and wine tasting in the Hunter Valley
- Tropical paradise Hamilton Island and Whitehaven Beach
- Stop at Millaa Millaa Falls and the Curtain Fig Tree
- Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
Inclusions
- Airport transfers
- Travel by luxury coach
- 12 nights of accommodation
- Sightseeing and attractions as listed
Exclusions
- Items of a personal nature
- Meals not listed
- Attractions not listed
- Credit card payment fees, where applicable
- Airfare — domestic and international (Unless Specified)
- Travel insurance (Strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
- Gratuities to driver (Recommend $3-$4 per person per day)
- Gratuities to guide (Recommend $5-$7 per person per day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney - Port Macquarie
As this guided holiday departs at 7:30 AM, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night. Welcome to Sydney! Travel to the Hunter Valley for an exclusive wine tasting and get to know your fellow travellers over a delicious lunch at a local winery. Continue north to picturesque seaside Port Macquarie. This evening join your Travel Director for a welcome reception.
Overnight: Port Macquarie
Meals: Lunch
Day 2: Port Macquarie - Gold Coast
Journey to Cape Byron Lighthouse and enjoy superb views over the Pacific Ocean from Australia's eastern-most point. At the right time of year you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales frolicking off the coast. For lunch we recommend fresh fish and chips on the beach at Byron Bay - there's nothing more Australian! Continue to the famous holiday destination, the Gold Coast, where you'll stay for the next two nights.
Overnight: Gold Coast
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3: Gold Coast Sightseeing
Today is yours to do as you choose. You may like to take an optional experience to the stunning Gold Coast Hinterland to discover the rainforest and the picturesque village of Mt. Tamborine or just take the opportunity to relax and unwind with a stroll along famous Surfers Paradise beach.
Overnight: Gold Coast
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Gold Coast - Noosa
After a short tour of buzzing Brisbane, visit Australia Zoo made famous by the Crocodile Hunter, the late Steve Irwin and his family. Enjoy a sneak peek into the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and see how AAT Kings works with the Wildlife Warriors to support the koala rehabilitation project at the hospital, the country's largest and busiest wildlife facility. Catch one of the many shows and wander through the zoo's fascinating grounds. Later travel to the resort town of Noosa for a relaxing stay. This evening join your fellow travellers for dinner at a restaurant with views over the beach.
Overnight: Noosa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Noosa Sightseeing
Take time out to discover Noosa for yourself. Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy, spectacular walk along the headland through Noosa National Park. If you're feeling adventurous, you may like to hire a stand-up paddle board or even take a boat ride through the incredible Noosa Everglades, one of Australia's most beautiful wilderness areas. You'll love the dark waterways and myriad of wildlife along the Noosa River - it's truly spectacular! This evening choose one of the town's eateries and dine on inspiring local delights.
Overnight: Noosa
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Noosa - Hervey Bay
A day of discovery lies ahead as you cross by ferry to explore World Heritage listed Fraser Island. Your 4WD tour takes you to the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach (tidal) and beyond. Visit Lake McKenzie, ringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. Walk through the ancient rainforest at Central Station with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees and enjoy a delicious lunch before arriving in Hervey Bay.
Overnight: Hervey Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Hervey Bay - Rockhampton
Stop at Langmorn Station, a fully operational cattle station. A member of the Creed family will treat you to a guided tour of the property including their original family homestead, built in 1873. Enjoy afternoon tea in the garden in the company of the pet kangaroo! Cross the Tropic of Capricorn as you arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. Your night is free so why not try some local beef at one of the town's steakhouses.
Overnight: Rockhampton
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Rockhampton - Hamilton Island
Travel north to the sugar town of Sarina for a guided tour through a miniature sugar mill. Discover the growing, harvesting and crushing processes of sugar cane. See how it's turned into a tantalising array of handmade and sugar-inspired boutique products. Afterwards you can taste some of the products made on site before sitting down to a light lunch. Continue past Mackay to Airlie Beach to catch a ferry to Hamilton Island, one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You'll be surrounded by pristine beaches, and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life.
Overnight: Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9: Hamilton Island
Take a cruise to explore famous Whitehaven Beach, voted Australia's best! Feel the sand between your toes and if you're up to it, take a walk to a lookout for views over the beautiful waters and islands of the Coral Sea. This afternoon you're free to enjoy paradise.
Overnight: Hamilton Island, Whitsundays
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Hamilton Island - Mission Beach
This morning you'll board a ferry back to the mainland and continue north along the Bruce Highway for a stop at lunchtime in Townsville, when you'll have the opportunity to take a stroll along the Strand with views to Magnetic Island. Your destination for the night is Mission Beach where you'll stay with views over the ocean. Magic.
Overnight: Mission Beach
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Mission Beach - Cairns
This morning there will be time to take a walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes before you depart Mission Beach. Today you'll travel through the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and see the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Keep an eye out for the spectacular Ulysses Butterfly while you're there. Continue to Kuranda where you'll stop around lunch time. Enjoy some free time to explore 'the village in the rainforest'. You may choose to journey to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Great Barrier Reef
Board a high speed catamaran and cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef. The world heritage listed reef is the only living organism you can see from the moon. Imagine that! You'll have the opportunity to go snorkelling and view this natural living wonder up-close (equipment provided) and view the spectacular coral and tropical fish from the underwater observatory and the semi-submersible craft. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch before you return to Cairns in the late afternoon. This evening join your fellow travellers for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll get the opportunity to taste traditional Australian bush flavours.
Overnight: Cairns
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13: Depart Cairns
Your wonderful holiday concludes after breakfast when you bid farewell to your new-found friends.
Meals: Breakfast
