East Coast Beaches and Reef

12 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Small Group Tour
On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: The Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary. Along with glori...
26%
$6,939
From$5,140
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    On this East Coast Australia tour, prepare yourself for record-breaking attractions: The Great Barrier Reef (the largest of its kind), the Wet Tropics of Queensland (some of the oldest rainforest on the planet), and K’gari (Fraser Island), the largest sand island in the world. All rightly have World Heritage status, and are on your itinerary. Along with glorious swathes of sand stretching from Cairns to Sydney.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range6 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityCairns
End CitySydney

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Australia

Activities

  • Culture

Trip includes

    • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
    • Local Specialists (Guides)
    • Centrally located premium hotels

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Welcome to Cairns

Your Queensland tour begins in Cairns, which is not only the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, but also the Great Barrier Reef, that enormous swathe of World Heritage-listed coral that hugs the Queensland coast. Take today easy, because the next few of your East Coast Australia trip are going to be jam-packed with adventures.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns

Day 2: The Great Barrier Reef

Hold onto your hat as you zip out on your Great Barrier Reef tour aboard a high-speed catamaran. Pause to snorkel over immense fans of coral, a verdant habitat for six of the world’s sea turtles as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.

Day 3: Cairns

From the reef to the rainforest... Enjoy some perspective of the Wet Tropics on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, lifting you above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park to Kuranda. The Atherton Tablelands awaits, this high tropical plateau a tangle of dense for...

Day 4: Cairns - Airlie Beach

Some days, the journey matters just as much as the destination. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you travel south through sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains. Stretch your legs en route to Airlie Beach and soak up this steamy part of the state.

Mantra Club Croc

Day 5: The Whitsunday Islands Free Time

Powdery beaches and rainforest unite in the Whitsundays, 74 tropical drops of land all ringed by the Coral Sea. There are endless ways to explore this part of the Great Barrier Reef on tour – today, we’re letting you choose. Perhaps rise early for an optional helicopter ride over Heart Reef. Or catch a catamaran to Whitehaven Beach, with sand so high in silica it squeaks underfoot.

Day 6: Airlie Beach - Rockhampton

Life is sweet in Sarina, Australia’s sugar capital, where your guided tour takes you behind the scenes of processing and distilling sugar cane at the Sarina Sugar Shed. And yes, you get to sample the wares. You’ll be bouncing off your seat all the way to Rockhampton, ...

Day 7: Rockhamton - K'gari (Fraser Island)

More beef awaits after you cross the Tropic of Capricorn, GPS set for Langmorn Station, where the Creed family will welcome you with afternoon tea and a tour of the immense (and historic) cattle property – the original family homestead was built in 1873. The Creeds lo...

Day 8: K'gari (Faser Island)

The island also has a really long sand highway. Jump in a 4WD on your Fraser Island tour and skid along 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck, which offers quite the photo opportunity. Jus...

Day 9: K'gari (Fraser Island) - Gold Coast

Back on the mainland, follow the waves of Hervey Bay south to the Gold Coast, where you can be surfing one minute and surrounded by rainforest the next. This afternoon, fall into beat with locals and explore the city’s booming food and wine scene. We have a few restaurant favourites…

Novotel Surfers Paradise

Day 10: Gold Coast Free Time

The hardest thing you have to do today is decide which direction to set your Queensland trip compass. Perhaps stay close to your Surfers Paradise base and explore long stretches of sand and achingly cool cafés. The city also breaks records for its extensive network of...

Day 11: Gold Coast - Coffs Harbour

Journey from the Gold Coast to the beach side town of Byron Bay. From Cape Byron Lighthouse enjoy superb views from Australia’s eastern-most point over the Pacific Ocean. At the right time of year, you may be lucky enough to spot migrating whales frolicking off the co...

Day 12: Coffs Harbour - Sydney

Your final stretch of your East Coast Australia tour takes you to the ‘Harbour City’, one of the prettiest of its kind anywhere in the world, in our humble opinion. If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to life on the road, chat to your Travel Director about extending your trip to take in Sydney’s legendary sights.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $5,140
Price per day$428
Last Updated: 5/16/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double
Single
Availability
15 Nov 2024
26 Nov 2024
$5,140
$6,849
available
17 Jan 2025
28 Jan 2025
$5,575
$7,430
closed
14 Feb 2025
25 Feb 2025
$5,575
$7,430
available
14 Mar 2025
25 Mar 2025
$5,575
$7,430
available
05 Sep 2025
16 Sep 2025
$5,685
$7,575
closed
14 Nov 2025
25 Nov 2025
$5,685
$7,575
closed
13 Feb 2026
24 Feb 2026
$5,845
$7,790
available
13 Mar 2026
24 Mar 2026
$5,845
$7,790
closed

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with AAT Kings.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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AAT Kings Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
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Tour Operator

AAT Kings

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A century ago, the Australian outback was but a twinkle in most travelers’ eyes. But thanks to visionaries like the Pyke family and Bill King, the way we explore the Land Down Under was about to change in unimaginable ways. Over the coming decades, maps were unfolded, desert cruisers and coaches were customized, and guides were trained. From humble beginnings, the company now known as AAT Kings was going places few had gone before, pioneering new paths across Australia and New Zealand and taking intrepid travelers on a wild and wonderful ride. We’ve come a long way and clocked a few kilometers in the process. But some things will never change. Like our spirit for adventure. Our oh-so-knowledgeable Travel Directors. The local characters we meet (and will never forget) along the way. The epic, goosebump-inducing stories we’re told by First Nations guides. The life-changing experiences on offer – the kind that only 100 years of exploring affords. We’ve never been more passionate about our next discovery. Join us and fall in love with Australia and New Zealand all over again. #aatkings


Why we love this operator
AAT Kings is renowned for its quality service, knowledgeable guides, and extensive network of destinations.
What they’re known for
AAT Kings is known for being one of Australia and New Zealand's leading tour operators, specializing in guided tours.

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Logistics

Accommodation

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns Mantra Club Croc Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton Kingfisher Bay Resort Novotel Surfers Paradise BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
6 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
aatkin-QCSF25

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