Sydney, Reef & Rainforest

Start your day with a tour of the magnificent Sydney Opera House, accommpanied by an expert guide. Later, board your coach to see the Royal Botanic Gardens and visit Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair.

You’re invited to Bondi Beach for an iconic Australian experience. You’ll be greeted by a local surf lifesaver before lunch at an Aussie institution, the Returned Servicemen’s Club, with its views over the Pacific Ocean. Your host will take you on an exclusive tour through Australia’s oldest surf lifesaving club to learn about the history of Bondi and surf lifesaving.

When you return to the city you’ll have the opportunity to discover Australia’s national gemstone – the opal. If you want to see Sydney from above, take the climb of your life on Sydney Harbour Bridge ‘BridgeClimb’ (own expense).

Spend a free day in Sydney seeing the sights of your choice. Or you can take an excursion to view the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves or an interesting trip to Canberra, Australia’s capital. Or perhaps travel to the Hunter Valley, New South Wales’ premier wine growing region, for a wineries tour.

You will leave Sydney today for your flight to Hamilton Island, one of the 74 islands in Queensland’s Whitsundays. The rest of the day and evening is at leisure for you to relax or explore and orientate yourself with the picturesque surroundings. 

Enjoy breakfast with the koalas, then it’s time to take it easy or make the most of the many activities that are available to you today at the resort. You can relax at a beach or by a pool. Or you can strap on your walking shoes and take a hike into Hamilton Island’s bushland. Go sea-kayaking, snorkelling or windsurfing. Consider a cruise to beautiful Whitehaven Beach, stretching seven empty kilometres. If you’d prefer to be less active, perhaps indulge in a facial or massage at Spa wumurdaylin (own expense). The options are endless and your Tour Director will be happy to help.

This morning you take a short transfer for your flight to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. On arrival you’ll board your coach for the short journey to the resort town of Port Douglas, nestled between two World Heritage listed areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree National Park. This afternoon you can relax by the lagoon-style pool, join in one of the resort’s activities or take a stroll around the village of Port Douglas. This evening perhaps be tempted by a cocktail at Estilo lounge bar before dinner at Bazaar Marketplace.

Board your Quicksilver wavepiercing catamaran for your cruise to renowned Agincourt Reef, at the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The friendly, professional crew will take you to an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance. Enjoy a reef education presentation by a marine naturalist. Choose to snorkel (equipment provided) or you can stay dry and explore the stunning reef from the comfort of a Quicksilver semi-sub, just one metre underwater. Watch the fish-feeding from Quicksilver’s unique underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory. A hot and cold tropical buffet lunch including fresh prawns, meats, salads and fruit is served before you return to Port Douglas this afternoon. 

Your first stop is Mossman Gorge in the Daintree National Park for the Ngadiku Dreamtime Gorge Walk. In this hands-on experience you’ll learn about traditional plant use and your interpretive Indigenous guide will identify bush food sources. They’ll provide an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship with this unique tropical environment. At the end of the journey enjoy traditional bush tea and damper (bread). Later, you’ll travel to Kuranda, where there’s time to explore the ‘village in the rainforest’ including the Heritage Village Markets. Return to the lowlands on the Skyrail Cableway high above the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park. This evening in Cairns is free for you to do as you wish. Why not explore the Cairns Night Markets? This very popular tourist destination is inspired by similar international markets in Hawaii and South East Asia.

A free day to explore Cairns on your own. Why not visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and learn about this ancient culture through theatres, stage shows and demonstrations. Or spot crocodiles and birds in their natural habitat on an afternoon cruise on Cairns Harbour. Perhaps visit Cairns Tropical Zoo. You can cuddle a koala, feed a kangaroo, see giant crocodiles and enjoy great wildlife presentations and tours. Or at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures take a journey of discovery through woodlands and rainforest where you can see an array of wildlife, including beautiful tropical birds, reptiles, insects and other native fauna. This evening join your fellow travellers and Tour Director at a farewell dinner.