Australia

Escorted Tours

Barrier Reef Island Wanderer

13 Day premier fully escorted small group tour from $3705.00 (room only incl. feature meals) to $4360.00 (with meals) per person based on double occupancy.

Experience the beauty of the east coast of Australia from Sydney to Cairns. Relax on the idyllic islands of Fraser, Hamilton and Dunk (an APT Exclusive!) along with exploring the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.

INCLUSIONS

Small group touring, no more than 30 travelers
Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinners and Cultural Touring Experiences
12 nights premier accommodation, highlights include 2 nights on Fraser Island, 2 nights on Hamilton island with magical Whitsunday views, EXCLUSIVE 2 night stay on Dunk Island and 2 nights in guaranteed Ocean View room at Rydges Tradewinds Hotel Cairns.
10 hot breakfasts (B) and 5 freedom of choice dinners (D) and 6 feature meals (FB, FL, FD) including Bush Tucker Talk & BBQ on Fraser Island, Tropical lunch on Great Barrier Reef cruise and Farewell Aussie BBQ dinner at Cairns Night Zoo, with an animal show.

HIGHLIGHTS

Visit Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point
Visit Australia Zoo, made famous by the Crocodile Hunter
Explore World Heritage, listed Fraser Island
Stroll Rockhampton’s tropical Botanic Gardens
Explore the World Heritage, listed Great Barrier Reef
Journey through the picturesque Atherton Tablelands
Spend time in the beautiful resort town of Port Douglas
Ride the Skyrail Cableway above rainforest

ITINERARY

Day 1 Thu. Sydney, Coffs Harbour
Depart Sydney and head north of the state to the subtropical resort town of Coffs Harbour. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with your tour director, coach captain and travelling companions. Coffs Harbour, Novotel Pacific Bay Resort. (FD)

Day 2 Fri. Byron Bay, Brisbane
Travel to Byron Bay, famous for its bohemian lifestyle, unspoilt beaches and coastal scenery. Watch the surfers and maybe even see dolphins off the point. Cape Byron is the most easterly point on the Australian mainland and is an excellent place to watch the humpback whales which travel along the coastline (Jun.–Jul.). Cross over the Queensland border to its capital city, Brisbane. This evening, stay at the Royal on the Park, conveniently located in the heart of the city, next to the lush Botanic Gardens. Brisbane, Royal on the Park. (B)

Day 3 Sat. Brisbane, Fraser Island
Visit Australia Zoo, home to over a thousand native and exotic animals and the amazingly adventurous Irwin family. Afterwards, we continue north to the Sunshine Coast, famous for its golden beaches fringed with native bush. Arriving in Hervey Bay, we join a cruise to magnificent World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. Two Night Stay: Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort. (B, D)

Day 4 Sun. Fraser Island, Freedom of Choice Touring, Bush Tucker Talk & BBQ
Choose from a tour of Lake McKenzie and surrounding rainforest, or a whale or dolphin watching cruise (seasonal). Perhaps upgrade your Freedom Of Choice Touring to an Adventure Option – an enthralling full-day 4WD Beach and Lakes Tour around this pristine island (additional cost). Later, join a park ranger for an exclusive Bush Tucker Talk, before a delicious barbecue dinner. (B, FD)

Day 5 Mon. Rockhampton, Botanic Gardens
Return to the mainland this morning, cross the Tropic of Capricorn on your way to Rockhampton. Explore the Botanic Gardens with its excellent specimens of palms, cycads and ferns throughout the beautifully manicured gardens. OPTIONAL UPGRADE - Henderson Park Cattle Ranch Stay Stay overnight at a working cattle ranch, enjoying a barbecue dinner and an evening by the campfire (minimum 2 passengers). Rockhampton, Travelodge Hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 Tue. Henderson Park, Mackay, Whitsunday Cruise to Hamilton Island
Visit Henderson Park Cattle Station operated by a local family since 1908. Afterwards, we join a scenic cruise from Shute Harbour across to the largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays; Hamilton Island. Two Night Stay: Hamilton Island Resort, stay in Guaranteed Coral View rooms at Reef View Hotel. (B)

Day 7 Wed. Hamilton Island, Dine Around Dinner
Spend your day at leisure, choosing from over 40 different activities offered on the island. Relax by one of the seven luxurious pools, wander the shops down at the marina or take a day trip out to the pristine Whitehaven Beach (own expense). With a year-round temperature of 27.4C, you are sure to relish your free time on this tropical island. In the evening enjoy pre-dinner drinks as you watch the sun set over the Whitsundays. (B, D)

Day 8 Thu. Whitsundays Cruise, Mission Beach, Dunk Island
Today, cruise through the Whitsunday Passage back to the mainland. Stop in Townsville, the centre for marine research for the Great Barrier Reef. From Mission Beach, we will cruise to Dunk Island, another beautiful tropical rainforest island. Tonight, enjoy dinner and unwind as the tour allows a comfortable two night stay on this idyllic island resort. Two Night Stay: Dunk Island Resort, Garden Room. (B, D)

Day 9 Fri. At Leisure on Dunk Island
Today has been left at leisure for you to relax at the resort or explore the nearby reef and rainforest. You could start the day with a rainforest walk and take in the spectacular views from the summit of Mt Kootaloo. Or perhaps you could discover the vibrant marine wonders of the Great Barrier Reef (own expense). (FB)

Day 10 Sat. Atherton Tablelands, Port Douglas, Dine Around Dinner
Explore the lush Atherton Tablelands with its rich volcanic soil, high rainfall and spectacular waterfalls. Hop on a wildlife cruise at Lake Barrine formed by volcanic processes and surrounded by lush rainforest. Afterwards, enjoy a short walk to beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls and then marvel at the unusual Curtain Fig Tree. Travel to the resort town of Port Douglas and choose to dine at a selected local restaurant along the renowned Macrossan Street or enjoy dinner and a quiet evening at the resort. Port Douglas, Mantra Treetops Resort and Spa, absolute luxury set in rain forest gardens. (FB, D)

Day 11 Sun. Quicksilver Barrier Reef Cruise, Freedom of Choice Touring
Cruise aboard the ‘Wavepiercer’ and go snorkelling on the reef. Visit Low Isles on the ‘Wavedancer’where you can experience an unspoilt coral Island, or if you’re looking for adventure take the ‘Silversonic’ on a reef discovery. Two Night Stay: Cairns, Rydges Tradewinds Hotel, a few steps along the Esplanade to the night markets and lagoon (B, FL)

Day 12 Mon. Cairns, Kuranda, Farewell Dinner
Journey aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway up to Rainforestation Nature Park where you will be treated by the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. There’s also time to ride aboard the Army Duck for a journey on land and through water. Later traverse the Kuranda Skyrail, and glide just meters above the rainforest canopy, passing the lush Cairns Highlands and waterfalls as we journey down the range. This evening enjoy our special Farewell Dinner at Cairns Night Zoo – a great Australian night to celebrate with your newly found friends. (B, FD)

Day 13 Tue. Cairns
Enjoy a leisurely morning in Cairns. This afternoon transfer to Cairns Airport (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

2008: Mar 12*, 13, 26*; Apr 10, 22*; May 8, 20*; Jun 24*; Aug 7, 19*; Sep 11, 18, 23*, 30*; Oct 9, 21*, 30: Nov 6, 11*, 18*; Dec 18, 30*
2009: Mar 3*, 10*, 12, 24*; Apr 9, 21*; May 7, 19*, Jun 23*; Aug 6, 18*; Sep 10, 17, 22*, 29*; Oct 8, 20*, 29; Nov 5, 10*, 17*; Dec 17, 29*

Above departures are Sydney to Cairns (CN13) unless marked with an asterix, which indicates the tour operates in reverse, Cairns to Sydney (CS13).
Note: no more than 30 travelers commences from Apr 10, 2008.