Australia Tours
East Coast Australia Holiday
This is the classic Australia holiday – a 17 day trip that includes the best of Australia's East Coast.
The Classic East Coast Australia Holiday
Take an epic journey from the cosmopolitan heart of Sydney to the world-renowned beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. First, start your holiday in the vibrant energy of Sydney. Here you explore the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. You can also wander through charming neighbourhoods like The Rocks. Finally, soak up the sun on Bondi Beach.
Your adventure then continues as you travel to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Experience the thrill of a 4WD adventure along the sand dunes. You can also swim in crystal-clear freshwater lakes and spot the dingoes that roam the island. Fraser Island offers a unique chance to explore a diverse landscape, from lush rainforests to towering sand cliffs.
The Whitsunday Islands await you next as you travel to Airlie Beach. They are a paradise of 74 islands fringed by coral reefs. Here you sail amongst the turquoise waters on a beautiful catamaran. While exploring the area, you stop to snorkel or dive on the local reefs.
You then continue north to Cape Tribulation. Here the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on earth, meets the Great Barrier Reef. Moreover, this World Heritage-listed area boasts an unparalleled diversity of flora and fauna. This is therefore the perfect holiday for any first-time visitors to Australia. It also suits those who have never experienced the wonderful East Coast.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Welcome to Your East Coast Australia Holiday
On arrival at Sydney International Airport, collect your luggage and meet your transfer for the drive to your accommodation. Afterwards, the rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight in Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 2
Discover Sydney
Today is a free day to explore Sydney's dazzling natural harbour, epic beachside walks and cutting-edge restaurant scene. For example, we suggest a walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Along the way, stop at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the best view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Overnight in Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3
Aboriginal Dreaming Tour and the Sydney Opera House
First, join The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour (Illi Langi). This leisurely walkabout visits significant cultural sites under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Along the way, you hear Dreamtime creation stories. Later, go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House on a guided walking tour through the World Heritage-listed building.
Overnight in Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4
Explore Bondi Beach
Enjoy free time to explore Bondi Beach, Australia's most famous beach. It is also home to one of the oldest surf lifesaving clubs in the world. First, browse the boutique shops along Gould Street. Then venture into Sydney's trendy Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Newtown neighbourhoods at your leisure.
Overnight in Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 5
Fraser Island
Transfer to the airport for your flight north to Hervey Bay. Then take a ferry crossing to Fraser Island (K'gari), the world's largest sand island. Its name means "paradise" to the traditional owners, the Butchulla people. Finally, check in to your resort and enjoy drinks at the Sunset Bar.
Overnight in Kingfisher Bay Resort · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6
Fraser Island
Spend a full day exploring K'Gari in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive coaches. First, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie. Then wander through ancient subtropical rainforests and marvel at the rustic ruins of the Maheno Shipwreck. Finally, cruise along the 75-Mile Beach highway.
Overnight in Kingfisher Bay Resort · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7
Agnes Water
Take the ferry back to the mainland at River Heads and pick up your hire car. Then drive north past Bundaberg to Seventeen Seventy. This is the northernmost surf beach along the Australian coast and also one of Australia's best-kept secrets.
Overnight in Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort
DAY 8
Agnes Water and 1770
Explore the twin towns of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy. Together they are the Southernmost access point to the Great Barrier Reef and the Northernmost surf beach. Then, in the afternoon, join a cruise across Round Hill Creek along the edge of Eurimbula National Park.
Overnight in Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort
DAY 9
Rockhampton and Capricorn Caves
Drive north via Miriam Vale and Gladstone to Rockhampton, Australia's cattle capital. In fact, it is home to more than 2.5 million cattle within a 250km radius. Then visit the Capricorn Caves, formed by water working on ancient reef limestone. They also feature cave coral, stalactites and insectivorous bats.
Overnight in Capricorn Caves Accommodation · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 10
Airlie Beach
Today is a long drive north via Mackay and Cape Hillsborough National Park, home to wild wallabies and kangaroos. You then arrive at Airlie Beach in the afternoon. This relaxed resort town on the Whitsunday Coast is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.
Overnight in Airlie Beach Eco Cabins · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11
Whitsunday's Sailing Adventure
Sail the azure waters of the Whitsundays aboard an 85ft ocean-going catamaran, mooring at Whitehaven Beach. This 7km arc of dazzling white sand is regularly voted Australia's best beach. First, hike to the Hill Inlet lookout and swim. Then enjoy a BBQ lunch on board. Finally, snorkel a fringing reef.
Overnight in Airlie Beach Eco Cabins · Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
DAY 12
Mission Beach
Today is a long drive north through Bowen, Townsville and Ingham ("Little Italy") to Mission Beach. This quiet stretch of Tropical North Queensland coast is the closest point to the Great Barrier Reef on the mainland. On the way, you also detour to Wallaman Falls, Australia's highest permanent single-drop waterfall.
Overnight in Castaways Resort and Spa
DAY 13
Mission Beach to Palm Cove
Today is a shorter drive north via Paronella Park, a moss-covered pleasure garden. You also pass Etty Bay (home to the Southern Cassowary) and Babinda Boulders. After that, drive through Cairns and arrive at Palm Cove. This tiny beachside village centres on an esplanade lined with 500-year-old melaleuca trees.
Overnight in Peppers Palm Cove · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 14
Daintree, Cape Tribulation and Bloomfield
Join a full-day 4WD tour with a local naturalist guide on the rugged Bloomfield Track. First, spot crocodiles on a Daintree River cruise. Then learn about the flora, fauna and history of the Daintree. Finally, visit Cape Tribulation Beach and enjoy homemade Daintree ice-cream.
Overnight in Peppers Palm Cove · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 15
The Great Barrier Reef
Take a full-day catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef. In fact, it has more than 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays. You explore two pristine reef locations, and all snorkelling equipment is included. A hot and cold buffet lunch is also included.
Overnight in Peppers Palm Cove · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 16
Explore Palm Cove
Enjoy a free day to explore Palm Cove's cafés, boutiques and spas at your leisure. For example, stroll along Clifton Beach or join a beachfront yoga class. Alternatively, simply relax.
Overnight in Peppers Palm Cove · Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 17
The End of the East Coast Australia Holiday
First, drive back down to Cairns and drop off your hire car. Then transfer to the international airport for your flight home.
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
16 nights accommodation as described throughout the tour, with board basis as described
Domestic flight from Sydney to Hervey Bay, including 1x 23kg luggage + 10kg carry-on per person
Transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
Car hire from Hervey Bay to Cairns with Avis (compact SUV, e.g. Hyundai Kona or similar). There is no one-way fee, and two drivers are included.
Sydney Opera House 1 Hour Guided Experience and The Rocks Dreaming Tour
Fraser Island Beauty Spots 4WD Tour
Agnes Water LARC Afternoon Cruise
Rockhampton Cathedral Cave Tour
Airlie Beach Full Day Camira Sailing Adventure
Palm Cove Daintree, Cape Tribulation, Bloomfield Track 4WD Tour and Outer Great Barrier Reef Day Cruise
What’s Not Included
International travel to the start and end point – contact us for information and flight options
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements
Drinks and meals not shown
Any photography and video fees
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers and guides
Tour Map
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
This is a private tour, so we can arrange it for any departure date. We can also tailor-make this itinerary to your exact requirements.
From £3,095 per person, based on two people travelling
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Australia.
To enter Australia, your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. British citizens can usually get an eVisitor visa (no charge). Alternatively, they can get an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the app. This has no visa charge, although a service fee of around A$20 may apply.
Australia has strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases. Therefore, you must declare any risk goods on your Incoming Passenger Card. For example, these include food, animal products and plant material. All luggage is also x-rayed on arrival. Laws on e-cigarettes differ between states. However, liquid nicotine is classed as a poison and banned from sale nationwide. Same-sex marriages are legally recognised, and Australia is generally open-minded. However, isolated incidents of homophobic crime do occur.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. UK citizens can also access essential and urgent medical care through the UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement. As a result, essential and urgent hospital treatment is free. However, there's a charge to visit GPs and receive prescriptions. You can recover some of these charges through Medicare.
What to Bring
We recommend lighter clothes through the day, with warmer layers for the evening. Also bring a hat to protect from the sun. Depending on season, early mornings and evenings can turn cold. Walking shoes or boots/trainers plus sandals are the ideal footwear. Finally, don't forget your swimwear!
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a good insect repellent and bite cream, suncream, and a torch or head lamp. In addition, bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper.
While You're There
Australia uses the Australian dollar. ATMs are widespread and credit cards widely accepted. However, there's an AUD$10,000 limit for bringing cash into the country without declaring it. Summer (November to February) is the peak season for travel. This is because of school holidays and the draw of the beaches.
Australia uses Type I plugs on a 220-240V/50Hz supply. Mobile data is available in most places, although signal can be patchy in the outback. Therefore, if your phone is unlocked, a prepaid Australian SIM card is a good option on arrival. Free wifi is also available in most hotels, cafés and restaurants.
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