Essence of Queensland
SELF DRIVE TOUR
BRISBANE | GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS | K'GARI | ROSSLYN BAY | WHITSUNDAYS | TOWNSVILLE | CAIRNS | GREAT BARRIER REEF | KURANDA
One of the iconic Australian road trips, this itinerary showcases some of the best that the Queensland coast has to offer, as you visit K'gari and Airlie Beach. Roslyn Bay is the jewel of the Capricorn coast, and you’re sure to love the views of the Keppel Islands from here. Explore two parts of the Great Barrier reef with not one but two included cruises and ride above the treetops of the Rainforest in tropical North Queensland.
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18-19
Day 1 : UK - Brisbane
Take a morning flight from the UK to Brisbane, travelling through the night as you head east.
Day 2 : Arrive Brisbane
Arrive in Brisbane this evening and take your included private transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
Day 3 : Brisbane
A full day to explore on your own. The state capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city, Brisbane is renowned for its culture, balmy climate and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The city is set along the banks of the Brisbane River with entertainments in abundance, a cruise along this winding urban channel is a must for all visitors. Cool off in Australia’s only city based man-made beach at Streets Beach in Brisbane’s inner-city suburb of South Bank. Looming over the city is Mt Coot-Tha, home to the Botanic Gardens and the ideal vantage point to admire the breath-taking views or perhaps catch the perfect sunset over this amiable city.
Day 4 : Glasshouse Mountains (45 miles)
Collect your car from the Brisbane downtown Avis office and head to the Glass House Mountains, an area of steep sided volcanic plugs and natural wonderland.
Day 5 : K'gari (144 miles)
Drive to Hervey Bay, park your car at Urangan Harbour and take the ferry to K'gari. The rest of the day is free.
Day 6 : K'gari
Your included tour highlights include Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek, Pile Valley’s Satinay and Brush Box forests, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, the Maheno shipwreck and the Pinnacles, Eli Creek and the Stonetool Sand Blow.
Day 7 : Agnes Water (155 miles)
Awake to a sunrise that will take your breath away before you bid farewell to Rosslyn and continue north to Mackay and the Whitsundays.
Day 8 : Rosslyn Bay (275 miles)
Continue to Rosslyn Bay, a jewel on the Capricorn Coast. Protected by a huge volcanic plug from the prevailing winds it offers an excellent beach and sheltered bays and stunning views of the Keppel
Islands.
Day 9 : Rosslyn Bay
Relax at your resort or perhaps take in the views of the Keppel Islands; or perhaps take an optional boat trip and explore them.
Day 10 : Mackay (226 miles)
Awake to a sunrise that will take your breath away before you bid farewell to Rosslyn and continue north to Mackay and the Whitsundays.
Day 11 : Airlie Beach (100 miles)
Airlie Beach is the perfect launching pad for activities on the water and in the lush, green rainforest of the Whitsunday Coast. Soak up the laid-back, tropical atmosphere and instantly tune into holiday mode.
Day 12 : Reef Cruise
Travel aboard a high speed catamaran to Reefworld, situated at Hardy Reef. You can do as much or as little as you like with a range of activities both in and out of the water including snorkelling over
the coral gardens.
Day 13 : Townsville (173 miles)
Head north via Bowen to Townsville, gateway to tropical North Queensland
Day 14 : Cairns (220 miles)
Time in Townsville before your journey to Cairns, where you will stay for 4 nights. Check into your hotel and then return your rental car to the Avis depot.
Day 15 : Cairns free day
Queensland’s most northern city, Cairns is the perfect gateway into two world heritage listed sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The town is full of life with amiable café’s, bustling markets, an array of restaurants and bars.
Day 16 : Full Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise
Your excursion today takes you to Green Island, a beautiful coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef. Cruise in comfort aboard a 35 metre, air-conditioned catamaran. Tropical & enchanting Green Island is an idyllic coral cay and you spend 5 hours viewing the coral reef and fish life. Relax on the white sandy beach and explore the walking tracks that lead through the National Park. A range of optional extras are available such as helmet diving, scuba diving, guided snorkelling tours, or the hire of canoes and beach lounge chairs. Your day includes return transfers from hotel to wharf, complimentary tea & coffee on board, snorkelling demonstration, choice of Glass Bottom Boat tour or snorkelling equipment, buffet lunch, fish feeding, self-guided island walk and environmental management charge
Day 17 : Kuranda
Take an included transfer to Freshwater Station and travel on the historical rail journey to Kuranda, enjoying breathtaking views across the cane fields of Cairns and passing spectacular waterfalls to the tropical village above the rainforest. Upon arrival in Kuranda, you will have free time to explore this fascinating hamlet. A short journey brings you to Rainforestation set in 40 hectares of gardens and rainforest. Several unique activities await you. Board the unusual amphibious Army Duck for a different look at the Rainforest. An experienced guide will show you unique tropical fruits, ancient plants and point out a few of the native animals as you meander through the Rainforest. A barbeque lunch is included before visiting the Koala and Wildlife Park Cuddle a koala (own expense), smile at a crocodile and hand feed the kangaroos and wallabies. A range of other native animals and reptiles are also on display. Walk back into Kuranda to board the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to return to Cairns. This experience, which takes you over the Rainforest canopy with stops along the way allowing you to take a stroll or visit the CSIRO Interpretive Centre before arriving at Smithfield Skyrail terminal from where you will be transferred to your hotel for your final night.
Day 18-19 : Departure - Arrive UK
Your Queensland adventure comes to an end today when you check out of your hotel and take an included transfer to the airport for your flight home.
