Sydney to Daintree Best of East Coast Australia Comfort Tour - Twin Share Ensuite

**Day 1: Sydney ** We start in Australia's Harbour City, the glittering jewel in the east coast's crown. Check into your room, freshen up, then meet your tour leader and new travel mates for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Then we are off for a great welcome dinner, and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers. **Included Activities:** - Get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome meeting and dinner. Meals: Welcome Dinner. Driving Distance: No driving. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Potts point or similar.

**Day 2: Hunter Valley and Newcastle ** We leave behind Sydney's skyscrapers and sidewalks for a wildlife park boasting an all-star cast of koalas, kangaroos, and more. We're in the heart of the Hunter Valley, so there's nothing better to do than a wine, cheese & chocolate tasting. We'll also visit the sunny port city of Newcastle, rounding off an eclectic day. **Included Activities:** - Conservation Wildlife Park visit - Get close to many native / unique australian animals like kangaroos, emus and more. - Hunter Valley wine, cheese & chocolate tasting. - Newcastle orientation tour. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 280 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks. Accommodation – Lucky Hotel Newcastle or similar.

**Day 3: Port Macquarie & The Koala Hospital ** After breakfast, we’re off to Port Macquarie, where we’ll have a chance to meet the volunteers at a Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. If you're unable to tear yourself away from the cuddly critters, don’t worry – you’re not the first. Expect to come away with loads more knowledge about these often misunderstood creatures, & how by joining our tour, you are supporting this amazing center's conservation efforts. Relax for the evening with a stroll along the foreshore & a free night for dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the local bird population and keep your eyes peeled for the local wild dolphins. **Included Activities:** - Visit Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. - Foreshore walk and a chance to spot wild dolphins. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 250 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – El Paso Motor Inn or similar.

**Day 4: Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) & Byron Bay ** Take part in an immersive First Nations experience of the Gumbaynggirr nation, that will get you in touch with the traditional custodians of this land. Then we're headed to Byron Bay, a laid-back surf paradise with boundless coastline, sand and friendly locals. We'll pay a visit to Cape Byron, for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life. **Included Activities: ** - Immersive Gumbaynggirr First Nations experience. - Visit to Cape Byron to see the famous local lighthouse, the most easterly point of Australia for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales in season, and other marine life. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 400 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar.

**Day 5: Byron Bay ** Today we're talking relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation. Spend the morning on the warm sand, shopping for bargains, or indulge in one of our optional activities: surfing or kayaking plus many activities like balloon rides, whale watching, brewery tours etc. The day is all yours – put your feet up, head to a cosy bar, or watch the world go by from one of the local cafes. **Included Activities:** - list text hereFree day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience. Meals: None. Driving Distance: None. Accommodation – Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar.

**Day 6: Noosa & Rainbow Beach ** We're crossing into Queensland – the Sunshine State. Your first stop is laid-back Noosa, and Noosa National Park where you will have the chance to spot koalas and other Aussie critters. We continue further up the Sunshine Coast to our base for the next 2 nights, it's time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the vibrant Rainbow Beach. **Included Activities:** - Noosa National Park & the chance to spot koalas in the wild. - Noosa orientation including Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 420 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar.

**Day 7: K’Gari (Fraser Island) ** Ready, steady, go, for a once-in-a-lifetime 4WD K’Gari adventure today. Once known as Fraser Island, the destination has been returned to its original name K’gari. K’gari is the local Butchulla nation’s name for the island, meaning ‘paradise’ – you’ll find out why soon enough. You'll never want to leave, as we explore the largest sand island in the world, kick back at some of Queensland's most renowned lookouts, take a walk on the wild side in a lush rainforest, dive into Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) a crystal-clear lake, see the famous S.S Maheno shipwreck and course go dingo-spotting along the golden 75 Mile Beach. The fun needn't stop there; after the tour feel free to enjoy Carlo Sand Blow and Rainbow Beach, or put your feet up in your accommodation. **Included Activities: ** - Once-in-a-lifetime 4WD bus adventure to K’Gari (Fraser Island). Meals: Breakfast & Lunch. Driving Distance: 200 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points (5KM total). Accommodation – Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar.

**Day 8: Brisbane ** It’s Bris-vegas baby! We’re off to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. See for yourself how wonderful Brisbane is with a walk (or ferry ride) along the aptly named Brisbane river and its surrounds. **Included Activities:** - Orientation tour. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 240 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walk. Accommodation – The Point Hotel Brisbane or similar

**Day 9: Brisbane to Airlie Beach ** Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is yours. **Included Activities ** - Domestic Flight to the Whitsunday Coast. - Free afternoon & evening to explore Airlie Beach. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 40 kms. Domestic Flight: from Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) included. 1 hour 50 minutes (990 km). Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc or similar.

**Day 10: Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands** After breakfast, we’re heading out on a full-day speedboat cruise through the postcard-perfect Whitsunday Islands, including a stop at the iconic Whitehaven Beach aboard the award-winning Red Cat Adventures Thundercat vessel. Words can’t quite capture the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and lush greenery of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get up close by snorkeling among colourful coral, playful fish, and maybe even a sea turtle or two. Afterwards, unwind at your own pace or head into town to discover the best local food and drink spots. **Included Activities** - Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkeling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk and lunch. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 8 hours. 46 kms Walking Distance: Short easy walk / Hill inlet look out point over looking whitehaven beach Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc or similar

**Day 11: Mission Beach ** A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. This afternoon, kick back and enjoy. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. We may be even lucky enough to spot some cassowary in the wild! **Included Activities: ** - Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 505kms (Biggest drive day). Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Mission Beach Resort or similar.

**Day 12: Cairns via the Atherton Tablelands ** Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We'll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands. Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water, and visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We'll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia's most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities. **Included Activities: ** - Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 220 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar.

**Day 13: Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef ** It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkeling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a 20 metre luxury motor catamaran. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day at one of the seven natural wonders of the world (and the only one seen from space), join us for an optional dinner to share stories of our adventures together! **Included Activities: ** - Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Freedom - including snorkeling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch. - Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Driving Distance: Full day fast boat trip. Approx 6.5 hours. 30 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar.

**Day 14: Kuranda and Port Douglas ** It’s go, go gondola, as we take an incredible gondola ride over ancient rainforest, the Barron River, and the surrounding mountains on our way to picturesque Kuranda with its colourful markets. Then, it’s a trip north to the chilled out village of Port Douglas, where you can choose to join the group for dinner, drinks and the stunning sunset. **Included Activities: ** - Skyrail gondola ride over the rainforest canopy. - Kuranda markets. - Port Douglas orientation tour. Meals: Breakfast. Driving Distance: 100 kms. Walking Distance: Short easy walks / look out points. Accommodation – Paradise Links Resort or similar.

**Day 15: Mossman Gorge & First Nations experience ** Ease into the day with a relaxed morning in beautiful Port Douglas — exactly as it should be. Stroll through the vibrant Sunday markets, grab a locally brewed coffee, and soak up the ocean views. Later, we’ll head to Mossman Gorge in the ancient Daintree Rainforest for a guided walk through lush jungle, flowing streams, and towering trees. In the afternoon, connect with the land and its people during an immersive cultural experience with the Kuku Yalanji people. Learn about traditional customs, bush foods, and the deep spiritual ties they hold to Country — a truly memorable encounter. **Included Activities: ** - Visit to vibrant local markets. - Visit Mossman Gorge for an incredible walk through the rainforest. - Kuku Yalanji (First Nations) immersive cultural experience. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Driving Distance: 25 kms. Walking Distance: 2.5 kms / 1.5 hour guided walk Mossman gorge rainforest. Anyone unable to walk that distance has the option to wait for the group to return. Accommodation – Paradise Links Resort or similar.

**Day 16: Daintree Rainforest walk, Cape Tribulation & Crocodile/nature cruise** It’s another big day – we’re going deeper into the tropical World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation (don’t worry, it’s just a name!) on a short ferry. We’ll take a walk through the ancient rainforest and meet the local family who hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew whilst keeping our eyes peeled for ancient cassowary, birds and other wildlife. In the afternoon we cruise the Daintree River (Julaymba) on the eco-friendly Solar Whisper, a quiet solar-powered boat, for an immersive wildlife experience. Spot crocodiles, birds, frogs, snakes, and more with the help of your expert guide and the unique "CROC CAM”. We take a wonderful coastal drive back to Cairns, where your tour ends on arrival around 6pm. If you need help with post tour accommodation, please let us know as we can help! Thanks for a wonderful adventure together! **Included Activities:** - Guided rainforest walk & with a chance to spot ancient cassowary birds and other wildlife. - Eco-friendly crocodile and nature cruise on the Daintree River. - Scenic coastal drive back to Cairns. Meals: Breakfast & Lunch. Driving Distance: 160 kms. Walking Distance: 7 km / 2 hour guided walk Daintree rainforest. Anyone unable to walk that distance has the option to wait for the group to return. _*Autopia Tours (Via Travel) reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary stops during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures._