Tropical Islands & Rainforest
Tropical Islands & Rainforest
9 Days Starting in Gold Coast and ending in Cairns
Visiting: Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, K'gari (Fraser Island), 75 Mile Beach, Pinnacles, Eli Creek, Maheno shipwreck, Lake McKenzie, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Langmorn Station, Rockhampton, Sarina, Airlie Beach, Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, Cairns, Coral Sea, Atherton Tablelands, Millaa Millaa Falls, Kuranda, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Barron Gorge National Park, Great Barrier Reef
Tour operator:
Tour code:
QGC24
Physical rating:
Low level of fitness required.
Age range:
16-
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4160
$3557 (USD)
Operator discount: -$416
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$187
-14%
Tour Overview
Queensland is the only place in the world where two World Heritage Sites meet. And you get to see their convergence on this east coast Australia trip, which tours from the Gold Coast all the way to Cairns. From a Great Barrier Reef tour and the Wet Tropics rainforest to K’gari (Fraser) Island tour, get set for a parade of postcard-worthy attractions.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Gold Coast - K'gari (Fraser Island)
Location: Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, K'gari (Fraser Island)
Accommodation Name: Kingfisher Bay Resort
We hope you love sinking your toes into the sand, because there’s a lot to come. Bid adieu to the Gold Coast’s 70-kilometre coastline and venture north to Hervey Bay for the ferry ride to the world’s largest sand island, and the only place on the planet where rainforest grows from the sand. Welcome to World Heritage listed K’gari. Disconnect from tech, and reconnect with nature.
Day 2 : K'gari (Fraser Island)
Location: K'gari (Fraser Island), 75 Mile Beach, Pinnacles, Eli Creek, Maheno shipwreck, Lake McKenzie, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek
Accommodation Name: Kingfisher Bay Resort
The other thing sandy is K’gari’s highwayÂ, which you’ll get to zip along on a 4WD tour across 75 Mile Beach, all the way up the east coast to the Pinnacles Coloured Sands, calm Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck. Bring your camera, because between the wreck and Lake McKenzie – a dazzling patch of blue formed only with rainwater – you’ll accumulate dozens of happy snaps. It’s a hard act to follow, but the ancient rainforest at Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek lives up to the challenge with its huge satiny, scribbly gum and kauri trees.
Day 3 : K'gari (Fraser Island) - Rockhampton
Location: K'gari (Fraser Island), Langmorn Station, Rockhampton
Accommodation Name: Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton
In a whiplash, you leave the coast behind and reunite with Queensland’s cattle country. First stop: Langmorn Station, where the Creed family welcome you to their immense (and historic) cattle property with open arms and afternoon tea. And just a few stories about life on the land… The theme continues as you cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia. See if it deserves its title sampling some of the town’s restaurants. Ask us for tips.
Day 4 : Rockhampton - Airlie Beach
Location: Rockhampton, Sarina, Airlie Beach, Whitsundays
Accommodation Name: Mantra Club Croc
From Australia’s beef capital to its sugar capital – today you’re en route to Sarina. If you’ve ever wanted to know how sugar cane is processed and distilled, you’ll find the guided tour at the Sarina Sugar Shed a sweet addition to the itinerary. And yes, you get to sample the wares. Continue, on a high, to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Life moves at a leisurely pace here. Fall into step and take things slow tonight.
Day 5 : Airlie Beach Free Time
Location: Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach
Accommodation Name: Mantra Club Croc
The Whitsunday Islands are the stuff of postcards, a dreamy collection of 74 tropical islands that are all white sandy beaches and dense rainforest, surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef. You have to decide how to take it in. Perhaps on a scenic flight over the legendary Heart Reef, or on a cruise to Whitehaven Beach, where high amounts of silica in the sand means that it squeaks under your feet. Bring your sunglasses – the colours are blinding.
Day 6 : Airlie Beach - Cairns
Location: Airlie Beach, Cairns, Coral Sea
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Relax – today is all about soaking up the scenery. Think sugar cane fields and rolling green paddocks, all framed by the ocean and rainforest-clad mountains on one side, and the Coral Sea on the other. Stretch your legs en route to Cairns and soak up this steamy part of the state.
Day 7 : Cairns
Location: Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Millaa Millaa Falls, Kuranda, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Barron Gorge National Park
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Early morning is the ideal time to explore Cairns, before things get too steamy. Join locals on a heart-starting stroll along the Esplanade. The temperature dips as you climb into the Atherton Tablelands, a high tropical plateau of rainforest, including the heritage listed Curtain Tree. And waterfalls, like Millaa Millaa Falls, where enormous iridescent Ulysses butterflies like to dance. Explore Kuranda before getting some perspective on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, high above and through the canopy of the Barron Gorge National Park.
Day 8 : Great Barrier Reef
Location: Great Barrier Reef
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns
Just when you thought your outlook couldn’t get any better, you’re zipping over the Great Barrier Reef on a high-speed catamaran. Snorkel with six of the world’s sea turtles bobbing over fans of coral, as well as so many fish you won’t know where to look. If you prefer to keep your head above water, the marine world can also be glimpsed from an underwater observatory and glass-bottom boat.
Day 9 : Farewell From Cairns
Location: Cairns
From underwater love to overwater love – bid adieu to your new crew of travel buddies.
What's Included
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Travel Director and Driver
Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – K’gari (Fraser Island), Great Barrier Reef & Wet Tropics of Queensland (Barron Gorge National Park, Skyrail)
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Accommodation
Centrally located premium hotels
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National Park Fees
Crater Lake National Park entrance fees (Millaa Millaa Falls)
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Dining
8 Full Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 1 Farewell Dinner
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights are not included in the holiday price
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Airport Transfers
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Mode of Transport
Day prior – flights to arrive anytime into Gold Coast Airport
Day 9 – flights to depart anytime from Cairns Airport
Flights are not included in the holiday price
Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price
Accommodation
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Quality Hotel Regent, Rockhampton, Mantra Club Croc, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cairns.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Dates & Availability
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Thursday - Friday
Sep 12, 2024 - Sep 20, 2024Thursday - Friday
Nov 07, 2024 - Nov 15, 2024Thursday - Friday
Feb 06, 2025 - Feb 14, 2025Thursday - Friday
Mar 06, 2025 - Mar 14, 2025Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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