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12D Cairns Sunshine Trail
- East Coast, including Surfers Paradise, Noosa, Fraser Island, The Whitsundays & Cairns
OVERVIEW
Get down o n the farm, enjoy the idyllic island life, smile at the crocodiles, snorkel the Whitsundays, dive the Great Barrier Reef, and then dance the night away in Cairns. This extravaganza shows you all that 'Down Under' has to offer. But don't feel you must leave when the tour ends. Why not visit New Zealand and see two more of the South Pacific's feature islands.
Tour Highlights These highlights are included in the price of your tour.
- Whitsundays
- Townsville city orientation
- Visit the vibrant seaside town of Airlie Beach
- Cross the Tully River, home to Australia's best white water rafting
- Transfer boat to Daydream Island
- Stay on Daydream Island and enjoy all the resort facilities
- Enjoy all the resort facilities
- See native birdlife & wallabies
- Fish Feeding & Great Barrier Reef marine talk
- Farmstay
- Visit this major centre of the Australian sugar cane industry
- Rockhampton sightseeing tour
- Visit & cross the Tropic of Capricorn
- Aussie Outback experience; Langmorn Station Special Stopover
- Fraser Island
- Enjoy the scenic boat trip to the island & enjoy the resort facilities
- Stay on this World Heritage listed island
- Stay in the eco-village & enjoy the resort facilities
- Capricorn Coast
- Visit & cross the Tropic of Capricorn
- Rockhampton sightseeing tour
- Aussie Outback experience; Langmorn Station Special Stopover
- Noosa
- Dinner at Noosa Surf Club on the beach
- Visit the picturesque seaside town & beach of Noosa
- Surfers Paradise
- Brisbane city orientation tour
- See the Brisbane River & South Bank
- Shop for Australia's national gemstone - the Opal
- Visit the 'Gold Coast' beaches
Daily Itinerary
 Day 1 Cairns (Resort)
Meet your Contiki crew then we're off to town for a Cairns orientation tour, so you can get a feel of the area you will be spending the next three nights. This evening get to know your new travel buddies over dinner, later on perhaps check out the Cairns night markets, or head out for a night on the town!(D)
Day 2 & 3 Cairns (Resort)
Wake up to the warm waters of Cairns. For those who are keen for a fun and thrilling ride on the rapids of the Tully River, join our optional white-water rafting adventure activity with our professional Local Guides. There are loads more activities available in Cairns like hot air ballooning, sky diving and bungy jumping – just ask your Tour Manager for some more info. In your free time on the first night, walk around the buzzing night markets. It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos. There’s something for everyone. There's another chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on an optional day trip. Put on your snorkel gear and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters. Later, hit the seaside esplanade back in Cairns, sit down with a coffee and people watch. For your last night in this city, there’s a chance to head down to a local hot-spot for a group dinner if you’re up for it.(B)(B)
Day 4 Cairns to the Whitsundays (Resort)
Relax on the coach as we cruise past thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best white-water rafting. Slowly leaving the tropics behind us, we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive to the downtown pedestrian-only area where you can grab some lunch. See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels south and board a boat out to stunning Daydream Island in the Whitsundays. As we cruise, soak up the crystal clear waters, white sands and mountain peaks of the islands.(B,D)
Day 5 & 6 The Whitsundays (Resort)
After an included continental breakfast, the first day is free to enjoy the picture-perfect Whitsundays. If you’re keen to explore further afield and see the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef first hand, choose our optional trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Our fun Local Guides will kit you out with snorkel gear and show you around this natural wonder. Otherwise, slow the pace down, kick back and make the most of the fantastic facilities available at the resort. Go for a rainforest walk, swim in the pool, get into some beach or water sports, try your hand at fish-feeding, catch a film at the big outdoor cinema or laze about on the beach. On the second day, get away from it all with our optional day sail. Check out some of the Whitsunday’s 74 islands from the boat - you’ll soon understand why this region is so famous. Experience what is known as one of the top ten beaches in the world, the uninhabited Whitehaven Beach. Swim off the boat and play beach volleyball or cricket with the local skipper and crew before enjoying a tasty lunch and a few drinks on the way back to Daydream Island.(B)(B)
Day 7 The Whitsundays to Farmstay (Country Homestead)
After a ferry back to the mainland, plug in you MP3 or chat with friends as we drive through scenic Mackay, with countryside full of vibrant green vegetation and sugar cane plantations. Continue down the Capricorn Coast and head inland to an authentic country homestead, right in the heart of Queensland’s cattle country, for our overnight stay.
During our time at Langmorn, a working cattle station, you’ll experience a taste of real Aussie country life. The farmer will show you around the enormous property in a behind-the-scenes look at daily life on the farm. Then taste local hospitality tonight as your welcoming hosts pile your table high with a hearty roast dinner. Later, have a go at whip cracking under night lights and if it’s cool, settle in around the bonfire, kick back with a drink and hang out with your new friends.(B,D)
Day 8 Farmstay to the Fraser Island (Eco Lodge)
We drive back out to the coast this morning after breakfast and jump on board a ferry. Enjoy the cruise out to famous Fraser Island, where we’ll stay at an eco-lodge for our time here. Each cabin has its own kitchenette and living room, as well as a balcony – perfect for hanging out & watching the sunset. Tonight, grab a bite to eat at one of the Resorts restaurants, and follow it up with some dancing or even karaoke at Dingo Bar. (B)
Day 9 Fraser Island to Noosa (Resort)
Experience a slice of paradise on Fraser Island this morning. This UNESCO World Heritage listed site is the largest sand island in the world and is 800,000 years old. Packed with around 40 fresh-water lakes, lush rainforests and diverse wildlife, Fraser Island lives up to its amazing reputation. There’s a regular shuttle from our accommodation down to the main resort area so you can take off and explore at your own pace. If you want to get a taste of the island action, there’s also the option of jumping on 4 wheels on a 4WD adventure through the island’s sandunes, rainforests & freshwater lakes. Our Local Guide will show you some of the island’s best spots and hidden treasures – make sure you keep your camera handy - this is one of Australia’s most beautiful regions. Once we’re back on the mainland, Noosa is up next. It’s a trendy beach resort town. Enjoy a drink or two with dinner tonight at the local surf club. Later if you want to take it up a level, head out into the town & explore Noosa by night. (B,D)
Day 10 Noosa to Surfers Paradise (Resort)
There’s time to explore Noosa this morning so take a stroll through the shops or sunbathe and swim at the beach before we make our way south. We also stop off in Brisbane today. You’ll get a feel for the capital of Queensland’s laid-back atmosphere when we have a look around town. There’s an opal presentation here where you’ll learn all about Australia’s national gemstone. Maybe pick up a piece of opal to take back home. Tonight we pull into legendary Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast’s party hot spot and home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world. Grab some of your new friends and join the party atmosphere of Surfers tonight. With loads of restaurants and buzzing nightlife, there’s something for everybody. Head to the happening Orchid or Cavill Avenues, where clubs and bars line the street or shoot some pool at the pub.
Day 11 Surfers Paradise (Hotel)
With a free day, hang out among the bronzed bodies and surfers on the golden sands. Our hotel is only a short walk from the beach. For adrenaline-junkies, there’s an optional tandem skydive, where you can get your thrills and an amazing bird’s eye view over the area. Otherwise, try out a Harley Davidson ride – your Tour Manager can help you get the most out of your time here. You could also hit the shops – Surfers has some great places to shop and a huge outlet mall for bargains, so get some tips from your Tour Manager on where’s best to head. Tonight, there’s the chance to experience ‘Draculas’ – a fun vampire-themed cabaret show and dinner. Watch dancers, singers and comedians perform as you tuck into a three course meal.(B)
Day 12
Finish Surfers Paradise
Your tour ends after breakfast and it’s time to say goodbye to your Contiki crew and friends.(B)
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