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9D Island & Rainforest
- East Coast & Rainforest, including The Whitsundays, Cairns & Cape Tribulation
OVERVIEW
Get the most of Australia's East Coast on this tour to explore and relax. Take in the  crystal clear waters and the lush tropical settings of this magnificent island. Ride the Captain Cook Highway with rainforest on one side and the Great Barrier Reef on the other, it's not your typical road trip. You'll make friends for life as you explore Down Under with this Contiki Australia travel package.
Tour Highlights These highlights are included in the price of your tour.
- Whitsundays
- Enjoy all the resort facilities
- See native birdlife & wallabies
- Fish Feeding & Great Barrier Reef marine tal
- Cairns
- Cross the Tully River, home to Australia's best white water rafting
- Townsville city orientation
- Cape Tribulation
- Enjoy a swim in Emmagen Creek
- Visit Cape Tribulation & its unique beach
- Learn about Aboriginal legends of the area
- Daintree Rainforest flora & fauna boardwalk
- See the mangrove swamp & Strangler fig
- Visit this luxury holiday resort town
- See the magnificent marina
Daily Itinerary
 Day 1 Arrive The Whitsundays (Resort)
Meet up with the other Contiki travellers and your Tour Manager out on stunning Daydream Island in the famous Whitsundays. Soak up the island’s crystal clear waters and white sands. Tonight, get to know your group and your crew over dinner. Kick back into the island lifestyle and try some of the local beer – it’s good! (D)
Day 2 & 3 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 4 The Whitsundays to Cairns (Resort)
After a ferry back to the mainland, we head deeper into the tropics of Australia today when 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 up north. Back on the road, we cruise past waterfalls, waterholes, fruit plantations and thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best white-water rafting. Then it’s on to the popular traveller’s hub of Cairns. With a colourful tropical setting, vibrant restaurant scene and happening nightlife, this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests is one of Australia’s hottest destinations.(B)
Day 5 & 6 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 7 Cairns to Cape Tribulation (Resort)
Enjoy a free morning in Cairns before we head north, sticking to the coast, we follow the Coral Sea past remote beaches and gorgeous scenery. Next up: the lush, tropical Daintree Rainforest. Get back to nature as we walk through this UNESCO World Heritage listed site and head to a stunningly clear swimming-hole in Mossman Gorge, where you can cool off in the waters.
We overnight in Cape Tribulation.(B,D)
Day 8 Cape Tribulation (Resort)
Discover Daintree National Park and its ancient rainforests today. Explore the lush greenery and incredibly colourful wildlife on an interpretive walk with your Local Guide, who’ll tell you about the plants and animals unique to this area. You’ll also learn about the Aboriginals’ beliefs and why this area is important to them. Enjoy another swim in these fabulous outdoor surrounds at a swimming hole, before heading back to Cape Tribulation, where thick forests grow all the way down to the water’s edge. Keep your camera handy! (B)
Day 9
Cape Tribulation to Cairns
This morning we hit the road and travel south to Port Douglas. Known for its idyllic white sands and palms trees, this resort town attracts both the rich & famous and travellers. You’ll soon see why. Back on the coach, we arrive in Cairns, where our tour ends. It’s time to say goodbye to your friends and Contiki Crew.(B)
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