Great Barrier Reef Islands Adventure - 13 Days

We are met by our friendly and professional Tour Directors before departing Brisbane, passing through the Sunshine Coast en route to River Heads, the departure point for K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). We take the ferry across to the island for a 2-night stay.

Today brings a full day 4WD tour of K'gari, travelling along 75 Mile Beach to the coloured sands of the Pinnacles and the Maheno Shipwreck. We also visit Lake McKenzie, K'gari's most beautiful lake, for a swim in its clear waters surrounded by white sand.We stop for a further swim at Eli Creek and tour through the island's rainforest, before returning to our accommodation mid-afternoon.

This morning, we catch the mid-morning ferry back to the mainland, continuing up the coast along the Bruce Highway, passing through Childers en route to Gladstone.We enjoy a tour of the town, including Round Hill Lookout, before checking in to our accommodation later this afternoon.

This morning, we take a 2-hour ferry to Heron Island, a natural coral cay on the Great Barrier Reef, around 80 kilometres off the Queensland coast near the Tropic of Capricorn. Small enough to walk around in 20 minutes, the island offers a restaurant, a deep resort pool backing onto a bar, and an abundance of wildlife.We spend the next two nights here.

During our stay, a range of activities are available to explore the island and reef, including beach snorkelling, a sunset cruise, a visit to the research station, guided walks, and a semi-submarine marine tour.

Please note: daily activities vary and are weather dependent; the research station is open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

This morning, we board the ferry back to the mainland and continue up the coast to Rockhampton, checking in to our accommodation in the heart of the CBD riverfront precinct.

This morning, we depart Rockhampton and head north through Mackay and on to Proserpine. From here, we continue towards Airlie Beach, where we board our transfer to Hamilton Island for a 2-night stay, combining the casual charm of tropical North Queensland with the resort's own style and sophistication.

Please note: Hamilton Island operates on a cashless basis.

Today, we depart on a leisurely half-day scenic cruise to Whitehaven Beach, with informative commentary from our skipper on the history and natural wonders of the area along the way. Once ashore, we sink our toes into the beach's famous fine, white silica sand and swim in its warm, clear waters, taking in views of the surrounding Whitsunday islands from the vessel on the return journey.Later, we have the option to explore Hamilton Island by shuttle bus, hopping on and off at key attractions, scenic points and resorts, or wander the waterfront of Front Street and Marina Village, browsing galleries and shops.The afternoon is free to relax before our final night on the island.

This morning, we cruise back to Airlie Beach and travel north through Proserpine to Townsville, the regional capital of North Queensland with a population of around 160,000.After lunch along the Strand, we take the ferry across to Magnetic Island for a tour of the island, taking in sights and beaches including Arcadia Bay. We return to the mainland to check in to our accommodation on the marina.

This morning, we visit the Maritime Museum, established in 1986 and designed with a ship-shaped footprint, featuring galleries, a memorial garden, a model ship collection, and wartime history, along with the bell of the steamship Yongala, lost off the coast in 1911, and a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat gifted to the museum by the Commonwealth in 2007.After morning tea, we depart Townsville and continue north through Ingham and Cardwell to Mission Beach for an overnight stay, with time for a stroll along the beach before dinner overlooking the Coral Sea.

Departing Mission Beach, we visit Paronella Park, home to one of Australia's earliest hydro power systems. Built in the 1930s as a public entertainment venue, the heritage-listed park once featured tennis courts, a cinema and a Spanish castle-inspired ballroom.We continue north into the Atherton Tablelands to visit Millaa Millaa Falls, before continuing on through Mareeba and Mt Molloy to Port Douglas, arriving late afternoon for a 2-night stay. Later, we head out to a unique rainforest dining experience a short drive from town.

This morning, we make our way to the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina to board a state-of-the-art catamaran, cruising across the Coral Sea to the Low Isles. Here, we enjoy guided snorkelling, a glass-bottom boat tour, an island heritage walk, and time to relax on the pristine sands of this idyllic coral cay, surrounded by a vibrant fringing reef and calm lagoon waters.Late this afternoon, we return to Port Douglas for our farewell dinner.

This morning, we enjoy a 1-hour cruise on the Daintree River with an expert guide sharing insights into the local ecosystem, before heading south to Cairns, where we are transferred to the airport or onward accommodation.