Sunshine State Explorer - Gold Coast, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Cairns

Price

Inclusions

• Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Brisbane
• Domestic Australian flights Brisbane to Hamilton Island and Cairns
• 3-nights Gold Coast, QT Gold Coast, QT King Ocean View Room including breakfast
  • Full-day Lamington National Park, O’Reillys and Vineyard Tour including hotel transfers, light refreshments, and National Park fees.
• 3-nights Brisbane, Adina Apartment Hotel Brisbane, One Bedroom Apartment
  • Return River Cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary including admission. 
  • City Winery Dinner including wine tasting and a 2-course dinner
• 3-nights Hamilton Island, Reef View Hotel, Coral Sea View Room, including breakfast
  • Islands and Whitehaven Beach Cruise includes morning or afternoon tea, and Environmental Management Charge (EMC) 
  • BBQ Dinner Cruise including welcome drink on arrival, BBQ buffet dinner including platter entrees and desserts and National Park fee.
• 4-nights Cairns Northern Beaches, The Reef House Adults Retreat, Brigadier Room, including breakfast
  • Full-day Cape Tribulation, Daintree and Mossman Tour including hotel transfers, morning tea and lunch
  • Full-day Outer Reef to Mackay Cay including hotel transfers, snorkeling equipment, seasonal lycra snorkeling suits, set suits and flotation devices, guided snorkel tour, glass bottom boat tour, Island heritage walk, morning & afternoon tea, tropical buffet lunch and Environmental Management Charge (EMC)
• Round-trip airport/hotel private sedan transfers
• US/foreign taxes and fees including September 11 Security Fee

Exclusions

• Koala Cruise - Return River Cruise to Lone Pine, City Winery Dinner, Islands and Whitehaven Beach and BBQ Dinner exclude hotel transfers. Guests make their own way to the departure point.

Map

Itinerary

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  Day 1: Depart USA

  Make your way to Los Angeles Airport for your overnight flight to Brisbane. If you require a connecting flight from another US gateway, please let us know and we can price your airfare accordingly.

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  Day 2: International Date Line

  During your flight, you will cross the International Date Line.

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  Day 3: Brisbane - Gold Coast (B)

  On arrival at Brisbane Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Gold Coast for a three-night stay. The remainder of your day is free to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

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  Day 4: Gold Coast (B)

  Today is free to relax on the beach or take in the many sights of the Gold Coast. Visit the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or meet marine life at Sea World. Step back in time to explore rainforests that date back to Gondwana, take a tour beside Yugambeh traditional custodians to learn about the Gold Coast’s rich Indigenous culture at Dreaming Mountain (Jellurgal). Learn to Surf or kayak along the waterways. Gold Coast is renowned for its abundance of fine-dining, international cuisines, family-friendly surf clubs and lively pubs to consider exploring! Ask one of our Destination Specialist to tailor your stay.

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  Day 5: Gold Coast (B)

  Discover the Gold Coast hinterland's best with this guided tour. Begin with a scenic drive through Canungra Valley, a quick stop for drinks, and light refreshments. Ascend to Lamington National Park, known for its vast subtropical rainforest. At O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, learn about its history and enjoy a treetop walk on suspension bridges. Capture photos of King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas feeding. Visit Kamarun Lookout for stunning views. Don't miss O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard, where you can explore, meet Alpacas, and savor sparkling wine.

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  Day 6: Gold Coast - Brisbane (B)

  After breakfast, transfer to your hotel in Brisbane for a 3-night stay. Brisbane is a city that lives up to its sunny potential with a strong focus on the outdoors – think al fresco dining, picnics by the river, islands just off the coast and national parks. This evening, make your way to Fortitude Valley and City Winery for a 2-course hosted dinner and wine sampling.

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  Day 7: Brisbane

  Join a scenic river cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, one of the oldest koala sanctuaries in Australia. Cruise past many of the city's most historic landscapes, iconic attractions, historical homesites, and interesting wildlife habitats. Listen to an entertaining and informative commentary whilst onboard. The journey to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. After spending 3 hours exploring Lone Pine, rejoin the cruise at approximately 2.15pm for a relaxing return journey on the river back to the city.

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  Day 8: Brisbane

  Today is free to explore Brisbane at your leisure. Discover the Queensland arts scene at South Bank or visit the idyllic Moreton Island. Climb the Story Bridge or take in the sights on a guided walking tour.

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  Day 9: Brisbane - Hamilton Island

  Transfer to Brisbane Airport for your flight to Hamilton Island. On arrival, board the on-island shuttle for your transfer to the Reef View Hotel for a 3-night stay. Hamilton Island is the largest island in the Whitsunday's offering easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and the stunning Whitehaven Beach.

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  Day 10: Hamilton Island (B)

  Begin your journey at Hamilton Island Marina, where you'll board your vessel for a captivating morning cruise through the Whitsunday Islands and to the renowned Whitehaven Beach. With ample seating both indoors and outdoors, your experienced skipper will offer engaging commentary on the area's history and natural wonders. As you navigate through the picturesque Whitsunday Islands, you'll be treated to morning tea on board. Arriving at the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, you'll be enchanted by its crystal-clear aqua waters and pristine white silica sand that extends for over seven kilometers along Whitsunday Island, the largest of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays. Take your time to stroll along the beach to your secluded spot, relax on the shoreline, or indulge in a refreshing swim in the azure waters.

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  Day 11: Hamilton Island (B,D)

  A free day to relax and experience the island and the many activities available. This evening sit back and relax as you cruise through the Whitsunday Islands to a secluded bay. While at anchor, you'll be treated to a delicious buffet dinner as the sun sets and then enjoy a leisurely cruise back to shore under the magic of a starlit Whitsundays night sky.

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  Day 12: Hamilton Island - Cairns - Palm Cove (B)

  Transfer on the island-shuttle from your hotel to the airport for your flight to Brisbane and connecting flight to Cairns. On arrival, transfer north to Palm Cove for a 4-night stay. Located 25 minutes north of Cairns Airport, this peaceful tropical community is the ideal base to connect with both yourself and the spectacular surrounding nature. Soak in the pristine stretch of sand, winding paths shaded by melaleuca trees, colorful boutiques, and award-winning spas and restaurants; or venture out to explore the World Heritage-listed wonders at your fingertips.

• Day 13: Palm Cove

  Today is free to kick back and relax and take in the sights of Palm Cove or join an optional tour and discover more of Far North Queensland. Ask our team of Destination Specialist for suggestions.

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  Day 14: Palm Cove

  Today, join Sailaway VII in Port Douglas for a full-day Mackay Cay Outer Barrier Reef cruise. After embarking, enjoy local tea, coffee, pastries, and fresh fruit, followed by a safety briefing. Sail from Port Douglas to Mackay Cay Outer Barrier Reef, with a reef interpretation talk along the way. Upon reaching Mackay/Undine Cay, receive a snorkel safety briefing and equipment. Then, head to the first reef site for nature activities like swimming, snorkeling over coral gardens, and guided tours by a marine biologist. Enjoy a tropical buffet lunch on board. Move to the second reef site after lunch for more activities, including a glass-bottom boat tour, reef interpretation, snorkeling, exploring the coral cay, swimming, and relaxation. Afternoon tea with coffee, cakes, and fresh fruit is served on board before returning to Port Douglas.

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  Day 15: Palm Cove

  Join a full-day tour that starts at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre for morning tea before boarding your shuttle for the transfer into Mossman Gorge. Enjoy a guided walk and learn about the fascinating secrets of one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. Enjoy a one-hour Daintree River Cruise and a tropical lunch before heading to the world-renowned Cape Tribulation. Enjoy an afternoon refreshment at the Daintree Ice Cream Company before returning to Palm Cove.

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  Day 16: Depart Palm Cove

  An early morning transfer from Palm Cove to Cairns airport for your return flight to Brisbane and connecting flight to the USA.