The Most of the Coast

Overview

The route up Australia’s East Coast has earned its rep as one of the seemingly endless supply of must-do experiences in the country. The classic Sydney-to-Cairns route introduces you to both sides of modern Australia – the bright lights of the big city and the raw beauty of the Outback. You’ll get to try your hand at dozens of activities – everything from wine-tasting to sailing and snorkelling. And when you travel in small groups like we do, you really get out there into the wild to meet the locals and experience the land like they do. That amazing new frontier you’ve been looking for? Here it is.

Tour duration: 16 days

Tour highlights: 

  • Cairns
  • Tully
  • Airlie Beach
  • Whitsunday Islands
  • Fraser Island
  • Brisbane
  • Tamworth
  • Sydney
Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive on your flight from the UK.

Day 2: Enjoy a free day to explore Sydney. Opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hop on a jet boat ride through the harbour, or chill out at Bondi Beach.

Day 3: Travel to the Hunter Valley for a wine tasting before continuing on to Tamworth for a taste of Australian country living.

Day 4: Travel over the Great Dividing Range to Yamba, a quaint beach town. Go for a swim at the beach, relax, and enjoy the view.

Continue north, visiting Raspberry Lookout and Boundary Falls in Gibraltar National Park en route. Once in Yamba, head to the beach for a swim.

Day 5: Continue up the coast to Byron Bay, an alternative hippie paradise. Hit the beach and enjoy an included surf lesson. After breakfast, travel the coastal road to the stunning surf and arts town of Byron Bay. Enjoy plenty of free time to experience the hippie surfing town. Options are abound — walk to the lighthouse (located on Australia's most easterly point) for a chance to see whales swimming off shore or hang ten with the locals after an included surfing lesson.

Day 6: Enjoy free time to hit the beach, get a massage, or try sea kayaking.

The free time is yours to explore. Walk along the long stunning beach, play in the surf, or simply hang out at the Byron Bay Brewery and people watch. Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Go skydiving, try sea kayaking, or go on a dolphin watch.

Day 7: Travel north, and opt for a night out in Queensland's capital.

Day 8: Head north to Noosa, and enjoy a free afternoon for surfing or strolling the boardwalk to Noosa National Park, where koala sightings are common.

Day 9: Travel by private 4x4 and ferry to reach Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Walk through the rainforest, visit Lake Mackenzie, and drive along Australia's only sand highway.

Day 10: Enjoy a free day in the Noosa Everglades. Opt to go canoeing or kayaking along the calm waters before hopping an overnight train north to Airlie Beach.

Day 11: Embark on a 3-day maxi yacht sailing adventure. Enjoy beach visits, island bush walks, and time to snorkel the reefs. Anchor off of secluded tropical islands at night.

After arriving in Airlie Beach, transfer to the marina and embark on a maxi yacht which will be our home for the next three days. Set sail to a secluded cove in the Whitsunday Islands where you will drop anchor for the night.

Day 12: Hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand, then enjoy free time on the famous beach. Anchor off of a secluded tropical island at night.

The sailing route today allows us to follow part of Captain Cook's route up through the Whitsunday Islands. Again we drop anchor in a secluded bay for the night.

Day 13: Continue sailing through the gorgeous backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Sail to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town.

After three days at sea, we sail back to Airlie Beach for a night on land in a local beach hostel. Feel free to relax by the pool at the end of the day.

Day 14: Admire the scenery on the train north to Tully. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch and a tour of the Ingan Cultural Centre. Participate in a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists before continuing on to Cairns.

Day 15: Enjoy a free day to visit the Great Barrier Reef or get the adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. Cap it all off with a Big Night Out in Cairns.

Day 16: Depart of your flight back to the UK.

Dates & Inclusions

Tour dates: Various travel dates for this Tour are available including some specifically Police orientated dates, contact us on 01422 847 847 or through our Holiday Request Form for more details. 

Benchmark Travel

Looking for your perfect holiday for 2024, 2025 or 2026? 

Speak to our travel experts at Benchmark Travel today!

Don't miss out
Get the latest offers, travel tips and advice from our experts delivered straight to your inbox.