Overview
In case you hadn’t noticed, Australia is an awfully big place. So big, in fact, that you’d need to come back a few times to see it all. Don’t have that kind of time? Hop aboard this 14-day trip down Australia’s east coast and make the most of the time you do have. Offering a solid mix of must-do experiences and uncommon adventures, a boat ride around the Whitsundays, and a trek through Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. The best part: there’s still plenty more to come back for.
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Our Price From
A$4,556 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $1,643 per person
Trip Length
14 Days
Trip Starts
Cairns
Trip Ends
Sydney
Departures
Aug 2026 to Dec 2027
Countries Visited:
Trip Style
Classic
Budget
Affordable
Age Range
12-99 Years
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
OACS
Itinerary
Arrive at any time. There are no activities planned until the evening welcome meeting.
Accommodation:
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Included Experiences
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Explore Experiences
Cairns
Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take a Dreamtime walk through the Daintree Rainforest.
Accommodation:
Cape Tribulation Beach House
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences
- Dreamtime Walk: Take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.Your experienced interpretive Indigenous guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identifies bush food sources, and provides an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and the Kuku Yalanji's special relationship with this unique tropical environment. Find out how to make bush soap, watch an ochre painting demonstration and sample some bush tea.
Explore Experiences
Daintree National Park
Cape Tribulation
With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.
Accommodation:
Cape Tribulation Beach House
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Head out and start exploring.
Optional Experiences
- Great Barrier Reef Visit : Hop on a boat and head out to sea to reach the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Don a mask and opt to snorkel the largest coral reef in the world. Say g'day to Nemo, the clown fish, and some of the 1,500 other species of tropical fish that thrive in the warm waters off Australia's east coast.
- Daintree National Park Visit : Step back in time in this lush tropical rainforest, reported to be more than 110 million years old! Bring your binoculars to spot some of the 430 species of birds, including the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher and flightless cassowary. On the ground, look for possums, bandicoots, echidna and musky rat kangaroo. Discover why the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people consider this a spiritual and cultural significant place.
- Daintree Rainforest Night Walk: Once the sun goes down, grab a torch and head out into the jungle for a guided night walk. With your guide you'll spot various critters who call this region home. Keep your eyes peeled for sleeping bats, birds, lizards and spiders as you listen to the sounds of the rainforest at night.
Explore Experiences
Great Barrier Reef
Depart the Rainforest and return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas for lunch and opt to check out the local market.
Accommodation:
Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Make the most of a few hours in this city.
Explore Experiences
Port Douglas
Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way, including some of Australia's 'Big Things' such as Tully's Golden Boot & the Big Mango.
Accommodation:
Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.
Accommodation:
Whitsunday Vista Holiday Apartments
Included Meals:
Lunch
Included Experiences
- Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion: Enjoy a day out on the water amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
- Barrier Reef Visit: The Whitsunday Islands are in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend the day out on a boat cruising through the waters around the islands. Then, when it gets too hot, pull on a mask and snorkel and dive overboard to check out the variety of brightly coloured marine plants, coral and fish that thrive right in these warm tropical waters.
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights. A blend of laid-back surf culture and stunning natural beauty, it is Australia’s easternmost point and the first to see the sun each morning.
Accommodation:
Byron Beachcomber
Included Experiences
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Explore Experiences
Brisbane
Byron Bay & Northern Beaches
Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.
Accommodation:
Byron Beachcomber
Included Experiences
- Surfing Lesson: Hit the beach and get ready to hang ten with a surf lesson from trained surf instructors. Spend some time in the water getting friendly with the waves, practice paddling, then pop up to balance on the wider, softer beginner boards. Too easy.
Optional Experiences
- Skydiving: Enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Byron Bay from an eagle's perspective this morning. Suit up, get briefed, and board the prop plane to soar high about the land and sea. Strap onto your instructor, take a breath, and leap into a once-in-a-lifetime free fall. This is what a natural high truly feels like!
- Cape Byron Lighthouse Visit: Cape Byron Lighthouse is 3km (1.9 mi) northeast of Byron Bay. The popular white structure emits the most powerful light of all working lighthouses in the country, and it's also located at the most easterly point of the Australian continent. Head up to the top of the tower to scan the ocean for whales (the Southern Cross University's Whale Research Centre is located here).
- Ocean Kayaking in Byron Bay: Slice through the waters of the iconic Byron Bay in the morning on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle past the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, see the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, and ride the waves into shore. On top of it all, keep a close eye for dolphins and whales (in season) who call these waters home. Epic? Definitely. This activity is in the ocean and conditions can sometimes be rough due to weather. This is a very fun activity but first time kayakers may find this challenging.
Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.
Accommodation:
El Motor Inn Port Macquarie
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Get out and explore this lazy beach town.
Before departing Port Macquarie stop at Guulabaa - Place of Koala, to see the work they are doing to protect the local koala population. Then travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.
Accommodation:
Leisure Inn Spires
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Included Experiences
- Guulabaa - The Place of Koala: The Guided Group Tour at the Guulabaa Wild Breeding Centre offers an immersive and educational experience for visitors. Led by experienced volunteers, you'll get a comprehensive look at Koala Conservation Australia's world first Wild Koala Breeding Program, and the work they do in rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating koalas. Observe the koalas up close, hear the stories or our resident and founder breeding population, and learn about the threats facing their populations.
Explore Experiences
Blue Mountains
Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.
Accommodation:
Leisure Inn Spires
Included Experiences
- Blue Mountains Excursion: With charming Leura as your base, explore the major attractions of the Blue Mountains from sightseeing to bushwalking to cafés and more.
- Jamison Valley Walk: Take in some amazing lookouts over the Jamison Valley, via the iconic Three Sisters. Descend down the 900 step giant staircase to the valley floor. Walk amongst the beautiful forest to the steepest incline railway in the world — The Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride its 52-degrees angle or take the Scenic Cableway. If you're keen for more walking, and time permitting, take the 900 stairs back up.
- Scenic Railway: This railway is steep and plunges into the rainforest and through the valley. The ride is scenically stunning. At the end, opt to take a rainforest walk or a cable car back to the visitor's centre.
This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.
Accommodation:
Rydges Sydney Central
Included Experiences
- Orientation Walk: Discover the highlights of Sydney on an orientation walk with the CEO. They will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
- Free Time: Get out and explore.
Optional Experiences
- Sydney Opera House Visit: Stroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world. (50-199 AUD per person)
Explore Experiences
Sydney
Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.
Accommodation:
Rydges Sydney Central
Included Experiences
- Free Time: Enjoy a free day to explore one of Australia's most exciting cities.
Optional Experiences
- Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach Coastal Walk: Go for a walk along one of the most iconic trails in Australia. Pass by secluded beaches, massive cliffs, and more breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean than imaginable – all before arriving at the world-famous Bondi Beach. From May to December, keep a keen eye on the ocean to try and spot migrating humpback whales.
- Jet Boat Ride: Want an adrenaline rush? A jet boat is the way to go. Hold on and get ready for a white-water thrill while gorgeous scenery whizzes past. Explore Sydney Harbour, jetting by the Opera House, Harbour Islands and more!
- Sydney Opera House Visit: Stroll along the waterfront to admire Sydney's most iconic landmark, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to discover its history, folklore, and more. Some two million people a year come to see concerts and cultural performances Opera House. Catch the boom of the grand organ–with more than 10,000 pipes, it took 10 years to build and is the largest mechanical organ in the world. (50-199 AUD per person)
Explore Experiences
Bondi Beach
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Follow an Indigenous guide through the Daintree Rainforest.
- Set off on an optional excursion to the Great Barrier Reef.
- Cruise on a boat around the scenic Whitsundays.
- Hike the Blue Mountains.
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Indigenous led rainforest walk
- Whitsunday Islands boating excursion
- Blue Mountains stay with hikes
- Scenic Railway
- Jamison Valley walk
- Orientation walk in Sydney
- Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, and Sydney
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Internal airfare
- Private vehicle, boat, plane, walking, ferry
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides
- Hotels (11 Nights), Rainforest Cabin (2 Nights)
- 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, more giving you meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Trip Style: Classic
Get the best of both worlds with G's Classic trips as your knowledgeable CEO (Chief Experience Officer) leads you to iconic highlights and hidden gems, while ample free time lets you discover what excites you most. Enjoy included meals showcasing local flavours, plus opportunities to dive deeper into the food scene independently. Stay in comfortable hotels, authentic homestays, and unique accommodations that capture the spirit of each destination.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
Thursday
23 Jul 2026
23 Jul 26
Cairns
Wednesday
05 Aug 2026
05 Aug 26
Sydney
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
A$6,199
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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