Trip Itinerary
Sydney to Coffs Harbour ? Over the coathanger: Before heading across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, we?ll make a photostop taking in the harbour and Opera House. Then north along the "holiday coast" to our accommodation at Coffs Harbour. Then it?s playtime ? a drink, a dip or maybe a stroll along the beach. Hotel
Coffs Harbour to Surfers Paradise ? 2 states in 1 day: Heading northwards, we?ll stop at Cape Byron, Australia?s most easterly point. Then onto trendy Byron Bay where you can shop or swim. By evening, we?ll have crossed the Queensland border arriving at Surfers Paradise. After dinner, try your luck at Jupiter?s Casino! Hotel (B)
Surfers Paradise at Leisure ? The choice is yours: So much to do in the name of leisure. Relax on 42km of white sand beaches, or if you?re feeling adventurous why not try a tandem skydive or a Harley Davidson ride. All are available in Australia?s biggest playground. Hotel
Surfers Paradise to Farmstay ? Get down on the farm: First up we?ll take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane, before heading into the fertile farming lands of the Darling Downs. Enjoy a good ol? Aussie ?knees-up? tonight at our farmstay near Toowoomba. Farmstay (D)
Farmstay to Fraser Island ? The Sunshine Coast: Heading down the mountain we?ll visit the koalas and kangaroos at the Forest Glen Wildlife Sanctuary. Onwards to Noosa Heads with its stunning beaches and great shopping. We?ll continue north along the coast meeting our launch to Fraser Island. Eco Lodge (B,D)
Fraser Island at Leisure ? Idyllic island life: Now you?re on the largest sand island in the world! What to do? Here are a few clues. Why not take a 4-wheel drive bus tour through the rainforests, a guided bushwalk or a swim in the fresh water lakes? With this many options there is no chance of going troppo! Eco Lodge
Fraser Island to Capricorn Coast ? Smile at the crocodile: Returning to the mainland, we?ll travel north to Rockhampton ? gateway to the tropics. This evening why not come face-to-fang with huge estuarine crocodiles at the Koorana Crocodile Farm? Hotel (B)
Capricorn Coast to the Whitsundays ? Shute across to paradise: On our way to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, we?ll visit Mackay ? Australia?s sugar capital. Boarding our launch at Shute Harbour, we make the short journey to Long Island, one of the jewels of the Whitsundays. Resort (B,D)
Whitsundays at Leisure ? Your own ?fantasy island?: Time to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and great amenities of Long Island. Feeling energetic? Why not go bush-walking, play tennis or beach volleyball, take to the water with a snorkel or a jet ski? Want to relax? Then unwind on the palm lined beach, have a massage, or sip cocktails on the verandah as you watch another perfect sunset. Resort.
Whitsundays at Leisure. Continued.
Whitsundays to Cairns ? All ashore: It?s north to Townsville to explore the scenic lookout of Castle Hill, overlooking Magnetic Island. This evening we?ll check into our Cairns hotel, situated in a lush tropical setting. Resort (B)
Cairns at Leisure ? Are you game: For the adventurous a chance to do some white water rafting on the rapids of the Tully River. If rafting?s not your thing, time to relax and check out the delights of Cairns. Resort
Cairns at Leisure ? Reef residents: Again your choice ? either relax in Cairns, or jump on board as we head this morning to Port Douglas. You could spend the day at leisure or take the opportunity to visit the famous Outer Barrier Reef aboard a high-speed catamaran. Why not scuba dive, snorkel amidst amazingly colourful tropical fish? Tonight we?ll check out more tropical wildlife at one of Cairns? nightclubs! Resort (B)
Cairns to Alice Springs ? Not by coach: A relaxing start to the day before boarding your flight to Alice Springs to begin your Northern Territory adventure. Hotel
Alice Springs ? Starting from the Resort: We take a sightseeing tour of Alice Springs to see the Royal Flying Doctor Base, Anzac Hill Lookout and Desert Park. Just a little further afield we?ll visit Simpson?s Gap and other sights around Alice Springs. Time for a swim before dinner, followed by perhaps a spin at the casino. Hotel (B,D)
Alice Springs to Uluru (Ayers Rock): An opportunity this morning to join an Aboriginal Bush Tucker tour. We then cross the oldest river in the world, the Finke River, before turning onto the Lassiter Highway. Continuing past amazing Mt Connor, we reach the modern Yulara Resort, our accommodation for the next two nights. Lodge (B)
Uluru at Leisure ? Sunrise and sunset? Uluru National Park and the famous ?big rock? await! We?ll watch the amazing warm hues of the Uluru sunrise. Then why not get on a Harley and take in more of the Spinifex plains? Maybe take a scenic flight over the area or challenge the vertical and climb Uluru? Later, time for a swim and to enjoy a glass of champagne to toast the Uluru sunset. Lodge (B)
Uluru to Kings Creek Station: A last look at Uluru before we drive to the mysterious rock formations known as Kata Tjuta or the Olgas. Hike through the Valley of the Winds or Olga Gorge. This afternoon we?re off to Kings Creek Station adjacent to Watarrka National Park. A chance to explore this working cattle and camel station by quad bikes. Enjoy how food is meant to taste cooked in true outback style, before rolling out your sleeping swag under a blanket of brilliant stars. Outback bush camp (B,D)
Kings Creek Station to Alice Springs: Up early to take in the stunning sights as we wander along the ridge of Kings Canyon and discover the Garden of Eden and the Lost City. Then onwards to Alice Springs. Tonight why not enjoy a ?drovers blowout? dinner - try outback delicacies like crocodile and emu. Hotel (B)
Alice Springs to Tennant Creek ? Dreamtime and Devils Marbles: Why not take the opportunity of a lifetime and see the dawn break over the MacDonnell Ranges from a hot air balloon and upon returning to terra firma, feast on chicken and champagne? We?ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn on our way to the Devils Marbles. Then north to Tennant Creek ? site of the last gold rush in Australia. Remember, not everything that glitters is gold ? however here it just might be. All discovered nuggets must be passed onto the Contiki crew! Hotel (D)
Tennant Creek to Katherine ? The coldest and the oldest: Try a cold beer at the oldest Territory pub. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal waters of Mataranka Thermal Pools or take a look at the Elsey Homestead. Onwards to Katherine for tonight?s get together ? because by now you know everyone and everyone knows you! Hotel (B)
Katherine to Kakadu - Gorgeous gorges: A morning stop in Katherine then onto Nitmiluk National Park and the sensational Katherine Gorge. Why not take in the beauty of nature?s sculpting on a leisurely boat trip through two of the many ancient gorges. This afternoon we?ll head to Kakadu National Park and Jabiru. Our accommodation is right in the middle of the park and it?s soon time for another romantic sunset at Ubirr Aboriginal rock art site. Relax this evening in a tropical poolside setting. Why isn?t life always like this? Lodge (B,D)
Kakadu National Park at Leisure ? Kakadu and you: Rise early and you have the chance to see the wonders of Kakadu from the air. This scenic flight will leave you breathless and it?s not the altitude. You?ll understand why this is a world heritage region. Then on to Nourlangie Rock, famous for its Aboriginal art. View the wetlands and spend the afternoon on a wildlife cruise. Such a magnificent day ? why not finish it in style dining out on a Territorial banquet at the Gagudju Crocodile Hotel? Lodge (B)
Kakadu National Park to Darwin: We?ll head north towards Darwin, the most northern city in Australia. Free time this afternoon to shop till you drop or if the pace is getting to you ? just drop. Tonight is our last night together. Uh-huh ? time to party hard! Try your luck at the casino then dance the night away at one of Darwin?s clubs. Hotel (B)
Darwin ? Litchfield National Park ? Start planning your next Contiki holiday: Litchfield National Park is 650 square kilometres of top end treasure, enclosing a spectacular sandstone plateau. We?ll swim at picturesque Florence Falls. All good things must come to an end and so it?s back to Darwin where our tour (not the friendships made) ends. (B)
