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When it comes to dazzling natural attractions, golden beaches and pristine waterways, Australia’s East Coast has the lot.  You’ll be visiting some of these on your journey south over the next 11 days, kicking off your tour with an evening aboriginal cultural experience tailor-made exclusively for Topdeck. With plenty of meals included, quality budget accommodation already sorted and heaps to keep you busy – this is the perfect travel option if you want to kick back and relax and enjoy the ride!

DAY 1:  CAIRNS
Welcome to the Tropical North!  We meet and greet at our hotel in the heart of Carins before we head off to explore the nearby tropical Rainforest and Kuranda before returning via the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The Skyrail Experience, spanning 7.5kms travels over heritage listed, pristine rainforest, allows you to explore the wonders of an ancient tropical rainforest and learn about one of the most botanically fascinating and diverse areas on earth.  Gliding just metres above the rainforest canopy, the Skyrail journey immerses you in an intimate rainforest experience where you’ll see, hear, smell and become part of the tropical rainforest environment. 

Tonight you're in for a real treat! Meet the local Tjapukai people and see how they showcase their culture in an evening tailor-made especially for Topdeck. You will be joined by a member of the Tjapukai dance troupe as they engage you in a discussion of the evening’s highlight event– Tjapukai by Night where you will witness fire explosions, spectacular special effects, music, dance and spiritual ceremony.  The evening finishes with a sumptuous buffet dinner and performance by the world famous Tjapukai dancers.  This is a pretty special and unique way to spend your first night on tour.
Meals – Dinner

DAY 2:  CAIRNS – OPTIONAL GREAT BARRIER REEF
Today you have the option to discover the world’s largest coral reef aboard a maxi-catamaran*.  The day includes lunch, all snorkelling equipment, optional introductory* and certified Scuba Diving* plus the thrill of sailing on a thoroughbred machine. The Great Barrier Reef is a fascinating maze of coral reefs and cays extending over 2000 kilometres along the Queensland Coast. Once anchored at the reef, slip over the side and explore this underwater paradise at your own pace.   You’ll be amazed by the wonders of the reef that is brimming with life - the brilliant colours of the coral and varieties of fish makes this experience unforgettable! On the return journey, stop at a natural coral cay – a fragile and unique ecosystem of brilliant white sand and warm shallow water for some more snorkelling, swimming or diving*, or just chill out – where else would you rather be!!  This evening you're free to visit the night markets, or if you prefer, kick back, relax and enjoy tropical North Queensland in one of the many nearby restaurants, bars or cafes!
Meals - Breakfast

DAY 3:  CAIRNS
Another fabulous day to explore all that tropical North Queensland has to offer – the world is your oyster! Cairns is the perfect base to explore North Queensland, with a load of activities to suit everyone.  With both the reef and the rainforest at your doorstep, you choose from a range of optional activities from adventurous white water rafting* on the Tully River or Tandem Skydiving*, to a day trip* to the World Heritage listed Daintree Region. There’s Horse Riding*, Quad Biking*, Bungy Jumping*, Hot Air Ballooning* – the list goes on and on!!  If you want some time out, the centre of Cairns has some great cafes and shopping. The swimming lagoon is close by and is a great place to cool off.  At the day’s end, we can exchange our adventure stories over dinner (own expense).
Meals - Breakfast

DAY 4:  CAIRNS TO THE WHITSUNDAYS
Leaving Cairns behind, we make tracks south along the Bruce Highway to the Whitsundays.   We stop in the coastal village of Cardwell, overlooking Hinchinbrook Island National Park. We pass the highest mountains in Queensland, Mt Bartle Frere (1622m) and Mt Bellenden Ker (1580m) as the Great Dividing Range looms closer to the coast.  Situated on Cleveland Bay, Townsville is North Queensland’s largest city.  Here we break our journey for some lunch (own expense) before checking out The Strand which is made up of 2.5km of beaches, parks and cafes!  If time permits we will take a scenic drive up Castle Hill for breathtaking views overlooking the city and Magnetic Island.  It's then on to Airlie Beach, the heart of the thriving Whitsundays. The town overlooks the beautiful Whitsunday Passage and the 74 nearby tropical islands. If there's a heaven on earth, it's definitely in the Whitsundays so prepare to enjoy! And the best way to experience this gorgeous region is onboard a boat - your home for the next 2 nights! You'll be watching the sunset over the water tonight from the heart of paradise.
Meals – Breakfast & Dinner

NB: Landlubbers Option*
If you’re certain you can’t stay onboard for 2 nights, you do have the option to stay on the mainland and enjoy Airlie Beach, and Club Crocodile Resort.  You’ll have the chance to experience a day cruise to Whitehaven Beach onboard Camira – otherwise you can hang with locals at the gorgeous man-made lagoon and make the most of this idyllic location. (Inc. 2xB, 1xL, 1xD)

DAY 5:  THE WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
Wake up in one of the many sheltered coves that make up the Whitsundays.  You’ll set sail for golden sandy beaches, snorkel over island coral reefs and soak up the sun in this tropical wonderland.  A visit to the famous Whitehaven Beach and Blue Pearl Bay will also hopefully be an option – depending on the weather.  For the budding sailors, help set the sails and have a turn on the helm as we explore the islands.  By night you’ll star gaze the Milky Way and forget about your life back home. 
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6:  THE WHITSUNDAYS TO AIRLIE BEACH
This morning we set sail again for another idyllic location before returning to the mainland and the resort town of Airlie Beach.  Tonight we’ll get to experience a night out in “Airlie” with plenty of bars and clubs so you can dance the night away. 
Meals – Breakfast

DAY 7:  WHITSUNDAYS TO ROCKHAMPTON
We make a morning drive to Mackay - commercial centre of Queensland’s huge sugar industry.  Here we'll stop for an early lunch (own expense) for your last real chance to enjoy North Queensland.    After a short break to stretch your legs then it’s on Rockhampton the beef capital of Australia and “Rocky” to the locals.  Tonight we explore the local “Rocky” nightlife – if we’re lucky we’ll check out a real life Rodeo!  Giddy up!!!  Hope you’ve packed your Akubra!
Meals – Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8:  ROCKHAMPTON TO FRASER ISLAND
Today we reunite with the Bruce Highway and travel south through more beef and sugar cane country towards the Fraser Coast.  We make a short stop for lunch and back on the road again to Hervey Bay – beachside resort town and stepping off point for the largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island.  Here we board our ferry to cross the Great Sandy Straight, bound for Fraser Island. Perfectly located at Kingfisher Bay, the Wilderness Lodge accommodation is set in a eucalypt forest on the western side of the island.
Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9:  FRASER ISLAND – GREAT SANDY NATIONAL PARK
Fraser Island – Great Sandy National Park is World Heritage Listed and is the world’s largest sand island. It was home to the Badtjala Aboriginal people for some 5000 years and was known as ”K’gari”. This special place supports an extraordinarily diverse rainforest, wildflower heath, mangroves, birds and a large population of dingos. The island has dunes that reach 240 metres in height and about 40 dune lakes – half the number in the world. A great way to see this magnificent national park is on an optional 4-wheel drive bus tour*, along the unspoilt surf beaches and to pristine inland freshwater lakes that are ideal for swimming. Whale watching* is also an option usually between the months of July and November where you can see hump back whales on their annual migration.  At the end of the day, enjoy a cocktail at the bar, while watching the sun set over the bay.
Meals – Breakfast

DAY 10:  FRASER ISLAND TO THE GOLD COAST
This morning we say our last goodbyes to Fraser Island, board our ferry and return to the mainland, where we continue our journey south through the old gold mining town of Gympie and past the world famous Glasshouse Mountains. It’s not long before reach Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane.  Hit the shops at Queen Street Mall, stroll along the Brisbane River or kick back in a coffee shop and watch the world go by at a relaxed pace.  Heading further south it’s only a short trip down the freeway to Australia’s holiday playground – The Gold Coast, Queensland’s second largest city.  This region is one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations with its great climate and famous surf beaches. The restaurants and nightlife here are pumping every night of the week, and tonight we head out to enjoy a local meal together and check out the local Hot Spots!
Meals – Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 11:  GOLD COAST
Enjoy a relaxed start to the morning before you big goodbye to your travel buddies!  Make the most of this gorgeous location before you need to catch your flight home. 
Meals – Breakfast

**Our experienced guides will tailor all of the activities based on seasonal & cultural conditions throughout the year, to maximise your experience and enjoyment.  Any deviation from this itinerary will be made with serious consideration and your best interests and safety our priority.