Australia Itineraries: AU24

Pacific route of Australia (Self drive)

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Day 01: Brisbane - Fraser Island     

Arrive at Brisbane Airport and pickup vehicle from car rental agency. Drive through Noosa and stop to explore the elegant boutiques, bistros and beachfront apartments of Hastings Street. Pausing at  Noosa National Park. Back on the road, you’ll pass through the gold rush town of Gympie and Maryborough, Queensland's oldest provincial city. Watch whales from Hervey Bay or catch a boat to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, just north of Rainbow Beach. Join a tour to see the island’s attractions, from beautiful Lake McKenzie to the rainforest near Central Station and the coloured cliffs of the Cathedrals. Overnight in Fraser Island. 

Day 02: Fraser Island - Bundaberg

Today check out from the hotel. Continue your journey to Bundaberg, a historic sugar cane city and gateway to the southern Great Barrier Reef. Cruise down the Burnett River. Watch sea turtles nest and hatch on the small beach of Mon Repos. Then snorkel and dive the coral reefs and cays of Lady Musgrave Island and Lady Elliot Island, also home to a large population of manta rays. Swim or fish at Elliot Heads, dive from Coral Cove and Innes Park or spot kangaroos in Woodgate Beach - just some of the attractions along Bundaberg’s pristine 140kms long coastline. Overnight in Bundaberg.

Day 03: Bundaberg - Rockhampton

Today check out from Hotel. Journey north through Gin Gin. You can bushwalk the lush rainforest of Cania Gorge National Park and marvel at the ancient Mystery Craters in Eurimbula National Park. Next stop is the green city of Gladstone, surrounded by rainforest gorges, lakes and beaches stretching to the Great Barrier Reef.  Arrive in Rockhampton and take a coral cruise to Great Keppel Island, snorkel at Shelving Beach, Monkey Point or Clam Bay or wander the Botanic Gardens. Overnight in Rockhampton.

Day 04: Rockhampton - Mackay 

check out from the Hotel. Head to the Capricorn Caves, spectacular above-ground caves in a limestone ridge. Gateway to the Capricorn Coast and Byfield National Park. Continue north to Mackay, do a heritage walk and walk, swim and fish from the city beaches of Lambert, Town, Illawong, Harbour, Bucasia, Blacks and Eimeo. See beaches of Cape Hillsborough National Park. Do a day trip to the Brampton and Carlisle Islands in the southern Whitsundays. Snorkel or dive in Scawfell Island. Overnight in Mackay.

Day 05: Mackay - Townsville

Today check out from the Hotel. Detour west to the subtropical oasis of Eungella National Park. Must visit to Whitsunday Island and the white, silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Your journey continues north through mango orchards and green sugar cane fields to Townsville. Wander the scenic beach promenade, soak up the balmy nightlife and take a catamaran to the beaches and national parks of Magnetic Island. Overnight in Townsville.

Day 06: Townsville - Cairns 

Today check out from Hotel. Known as the Great Green Way, this 350 kms journey takes you through 12 national parks and over 20 tropical islands. Drive through the living museum of Charters Towers. Visit Wallaman Falls, Australia's highest single drop waterfall. Explore Hinchinbrook Island or walk along breathtaking Mission Beach. Discover wetlands and rare plants of Eubenangee Swamp National Park and waterfalls in Wooroonooran National Park. Your trip ends in the relaxed city Cairns. Overnight in Cairns.

Day 07: Cairns - Homeward Bound

Today check out from Hotel and drive to Cairns Airport. Drop your vehicle to car rental agency at the airport and fly out.