Beaches and Reefs (start Sydney) View More Reviews

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Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.

Check in to your hotel and head straight out into Sydney. From the high-energy downtown area to its popular beaches, Sydney has something for everyone.

Hotel

Meet up with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager in
Sydney, and start your trip with a sightseeing tour around the city. We head into the historic district where you’ll get an overview of the glistening harbour from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, a famous sandstone seat carved by convicts. You’ll soon understand why this is one the world’s most beautiful harbour cities. See the sails of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House and the iconic Harbour Bridge.

Chill out on the coach today and chat with your travel buddies as we head north. We stop by the seaside for lunch before heading to Coffs Harbour, home to surf beaches, fishing and banana plantations.

This is a chance for a real Aussie overnight as we arrive at our Special Stay experience at our Aussie Surf Camp. Maybe get to know your Contiki team & travel buddies over a few drinks. Our cabins are right on the beach so soak up the surf vibes and relax by the open fire under the stars.

Surf Village Breakfast, Dinner

Wake up to one of our Aussie highlights, a surf lesson! With our local surfing expert at hand, you’ll learn tips about how to get started before you hit the water. It’s the perfect Aussie experience & will top off your Coffs Harbour stay!

Later, it’s time to hit the road for our next overnight stop, gorgeous Byron Bay – one of Aussie’s gems & a great place to hang out! With a laid-back lifestyle, cute little shops, organic food, alternative therapies and around 30km of pretty beaches, it’s a must see. Byron Bay is also known for its incredible marine life. Head out to Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point and see dolphins and humpback whales if you’re lucky, then grab some lunch back in town and maybe take a swim at the beach & soak up the hippy vibes & easy going atmosphere.

Hostel Breakfast

This morning we cross over into Queensland and visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll get up close to Australia’s amazing native animals. Cuddle a koala, feed the kangaroos and see wombats, emus, crocodiles, dingoes, Tasmanian devils and colourful birds. You can feel good about doing this too, as our visit to this not-for-profit organisation go towards the sanctuary’s animal hospital which helps over 4000 injured animals every year.

Tonight we pull into legendary Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast’s party hot spot and home to some of the best surfing beaches in the world.

Grab some of your new friends and join the party atmosphere of Surfers tonight. With heaps of restaurants and a buzzing nightlife, there’s something for everybody. Head to the happening Orchid or Cavill Avenues, where clubs and bars line the street or shoot some pool at a pub.

Resort Breakfast

With a free day, hang out among the bronzed bodies and surfers on the golden sands. Our hotel is only a short walk from the beach.

For adrenaline-junkies, there’s an optional tandem skydive, where you can get your thrills and an amazing bird’s eye view over the area. Otherwise, try out a Harley Davidson ride – your Tour Manager can help you get the most out of your time here.

You could also hit the shops – Surfers has some great places to shop and a huge outlet mall for bargains, so get some tips from your Tour Manager on where’s best to head.

Tonight, there’s the chance to experience ‘Draculas’ – a fun vampire-themed cabaret show and dinner. Watch dancers, singers and comedians perform as you tuck into a three course meal.

Resort Breakfast

As we make our way up the coast, we make a stop in Brisbane to see what this city is all about. You’ll get a feel for the capital of Queensland’s laid-back atmosphere when we have a look around town. There’s an opal presentation here where you’ll learn all about Australia’s national gemstone, and maybe even pick up a piece of opal to take back home. Noosa is up next. It’s a trendy beach resort town. You could take a stroll through the shops or sunbathe and swim at the beach before we check into our resort. Tonight, go local and enjoy a taste of Aussie as we head to the surf club for dinner and champagne overlooking the beach. Later, if you want to take it up a level, head out into the town & explore Noosa by night.

Resort Breakfast, Dinner

This morning you have a few options of how to spend your day. If you like there’s more time to explore Noosa this morning, before making your way up north to Fraser Island.

Fraser Island is a slice of paradise. This UNESCO World Heritage listed site is the largest sand island in the world and is 800,000 years old. Packed with around 40 fresh-water lakes, lush rainforests and diverse wildlife, Fraser Island lives up to its amazing reputation.

There’s a regular shuttle from our accommodation down to the main resort area so you can take off and explore at your own pace.

If you want to explore as much of the island as possible, you have the option to jump on a full-day 4WD tour. Meet your Local Guide in the morning and be shown some of the island’s best spots and hidden treasures, taking you through the island’s sandunes, rainforests & freshwater lakes. Make sure you keep your camera handy - this is one of Australia’s most beautiful regions.

Tonight, the group will explore Fraser Island by night with an included nocturnal walk with a local Eco-ranger where you’ll see the wildlife come alive by night.

Eco Lodge

Back on the mainland this morning, we continue inland to an authentic country homestead, right in the heart of Queensland’s cattle country. During our time at Langmorn, a working cattle station, you’ll experience a taste of real Aussie country life.

The farmer will show you around the enormous property in a behind-the-scenes look at daily life on the farm. Then taste local hospitality tonight as your warm hosts pile your table high with a hearty roast dinner.

Later, have a go at whip cracking under night lights and if it’s cool, settle in around the bonfire, kick back with a drink and hang out with your new friends.

Country Homestead Breakfast, Dinner

This morning we stop off in Rockhampton, the beef-farming capital of Australia that spans the Tropic of Capricorn.

As we make our way up the Capricorn Coast, the landscape becomes more tropical. Plug in your MP3 or chat with friends as we drive through scenic Mackay, with the countryside full of vibrant green vegetation and sugar cane plantations.

In the afternoon visit the backpackers’ hub of Airlie Beach with its turquoise waters and busy café scene before boarding a boat out to stunning Daydream Island in the Whitsundays.

As we cruise soak up the crystal clear waters, white sands and mountain peaks of the islands.

Resort Breakfast, Dinner

After an included continental breakfast, the first day is free to enjoy the picture-perfect Whitsundays.

If you’re keen to explore further afield and see the UNESCO listed Great Barrier Reef first hand, choose our optional trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Our fun Local Guides will kit you out with snorkel gear and show you around this natural wonder.

Otherwise, slow the pace down, kick back and make the most of the fantastic facilities available at the resort. Go for a rainforest walk, swim in the pool, get into some beach or water sports, try your hand at fish-feeding, catch a film at the big outdoor cinema or laze about on the beach.

On the second day, get away from it all with our optional day sail. Check out some of the Whitsunday’s 74 islands from the boat - you’ll soon understand why this region is so famous. Experience what is known as one of the top ten beaches in the world, the uninhabited Whitehaven Beach.

Swim off the boat and play beach volleyball or cricket with the local skipper and crew before enjoying a tasty lunch and a few drinks on the way back to Daydream Island.

Resort Breakfast, Breakfast

After a ferry back to the mainland, we head deeper into the tropics of Australia today when we hit Townsville for some free time. Check out the colonial buildings and get a feel for its maritime past as we drive to the downtown pedestrian-only area where you can grab some lunch.

See vistas over Magnetic Island, a National Park and bird sanctuary, before we continue our travels up north.

Back on the road, we cruise past waterfalls, waterholes, fruit plantations and thick, tropical rainforests into Tully, home to some of Australia’s best white-water rafting.

Then it’s on to the popular traveller’s hub of Cairns. With a colourful tropical setting, vibrant restaurant scene and happening nightlife, this gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests is one of Australia’s hottest destinations.

Resort Breakfast, Dinner

Wake up to the warm waters of Cairns. For those who are keen for a fun and thrilling ride on the rapids of the Tully River, join our optional white-water rafting adventure activity with our professional Local Guides.

There are loads more activities available in Cairns like hot air ballooning, sky diving and bungy jumping – just ask your Tour Manager for some more info.

In your free time on the first night, walk around the buzzing night markets. It’s the perfect place for shopping and with everything from fun, kitsch treasures to local crafts like boomerangs and didgeridoos. There’s something for everyone.

There's another chance to experience the Great Barrier Reef on an optional day trip. Put on your snorkel gear and check out colourful fish, turtles, vivid coral and the incredible clear waters.

Later, hit the seaside esplanade back in Cairns, sit down with a coffee and people watch. For your last night in this city, there’s a chance to head down to a local hot-spot for a group dinner if you’re up for it.

Resort Breakfast, Breakfast

Say a final farewell to your new friends as your trip ends this morning.

Breakfast