Reefs and Rainforests (Reverse) with Whitsundays Sailing

Australia's East Coast & Rainforest from Sydney to Cairns

Map & Sightseeing List

20 days

Total Price From* $120 per day: $2405 per person

*Based on twin share.

Meals: 10 2 8
Transportation: Modern Coach
Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Surf Village, Eco Lodge, Country Homestead, Yacht

Daily Itinerary Reefs and Rainforests (Reverse) with Whitsundays Sailing

Depart for Australia Days 1 and 2

Fly over the international date line on your way to Australia.
Arrive Sydney Day 3
Check into the Holiday Inn Potts Point hotel & spend the rest of the free day exploring Sydney.
- Hotel
Sydney to Shoal Bay (Port Stephens) Day 4
Meet your Contiki crew and before heading across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge, we’ll make a photostop taking in the harbour and Opera House. Then we drive north to Port Stephens where you can choose cruise with dolphins, or why not take a tour through the sand dunes and try your hand at sandboarding.
- Resort
- Dinner
Shoal Bay to Coffs Harbour (Surf Village) Day 5
Today we continue along the scenic ‘holiday coast’ to our Surf Village near Coffs Harbour. Here we give you the option to try the iconic Aussie sport of surfing, and be taught by the best in the business! If you’re not into surfing – maybe a drink, a dip or a stroll along the beach.
- Surf Village
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Coffs Harbour to Surfers Paradise Day 6
This morning 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
- Breakfast
Surfers Paradise Day 7
So much to do in the name of leisure. Here goes! Relax on 42km (26miles) of white sand beaches, or if you’re feeling adventurous – why not try a tandem skydive, Tigermoth joyflight or Harley Davidson ride. All are available in Australia’s biggest playground.
- Hotel
Surfers Paradise to Fraser Island Day 8
First up we’ll take in the sights and sounds of Brisbane, before heading 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
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Fraser Island Day 9
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’s no chance of going troppo!
- Eco Lodge
Fraser Island to Country Homestead Day 10
We travel north to the heart of Australia’s beef industry on the Capricorn Coast, and our unique Aussie experience at our Country Homestead. Enjoy a hearty meal and hospitality the Australian way!
- Country Homestead
- Breakfast
- Dinner
To the Whitsundays for Sailing Option Days 11 to 13
Today we drive to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, to board our flotilla yacht. Enjoy two days and nights sailing the stunning Whitsunday islands. Swim, snorkel, or laze your way around this tropical paradise, on board a flotilla yacht.

NB: Twin share supplement not applicable. Then your third night in the Whitsundays will be spent relaxing and toasting the sunset on Daydream Island.
- Yacht
- Day 11
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Day 12
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Day 13
- Lunch
- Breakfast
The Whitsundays to Cairns Day 14
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
- Breakfast
Cairns Days 15 and 16
For the adventurous, a chance to do some white water rafting on the rapids of the Tully River, or take the opportunity to visit the famous Outer Barrier Reef aboard a high-speed catamaran. Why not scuba dive amidst amazingly colourful tropical fish? Or if you prefer, maybe spend the days at leisure doing some shopping in town. In the evening we’ll check out more tropical wildlife at one of Cairns’ nightclubs!
- Resort
- Day 15
- Breakfast
Cairns to Cape Tribulation Day 17
This morning we visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Then we head for a swim at Mossman Gorge before crossing the Daintree River. From here we drive up into a world heritage listed rainforest. Awesome!
- Resort
- Dinner
Cape Tribulation Day 18
The opposite of tribulation. Today we’ll explore the lush Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation National Park. A ‘must do’ is a dip in one of the many swimming holes before we head back to Cape Tribulation Beach.
- Resort
- Breakfast
Cape Tribulation to Cairns Day 19
Crossing the Daintree River, we leave the heritage-listed rainforest to visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center. Learn about the fascinating indigenous Aboriginal culture, watch native dancing, see spear throwing & learn how to toss a boomerang. Then it’s back to Cairns for the evening.
- Resort
- Dinner
Depart Cairns Day 20

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