8 Day Best of Queensland Escorted Tour

Brisbane

Make your own way to Brisbane’s Southbank district to board your boat. View the city’s skyscrapers, leafy suburbs, and waterside mansions pass by as your captain provides informative commentary about the sights. Arrive at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and enjoy plenty of time to explore on your own. More than 130 koala bears reside at Lone Pine—the world’s largest koala sanctuary. Plus, you have the chance to visit the Platypus House to observe the elusive platypus. The Birds of Prey show features owls, kites, and sea eagles, and colorful wild lorikeets fly in for feedings. Keep an eye out for Eastern Water Dragons—a lizard that grows up to three feet (90cm) long. Admire the working dogs at the sheepdog show as they round up sheep while responding to their master’s whistles, calls, and hand signals. Meals are available for purchase on the river cruise and at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary's cafe (own expense). After discovering Lone Pine, return to your boat for the cruise back to Southbank where your tour ends. The remainder of the day is free to explore Brisbane at leisure.   If you do not wish to visit the Lone Pine Animal Sanctuary we can book you on an escorted walking tour of Brisbane City.  Please let us know.

Accommodation: Central Brunswick Apartment Hotel, standard room twin share

Fraser Island Day Trip 

Visit Fraser Island and see it in its natural beauty with this fun one day guided tour!  Explore the stunning Fraser Island on this full-day tour that combines scenic cruises, rugged 4x4 rides and a guided trekking adventure. Tour the brilliant sands of Rainbow Beach and 75 Mile Beach and enjoy refreshing dips in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie.  From your departure point at Brisbane make your way north in a comfortable coach, taking in views of the ocean to the east or the vegetation-dusted peaks of the Glass House Mountains to the west. Upon arrival, hop aboard 4-wheel-drive off-road vehicles for a guided adventure drive along the stunning white sands of 75 Mile Beach. Break for a delicious picnic lunch before heading to idyllic Lake McKenzie. Along the way, hike through verdant rainforests protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the lake, don’t miss the opportunity to dive into the azure water for a swim or snorkel. Afterward, join a guided walking tour on the nature track and marvel at the sights of interesting natural features like giant King Fern. End your exploration by boarding your ferry for a final jaunt back to the mainland.

Accommodation: Central Brunswick Apartment Hotel, standard room twin share

Brisbane Cairns

Transfer to Brisbane airport for your flight to the capital of Far North Queensland – Cairns. Arrive Cairns and transfer your hotel.  The remainder of the day is free to explore at leisure. The city is considered the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, is a city in tropical Far North Queensland. Its Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park tells the stories of indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with music and dance. Cairns Esplanade, lined with bars and restaurants, has a swimming lagoon. Northwest of the city, Daintree National Park spans mountainous rainforest, gorges and beaches.

Accommodation: Palm Royal Cairns Resort, Standard Twin Share Room 

Great Barrier Reef Day Trip

Set out from Cairns for a day of snorkelling and sightseeing at 2 spectacular destinations in the Outer Great Barrier Reef. A large, modern vessel carries you to exclusive, protected locations far away from the crowds, where the spectacle of nature is waiting.  Each day, your captain chooses amongst 12 exclusive moorings at 6 reef locations based on the water and weather conditions, making sure you get the best experience to be found. Seasoned dive masters are on hand to provide an in-depth briefing on your gear and what to expect at each site. Relax aboard the vessel as you leave the Australian coast behind and get your gear ready for some quality time in the sea.  With outer reef locations chosen for their variety and the striking contours of the ocean floor, you're in for an outstanding experience when you plunge into the water. Once you've had a chance to mingle with the amazing sea life of beautiful corals and tropical fish, kick back aboard the vessel to enjoy a barbecue lunch before you cruise back to shore.

Accommodation: Palm Royal Cairns Resort, Standard Twin Share Room 

Daintree Rainforest Day Trip 

Spend a day exploring the ancient Daintree Rainforest and its incredibly diverse tropical ecosystem with an expert guide. Cruise down the Daintree River and walk through the Daintree Entomological Museum before venturing further to the Cape Tribulation National Park.  Start your day with morning pick-up from your hotel, driving north to the Daintree Rainforest. Dating back 135 million years, the rainforest is one of the oldest in the world and is now home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Your guide takes you first to the Daintree River, where you enjoy morning tea before stopping on board a cruise. As you float down the gentle current, look for birds, frogs, crocodiles, and even flying foxes in the flourishing nature around you. Following your cruise, take lunch by the Daintree Entomological Museum before touring its fascinating exhibits, which house the largest live and dead collection of insects in Australia. Your afternoon is spent visiting the Cape Tribulation National Park, where the beach beckons as you stroll along its coral sands. After a pause for refreshing afternoon tea, begin the return journey, catching sight of the extraordinary and primitive king ferns of the Alexander Range on the way back.

Accommodation: Palm Royal Cairns Resort, Standard Twin Share Room 

Green Island Day Trip 

Cruise to Green Island, the only coral cay in the Great Barrier Reef with a lush rainforest. Spend the day exploring this protected Marine National Park—immersing yourself in its surrounding undersea universe teeming with coral and marine life.  Your journey begins aboard a high-speed catamaran steering for the soft, white beaches of Green Island. This 6000-year-old coral cay boasts its own rainforest—the only of its kind in the Great Barrier Reef. Mid-cruise, tune in to your local guide's informative snorkelling and reef presentation.  Upon arrival, step ashore to soak up the turquoise waters, glittering sand, and fringe of emerald palms ringing the island. Climb into a glass-bottom boat and lean over the railings to get an up-close look at a colourful underwater world. Feast your eyes on brilliant colonies of zany Brain Coral, orange sea stars, and scores of blue damselfish flitting to and fro.  If you're craving a swim, strap on a snorkel and mask to see everything up close: black and white angelfish feeding on sponges and striped clownfish nestled amongst anemones. Emerge from the water to amble around the island at your leisure. Relax on the beach to soak up the sun, or choose to indulge in an optional semi-submarine tour, or buffet lunch before cruising back to Cairns. 

Accommodation: Palm Royal Cairns Resort, Standard Twin Share Room 

Depart Cairns

Your tour concludes today as you check out of your hotel and catch a taxi to the airport home for flights home.  We hope you have had a wonderful time.