Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef
In Sydney’s Rocks neighborhood, revisit that historic moment when European settlers first came ashore 200 years ago.
Up the scenic coast, learn about Australia’s amazingly diverse marine biology. Explore a sand island in Queensland and see the Great Barrier Reef. This is nature’s largest living organism, home to 400 kinds of coral and 1,500 species of fish.-
Day 1: Fly to Australia
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Sydney
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a tour of Sydney
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
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Day 4: Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
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Day 5: Sydney
Add this in-depth excursion:Sydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
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Day 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
Fly to BrisbaneTravel to the Sunshine Coast -
Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island
Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island
Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches
Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour
Return to the mainland by ferry
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Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton
Travel to Rockhampton -
Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach
Visit the Capricorn Caves
Travel to Airlie Beach -
Day 10: Airlie Beach
Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage
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Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns
Travel via Townsville to CairnsTake a tour of Townsville -
Day 12: Cairns
Add this in-depth excursion:Kuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 13: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Add this in-depth excursion:Snorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 14: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly to Australia
-
Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
-
Day 3: Sydney
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a tour of Sydney
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
-
Day 4: Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
-
Day 5: Sydney
Add this in-depth excursion:Sydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
-
Day 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
Fly to BrisbaneTravel to the Sunshine Coast -
Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island
Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island
Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches
Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour
Return to the mainland by ferry
-
Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton
Travel to Rockhampton -
Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach
Visit the Capricorn Caves
Travel to Airlie Beach -
Day 10: Airlie Beach
Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage
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Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns
Travel via Townsville to CairnsTake a tour of Townsville -
Day 12: Cairns
Add this in-depth excursion:Kuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
-
Day 13: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Add this in-depth excursion:Snorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 14: Depart for home