australia queensland clown fish port douglas tq

Family Adventure Down Under

from £3973 excluding flights

  • 16 nights
  • Year round
Home Destinations Australasia Australia Family Adventure Down Under

Highlights

australia queensland lake mckenzie fraser island istk

Discover K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island

australia queensland regent bowerbird istk

Search for wildlife including kangaroos and native birds

australia queensland bridge in Daintree Rainforest istk

Visit Port Douglas and journey into the lush Daintree rainforest

australia queensland whitsundays whitehaven beach

Relax on the powdery sands of stunning Whitehaven Beach

australia queensland brisbane kangaroo point istk

Explore cosmopolitan Brisbane enjoying this sub-tropical city

Why this trip...

Aoraki Mt Cook National Park tailor made white

Tailor made

This itinerary can be tailor made to suit you and is intended to give you a guideline of what is possible in a given timeframe

Cabot Trail explore at leisure white

Explore at leisure

With the route, transport and accommodation sorted, each day offers the freedom to explore

canada forest trail istk well researched route white

Carefully planned

This itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to provide the experiences and places you'll enjoy at a comfortable pace

Overview

Discover Queensland’s top coastal gems on this epic East Coast road trip from Brisbane to Port Douglas! Travelling independently by car gives you the freedom to stop whenever you like – you’ll find plenty of reasons to do so along the way.

This adventure-packed itinerary showcases Queensland’s stunning beaches and national parks, where you can spot native wildlife from tiny kangaroos to turtles, dolphins, and all sorts of incredible birdlife. There’s a great mix of exploring and downtime time, so you can enjoy every moment of this amazing journey.

You get the freedom of the open road, but we’ve taken care of all the logistics. So just hop in the car and let the journey unfold!

Itinerary

On arrival in Brisbane you will be transferred to your hotel for a two night stay. The rest of your day is free to relax and unwind in this uncomplicated, laid-back and fun-loving city. Be sure to experience the festival buzz of South Bank, with markets, bars, restaurants, live performances and Australia’s only inner-city beach.

australia queensland brisbane story bridge istk

Spend an amazing day exploring beautiful Moreton Island. Cruise along the Moreton Bay Regions protected marine park in a pontoon boat. Keep a look out for marine life including dolphins, dugongs and turtles along the way. Friendly guides will explain the island and its surrounds, making this a great mix of fun and learning.

Collect your rental vehicle and set off on your drive to the Gold Coast. The iconic Surfers Paradise beach is perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, or just relaxing. Perhaps visit the SkyPoint Observation Deck at the Q1 building for breathtaking 360-degree views of the Gold Coast.

Spend a free day exploring Surfers Paradise. Perhaps start your morning with a stroll along the golden sands, feeling the ocean breeze. Then wander through the vibrant Cavill Avenue, browsing the shops and grabbing an ice cream. Or if you’re looking for more excitement, the Gold Coast is famous for its world-class theme parks!

Leave the glittering Gold Coast behind and travel to Noosa Heads today. This area has the perfect mix of cosmopolitan atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. Spend your afternoon soaking up the sun at the beach, then take a leisurely stroll down Hastings Street. It’s the buzzing heart of Noosa, filled with family-friendly restaurants, great shops and local entertainment.

Spend the day at leisure discovering Noosa. If your children enjoy nature and wildlife, Noosa national park is a must visit. There are plenty of scenic trails that weave through the park, leading to some great attractions like the Boiling Pot, Hell’s Gates, and Paradise Cave. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for koalas in the wild!

australia queensland noosa heads scenic view istk
australia queensland noosa hells gates istk
australia queensland noosa national park istk

Early in the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and whisked away to K’gari (formally Fraser Island) for an exciting day of adventure! World Heritage-listed K’gari is a unique part of the Fraser Coast region known for its unusual formation of sand and rainforest landscape. Travel along narrow 4WD sand tracks through stunning heathlands and towering forests to reach some incredible places. The breathtaking Lake Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) is the perfect spot for a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters or to relax on dazzling white sands. You’ll also visit Central Station, an old forestry station surrounded by lush rainforests, where you can wander along Wanggoolba Creek Boardwalks and soak in the beauty of the area.

australia queensland fraser island champagne pools istk
australia queensland dingo on beach fraser island istk
australia queensland lake mckenzie fraser island istk

Head back to Brisbane Airport this morning to catch your flight to Hamilton Island. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy! Relax on the beach or take advantage of the many activities available including snorkelling and kayaking (additional cost).

 

Spend the morning at leisure enjoying everything Hamilton Island has to offer. In the afternoon you’ll take a cruise to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven Beach. Wander along the powder-white sands, hike the short Solway Circuit for some show-stopping views, or cool off in the gin-clear waters. Enjoy stunning views as you travel back to Hamilton Island.

whitsundays daydream island beach from above
australia queensland whitsunday snorkelling
australia queensland whitsundays whitehaven beach tq

Today is all yours to spend as you wish on beautiful Hamilton Island! You may like to simply relax on the beach and soak in the stunning views or dive into some of the great activities on offer.

Transfer by ferry to Airlie Beach this morning. On arrival, collect your car and travel north through mango orchards and green fields of sugar cane to Townsville. Wander the scenic beach promenade and enjoy the views of tiny Magnetic Island.

For those with more time why not consider adding a couple of nights on Magnetic Island. This small island offers a mix of outdoor adventures, wildlife experiences, and beautiful beaches.

australia queensland rock wallaby istk

Depart Townsville and set off on the drive to Cairns. Along the way you may like to stop at Mission Beach. This small coastal town has a lovely long white sandy beach with tropical rainforest and relaxed cafes. On arrival in Cairns why not stretch your legs with a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade.

australia queensland mission beach istk

Spend today discovering the Great Barrier reef on a catamaran cruise. You’ll get to check out two amazing Outer Reef spots and enjoy a classic Aussie BBQ lunch on board. Spot colourful fish while snorkelling or diving this incredible reef.

australia great barrier reef green turtle istk

Travel further into Queensland’s tropical north to Port Douglas. Along the way visit the charming village of Kuranda. Travel on the historic Scenic Railway and soar above the treetops on the Skyrail for a different perspective of the stunning rainforest. You might like to step into a tropical paradise and be surrounded by hundreds of beautiful butterflies at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.

Nestled between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas offers an ideal blend of natural beauty and laid-back charm. Spend today at leisure relaxing on Four Mile Beach or perhaps take explore the Mossman River beneath the rainforest canopy on a half day river draft tour. You may wish to enjoy more marine adventures at the Great Barrier reef via a cruise or take in spectacular aerial views from a scenic helicopter flight.

australia queensland cape tribulation istk 1
australia queensland lizard island underwater view ce
australia queensland daintree rainforest road sign istk

Experience the magical Daintree Rainforest on an exciting 4WD adventure. Board a morning cruise of the Daintree River to spot Estuarine Crocodiles, mangroves, and wildlife in the breathtaking Daintree setting. Ascend the Alexandra Range for panoramic views where the rainforest meets the Coral Sea. Walk along the National Park Boardwalk to get a closer look at the unique flora and fauna, and keep an eye out for the elusive Southern Cassowary. After a BBQ lunch, travel along the 4WD Bloomfield Track to pristine Emmagen Creek for a refreshing freshwater swim. Stroll along the beach at Cape Tribulation Beach and take the boardwalk to the photographers’ platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the ‘Rainforest meets the Reef.

australia-queensland-mossman-gorge-daintree-astk

Your epic East Coast adventure comes to an end as you drive from Port Douglas to Cairns to return your rental vehicle.

Accommodation Options

We have selected accommodation offering two bedrooms rooms specifically suited to this holiday. However, we can adapt to suit your personal preference mixing different grades and styles.

  • rose gums wilderness retreat2

Prices and Departures

Price from £3973 excluding flights

Airfares start from around £730 per person and are quoted separately to the holiday price. When enquiring, our Travel Specialists will provide the best fare possible from your preferred airline / airport.
Note: Airfares tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.

What's Included

  • Accommodation with private bathroom and two rooms
  • Car rental throughout
  • Private transfer on arrival in Brisbane
  • Moreton Island Marine Discovery cruise
  • K’gari (formally Fraser Island) tour
  • Afternoon Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach trip
  • Great Barrier Reef catamaran tour
  • Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway
  • Daintree, Cape Tribulation & Bloomfield Track 4WD Tour
  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
  • No surcharge guarantee
  • Full financial protection

This itinerary starts from around £3,973 per person, based on 2 adults. Up to 2 children under 12 years travel free if sharing a room with their parents. Price is based sharing a room with private bathroom in standard hotels, and rental of a full size vehicle.

Prices may vary depending on departure date and booking date, as well as any changes to the included components. The final cost of a tailored holiday will be based on the level of accommodation, size of vehicle, included activities, travel season, and how far in advance it is booked. We will confirm the exact price for your holiday in your individual quotation, based on your chosen travel dates and inclusions.

As Standard, Complete Piece of Mind

We’re listening. We always care what our fellow travellers think and love building strong customer relationships so we continuously focus on improving future experiences based on feedback. How incredible for the last three years we have received the Feefo Platinum Award.

The World's Great. Pass it On

To mark our 40th anniversary, we've launched our Education Bursary Fund to help disadvantaged school children experience the wonders of travel. A percentage of revenue from every holiday booked will go into the bursary fund to pay for at least 40 students to join one of our school trips abroad.