Sydney to Cairns: 12 days / 11 nights

Fully Escorted Quality Touring

Departures: 

Similar dates to 2012 anticipated for the remainder of the year

** = Guaranteed departure

ITINERARY: Sydney to Cairns ('Discover the Tropics')

Truly Ref. 1409
This escorted holiday has been meticulously planned and incorporates superior accommodation, unique sightseeing experiences, many meals and the services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver.   It offers unrivalled value for money plus optional sightseeing opportunities at extra cost to allow you to tailor your own holiday experience.

Day 1: Sydney – Coffs Harbour
Depart Sydney at 7.30am.  Travel the scenic coastline of New South Wales, stopping at the coastal town of Port Macquarie. Continue to Coffs Harbour. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and travelling companions.
Accommodation: Novotel Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour. (D)

Day 2: Byron Bay – Gold Coast
This morning journey to the Cape Byron Lighthouse (pictured) and enjoy the superb views from Australia's most easterly point. Stop in trendy Byron Bay for lunch (own expense). Follow the lush Tweed River Valley to the glitzy Gold Coast.  This international resort region has superb surfing beaches. Tonight is free to enjoy one of the many restaurants and cafés on the Gold Coast. 
Accommodation: Vibe Hotel, Gold Coast. (B) 

Day 3: Gold Coast – Noosa
Enjoy morning tea at the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre, where you’ll encounter Australian native flora and fauna and wildlife. Meet the passionate staff who’ll take you on a guided tour through the bushland walk tracks or botanical gardens. Travel on to Brisbane for an orientation tour and opal demonstration. Your final destination is Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.
Hotel: The French Quarter, Noosa, 2 nights. (B)

Day 4: Noosa ‘Free Time’
Take time out to discover Noosa for yourself. Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy walk along the headland through to Noosa National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could take a boat ride through the Noosa Everglades. Pristine beaches, lakes, wetlands, mangroves and diverse flora and fauna are among the spectacular scenery you will witness. (B)

Day 9: Mission Beach
Today’s journey takes you to Townsville, where you’ll have time for a stroll along the Strand then it’s on to Mission Beach in Tropical North Queensland.
Hotel: Castaways Resort & Spa, Mission Beach. (BD)

Day 10: Mission Beach - Cairns
Climb the high tropical plateau known as the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes abound. Your first stop is the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway. Elevated walkways, a cantilever and observation tower offers you the exhilarating experience of being high in the rainforest canopy and provides spectacular panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes. Later, visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. Your final destination today is Cairns. Late this afternoon after checking into your hotel explore the Cairns Botanic Gardens before a short stroll to historic Whitfeld House. You are invited by Joy and Henry Glennie to an exclusive barbecue at their restored Federation-style mansion located in a magnificent tropical garden setting.
Hotel: Novotel Oasis Cairns, Cairns, 2 nights. (BD)

Day 12: Depart Cairns
Your tour concludes today after breakfast. Make the most of your stay in this tropical city before being transferred to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. You could ride on Kuranda Railway taking you through the scenic countryside behind Cairns to the village of Kuranda with time to stroll through the market. Then return to the lowlands by the Skyrail Cableway (pictured) above the Barron Gorge National Park, a beautiful experience. Visit the award-winning Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to experience the History, Creation and Dance Theatres, where the legends of the Dreamtime are brought to life. Or perhaps take a day trip to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree National Park. Ask us about all the optional tours on offer in Cairns as well as additional nights’ accommodation. (B)

ITINERARY MAY BE MODIFIED WITHOUT NOTICE

INCLUDED IN YOUR 'Discover the Tropics' COACH TOUR from Sydney to Brisbane

WEATHER
Cairns - this is the tropics. That means warm all year round almost everywhere, especially around the coastal areas. Daytime temperatures in Cairns range from around 31º Celsius in December to March, to around 26º Celsius in May to August. The lush rainforests surrounding Cairns exist because of the high annual rainfall - but even the rain is warm here!