Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
Catseye Beach, Hamilton Island, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland
12-day Australian east coast adventure
One coastline, two World Heritage wonders and a whole lot of luxury. Embark on the ultimate east coast adventure from Sydney to Cairns via Brisbane.
Trip overview
The must-do experiences
- Soar above Sydney on a scenic flight
- Island-hop through the Whitsundays
- Explore the depths of the Great Barrier Reef
Day 1: Sydney Harbour
Start your east coast escapade at Sydney’s Circular Quay, where the white sails of the Sydney Opera House sit adjacent to the Harbour Bridge.
Day 2: Bondi Beach
Bondi’s vast blue bay – peppered with swimmers, surfers and sunbathers – draws visitors from all over the world. From coastal walks to boutique shops, here are some incredible ways to explore.
Day 3: Sydney to the Blue Mountains
The World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains is just a short drive from Sydney but feels worlds away. Cute mountain towns, waterfalls, wildlife and adventure activities await.
Day 4: Blue Mountains to Brisbane
Return to Sydney for a flight to Brisbane, where days are best spent outdoors – regardless of the time of year.
Day 5: Moreton Island
Hop aboard the Tangalooma Island Resort’s day cruise or passenger ferry for a scenic ride to Moreton Island. This island is made of sand and guarantees exhilarating coastal adventures.
Day 6: Brisbane to Hamilton Island
Fly from Brisbane and touch down on the most luxurious (and largest) islands of them all, Hamilton Island. This island is famous for snorkelling, white sand and access to the famous Heart Reef.
Day 7: The Whitsundays
There’s more to explore throughout the Whitsunday Islands, which encompass 74 idyllic islands across the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Here are some unique ways to explore this incredible archipelago.
Day 8: Hamilton Island to Airlie Beach
Take an Island Transfer from Long Island to the Whitsundays' coastal town of Airlie Beach for more action out on the water.
Day 9: Airlie Beach to Townsville
Drive three and a half hours to reach Townsville, where coastal adventures and unexpected gems are waiting to be explored.
Day 10: Townsville to Magnetic Island
Board a ferry to the haven of Magnetic Island, where swimming, snorkelling and hiking are made even better by spectacular scenery.
Day 11: Magnetic Island to Cairns
Board a ferry back to Townsville and hop on a flight to the bustling hub of Cairns, where days among the rainforest await. For a little more adventure, you can also opt for a 4.5-drive, winding north along the coast.
Day 12: Cairns to the Daintree Rainforest
Spend a morning at the markets before driving an easy 90 minutes to explore the treasures of the Daintree Rainforest.