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Best of Australia

14 days, Cairns to Sydney

A traveller snorkelling underwater amongst a school of fish in Whitsunday, Australia

In case you hadn’t noticed, Australia is an awfully big place. So big, in fact, that you’d need to come back a few times to see it all. Don’t have that kind of time? Hop aboard this 14-day trip down Australia’s east coast and make the most of the time you do have. Offering a solid mix of must-do experiences and uncommon adventures, you’ll enjoy a surfing lesson in Byron Bay, a boat ride around the Whitsundays, and a trek through Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. The best part: there’s still plenty more to come back for.

14 days

Cairns to Sydney

From$3439USD
was $4299
Valid on Jul 18 2024
Trip Code: OACS

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Special Offers

Expires on May 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV020ADV05
Expires on May 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24SDT015CLA02

In case you hadn’t noticed, Australia is an awfully big place. So big, in fact, that you’d need to come back a few times to see it all. Don’t have that kind of time? Hop aboard this 14-day trip down Australia’s east coast and make the most of the time you do have. Offering a solid mix of must-do experiences and uncommon adventures, you’ll enjoy a surfing lesson in Byron Bay, a boat ride around the Whitsundays, and a trek through Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. The best part: there’s still plenty more to come back for.

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

View our Entry Requirements tool

14 days

Cairns to Sydney

From$3439USD
was $4299
Valid on Jul 18 2024
Trip Code: OACS

Need a flight? We can help.

Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

Special Offers

Expires on May 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24GAV020ADV05
Expires on May 01, 2024 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G24SDT015CLA02

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Trees for Days

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 14

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 86

Map of the route for Best of Australia

Places visited

Itinerary

Day 1Cairns

Arrive at any time.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Day 2Cairns/Cape Tribulation

Head north to Cape Tribulation. Stop en route to explore Mossman Gorge and take an interpretive walk through the Daintree Rainforest.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Cape Tribulation

With a free day, opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef or to explore Daintree National Park.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 4Cape Tribulation/Cairns

Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city. En route, stop by Port Douglas and opt to have lunch at a local market.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Cairns/Airlie Beach

Depart early for a full day of travel to reach Airlie Beach, enjoying scenic views along the way.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Airlie Beach

Spend the day out on the water boating around the Whitsunday Islands, visiting the Great Barrier Reef. Opt to swim or snorkel, and hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand. Return to Airlie Beach for the night.

Meals included:

Lunch

Day 7Airlie Beach/Byron Bay

Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this "hippie" paradise.

Day 8Byron Bay

Spend a free morning exploring Byron or opt to prebook a kayaking tour. In the afternoon, you'll head to the beach for a surf lesson with a trained surf instructor. Enjoy a few hours of instruction before hitting the waves for some practice rides.

Day 9Byron Bay/Port Macquarie

Spend the morning wandering the town checking out the local shops or having one last coffee on the beach before heading to the coastal township of Port Macquarie, featuring all the beauty of the beach set alongside gorgeous national parks. Enjoy an evening in Port Macquarie.

Day 10Port Macquarie/Blue Mountains

Travel from Port Macquarie to the Blue Mountains today. These mountains in Australia are best known for their soaring sandstone ridges. As you drive, pass by charming mountain towns, ancient Aboriginal rock art, lush green valleys, and loads of craggy cliffs. It doesn’t matter if the journey is shrouded in clouds or glowing in the sinking sun, you’ll still spot beauty around every turn.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 11Blue Mountains

Travel deeper into the majestic Blue Mountains and experience the natural beauty of this World Heritage Area. Explore the landscape around Leura and Katoomba, view the Three Sisters, take a walk in Jamison Valley, and ride on the Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world.

Day 12Blue Mountains/Sydney

This morning, leave the Blue Mountains behind and continue onward to Sydney. Once you arrive head out for an orientation walk before taking advantage of some free time to keep exploring. Opt to rent a bike, stroll the botanical gardens, or visit the iconic Opera House.

Day 13Sydney

Get a feel for the city. Relax seaside at Bondi Beach. Enjoy an optional night out with the group.

Day 14Sydney

Depart at any time.

View full itinerary

What's Included

  • Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
  • Guided rainforest walk
  • Whitsunday Islands boating excursion
  • Blue Mountains stay with hikes
  • Scenic Railway
  • Jamison Valley walk
  • Orientation walk in Sydney
  • Free time in Cairns, Byron Bay, and Sydney
  • Internal flight
  • Surf lesson in Byron Bay
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hotels (11 nts), rainforest cabin (2 nts).

Meals

5 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Allow USD705-920 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, boat, plane, walking, ferry

Staff & experts

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)

Byron Bay Ocean Kayaking - From $60.00

Slice through the waters of the iconic Byron Bay in the morning on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle past the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, see the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, and ride the waves into shore. On top of it all, keep a close eye for dolphins and whales (in season) who call these waters home. Epic? Definitely. This activity is in the ocean and conditions can sometimes be rough due to weather. This is a very fun activity but first time kayakers may find this challenging.

My Own Room - From $2019.00

If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Best of Australia

| 14 days - Cairns to Sydney - from $3439 USD