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East Coast Island Escape
Operated by Outback Spirit
Tripcode:
Overview
Destination:
Australia,
Queensland (QLD),
Duration:13 days
Travel Period
September 2026 - October 2026
Tour Highlights:
- Spend 2 nights on Heron Island, a natural coral cay in the southern Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Experience the magic and beauty of the Whitsundays with a half day cruise to Whitehaven Beach
- Spend 2 nights on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and enjoy a full day 4WD tour
- Swim in K’gari’s beautiful Lake McKenzie & float down Eli Creek. Also travel along 75-mile Beach and visit the Maheno Shipwreck
- Enjoy a Great Barrier Reef cruise to the idyllic and unspoilt Low Isles
- Visit Magnetic Island and explore the sights and beaches including Arcadia Bay
- Tour through the Atherton Tablelands and visit Millaa Millaa Falls
- Cruise the wild Daintree River
- Enjoy a 'Flames of the Forest' dining experience in Port Douglas
- Visit the unique historical ruins of a Spanish Castle at Paronella Park
Moments of Magic
The Whitsundays:
Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a collection of 74 stunning islands on the North QLD coast. Discover this magical paradise on a cruise to Whitehaven Beach, one of Australia’s iconic natural wonders.
4WD Adventure on K’gari:
Discover the world’s largest sand island on an exciting full day 4WD adventure. Travel along 75-mile beach to the Maheno Shipwreck, visit pristine Lake McKenzie and float down Eli Creek.
Heron Island:
The ultimate paradise for nature lovers, Heron Island is a World Heritage Listed marine park of incredible natural wonder. Colourful coral and crystal-clear aquamarine waters await.
Please note:
-This trip also runs in the reverse direction. Please enquire with your RACV Travel Expert for more details.
-Itinerary, excursions, accommodation, or sightseeing arrangements are subject to change with little or no notice due to road conditions, weather, cultural considerations, safety factors and other operational considerations or government regulations. Final itineraries are sent to passengers approximately 2-3 weeks before travel.
Highlights:
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Brisbane - River Heads - K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island)
Today you will be met by our friendly and professional Tour Directors at the time and location specified above. We then depart Brisbane and pass through the Sunshine Coast en route to River Heads, the departure point for Fraser Island. Enjoy the ferry transfer across to Fraser Island where we spend the next two nights at the Kingfisher Bay Resort. Meals: L.D.
Day 2: K'Gari Exploring
Today enjoy a full day 4WD tour of Fraser Island. Travel along 75 Mile Beach to the coloured sands of the Pinnacles and visit the Maheno Shipwreck. Also visit Fraser Island’s most beautiful lake - Lake McKenzie. Enjoy a swim in the clear blue water surrounded by pristine white beaches. Also stop for a swim at Eli Creek and tour through the island’s rainforest before returning to the resort mid afternoon. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 3: K'Gari - Gladstone
This morning, we catch the mid-morning ferry back to the mainland. We then journey up the east coast along the Bruce Highway, passing through Childers en route to Gladstone.
Enjoy a tour of the town including a visit to Round Hill Lookout, before checking in to the 4.5-star Mantra Hotel later this afternoon. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 4: Gladstone - Heron Island
This morning we take the 2-hour ferry ride over to Heron Island.
Heron Island is a natural coral cay located in the Great Barrier Reef, 80kms off the coast of Queensland near the Tropic of Capricorn. The Island is small enough to walk around in 20 minutes, yet it has everything you could wish for: a restaurant to satisfy healthy appetites, a deep resort swimming pool backing onto a bar and an abundance of wildlife that will truly amaze.
Your next two nights will be spent on this sublime island at the Heron Island Resort. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 5: Heron Island
During your stay on Heron Island there’s a range of activities available to discover all the island and reef has to offer. These include beach-snorkelling, sunset cruise, research station, guided walks and a semi-submarine marine tour. Meals: (B,L,D)
Please note: Daily activities vary and are weather dependent. Research Station is only open on a Tuesday and Saturday.
Day 6: Heron Island - Rockhampton
This morning we’ll board the ferry back to the mainland. We continue our journey up the coast to Rockhampton and check in to our overnight accommodation at the Empire Apartment Hotel, Rockhampton’s newest and largest apartment hotel in the heart of the CBD Riverfront Precinct. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 7: Rockhampton - Hamilton Island
This morning we depart Rockhampton and head north through Mackay and onto Proserpine. From Proserpine, we head towards Airlie Beach where we board our Cruise Whitsundays transfer to Hamilton Island ready for our twonight stay at the Reef View Hotel.
With the casual ambience of tropical North Queensland combined with the sophistication and style of this resort, you will certainly enjoy your time here. Meals: B.L.D.
Please note that Hamilton Island is cashless.
Day 8: Whitehaven Beach & Hamilton Island
Today we depart for a cruise to Whitehaven Beach. The cruise is a leisurely half day scenic cruise to this magnificent beach. Your cruise vessel has expansive seating areas inside and out and your friendly skipper will provide an informative commentary on the history and natural wonders of the area.
Once at the beach, sink your toes into the fine white silica sands of Whitehaven and enjoy the warm, crystal clear waters. This is Mother Nature at her best! Back on the vessel, sit back, breathe in the sea air and marvel at the 74 Island Wonders of the Whitsundays.
Later today at Hamilton Island, you might like to jump on a shuttle bus and tour around the island. The shuttles circuit the island all day stopping at key attractions, scenic points and resorts, so hop on and off as you please. Enjoy a wander along the waterfront of Hamilton Island’s famous Front Street and Marina Village taking in the sights, visiting the galleries and doing some shopping.
This afternoon enjoy some leisure time before our final night in this beautiful island location. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 9: Hamilton Island - Townsville - Magnetic Island
This morning we cruise back to Airlie Beach and travel north to Proserpine and onto Townsville.
Regarded as the capital of North Queensland, Townsville has a regional population of around 160,000. After lunch along ‘The Strand’ we take the ferry across to Magnetic Island.
Enjoy a tour of the island and explore the sights and beaches including Arcadia Bay. We return to the mainland and check into the Ville Resort on the marina. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 10: Townsville - Mission Beach
This morning we enjoy a visit to the Maritime Museum. This was established in 1986 when the Townsville Harbour Board proposed to the Seafarers Association to set up a nautical display.
Funded by a Federal grant for capital works, the Museum complex was architecturally redesigned with a footprint in the shape of a ship to include a viewing deck along with new and improved galleries, a memorial garden, model ship gallery, WW2 history, and the original bell of the steamship Yongala which disappeared off the coast in March 1911.
In 2007 HMAS Townsville, a Fremantle Class Patrol Boat, was also gifted to the Museum by the Commonwealth Department of Defence.
After some morning tea we depart Townsville and continue our journey north. Pass through Ingham and Cardwell before arriving at Mission Beach where we spend the night at Mission Beach Resort.
Enjoy time for a stroll along this sensational beach before dinner overlooking the Coral Sea. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 11: Atherton Tablelands - Port Douglas
After departing Mission Beach this morning we visit Paronella Park, home to one of Australia’s earliest hydro power systems.
Built in the 1930’s to provide entertainment to the public, the park featured tennis courts, a cinema and even a ballroom inspired by Spanish castles. This fascinating historic site is now heritage listed and a highlight of your visit to north Queensland.
Later this morning we continue north and head up into the Atherton Tablelands for a visit to Millaa Millaa Falls. This afternoon we continue on to Mareeba, Mt Molloy and Port Douglas.
We arrive at the fully refurbished Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort late this afternoon where we will spend the next two nights. Later we travel out to the unique ‘Flames of the Forest’ rainforest dining experience, located a short drive out of town. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 12: Great Barrier Reef - Flames of the Forest
This morning we make our way to the Marina Mirage where we board the Quicksilver ‘Wavedancer’ Catamaran. Enjoy an informative talk by a marine biologist before heading out for the blue waters of the Low Isles in the Coral Sea.
Set like a jewel in a Great Barrier Reef Lagoon, Low Isles is an idyllic and unspoilt coral island. The clear and calm lagoon waters are ideal for snorkelling and swimming. Visitors are limited to protect the reef’s ecology, so the whole of this beautiful, palm fringed island beach is yours to explore and enjoy!
Late this afternoon we return to the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort in Port Douglas for our farewell dinner. Meals: B.L.D.
Day 13: Port Douglas - Cairns
This morning, enjoy a one hour cruise on the Daintree River with an expert guide who will share their intricate knowledge of the local ecosystem before heading south to Cairns where you will be transferred to the airport or to your accommodation if staying on in Cairns. Meals: B.L.
Dates
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Operator
Outback Spirit
At Outback Spirit, we’re continuing with what we’ve done for the past 22 years, which is connecting you – our guests – to Australia’s most remarkable landscapes, unique touring experiences and some very special communities. We’ve always made guest safety paramount – and we continue to do so with our experienced guides who are the best in the business and subtle changes to protect us in this new world of travel. Our journeys incorporate the finest accommodation available, specialised vehicles, fine food and wine and something we could all do with a little more of – and that’s perspective. When you realise you’re one of a handful of people to see exquisite rock art that’s thousands of years old, or you’re overlooking a rugged outback landscape once covered by sea, you gain a sense of perspective that prevails over everything else.
Important Information
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Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
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12 nights
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