Pacific Coast Touring Route - Brisbane to Cairns - Extended Tour

Love water and all the activities that go with it? Then this 13 day experience is for you! Diving, snorkeling and whitewater rafting will keep you wet and we have thrown in a few activities on dry land that will waken your senses including bungy jumping, caving, climbing. A truly action packed adventure! If you want to extend your journey, check out our Pacific Coast Central Tour – Sydney to Brisbane or The Savannah Way – Cairns to Broome.

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Brisbane to Glasshouse Mountain National Park

Arrive in Brisbane; the capital of Queensland. This laid-back city is built on the banks of the Brisbane River, and with its wonderful weather it is an easy place to explore on foot. Take a City Cat ride along the Brisbane River or stroll around South Bank, one of the city's liveliest areas with market stalls, cafes, bike paths and a sandy beach. When ready drive to Glasshouse Mountain National Park; the mountains are a series of steep-sided volcanic plugs formed when lava hardened inside the vents of volcanoes, and over the course 25 million years have eroded down. These mountains feature in dreamtime stories from the Aboriginal People. Overnight.

Day 2 – Glasshouse Mountain National Park to Noosa

Spend today Climbing & Abseiling Mount Tibrogargan; one of the ten extinct volcanic mountains of the Glass House Mountains. At 364 metres it is a popular target for bushwalkers and rock climbers; it boosts some of the longest multi pitch climbs in Australia. When you’re back on level ground, drive to the Sunshine Coast; a low-rise and relaxed alternative to the Gold Coast. Overnight in Noosa and enjoy one of the many fabulous restaurants.

Day 3 – Noosa to Fraser Island

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the trendy Hastings Street then drive along the Coastal Road to Fraser Island; The Largest Sand Island in the World. Fraser Island is a precious part of Australia's natural and cultural heritage, with long uninterrupted white beaches, strikingly coloured sand cliffs, over 100 freshwater lakes and ancient rainforests that grow in sand along the banks of fast-flowing, crystal-clear creeks. Not to forget that they have the purest breed of dingo in Australia. To access Fraser Island you will need a 4WD vehicle, and a permit. Explore & Overnight.

Day 4 – Fraser Island to Rockhampton

Follow the road to Rockhampton, stopping in Bundaberg; heart of Australia's sugar industry and home to the famous Bundaberg Rum. Pass through Rockhampton or ‘Rocky’ as the locals call it and head for the spectacular Capricorn Caves; unique above-ground caves in a limestone ridge. Take the adrenalin rushing Wild Caving Tour, a complete caving experience. Challenges are many and varied to suit the individual including Fat Man's Misery, the Rebirth hole, Entrapment or the Commando crawl. Bats are likely to be seen as they prefer these quieter, darker caves. Back into the light head back to ‘Rocky’ which is the capital of beef farming in Australia, enjoy a good steak and perhaps a rodeo. Overnight.

Day 5 – Rockhampton to Airlie Beach

This is the longest stretch of your drive (481kms), you will notice the scenery beginning to get more tropical as you proceed. Stretch you legs in Mackay; situated amidst some of the most fertile plains of sugar cane plantations. Then drive for another 2 hours to Airlie Beach, this is known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Airlie is a popular tourist town; it has a buzzing nightlife and wide range of water activities on offer. Overnight.

Day 6 - Airlie Beach to Ayr

The Whitsunday Islands comprise of 74 Islands and are surrounded by one of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef. Spend today on a Full Day Snorkeling Tour; enjoy an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, snorkel the pristine reefs and experience the “Wild Side” of the Whitsunday Islands, the uninhabited Islands with beautiful natural scenery brimming with marine, bird and animal life. Drive 2 hours to Ayr. Overnight.

Day 7 - Ayr to Cairns

Today Dive the SS Yongala; this coastal steamship SS Yongala went down in 1911 during a cyclone 90km southeast of Townsville, with the loss of all 121 passengers and crew. This 110m wreck rests on a sandy seabed in 15-30m of water. On your descent you will witness to what makes this location so famous, eagle rays, sea snakes, queen fish, turtles, giant Queensland gropers and batfish are abundant. There is also a huge diversity of hard and soft corals growing on the skeleton of this elegant, well-preserved ship. After your dive continue driving from Ayr to Cairns; a city framed by the spectacular twin backdrops of rainforest mountain ranges and the sparkling Coral Sea. Stay 2 nights.

Day 8 - Cairns

Explore this interesting city before heading 20 minutes north of Cairns to the Bungy Tower; here whether you are a first time jumper and happy with just getting off the edge or a seasoned thrill seeker you will enjoy this Bungy Jump and Minjin Combo, it will give you the adrenaline hit to wake up your senses! From the top you look out over the Northern Beaches and to the Great Barrier Reef, so when you’re on the edge ready to jump suck in the view as it looks quite different on the rebound! The Minjin roars in the shape of the Jungle Swing, at speeds of up to 120 kph in 3.5 seconds. One, two or three people at a time can face the challenge of the Minjin. Spend the rest of the day recovering and mingling with the locals.

Day 9 - Whitewater Rafting the Famous Tully River

Spend today white water rafting the Tully River; the North's ultimate white water, white knuckle adventure, with up to 5 hours of rafting over more than 45 rapids through World Heritage Rainforest. The white water rafting on the Tully River is rated moderate to challenging, offering mainly grade 3 and 4 rapids. Your trained and experienced white water rafting guides will offer all the tuition needed to enjoy the white water rafting. Dine at one of the many restaurants Cairns has to offer.

Day 10, 11, 12 – 3 day/2 night Live aboard Diving

One of the "must do" things in Queensland is to dive the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef is a natural wonder of the world and a declared World Heritage site. It is made up of approximately 2900 separate reefs stretching as far north as Cape York and south to Bundaberg along the Queensland Coast. There is no doubt that the best way to really experience the Great Barrier Reef is to stay out there for a few days. On this trip you get much more time to relax, enjoy yourself and ultimately spend more time diving and snorkeling.

On return from your diving excursion; spend your final evening enjoying entertainment in the middle of the worlds oldest rainforest; this is a unique and unforgettable experience. The cuisine is exotic and the entertainment authentic Aboriginal. This evening will become a lifetime memory. Overnight.

Day 13 - Depart Australia

Return to self-drive tours...