East Coast Island Escape 2024
Snapshot
- 12 nights / 13 days
- Brisbane to Cairns and vice versa
- Multiple departures
From
$10,095*
per person twin share
Overview
Moments of Magic
4WD Adventure on Fraser
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.
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.
*Offer valid until 17 May 2024 and is subject to availability and change. Advertised price based on October 2024 departures, correct as of 4 April 2024.
Inclusions
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 full day cruise to Whitehaven Beach & Hamilton Island
- Spend 2 nights on Fraser Island and enjoy a full day 4WD tour
- Swim in Fraser Island’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 overnight at Peppers Blue on Blue Resort
- 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
Outstanding Value Inclusions
- Small group size - 26
- All meals including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners while on tour
- All attraction fees, cruise fees and national park fees
- Travel aboard a 5-star All Terrain Mercedes Benz Coach
- Services of a professional 2 person crew: Tour Driver and Tour Director
- Exceptional hotel and resort accommodation
- Outback Spirit Explorer Pack featuring handy travel items (for first time travellers only)
Past Passenger Loyalty Rewards
Travelled once - Save $250pp
Travelled 2-3 tours - Save $350pp
Travelled 4+ tours - Save $500pp
Itinerary
Day 1 Brisbane – River Heads – Fraser Island
Today you will be met by our friendly and professional Tour Directors at Brisbane Airport*. 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)
*Please arrive in Brisbane by 9am.
Day 2 Fraser Island 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 Fraser Island – Gladstone
After a leisurely start to the day 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 Mercure 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.
Our 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 snorkelling, fishing, sunset cruises, guided walks and a semi-submarine marine tour. There’s also a tour of the Heron Island Research Centre. You can do as little or as much as you like! These activities are all included in your tour fare, and a full list will be made available to you prior to your arrival. Meals: (B,L,D)
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 two-night 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)
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 Airlie Beach – Townsville – Magnetic Island
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 spend the night on Magnetic Island at the luxurious Peppers Blue on Blue Resort. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 10 Townsville – Mission Beach
Today we catch the ferry back to the mainland and 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 Castaways Resort and Spa, located on the waterfront. 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. 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 and prepare for the final night of this amazing journey - the unique ‘Flames of the Forest’ rainforest dining experience, located a short drive
out of town. Meals: (B,L,D)
Day 13 Port Douglas – Cairns
This morning we enjoy a one-hour cruise on the Daintree River. Your expert guide will share their intricate knowledge of the river ecosystem and point out the area's unique flora and fauna. We then head south to Cairns where you'll be transferred to the airport* or to your accommodation if staying on. Meals: (B,L)
*Every effort will be made by your crew to ensure that the above itinerary is followed. However, Outback Spirit reserves the right to alter the itinerary once on tour as required due to weather and track conditions or other operational considerations.
About Outback Spirit
Australia's leading experiential tourism group
Outback Spirit is part of Journey Beyond, a national business focused on bringing Australia’s most unique and iconic experiences to life. Outback Spirit was founded in 1999 and has been showcasing great Australian destinations to travellers to this day.
To learn more about Journey Beyond and our unique travel experiences, please click the link below
Committed to Conservation
As an eco-certified company, Outback Spirit regularly reviews its potential impact on natural, cultural and historical environments. We strive to be ecologically sustainable and limit our impact on the environment through good practice, innovation and financial support for Australia’s pre-eminent wildlife conservation group, AWC (Australian Wildlife Conservancy).
AWC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the protection of our most precious wildlife. With 3 million hectares under conservation locations such as the Kimberley, Gulf of Carpentaria, Cape York and Lake Eyre, AWC is making a real difference in the fight against extinction. Since 2008, Outback Spirit has donated over $1 million to AWC and will continue its support well into the future.
To learn more about this fantastic organisation, head to www.australianwildlife.org
Supporting Aboriginal Communities
Outback Spirit supports remote Indigenous communities in certain locations across the Kimberley & Arnhem land by way of employment opportunities, community sponsorships and support for Indigenous owned businesses. For example, Outback Spirit sponsors over a dozen football teams in Ramingining and Maningrida, both directly and through local schools.
The company also creates jobs for local interpretive guides, which gives Outback Spirit passengers an authentic insight into the environment and local culture. It also helps to preserve Indigenous culture. Past initiatives have included the provision of teachers and tutors in small communities where no school facilities exist.
Award Winning Tour Operator
Choosing Outback Spirit means choosing an award-winning tour operator. We’re proud to have been acknowledged for consistently delivering professional and authentic adventures to remote destinations of Australia.
Some of our achievements have been recognised with the following awards:
Operation & Mechanical Bases
The outback can be a challenging environment to operate in, and professional back-up support is vital.
Outback Spirit headquarters are in the regional NSW city of Albury, however we have a dedicated team in Broome and Darwin for mechanical and operational matters. These teams are available 24 hours a day to provide immediate support, should it be required. Other smaller bases are located around the country, guaranteeing you a seamless touring experience.
* Term and conditions apply:
All pricing subject to change and availability.
Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise.
Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change.
Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies.
Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.