Australia East Coast: Sydney, Gold Coast and Cairns

Sydney · Gold Coast · Cairns · Great Barrier Reef

Duration

8 nights / 9 days

Trip style

Grand tour

Stay category

3 to 4 star, or similar

Trip highlights

A 9-day plan as a PDF: the day-by-day itinerary, what is included, good-to-know notes and how to change it. Free, and a copy is emailed to you.

Suggested itinerary, customised on enquiry

Day 1Arrival and transfer

Arrive in Sydney and transfer to your hotel. Check in, settle in and enjoy a relaxed first evening.

Day 2Sydney harbour

See the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then take a ferry to Manly or Circular Quay's waterfront for the views.

Day 3Blue Mountains

Take a day trip to the mountains and a wildlife park.

Day 4Fly to the Gold Coast

Fly to Queensland and transfer to the Gold Coast, with the afternoon free at Surfers Paradise beach.

Day 5Theme park day

Spend the day at one of the Gold Coast's theme parks, with rides, shows and wildlife encounters.

Day 6Fly to Cairns

Fly north to Cairns, the gateway to the reef and the rainforest, and take an evening walk on the Esplanade.

Day 7Great Barrier Reef

Take a boat to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling among the coral, with lunch on board a reef pontoon.

Day 8Daintree rainforest

Visit the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

Day 9Departure

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Accommodation for the nights shown, in the stay category above, on twin sharing
Airport transfers and transfers between places as per the itinerary
Sightseeing and entrance fees for the places named in the itinerary, unless marked optional
Daily breakfast where the stay offers it, and any other meals confirmed in your quote
A local guide or representative where the itinerary calls for one