Grand East Discovery with Fraser Island Self Drive

Departing Sydney for the picturesque Blue Mountains, cross over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and drive through the trendy suburbs of Sydney before hitting the highway. Make the time to stop at the Featherdale Wildlife Park (own expense) to meet the local animals.
Haveyour photo taken with a koala, kangaroo or emuand a quick bite to eat before heading up in to the hills.

Standard Hotel: Leisure Inn Spires, Studio*
Superior Hotel: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Superior*
Boutique Hotel: Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Deluxe Valley View Room*

Today is at your leisure, take a trip to Scenic World and ride the Scenic Railway, the steepest incline railway in the world. Or take the Cable Way over the forest and enjoy the spectacular view.

Standard Hotel: Leisure Inn Spires, Studio*
Superior Hotel: Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains, Superior*
Boutique Hotel: Lilianfels Resort & Spa, Deluxe Valley View Room*

Following the highway north, today you are heading out of the Blue Mountains, towards the Hunter Valley. The Hunter Valley is a world renowned wine region, filled with luscious gardens, vineyards and friendly cellar doors. Pick up a few bottles of local wine to enjoy over dinner and take a walk through the extensive Hunter valley gardens where you might just find yourself in the middle of a fairy tale.

Standard Hotel: Leisure Inn Pokolbin Hill, Studio*
Superior Hotel: Crowne Plaza Resort Hunter Valley, Deluxe Room*
Boutique Hotel: Kirkton Park Hotel, Hunter Valley, Deluxe*

Depart Hunter Valley and travel on towards Newcastle. Stop for lunch and a stretch of your legs at Taree, the centre of the Manning River district before continuing North on to Port Macquarie, one of the oldest towns in New South Wales.

Standard Hotel: Country Comfort Port Macquarie Waters Edge, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Rydges Port Macquarie, Standard King Room*
Boutique Hotel: Sails Resort Port Macquarie by Rydges, Waterview King Room*

Travel north to Kempsey, on the way to Coffs Harbour, the capital of the Holiday Coast. The highway follows the coast to the seaside town of Woolgoolga then turns inland towards Grafton. Travel to Woodburn and on to Ballina and then a further 38 kilometres to Byron Bay. Nearby Cape Byron, is the most easterly point on the Australian coast and also has Australia's most powerful lighthouse. Byron Bay, renown for its beaches, makes it an ideal spot for a stroll, picnic, and swim or surf.

Standard Hotel: Lord Byron Resort, Deluxe Queen*
Superior Hotel: Byron Bay Hotel & Apartments, King Bedroom
Boutique Hotel: The Byron at Byron, Deluxe Spa Suite*

Departing Byron Bay travel north to Brunswick Heads and then on to Murwillumbah. From here there is a choice of routes to get to the Gold Coast and into Queensland. First option is to take the main highway via Tweed Heads and Coolangatta, continuing on to Surfers Paradise, travelling through the beachside towns of Burleigh Heads, Miami and Mermaid Beach. Second option is to travel via the Numinbah Valley, and the Lamington National Park, then to Surfers Paradise via Nerang.
Surfers Paradise is Australia's holiday Mecca, with a vast array of apartments and hotels stretching for 36 kilometres from Tweed Heads to Southport along the many beaches.

Standard Hotel: Alpha Sovereign Hotel, Standard Hotel Room*
Superior Hotel: Mercure Gold Coast, Superior*
Boutique Hotel: Sofitel Gold Coast, Classic King River View*

This morning spend at leisure relaxing on one of the magnificent beaches or exploring the Gold Coast area. Visit Australia's most well known theme parks: Sea World, Warner Bros. Movie World and Dream World. From Surfers Paradise it's only a 90-
minute drive along the Pacific Motorway to Brisbane. Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city.

Standard Hotel: Ibis Brisbane, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Capri by Fraser Brisbane, Studio Deluxe*
Boutique Hotel: Hilton Brisbane, Deluxe*

Head north along the Bruce Highway, this road travels inland from Caloundra to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, skirting the hinterland region.
Arriving into Hervey Bay, continue to the River Heads village for departure to Fraser Island, the world’s largest Sand Island, at 123 kilometres long, and a haven for nature lovers. Check into the mainland terminal, unload luggage and then park your car (choice of car parking available – own expense). Board the Kingfisher Bay Ferry for the transfer across to Fraser Island. On arrival on Fraser Island check - in and then the rest of the day is at leisure to start exploring the Island.

Standard Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Resort Hotel Room
Superior Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Resort Hotel Spa Room*
Boutique Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 1 Bedroom Loft Villa*

Today is at your leisure, to explore the natural beauty of Fraser Island.

Standard Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Resort Hotel Room
Superior Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Resort Hotel Spa Room*
Boutique Hotel: Kingfisher Bay Resort, 1 Bedroom Loft Villa*

Depart Fraser Island and return to River Heads village by ferry. On arrival, collect your rental car and travel along the Isis Highway. This will take you through the historic town of Bundaberg, the home of Bundaberg Rum. Continuing north through the rural community of Calliope and Gladstone, one of Australia’s busiest harbours before arriving into Rockhampton, which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Standard Hotel: Travelodge Rockhampton, Guest Room*
Superior Hotel: Edge Apartments Hotel, Hotel Room
Boutique Hotel: Empire Apartment Hotel, Studio

Depart Rockhampton and return to the Bruce Highway travelling north towards Marlborough and onto Mackay. Just outside of Mackay detour to the Cape Hillsborough National Park; where the rainforest meets the reef. The headland area contains several good walking trails. Continue onto Proserpine and turn off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, Queensland’s pristine 74 islands. It is a cosmopolitan and vibrant town filled with palm - fringed beaches and waterfront parks.

Standard Hotel: Best Western Mango House Resort, Studio Apartment
Superior Hotel: Airlie Beach Hotel, Standard Twin Town*
Boutique Hotel: Coral Sea Resort, Coral Sea Spa Suite*

A day at leisure to enjoy what the beautiful Whitsunday’s has to offer. We suggest you take a sailing trip and spend the day on one of the many beautiful Whitsunday Islands. There are many operators offering different cruise and island combinations for you to choose from.

Standard Hotel: Best Western Mango House Resort, Studio Apartment
Superior Hotel: Airlie Beach Hotel, Standard Twin Town*
Boutique Hotel: Coral Sea Resort, Coral Sea Spa Suite*

Continue your journey north, leading you into the Tropical north and the city of Townsville. Detour through Bowen and pass through the twin towns of Home Hill and Ayr. Townsville is a modern, tropical city and the administrative capital of North Queensland. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland is recommended; it houses the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium.
This evening join in with the locals for a walk along the waterfront esplanade, known as “The Strand”.

Standard Hotel: Mercure Townsville, Standard*
Superior Hotel: Hotel Grand Chancellor Townsville, 1 Bedroom Apartment
Boutique Hotel: Classique B&B, Gold Room

Today your journey takes you to the far North, into the heart of the tropics and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef -
Cairns and Palm Cove. Pass through Ingham and Tully, the wettest place in Australia.  Travel via Innisfail to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rainforest of the World Heritage region and the rugged outback of the Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria.  
Your car is booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off at the city or airport, by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1, to avoid any additional charges.