Australian Pacific Tours

Barrier Reef Escapade, 12 day, Camping Safari

Tour Code: DB12

Departure Dates
2000: 15 & 20jan, 3feb, 2, 9 & 23mar, 6 & 27apr, 8jun, 13jul, 7sep, 26oct, 2, 9, 16 & 23nov
2001: 11jan, 8mar, 12apr, 7jun, 12jul

Legend: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Price: au$ 2270 Twinshare pp / au$ 2535 Sole Tent use

Day 1 Thur. Fly to Cairns (D): Join your Australian Pacific tour in Cairns. Make your way to the Coconut Caraven Village Caravan Park for dinner at 5.30 p.m. Camp: Cairns, Coconut Caravan Village for 3 nights.

Day 2 Fri. Skyrail Cableway-Rainforestation- Army Duck (BD): Ride aboard the Skyrail and immerse yourself in the lush tropical environment as you journey above the World Heritage rainforest. Visit Rainforestation and see the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers. 
  • Ride the Skyrail Cableway
  • Visit Rainforestation - See Pamagirri Aboriginal Dancers
  • Ride in unique Army Duck
  • Traditional Bushmans Dinner - Historic Glenmore Homestead
  • Tour the Sunshine Coast - Noosa Heads
  • Stay 3 nights tropical Cairns
  • View spectacular coral and tropical fish from sub-sea viewer
  • Fabulous Gold Coast
  • 2 nights Airlie Beach - Whitsundays
  • 2 nights Cabins Fraser Isl. - Wilderness Lodge
  • Outer Barrier Reef Cruise
  • Cruise Whitsunday Islands
  • 4-Wheel-Drive Tour Fraser Island
  • Visit 4 Barrier Reef Islands
Take a guided Dreamtime Walk, then join your local guide for an adventure ride in the unique Army Duck, deep into the rainforest, travelling on land and in water. Opportunity this afternoon to return to Cairns aboard the scenic Kuranda Train (own expense).

Day 3 Sat. Outer Barrier Reef Cruise (BL): A true highlight of your tour today. Cruise to the coral cay of Fitzroy Island, a magnificent national park island, then on to Moore Reef on the true Outer Barrier Reef. Enjoy a ride in a sub-sea coral viewer or swim and snorkel through colourful coral gardens and a multitude of tropical fish. A delicious tropical lunch is provided on board.

Day 4 Sun. Airlie Beach (BD): Cross the Cardwell Ranges with panoramic views of Hinchinbrook Passage and Island. Continue to the resort town of Airlie Beach. Camp: Whitsunday Wanderers Resort for 2 nights.

Day 5 Mon. Bali Hai Island-Daydream Island (BL): Experience the magic of the Whitsundays today as we cruise to Bali Hai Island. Laze on the beach, snorkel amongst the coral reefs or perhaps try an optional "diving experience". Board the fascinating Yellow Submarine and view the tropical fish and coral as we cruise around the Whitsunday Islands. Enjoy the beauty and serenity of Daydream Island.

Day 6 Tue. Rockhampton-Historic Glenmore Homestead (BLD): Tour Mackay, Australia's "sugar capital" producing one third of the nation's sugar. Camp: Rockhampton, Tropical Wanderer Holiday Village. Enjoy a traditional bushman's dinner tonight at historic Glenmore Homestead. Afterwards join in the fun with some bush dancing in the barn.

Day 7 Wed. Fraser Island (BD): Cross the Tropic of Capricorn to Bundaberg, renowned for its rum production, then to Urangan Harbour for cruise to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Travel by 4-wheel-drive vehicles to the stunning Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village. This resort sets new standards in environmentally sensitive tourism. Overnight: Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village, Wilderness Lodge for 2 nights.

Day 8 Thur. 4WD Tour-Eli Creek-Maheno Shipwreck (B): Discover the Coloured Sands as we tour this magnificent World Heritage Island in 4-wheel-drive vehicles. Travel along Seventy-Five Mile Beach to the historic Maheno Shipwreck. Visit Eli Creek, pouring more than 120 million litres of fresh water an hour into the Pacific Ocean.

Day 9 Fri. Noosa-Gold Coast (B): Return to the mainland. Tour Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, renowned for its natural scenery and beauty. Pass the Glass House Mountains on our way to Brisbane. Brisbane passengers depart Transit Centre, 4.00 p.m. Gold Coast passengers depart on arrival in Surfers Paradise, 5.30 p.m. Camp: Gold Coast, Treasure Island Caravan Park.

Day 10 Sat. Port Macquarie (BLD): Travel through picturesque northern New South Wales. Cross the Richmond and Clarence Rivers then to Coffs Harbour, surrounded by banana plantations. Camp: Port Macquarie, Sundowner Caravan Park.

Day 11 Sun. Sydney (B): Cross the Hawkesbury River on our way into Sydney. Sydney passengers depart Circular Quay Terminal, 5.00 p.m. Canberra passengers depart Sydney Airport 5.45 p.m. for return flight home (Interstate passengers wishing to fly out of Sydney may do so on arrival). Overnight: Sydney, Mercure Hotel.

Day 12 Mon. To Melbourne: Adelaide, Perth and Tasmanian air passengers depart tour. Melbourne coach returns along the Hume Highway via Albury over the Victorian border. Continue through Wangaratta and Benalla to Melbourne, arriving Australian Pacific Travel Centre, 184 Swanston Walk, 8.00 p.m.