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Australia adventure holiday

country:Australia
location:Queensland, New South Wales, Blue Mountains
trip type: A small group adventure
departures:2008: 7 Sep, 12 Oct, 16 Nov
2009: 1 Feb, 1 Mar, 29 Mar, 3 May
price:From £2469 - £2999 (31 days) including flights from UK, from £1679 excluding flights. Local payment AU $750
read 1 travellers review
the amazing things you'll be doing
From the dense rainforests of the north to swinging Sydney, the East Coast offers so much to the adventure traveller. We explore the reefs and islands by sailing boat, stay Aussie-style on a cattle station, hike the Blue Mountains, wander the empty beaches of Fraser Island and check out the nightlife or the natural wonders along the Gold Coast.

We have time in Cairns to choose from a range of activities - whitewater rafting, rainforest walks, the Skyrail to Kuranda, snorkelling or diving. Then we head south to Airlie Beach, stopping en route to see Koala Bears and Crocodiles at the Billabong Sanctuary.

Sailing the Whitsunday Islands
A voyage to these idyllic islands off the East Coast is a must, and as we drop anchor in Blue Pearl Bay, we can enjoy some dazzling diving and snorkelling. But for the less active, the option to chill out and relax is hard to resist!

Blue Mountains & Sydney
After our stay on a working cattle station, we head south and explore the vast sands and forests of Fraser Island, swimming in crystal clear freshwater lakes. Finally we hike through the Blue Mountains to Wentworth Falls and the Three Sisters before driving on to Sydney. See green route on map.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1-2:Fly London/Cairns.
Day 3:Arrive Cairns in morning.
Day 4:In Cairns.
Day 5:To Airlie Beach via Billabong Sanctuary; see Koalas & Crocs.
Day 6:Full day sailing trip to Whitsunday Islands.
Day 7:Drive to Rockhampton, stay on working cattle station, optional horse riding.
Day 8:Drive to Hervey Bay.
Day 9:Morning ferry to Fraser Island, explore by 4WD.
Day 10:Morning on Fraser; PM return ferry to Hervey Bay.
Day 11:Drive to Byron Bay.
Day 12:Free day in Byron Bay, easternmost point of Australia.
Day 13:Drive via Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie.
Day 14:Into the Blue Mountains, hike to Wentworth Falls.
Day 15:Walk to the 'Three Sisters', drive to Sydney.
Day 16:In Sydney; various options including Opera House & Harbour Bridge.
Day 17:Fly to Ayers Rock/Uluru.
Day 18:In Ayers Rock/Uluru & Kata Tjuta/the Olgas.
Day 19:Drive to Kings Canyon.
Day 20:Drive to Palm Valley.
Day 21:Drive to Wallace Rockhole and aboriginal tour; drive to Alice Springs.
Day 22:In Alice Springs; day trip into the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Day 23:4WD to Devil's Marbles.
Day 24:Continue by 4WD to wild bushcamp.
Day 25:To Katherine Gorge, walks.
Day 26-27:To Kakadu NP; walks, Yellow Water Billabong boat trip, aboriginal art.
Day 28:To Litchfield NP.
Day 29:To Darwin.
Day 30:Fly London.
Day 31:Arrive London.
travellers' tales
Swimming in the thermal pool at Maranka, kayaking off Byron bay with the dolphins and whales was most exciting, and these and Fraser Island were the most memorable and watching the sunset at devil's marbles (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.
how this holiday makes a difference
From the dense rainforests of the north to the Blue Mountains National Park near Sydney, the East Coast offers endless possibilities for natural exploration. Reefs and islands are visited by sailing boat on this tour, while the Wentworth Falls and Katherine gorges are all enjoyed on foot. Our visits ensure the park authorities are able to continue their vital conservation and education work. Wildlife enthusiasts can also enjoy the opportunity of whale-watching in Hervey Bay. Protected species include the Loggerhead Turtle. Australia’s recycling programme ranks amongst the most sophisticated in the world. By choosing to camp in most places we minimise our environmental impact, in an area where fly/drive tourism unfortunately remains popular. We eat in local restaurants and use local operators to run our optional excursions, thus ensuring that money goes directly to the supplier and the community.

As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost.

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