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16 Day Best of East Coast Australia Comfort Tour from Sydney
Highlights
- Explore Sydney's iconic harbour, immersing yourself in breathtaking views and vibrant city life.
- Snorkel with diverse sea life at the Great Barrier Reef, experiencing the underwater wonders of this world heritage site.
- Relax on the glittering sands of Whitehaven Beach, enjoying pristine beauty and tranquil surroundings.
- Meet native wildlife like koalas and spot elusive platypus, connecting with Australia's unique nature in a small group setting.
16 days. Countless memories. This ultra-indulgent Sydney to Cairns trip is designed to give you a leisurely, expansive view of one of the world’s great coastlines, all with a small group. You’ll explore all the iconic hot spots, of course – Sydney’s famous harbour, snorkelling with sea-life at the Great Barrier Reef, the glittering sand at Whitehaven beach, you will meet koalas, spot platypus, crocs and more – but you’ll also get the hidden gems that only locals know about. And of course, out-of-this-world food and wine. Ready to discover the east coast?
Itinerary highlights
Day 1: Sydney Meet & Greet
Sydney We start in Australia’s Harbour City, the glittering jewel in the east coast’s crown. Check into your room, freshen up, then meet your tour leader and new travel mates for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Then we are off for a great welcome dinner, and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
Included Activities: Get to know your fellow travellers with a welcome meeting and dinner
Day 2: Sydney to Hunter Valley to Newcastle
Stop 1. Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary- We leave behind Sydney’s skyscrapers and sidewalks for a wildlife park boasting an all-star cast of koalas, kangaroos, and more.
Stop 2. Hunter Valley – We’re in the heart of the Hunter Valley, so there’s nothing better to do than a wine, cheese and chocolate tasting.
Stop 3. Newcastle – We’ll also visit the sunny port city of Newcastle, rounding off an eclectic day and orientation tour.
Included Activities:
Conservation Wildlife Park visit – Get close to many native / unique australian animals like kangaroos, emus and more
Hunter Valley wine, cheese & chocolate tasting
Newcastle orientation tour
Day 3: Newcastle to Port Macquarie via the Koala Hospital
Stop 1. Port Macquarie After breakfast, we’re off to Port Macquarie, where we’ll have a chance to meet the volunteers at a Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. Relax for the evening with a stroll along the foreshore and a free night for dinner. Enjoy the sounds of the local bird population and keep your eyes peeled for the local wild dolphins.
Stop 2. Koala Conservation Hospital Port Macquarie Guests will have a chance to meet the volunteers at a Port Macquarie Koala Hospital. If you’re unable to tear yourself away from the cuddly critters, don’t worry – you’re not the first. Expect to come away with loads more knowledge about these often misunderstood creatures, & how by joining our tour, you are supporting this amazing centre’s conservation efforts.
Included Activities:
Visit Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Foreshore walk and a chance to spot wild dolphins
Port Macquarie to Byron Bay
Stop 1. Forest Sky Pier On the morning of Day 4, guests take part in the Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience, immersing in language, stories, and song on sacred Gumbaynggirr Country, supporting the revitalisation of local culture and community.
Stop 2. Byron Bay Then we’re headed to Byron Bay, a laid-back surf paradise with boundless coastline, sand and friendly locals. We’ll pay a visit to Cape Byron, for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales, and other marine life.
Included Activities:
• Visit to Cape Byron to see the famous local lighthouse, the most easterly point of Australia for a unique photo opportunity, and the chance for the eagle-eyed to spot dolphins, whales in season, and other marine life.
Day 5: Byron Bay (free day to relax)
1 Stop. Today we’re talking relaxation, relaxation, and relaxation. Spend the morning on the warm sand, shopping for bargains, or indulge in one of your optional activities: surfing or kayaking plus many activities like balloon rides, whale watching, brewery tours etc. The day is all yours – put your feet up, head to a cosy bar, or watch the world go by from one of the local cafes.
Included Activities:
• Free day to relax, or enjoy optional activities: Surf lesson, kayak experience
Day 6: Byron Bay to Noosa to Rainbow Beach
Stop 1. Noosa National Park We’re crossing into Queensland – the Sunshine State. Your first stop is laid-back Noosa, and Noosa National Park where you will have the chance to spot koalas and other Aussie critters.
Included Activities:
• Noosa National Park and the chance to spot koalas in the wild.
• Noosa orientation including Noosa Main Beach and Hastings Street.
Stop 2. Rainbow Beach
We continue further up the Sunshine Coast to our base for the next 2 nights, it’s time to relax and soak up the atmosphere of the vibrant Rainbow Beach.
Day 7: K’Gari (Fraser Island)
1 Stop: Ready, steady, go, for a once-in-a-lifetime 4WD K’Gari adventure today. Once known as Fraser Island, the destination has been returned to its original name K’gari. K’gari is the local Butchulla nation’s name for the island, meaning ‘paradise’ – you’ll find out why soon enough.
You’ll never want to leave, as we explore the largest sand island in the world, kick back at some of Queensland’s most renowned lookouts, take a walk on the wild side in a lush rainforest, dive into Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) a crystal-clear lake, see the famous S.S Maheno shipwreck and course go dingo-spotting along the golden 75 Mile Beach. The fun needn’t stop there; after the tour feel free to enjoy Carlo Sand Blow and Rainbow Beach, or put your feet up in your accommodation.
Day 8: Rainbow Beach to Brisbane
Stop 1. It’s Bris-vegas baby! We’re off to Queensland’s capital, Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. See for yourself how wonderful Brisbane is with a walk (or ferry ride) along the aptly named Brisbane river and its surrounds.
Included Activities:
• Orientation tour.
Day 9: Brisbane to Airlie Beach
Stop 1. Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is yours.
Included Activities:
• Domestic Flight from Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays) included.
• Free afternoon and evening to explore Airlie Beach
Day 10: Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Islands
After breakfast, we’re heading out on a full-day speedboat cruise through the postcard-perfect Whitsunday Islands, including a stop at the iconic Whitehaven Beach aboard the award-winning Red Cat Adventures Thundercat vessel. Words can’t quite capture the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and lush greenery of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get up close by snorkelling among colourful coral, playful fish, and maybe even a sea turtle or two. Afterwards, unwind at your own pace or head into town to discover the best local food and drink spots.
Included Activities:
Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkelling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk and lunch
Day 11: Airlie Beach to Mission Beach
A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. This afternoon, kick back and enjoy. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. We may be even lucky enough to spot some cassowary in the wild!
Included Activities:
• Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway
Day 12: Mission Beach to Cairns via Atherton Tablelands
Stop 1. Lake Eacham Crater Lakes National Park Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We’ll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands.
Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water.
Included Activities:
• Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus
Stop 2. Atherton Tablelands
Visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We’ll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia’s most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities.
Day 13: Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkelling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a 20 metre luxury motor catamaran. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day at one of the seven natural wonders of the world (and the only one seen from space), join us for an optional dinner to share stories of our adventures together!
Included Activities:
• Great Barrier Reef day cruise with Ocean Freedom – including snorkelling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch
• Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
Day 14: Kuranda and Port Douglas
Stop 1. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway It’s go, go gondola, as we take an incredible gondola ride over ancient rainforest, the Barron River, and the surrounding mountains on our way to picturesque Kuranda with its colourful markets.
Included Activities:
• Skyrail gondola ride over the rainforest canopy
• Kuranda markets
Stop 2. Port Douglas Then, it’s a trip north to the chilled out village of Port Douglas, where you can choose to join the group for dinner, drinks and the stunning sunset.
Included Activities:
• Port Douglas orientation tour.
Day 15: Mossman Gorge & Cultural Experience
Stop 1. Sunday At The Port Douglas Market Ease into the day with a relaxed morning in beautiful Port Douglas — exactly as it should be. Stroll through the vibrant Sunday markets, grab a locally brewed coffee, and soak up the ocean views.
Stop 2. Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre Later, we’ll head to Mossman Gorge in the ancient Daintree Rainforest for a guided walk through lush jungle, flowing streams, and towering trees.
In the afternoon, connect with the land and its people during an immersive cultural experience with the Kuku Yalanji people. Learn about traditional customs, bush foods, and the deep spiritual ties they hold to Country — a truly memorable encounter.
Included Activities:
• Visit Mossman Gorge for an incredible walk through the rainforest
• Kuku Yalanji (First Nations) immersive cultural experience.
Day 16: Daintree Rainforest Cape Tribulation to Cairns
It’s another big day – we’re going deeper into the tropical World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation (don’t worry, it’s just a name!) on a short ferry. We’ll take a walk through the ancient rainforest and meet the local family who hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew whilst keeping our eyes peeled for ancient cassowary, birds and other wildlife.
In the afternoon we cruise the Daintree River (Julaymba) on the eco-friendly Solar Whisper, a quiet solar-powered boat, for an immersive wildlife experience. Spot crocodiles, birds, frogs, snakes, and more with the help of your expert guide and the unique “CROC CAM”.
We take a wonderful coastal drive back to Cairns, where your tour ends on arrival around 6pm. If you need help with post tour accommodation, please let us know as we can help! Thanks for a wonderful adventure together!
Included Activities:
Guided rainforest walk & with a chance to spot ancient cassowary birds and other wildlife
Eco-friendly crocodile and nature cruise on the Daintree River
Scenic coastal drive back to Cairns
Tour details
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Available from 7 September 2025 to 31 March 2028
Features
Service facilities
Disabled access available, contact operator for details.
Access & Inclusion
An access and inclusion statement is available on the business website.
- https://autopiatours.com.au/accessibility-guide/
Operation information
Autopia Tours – New South Wales
Autopia Tours offer some of Australia’s most unique, entertaining and interactive tour experiences and are internationally recognised as a market leader in small group adventure travel.
With a vision to provide customers with memories that excite and last a lifetime they showcase the best mix of natural beauty, wildlife, culture and foodie delights while exploring the extraordinary diversity of New South Wales.
The success of this company is thanks to an incredible team of life-long travellers, driven by a passion for travel adventures, respect of the land and the future of tourism.
Accreditations
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Quality Tourism Accreditation
Memberships
- Australian Tourism Export Council
- Regional Tourist/Tourism Association/Organisation
- Victoria Tourism Industry Council
- Visitor Information Centre
Current offers
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