SCY25 - Sydney To Cape York - East Coast Explorer.
Duration: 25 Days, 24 Nights

Depart Sydney at 7.30 am. Travelling through the northern suburbs of Sydney ad for a short time on the expressway, we turn off to begin our discovery of the little-travelled, yet most interesting areas of Australia. We begin our journey through country covered in native scrub and trees and magnificent Hawkesbury River sandstone cliffs. There are many small holdings and towns along the way before we drive into one of the most famous bush pubs at Wollombi, before proceeding onto the rich grazing lands of Paterson and the Hunter Valley, then continue north through Dungog, Gloucester and the Manning Valley. We then take state forest roads into spectacular hardwood and rainforest areas to Ellenborough Falls - one of the longest single-drop waterfalls in the Southern Hemisphere - before heading across the rich and very scenic Comboyne Plateau. We gain many spectacular views from the mountains to the ocean as we descend to arrive at our overnight destination at Mount Seaview.

Overnight: Mount Seaview (DBB)

Departing Mt Seaview, we first travel down the Hastings Valley then head north to the Macleay Valley and Kempsey, onwards to the Nambucca River for a morning tea stop and then continue through Coffs Harbour, and onto Grafton - the Jacaranda city - for our lunch stop. During the afternoon we will visit Ballina, and then take a picturesque coastal drive to Australia's most easterly point at Byron Bay. Here we will have some time to enjoy the sights which includes the Lighthouse at Cape Byron. We will make our way north, visiting the Tweed Valley before making or way to our overnight stay at Surfers Paradise.

Overnight: Paradise Resort, Surfers Paradise (DBB)

This morning we depart the Gold Coast, and travel through the suburbs of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane, then onwards t the Glass House Mountains to the Sunshine Coast region to arrive at one of Australia's best seaside playgrounds at Noosa Heads. Crossing the Noosa River by ferry, we join the coloured sands of Cooloola Beach then travel many kilometres along the beach to the wreck of the "Cherry Venture". We cross top Double Island Point to the Coloured Sands, a wonderful colourful beach cliff area, hence the name. We travel further along the beach to Inskip Point, joining the barge to cross to Fraser Island - a World Heritage listed National Park.

Overnight: Eurong Beach Resort, Fraser Island (DBB)

Today is a panoramic day, filled with the many beautiful sights of Fraser Island. This is the only island in the world where rainforest grows in pure sand and is renown for its freshwater lakes - Lake Boomagin, Birrabeen and Mackenzie - that coexist with massive sand dunes.

We will take walks along the rainforest trails, travel along picturesque 4WD tracks and view the golden sand beaches, where we visit the old "Maheno" wreck and Eli Creek.

Overnight: Eurong Beach Resort, Fraser Island (DBB)

We begin our day, travelling from east to west across Fraser Island, noticing incredible contrast in the natural surrounding environment. We join the barge to cross to Harvey Bay, often viewing whales during the months of August to October, then onwards to Bundaberg. During the afternoon we take many back tracks through farming areas to Gladstone, arriving in rockhampton, a major rural city on the Fitzroy River of the central coast of Queensland.

Overnight: Archer Park Motel, Rockhampton (DBB)

The first part of our journey today takes us through the heart of Queensland's coastands cattle country to Clairview on the Coral Sea coast before travelling into the rich sugar cane ion of Sarina. We then travel through the scenic countryside around Mt Charleton and Eungella National Park. We visit Proserpine, Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour - the gateway to the Whitsundays.

Overnight: Colonial Palms Motel, Airlie Beach (DBB)

Today we enjoy the many wonders of the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. We take a "Fantasea Cruise" to enjoy Daydream Island, Hamilton Island and spectacular Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. During our cruise, we have plenty of time to take part in optional activities, such as jet-skiing, wind-surfing, snorkelling etc. We return to Shute Harbour late afternoon.

Overnight: Colonial Palms, Airlie Beach (DBBL)

We farewell the tropical rainforests and islands of the Whitsundays and travel inland to an historic gold-mining village of Ravenswood. Here you can enjoy lunch in the fabulous Imperial Hotel and then try fossicking in the past and present diggings of the area. We venture onwards to Mt Elliot National Park and Townsville for sightseeing before proceeding on to Crystal Creek National Park where a you may enjoy a cool refreshing swim in the pools of this cascading creek. Paluma is the next destination and location for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Hidden Valley Cabins, Hidden Valley (DBB)

We take a short drive alongside the running river to explore wilderness trails, then on to Mt Fox, an extinct volcano. We take many vantage points to view the spectacular Stone River Valley form the Ingham Range, then pass Hinchinbrook Island National Park and onto Cardwell. Our lunch break is at Mission Beach overlooking Dunk Island.

Travelling through Palmerstone National Park, we view the rugged Johnstone River Valley from Crawford's Lookout and then move onto the spectacular Mungalli Falls, Elinjoa Falls and Zillie Falls. Experiencing the Atherton Tablelands, we visit many highlights such as the Curtain Fig Tree, tranquil Lakes Eacham and Barrine, before arriving at our overnight destination of Atherton.

Overnight: Atherton Rainforest Motor Inn, Atherton (DBB)

Leaving Atherton we head across the rich Atherton Tablelands to Kuranda and its historic railway station before visiting Barron Falls. You will have an option to either take the famous train to Cairns or take a ride on the skyway as we al head to Cairns to enjoy a relaxing afternoon and overnight stay.

Overnight: Figtree Lodge, Cairns (DBB)

Leaving Cairns we head north along the beautiful coastline to visit Mossman and Port Douglas, an old port which today is an all year playground for the rich and famous. We then travel on to enjoy the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge and Valley of The Palms. We 4WD trek along the Bloomfield Track enjoying many scenic locations including Bloomfield Falls and Cedar Bay national Park before arriving in Cooktown for our overnight stay.

Overnight: River Of Gold, Cooktown (DBB)

An early start from Cooktown, we head west to Battle Camp and onwards into Lakefield National Park. After visiting "Old Laura" homestead we travel through many fascinating river valleys and numerous giant termite mounds before arriving at Musgrave Station for an afternoon break. We continue our journey to Coen for our overnight stay in guesthouse accommodation.

Overnight: Mrs Taylor's Guesthouse, Coen (DBB)

Travelling along part of the southern leg of the old Telegraph Track we come to the Archer River, one of the Cape's well known obstacles. We continue our adventure to one of Australia's most remote towns as we head across to the western part of the Cape to visit Weipa. Weipa is situated on Albatross Bay, a rich and modern mining town that exports millions of tonnes of bauxite from its harbour every year.

Overnight: Albatross Hotel Resort, Weipa (DBB)

After further exploring the surrounds of Weipa, we head north to Gibson's Waterhole and cross the Wenlock River at the rugged stones crossing location before heading onto the ruins of Agnew and then onwards to Bramwell Station for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Bramwell Station, Bramwell Station (DBB)

Heading north along the old Telegraph line track we encounter many rugged creek crossings, such as Gunshot and Cockatoo Creeks then onwards to visi the spectacular waterfalls at Fruit Bat and Elliot Falls. After crossing many creeks we arrive at the Cape's most famous river, the Jardine. Here we can enjoy another tranquil lunch site before crossing the crocodile infested stream by ferry, then onwards to Bamaga and Punsand Bay Retreat for our next three nights. We stay in air-conditioned cabins or tent cabins by the sea, in the most exotic setting you can imagine.

Overnight: Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay(DBB)

A change today from 4WD travelling as we take a boat cruise across the Torres Strait to Thursday Island and enjoy a guided tour around this small island. The island is situated between Cape York and New Guinea. We return later in the afternoon to our little area of paradise at Punsand Bay for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay(DBB)

The most northerly tip of the Australian continent, Cape York, is our destination. We celebrate with champagne before visiting the remains of Somerset, which was established by the Jardines as the government outpost for the Torres Strait.

We spend some time at some secluded beaches, where we have previously sighted dugongs and sea turtles. This is a particularly scenic part of the Cape, with lots to see and do. Later in the afternoon, we return to Punsand Bay for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay(DBB)

This morning we have an early start and head south along the bypass road, crossing numerous creeks and rivers to our overnight stay at Old Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River.

Overnight: Moreton Telegraph Station(DBB)

Heading further south today, travelling along the old telegraph track we visit Mungkan Kaanju National Park, a large serene wilderness area spreading from the dense rainforests covering the McIlwraith Range in the eastern end of the park to the wetlands in the west. Travelling in the afternoon further south through Coen to our overnight stop at Musgrave Station.

Overnight: Musgrave Station(DBB)

Heading south along the track towards Laura, we head off into Palmer River goldfields and cattle station trails to our overnight stay at Chillago which is famous for its limestone caves.

Overnight: Chillago Caves Lodge, Chillago (DBB)

Heading along the Great Dividing Range and on through numerous cattle stations, we arrive at Undarra Lava Tubes, spending the afternoon enjoying some sightseeing and learning about this fascinating location.

Overnight: Undarra Experience, Undarra Lava Tubes (DBB)

Crossing back onto the eastern side of the Great Divide we head to Charters Towers, an historic and traditional town in central Queensland, before heading south through the Burdekin River catchment to Clermont, and on to our overnight stay at Emerald.

Overnight: Springsure Zamia, Springsure (DBB)

Early start this morning as we head through Springsure on our way to Carnarvon Gorge, where we arrive by mid-morning at the luxury Carnarvon Gorge Lodge. Spend all afternoon enjoying various walks, viewing great sites and taking in all the magificence the Carnarvon Gorge has to offer.

Overnight: Takarakka Bush Resort, Carnarvon Gorge(DBB)

Leaving the Gorge we head firstly to Injune, then southwards to Roma, a large regional centre in Southern inland Queensland. Continuing on, we will visit St George for lunch and then down to Mungindi, crossing into NSW. Then onwards through the rich wheat and cotton growing farmlands to our overnight destination in Moree.

Overnight: Billabong Motel, Moree (DBB)

On our final day of tis grand journey, we head to Narrabri and Boggabri on our way to Gunnedah. We then make our way through the rich Breeza Plains to Quirindi before heading across the range to the upper Hunter Valley and downwards into the famous wine-growing area around Pokolbin, enjoying wine-tasting before our final leg of our journey down the F3 freeway, across the Hawkesbury to arrive in Sydney at approximately 5pm.

INCLUSIONS: - 4WD air-conditioned deluxe transport - All twin share accommodation - All dinners and breakfasts - Morning or Afternoon teas - Barge and Ferry Fees - Boat Cruise and Tour of Thursday Island - All National Park entries - Experienced driver guide Prices: See our pricing guide. TOUR CODE: SCY25

Back to top