Beaches & Reefs with Sailing | 2023 - 2024

What's Included

• Accommodation

  Accommodation at various locations including Wake Up, Habitat Noosa, Base Backpackers, Prosail, and Gilligans.

• Sydney Opera House Tour

  Explore the iconic Sydney Opera House.

• ANZAC Memorial Visit

  Visit the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney.

• Royal Botanic Gardens Tour

  Tour the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney.

• Surf Lesson in Byron Bay

  Enjoy an afternoon surf lesson in Byron Bay.

• Noosa Everglades Exploration

  Discover tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests in Noosa Everglades.

• K'gari Experience

  Experience sand dunes, lakes, rainforests, and the world’s longest sand highway on K'gari.

• Whitsunday Islands Visit

  Visit Whitehaven Beach and snorkel around the reefs in the Whitsunday Islands.

• Magnetic Island Tour

  Go koala-spotting and see WWII fortifications on Magnetic Island.

• Daintree Rainforest Tour

  Tour the world’s oldest rainforest and learn about ancient 'Dreamtime' stories in the Daintree Rainforest.

• Meals

  Meals included as per the itinerary.

• Transportation

  Transportation between destinations as per the itinerary.

What's Not Included

• Optional Activities

  Optional activities such as the Harbour Bridge climb, jetboat ride, and bike tour in Sydney.
  
  

• Personal Expenses

  Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks.
  
  

• Travel Insurance

  Travel insurance is not included and must be purchased separately.
  
  

• International Flights

  International flights to and from Australia are not included.
  
  

• Visa Fees

  Visa fees for entry into Australia are not included.
  
  

• Gratuities

  Gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff are not included.
  
  

Dining Summary

• 11 Breakfast (B)
• 5 Dinner (D)
• 5 Lunch (L)

Active

• Byron Bay: You’re booked in for an afternoon surf lesson. Side note: schedule some chillout time afterwards – you might ache from wrestling the tides.
• Whitsunday Islands: Float around the reefs, marvel at rainbow-coloured fish, then chill out on deck (and secretly hope no one brought a ukulele).
• Whitsunday Islands: Step aboard a converted racing yacht – where your friendly captain trusts you enough to let you try steering it.
• Whitsunday Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is home to nearly 9,000 species of sea creatures. This means it’ll impress even the saltiest ‘sea dogs’.
• Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail.

Culture

• Sydney: Passports at the ready folks.
• Noosa Everglades: Our Special Stay Eco Lodges are in the heart of the action. You may even have a jumping joey as a friendly neighbour.
• Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.
• Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking's Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional.
• Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!
• Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.
• Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.

FAQs

• Sydney: Why does the itinerary use dual-names for locations (ie. Warrane/Sydney)? Contiki acknowledges the Traditional and Torres Strait Island owners of the land, sea and waters of the spectacular Australian continent. Dual-naming reflects that, as we explore this remarkable land, we recognise and respect Indigenous custodianship of a unique, ancient culture and country.
• Gimuy (Cairns): Can I catch a flight the next day after diving at the Great Barrier Reef? It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after your last dive before flying.
• Yunbenun (Magnetic Island): Can I get a single or twin room upgrade in Magnetic Island? During your 2-night stay in Magnetic Island, you’ll stay in multi-share rooms with the same sex even (if you’ve booked single or twin room for the trip duration). But if you’d like some privacy, you can request a paid upgrade to a single or twin room, but the confirmation would depend on availability.Please note that this is a modular trip. That means you’ll be joining a trip that started 1 week earlier – if you wish to do the full version, please refer to the Ultimate Australia trip.
• Airlie Beach: What is the sailing boat like in the Whitsundays? Pretty darn epic, if you ask us. It’s a converted racing yacht that sleeps up to 20 people with all the basic amenities. It’s snazzy – perfect if you’re all about fun adventures out on the sea.

Foodie

• Noosa Everglades: We’ll say hey to Scottish cows and English pigs. We’ll explore a unique 80-acre farm, where the farmers share a passion for sustainability. We’ll sample food that’s grown using traditional methods and is 100% chemical-free. What ‘moo’ could you ask for?
• K’gari: Ready for some true tranquillity? Today you’ll have the chance to dine and unwind on the simply stunning island of K’Gari (Fraser Island).
• Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)

Included Experience

• Sydney: Dramatic scenery. Fresh mountain air filling your lungs. A World Heritage Site. If that’s your thing, prepare to be impressed.
• Sydney: The Opera House. ANZAC Memorial. Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s all here for you to post on social and make your friends jealous!
• Sydney: Step onto the golden stretch of one of the world’s most famous beaches. The ultimate sandy nirvana for sun worshippers.
• Sydney: Passports at the ready folks.
• Byron Bay: You’re booked in for an afternoon surf lesson. Side note: schedule some chillout time afterwards – you might ache from wrestling the tides.
• Noosa Everglades: We’ll say hey to Scottish cows and English pigs. We’ll explore a unique 80-acre farm, where the farmers share a passion for sustainability. We’ll sample food that’s grown using traditional methods and is 100% chemical-free. What ‘moo’ could you ask for?
• Noosa Everglades: The gateway to tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests of Noosa Everglades. And if that doesn’t tempt you: there’s a micro-brewery onsite.
• Noosa Everglades: Our Special Stay Eco Lodges are in the heart of the action. You may even have a jumping joey as a friendly neighbour.
• K’gari: Sand dunes. Check. Lakes. Check. Rainforest. Check. World’s longest sand highway. Check. Possibly one of the coolest places we know.
• K’gari: Thanks to the white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll think you’re stranded on a paradise island.
• K’gari: Ready for some true tranquillity? Today you’ll have the chance to dine and unwind on the simply stunning island of K’Gari (Fraser Island).
• Whitsunday Islands: Float around the reefs, marvel at rainbow-coloured fish, then chill out on deck (and secretly hope no one brought a ukulele).
• Whitsunday Islands: Seeing Whitehaven Beach is like seeing a little piece of heaven. With 15 of your new best friends! #lifegoals
• Whitsunday Islands: Step aboard a converted racing yacht – where your friendly captain trusts you enough to let you try steering it.
• Whitsunday Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is home to nearly 9,000 species of sea creatures. This means it’ll impress even the saltiest ‘sea dogs’.
• Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.
• Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking's Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional.
• Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail.
• Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!
• Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.
• Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.
• Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)
• Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.
• Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.
• Daintree Rainforest: Learn how ancient ‘Dreamtime’ stories were shared through art. Then unleash your inner Banksy and create a masterpiece at the Janbal Gallery.

Nature

• Sydney: Dramatic scenery. Fresh mountain air filling your lungs. A World Heritage Site. If that’s your thing, prepare to be impressed.
• Sydney: Step onto the golden stretch of one of the world’s most famous beaches. The ultimate sandy nirvana for sun worshippers.
• K’gari: Sand dunes. Check. Lakes. Check. Rainforest. Check. World’s longest sand highway. Check. Possibly one of the coolest places we know.
• K’gari: Thanks to the white sand and turquoise waters, you’ll think you’re stranded on a paradise island.
• Whitsunday Islands: Seeing Whitehaven Beach is like seeing a little piece of heaven. With 15 of your new best friends! #lifegoals
• Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.
• Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.

Special Stay

• Noosa Everglades: The gateway to tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests of Noosa Everglades. And if that doesn’t tempt you: there’s a micro-brewery onsite.

Accommodation

Stay at a variety of locations including Wake Up, Habitat Noosa, Base Backpackers, Prosail, and Gilligans, offering a mix of eco-lodges, backpacker hostels, and yacht accommodations for a unique and adventurous experience.