14-Day Australia Classic Tour: Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie & Blue Mountains
The journey from Cairns to Sydney on a thrilling Australia tour! This 14-Day Australia tour package will lead you through the best attractions on the east coast.
Highlights
- Cairns
- Cape Tribulation
- Airlie Beach
- Whitsunday Islands
- Brisbane
- Byron Bay
- Port Macquarie
- the Blue Mountains
- Sydney
Attractions included in this trip:
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Itinerary
Day 1: Cairns
Today, you can arrive at any time in Cairns and self-transfer to your hotel.
There are no scheduled events during the day, so check into the hotel and feel free to explore the area, just make sure you are back in time to attend the Welcome Meeting (usually between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm).
Your tour guide will review the specifics of your tour after introductions.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
-The Bungee Jumping (179AUD per person)
Leave your worries at home and when you parachute from 164ft, prepare to get your breath taken away. Now is the time to set your inner daredevil free—what are you waiting for?
-Swing Minjin (129AUD per person)
Soar on the fastest jungle swing in the world across the rainforest. Gear up and be pushed at a heart-racing, adrenaline-pumping 120km/hr to 150ft above the ground before soaring over the canopy. We can hear your shouts already!
– Skydiving in the clouds (310-400AUD per person)
From an eagle’s view, enjoy the awe-inspiring beauty of Cairns. To soar high over the land and sea, suit up, get briefed, and board the prop plane. Take a breath and dive for a once-in-a-lifetime free-fall. Strap on your coach. This really is what a normal high feels like!
– Rafting in Whitewater (138-210AUD per person)
Put on a helmet, grab a paddle, and raft the Class 3 & 4 rapids of the mighty Tully River, considered the finest rafting river in all Australia & New Zealand.
-Skyrail & Kuranda Railway Scenic (111-124AUD per person)
For a trip with a stunning view along the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, settle into a luxurious 6-seat gondola. Pass over the canopy of one of the tropical rainforests of Australia, so it’s as if you might reach out and touch the leaves near the treetops. Afterward, take the Kuranda Scenic Railway back to Cairns through a lush tropical paradise surrounded by rugged mountains, waterfalls, and ravines.
Ride through hand-hewn tunnels and over sheer bridges, through the awe-inspiring Barron Gorge, on genuine timber carriages. Experience the exotic beauty of the tropical rainforests of North Queensland, marveling at the remarkable diversity of plants and animals found all along the way.
Day 2: Cairns – Cape Tribulation
Today, we will go north to Cape Tribulation for two nights.
We will take an interpretative walk through the Daintree Rainforest along the way and visit Mossman Gorge.
Follow the Aboriginal guide and learn about bush food, medicinal plants, and the Kuku Yalanji people’s enduring relationship with their natural environment. Find out how to produce bush soap, watch a demonstration of ochre painting and taste some bush tea.
We will then arrive at Cape Tribulation.
Day 3: Cape Tribulation
Opt for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with a free day or to visit Daintree National Park.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
– The Great Reef Barrier (149AUD per person)
To enter the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, get on a boat and head out to sea. Don a mask and opt for the world’s biggest coral reef to snorkel. Say g’day to Nemo, a clownfish, and some of the 1,500 other tropical fish species that live off Australia’s eastern coast in the warm waters.
– Visiting Daintree National Park (Free)
Move back in time in this lush tropical rainforest, estimated to be more than 110 million years old! Bring your binoculars, like the Buff-breasted paradise kingfisher and the flightless cassowary, to spot some of the 430 species of birds. Look out for possums, bandicoots, echidna, and musky rat kangaroos on the field.
Discover that this is considered a holy place by the Aborigines.
– Surfing in the Jungle (105AUD per person)
See the Rainforest of Daintree from the top of the canopy. With guides pointing out the various flora and fauna as you zip by, this two-hour tour will have you ziplining between six canopy platforms. As you jump from tree to tree, channel your inner tree kangaroo, seeing the beauty of the oldest rainforest in the world.
-Rainforest Daintree Night Walk (45AUD per person)
When the sun goes down, take a torch and head out into the jungle for a guided night walk. You will spot numerous critics with your guide who call this area home. When listening to the sounds of the rainforest at night, keep your eyes open for sleeping bats, birds, lizards, and spiders.
– Horseback Riding Cape Tribulation (110AUD per person)
Jump on the saddle and discover your trusty steed in the rainforest. Travel on the beautiful Myall Beach through lush canopy floors and crystal clear streams. Gallop through the spray of the ocean to top off this adventure!
Day 4: Cape Tribulation – Cairns
Return to Cairns in the afternoon with free time to explore this laid-back city.
Day 5: Cairns – Airlie Beach
To reach Airlie Beach with time to explore the area, depart early for a full day of travel. Rest on your way to the Ingan Cultural Museum for lunch and a tour, where you will have the opportunity to engage in a painting activity with traditional Jirrbal Aboriginal artists – a perfect opportunity to see the diversity of Aboriginal people from a local perspective!
Day 6: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Island – Airlie Beach
Set sail for a day and explore the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsunday Islands. Choose to swim or snorkel around these beautiful islands and spend a day at sea. Returning for the night to Airlie Beach.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
– Snorkeling from the Whitsunday Islands (Free)
Use the snorkel equipment included, throw a mask on it and see what lives in the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 7: Airlie Beach – Brisbane – Byron Bay
Fly to Brisbane and transfer to Byron Bay for two nights in this “hippie” paradise.
Day 8: Byron Bay
Spend the day walking around the town or engaging in a variety of optional events, such as sea kayaking or visiting Minyon Falls.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
– Tour of the Hinterland and Minyon Falls (139AUD per person)
For a 2-hour guided walk through the rainforest to stunning Minyon Falls, head inland to Nightcap National Park, a subtropical rainforest in part of Australia’s World Heritage Area’s Gondwana Rainforests.
Visit the quaint town of Bangalow, the oldest town in the area and popular for its historic storefronts, after a relaxing swim at the base of the 100m drop. Enjoy the drive back to Byron Bay, passing through historic towns and spectacular scenery, after visiting local shops and cafés. Locally sourced lunch with barbecue included.
– School of Yoga (18AUD per person)
Zen out with a trained coach during a yoga class and practice different stretches, postures, and breathing exercises.
– Watching the Whale (89AUD per person)
In pursuit of the majestic Humpback Whales, enjoy an exciting excursion on the water. They migrate north from their feeding grounds in Antarctica between May and November to breed and give birth in the tropics. See the distinctive flukes (tails) and watch for dolphins, turtles, and a number of sea birds as well.
– Visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse (Free)
3km (1.9 mi) northeast of Byron Bay is Cape Byron Lighthouse. Of all the working lighthouses in the country, the famous white structure emits the most powerful light, and it is also located at the easternmost point of the Australian continent. Travel up to the top of the tower to scan the ocean for whales (here is the Whale Study Centre of the Southern Cross University).
– Byron Bay Kayaking in the Ocean
Slice through the waters of the famous Byron Bay on this half-day kayaking trip. See the Julian Rocks Marine Reserve, paddle past the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, and ride the waves to shore. On top of all, keep a close eye on the (seasonal) dolphins and whales that call these waters home. Oh, Epic? Definitely. Certainly.
Day 9: Byron Bay – Port Macquarie
Hit the waves with a surfing lesson included. Travel to Port Macquarie’s coastal township, which features all the charm of the beach set alongside beautiful national parks. In Port Macquarie, enjoy an evening.
Day 10: Port Macquarie – Blue Mountains
On the way to the Blue Mountains, choose to stop at the Koala Hospital to learn about the region’s important wildlife conservation activities.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
– Visiting Koala Hospital (2AUD per person)
Visit the Hospital of Koala, read about these rare creatures, and even embrace your own Koala!
Day 11: Blue Mountains
Explore the region around the Three Sisters, including Leura and Katoomba. Visit the Jenolan Caves, stroll through the Jamison Valley and hop on the Scenic Railway, the world’s steepest railway.
Tour of Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves are a protected area of the Blue Mountains, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These limestone karst caves are the oldest caves in the world and are significant from a scientific and sightseeing point of view. Enjoy a guided tour of this fascinating underworld in the cool climes.
Scenic Railway
This railway is steep and plunges through the valley and into the rainforest. The journey is beautifully scenic. At the end, choose to return to the visitor center on a rainforest walk or a cable car.
Jamison Walk of the Valley
Via the famous Three Sisters, take in some spectacular lookouts over the Jamison Valley. Down the giant 900-step staircase to the valley floor. Walk to the steepest slope railway in the world between the beautiful trees, the Katoomba Scenic Railway. Opt to ride or take the Scenic Cableway from its 52-degree angle. Take the 900 stairs back up if you are ready for more walking, and time permitting.
Excursion to the Blue Mountains
Discover the major attractions of the Blue Mountains, from sightseeing to bushwalking to cafés and more with charming Leura as your foundation.
Day 12: the Blue Mountains – Sydney
Travel to Sydney to explore the city and enjoy a free afternoon. Opt for bike hire, walk through the botanical gardens, or visit the famous Opera House.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
– Excursion to the Blue Mountains (37-165AUD per person)
Stroll along the waterfront, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973, to admire Sydney’s most iconic landmark. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to explore its history, folklore, and more.
Around two million people a year come to the Opera House to see concerts and cultural events. Catch the boom of the grand organ-it took 10 years to build with more than 10,000 pipes and is the world’s largest mechanical organ.
Day 13: Sydney
Get a sense of the city. Choose to ascend Sydney Harbour Bridge, zoom on a jet boat through the harbor, or chill by the sea at Bondi Beach. Enjoy the party with an optional last night out.
Optional (Own Expense) Activities***
-Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge
Climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, one of the world’s most famous bridges. Soak up Sydney’s stunning panoramic city views at the apex, a great photo opp and memory to take with you home!
-Drive-by Jet Boat (85AUD per person)
Want a shot of adrenaline? The way to go is a jet boat. As beautiful scenery whizzes by, hang on and get ready for a white-water thrill. Explore Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Islands, and much more!
– Coogee Beach to the Coastal Walk to Bondi Beach
Go for a stroll along with one of Australia’s most popular trails. Pass by secluded beaches, huge cliffs, and more spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean than conceivable – all before landing at the world-famous Bondi Beach. Keep a keen eye on the ocean from May through December to try to spot migrating humpback whales.
– Visit the Sydney Opera House (37-165AUD per person)
Stroll along the waterfront, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 1973, to admire Sydney’s most iconic landmark. Take a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site to explore its history, folklore, and more.
Around two million people a year come to the Opera House to see concerts and cultural events. Catch the boom of the grand organ-it took 10 years to build with more than 10,000 pipes and is the world’s largest mechanical organ.
-Adrenaline Package in Sydney
Admire the city with this Adrenaline Package from new angles. Start with a climb of 134m (440 ft) above sea level to the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge! From an expert guide, learn the tale of the bridge and take in the epic views.
Next, board a jet boat and enjoy the fun of spins, slides, and fishtails along the way, discovering famous sights such as the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, and Shark Island. Book and save for all sports with this Adrenaline Package.
Day 14: Sydney
The tour, 14-Day Australia Classic Tour: Cape Tribulation, Airlie Beach, Byron Bay, Port Macquarie & Blue Mountains, ends today. You can depart at any time.
Flights and hotel search for Sydney
