The Journey
River city, theme parks, hinterland and the Great Barrier Reef
QUEENSLAND EXPLORER CIRCUIT
Brisbane → Gold Coast → Cairns
Duration
Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the reef in nine days
Cities
Brisbane · Gold Coast · Cairns
Best Time
Jun – Aug
For
Customisable
What's Included
Daily breakfast at your hotel
Airport transfer on arrival
Hotels in Brisbane, beachfront Surfers Paradise and the Cairns Esplanade
Brisbane city tour and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Full-day entry to a Gold Coast theme park
Tamborine Mountain hinterland day
Full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise with snorkelling
Kuranda by Scenic Railway and Skyrail cableway
Road transfer to the Gold Coast and flight to Cairns
Day-by-Day Plan
Every moment of your journey, planned to perfection.
Day 1
Arrive Brisbane
International arrival into Brisbane, then South Bank Parklands and the riverfront.
Afternoon
South Bank Parklands
2 hr · Free
Day 2
Brisbane city tour and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
A guided city tour, then koala and native wildlife encounters at Lone Pine.
Morning
Brisbane City Tour
4 hr
Afternoon
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
3 hr 30 min · AUD 63 adult day pass · children 3-13 AUD 45
Day 3
Transfer to the Gold Coast
Road transfer south to Surfers Paradise, with a beachfront orientation walk and sunset.
Afternoon
Surfers Paradise
1 hr 30 min · Free
Day 4
Gold Coast theme-park day
A full day at a Gold Coast theme park, with rides, shows and character meet-and-greets.
Morning
Warner Bros. Movie World
6 hr
Sea World Gold Coast
6 hr
Day 5
Tamborine Mountain hinterland
Scenic drive to Tamborine Mountain for a rainforest walk and local hinterland produce.
Morning
Tamborine Mountain
4 hr · Free
Gallery Walk, Tamborine Mountain
1 hr 30 min · Free
Day 6
Fly to Cairns
Flight north to Cairns, an Esplanade orientation walk and an evening at leisure.
Afternoon
Cairns Esplanade
1 hr · Free
Day 7
Great Barrier Reef cruise
A full-day reef cruise with snorkelling and glass-bottom or semi-submersible viewing.
Morning
Great Barrier Reef Cruise
7 hr · From AUD 312 adult (Great Adventures Great Barrier Reef Adventure day cruise)
Day 8
Kuranda by Scenic Railway and Skyrail
The rainforest railway up to Kuranda village, with the Skyrail cableway on the return.
Morning
Kuranda Scenic Railway
1 hr 30 min · AUD 58 one-way adult · AUD 87 return (Heritage Class)
Afternoon
Kuranda Village
2 hr 30 min · Free
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
2 hr 30 min · AUD 111 adult return · AUD 74 one-way
Day 9
Departure from Cairns
Breakfast, check-out and a transfer to Cairns airport for the departure flight.
Where You'll Stay
Handpicked properties, chosen for comfort and location.
StayBrisbane· choose one of 2
StayGold Coast
StayCairns· choose one of 2
