9 Day Fully Escorted Tour to the Sunshine Coast & K'gari

Our tour commences today with a transfer from Hamilton to our accommodation near Auckland International Airport. We dine together this evening at our hotel. 

Accommodation: Novotel Auckland Airport – 1 night

This morning we make our way to Auckland International Airport to check in for our direct flight to Brisbane. After checking in, we will have some time in the Strata Lounge to enjoy a light breakfast before proceeding to our departure gate. After completing entry formalities at Brisbane Airport, we will board our coach and head to the Breakfast Creek Hotel for lunch. Nearby is Newstead House, once the finest home in the colony of Moreton Bay it was considered the heart of Brisbane’s social scene. Built in 1846, it is now Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence and tells the story of early colonial life in Brisbane. Following a guided tour of the house, we’ll make our way to our Brisbane hotel to check in. Our hotel is located close by the Brisbane River and CBD area. Dinner this evening is at our hotel.   

Accommodation: Royal on the Park Brisbane – 2 nights

This morning we have a short transfer to the Brisbane River to join Mirimar Cruises for a one-way up-stream Brisbane River Cruise to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Founded in 1927, it is the oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary of its kind in the world. The sanctuary is home to over 100 koala’s and 75 species of other Australian native animals. Whilst here we enjoy time at leisure to discover the Sanctuary, as well as a 30-minute Private Koala Encounter. In the afternoon we take a scenic drive through Brisbane, finishing at the Mt Coot-Tha lookout to take in the panoramic views of the area. Dinner is included this evening. 

Farewelling Brisbane, we head north and our morning break today is in the small town of Eumundi located on the northern part of the Sunshine Coast. Every Wednesday and Saturday this sleepy town transforms into a vibrant mecca for shoppers thanks to the renowned Eumundi Markets. Enjoy time here to browse the stalls, where local artisans offer everything from handmade crafts to gourmet treats. Today’s lunch stop is in the small town of Maryborough, which has a unique link to the world’s most famous nanny, being the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers. Here we have entry to The Story Bank, an interactive museum dedicated to everything Mary Poppins. Lunch is at the Portside Café and Restaurant, then it is around an hour to River Heads which is the boarding location for the Fraser Island Ferry. Stretching over 123 kilometres along the southern coast of Queensland, K’gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world and is recognised as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding ongoing ecological and biological processes and as an example of superlative natural phenomena. Our accommodation whilst on K’gari (Fraser Island) is at the Kingfisher Bay Resort nestled amongst tree-covered dunes. The resort embraces its incredible natural surroundings and has several restaurants and bars. Dinner is included this evening. 

Accommodation: Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island – 3 nights

Following breakfast our day tour of Fraser Island commences in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. We will visit Lake Mackenzie, one of the 40 perched lakes found on the island. With its clear, blue fresh water and white sandy shores, it truly is postcard perfect. Central Station is the historic heart of Fraser Island, and the original headquarters of the island’s forestry operation back when tree felling was allowed. It is very exciting and quite unusual to drive along the sand – the waves crashing on the beach on one side and the sand dunes on the other – be prepared for a thrilling drive! Time for a photo opportunity at the Maheno Shipwreck. This hospital ship was blown ashore during a cyclone – whilst being towed to Japan. Don’t forget your swimming costume, in one thirty km section of the beach are 200 creeks running into the Pacific Ocean, some large and some appearing as wet sand from the dunes to the surf. The largest and most attractive though is Eli Creek. This clear water is the perfect place to take a swim in the lower reaches of the creek. A drive along the famous “highway” of 75 Mile Beach will remove any memories of city life. After a full day of adventure, we return to the resort for an evening at leisure. 

This morning will be a highlight as we head off in search of migrating humpback whales on a memorable whale watching cruise. Seeing a whale in the wild is the experience of a lifetime and one of the safest places to do this is in the Hervey Bay National Marine Park. Witnessing the awesome humpback whale as it offers a spectacular display of pectoral slaps, body rolls and the breathtaking breach is a truly inspiring moment. At the conclusion of our morning cruise, we will enjoy lunch together before the afternoon’s bush tucker talk and tasting given by one of the resident rangers. Following dinner tonight, you can take in the light and sound spectacle Illumina. Using the surrounding native environment as an artistic platform, Illumina begins with the ‘Return to Sky’ show – an extraordinary journey into the heart of K’gari, exploring the island’s unique landscapes, regeneration, and growth. The show captivates audiences with its ethereal beauty, casting vibrant hues and intricate patterns across the night sky, celebrating the movement, texture, and colour of K’gari as the narrative of the world’s largest sand island unfolds in an unforgettable, multi-sensory display.  Weather permitting. 

Following breakfast, it’s time to depart Fraser Island and return to the mainland by ferry. Our journey then continues through Hervey Bay and Maryborough before arriving in Gympie where we pause to enjoy a light lunch. Retracing our steps through the Sunshine Coast, we’ll make a stop at Yandina to visit Australia’s largest Ginger Factory. Here we enjoy an engaging audio-visual display tracing the life of ginger from planting to production. You will also see ginger growing in the patch and gain insight into the factory’s operations from the observation deck. In the late afternoon we arrive in Caloundra and check into the Oaks Oasis Resort, a relaxing base for our final nights of our tour. Dinner is included this evening at the resort.

Accommodation: Oaks Oasis Resort Caloundra – 2 nights

Following breakfast, it’s time for a sightseeing drive through the Sunshine Coast, travelling along the coastal road north to Noosa for a cruise along the Noosa River and the Noosa Canals. Aboard a comfortable vessel, we’ll cruise down the river via the spectacular waterfront homes of ‘Millionaires Row’ and navigate a journey through Woods Bay, Weyba Creek, the River Mouth and the Noosa Sound Canals. After the cruise, enjoy some free time in the vibrant Hastings Street precinct, known for its boutique shopping, cafes and laid-back atmosphere. Take the opportunity to purchase lunch and soak up the relaxed coastal vibe before returning to Caloundra for the final evening of our tour. A farewell dinner will be enjoyed at our accommodation tonight.  

Breakfast will be served in the hotel restaurant. Transfer by private coach to Brisbane Airport to check in for our return flight to Auckland arriving early evening.  

On Day 03, the one way cruise from central Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary arrives at a section of the river where there are relatively steep steps up to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. There is no easy walking path or gentle slope up to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary due to the river level and the entry point of the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary being much higher up. If anyone has difficulty walking and they wish to book on the tour we could arrange for them to travel by coach to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and not have to negotiate the steps.

The majority of the rooms this tour would utilise at the Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island would have rooms that do not have a walk in shower. The showers are above a bath that is around 45 centimetres high. The baths have non-slip mats and handrails. There are some rooms with Walk in Showers that can be requested, but only around 2-3 and these are located slightly further away from the restaurant and reception area compared to the rooms the group would stay in.