9D8N Queensland Classic

Collect your vehicle today and head north on the Bruce Highway. This road travels inland from Caloundra to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, skirting the hinterland region. Arriving into Hervey Bay, continue to the River Heads village for departure to Fraser Island, the world’s largest Sand Island, at 123 kilometres long, and a haven for nature lovers.
Check into the mainland terminal, unload luggage and then park your car (choice of car parking available – own expense). Board the Kingfisher Bay Ferry for the transfer across to Fraser Island. On arrival on Fraser Island check-in and then the rest of the day is at leisure to start exploring the Island.

Today is at your leisure, to explore the natural beauty of Fraser Island.

Depart Fraser Island and return to River Heads village by ferry. Onarrival, collect your rental car and continue along on the Bruce Highway toward Childers. Take step back in history and visit the town’s many historical buildings and stop by one of the cafes and sample famous local ice cream. Continue back towards the coast to Bargara to where you’ll find beautiful beaches, stunning rocky coastlines and the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef!

Depart Bargara and continue on the highway north to Gladstone and continue travelling a further 110 kilometres to Rockhampton, which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn. 45 kilometres from Rockhampton is Yeppoon a seaside resort located on the coast overlooking Great Keppel Island.

Depart Rockhampton and return to the Bruce Highway and travel north towards Marlborough and onto Mackay. Just outside of Mackay detour to the Cape Hillsborough National Park, where the rainforest meets the reef. The headland area contains several good walking trails. Continue onto Proserpine and turn off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, Queensland’s pristine 74 islands. It is a cosmopolitan and vibrant town filled with palm-fringed beaches and waterfront parks.

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the beautiful Whitsundays and what better way to do this than with a full day Whitehaven Beach and Three Island Cruise (own expense)

Depart Airlie Beach and head back to Proserpine and continue north on the Bruce Highway towards Townsville. Detour through Bowen and the towns of Home Hill and Ayr before arriving in the coastal town of Townsville, which is the administrative capital of North Queensland. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland is recommended; it houses the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium.

Townsville is a great point to base to explore the old gold town at Charter Towers or an island experience at Magnetic Island. Catamaran transfers to Magnetic Island operate regularly throughout the day from Breakwater Terminal.

Today your journey takes you to the far North, into the heart of the tropics and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – Cairns and Palm Cove. Travel via Innisfail to Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rainforest of the World Heritage region and the rugged outback of the Cape York Peninsula and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Your car is booked until tomorrow and should be dropped off at the city or airport, by the same time as it was picked up on Day 1, to avoid any additional charges.