Australia: Beaches and Reefs (With Sailing)

16 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Group Tour
Ahh, the famous East Coast, where you can expect wildlife tours and bushwalks between beaches and sunsets. Kicking things off in Sydney, you’ll sleep at an Eco Camp in the Noosa Everglades, breakfast with koalas on Magnetic Island, learn to surf at Byron Bay and sail the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. This is a one way ticket to wanting to live the Aussie lif...
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$4,566
From$3,581
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Ahh, the famous East Coast, where you can expect wildlife tours and bushwalks between beaches and sunsets. Kicking things off in Sydney, you’ll sleep at an Eco Camp in the Noosa Everglades, breakfast with koalas on Magnetic Island, learn to surf at Byron Bay and sail the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. This is a one way ticket to wanting to live the Aussie lifestyle for good.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transport
Start CitySydney
End CityCairns

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • 50 Plus

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 40

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Start Warrane (Sydney)

Welcome to Sydney! Meet up with your brand new travel family and hit the road and head on a day trip to one of Australia's finest: the majestic Blue Mountains (which aren't actually blue, but are still beautiful all the same). Out here in the great Aussie Outdoors we'...

Day 2: Warrane (Sydney)

This morning set out to explore this sun-drenched, cosmopolitan and eternally cool city. Your Trip Manager will give you the low down on all of the best bits as you get a tour of the highlights. Check out the Opera House, catch the ferry to Watsons Bay to experience t...

Day 3: Warrane (Sydney)

With a full free day to choose your own adventure, we have some fab Free Time Add-Ons for you to pick from. Water-lovers can opt for a jetboat across the Harbour or those who prefer the land, can jump on a bike for a tour of the city's best bits.

Wake Up (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 4: Warrane (Sydney) to Cavvanbah (Byron Bay)

With satisfaction levels at a high this morning we jump on a plane to Byron Bay where all your hippie dreams can come to life. Landing in Byron Bay, we'll drop off our bags at the accommodation and start as we mean to go on, heading straight to the beach. Here we'll unleash our secret talent for surfing with an included lesson. You'll be a pro in no time!

Wake Up (or similar)

Day 5: Cavvanbah (Byron Bay)

We'll continue the surf vibes today with the option to kickstart our morning with sunrise at Australia's most easterly point. Then you have the rest of the day free to explore like a local. With the afternoon stretched out ahead of you, there's kayaking, relaxing on t...

Day 6: Cavvanbah (Byron Bay) to Noosa Everglades

It's time to wave goodbye to Byron Bay and head up the coast to Noosa Everglades. But first, why not opt for early morning yoga on the beach as you watch the golden sun stretch over the famous bay? Relaxed from our morning on the beach, we'll head to our next destinat...

Day 7: Noosa Everglades (Including K'Gari)

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping at our Eco Camp this morning (you might even spot a kangaroo) and grab a quick brekkie before heading out for a day on K'Gari. Your spirits will be at an all-time high after this day full of sand dunes, scenic lakes and dense rai...

Day 8: Noosa Everglades to Airlie Beach

What better way to say goodbye to The Glades than with an optional Canoeing Excursion on one of only two Everglades in the world? Afterwards we're on our way to find coastal nirvana at the pristine beaches of the Whitsundays. We'll hop on a plane for a flight to Airli...

Day 9: Airlie Beach to The Whitsundays

This morning we'll transfer to the marina and board a converted racing yacht - our home for the next 2 nights - ready to set sail over crystal clear waters. With 74 perfect islands at your fingertips, an open sea calling your name, today you'll get to explore one of t...

Day 10: The Whitsundays

Is there anywhere in the world more beautiful than the Whitsundays? We think not. We'll have more wonders to enjoy today as we spend the day cruising through the islands, enjoying freshly prepared meals on board, with endless opportunities to snorkel, swim and soak up those rays.

Prosail (or similar)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Whitsundays to Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) via Airlie Beach and Townsville

Waking up on board the yacht this morning, we'll make our way to the shore. With our sights set on another beautiful island destination we'll board a coach, heading for Townsville. Here we'll board the ferry to our next destination. Magnetic Island is an apt name ...

Day 12: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island)

We have a whole day on this paradise island - lucky us! Check out some of the walking trails - such as the Forts Walk which offers up stunning views of the Palm Island Group as well as WWII fortifications, and the chance to see koalas in the wild - or enjoy some free ...

Day 13: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) to Gimuy (Cairns) via Townsville

After breakfast this morning we'll say farewell to our koala friends and depart Magnetic Island on a ferry. But we'll never forget its singular beauty. Back in Townsville we won't hang around too long, as we're hopping on a train headed to Cairns, where we'll arrive...

Day 14: Gimuy (Cairns)

Rise and shine, our entire day today is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience, packed with history, heritage and natural beauty, as we enjoy a spectacular a day trip to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world: Daintree. With its ancient ferns and vibrant...

Day 15: Gimuy (Cairns)

Today you'll have the option to board a catamaran out to the reef to snorkel or dive in the crystal waters and gaze at the colourful coral and even more vibrant marine life. Back on board, the expert marine crew will tell us all there is to know about this stunning, but vulnerable, natural miracle.

Gilligans (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 16: Gimuy (Cairns)

Our adventure ends this afternoon, but not before we have a chance to escape our comfort zones and try some of the adventurous activities that Cairns is famous for. Anyone for bungy jumping?

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,581
Price per day$224
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
29 Mar 2025
13 Apr 2025
$3,281

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
5,513
Great
825
Average
199
Disappointing
68
Terrible
72
N

Nicholas Maylor

Mar 2025

Written on

Beaches and Reefs Sailing

This trip was everything I hoped for and more. The t...

J

Johanna

Jan 2025

Written on

Australia: Beaches and Reefs Sailing

This trip was truely amazing and so well thought out. It went to places you would never think to plan and was fast pace but also had enough time in places for some r...

T

Trusted Customer

Nov 2024

Written on

Australia: Beaches and Reefs Sailing

The trip was absolutely incredible! As an Aussie, I was excited to explore parts of my own country I hadn’t visited before, and it turned out to be such a rewarding ...

T

Trusted Customer

Aug 2024

Written on

Australia: Beaches and Reefs Sailing

Absolutely magical trip, we did so many things which ticked off the bucket list - climbing Sydney harbour bridge, seeing koalas in the wild, snorkelling at the Great...

Write a Review

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Mar 2025

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i think my trip manager went completely above and beyond. i felt so included and comfortable. all of the activities exceed my expectations. the hotels were all great...

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Southern Thai Highlights

Everything was amazing. It was truly such a beautiful and memorable experience.

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Logistics

Accommodation

  • Wake Up (or similar)
  • Kangarooms Noosa Everglades (or similar)
  • Base Backpackers (or similar)
  • Prosail (or similar)
  • Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar)
  • Gilligans (or similar)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 12 Breakfast (B)
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 4 Lunch (L)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
contiki-BRCSS24

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