East Coast Coasting

14 nights - luxurious travel from Sydney to Far North Queensland

Sydney is all about the beautiful harbour, your Park Hyatt room will offer a fabulous view and during your private day tour you spend some time out sailing.   A short flight from Sydney, on  the edge of the Outback you are hosted in stylish bush accommodation.  Imagine days of station touring, picnics, canoe outings on the creek, at night the canopy of star's will amaze you.  Exploring the region around Byron Bay discover wonderful restaurants, markets and galleries, colourful hill towns, National Parks & endless empty beaches.   

Trinity Beach Palace is located on the coast just north of Cairns, it overlooks a long white sand beach and is surrounded by tropical gardens.  The interior decor is a startingly mix of Africa and Australia, rich in texture it can only be described as sumptuous, almost palatial - and strangely, in this heavenly setting, it really works and importantly, is incredibly welcoming.  Flop on the couch to watch a move, laze by the pool, soak in the tub, but keep two days free - one for the Daintree Rainforest and the other for the Great Barrier Reef. 

Day 1 - arrive in Sydney, Park Hyatt Hotel for 3 nights

• Arrive in Sydney
• You will be met and transferred to the Park Hyatt

The Park Hyatt flows in a gracious curve around Sydney Harbour and looks out to the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Behind the hotel is The Rocks, Sydney’s oldest district, while the main business district and Circular Quay are just a 5 minute stroll away.

A true five star hotel, all guest rooms are spacious and beautifully appointed with the necessities as well as the luxury touches.  Many of the rooms have floor to ceiling glass doors that open onto a private balcony affording wonderful harbour and Opera House views. The hotel has a small rooftop, outdoor swimming pool, bar, a spa and a casual eatery offering all meals from an open plan kitchen.   The décor throughout is classic and simple – allowing the spectacular views to shine.

Day 2 - the ultimate Sydney day tour

Your guide will collect you to begin the day with a drive around the historic Rocks precinct, visiting the first church in Australia, the Observatory and the convict built cottages, around Circular Quay to the Opera House and the magnificent Botanical Gardens.  Explore the cosmopolitan and ritzy eastern suburbs of Potts Point, Double Bay and Rose Bay, passing many up-market homes and harbour-side parks.  Arriving at Watson’s Bay on South Head enjoy a meal of Doyle’s famous fish and chips & a bottle of chilled Australian wine in the park.

Return to the city, via Bondi Beach, arriving at Darling Harbour where your yacht awaits for a two hour cruise around one of the world’s most beautiful harbours.  On your return to Darling Harbour you may decide to eat out at any one of the many restaurants, stay and enjoy the entertainment, or take the monorail into the city.   You return to your hotel at your leisure.

Day 3 - day at leisure in Sydney

The oldest, largest and (some say) most beautiful city in Australia is memorable for far more than its famous landmarks – the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Created around a dazzling harbour, the city has a relaxed style but manages at the same time to be vibrant and alive with world class restaurants, sparkling beaches, great shopping, clubs and pubs, art galleries, theatre.  We will be happy to arrange additional touring, here are just a few ideas –

• Attend a performance or a behind-the-scenes tour at the Sydney Opera House
• We can arrange a private viewing at a leading Aboriginal Art Gallery
• Helicopter into the Blue Mountains to spend a day with a local guide
• Take a seaplane flight over Sydney Harbour to lunch on The Hawksbury River

Day 4 - to Burrawang West for 3 nights

• Transfer to Sydney airport
• Check-in for your Rex Airways flight to Parkes
• Met upon arrival in Parkes and transferred to Burrawang West

Burrawang West is a working cattle station, with 12,000 acres of rich pastureland overlooking the Lachlan River.   Burrawang West. This, coupled with one of the most luxurious homesteads in Australia, provides guests with an opportunity to experience life in the bush from an oasis of comfort and elegance.  Your hosts, Stef & Greg ensure a superb standard of cuisine, supported by Burrawang’s excellent cellar.  With the option to be involved in the activities of a working station Burrawang West offers guests a unique blend of relaxation and adventure.  

There are twelve guest rooms divided among four individual colonial-style cottages.  Each is luxuriously appointed with contemporary furniture, colonial antiques and modern artwork, French doors open onto deep verandahs and modern bathrooms include a classic claw-foot bath.   Most rooms have lovely views over the property which is quiet and tranquil and very typical of the Australian bushland. Meals are enjoyed al fresco around the camp fire, in the formal dining room or picnic style at a table under the trees in the bush. 

Day 5 & 6 - at Burrawang West

Each day your hosts at Burrawang West will help you plan your days.   You might like to exploring the Station by quad bike and spend some time with Bill, the Station Manager and a very interesting 'bushie'.  View wildlife out on drives, walks or kayaking on the creek.  Relaxing by the heated swimming pool and in the clubhouse which is equipped with a sauna, spa and recreation room or enjoy the other facilities such as the tennis court, archery range and a par 3 golf hole!
Picnic lunches can be enjoyed in any number of pretty bush and creek-side locations, while dinner might be in the formal dining room one night and around the campfire the next.

At extra cost Burrwang can arrange an early morning hot air balloon flight, an evening with a bush poet or an astronomer for the local Parkes Observatory.

Day 7 - fly to Byron Bay,  Byron at Byron Resort & Spa, 3 nights

• Transfer to Parkes Airport and farewell your Burrawang guide
• Check-in for your Rex Airways flight to Sydney
• Connect with your Jet Star flight to Ballina OR Qantas to Brisbane OR Gold Coast
• Collect hire car and make your way to The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa

The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa is located only 5 minutes drive from the heart of town and is set within 45 acres of rainforest and a short stroll away from Tallow Beach.  There are 92 guest suites designed to capture the essence of the surrounded rainforest and everglade canals.  Each of the one and two bedroom suites has an enclosed balcony, galley kitchen, comfortable lounge area with TV and DVD player, modern bathroom and air-conditioning.

Byron Bay is well known for its great range of restaurants and certainly the resort’s restaurant competes with the best.   Its wide terrace is perfect for an alfresco lunch or a candlelit dinner and the backdrop of the rainforest behind the swimming pool, floodlit at night, is very beautiful.  Resort facilities include a grass tennis court, gymnasium, sauna, mini library & games, push bike hire and morning yoga sessions.  The Spa includes six treatment rooms and a relaxation area.

Day 8 & 9 - explore Byron Bay and surrounds

Byron Bay is the Australian mainland's most easterly point and has a population dominated by surfers, hippies and those after a ‘sea-change’ - a move from the big city to a small coastal town for a better quality of life.  Despite the fact that visitors generally out number the locals, everyone slides easily into Bryon time and in such a pleasant climate it is hard not to relax and enjoy. 

The evenings are balmy and the town has a huge number of great restaurants.  The hinterland towns make for pleasant day trips and there are plenty of local markets to explore. Whale & dolphin watching boat trips are offered as are scuba diving, snorkelling, sea-kayaking and deep sea fishing.  You might try hang-gliding or take a scenic helicopter flight or perhaps a surfing lesson.  There are several golf courses in the area and only a short drive inland bush walks in several beautiful National Parks and horse riding trails through rainforest.  

Day 10 - Spicers Peak Lodge, 1 night

• Make your way to Spicers Peak Lodge (about one hours drive)

Spicers Peak Lodge Scenic Rim is located just 90 minutes drive from Brisbane and is surrounded by World Heritage listed Main Range National Park.  The lodge is all about indulgence in beautiful surroundings … fine food, complemented by delicious wines, stylish accommodation and calming yet splendid views.

The lodge sits on top of a mountain, in the midst of a grassy clearing that is permanently mown by a herd of shaggy highland and Black Angus cows.  In keeping with this mountain setting the décor relies on high ceilings, fireplaces, rich timber fittings and warm colours.  There are 10 guest rooms, each with a verandah, spacious en suite bathroom and all mod-cons.  By day enjoy bushwalking, mountain bikes and four wheel drive tours of the area, or be pampered with a massage, followed by a dip in the pool or a game of tennis. By night experience unforgettable dining, relaxing by the fire and night skies where the stars shine with particular mountain brilliance.

Day 11 - fly to Cairns, stay 4 nights at Trinity Beach Palace 

• Make your way to Brisbane airport where you will drop off your hire car
• Check-in for your flight to Cairns
• Collect your hire car and make your way to Trinity Beach

Trinity Beach Palace is set on tropical landscaped grounds with 130m of white sandy beach frontage.  Entering through the Palace gates it is clear that this is a special place and only a handful of people will have the privilege to experience it.  The décor is a heady mix of ‘African Chic’ with English and Italian fabrics and gold gilded furniture.  Natural stone walls, leather, polished wood and metal all combine brilliantly to create a rich, unique and exotic style. 

The Palace is taken privately and has six bedrooms, each with a private en suite bathroom.  It is yours to enjoy as you wish - relax in the climate controlled pool, snooze on the day bed or read a book from the library.  In the evening enjoy a cocktail and the view from the mediation pavilion.   Dinner might be a casual do-it-yourself BBQ or a more formal affair – your hostess Kerry draws on a pool of excellent local chefs including our favourite local Teppanyaki specialist!!

Between Wilderness Australia and Kerry we can arrange almost anything - helicopter picnics to the rainforest, reservations at local restaurants, hired or chauffeured cars, private white boats to the reef, pampering treatments at the local Palm Cove spas, specialist nature guides … and much more! 

Day 12 - a guided trip to the Daintree Rainforest

Your guide will collect you for the drive to the World Heritage Listed forest region of Cape Tribulation.  Cruise the Daintree River to keep an eye out for the vivid Ulysees Butterfly, kingfishers and crocodiles sun basking on the muddy banks. On the northern side of the river head up the beautiful Alexandra Range passing rainforest waterfalls and stopping for morning tea at the Jindalba boardwalk.  The birds sing along as you stroll and with luck you will see the very elusive and brightly coloured Southern Cassowary - a primitive and highly endangered species of flightless bird.

Stop at the magical Thornton Beach and your guide will highlight the amazing wildlife and ecosystems where the rainforest meets the sea. Enjoy a lunch of local produce under a canopy of rainforest and perhaps take a walk to look for rainforest lizards, birds, butterflies and marsupials.  In the afternoon visit an exotic tropical fruit orchard and depending on the season taste fruits that originate across the globe's tropical regions. Eventually, return across the Daintree River Ferry (a vehicle punt) and head back to Trinity Beach Palace.

Day 13 - full day on the Great Barrier Reef

This exclusive, 62 foot sailing catamaran, Synergy, will whisk you off to a dynamic reef ecosystem bursting with a huge variety of exciting marine life including over 1500 species of fish and 460 varieties of coral. 

Enjoy a gourmet lunch on board with a selection of champagne, wine, beer spirits.  It is the world's most extensive coral reef system and is one of the richest areas in terms of faunal diversity containing the largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusc.   Snorkel equipment is supplied.

Day 14 - a day of your own ....

A free day to enjoy Trinity Beach Palace or to explore Port Douglas, Cairns and Kurandra.

Day 15 - the journey comes to an end

Return your hired car to Cairns in time for your departure flight