10-Nights Adventure in Queensland — CALL

Swain Destinations

OFFER ID 1537388

Adventure in Queensland
Arriving in the Tropical North, transfer to your accommodation in downtown Cairns and experience some of the regions highlights! Take a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, spend a day white water rafting, take an early morning hot air balloon flight, and top it all off with a scenic helicopter flight over the reef and the rainforest. Head south to Brisbane firstly for an overnight stay at the The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, a beautiful hideaway nestled into the Australian Bush near the Glass House Mountains. Enjoy unlimited Australia Zoo entry, a sneak peek entry to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and all the amenities at the Lodge. Finish your Queensland Adventure in the inner Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley. Head to Tangalooma Island for a Desert Adventure experience, climb the Story Bridge and cruise the Brisbane River.

Your Itinerary Includes:

Economy class airfare round trip from San Francisco (SFO)
Round trip airport transfers
4 nights in Cairns
Dinner at Ochre Restaurant
Great Barrier Reef cruise and snorkeling
Tully River Rafting
Hot Air Balloon flight
Scenic Great Barrier Reef helicopter flight
1 night at Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Australia Zoo Visit
3 nights in Brisbane
Tangalooma Island Tour
Story Bridge Climb
Brisbane River cruise
Meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

10 nights | Call for pricing

Itinerary

Swain Destinations: Adventure in Queensland

Day 1 Depart San Francisco for Cairns, Australia
Board your flight to begin your Queensland adventure.

Day 2 Cross the International Date Line
Cross the International Date Line, an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth that runs from the North to the South Pole - and defines one calendar day from the next. Crossing the International Date Line adds one day (24 hours) traveling west, and subtracts one day (24 hours) traveling east.

Day 3 Arrive in Cairns, Australia
Welcome to Australia!

Upon arrival you will be transferred to your accommodation by private vehicle.

Dinner at Ochre Restaurant
On the waterfront of Cairns, Ochre is recognized internationally as one of the most innovative modern Australian restaurants specializing in fresh seafood, native game, bush foods and premium local produce creating exciting regional Australian Cuisine. Dining at Ochre Restaurant is like a virtual tour through the culinary delights of Australia offering a broad range of dining options presented by award winning chef, Craig Squire.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: D

Day 4 Dreamtime Cruise
Enjoy one of Cairns’ most unique and exclusive Great Barrier Reef tours. Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel invites you to step back into the Great Barrier Reef’s Dreamtime with Indigenous sea rangers on a day tour to two spectacular outer Great Barrier Reef sites, Moore Reef & Milln or Flynn Reef. At Moore Reef, you will have the opportunity to explore the underwater world with snorkeling or a guided snorkel tour conducted by an expert Master Reef guide, Marine Biologist or Indigenous guide (optional extra cost). You may also choose to splash out with activities such as an introductory or certified dive (additional cost for dives).

The Lakes Cairns Resort & Spa
Meals: B, L

Day 5 Tully Rafting
Depart from your accommodation to travel to the upper gorge of the Tully River. The Rescue 3 trained guides will offer you all the instruction needed to enjoy up to four hours of whitewater rafting on Grade 3 and 4 rapids. Break and enjoy a BBQ lunch on the banks of the river while soaking in the spectacular scenery. Then get back to the action in the foaming white water of the lower gorge. The entertainment does not stop there - return to the exclusive Feluga Hotel traditional country pub and the Tully home of Raging Thunder and watch the day's action on video before returning to Cairns.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B, L

Day 6 Hot Air Balloon Flight and Reef & Rainforest Tour
Classic Balloon Flight
Transfer by Hot Air coach to the departure location at Mareeba. Watch the crew prepare your balloon as the sun gently rises to unveil the surrounding beauty. Then, experience the fun and unique sensation of being in a hot air balloon, flying gently over the Atherton Tablelands. During this 40-minute ride, enjoy the picturesque landscape at dawn and breathe in the wide open spaces.

Hot Air has the largest fleet of Balloons in Australia with an engaging and highly trained crew to maximize the enjoyment of your balloon flight.

Reef & Rainforest Helicopter Flight
This flight includes views of beautiful Green Island, Vlasoff Sand Cay and Upolu Sand Cay – three of the most striking sand islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Sightings of manta rays, turtles and other marine life are not uncommon on the reef scenic flight and if you’re flying with us in the winter months there is even a chance of spotting whales.

Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns
Meals: B

Day 7 Travel to Crocodile Hunter Lodge
This morning you will fly to Brisbane. On arrival you will be transferred to the Crocodile Hunter Lodge by private vehicle.

Crocodile Hunter Lodge
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge offers rustic cabins dotted through the bush, a place to escape and unwind while reconnecting with the natural world. A place for Wildlife Warriors to create unforgettable memories to cherish with loved ones. Your stay includes daily breakfast, unlimited Australia Zoo entry for each guest, a 'sneak peek' entry to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital and a complimentary shuttle service to and from Australia Zoo.

The Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Meals: B

Day 8 Australia Zoo and Travel to Brisbane
Australia Zoo is located on the beautiful Sunshine Coast near the Glasshouse Mountains. Just 45 minutes north of Brisbane on Steve Irwin Way, it is the home of some of Australia's most unique and amazing wildlife as well as some remarkable animals from overseas. Your visit to the Home of The Crocodile Hunter will definitely thrill and amaze you! The 'Hire a Caddie for a Day' is the ultimate way for you to experience all the excitement at Australia Zoo. This provides you with your very own caddie guide to take you on a journey around Australia Zoo that you will never forget. You can choose your very own caddie to suit the experience that you are looking for - whether it is an educational tour you are after or a crazy adventure . it is up to you! 'Hire a caddie for a day' will give you inside knowledge on all there is to know about Australia Zoo, and it includes five-star service, such as being chauffeured around Australia Zoo in your very own private buggy with an experienced guide, exclusive reserved seating in the Crocoseum Stadium for the Wildlife Warriors Show, refreshments and flexibility to create a tour just for you so you can experience the zoo at your own pace. The duration is five hours.

At the conclusion of your experience you will be transferred to Brisbane by private vehicle.

Hotel X Brisbane, Fortitude Valley
Meals: B

Day 9 Desert Safari Tour
Cruise over from Brisbane to Tangalooma and take a journey to the Tangalooma Desert as part of this thrilling and bumping 4WD bus tour where getting there is half the fun! As Tangalooma Island Resort buses have exclusive drive-on access to the desert, guests will receive a unique look into the heart of Moreton Island and then participate in the exhilarating sport of Moreton Island sand tobogganing, reaching speeds of up to 25 miles (40km) per hour!

Hotel X Brisbane, Fortitude Valley
Meals: B, L

Day 10 Story Bridge Climb and Brisbane River Cruise
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Brisbane's must do experience, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a truly unique and memorable adventure for all levels of fitness. It is a soft adventure experience with a difference, and the most spectacular way to discover Brisbane. Whether you're a local or a visitor, you'll be exhilarated by a once in a lifetime experience that offers you the most breathtaking panorama of Brisbane and its surrounding natural beauty.

Brisbane River Cruise
River City Cruises is great for those who want to see all the major iconic sights of the Brisbane River with unique views from the water. This tour is central to the CBD, so it is the most convenient and cost-effective way to see all the sights of the Brisbane River. The tour is enjoyed by both tourists and locals and is on every must-do list if visiting Brisbane. On a 90-minute cruise, you will get the opportunity to snap a selfie with some of the most iconic landmarks on Brisbane River and take in the sights and stories of the distinctive river with the entertainment of guided commentary that will shine a light on Brisbane's colorful history and famous (or infamous) local legends. The commentary will appeal to those who want to uncover the secrets of Brisbane - both past and present.

Hotel X Brisbane, Fortitude Valley
Meals: B

Day 11 Depart Brisbane, Australia
Ahead of your flight you will be transferred to Brisbane Airport by private vehicle.

Fly from Brisbane, Australia to San Francisco.

Meals: B

Featured Destinations

Brisbane

Brisbane

Laze in the lush riverside gardens of South Bank, then browse the markets and swim in its lagoon. Bike ride in the City Botanic Gardens and abseil the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Glide down the river on a majestic paddle steamer or take a high-speed ferry to vibrant inner-city villages like Bulimba and New Farm. When culture cravings hit, wander the art galleries and museums, watch a performance by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra perform or see cutting-edge theatre in the Powerhouse. In the boating hub of nearby Moreton Bay and Islands, you can swim, sea kayak, snorkel coral reefs, toboggan down the world's tallest sand dune, hire a sail boat or tussle with a marlin.

Five things you should do in Brisbane:

1. Glide down the river and relax in the gardens

Bike ride beneath macadamia trees and mangroves in the City Botanic Gardens or roller blade over a floating walkway. Then cruise down the river in a wooden paddle steamer, spotting pelicans and eastern water dragons. Laze or picnic under the palms on South Bank's 17 hectares of riverside gardens. Here you can swim from the lagoon and pools of Paul Breka Beach, browse the markets, visit a summer open-air cinema and dine alfresco in the sun. Follow an Aboriginal art trail through the bushland in Mount Coot-Tha Reserve, also the place to spot native wildlife and take in panoramic city views. At the foot of the mountain you can wander the tropical zone, rainforests and Japanese gardens of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Cuddle up to koalas and meet possums, kangaroos, wombats, emus and lyrebirds in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just a short bus drive from the city centre.

2. Soak up culture and architecture

See the skeleton of a Queensland dinosaur in the Queensland Museum and the work of famous Australian artists in the Queensland Art Gallery. Both sit in the sprawling Queensland Cultural Centre on South Bank. At night, visit the dress circle of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre or catch a show by the Queensland Ballet, Opera or Orchestra. Watch plays, browse art galleries and dine out in the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, which towers over the wide, brown river like a post-apocalyptic vision. Brisbane also houses many cultural institutions in fine old civic buildings, such as Customs House, the Treasury Building, Brisbane City Hall, the Commissariat Store and the Old Mill. In Brisbane, sandstone cathedrals and classic Queenslander houses on stilts blend seamlessly with steel and glass skyscrapers.

3. Hit the water and islands of Moreton Bay

Sea kayak from North Stradboke Island or Moreton Island or go deep-sea fishing from Scarborough, Bribie Island, Manly or Raby Bay. Jet ski and windsurf on the Redcliffe Peninsula or kite-surf on Wellington Point. Slide down the world's tallest sand dunes on a toboggan or sand buggy on Moreton Island. Scuba dive with colourful fish, crustaceans, corals and turtles at Cowan's Artificial Reef, Flinders Reef and in the Tangalooma shipwrecks. Watch out for humpback whales between July and October and dolphins and dugongs all year round. Meet colonies of koalas in Victoria Point and hundreds of wading birds in the Egret Colony and Boondall Wetlands. Aqua-bike from Coochiemudlo Island then mountain bike the BMX tracks at Cleveland and Deception Bay. Four wheel drive Moreton, North Stradbroke and Bribie Islands. See Queensland's oldest banyan tree in Cleveland Point, Aboriginal scar trees and middens in the Redlands and Myora Springs and a notorious old convict settlement on St Helena Island.

4. Eat, drink and enjoy in the urban villages

Listen to live music, shop along the lively outdoor mall and feast on Chinatown dumplings in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane's cultural core. Next door in New Farm, you can people watch from trendy cafes, buy gourmet delights from the famous deli and picnic in the riverside parklands. Dine in warehouse converted restaurants and explore the transformed industrial space of the Powerhouse, now a buzzing centre for the live arts. Take the citycat to Bulimba on the river. Then visit pretty Paddington and hop between the popular bars, cafes and restaurants of Latrobe and Given Terraces. Then take in the traditional Queenslander homes which dot the hills and wide-lined streets. Cross the river for the funky restaurants and art house theatres of the West End, the shops of Stones Corner and the brewery of Queensland's most famous beer.

5. Embrace adventure

Abseil or rock climb the Kangaroo Point Cliffs at sunrise or at night when the city is dancing with lights. Climb the Story Bridge for spectacular 360 degree views. Free fall on a tandem sky dive or float over the city in a hot air balloon. You can even glide like a bird over the Sunshine Coast on a motor glider. Travel down the Brisbane River on a golden gondola, historic paddle steamer or wildlife cruise. Or take a luxury whale watching cruise from the Redcliffe Peninsula, just 30 minutes north of Brisbane. Do an eco cruise past Bribie Island and the Glasshouse Mountains to Pumicestone Passage Marine Park. Bushwalk, swim, four wheel drive, spot wildlife and explore glow worm caves on an eco-tour to Springbrook and Lamington National Parks. See the city sights on the back of a Harley Davidson or go horseriding in the sprawling bush on the edge of the city.

Cairns

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges

07/01/2024 - 03/31/2025

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* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.

Prices Start At

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Length

10 Nights

Air City

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Vacation Rating

Deluxe
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.

Remarks

Prices are per person, twin/double share in USD. All highlighted savings are reflected in the price. Price does not include airfare unless otherwise stated. Travel may be limited to certain days of the week. Hotels and tours remain subject to availability. Cancellation penalties and other booking or alteration restrictions may exist. Please note blackout dates may apply to Christmas, New Year and local special event periods. Pricing may increase over Holiday and special event periods and may not be reflected in price grid. Prices indicated remain subject to change without notice. Prices are not guaranteed until full payment is received and processed. CST #2012413-20

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID

1537388

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Merced Travel

(209) 383-1511 Alternate (209) 658-6518