Coastal Drive from Sydney to Brisbane & Great Barrier Reef from $3,799 per person

Posted on Friday, 8 Jul 2011 06:05 AM

Sunny, sexy and sophisticated, Sydney is the shining star of the southern hemisphere. The white-sailed Sydney Opera House over the waters of Sydney Cove, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are the pride and joy, but there's far more on offer.Discover the harbour, the city's historic enclaves, restaurants and cafes, beaches, museums and art galleries.

One thing’s for certain - you’ll run out of time before you run out of things to see and do in Sydney. Hit the road and enjoy the Pacific Coast Touring Route between Sydney and Brisbane. One of Australia’s great drive the ultimate combination of magnificent coastline and spectacular hinterland. Enjoy coastal towns such as Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay.

Cairns is in the center of the tropical north and is the perfect location for exploring the region. Twenty minutes north of Cairns is the beach resort of Palm Cove, The Sea Temple Resort & Spa is a luxurious boutique resort with a sophisticated yet easy-going atmosphere. Positioned in the heart of Palm Cove with a stunning beach front location and sitting alongside the world’s most amazing, natural wonders; the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Rainforest.

Package Inclusions:
* Round-trip International Economy airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney on Virgin Australia
* Domestic Economy flights on Virgin Australia
* Private car service airport transfers in Sydney & Cairns
* 4 nights at the 5 Star Four Seasons Sydney in a City Harbour View room
* 5 days car rental Sydney to Brisbane
* 2 nights accommodation between Sydney & Brisbane - recommended Hunter Valley and  Coffs Harbour
* 2 nights The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, Byron Bay
* 3 nights at the 5 Star Sea Temple Palm Cove
** Sightseeing options available **

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Day 1 - Depart US

Day 2 - Cross International Date

Day 3 - Arrive Sydney
Blessed with a temperate climate, Sydney is Australia’s favorite city with the world’s most beautiful harbor. On arrival you will be met by your private chauffeur who will assist with your private transfer to the Four Seasons Sydney. You will spend four nights at this superbly situated hotel.

FOUR SEASONS SYDNEY – 5 Star accommodation, stunningly situated overlooking Sydney Harbour in the historic Rocks district, a short walk from the city's shopping and CBD, Four Seasons is vibrant and elegant, with dramatic harbour front views and a luxurious day spa featuring exclusive skincare and aromatherapy treatments.

Days 4 - 6 - Sydney
Explore Sydney at your leisure or consider adding one of our tour options - Some of our favorites:

tours_syd.jpg Sydney Opera House - Tour & Tasting Plate
Go on a spectacular tour inside the Opera house where you will see inside the great halls and venues and discover the stories, magic and history of this magnificent World Heritage site. After exploring inside, relax and unwind at Sydney’s newest dining spot, Opera Kitchen,* home to Sydney’s best chefs, food artisans and producers. Be treated to a three-tier gourmet Tasting Plate for two or Japanese Bento Tower for two and soak in the Sydney Harbour view.
 tours_sydessentials.jpg Sydney - Essentials Tour
Observatory Hill, Manly, North Head for unrivalled views, lunch at the magnificent Botanical gardens, Mrs Macquarie’s chair,  Woolloomooloo, Kings Cross, Bondi Beach and Paddington. Starts 1030am, finish 330pm, perfect for day of arrival from US or as the perfect half day tour.
 tours_bridgeclimb.jpg Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb
BridgeClimb is a 3.5 hour adventure and an experience that will never be forgotten on one of the world's most modern wonders - The Sydney Harbour Bridge.
 tours_bluemtns.jpg Blue Mountains Eco Adventure
Breakfast with the Koalas at Featherdale Wildlife Park, Complete circle loop of the Blue Mountains, Short walks to explore the remote regions with stunning views Lunch, Visit to Scenic World Attractions, Champagne with Wild Kangaroos.
 tours_seasyd.jpg Sea Sydney Cruises & half day city tour with Mount N Beach Safaris
Great Value value until 30 June 2012

This morning enjoy a small vehicle city sights tour experiencing all the highlights of Sydney. At Lunchtime board Calypso, a luxurious 52 foot Motor Yacht. This afternoon sit on the expansive sunbeds and be mesmerized by the multi million dollar homes, the spectacular city sights including the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge before dropping anchor in your own private cove for your barbecue lunch.
 tours_boutique.jpg Boutique Wildlife Tours
Venture into the Australian Bush in search of Australia’s iconic native animals - Koalas, Kangaroos, Platypus, Emus & Wombats. Small group luxury 4WD to pristine bushland in the Southern Highlands, just 90 minutes south of Sydney

For more Sydney tour options, see pages 34-37 of our e-brochure.

Day 7 - Depart Sydney and coastal drive to Brisbane, Hunter Valley
Collect your rental car and hit the road north to Brisbane. We have suggested stop-off points, but your in charge and you may want to stop at different spots. An approx 3 hours drive is the Hunter Valley. The Hunter offers visitors the choice of coast and country, beaches and mountains, wilderness and wineries, peaceful country towns and charming cities. Entering the Hunter from the south along the coast, you will come to Lake Macquarie, Australia’s largest coastal salt-water lake; featuring expansive surf beaches and the beautiful Watagan Mountains. The city of Newcastle offers pristine beaches and scenic coastal walks, an active harbour playground with unsurpassed views, historic streets and buzzy cafes - visit Newcastle and you too can discover: Beach Days, Harbour Sights, City Nights! A short trip across the harbour takes you to the spectacular Stockton Sand Dunes. Take a 4WD, sand boarding or quad bike tour on the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. Bed & Breakfast accommodation.

Day 8 - Hunter Valley to Coffs Harbour
Break up your drive today with a visit to the award-winning Cassegrain Winery on the Pacific Highway, just North of Port Macquarie, where you can taste premium table wines or eat lunch overlooking the rose gardens at Ca Marche Restaurant. Continue on via the scenic Waterfall Way to Bellingen where there’s lots to see, including local galleries, antique stores, Hammond & Wheatley’s department store or the Old Butter Factory. In the afternoon head up to Dorrigo for a stroll through the World Heritage listed rainforest. Approx 6 hours driving. Bed & Breakfast accommodation.

Days 9 - Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
Hit the road early today in order to make the most of the sensational scenery on the way to Byron Bay. However, make sure you call in on the way to the historic river port town of Ulmarra for morning tea and to browse the antique shops for rare treasures! For lunch, stop off at Yamba for freshly-caught prawns, then find a shady spot along the river to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch. Aprrox 3.5 hours driving.
You will spend the next two nights at The Byron Resort and Spa.

Day 10 - Byron Bay
Byron Bay is, and always has been, a sacred area for Australians. From the early Arkwal and Bunjalung Aborigines, the first European settlers of the 1800s, the hippies who arrived in the 1970s for Australia's Aquarius Festival (most stayed), Byron and its surrounding areas are magic. As Australia's most easterly point, the incredible beaches (and hot surf breaks), generous climate, surrounding hinterland and the overall tranquil beauty present a palette for encountering the best of the Australian lifestyle. Relax and enjoy Byron Bay

Days 11 - Fly Brisbane - Cairns - Sea Temple Spa & Resort, Palm Cove
Drive 2 hrs north to Brisbane airport and catch flight to Cairns.  20 minutes north of C;airns airport is Palm Cove. You will spend the next 3 nights at the Sea Temple. Serenity has never come so beautifully wrapped. As you approach Sea Temple Resort & Spa Palm Cove, you know you're in the tropics. Enter the stone-pillared porte cochere and you could be in the finest of Asia's resorts. But hear the warm Australian welcome and you'll know you belong.

Days 12 & 13 - Palm Cove
At Leisure to relax and indulge, explore Palm Cove and Cairns independently or ask an Aspire Down Under consultant to tailor day tour options to suit your interests & budget:

75-kuranda.jpg Kuranda, Rail, Skyrail & Tjapukai
Kuranda Scenic Rail to Kuranda, Barron River & Stoney Creek Falls, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park which includes indigenous guide , entrance to all Theatres, the famous Tjapukai Dancers, boomerang/spear throwing & bush medicine.
75-silversonic.jpg Silversonic Outer Barrier Reef
Silversonic is a 29 metre luxury catamaran custom designed for small groups of adventure minded people to revel in the thrill of diving and snorkelling. With over five hours to explore the delights of this underwater world, visit 3 different outer reef locations at Agincourt Reef on the very outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef
75-kuku.jpg  Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tour
Join one of the Kubirri Warra brothers on their beach, mudflat and mangrove walk. Learn how to throw a spear, hunt whilst stalking and observing wildlife, the country and how to track coastal resources. The brothers share some of their extensive knowledge of this special area and how they care for their country.
75-balloon.jpg Sunrise Hot Air Balloon
Before lift off see the spectacle of how a hot air balloon inflates and then take off to gently float over gum trees.  Enjoy a 30 minute balloon flight and experience the wonder, romance and silence of the Australian bush.  Look out for kangaroos and enjoy the balloon festival atmosphere.
75-rnrraft.jpg  RnR White Water Rafting
Commence a full day Tully River rafting tour. Travel by coach to the headwaters of the Tully River to experience the thrill and exhilaration of continuous whitewater on a grade 4 river. Spend up to five hours rafting down river through world heritage rainforest over 45 rapids under the guidance of an experienced, fully trained river guide.
75-byappt.jpg Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation
Travel north along the scenic coastal road, crossing the Daintree River for a morning tea stop at the Daintree Discovery Centre. Take a guided boardwalk through the rainforest before continuing to Cape Tribulation Beach where time is allowed for a beach walk or to relax in a tranquil setting. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a rainforest setting. A stop is then made at the Alexandra Lookout for panoramic views out to sea and the mouth of the Daintree river, followed by a cruise to observe the fauna and flora of this region.
75-junglesurf.JPG Jungle Surf - Daintree Rainforest
Rainforest has more strata than any other terrestrial ecosystem, and can only be truly appreciated by getting up into the canopy. With its low-impact system of platforms and cables, Jungle Surfing offers unparalleled access to the heart of the Daintree from the bustling forest floor to the giants that tower above the canopy.

For more Port Douglas tour options, see pages 51 -55 of our e-brochure.

Day 14 - Depart Cairns
Flights home.

Upgrade to Premium Economy or Business Class Los Angeles - Sydney - Los Angeles. Ask an Aspire Down Under consultant for our great value upgrade supplements 

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Prices are per person based on double occupancy departures from Los Angeles/San Francisco/Honolulu. Melbourne Cup, Grand Prix, Australian Open, Mardi Gras and other blackout periods will have surcharges. Tickets must be purchased by 31 March 2013 for departures until March 31 2013. Add $300 for New York departures. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a 3% discount for purchases made by cash/wire transfer/check, please see terms and conditions for credit card payment. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.

 

If you have any questions about this or any other of our Australia honeymoon packages, please contact us at 877-7ASPIRE.