If you like to be where the action is, you can’t beat Sydney. A modern, vibrant city with something for everyone: climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views, swim at a famous beach or take yourself on an exciting shopping expedition.
Lamington National Park is the largest preserved subtropical rainforest in Australia and features spectacular scenery as well as a wide range of bird species. Stay at O'Reilly's rainforest retreat, the perfect place to get close to nature, or to just relax and unwind and leave the stresses of the world behind.
An overnight stopover in Noosa where the bushland and its natural creatures are 'right at the front door', then onto Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. The island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, its majestic tall rainforests and numerous freshwater lakes of crystal clear waters.
The capital of the Sunshine State, Brisbane is located on the banks of the Brisbane River and enjoys a subtropical climate year round. During the last decade, the city has matured into a unique blend of historic buildings and sophisticated architecture. Visit the South Bank development, the former site of the 1988 world expo and the Botanical Gardens
Inclusions
- Economy airfare from Los Angeles (please ask for add-on fares from other US cities)
- Domestic Australian flights
- 4 nights Sydney
- 2 nights O'Reillys Rainforest retreat
- 1 night Noosa, Quay West
- 2 nights Fraser Island, Kingfisher Bay Retreat
- 4 WD day tour of Fraser Island
- 2 nights Brisbane
Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart
US
Ask about our options with Premium Economy and Business class
airfare.
Day 2 - Cross International Date Line
Day 3 -
Arrive Sydney
Blessed with a temperate climate, Sydney is Australia’s
favorite city with the world’s most beautiful harbor. The
harbor provides a playground for jet boating, sailing, swimming,
harbor scenic flights, dining, fishing, climbing the harbor
bridge and sightseeing at the Opera House. Take a stroll through
The Rocks, the site of the first European settlement. Don’t
miss The Rocks markets held every Saturday & Sunday.
Be entertained with great street theatre and music while you
browse for Australian arts & crafts. Circular Quay is the
gateway to the harbor and the starting point for most of
Sydney’s harbor cruises and passenger ferries.
Familiarize yourself with the harbor by taking one of the many
cruises on offer or jump on a passenger ferry to Taronga Zoo or
Manly beach. Sydney’s shopping is second to none with its
endless selection of boutiques, markets and malls. Unique
Australian specialty shops reside at The Rocks and Darling
harbor’s Shopping Centre and a visit to the Queen Victoria
Building in the city center is a must. Dining out at one
of the many fabulous harbor side restaurants is a must. Fresh
produce, great views, inspiring chefs and a multicultural flavor
turn a meal into a gastronomic delight.
Days 4 - 6 -
Sydney
Explore Sydney at your leisure or consider adding one of our
boutique tour options, see our e-brochure or speak with an Aspire
expert.
Day 7 - Fly Sydney -
Brisbane - Lamington National Park
Fly Sydney - Brisbane and coach transfer to Lamington National
Park. The valleys and peaks of Lamington are home to two types of
rainforest: the warm tropical rainforest common in coastal areas of
Queensland and remnants of the cooler subtropical rainforest that
blanketed Australia when it was still part of Gondwana some 50
million years ago. The park is the largest preserved subtropical
rainforest in Australia and features spectacular scenery as well as
a wide range of bird species.
You will stay 2 nights at O'Reilly's, the perfect place to get close to nature, or to just relax and unwind and leave the stresses of the world behind O'Reilly's offers a range of guest rooms to cater to all tastes, from the grandeur of the luxurious Canopy Suites through the most popular Mountain View Rooms to the simple yet comfortable Garden View. Most rooms also take advantage of the magnificent mountain views. O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers an escape to the tranquil quiet of the environment. With no televisions or phones in the room to allow you to completely get away from it all, bird calls replace phone calls and rainforest views replace television screens.
Day 8 - O'Reilly's
Rainforest Retreat
At leisure to explore, complimentary early morning bird walk and
two hour guided interpretive afternoon rainforest walk offered
Day 9 - O'Reilly's
Rainforest Retreat - Noosa
Coach transfer Lamington National Park to Noosa. Noosa is the most
northerly resort community of the Sunshine Coast extending from
Peregian Beach to Noosaville on the banks of the Noosa River and
includes the localities of Marcus Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunshine
Beach, and Noosa Heads.
Noosa is one of the few places in Australia that is famous for preserving the natural environment and integrating it with the accommodation and amenities the bushland and its natural creatures are 'right at the front door' and you can spend time 'walking with nature', relax in one of the many fine dining establishments or go shopping at the many fashion houses. Quay West Resort & Spa Noosa offers world class leisure facilities including a luxurious Mii Spa Day Spa, lagoon swimming pool with man-made beach entry, restaurant and cocktail bar, gymnasium, This magnificent Noosa resort offers a choice of spacious and luxuriously appointed accommodation
Day 10 - Noosa - Fraser
Island
Launch transfer from Noosa to Fraser Island. Fraser Island (184 000
hectares) is the largest sand island in the world. It was inscribed
on the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding
natural universal values:
• an outstanding example representing significant ongoing
ecological and biological processes
• an example of superlative natural phenomena.
The island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long
uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand
cliffs, its majestic tall rainforests and numerous freshwater lakes
of crystal clear waters.
Kingfisher Bay Resort complete with mirror lakes and waterholes, blends seamlessly with the island’s sensitive eco system. All of the accommodation has been designed to minimise any effects on the natural environment, conserve energy and minimise waste. An onsite worm farm turns waste into compost for the resort’s gardens and recycling is a must. Native bird and wildlife are easily spotted from the walkways, private hotel verandas or outdoor pools. The interpretive Rangers are locals who are passionate about Fraser and are happy to share their knowledge.
Day 11 -
Fraser Island - 4WD day tour
Your four-wheel-drive coach at the Kingfisher Bay Resort Village
store, to commence a full day ranger-guided eco tour. Learn about
the natural and cultural history of Fraser Island and have the
opportunity to swim in the crystal clear, blue waters of Lake
McKenzie, the island's most beautiful lake. Lunch is served at
Eurong Beach Resort. From Central Station, walk along the banks of
Wanggoolba Creek, as it flows through the rainforest. Drive along
spectacular Seventy-Five Mile beach and stop to swim in the fresh
waters of Eli Creek. This swift-flowing creek, the largest on The
Eastern Beach, spills 80 mega litres of fresh water into the ocean
every day. Visit the wreck of the Maheno and marvel at the coloured
sands of the Pinnacles. See an ancient forest being uncovered as
Stonetool Sand Blow moves across the island.
Day 12 - Fraser Island -
Brisbane
Return on the launch and then coach to Brisbane. Spend your final
two nights in Brisbane. The capital of the Sunshine State, is
located on the banks of the Brisbane River and enjoys a subtropical
climate year round. During the last decade, the city has matured
into a unique blend of historic buildings and sophisticated
architecture. To cuddle a Koala, take a cruise along the Brisbane
River to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Visit the South Bank
development, the former site of the 1988 world expo and the
Botanical Gardens.
Day 13 -
Brisbane
Explore Brisbane at your leisure or consider adding one of our
boutique tour options, see our e-brochure or speak with an Aspire
expert.
Day 14 - Depart for US
request a quote or virtual appointment
Costing Per Person
Starting from | $4,899 |
Additional Charges
ETA to enter Australia $25 per person. Before committing to your trip please ensure you hold a valid passport with at least six months’ validity from the date you plan to return to the USA.
Read More about Australian ETA
Additional departure gateways & pricing
Add on airfares (coach) available from most major airports - Add $200 from San Francisco, Add $250 from Dallas, Seattle, add $300 from New York, Denver, Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, add $400 from Boston, Miami, Add $450 from Washington DC, Atlanta - ask an Aspire consultant for a quote from your local airport.
Optional Activities, Extensions or Add-Ons & pricing
- Upgrade to premium economy from $700 per person each way*
- Upgrade to business class from $2,000 per person each way* Can take the upgrade one way or round trip and combine premium/business classes on same ticket
* Starting from pricing based on Monday through Thursday departures - ask an Aspire consultant for the upgrade fee for travel Friday through Sunday
Terms & Conditions:
Package from prices are per person based on double occupancy departures from Los Angeles. Add-on fares are available from other cities. Certain black out dates apply on the accommodation and tour value add offers - check with your Aspire consultant. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight. Hotels are subject to availability. All prices reflect a discount for purchases made by cash/wire transfer/check, please see terms and conditions for credit card payments. There are no discounts for payment made by credit cards. Cancellation penalties and other restrictions apply.