Coastal Rail Explorer

Day 1 Sunday: Cairns – Airlie Beach
Depart from Cairns this morning in business class on the Tilt Train on your journey to the Whitsundays. On arrival at Proserpine rail station meet your coach transfer to Airlie Beach. Depart Proserpine station on coach to Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach is a town which is the perfectly location to stay in order to experience what the entire Whitsunday region has to offer. Being the focal point of activity on the mainland and the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a holiday in paradise.

Hotel: Club Crocodile Resort, Airlie Beach for four nights

Day 2 Monday: Hamilton Island
This morning depart Airlie Beach with a cruise to the very popular cosmopolitan Hamilton Island where you can explore the boutiques and galleries, take a swim on one of the magnificent pools and choose from more than 40 activities. After a morning of exploring, enjoy a gourmet barbeque lunch whilst departing for Whitehaven Beach. On the eastern side of the uninhabited Whitsunday Island see nature at its unspoiled, spectacular best. Magical Whitehaven Beach is considered one of the top 10 beaches in the world and one of the must see icons of the Whitsundays. With 7 kilometres of glistening pure white natural silica sand, enjoy free beach activities, take a leisurely stroll and explore, swim in the crystal clear waters or simply lay back under the sun shelters and enjoy a good book! (B,L)

Day 3 Tuesday: Whitsunday Island
Join a fully guided eco tour into the estuaries of the Whitsundays. The safari features a calm water river cruise giving you the opportunity to spot some of the 150 estuarine crocodiles. Take an open air wagon train tour through nationally listed Goorganga Wetlands and the Melaleuca forest which is home to a variety of birdlife, mammals and reptiles. The natural attractions of the Whitsunday region do not end at the reef and islands. Local estuaries and wetlands stretch inland from the coast, to Proserpine River. This habitat is home to many species of native birds, mammals, reptiles and marine animals, including about 150 estuarine crocodiles. (B,L)

Day 4 Wednesday: Great Barrier Reef
Be met at your accommodation for your cruise today. Visit the spectacular Great Barrier Reef today at Knuckle Reef Lagoon – Australia’s newest reef pontoon. Here a multitude of activities are provided including: snorkelling, swimming, a giant waterslide, rides in the semi-submersible and glass bottom boat. The snorkelling area features over 150 different types of coral and is home to over 200 fish species. (B,L)

Day 5 Thursday: Airlie Beach – The Sunlander
Explore Airlie Beach at leisure. This afternoon join your coach transfer to Proserpine train station where you’ll jump on board The Sunlander, and continue southbound along Queensland’s coast to Hervey Bay. (B)

Overnight: First Class Berth onboard The Sunlander

Day 6 Friday: Hervey Bay
Arrive into Maryborough West this morning and meet the rail-bus transfer to Hervey Bay. At the Hervey Bay transit centre make your way (own arrangements) to your accommodation at Mantra Hervey Bay, located on the esplanade overlooking the Urangan boat harbour. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Located nearby is a range of dining options, from casual family dining to modern Australian and International flavours. Hervey Bay’s celebrated boat club is also just metres away from the resort.

Hotel: Mantra, Hervey Bay for three nights

Day 7 Saturday: Fraser Island
Today you will be taken for a 4WD Fraser Island tour. Explore some of Fraser Island’s famous sites and discover the diversity of vegetation and the island’s cultural history. Swim in the crystal-clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie, the island's most beautiful perched lake. At Central Station, walk along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek as it flows silently through the rainforest. Marvel at the tall, majestic satinay trees of Pile Valley. Drive along spectacular Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Stop to swim in the cool, fresh Eli Creek. This swift-flowing creek, the largest on the Eastern beach, spills 80 mega litres of water into the ocean every day. Visit the Maheno shipwreck and marvel at the coloured sands of the Pinnacles. See an ancient forest being uncovered as Stonetool Sand Blow moves across the island. (L)

Day 8 Sunday: Hervey Bay
Today is at leisure to relax at your accommodation or explore the local area of Hervey Bay. Perhaps visit the Orchid House within the beautiful Botanical Gardens or have lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes situated along the Esplanade. Between mid-July and early-November whales can be sighted breaching and playfully chasing each other in the warm waters off shore.

Day 9 Monday: Hervey Bay - Brisbane
Depart Pialba–Hervey Bay Transit Centre on coach transfer to Maryborough West train station. There you’ll meet the Tilt Train for your onward journey to Roma Street Station, Brisbane where your tour concludes.