Coastal Explorer

Spend your first few days in Australia exploring the fabulous city of Perth. Get pleasantly lost in Kings Park, the largest city park in the world, or perhaps take a dip in the crystal-clear water with a trip to Cottesloe Beach. Head to Fremantle and sip on a coffee down the ‘Cappuccino Strip’, savour some delicious street food and wander around the local markets, perfect for souvenir shopping.

Just a short ferry journey away lies the picturesque, car-free island of Rottnest. Explore the island by bus, bike or on foot and discover white-powdered beaches, walking trails and divine snorkelling spots. Of course, a trip to this island wouldn’t be complete without spotting an adorable little quokka; a friendly marsupial known for its naturally cute smile and calm nature.

Accommodation: The Pan Pacific

Included day tours: Rottnest Island tour

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Perth, Fremantle and Swan Valley tour, Pinnacles, Koalas and Sand Dunes adventure tour

Travel Designers recommendation: Fremantle has lots to discover with plenty of museums, galleries, pubs and a thriving coffee culture. With easy access from Perth city, we would recommend spending an afternoon there.

Catch your morning flight north to Exmouth and pick up your car at the airport. Make you way to Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Beach Resort, gateway to the Ningaloo Reef. Fill your days here with marine-life wonders, sun-bathing by the pool or simply relaxing with your favourite book.

Flippers, goggles, swimsuit. Prepare yourself for an exhilarating trip out to the reef, starting with an introductory paddle, and then on to swim with the World’s biggest fish, the whale shark. Feeding on plankton between March and September, Ningaloo Reef is the perfect place to get up close and personal with these creatures in their natural habitat, with minimal disruption.

Not only is the Ningaloo Reef home to the majestic whale shark, it also boasts over 500 species of fish and 250 species of coral. If you’re lucky, you may come across turtles, reef sharks and timid dugongs that nestle in the bay.

Accommodation: Mantarays Ningaloo Reef Beach Resort

Included day tours: Snorkel with Whale Sharks 

Travel Designers recommendation: If you happen to be in Exmouth between August and September, double up your aquatic encounters with a swim alongside humpback whales.

Coral Bay, only an hour and a half from Exmouth, is an ideal base to explore the reef. Boasting beautiful beaches, this marine-life haven is the perfect place to spot and encounter majestic manta rays.

Accommodation: Ningaloo Coral Bay Resort

Included day tours: Manta Ray Swim Tour

Travel Designers recommendation: We suggest spending as much time as you can out in the reef, no two days are the same, and there will always be unforgettable stories to tell on your return!

Enjoy the drive back to Exmouth airport and soak in the vast landscapes around you before boarding your flight to Brisbane, the cosmopolitan city that is the perfect gateway to explore Australia’s nature coast.

Wander along the South Bank, packed with award-winning restaurants and laid-back attractions, indulge in a spot of shopping on Queen Street, or opt for a day trip to the neighbouring Moreton Island, renowned for its wild, resident dolphins.

Accommodation: Pullman King George Hotel

Optional add-ons / upgrades: Tangalooma Day Tour, Mirimar River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo - Croc Express

Travel Designers recommendation: Be sure to try out some of Brisbane’s speciality, Moreton Bay bugs (also known as slipper lobsters) with lemon aioli, dill and fresh from the grill – delicious!

Collect your car and start your next adventure to the Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat. Nestled amongst the bushland in Montville, it is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the Sunshine Coast's untouched nature. With just six pavilions dotted throughout the retreat, there’s a real sense of escapism.

Enjoy one of the many bushwalks and explore the lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls that are scattered throughout the terrain. Head to the platypus sighting area and spot the rare mammal in its natural habitat.  

Accommodation: Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat

Travel Designers recommendation: Explore the quaint village of Yandina, home to the Ginger Factory, the authentic taste of the Sunshine Coast.

Continue an hour north to the laid-back town of Noosa. Explore the luscious landscapes of Noosa National Park, with picturesque tropical everglades and freshwater pools, great for an afternoon dip. In the evenings, sample delicious, fresh seafood, barbequed on the beach and washed down with a crisp Australian chardonnay – pure bliss!

Take part in a fantastic Great Beach Drive day tour, explore one of Australia’s most dramatic coastlines, all the way from iconic Noosa to the multi-coloured sands of Rainbow Beach. Opt for another aquatic adventure on the Sunshine Coast. Hop in a kayak and paddle off the shore, surrounded by wild, curious bottlenose dolphins.

Accommodation: Peppers Noosa Resort

Included day tours: Great Beach Drive day tour

Optional add-ons / upgrades: 

Travel Designers recommendation: From August to November, pods of migrating humpback whales can be seen breaching off the coast. If you are fortunate enough to be visiting Noosa at this time of year, book a whale watching trip to see these magnificent creatures in their natural environment, or even spot them from the clifftops in Noosa National Park.

Why visit one of Australasia’s most beautiful islands, when you can visit two? Hop on a short flight journey from Hervey Bay to Lady Elliot Island, in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and turquoise waters, it makes the perfect place to discover the magnificent underwater world. Spot resident manta rays, humpback whales (June-October) and endless amounts of kaleidoscopic fish that live on the thriving reef.

After a few days exploring the Great Barrier Reef on Lady Elliot Island, swap the unforgettable marine-life for luscious rainforests and freshwater lakes. World-heritage listed Fraser Island is famous for being the world’s largest sand island, and its diverse landscapes make it that bit more special. Enjoy a guided Beauty Spot tour, with nature walks through the bottle-green rainforests, a swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie and a visit to the famous Maheno Shipwreck.

Accommodation: Rainforest and Reef Discovery package 

Included day tours: Beauty Spot Day Tour

Travel Designers recommendation: Visit Lady Elliot Island between November and March to spot turtles coming to shore to lay thier eggs, and between February and April, you can watch the tiny hatchlings make thier way to the big blue.

End your adventure with a final night back in vibrant Brisbane.

Check out of your accommodation and make your way to the airport. Alternatively, why not speak to one of our Travel Designers about extending your stay in Australia.

Accommodation: Pullman King George Hotel