Islands in the Sun

Day One: Melbourne, Essendon - Bourke
Depart southern Australia’s winter chill soaring northward. Arriving at Bourke guests are welcomed and transported on a private tour of this low rainfall region. After lunch you are invited onboard a delightfully quaint paddle steamer for a cruise along the Darling River. Time to rest; accommodation is at the Bourke Riverside Motel. All suites at the Riverside have been lovingly and individually restored and decorated. A popular dinner conversation starter: “You should see my room!”

Day Two: Bourke - Longreach – Charters Towers
Back of Bourke for breakfast before travelling further north onto Longreach. Longreach is famous for its foundations associated with Australia’s leading airline Qantas. AAA guests enjoy an outback lunch prior to a visit to investigate the permanent Qantas tourist attraction; one decommissioned 747-Jumbo at the informative Qantas Museum. Fly on to arrive in the goldfield city of Charters Towers for a tour of the town’s grand architecture. 
Accommodation is at the Cattleman’s Rest Motel or similar.

Day Three: Charters Towers – Undara Lava Tubes - Dunk Island
After a brief flight take a guided tour of the lava tubes with expert commentary. After lunch you are flown across Queensland’s sparkling sea to Dunk Island, home to the majestic Ulysses butterfly.
AAA guests are invited to indulge in an exclusive Air Adventure Australia massage package provided by Voyages Dunk Islands professional therapists. Sunset pre-dinner drinks combine with fine dining on this island paradise.
Accommodation is at Voyages Dunk Island.

Day Four: Dunk Island
Today, you are invited to explore this rainforest island.  Select from an array of water-sports, golf or simply relax re-setting your watch to Dunk Island time. AAA guides arrange a rendezvous for all guests on the beachfront for late afternoon cocktails. Wonderful to watch the changing colours of the ocean as the sun slowly sets prior to dining in the resort’s restaurant.
Accommodation is at Voyages Dunk Island.

Day Five: Dunk Island - Family Islands - Hinchinbrook Island
Continuing your island adventure, after breakfast depart on an exclusive cruise past the Family Islands group with an opportunity to fish along the way to Hinchinbrook Island.  Guests are welcomed at the jetty by the friendly staff and, with a welcome cocktail in hand, your hosts will arrange the preparation of your fishing catch with the chef.
Accommodation is at Hinchinbrook Island’s Treehouse Suites.

Day Six: Hinchinbrook Island
Hinchinbrook Island offers a half-day trek across the entire island, meeting with a boat on the other side of the island for an easy return to the resort. Alternatively, guests can trek with ease to view numerous lazy turtles going about their daily routine at Turtle Bay. Afternoon brings all guests together for a soiree to watch the sunset from a breathtaking vantage point.
Accommodation is in Hinchinbrook Island’s Treehouse Suites.

Day Seven: Hinchinbrook Island – Hamilton Island (Whitehaven Beach)
Relax and enjoy the splendid isolation that is Hinchinbrook. Breakfast is at leisure today in readiness for a mid morning crossing of the Hinchinbrook Passage to your aircraft. Pilots take guests on a short but scenic flight to Hamilton Island. Today you have the option to join a day tour out to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven.
Accommodation is at the Reef Suites or similar.

Day Eight: Hamilton Island – Fraser Island
After breakfast you have the chance to explore the Hamilton Island village. Transfer back to your private aircraft on the Hamilton Island airfield. Continue southwards on a picturesque flight over many well known Queensland towns before the wheels touch down at Hervey Bay. After a ferry ride, guests are welcomed onto Fraser Island – the world’s largest sand island.
Accommodation tonight is at Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island.

Day Nine: Fraser Island
After a relaxed start to the day you are taken on a day’s guided tour of the island’s many and various beauty spots and significant ecosystems. The day includes the brilliant waters of Lake McKenzie, the endless sands of Eurong Beach, Central Station and the Silent Creek in amongst the enormous tall timbers of the rainforest.
Accommodation is at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Day Ten: Fraser Island
Did you hear the dingoes calling last night? You can enjoy a day to simply relax; equally, guests can take advantage of the countless activities available from within the resort and across the island, from soft adventure to the more extreme such as four-wheel driving, fishing and sailing. Dining tonight is a private feast arranged on the decking at Kingfisher Bay Resort’s signature restaurant called Seabelle. Accommodation is at Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Day Eleven: Fraser Island - Coolangatta
This morning board an over-water adventure to search for a variety of inquisitive whales and playful dolphins as they seek warmer waters. From Hervey Bay, fly onto the Gold Coast where a private vehicle transfer is arranged to the luxurious spa and golf resort, Raddison Hotel, for dinner.
Accommodation is at the Raddison Palm Meadows Hotel or similar.

Day Twelve: Coolangatta - Haddon Rig - Essendon, Melbourne
Sunrise at first light and it’s time to take flight in a Balloon Down Under experience. Hot air ballooning is truly breathtaking; your slow-moving basket offer views of Queensland’s cosmopolitan Gold Coast, to the wilderness of hinterland ranges, arriving back on earth for breakfast at Palm Meadows Golf Club. AAA guests re-join their fixed-wing pilot as they depart for our dear friends at either Haddon Rig or Bungle Gully Station for lunch before continuing home to Melbourne.

To register your interest in this tour: please click here