Next Departure Date: 23 Jun 2019
Price per person: $2450 per person twin share, $2990 sole occupancy
Tour Duration: 6 Days
We are having a short ‘winter’s break’ in Airlie Beach at the beautiful Coral Sea Resort for 5 nights. Escape with us to tropical Queensland, a remarkable pristine World Heritage preserved part of the world. The 74 Whitsunday Islands lie between the northeast coast of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, a massive stretch of coral teeming with marine life. Most of the islands are uninhabited. They’re characterised by dense rainforest, hiking trails and white sand beaches. The town of Airlie Beach on the mainland is the region’s central hub and our base during our stay. There is time to enjoy the local sights of Airlie Beach and nearby Bowen, plus a fantastic day cruising the beautiful Whitsundays. We also enjoy the day at magnificent Earlando, a private property not often visited, boasting 6,000 acres of private Whitsunday coastal land, a paradise all to yourselves for the day. Time also to relax and enjoy our resort as well as the town of Airlie Beach which is an easy walk along the boardwalk. Return airfares ex Canberra are included.
Day 1: Canberra to Airlie Beach
Welcome aboard Potter Travel’s 6 day tour to the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach. Today we make our way to the Canberra airport for our flights through to Proserpine (via Brisbane). Upon arrival this afternoon we are collected by our local operator who will be with us for the duration of our tour. Transferring to our accommodation, we’ll settle in and unpack for the next 5 nights.
Coral Seas Resort, Airlie Beach | 07 4964 1300
Day 2: Local Sightseeing
This morning we are introduced to the local area with a sightseeing drive around Airlie Beach. We will also visit Proserpine, a sugar town and local service centre. Here we drop by the Historical Museum to learn about the local sugar and cattle industries. The establishment of a permanent museum in the Whitsunday region was a major initiative with strong support from the whole community. From here we head north to Bowen. After some time for lunch (own expense) we head off to see the many murals within the central business district. Bowen is actually known as the mural capital of Australia with 19 mural sites, many of which depict the town’s early history. One of the murals was even designed by Ken Done. After our visit we reboard the coach and return to Airlie Beach.
Coral Seas Resort, Airlie Beach | 07 4964 1300
Day 3: The Whitsundays
After an early breakfast we prepare to board our full day cruise through the beautiful Whitsundays. During the day we’ll visit Whitehaven Beach on the uninhabited Whitsunday Island. With 7 kilometres of glistening pure silica sand, Whitehaven Beach is nature at its most unspoilt and spectacular best. Take a stroll or maybe a swim in the crystal clear blue water. We also visit an inhabited island where we have time to have a look around and enjoy lunch. Later this afternoon, we return to the mainland, enjoying afternoon tea on the way.
Coral Seas Resort, Airlie Beach | 07 4964 1300
Day 4: Earlando
Following a relaxed breakfast we head north towards Hideaway Bay and Dingo Beach. Our destination, a private property called Earlando, is a hidden gem of the Whitsundays with magnificent private beaches, panoramic views, abundant wildlife and a traditional working cattle station. This 6,500 acre cattle station has been in the same family for almost 50 years and our visit here today will be both memorable and interesting. Upon arrival we are joined on the coach by the owner who will introduce us to Earlando and take us to the lookout for superb views across Hayman Island whilst enjoying our morning tea. Returning to the beachfront later we enjoy a delicious Reef & Beef BBQ lunch, including fresh prawns! Later we visit the cattle yards for a cattle dog demonstration and learn about the secret life of a stockman. Prior to finishing our day, we have a traditional outback billy tea. Our visit complete, we farewell our hosts and return to our accommodation.
Coral Seas Resort, Airlie Beach | 07 4964 1300
Day 5: Free Day
Today we have the entire day free to do as we please. Join a day tour (own expense), relax at the accommodation or take a wander along the main street—visiting the souvenir and gift shops. We will meet up again tonight to enjoy dinner together, for our last evening in the Whitsundays.
Coral Seas Resort, Airlie Beach | 07 4964 1300
Day 6: Airlie Beach to Canberra
Farewelling our hosts, we check out of our accommodation to prepare for our return flight home. We’ll transfer to the airport to board our homeward bound flight. Arriving back in Canberra we head home having had a wonderful tour to the Whitsundays and Airlie Beach.
