Summary
Short description
Discover the delights of southern Queensland on this two-week road trip.
Highlights
- Spend two days exploring the sights of Queensland’s state capital, Brisbane
- After a stay at Spicers Hidden Vale – a 12,000 acre working cattle station – hit the coastal trail, taking in Noosa and UNESCO-listed Fraser Island
- End your tour of Southern Queensland with a two-night stay on Lady Elliot Island, a secluded coral cay at the very southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef
In Brief
- 2 Nights Brisbane
- 2 Nights Spicers Hidden Vale
- 3 Nights Noosa
- 1 Night Hervey Bay
- 2 Nights Lady Elliot Island
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Activity adventure | Beach | City | Honeymoon | Natural world | Self-drive | Wildlife
You'll spend two days exploring Brisbane, Queensland's cosmopolitan state capital, before heading to the beautiful Spicers Hidden Vale, a 12,000 acre working cattle station in south east Queensland. From there its time to hit the spectacular Queensland coast with three nights in the pretty seaside town of Noosa and a full day tour to UNESCO World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. Continue on to picturesque Hervey Bay for a night before finishing your trip with two nights on Lady Elliot Island, the southernmost coral cay on the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef, the world's richest marine ecosystem.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-2
UK/Brisbane
Board your flight and begin the journey to Australia, before arriving in Brisbane on day 3.
Days
3-4
Brisbane
Arrive in Brisbane, capital of Queensland – Australia's Sunshine State. You'll be met on arrival and transferred by private car to the Mantra South Bank, located next to the South Bank Parkland on the banks of the Brisbane River.
Spend two days exploring Brisbane, Australia's third largest city. This friendly and relaxed city makes a great starting point for your travels through Queensland, boasting world-class galleries, a vibrant restaurant scene, some beautiful parklands and trendy neighbourhoods such as New Farm with its boutiques, coffee shops, markets and bars.
Stay: Adina Apartment Hotel Anzac, Brisbane (Superior)
Days
5-6
Spicers Hidden Vale
After breakfast at your hotel, collect your hire car and head inland to Spicers Hidden Vale, a luxury accommodation consisting of a series of 19th century cottages set around a central homestead amid beautiful country gardens on a 12,000 acre cattle station. The region around the hotel is gorgeous with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and valleys at every turn. You'll have two nights here to relax, enjoy the facilities and explore this wonderful region of south-east Queensland.
Stay: Spicers Hidden Vale, Lockyer Valley (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
7-9
Noosa & Fraser Island
Depart Spicers Hidden Vale and head north to the idyllic coastal town of Noosa where you'll spend three days. Take time to relax and explore this charming seaside retreat with its cafes, boutiques and restaurants, wonderful main beach and nearby Noosa National Park, where coastal views, fine walking and wildlife are the main attractions.
On day six you'll experience what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of a visit to this part of Australia as you take a full day tour from Noosa to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. You'll set off early and head across the Noosa River bound for the Cooloola National Park, driving along wet sandy beaches to Rainbow Beach or Teewah coloured sands. Enjoy a morning tea and learn about the legends of the region's mystical cliff faces before heading to Inskip Point where you'll board a barge to Fraser Island. Travel along Seventy Five Mile Beach, take a guided walk through the rainforest and enjoy an Aussie barbecue on the shores of idyllic Lake Mckenzie, returning to Noosa in the evening.
Stay: The Sebel Resort, Noosa (Superior)
Day
10
Hervey Bay
Head north from Noosa to Hervey Bay where you'll spend the night, breaking your journey on the way to Lady Elliott Island. Hervey Bay is a picturesque seaside community centred around 14 kilometres of pristine golden beaches. If you time it right, Hervey Bay is one of the best spots in the world to view migrating whales and its waters are also home to dolphins, turtles and dugongs.
Stay: Villa Cavour (Superior)
Meals: B
Days
11-12
Lady Elliot Island
The final stop on your holiday will be the spectacular Lady Elliot Island, a small. picture-perfect coral cay at the very southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Drop off your hire car and take a short flight from Hervey Bay that sees you land on the islands small air strip from where you'll transfer to your accommodation at the Lady Elliott Island Eco-Resort, right on the ocean. Spend two days relaxing, snorkelling and experiencing a number of eco activities and tours including bird nesting (October to May), turtle hatching (February to April) and whale watching (June to October). We've also included a half-day glass bottom boat tour or guided snorkelling tour per person to help you make the most of your time on this beautiful island retreat.
Stay: Lady Elliot Island, Southern Great Barrier Reef (Standard)
Meals: B L
Day
13
Departure
Transfer to Lady Elliot Island airport for your onward overnight flight.
Meals: B
Day
14
UK
Arrive back in the UK and continue your onward journey.
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
14-day tailor-made self-drive
from £2,585 pp
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 020 7590 0634
Meet the team