DAY ONE
BRISBANE
Pick up your hire car in Brisbane to begin your beach-loving adventure. Today is yours to get to know this sultry subtropical capital at your own pace.
Overnight: Hilton Brisbane
DAY TWO
BRISBANE TO SURFERS PARADISE
Legendary waves are just the start at Surfers Paradise. Make your way to this renowned Gold Coast location with an hour-long drive from Brisbane. Once there, you’ll discover that Surfers is about more than just legendary waves and that golden beach, it’s a 24-hour city of buzzing nightlife, restaurants and shopping, attracting visitors from around the world.
Overnight: 3 nights Hilton Surfers Paradise
DAY THREE
BYRON BAY
Today you’ll cross the border into New South Wales by coach on a guided all-day tour, passing through sugar cane country and coastal rainforest to beautiful Byron Bay. Fringed by lush green hinterland, the town is a magical combination of stunning natural assets and a creative, laid back local population. You’ll explore Cape Byron Lighthouse, built in 1901 - the lookout is the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. Enjoy a lingering lunch at The Byron, before soaking in the relaxed opulence of this one-of-a-kind coastal town. (L)
DAY FOUR
SURFERS PARADISE
Located in the heart of South East Queensland, Surfers Paradise is the perfect gateway to explore the best of what this beautiful region has to offer, and today is your chance to get behind the wheel and take it in at your own pace. Drive to the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast or beyond, the choice is yours.
DAY FIVE
SURFERS PARADISE TO BRISBANE
Take in any last minute sights at Surfers Paradise today, then it’s time to start the self-drive back to Brisbane where you’ll return your hire car.
Overnight: Hilton Brisbane
DAY SIX
BOARD THE GREAT SOUTHERN IN BRISBANE
Time to begin the next chapter of your adventure aboard the Great Southern. As you depart Brisbane, settle into your cabin and enjoy the fabulous food, wine, service and social atmosphere of this exceptional journey.
The Northern New South Wales Coast stretches across 90km of incredible sandy beaches and some of the best surfing breaks in the world. Watch as the sun dips below the horizon as you enjoy dinner to the sound of waves lapping on the shore.
Overnight: 3 nights Great Southern (L,D)
DAY SEVEN
GREAT SOUTHERN, HUNTER VALLEY
Welcome to wine country. The Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, is one of the country’s renowned wine regions, with a history dating back to the early 1800s. Today you’ll take the time to meander its picturesque vineyards, sampling world-renowned brands and boutique cellar doors. (B,L,D)
DAY EIGHT
BROKEN HILL AND SILVERTON
After enjoying breakfast and lunch on board, enjoy an afternoon of unique touring experiences in the outback New South Wales towns of Silverton or Broken Hill.
Silverton Explorer: Take time to explore the museum, quirky galleries and Mad Max Museum while wandering around the tiny, uniquely Outback town that is Silverton before enjoying a cool drink in the iconic Silverton Hotel (low to medium intensity).
Historic Day Dream Mine: Don a miner’s helmet and enjoy both a surface and underground mine tour at this unique, remote outback mine. While this tour is not for the faint-hearted, the adventure is worth the effort exploring 120m underground and getting a true insight into a miner’s life from yesteryear. Enjoy afternoon tea of scones with a cuppa before heading back to the train (med-high intensity).
The Hart of Broken Hill: Venture up to the Line of Lode Miner’s Memorial to pay respects to the miners before heading to the home of Pro Hart. With a glass of wine in hand, have fun creating your own masterpiece in Pro’s original studio, in the company of his daughter or son, and enjoy time to explore the gallery to take in the art of one of Australia’s most loved artists (low intensity).
DAY NINE
GREAT SOUTHERN, ADELAIDE
Today you will arrive into Adelaide, ending an epic coastal adventure. (B)