Explore Magnetic Island’s signature trail, the Forts Walk, winding past granite boulders and hoop pines to WWII-era fortifications with sweeping views over Cleveland Bay and the Palm Island Group. Keep your eyes peeled to see wild koalas snoozing in eucalyptus trees along the track.

Hear how these lookouts guarded Townsville during the Pacific campaign and admire the island’s blend of dry tropical forest and turquoise bays. As daylight softens, pause for photos and reflection across sea and headlands—an authentic slice of North Queensland island life.

Scale Australia’s most famous span on a harnessed ascent to the summit for a bird’s-eye view over Sydney Harbour. Guided by climb leaders, you’ll traverse catwalks and arches, learning how this 1932 engineering icon was built and maintained in ocean winds and salt air.

The payoff is a 360-degree panorama taking in the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks and distant Pacific headlands. This is a bucket-list moment at additional cost, bookable on tour, with timed departures throughout the day.

Board a custom 4WD to cruise the world’s longest sand highway along 75 Mile Beach, then swim in the crystalline waters of Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora). Walk rainforest growing from sand and learn why this UNESCO-listed island is sacred to the Butchulla People.

Highlights often include Eli Creek boardwalks and the Maheno shipwreck. This epic sand-island exploration is at additional cost and bookable on tour; lunch and National Park permits are typically included.

Journey into the planet’s oldest tropical rainforest to walk boardwalks beneath ancient fern canopies and swim in clear forest streams. Meet custodians of the land to witness a smoking ceremony and learn how art shares Dreaming stories across generations.

Guides interpret the Wet Tropics World Heritage ecosystem—cassowaries, mangroves and fan palms—while you create an artwork alongside an Aboriginal artist. This profound cultural-nature experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Blast across the world’s prettiest harbour on a high-octane jetboat, carving power-brake stops and spins past Fort Denison, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and the harbour heads. Spray flies as city skylines and sandstone shorelines whip by in a blur of blues and silvers.

Between adrenaline bursts, your skipper points out landmarks and maritime tales of this bustling waterway. This fast-ferrying, laughter-filled ride is at additional cost and bookable on tour; waterproof layers recommended.

Grab a board and learn to catch your first green wave with Byron’s friendly instructors. Sandy points and mellow beach breaks make an ideal classroom as you practice pop-ups, stance and ocean awareness in Australia’s most laid-back surf town.

Between sets, take in views to Cape Byron and its white lighthouse. Wetsuits and soft-tops are provided. This coastal classic is at additional cost and bookable on tour—perfect for absolute beginners or rusty returners.

Paddle the protected waters of Cape Byron Marine Park in double kayaks, skimming over reefs as you look for bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles. Guides share local ecology and ocean safety while small swells add a splash of adventure.

From the water, Byron’s headlands and beaches look even more idyllic. This wildlife-focused outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour; sightings are common but not guaranteed in the wild.

Experience an interactive Bush Food tutorial guided by local experts before a chef-prepared dinner that weaves native ingredients into contemporary dishes. Sample native spices and fruits—from lemon myrtle to wattleseed and finger lime—while learning traditional uses and seasonal rhythms.

Discover how these flavours carry stories of Country across Tropical North Queensland. The evening culminates in a convivial, chef-guided dinner featuring ethically sourced game and produce, deepening appreciation for Australia’s oldest continuous food culture.

Settle into a window seat for a classic North Queensland ride as you soak up the scenery between Townsville and Cairns. Watch cane fields, paperbark wetlands and the Wet Tropics World Heritage ranges unfold, with glimpses of the Coral Sea near sugar towns like Ingham and Tully.

The route traces a century of rail heritage, threading river crossings and rainforest foothills. It’s a relaxed way to pause for photos and reflection on the landscapes that connect reef and rainforest while locals commute and goods roll north.

Clip in for a tandem leap from up to 15,000 feet, free-falling at terminal velocity before the canopy opens to glide above beaches and bushland. From this altitude, the city’s sprawl, winding coast and sparkling harbour fan out in truly cinematic style.

Briefings, gear and professional instructors keep things smooth and safe while you chase the ultimate rush. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; photo and video packages are usually available.

Set out pre-dawn to walk to Australia’s most easterly point, where the first light hits mainland cliffs and the whitewashed Cape Byron Lighthouse. Sea breezes and pandanus-fringed paths lead to panoramic headlands alive with seabirds.

In whale season (roughly May–November) you may spot migrating humpbacks breaching offshore. This serene start to the day is at additional cost and bookable on tour; bring water and a camera for pastel skies.

Cycle quiet lanes into the subtropical hills for a guided encounter with bioluminescent glow worms shimmering on rock ledges and creek banks. Your guide explains how these larvae create their constellations of light to lure prey in the damp night air.

Stars overhead, rainforest scents around you—this low-impact adventure mixes gentle exercise with natural wonder. It’s at additional cost and bookable on tour; bikes, helmets and lights are provided.

Glide through the mirror-calm waters of the Upper Noosa River, nicknamed the “River of Mirrors,” as tea-tree tannins reflect sky and paperbarks. Paddling these wilderness channels offers close-up encounters with wetland birdlife and the quiet hush of the Great Sandy National Park.

Your guide shares ecology and conservation stories in one of only two Everglades systems on Earth. This tranquil adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; all gear and basic instruction are provided.

Sail or cruise across the Whitsundays to walk the silica sands of Whitehaven Beach and view the turquoise swirls of Hill Inlet from lookouts. Mask up to snorkel fringing reefs alive with damselfish, parrotfish and giant clams in luminous shallows.

Guides share reef-friendly tips and the geology of Whitehaven’s 98% silica sand—soft and bright even under cloudy skies. This island escape is at additional cost and bookable on tour; snorkel gear is typically included.

Take to the skies in a small plane or heli to trace aquamarine lagoons, coral bommies and swirling sands before circling the photogenic Heart Reef. From above, the Whitsunday archipelago looks like a painter’s palette of blues and jade.

Pilots narrate reef formation and tides while banking gently for the best angles. This aerial spectacle is at additional cost and bookable on tour; window seats are common in small aircraft.

Cruise to outer reefs on a fast catamaran to snorkel coral gardens or join an introductory or certified scuba dive. Expect clouds of anthias, curious clownfish and electric-blue parrotfish weaving through branching and plate corals.

Marine naturalists explain reef ecology and conservation as you refuel on board. This full-day adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; equipment, briefings and lunch are typically included. Allow 24 hours before flying after diving.

Cast off for golden hour to cruise the mangrove-lined channels of Trinity Inlet as the sun dips behind the ranges. City lights spark on, seabirds settle and the evening breeze carries a hint of salt and frangipani.

Crew share tales of Cairns’ pearling past and tidal wetlands while you sip a cold drink. This mellow mood-maker is at additional cost and bookable on tour; a great way to toast the tropics.

Glide above rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, descending for boardwalks and ranger talks among giant kauri pines and ferns. Later, board the Kuranda Scenic Railway—an 1890s engineering feat of hand-cut tunnels and bridges skirting the Barron Gorge.

Between village markets and canyon waterfalls, this round-trip reveals the Wet Tropics from canopy to canyon. The combined experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour; bring a camera for sweeping valley views.

Team up in guided rafts to navigate Grade II–III rapids on the Barron River, framed by rainforest cliffs and volcanic boulders. Between chutes, float calm pools and listen to the roar of the Barron Gorge echoing through the forest.

No experience is needed; professional river guides provide gear, safety briefings and technique coaching. This splash-happy adventure is at additional cost and bookable on tour; expect to get wet and grinning.

Step to the edge, feel the countdown, and launch into a solo swan-dive over rainforest with views to the Coral Sea. Choose different jump styles and earn bragging rights from Australia’s original purpose-built tower.

Staff harness you in and talk through technique so the moment flows from fear to euphoria. This adrenaline classic is at additional cost and bookable on tour; photo and spectator decks keep the cheers loud.

Join a guided orientation walk through the city’s historic heart, taking in the Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay and the waterfront edges of the Royal Botanic Garden. Your Trip Manager shares local tips while you trace stories from Gadigal Country to modern Sydney, with skyline and harbour vantage points perfect for photos.

Hear how this working harbour shaped Australia’s identity, spot the sandstone of Macquarie-era buildings and pause at the moving ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park. It’s an engaging canvas of culture, architecture and bayside life—ideal for planning the rest of your Sydney time with confidence.

Visit The Farm Byron Bay to learn how small-scale producers champion regenerative agriculture and biodiversity. Stroll the working paddocks and orchards, meet resident heritage-breed animals and see how soil health underpins a genuine paddock-to-plate ethos that supports the local community.

Sample seasonal flavours grown on-site while hearing how this 80-acre project reduces food miles and nurtures the Northern Rivers’ farming traditions. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience connects your journey with positive impact—celebrating transparency, taste and practical sustainability.

• 3 Breakfast (B)
• 3 Dinner (D)

• Sydney: A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
• Sydney: Contiki acknowledges the Traditional and Torres Strait Island owners of the land, sea and waters of the spectacular Australian continent. Dual-naming reflects that, as we explore this remarkable land, we recognise and respect Indigenous custodianship of a unique, ancient culture and country.
• Gimuy (Cairns): It’s best to wait at least 24 hours after your last dive before flying.
• Yunbenun (Magnetic Island): During your 2-night stay in Magnetic Island, you’ll stay in multi-share rooms with the same sex even (if you’ve booked single or twin room for the trip duration). But if you’d like some privacy, you can request a paid upgrade to a single or twin room, but the confirmation would depend on availability.Please note that this is a modular trip. That means you’ll be joining a trip that started 1 week earlier – if you wish to do the full version, please refer to the Ultimate Australia trip.

• Sydney: Your Trip Manager will hand out a 2-day Opal Card on your first day of the trip. Which means, access to the city’s trains, buses, ferries and light rail. Beach this morning, harbour views by afternoon, hidden neighbourhoods by night – it’s all on the cards. 
• Sydney: The Opera House. ANZAC Memorial. Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s all here for you to post on social and make your friends jealous!
• Sydney: Step onto the golden stretch of one of the world’s most famous beaches. The ultimate sandy nirvana for sun worshippers. 
• Sydney: Passports at the ready folks.
• Noosa Everglades: The gateway to tree-lined waterways and ancient rainforests of Noosa Everglades. And if that doesn’t tempt you: there’s a micro-brewery onsite. 
• Noosa Everglades: We’ll say hey to Scottish cows and English pigs. We’ll explore a unique 80-acre farm, where the farmers share a passion for sustainability. We’ll sample food that’s grown using traditional methods and is 100% chemical-free. What ‘moo’ could you ask for?
• Noosa Everglades: Our Special Stay Eco Lodges are in the heart of the action. You may even have a jumping joey as a friendly neighbour.
• Brisbane: Time to take to the sky. Airlie Beach, here we come!
• Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.
• Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking’s Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional. 
• Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail. 
• Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island’s resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet! 
• Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write. 
• Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns. 
• Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)

Contiki