Southern Reef Explorer

Day 1: Brisbane - Hervey Bay

On arrival at Brisbane international airport transfer to the domestic terminal for your flight to Hervey Bay. On arrival please make your own way to your accommodation.
Overnight: Villa Cavour

Day 2: Hervey Bay

One of Queensland's best natural holiday destinations, Hervey Bay offers the world's closest whale watching encounters with humpback whales as well as easy access to World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island and Lady Elliot Island, the first coral cay on World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef. Hervey Bay's safe sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. Dotted along the Hervey Bay Esplanade are cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes, shops, parklands, and a vibrant marina.

This morning join a full day 4WD tour of Fraser Island departing from Hervey Bay. Fraser island is a place of exceptional beauty, with its long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, and over 100 freshwater lakes, all ringed by white sandy beaches. Ancient rainforests grow in sand along the banks of fast-flowing, crystal-clear creeks. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. Alternately during July - October you may which to join a 4 hour morning whale watching cruise instead.
Overnight: Villa Cavour

Day 3: Hervey Bay - Bundaberg - Lady Elliot Island

This morning make your way to Bundaberg Airport and board your 25 minute scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island, the only coral island on the Reef with an airstrip. Activities include reef walking, snorkelling, scuba diving, turtle tours, and historical and night walks. Reefwalkers will discover brightly coloured starfish, sea urchins, clams and corals exposed at high tide. Scuba divers may come face to face with a manta ray or moray eel and snorkelers with giant rainbow-coloured parrot fish or coral trout.
Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Days 4-6: Lady Elliot Island

Time at leisure to immerse yourself in many of Lady Elliot Island’s superb marine experiences. The island is world-famous for its manta rays – take the opportunity to swim with them in their wonderful habitat. In the summer months, turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Some eight weeks later, tiny turtle hatchlings make their dash for the sea. Keen whale watchers will see many sightings of pods of Humpback whales passing close-by on their annual migration.
Overnight: Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort

Day 7: Lady Elliot Island - Bundaberg

Travel back to Bundaberg by scenic flight. On arrival collect an intermediate rental vehicle at Bundaberg airport. This evening will be a real highlight as you drive to Mon Repos on Bundaberg’s coastline. Here you will find the largest and most accessible mainland loggerhead turtle rookery in the South Pacific. There has been a steady increase in turtle numbers over the years due to local conservation efforts (entry fee not included). Loggerhead, Flatback and Green turtles come ashore from November to February and it is an amazing sight to see these huge creatures heaving their way up the beach to find a safe spot to dig a nest and lay their eggs. Some six to eight weeks later the tiny hatchlings may be seen emerging from their sandy nests to head down to the sea (early January until late March).
Overnight: Kelly’s Beach Resort (Eco Villa room only)

Day 8: Bundaberg - Gladstone - Heron Island

This morning make your way to Gladstone (journey time approximately 2 hours) and enjoy some sightseeing in the city. Gladstone offers good seafood restaurants and a variety of accommodation. Boyne Island Tannum Sands and Turkey Beach are unspoilt coastal towns south of Gladstone. You may wish to drop off your rental car in Gladstone prior to your journey to Heron Island.

This afternoon please make your way to Gladstone Marina and board your scenic boat cruise to Heron Island. Known as nature’s wonderland, Heron Island is 2 million years old and is a true coral cay located right on the Great Barrier Reef. It has long been a favourite for divers and snorkelers looking to immerse themselves in a truly natural island with sensational marine life. A breeding ground for mutton birds and black noddy terns, Heron Island is also home to green and loggerhead turtles. These can be seen on their migratory route during the months of December to April. You can also enjoy world class diving and snorkelling on Heron Island at one of the 20 different dive sites off the island.
Overnight: Heron Island Resort

Days 9-11: Heron Island

Time at leisure to explore the wonders of Heron Island. Enjoy some of the many complimentary experiences on offer at Heron Island Resort, including interpretive reef walks, birdlife walks, snorkelling lessons, turtle nesting viewing (at peak nesting times) or stargazing.
Overnight: Heron Island Resort

Day 12: Heron Island - Gladstone

Journey back to Gladstone today on a scenic boat cruise. Today your holiday adventure to the stunning Great Barrier Reef ends. Depart under your own arrangements.