Australia: Southern Queensland Coastal Drive

Arrive into the city of Gold Coast. Collect your car hire and drive to Peppers Broadbeach for a 2-night stay. The following day, travel into the lush Gold Coast hinterland on a full-day tour to Lamington National Park, including a treetop walk above the forest floor and visits to the townships of Canungra and Mount Tamborine. (N)

Afternoon drive to Brisbane and stay 2 nights at the Sofitel Brisbane. Join a full-day tour of the city to see the sights, including a cruise on the river and a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane for panoramic city views. (N)

Drive to Noosa this morning. En route, visit Australia Zoo, the nature park of the late ‘crocodile hunter’ Steve Irwin. It houses a vast collection of wildlife and allows you to get close to a number of native species. Optional river cruise through the Noosa everglades, passing through ancient wetlands that are home to a large number of endemic and endangered plants, animals and birds. Stay 2 nights at the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort. (N)

Depart Noosa and return to Brisbane, or continue up the Queensland coast to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. (N)