12 DAYS 6,000 KM SYDNEY - OUTBACK - CAPE YORK - THURSDAY ISLAND - WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS OUTBACK, OPALS, CORALS, TROPICAL ISLANDS & RAINFOREST This is our premier winter excape. From the relative cold of Sydney, we make our way into tropical Queensland, the magic Torres Strait with Thursday Island, fly along the lush tropical rainforests of the Eastern Cape York peninsula and go sailing and snorkeling in the Whitsunday Islands. Day 1 Sydney - Lightning Ridge We depart from Sydney’s BankstownBlue Mountains. About one hour into the flight the rolling hills give way to flat and increasingly dry planes. Two hours later we arrive at Lightning Ridge, Australia’s black opal capital. Following a light lunch, we take a tour of the mines. You will not only experience an interesting tour about life of a opal miners but also have the opportunity to try your luck at fossicking yourself. Day 2 Lightning Ridge – Lawn Hill National Park Today we leave the world of opal mining behind and fly north to Adels Grove, a bush retreat adjacent to Lawn Hill National Park. The emerald waters and lush vegetation of Lawn Hill Gorge form a beautiful oasis in the outback, attracting abundant wildlife and offering exceptional views, walks, canoeing and cultural sites. The afternoon is free for you to explore the true Aussie outback environment, sit by the river, have a drink by the bush bar, or just read a book and enjoy the pure sounds of nature. Day 3 Lawn Hill – Burketown In the morning we take a tour into the national park.  Upon return we depart and fly north to Burketown, home of the famous Burketown pub. Burketown – Pormpuraaw After a drink at this icon of Australian outback, we fly at breathtaking flightseeing altitude as we follow the coast to Pormpurraw, formerly known as Edward River. The local aboriginal community operates a crocodile farm and there are also excellent aboriginal artists. Explore the village by the Gulf of Carpentaria and get an insight into aboriginal life. Day 4 Pormpurraw – Weipa – Horn Island – Thursday Island Today we make our way to the northernmost point of the Australian mainland as we continue our coastal sightseeing flight north.  After arriving in Horn Island we catch the ferry across to the famous Thursday Island or T.I. as it is affectionately known to the locals.  We are now only a “stonethrow” away from Papua New Guinea as we enjoy the beautiful tropical environment. Day 5 T.I. Today is yours to explore the island. Take a walk along the shore, conquer the local hill or simply let island life inspire you from the comfort of a café. Day 6 Thursday Island -  Coconut island T.I. is the main settlement of the Torres Strait. Today we fly to one of its outposts, the magic Coconut Island. Only around 2km long, it is a true gem in the steady tradewind breeze. Day 7 Coconut Island The day is yours on this lovely island. Day 8 Coconut Island - Cooktown A magic flight at sightseeing altitude along the coast to Cooktown awaits us. You may see dugongs and crocodiles from the air. You will certainly see a spectacular coastline of rainforest, coral reef and remote rivers and bays.  We land at Cooktown, a lovely sleepy settlement. Day 9 Cooktown – Cairns Today's flight takes us past the famous Daintree River as we fly further south over Port Douglas and into Cairns. Cairns is an interesting town. With a population of ca 150,000 it has much to offer. Only one hour’s boat ride away you can snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef! You can enjoy the nightlife with many restaurants and bars at night. Day 10 Cairns - Airlie Beach Today we follow the beautiful lush sugarcane and banana country south of Cairns and fly past Townsville to Airlie Beach, the hub of the Whitsunday Islands. The afternoon is yours to explore. Day 11 Airlie Beach – Whitsunday daytour Sailing / Snorkelling Today we take a daytrip on a sailing boat. As we anchor for lunch, you will have the opportunity to snorkel the spectacular reef with its spectacular colours and marine life. Day 12 Airlie Beach – Roma – Bankstown After take-off from Airlie Beach we fly past the famous Whitehaven Beach with its incredibly white sand. We then turn inland and head south to the town of Roma for a refuel. We then continue on to Sydney. It has only be 12 days but we have seen so much.   FOR PRICING AND BOOKINGS PLEASE CALL 1300 234 104