ITINERARY

AT A GLANCE

>> Brisbane>–>Mooloolaba>(1.5>hours)

>> Mooloolaba>–>Noosa>(40>mins)

>> Noosa-Hervey>Bay>(2.5>hours)

>> Hervey>Bay>–>Lady>Elliot>Island>(40>min>flight)

Australia’s>Nature>Coast>brings>together>the>Sunshine>Coast>and>Fraser>Coast.>With>a>number>of>unbeatable>natural>experiences>including>the>Great>Sandy>and>Noosa>UNESCO>Biosphere>Reserves;>World>Heritage-listed>Fraser>Island;>Lady>Elliot>Island>part>of>the>World>Heritage-listed>Great>Barrier>Reef;>47>state>and>national>parks,>reserves>and>forests,>whale>watching>experiences,>over>200>kilometres>(124>miles)>of>pristine>beaches,>calm>rivers>and>waterways>with>an>abundance>of>birdlife.

AUSTRALIA’S NATURE COAST NATURALLY WILD

Queensland – Brisbane

Glass House Mountains – Australia Zoo – Mooloolaba – Noosa – Hervey Bay – Fraser Island – Lady Elliot Island

USEFUL LINKS

Australia’s>Nature>Coast>>www.australiasnaturecoast.com

DAY ONE

Pick>up>your>hire>car>in>Brisbane>and>head>north>to>the>Sunshine>Coast,>en-route>take>in>the>views>of>the>Glasshouse>Mountains>National>Park.

First>stop>is>Australia>Zoo>where>you>can>get>up>close>and>personal>with>rare,>endangered>and>much>loved>Australian>animals.>Take>in>an>exciting>show>at>the>Crocoseum,>or>enjoy>a>tour>of>the>Australian>Wildlife>Hospital.

>> Head>to>the>Coast>and>stay>in>a>room>with>fabulous>views>of>the>sea>or>hinterland.

>> Have>your>photo>taken>cuddling>a>koala>at>Australia>Zoo

>> Visit>Australia>Zoo>Wildlife>Hospital>and>watch>vets>treat>sick>and>injured>animals

>> See>crocodiles>in>action>and>learn>about>the>research>being>conducted>on>these>amazing>reptiles

>> Dine>on>freshly>caught>seafood>at>one>of>the>many>restaurants>in>Mooloolaba

ITINERARY

DAY TWO TO FOUR

DAY TWO

Start>the>day>at>Underwater>World>SEA>LIFE>Mooloolaba,>where>you>can>be>kissed>by>a>seal,>dive>with>the>sharks,>or>Go>Behind>the>Scenes>and>discover>the>life>of>an>aquarist>or>spend>the>morning>on>the>Maroochy>River>on>an>eco>cruise>though>estuarine>wetlands,>home>to>a>third>of>all>Australia’s>bird>life>species.

In>the>afternoon>travel>north>to>the>Noosa>National>Park,>spotting>resident>koalas>dozing>in>the>trees>or>find>yourself>enjoying>part>of>the>Noosa>Bird>Trail>at>the>Mangrove>Boardwalk>and>Weyba>Conservation>Park>to>look>for>Great>Egret,>Mangrove>Gerygone,>Brown>Honeyeater,>and>the>Striated>Heron>who>make>their>home>here.

Overnight>in>an>ECO>certified>accommodation>option>in>the>Noosa>region.

>> Get>a>kiss>from>a>seal>and>dive>with>sharks>at>Underwater>World>SEA>LIFE>Mooloolaba

>> Take>an>eco>cruise>on>the>Maroochy>River

>> Walk>through>Noosa>National>Park>and>spot>koalas>in>the>Eucalypt>trees

>> Follow>the>Noosa>Bird>Trail>to>see>local>birdlife

>> Join>an>eco>accredited>kayak>tour>of>the>Noosa>Everglades>through>the>mangroves>and>pristine>waterways

DAY THREE

Join>an>ECO>certified>tour>to>Fraser>Island,>or>travel>onto>the>Fraser>Coast>and>enjoy>intimate>wildlife>encounters>with>some>of>Australia’s>most>iconic>native>animals>at>the>Fraser>Coast>Wildlife>Sanctuary,>near>Maryborough.>Pat>a>dingo>in>a>safe>controlled>environment,>feed>kangaroos>and>emus>and>even>cuddle>a>reptile.

Continue>to>Hervey>Bay>and>hire>a>stand>up>paddleboard,>kayak>or>canoe>to>discover>dugongs,>dolphin,>turtles>and>a>vast>array>of>fish>within>the>hidden>depths>of>the>bay’s>clear,>calm>waters.

Take>an>ECO>tour>or>diving>tour>to>see>coral>and>other>marine>life.>If>travelling>between>July>and>November,>join>a>whale>watching>cruise>for>a>close>up>view>of>these>majestic>creatures.

Enjoy>overnight>accommodation>at>Hervey>Bay>and>soak>up>the>glorious>ocean>views

>> Join>a>4WD>tour>of>World>heritage-listed>Fraser>Island,>with>its>white>sandy>beaches,>ancient>rainforests,>wetlands>and>crystal-clear>creeks

>> Feed>kangaroos>and>emus,>pat>a>dingo>and>cuddle>a>reptile>at>Fraser>Cost>Wildlife>Sanctuary

>> Take>to>the>water>in>Hervey>Bay>with>a>stand>up>paddleboard,>kayak>or>canoe>for>the>chance>to>see>dugongs,>dolphins,>turtles>and>an>array>of>fish

DAY FOUR

Heading>south>from>Hervey>Bay,>drive>just>over>an>hour>to>Tin>Can>Bay,>one>of>the>few>places>in>Australia>where>wild>dolphins>can>be>hand>fed>in>their>natural>environment.>The>rare>Indo>Pacific>Humpback>Dolphins>can>be>seen>at>the>boat>ramp>at>Norman>Point>each>morning>around>8.00am.

Alternatively,>take>a>40-minute>scenic>flight>from>Hervey>Bay>to>the>Great>Barrier>Reef>ECO>certified>Lady>Elliot>Island>for>an>unrivalled>reef>experience.>This>coral>cay>is>a>known>for>its>un-spoilt>coral>reef,>spectacular>marine>life>and>abundance>of>manta>rays>and>turtles.

From>Hervey>Bay>you>can>continue>your>journey>north>along>the>coast>or>fly>out>to>your>next>destination.

>> Hand>feed>wild>dolphins>at>Tin>Can>Bay

>> View>the>southern>most>part>of>the>Great>Barrier>Reef>on>a>scenic>flight

>> See>green>sea>turtles>during>egg>laying>and>hatching>season>on>Lady>Elliot>Island>between>November>and>March

>> Join>a>glass>bottom>boat>and>snorkelling>tour>of>Lady>Elliot>Island>for>a>chance>to>swim>with>turtles