Southern Gems Of Queensland

Day 1:Brisbane - Lamington National Park (100 kms)

Collect your HERTZ INTERMEDIATE SEDAN rental car at the Brisbane City Depot (or Brisbane Airport at additional cost) and commence your drive south to Lamington National Park.

Lamington National Park is dominant on the skyline behind the Gold Coast beaches and is approximately a 1 hour drive from the Gold Coast. It gets its name from Lord Lamington who was the governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1902. A wide range of vegetation can be found within the park. Huge brush box, tulip oaks, giant stinging tees and buttress-rooted Moreton Bay figs are just a few of the many species which thrive here. One interesting way of viewing the park's many wonders from above is via the rainforest canopy walk. Here visitors can stroll across a suspension bridge dangling 15 metres above the forest floor. This provides hikers with a chance of coming face-to-face with some of the brilliant birds who live in the dense canopy.

Day 2: Lamington National Park

Enjoy a full day at O'Reilly's. Start the day with the O'Reilly's Birdwalk and meet the hundreds of birds that visit each morning to feed around the Guesthouse. After breakfast visit the Discovery Centre and allow the guides to help you decide on your activities for the day, choose from a selection of guided 4WD bus excursions, interpretive rainforest walks or adventure activities. In the evening join a nocturnal spotlighting or Glow Worm walk, watch an audiovisual presentation or just relax in the lounge room and learn about the fascinating history of the O'Reilly family and Lamington National Park.

Day 3: Lamington National Park - Noosa

Departing Lamington National Park today, travel back to the town of Nerang where you join the Pacific Motorway. Continue north to join the Bruce Highway and onto the Sunshine Motorway. At Perigian Springs roundabout take the second exit onto Emu Mountain Arterial Road and join David Low Way into Noosa. Noosa Heads has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, coupled with the natural beauty of the area. The headland is a National Park and there are several walks meandering through it to the various attractions of Boiling Pot, Hell's Gates and Paradise Cave, to name a few. Noosa's boutiques and restaurants are first class, and there is no shortage of entertainment.

Day 4: Sunshine Coast

Full day at leisure in Noosa. Spot koalas as you walk through the natural bushland of Noosa's famous National Park. Enjoy a dip in the clear, calm waters of Laguna Bay. Take a surfing lesson or just soak up the sun. Tour the tranquil waters and marvel at the birdlife on the Noosa Everglades. Join the fun and hunt down a treasure at the famous bustling Eumundi Markets (Wed & Sat). Meet local growers and producers and sample the fresh flavours of local farms and wineries on the Noosa Food Trail.

Day 5: Noosa - Fraser Island

Departing Noosa today travel to Cooroy where you turn right onto the Bruce Highway to Gympie. Continue through Gympie to Maryborough where you leave the highway and head to Hervey Bay. The catamaran for Fraser Island departs Hervey Bay at 12noon, 4pm or 7pm. There is secure parking available outside the Kingfisher Bay reception at Urangan Boat Harbour. Great Sandy Straits secure uncovered car parking is located on the left as you enter the Urangan Boat Harbour car park. We suggest your drive directly to the tourist terminal to off-load luggage at Kingfisher Bay reception then return to the car park. It is only a 100-metre walk. Rates are approx $8.80 per day. After a 40-minute cruise across the Great Sandy Strait, you will be welcomed to Australia's leading ecotourism resort.