This tour visits: Australia

Craving sunshine? Then come travel Australia with us and you'll get more of the

warm stuff than you know what to do with! Begin amid the tropical charms of

Cairns and make your way south to the vibrant streets of Sydney, swapping

island sailing and beaches with cattle stations and the Outback along the way!

The Bucket List

Full-day 4WD experience on Fraser Island

Overnight sailing in the Whitsunday Islands

Visit to stunning Whitehaven Beach

Unique wine tasting experience in the stunning Hunter

Valley

Surf lesson at Topdeck's Surf Lodge

Aboriginal Experience at Emu Park

2 nights at the tropical Daydream Island

More Inclusions

13 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners

12 nights in hotels, lodges & cabins, 1 night live-aboard

sailing

Modern air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi

Awesome Trip leader + Driver

14 DAY | Island Suntanner AAISSC-7

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Sydney to Crescent Head

Set the tone for this fair dinkum (i.e. authentic) Aussie adventure by crossing Sydney's iconic Harbour Bridge as we venture toward the

surfing haven of Crescent Head. Before testing the waters, dip your toes into an oak barrel (literally) in the Hunter Valley.

Included today:

-Wine tasting and grape stomping in the Hunter Valley

Meals:

- Dinner

Day 2 - Crescent Head to Byron Bay

Try a barrel of a different kind with an early morning private surf lesson on one of the best beaches in the world. Here's your chance to

become a bona fide surf master. Our road trip continues with a traditional BBQ lunch and a cruise past the Big Banana icon before pulling

into Byron Bay - where you can burn incense, sip chai and become a yoga teacher all in one day.

Included today:

-Surf lesson at Topdeck's surf retreat

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Lunch

Day 3 - Byron Bay

Anti-McDonald's and anti-anything mass produced (but pro juice bars, beer gardens and beards), Byron is glitzy on the outside but small

town-hearted underneath. Hit the shops, test out those newly acquired surfing skills, paddle a sea kayak, or watch whales breach from the

Lighthouse in winter. This is the town where peace and tranquillity go to relax. You should too. Or jump out of a plane. Byron doesn't care as

long as you're happy.

Included today:

-Byron Bay highlights walking trip

Meals:

- Breakfast

Optional activities:

-Dolphin kayaking

-Skydiving

-Scuba diving

-Surf lessons

Day 4 - Byron Bay to Gold Coast

Leave the blissful buzz of Byron behind you as we head to Springbrook National Park and its major landmark, Natural Bridge. Next, swap the

national park for the golden sand beaches and bustling nightlife of Surfers Paradise.

Included today:

-Rainforest walk in Springbrook National Park

Meals:

- Breakfast

Day 5 - Gold Coast to Fraser Island

***We ask that you have packed a small overnight bag to take to Fraser Island with you as luggage space is limited. Pack items like

swimmers, beach towel, chargers, hat, sunscreen, camera, jacket, toiletries, sandals/flip flops and casual clothes for 2 days.***

Next stop: BrisVegas (aka Brisbane). Don't let its namesake fool you - there are no late-night wedding chapels in the sunshine state capital.

Get your bearings on a walking tour of the city centre, before catching a ferry bound for UNESCO World Heritage listed, and the world's

largest sand island Fraser Island.

Included today:

-Brisbane city walking tour

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Dinner

Day 6 - Fraser Island

Fraser is literally one huge pile of sand - as if someone dropped the Sahara Desert into the Pacific Ocean and scattered it with dingoes and

rainforests. Included four-wheel-drive along the beach highway to mingle with the Pinnacles Coloured Sands (considered a place of good luck

for the Indigenous Butchulla women), Eli Creek and the Maheno Shipwreck before testing out your stand up paddling skills on the crystal

clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Included today:

-Fraser Island 4WD tour

-Lake MacKenzie

-Central Station

-Coloured Sands

-Maheno Shipwreck

-Eli Creek

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Lunch

Optional activities:

-Scenic flights from the beach

Day 7 - Fraser Island to Myella Farm

Live like a local family with a home-cooked meal and cattle station visit. Think dusty plains and wide open spaces - this is the Oz that people

dream of. Go walkabout on a real Aussie farm to find that right spot for the perfect outback sunset and enjoy a hearty home cooked farm-

style dinner.

Included today:

-Farm sunset

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Dinner

Day 8 - Myella Farm to Emu Park

Embrace your inner jackaroo and prepare for horse riding, motorbiking, whip cracking and lassoing. Then leave the campfire to follow in the

footsteps of Captain Cook as we head back to the coast for Emu Park. Take a selfie as you pass into the Tropic of Capricorn. Enjoy the

Aboriginal experience where you get to learn about totems and artefacts, see some traditional dancing, try your hand at boomerang

throwing and make some artwork to take home.

Included today:

-Aboriginal experience and artefact souvenir

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Optional activities:

-Horse riding

-Motorbike lesson

Day 9 - Emu Park to The Whitsundays

***We ask that you have packed a small overnight bag to take onboard with you as space on the overnight sailing is limited. Pack items like

swimmers, beach towel, chargers, hat, sunscreen, camera, jacket, toiletries, sandals/flip flops and casual clothes for 3 days.***

Feeling like you need more air in your hair? Leave the bus and board your own private yacht for our overnight (2 day, one night) sailing trip in

the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Normally a toy for the rich and famous, today it's all yours to learn the ropes while sailing in paradise. More

of a land-lover? Take the diva option and let the crew do the work whilst you feast, swim and snorkel.

Included today:

-Overnight sailing

Please note that the twin / double / or single upgrade is not applicable to the Overnight Sailing in the

Whitsunday Islands. This has not been included in when upgrade rates were calculated.

Meals:

-Breakfast

-Dinner

Day 10 - Daydream Island

Keep those sunglasses on as the blinding white sands of Whitehaven stretch before you like a 7km sea of diamonds and swim with the

resident Maori Wrasse at Blue Pearl Bay. Back on board, keep adrift of your seafaring skills by helping to set the sails or steer at the helm as

we set course for land and two nights at Daydream Island Resort.

Included today:

-Whitehaven Beach

-Snorkeling

-Whitsunday sailing

Meals:

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

Day 11 - Daydream Island

Did someone say buffet breakfast? (Over) indulge, recharge and relax with water sports, beach volleyball and fish feeding right off the jetty.

Appropriately named, Daydream Island has walking tracks, palm trees and secluded beaches. In keeping with tradition, a looong list of

activities has been provided ranging from watersports to mini golf and tennis. Grab a cocktail from the swim up pool bar then make a date

with a hammock and get in your happy place overlooking the pools.

Included today:

-Non-motorised activities

-Bush walking

Meals:

- Breakfast

Optional activities:

-Island motor sports

-Day spa

-Living reef tours

Day 12 - Daydream Island to Cairns

Today we pull into Cairns: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You'll soon forget you're not on a yacht anymore. We'll show you the sights of

the local night markets, and then the night is yours to get out and explore some of Australia's best nightlife.

Included today:

-Visit the Big Mango

Meals: - Breakfast

Day 13 - Cairns

The only place in the world nestled between two World Heritage areas. And you've got two days to take it all in. Why not start with an

optional Great Barrier Reef trip? It's like a kid's gone crazy with their paint set down there! Snorkel or scuba to get that elusive selfie with a

photobombing fish.

*Pre-book your Great Barrier Reef day-trip at the time of booking to secure your spot

Meals:

- Breakfast

Optional activities:

-Great Barrier Reef Day Trip

Day 14 - Cairns

Ramp up the adventure metre today's optionals. You could be paddling the rapids of the Tully River, zip lining over a crocodile or getting an

aerial view of the tropics by plummeting towards it. There's hot air ballooning, horse riding and bungee jumping...or just kick back with a

coconut.

Meals:

- Breakfast

Optional activities:

-White water rafting

-Horse riding

-Quad biking

-Skydiving

-Bungy jumping

-Daintree National Park day trip

-Zip lining

-Hot air ballooning

Accommodation

On your trip you will stay at a variety of multi-share accommodation, which may include hostels, motels, cabins, lodges, and camping out in

tents and even a traditional Aussie swag! The number of people in a room varies depending on the type of accommodation. To keep costs

down accommodation is based on a multi-share, same sex basis.

The 'More Inclusions' section of this document details what type of accommodation will be used for our overnight stops.

If you are travelling with a friend and require twin or double accommodation, this is available at a small extra charge (not available while in

the Northern Territory). Should this be required, you can select this at the time of booking.

Optional Activities

On all trips we have arranged extra activities that we think will enhance your travel experience, but you have a choice as to whether or not

you will participate. These are not included in the cost of your trip. They are usually organised on a group participation basis and should be

taken into consideration when budgeting your spending money.

None of the Optional Activities on your trip are operated by Topdeck, nor do they form part of your contract with Topdeck for your trip.

Topdeck arranges the activity as an agent of the local supplier. Should you participate in any Optional Activities your contract will be with the

local supplier and their conditions will apply.

Please note: while we make every effort to keep these prices as accurate and up-to-date as possible, they are subject to change and in rare

circumstances the actual price may vary slightly to what is published here.

Australia - Byron Bay

Tandem Skydive $299 AUD

Dolphin Kayaking $69 AUD

Surf Lesson $60 AUD

Hang Gliding $165 AUD

Australia - Gold Coast

Tandem Skydive $375 AUD

Australia - Fraser Island

Scenic Flight $80 AUD

Australia - Myella Farm

Motorbike Lesson $65 AUD

Horse Riding $75 AUD

Australia - Cairns

Tandem Skydive $309 AUD

Go Wild Day Tour $150 AUD

Go Jungle Surfing $252 AUD

Tully River Rafting (Full Day) $209 AUD

Tully River Xtreme (Full Day) $250 AUD

Baron River Rafting (Half Day) $138 AUD

Full Day Reef Trip $154 AUD

Bungy Jump $179 AUD

Minjin Swing $129 AUD

Hot Air Ballooning $260 AUD

Wildlife Dome Entry & Photo $40 AUD

Meals

Your included meals are detailed in the 'More Inclusions' section of this document.

Breakfasts are included each day (except on the first morning). A typical breakfast consists of cereals with milk or yoghurt, bread, a range of

spreads, and fruit juice, tea or coffee. It is rare to get a hot breakfast, though on some occasions it may be available.

Included evening meals will be combination of those prepared by the Topdeck Road Crew, local restaurants and places in which we stay.

If you have any dietary requirements we will make every effort to cater to your specific needs as long as you advise your travel agent or

Topdeck Trip Consultant when you book. But please be aware that although we will do everything in our power to arrange it, we cannot

guarantee that every restaurant we use will be able to cater to all dietary needs. We also cannot cater for tastes or dislikes, as most of our

included evening meals feature a set menu.

No Tip Necessary

Your Topdeck crew never expect tips themselves and will not ask for any; that’s not what friends do! We also know how much tipping can

cost you. So go ahead, spoil yourself with the money you will save by travelling with Topdeck (just don’t forget Mum’s souvenir).

Topdeck Travel App

Our travel app has landed! With a range of awesome features including a Currency Converter, Budget Tracker, Check-In tool and Social

Timeline you can plan your trip like a pro. Think of it like your very own Topdeck Trip Leader, always on call with the latest info, weather,

maps and city guides to give you the trip of a lifetime, all in the palm of your hand.

Please note: The Topdeck Travel App should only be downloaded once you have booked onto your trip. You will not be able to log in unless

you have a Topdeck Booking Reference Number.

Get it for iPhone

Get it for Android

Other Information

Finances

Changing Money

ATMs/cashpoints are available all over Australia and New Zealand and are the safest and easiest way to access money. Major credit cards are

also accepted and we recommend you bring yours along in case you see something special that you hadn't budgeted for.

Some nationals may have access to pre-paid cards that you can use at any ATM just like a debit card that you may want to consider as a

viable alternative or addition to your bank card.

We recommend that you change approximately AU/NZ$150  in cash before departure. This will cover you for spending money until you have

the chance to change more or find an ATM on the ground.

 

Spending Money

Based on experience, we recommend at least $50 – $75 per day. This is to cover daily expenses including sightseeing, small souvenir

shopping and non-included meals.

Remember, this is a rough figure only and spending habits vary greatly between individuals according to their budget and habits!

 

Insurance

It is highly recommended for all passengers to take out comprehensive travel insurance before the trip departs covering cancellation,

medical expenses including repatriation, loss or damage to baggage and personal belongings, money and personal liability.

For more information go to www.topdeck.travel/travel-insurance

You must bring a copy of your travel insurance policy with you on the trip. Details of your policy must be uploaded into the Topdeck app

before your trips departs, otherwise they will be requested by your Trip Leader on Day One .

Passports and Visas

Please make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after the last day of your trip. Some countries will refuse entry if there is not at

least six months validity remaining on your passport after your departure date from their country. Depending on your nationality, you may

require a visa to enter Australia and New Zealand.

It is your responsibility to obtain these prior to the departure of this trip. You can consult the government websites of the countries in which

you will be travelling or your own government’s website to determine which visas you will require. We also have a visa chart on our website

listing the visas required by some nationalities travelling on our trips. To check go to www.topdeck.travel/visas.

Remember that some visas can take up to six weeks to acquire, so don’t leave it until the last minute. Also bear in mind that the validity of

the visa often runs from the date of issue rather than date of entry into the country. Please check with the appropriate embassies prior to

departure as requirements do change periodically.

Transport

Coach Time

We try to spend as little time on the coach as possible so that you have more time to enjoy the places you visit. But do please remember that

Australia in particular is a large continent and it takes time to get around!

When travelling between towns, you will be on the coach during the day, stopping off to visit places of interest where possible. Strict driving

rules apply in Australia and New Zealand that limit the maximum number of hours your Driver can drive each day. They also limit the

maximum number of days that can be driven before a day off must be taken.

 

Wi-Fi

Free on-coach Wi-Fi is steadily being rolled out for all passengers in Australia and New Zealand. Speed and connection relies on local 3G / 4G

networks, and can be signal can be intermittent in some of the more remote places in which we travel.

 

Health and Safety

We want to make sure you’re having the time of your life while travelling with us. Therefore, if you suffer from any kind of medical condition

or allergies, we will need to know at the time of booking, or at least six weeks prior to the departure of your trip.

If you require regular medication, you must have a sufficient supply before your trip departs, as it may be difficult to obtain while travelling.

You must be able to administer your own medication, as Topdeck Road Crew will not be able to administer it, and there are no guarantees

that there will be anyone with first aid training on board.

Vaccinations

There are currently no compulsory vaccinations required for either Australia or New Zealand. Please reconfirm this with your GP or health

professional before you leave as conditions can change.

General Information

 

Power

Both Australia and New Zealand operate on a 240v power supply, operate on the same 2-3 pronged outlet. Adaptors can be purchased easily

upon arrival.

In Cases of Emergency

While we hope you never have to use it, if for any reason you need to contact someone from Topdeck, whether it be that you have missed a

trip departure meeting, have become separated from your trip on the road or any other unforeseeable problem, the following options are

available to you.

 

Emergency Contact

Our Customer Service team is on hand 24/7 to help*

Please call 1300886332 from within Australia, 0800525366 from within New Zealand, 18006071399 from within North America, 0800982308

from within South Africa, 0362731786 from within Japan, 08452575212 from inside the UK or +44289873305 for the rest of the world. A

Topdeck representative will be on hand to help.

* Please note our Customer Service team may be closed over bank holidays. Please check out www.topdeck.travel/about-

topdeck/contact-us over these times.

 

What to Bring

We recommend soft bags, suitcases or frameless backpacks, plus a small day pack or carry bag. No external framed bags please, as they

damage other bags on the coach. Please limit your luggage to a maximum of 20kg on East Coast and New Zealand trips, and 15kg for

Outback and Discovery trips. Luggage must not exceed dimensions of 70cm in height, 45cm in width and 25cm in depth. Only one piece of

luggage is allowed.

Please note that due to space and weight restrictions on our coaches, passengers with too much luggage on departure morning may be told

that they cannot take their entire luggage with them. Luggage storage facilities are usually available at the departure point, if they are not

available you will have to make your own arrangements to have it stored or shipped home. Any luggage left behind will be at your own risk

and you will be required to pay any costs incurred.

 

Sleeping Bags

A sleeping bag will not be required for your trip.

 

Suggested Packing List

The golden rule is to travel as light as you can. Only bring what you really need and leave plenty of space for things you might want to buy.

Don't forget you will have to carry your bag around yourself before and after the trip, as well as in and out of where you’re staying while on

your trip!

The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience:

1 pair of comfortable walking shoes

1 pair of smart casual shoes

1 pair thongs/jandals/flip-flops

2 pairs jeans/trousers

2 pairs shorts/skirts

4 shirts/t-shirts

2 sweaters/jumpers

Smart casual evening wear

1 rainproof jacket

1 warm jacket

Underwear and socks!

Other things to pack:

Swimwear

Towel

Toiletries

Hat and Sunscreen

Basic medical kit (including plasters, aspirin etc.)

Washing powder

Insect repellent

Conversion plug

Optionals to consider:

Sewing kit

Pillow case

Torch

Travel pillow

Please note: entry into some religious sites, such as cathedrals and mosques, requires clothing to cover the knees, chest and shoulders.

Final Checklist

Passport (with visas if required!)

Airline tickets (where applicable)

Insurance Policy (you must bring these details with you)

Camera; batteries; chargers; conversion plug

That’s it – you’re now ready for your trip of a lifetime! If you have any further questions feel free to give our team a shout at any time. Happy

travels!