Discover Australia with DG Travel – From Sydney to the Wonders of Queensland

Australia is a destination that deserves to be explored properly. And with a country this vast, a little expert planning goes a very long way.

Australia has always been one of our most popular long-haul destinations at DG Travel. Over the years, we've arranged holidays to just about every corner of the country, from its vibrant cities and beautiful coastlines to its remote outback communities and extraordinary natural landscapes.

And one thing we've learnt is that there really is no such thing as a standard holiday to Australia.

For most people, travelling Down Under represents a considerable investment, both financially and in terms of time. Economy flights alone can easily cost between £1,500 and £2,000 per person, with Premium Economy costing considerably more and Business Class often reaching £5,000–£7,000 per person.

When you're spending that sort of money, getting the holiday right really does matter.

It's not simply about booking flights and hotels. It's about working out where you want to go, what you'd like to experience, how much travelling you're comfortable doing and, perhaps most importantly, making the best use of the time you have available.

Australia Is Enormous – So Where Do You Begin?

Unless you're fortunate enough to have a couple of months to explore, and most of us aren't, it's usually far better to concentrate on one or two regions rather than attempt to see everything in a single visit.

For first-time visitors, Sydney and New South Wales are often the natural starting point. Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains are all familiar names, and with good reason.

Some clients choose to continue south into Victoria, perhaps finishing in Melbourne before flying home.

Others prefer Western Australia, particularly Perth and the surrounding regions. Perth also benefits from the shortest non-stop flying time between the UK and Australia, making it an attractive gateway.

And then there's Queensland.

For clients who enjoy a combination of beautiful beaches, tropical scenery, wildlife, fascinating experiences and some of Australia's most extraordinary natural wonders, Queensland is a destination we particularly enjoy recommending.

Queensland – A Little Bit of Everything Australia Has to Offer

Stretching along Australia's northeastern coast, Queensland offers an extraordinary variety of experiences.

From the tropical rainforests and coral reefs of the far north to the golden beaches and relaxed coastal towns of the south, there's an enormous amount to discover.

And the beauty of Queensland is that you can combine several completely different experiences within one holiday.

Tropical North Queensland – Where the Rainforest Meets the Reef

There are few places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders sit so close together.

In Tropical North Queensland, you have the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Wet Tropics rainforests, including the Daintree.

Imagine spending one day snorkelling among colourful coral and tropical fish, and the next walking beneath the canopy of a rainforest that has existed for millions of years.

Port Douglas makes a wonderful base for exploring this region. It's a relaxed, attractive coastal town with excellent restaurants, beautiful beaches and easy access to both the reef and rainforest.

Further inland, the Atherton Tablelands offer a completely different landscape, with rolling green hills, waterfalls, lakes, wildlife and some wonderfully unusual places to stay.

And for those interested in Aboriginal culture, guided experiences offer the opportunity to learn about the traditions, stories and connection to Country of the region's First Nations peoples.

The Gold Coast – Beaches, Sunshine and Coastal Living

Further south, Queensland takes on a different character.

The Gold Coast is famous for its long sandy beaches, surfing culture and lively coastal communities, but there's considerably more to the region than high-rise hotels and theme parks.

Burleigh Heads, for example, has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, excellent cafés, coastal walks and a beautiful beach.

Head inland and you'll discover lush rainforests, mountain villages and scenic walking trails in the Gold Coast hinterland.

It's a particularly good option for families, couples and anyone wanting to combine sightseeing with some proper relaxation.

Combining Sydney with Queensland

One of the itineraries we frequently discuss with clients is combining a few days in Sydney with a journey through Queensland.

It's an excellent way to experience two very different sides of Australia.

You could begin with three or four nights in Sydney, taking in the city's famous landmarks, before flying north to Cairns or Brisbane.

For those wanting to explore Queensland's coastline, it's possible to fly from Sydney to Brisbane in approximately 90 minutes, collect a hire car and gradually make your way north, stopping at different destinations along the way.

Alternatively, flying directly to Cairns allows you to concentrate on Tropical North Queensland without spending too much of your holiday driving.

The important thing is to design an itinerary that works for you, rather than trying to squeeze too much into the time available.

A Holiday We Particularly Like: City, Reef & Rainforest Adventure

One of the specialist operators we work with is First Class Holidays, which offers an extensive range of Australian touring holidays, accommodation and tailor-made experiences.

Their City, Reef & Rainforest Adventure is a particularly appealing example of how Sydney and Tropical North Queensland can be combined into one memorable holiday.

Rather than spending the entire time in conventional hotels, this self-drive itinerary includes some rather special accommodation along the way, giving you the chance to experience a different side of Australia.

16-Day City, Reef & Rainforest Adventure

Sydney | Port Douglas | Atherton Tablelands | Mission Beach | Cairns

This holiday combines the excitement of Sydney with the natural beauty of Queensland, including the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, tropical waterfalls, wildlife and beautiful coastal scenery.

And with your own hire car for the Queensland portion, there's plenty of freedom to explore at your own pace.

Days 1–4: Sydney – Australia's Harbour City

Your journey begins with flights from the UK to Sydney, where you'll spend three nights.

Few cities can match Sydney's setting. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge are instantly recognisable, but there's so much more to discover.

Your included sightseeing tour introduces you to the historic Rocks district, where Sydney's colonial history began, before visiting Mrs Macquarie's Point for some of the finest views of the harbour.

You'll also visit famous Bondi Beach and enjoy a two-hour harbour lunch cruise, offering a completely different perspective of the city.

One of the highlights is the Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb, a remarkable experience with panoramic views across the harbour and city.

And if climbing the bridge doesn't appeal, we can discuss alternatives, including a scenic flight.

Days 5–8: Port Douglas – Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

From Sydney, you'll fly north to Cairns, collect your hire car and make the scenic journey to Port Douglas for four nights.

This is where the tropical part of your adventure really begins.

A full-day cruise takes you to the Outer Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel among spectacular marine life and coral formations. Diving experiences may also be available, and for those who prefer not to get into the water, there are alternative ways to appreciate the reef.

You'll also have a day at leisure to enjoy Port Douglas itself, perhaps strolling along Four Mile Beach or enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the water.

Another highlight is your guided excursion into the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation.

Here, you'll cruise along the Daintree River, explore rainforest boardwalks and visit the remarkable stretch of coastline where the rainforest meets the reef.

Keep your eyes open for wildlife, including the elusive cassowary.

Days 9–10: Atherton Tablelands – A Treehouse in the Rainforest

Leaving the coast behind, you'll travel inland to the Atherton Tablelands.

This is one of the parts of the itinerary we particularly like.

Rather than another conventional hotel, you'll spend two nights in a private treehouse-style retreat, surrounded by tropical greenery and mountain scenery.

It's a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Nearby attractions include Malanda Falls, the Mamu Tropical Skywalk and Granite Gorge, where you may be lucky enough to encounter rock wallabies.

The picturesque village of Yungaburra is also worth exploring.

Days 11–12: Mission Beach – Time to Relax

Your journey continues south towards Mission Beach, with the opportunity to stop at Millaa Millaa Falls along the way.

Mission Beach is one of those places that still feels wonderfully unspoilt.

With long stretches of sandy beach, tropical vegetation and a relaxed atmosphere, it's an ideal place to unwind after your earlier adventures.

You'll spend two nights here, giving you time to enjoy the surroundings, relax by the pool or simply do very little at all.

And sometimes, doing very little is exactly what a holiday needs.

Days 13–16: Cairns and Your Journey Home

Your final stop is Cairns, where you'll spend two nights before returning your hire car and beginning your journey back to the UK.

Cairns is a lively tropical city with a pleasant waterfront, restaurants, markets and plenty of opportunities for further sightseeing.

Depending on your interests and the final arrangements, you may also enjoy the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, both included in the advertised holiday package.

It's a fitting end to a journey that combines Australia's famous city landmarks with some of its most beautiful natural environments.

What's Included?

The advertised holiday package includes:

• Return Economy Class flights from London, with regional departures available on request.

• Internal flight from Sydney to Cairns.

• 13 nights in a combination of four-star and distinctive accommodation.

• Six breakfasts and four lunches.

• 11 days' full-size car hire, including fully inclusive insurance and unlimited mileage.

• Panoramic Sydney sightseeing tour and harbour lunch cruise.

• Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb.

• Outer Great Barrier Reef cruise.

• Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation day tour.

• Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway.

• Environmental Marine Charge.

From £5,379 per person

Based on departure from the UK on 31 August 2027, including international flights.

Prices and availability are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. The advertised itinerary and inclusions may be subject to change.

Why Book Your Australia Holiday with DG Travel?

Having worked in the travel industry for nearly 40 years, I've seen how much holiday planning has changed.

There's certainly no shortage of websites offering flights, hotels and ready-made itineraries. But when it comes to a destination as vast and varied as Australia, I firmly believe there's still enormous value in having someone experienced help put everything together.

At DG Travel, we don't believe in simply handing you a brochure and telling you which holiday to book.

We want to know what interests you, whether you're comfortable driving, how much time you have, what standard of accommodation you prefer and what sort of experiences you'd really like to enjoy.

Perhaps you want to spend longer in Sydney. Maybe you'd prefer to explore Western Australia, include Melbourne, visit friends or family, or travel in greater comfort on your flights.

Perhaps a self-drive holiday isn't for you at all, and you'd rather combine escorted touring with independent stays.

That's absolutely fine.

The whole point of a tailor-made holiday is that it should be designed around you.

We work with established specialist tour operators, including First Class Holidays, and can help arrange the flights, accommodation, touring, car hire and experiences that make up your journey.

And, importantly, we'll also tell you when we think an itinerary is trying to do too much.

Australia is a long way to travel, and for many people it's a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. It deserves proper thought, care and planning.

Whatever your plans for Australia, speak to DG Travel. We'll help you create the holiday you want, rather than the holiday someone else thinks you should have.

Contact us to discuss your Australian holiday plans and discover what's possible.