Marvellous Sydney! Travellers will be arriving from all over the world today at different times so there are no planned activities. Should you arrive early we recommend you get out and explore Sydney. The hotel staff can point you in the right direction and there are brochures and maps available from reception. You will also find information about our first group meeting held on the evening of day 1 at approximately 1800hrs.

The activities and sightseeing options in Sydney are many and varied so day 2 is sure to be a full one. We begin with an orientation walk around the harbour to the Opera House and The Rocks. We take to the harbour on a fascinating Aboriginal-owned boat tour. We can see Sydney's waterways and history from the perspective of its indigenous inhabitants. We make the most of our time with a stroll along the beautiful Coogee-to-Bondi trail (2.5 hours) and maybe have a meal at Sydney's most well-known beach - a fitting end to our stay in this wonderful state capital.

There are so many options for you in Sydney that we recommend you extend your stay here and arrange additional accommodation prior to the trip to make sure you have time to see all that Sydney has to offer; world-class museums and galleries, Taronga Zoo, harbour cruises, Harbour Bridge Climb, Olympic Park and plenty of atmosphere!

We'll then be on our way to Australia's oldest wine-growing region (2 hours). Stopping en route for self-catering supplies, we enjoy the beautiful Hunter Valley with its manicured rows of vines and quaint townships, and we'll have plenty of time to explore the village surrounds and sample the local produce.

On the morning of day 4, we take to mountain bikes and tour nearby vineyards (4 hours). There will be ample opportunities to sample local wines and locally-produced cheeses and olives. We stay in multi-share country cabins surrounded by the bush and at night we can have a go at some possum-spotting, have our own barbecue or head to a nearby pub to meet the locals.

We head to Myall Lakes National Park on the coast (2 hours). This is a unique spot popular with Australian holiday-makers. The landscape features lakes, beaches, sand dunes, rocky headlands and forests. We hike to the spectacular viewpoint on Yacaaba Headland and take time to go kayaking or simply relax by the lake at our accommodation and have a barbecue.

We have a leisurely start to the day before hitting the road inland through the Great Dividing Range. Our destination is a sheep station (5 hours) where we experience rural Australia in all its glory. Leaving the city life well behind, we immerse ourselves in a traditional farmstay where we join in seasonal farm chores - mustering, shearing, yabby farming, picking vegetables. Be prepared to get dirty! Our accommodation is rustic but totally suited for the occasion! You can even sleep in the old shearers' quarters. We will take time in the evening to head out in search of Australia's native and nocturnal wildlife.

Leaving the farm, we continue through the New England region and onto the Waterfall Way. This scenic route connects Armidale to Bellingen on the coastal belt below the Great Dividing Range. Our journey takes us on a road lined with World Heritage-listed national parks, deep and rugged gorges and some of Australia's highest waterfalls. We can make an optional stop at Dorrigo, where there are stunning views to the Pacific Ocean and beyond from the rainforest 'skywalk' as well as an informative and educational Rainforest Centre. Wear your walking shoes today. We arrive in Bellingen in time for a meal and perhaps some liquid refreshment at the local pub.

A morning in Bellingen is a real joy as you can be as active or as slothful as you like. There's canoeing on the Bellingen River or bike riding to nearby Glennifer or perhaps just relaxing at one of the many cafes to indulge in a spot of people watching. A visit to the Old Butter Factory is certainly worthwhile.

Arriving in Byron Bay (3 hours), there's an immediate change of pace. In some ways this popular destination is laid-back, in others it's buzzing - a travellers' Mecca that draws backpackers and luxury seekers alike. There's a collection of beautiful beaches, world-class restaurants, cafes and galleries, alternative cultures and a plethora of adventure activities to choose from. Luckily, we have two days to enjoy this wonderful town. Take a leisurely walk on the 4km track to Captain Cook Lookout and drop down to Watego's Beach to cool off while you're there, try your hand at surfing (lessons are optional) or, if you are feeling more adventurous, try mountain biking in the rainforest, hang-gliding, parasailing, ultra-light flying or take a sea kayak out round the headland for some dolphin spotting. At the other end of the scale, Byron is the place for relaxing alternative therapies and massages.

Following a last relaxing morning in Byron, we continue north towards the river city of Brisbane (4 hours). Blessed with extensive parklands and gardens, a flourishing art scene and burgeoning cafe culture, this city is sure to offer a great spot for a relaxing meal as we prepare to tackle Australia's north.

Please note, the composition of the group may change here, new travellers may join us and you may have a different leader for the remaining part of this trip. 

We make an early start and quickly leave Brisbane's urban sprawl behind us, making our way north through the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. We can take an optional side trip to Noosa Heads, a spectacular area of the Sunshine Coast. Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast is our final stop. It serves as a gateway to Fraser Island. If the weather is fine, fish and chips on the beach is a popular pastime.

Another early morning as we ferry across to Fraser Island and spend the day in the great outdoors. 4WD beach cruising, exploring the interior on rough sand tracks, swimming in one of the 200 freshwater lakes and taking rainforest walks are just the beginning.

Teeming with bird and animal life, washed-up shipwrecks and the occasional remote settlement, Fraser Island is a nature lovers' paradise. Taking our time, we can fully appreciate Fraser's many attributes and wonders. We'll cross the desert, see coloured sands, have a game of cricket on the beach, take time for a barbecue - and we can swim all year round. We return to Hervey Bay late on day 14

Please note that we will be combining with other independent travellers on Fraser Island. Accommodation on Fraser Island is in twin-share tents.

We have a day on the road today as we head inland along the Burnett Highway towards our cattle station farmstay. In contrast to our recent coastal excursion, the landscape here is serene and rugged as cane farms give way to grazing lands and signs of mining exploits are evident. Craggy blue ranges provide a dramatic backdrop and little rural hamlets offer interesting stop-off points at which to break our journey.

We will be warmly welcomed as we arrive at our farmstay in the late evening. Spending time with our host family on a working cattle station is a unique 'Aussie' experience. Milking the cows, horse riding, goat mustering, taking 4WD farm tours and joining in seasonal farm activities - it's all dirty, fun and different! Imagine telling your friends back home that you've learnt to crack a stock whip or lasso a calf! Find a spot for your swag and test the bush shower as we spend a night under the stars at our bush campsite while enjoying a camp-oven dinner.

The long, mostly-deserted stretches of road along the Capricorn Coast provide a constant reminder of the vast expanses of uninhabited land so typical of outback Australia. Our journey today is a long one (8 hours) but our destination makes it totally worthwhile.

The 74 beautiful islands of the Whitsunday Islands are the focus of this part of Queensland and its easy to see why. We have a full day based in the travellers' hub of Airlie Beach (itself a brilliant spot to hang out, people-watch, swim and more) to take it all in. Enjoy a spot of snorkelling, diving or sailing on our island excursion.

The Bruce Highway carries us further north (6 hours) with Great Barrier Reef islands off shore and mountainous national parks inland. This is a beautiful stretch of the classic east coast route and travelling in our own vehicle affords us many opportunities to stop and take it all in. Our destination tonight is a real treat. Mission Beach is a very laid-back and beautiful place to wind down as we near the end of our trip. (Please see amendments.)

Activities are numerous during our free time. For the adventurous there are white-water rafting trips on the Tully River, half-day coastal paddles, tandem skydives that have you landing on the beach as well as bush and beach horse-rides. For those seeking total relaxation, massages and yoga are available.

Our accommodation here is in unique rainforest huts with mesh sides that affords us an intimate view of the surrounding rainforest. You may even be lucky enough to see a cassowary - an endangered bird that frequents this area.

Cairns is north Queensland's main commercial centre and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Atherton Tableland and Cape Tribulation to the north. We take some back roads where we can stop to explore the rainforest on our way to Cairns.

Our trip ends in Cairns and you may depart anytime on day 22.