Queensland eco lodge holiday with Lady Elliot Island

Itinerary in brief: 

• 3 nights Glass House Mountains
• 2 nights K'gari
• 3 nights Lady Elliot Island
• 1 night Brisbane
• 2 nights Daintree Rainforest
• 3 nights Port Douglas

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Australia

On arrival in Brisbane, you'll pick up your hire car from the airport and drive north to the Glasshouse Mountains National Park, just an hour from the airport. On arrival, you'll check in for three nights, and chill out after your long flight!

Included: Car hire, Glasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge

Day 3 & 4: Glass House Mountains 

Tucked into the wild landscape of Queensland's volcanic peaks, you'll find the Glasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge. Set amongst lush orchards and forests, this lovely property is a haven for wildlife lovers, with many birds, frogs and even kangaroos to be found in the grounds. The lodge's eco credentials are strong with solar power, rainwater harvesting and composting just some of the environmental practices they implement.

Your time here can be spent exploring the peaceful landscape, looking for birds in the forest and hiking to nearby Mount Ngungun to soak up the breath-taking views. You could also head out to discover other highlights of the Queensland Hinterland, whether you're meeting the koalas at nearby Australia Zoo, strolling through the Maleny Botanic Gardens or even head to Noosa for a day at the beach. Spend each evening curled up with a book in the train carriage library, stargazing under the inky skies and cooking dinner in the railway carriage dining car or drive to nearby restaurant to tuck into the best of Queensland cuisine. 

Included: Car hire, Glass House Mountains Eco Lodge

Day 5: Ferry to K'gari 

Head off early this morning for your drive up to Hervey Bay, 2 and a half hours away. On arrival head straight to the ferry terminal to connect with your boat over to K'gari. You will be greeted off the ferry and taken to your hotel where you will check in for the next 2 nights.

Included: Car hire, ferry, Kingfisher Bay

Day 6: K'gari 

After breakfast you will be taken on a full day 4WD explorer tour of the island, visit the main beauty spots on the island including Lake Mackenzie, known for its clear waters and silicone sands and Seventy Mile Beach, a vast expanse of golden sands and home to the Maheno shipwreck, a perfect photo opportunity. K'gari offers a rare combination of beach, bush and unique biodiversity which you can experience all in one unforgettable day.

Included: Breakfast, 4WD tour of K'gari, lunch, Kingfisher Bay

Day 7: Fly to Lady Elliot Island 

After breakfast, you'll hop back on the ferry to Hervey Bay, before making your way to the airport for the short flight to Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll might have to leave some of your luggage behind for your three night stay, as you're only allowed 15kg on the flight. On arrival, you'll check into your room and head straight out to explore the island!

Included: Ferry, car hire, internal flights, Lady Elliot Island 

Day 8 & 9: Lady Elliot Island

Spend three nights enjoying the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef on Lady Elliot Island. Nestled in a protected 'green zone', this special island is home to over a thousand species of marine life, including manta rays and turtles. It's a perfect spot for snorkelling or diving, or to simply enjoy the daily glass bottom boat tours over the reef. When you're not underwater, you can soak up the natural beauty of this small island, strolling along the beaches and enjoying delicious antipasti platters for dinner as the sun sets into the ocean.

Included: All meals, some activities, Lady Elliot Island 

Day 10: Fly to Hervey Bay, drive to Brisbane

After breakfast, you'll hop back on the plane to Hervey Bay, collecting your car and heading back to Brisbane. Why not stop in at the relaxed beach town of Noosa on your way - visit one of the popular beaches to hire a paddleboard or enjoy a swim before heading into town for a late lunch of fresh seafood at one of the stylish cafes. You'll arrive in Brisbane with plenty of time for a wander along the river, and to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the city's famous restaurants.

Included: Breakfast, internal flight, car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Fly to Cairns

This morning you'll head to the airport and drop off your hire car, before catching your flight to Cairns. Here, you'll pick up your car and drive up to the Daintree Eco Lodge, where you'll check in for two nights in the rainforest. 

Included: Car hire, internal flights, Daintree Eco Lodge

Day 12: Daintree Rainforest

Tucked away in the heart of the rainforest, you'll find the Daintree Eco Lodge. At this serene and immersive lodge you'll stay in eco-friendly treehouses amongst the canopy, listening to the sounds of native birds and the chirping of insects. From here, you can explore the Daintree Rainforest, with guided walks, waterfalls and river cruises to enjoy. With your car you can explore up to Cape Tribulation or along Mossman Gorge, before heading back to the lodge to relax with a yoga session or a tranquil spa treatment with native botanicals. 

Included: Breakfast, car hire, Daintree Eco Lodge

Days 13 - 16: Port Douglas 

This morning, you'll head down the coast to just outside Port Douglas to stay at Thala Beach Nature Reserve. Nestled in a tranquil forest, this eco-retreat is a perfect blend of comfort and wilderness. You'll be staying in a stilted bungalow with views over the rainforest canopy. Thala is all about barefoot luxury, where you'll spend each day surrounded by the peaceful nature, heading out on guided nature walks, stargazing and learning how to pick coconuts. Relax by the pool, stroll along the beach and soak up this beautiful location. 

On the afternoon of Day 13, we've included a snorkelling sunset tour - you'll head out in the afternoon to the Low Isles, exploring the ocean from the catamaran, snorkelling with a marine biologist and looking for turtles in their natural habitat. As the sun sets, you'll sail along the coast, listening to relaxing music, with canapes and spectacular views of the Daintree Rainforest from the water. 

On Day 14, we've included the River Drift Experience, a perfect retreat into the rainforest. You'll start with a walk along the river, completely enclosed by the forest, before hopping onto the river sleds, gliding along the water as the current takes you through the landscape and you can admire the green canopy of ferns above the Mossman River. It's a real highlight of enjoying this unique region. 

Included: Car hire, Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Day 17: Depart Australia

After breakfast, you'll drive back to Cairns in time for your flight home. 

Included: Transfers, international flights

Day 18: Arrive UK