See the best of Oz’s beaches and reefs with Contiki

Calling all water babies – this trip up the east coast of Oz will get you so close to the fish, you’ll be on a first name basis…well, almost!

Go surfing, snorkeling, sailing and swimming with Contiki on the 14-day Beaches and Reefs.

Contiki has added a brand-spanking new stop on its east coast itinerary – Contiki’s Surf Village in Coffs Harbour. At this groovy village, you can try your skills at hanging ten under the expert guidance of the best surfing instructors in the business. Not into surfing? Chill out at the Surf Village’s bar, take a dip or bask in the sun on the beach.

Some of the other highlights of this trip include:

Sydney: see the all the sites of the stunning harbour city

Hunter Valley: drive through the vineyards and enjoy a wine tasting

Byron Bay: visit Cape Byron, Australia’s most eastern point

Surfers Paradise: visit the ‘Gold Coast’ beaches and try your luck at Jupiter’s Casino

Country Homestead: stay at a traditional country homestead, where you’ll enjoy a farm tour, a bush dance evening and see the farm animals and kangaroos

Noosa: visit the picturesque seaside town and beach

Fraser Island: stay on this World Heritage listed island; enjoy the scenic boat trip to the island and enjoy the resort facilities and stay in the eco-village and enjoy the resort facilities

Capricorn Coast: visit and cross the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoy a Rockhampton sightseeing tour

Whitsundays: transfer by boat to Long Island where you’ll stay and enjoy all the resort facilities, as well as seeing native birdlife and wallabies 

Tully: cross the Tully River, home to Australia’s best white water rafting

Cairns: enjoy a city sightseeing tour and take a scenic drive into the Atherton Hinterland to Kuranda; visit Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre and see Aboriginal dancing, then test your skills at hurling a boomerang and give spear throwing a go.

The 14-day Beaches and Reefs trip is priced from $1749 per person, quad share (land only), which includes most breakfasts and some dinners, accommodation in a range of fab hotels and resorts, touring on Contiki’s luxury coaches with facilities to charge all your gadgets on the go, loads of sightseeing and the expertise of one of Contiki’s super knowledgeable tour managers, who’ll be on hand to ensure your trip is better than you ever expected!

With all its trips available exclusively to 18 to 35s, when you travel with Contiki you’ll only be with like-minded travellers, so you’ll have the time of your life and make friends from around the world.

Contiki has been helping 18 to 35s from around the globe have unforgettable travel experiences in the some of the world’s most fantastic destinations for over 45 years. Contiki has designed all its trips to include the perfect balance of sightseeing and adventure, coupled with plenty of free time to do whatever you want.

And all Contiki’s trips represent great value with heaps of amazing activities included. It’ll make your travel loads cheaper than doing it on your own, adding up to more spending money in your back pocket for all the cool, fun stuff like shopping, going out and great souvenirs to take home and make your friends jealous.

Contiki’s 2008/09 Australia brochures are out now!

For more information see www.contiki.com.au/beaches or to make a booking call 1300 CONTIKI (1300 266 845).

A Report by The Mole