GOLD COAST MARATHON DETAILED ITINERARY

29 JUNE ARRIVE GOLD COAST

Arrive into Brisbane ex flight from LAX. You will be met and transferred to your hotel by your coach driver.

Accommodation: Mantra Legends
Standard room
3 nights

30 JUNE FREE DAY

Day at leisure. You will have opportunity to pick up your race packet at the Expo.


 1 JULY MARATHON

Take the shuttle to the Marathon departure point


2 JULY GOLD COAST HINTERLAND

You will be transferred to O’Reilly’s and Lamington National Park  today by coach.

O'Reilly's is situated in the centre of the cool, quiet rainforest of Lamington National Park. Explore this beautiful National Park, with over 20 000 hectares of sub tropical rainforest. Hear the calls of native birds as you walk through the tree tops, 16 metres above the rainforest floor. Learn the history of the O'Reilly family and of the heroic rescue by Bernard O'Reilly of two survivors from the Stinson plane crash. Lunch (own expense) is available overlooking the green valley below.

Accommodation: O Reilly’s Guest House
Mountain view room
1 night / 1 breakfast

3 JULY BRISBANE

Transfer to Brisbane
Overnight Mantra on Queen
Standard room
1 night


4 JULY AUSTRALIA ZOO BRISBANE

Today you will be transferred to the Australia Zoo by coach

Although best known for the crocodiles and the live crocodile feedings, the zoo is also known for featuring exhibits of other Australian wildlife, including Asian otters, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, snakes, and (until 2006) a giant Galápagos tortoise called Harriet, who was generally acknowledged as the world's oldest living chelonian when she died on June 23, 2006, at the age of 176. The Zoo also features a smaller selection of animals from around the world, including elephants, tigers, cheetahs and Komodo Dragons.
Australia Zoo was named as one of Australia's Best Major Tourist Attractions for 2003-2004

You  will be transferred to your hotel in Brisbane or to airport if going to Cairns.

Accommodation: Oaks Felix
1 bedroom apartment
1 night


4 JULY DEPART BRISBANE

You will be met by your coach driver and transferred to airport for your flight to Cairns
Those returning to the US will spend 1 additional night near Brisbane Airport before departing on July 5


************************ CAIRNS POST MARATHON PACKAGE************************

4 JULY ARRIVE CAIRNS

You will be met by your coach driver and transferred to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Paradise on the Beach Palm Cove
4 nights

5 JULY GREAT BARRIER REEF (L)

Cairns Australia Premier Sailing Vessels offer you to cruise to Australia's magnificent marine park - the Great Barrier Reef for diving, snorkelling & sailing. Set sail aboard our 5 Star Catamarans & capture the spirit of the Great Barrier Reef.

Michaelmas Cay is a picturesque reef sand island surrounded by magical coral gardens teeming with an incredible diversity of marine life. The Cay is a protected seabird sanctuary playing host to over 20,000 migratory seabirds ... one of the most important nesting sights in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tour includes:
Four full hours on the reef
Air conditioned coach transfers from your hotel (City & Cairns Beaches)
Morning refreshments
Superb hot & cold buffet (includes seafood)
Afternoon tea
Snorkelling demonstrations and tuition
Use of all snorkelling equipment
Use of flotation vests
Informative ecological presentations by our qualified marine biologists
Informative tours on our air-conditioned semi-submersible
Guided bird tours
Live musical entertainment on the homeward sail to Cairns
A complimentary glass of champagne


6 JULY FREE DAY     OPTIONAL TJAPUKAI DINNER SHOW

Day at leisure. You can relax on on Beach or enjoy an optional activity
Options include kayaking, rafting, visit to lava tubes and more

For those wanting the Tjapukai Dinner Show you will be transferred to Tjapukai park
A powerful and personal experience that will leave you with a deep and lasting memory, and open your heart to the beauty and power of Australia’s ancient indigenous culture!
You will be transferred back to your hotel after the show.

7 JULY DAINTREE RAINFOREST TOUR AND ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE

Travel along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives as we travel north of Port Douglas, to Cooya Beach. Walk on ancient ancestral trails with one of the Kurribi Warra brothers of Kuku Yalanji Cultural Habitat Tours on a traditional mangrove and beach combing journey.

During this unique, fun tour you will learn first hand how to throw a spear, track coastal resources through the mangroves and search and hunt for fish, mud crabs and mussels. Learn about bush tucker and bush medicines. Nothing is wasted. Enjoy morning tea on the balcony of their family home, overlooking the ocean, of fresh homemade damper, tea/coffee and taste what you have caught and collected throughout your morning. The Walker brothers demonstrate different Aboriginal artifacts and their uses. Maybe learn how to play a didgeridoo!

We continue north to the township of Mossman and Janbal Gallery, which is more than just an art gallery – it is a truly unique Aboriginal experience. Meet Binna, a proud Kuku Yalanji man and your tutor. Share in an authentic Aboriginal art experience and take home a memento of your experience. Authentic Aboriginal arts and craft that depicts the reef and rainforest culture of the local Kuku Yalanji people are on display.

Lunch along the way, as we travel further north past the Daintree Village and the Niau falls, a pristine natural wonder waiting for you to discover in the heart of the World Heritage Listed Daintree National Park. You will see strange, primitive plants and learn about the original French settler family. Hear of their incredible story of survival. Your guided rainforest walk will unlock the secrets of this fascinating eco-system. Time for a swim in this magical rainforest environment, (don’t forget your swimmers). Your amazing day of discovery comes to a close as you are returned to your accommodation.

What to bring:- Hat, Sunscreen insect repellent, towel, swimmers, bottle of water


8 JULY DEPART CAIRN TO USA

Today your coach driver will transfer you to the airport.


**************************** SYDNEY PRE MARATHON PACKAGE********************

25 JUNE  ARRIVE SYDNEY

You will be met by your coach driver and transferred to your accommodation.

Accommodation: The Menzies
Standard room
4 nights

26 JUNE AM CITY TOUR  BY BICYCLE OR COACH AND SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE CLIMB

Depart your hotel for an unforgettable Panoramic Sydney half-day city sights tour. On tour you'll visit the historic Rocks area and hear early convict history. Enjoy magnificent views of the Opera House & Harbour Bridge. See the shopping heart of the city, QVB, Centrepoint.
Visit Sydney's trendy new district Oxford Street. Travel through elegant Paddington with its terrace houses before arriving at the Pacific Ocean. See the superb coast cliff walk around Tamarama and Bronte. Travel on to famous Bondi Beach. Visit the beachfront promenade, enjoy a coffee or cool drink (at own cost). See bronzed Aussie lifesavers & Sydney's best panoramic view.
Return to Sydney via Double Bay, Kings Cross & city centre.

2.00PM  BRIDGE CLIMB

This afternoon you will have to make your own way to Sydney Harbour Bridge for climbing. You get a real overall sense of Sydney from the harbour and Opera House, across to the coastline and right out to the Blue Mountains. Climbing in the day has a vibrant, bustling, energetic feel.
In every direction you look you're bowled over by an awesome view of the world's most beautiful harbour. Nothing else in Sydney gives you this breathtaking perspective.

27  JUNE BLUE MOUNTAINS WALKABOUT

Take the train from Sydney to Katoomba where you will be met by your tour guide

Blue Mountains Walkabout invites you to enter our dreaming. Awaiting you is an inspiring ancient quest we now call “walkabout”. This is a mesmerising initiation of our Aboriginal culture and the wild Australian bush. Traditionally this was a holistic journey of self discovery while travelling to distant lands to gain understanding and respect for other tribes. To accept this journey required courage. To complete this journey required bravery. Today this standard has been retained so you will not only have an authentic experience but you can also be touched by a deeper level of spiritual connection.
Explore a lost world of amazing Aboriginal sites. Become a part of our dreamtime and gain a special understanding of our local Darug culture by actually experiencing what our life used to be like. Find secret places - hidden wonders that you will not see on any other walk or tour. Discover the real Blue Mountains, not from a busy lookout but from the inside out! There are no buses, no tourists and we venture off track to feel the freedom of endless wilderness. This walkabout will stimulate your senses, enrich your spirit and give you a timeless connection to our sacred land.
At the end of  the day you will be taken to train for your return trip to Sydney
 

28 JUNE FREE DAY

Day at leisure to explore Sydney on your own
Optional tour to Hunter Valley Wine Region


29 JUNE DEPART SYDNEY AUSTRALIA FOR BRISBANE

Today your coach driver will transfer you to the airport.
 

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