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Australia. Diving and the Australian Coast
An Australia trip with a small guided group: 15 days along the Queensland coast from Brisbane to Cairns, 14 dives — manta rays, grey nurse sharks at Wolf Rock, the HMAS Brisbane wreck and the Great Barrier Reef — plus Fraser Island, koalas and kangaroos. $4,930 per person, international flights and the dive package extra.
★ 4.9
·
15 days / 14 nights
·
Diving
·
May 3 — 17, 2027
15 days / 14 nights
May 3 — 17, 2027
11 people + tour leader
Comfort ★★★
Oceanfront hotels
from {formatPrice(tour.price, cur)}
per person
What awaits you
15 days along the Queensland coast — from North Stradbroke Island to tropical Cairns. 14 dives at Australia's best sites, and all of its wildlife in between.
🤿
14 dives
Manta Point, Julian Rocks, Wolf Rock, Flinders Reef, the HMAS Brisbane wreck
🦈
Grey nurse sharks
Wolf Rock — they are here year-round, along with groupers and rays
🚙
Fraser Island
The largest sand island on Earth, a UNESCO site — explored by 4WD
🐨
Koalas and kangaroos
Lone Pine Sanctuary, wild kangaroos, wombats, wallabies and platypuses
🌿
UNESCO rainforests
Lamington, Springbrook and the ancient Daintree — Mossman Gorge
🐬
River dolphins
A rare chance to hand-feed wild dolphins
✨
Glow-worm cave
Springbrook — the ceiling shimmers like a starry sky
🚡
Skyrail and Kuranda
Cableway over the jungle, Barron Falls, Aboriginal culture
Day-by-Day Programme
The trip begins with a meeting at Brisbane airport, where our Russian-speaking guide Sergey will be waiting. From there we head straight into the first adventures: a drive to the ferry crossing and a landing on scenic North Stradbroke Island. We get to know its nature — endless sand dunes, the famous Brown Lake, and Pacific Ocean panoramas from the coastal cliffs. And of course we look for our first wild kangaroos, which roam the island completely freely. By evening we check into a cosy hotel on the ocean shore and take in the atmosphere of the real Australia.
Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel 3★
The morning starts with two dives at the famous sites Shag Rock and Flat Rock. Here you can meet leopard sharks, guitar sharks, sea turtles and many other Pacific Ocean inhabitants. Afterwards we continue exploring the island: a walk to the scenic Blue Lake, one of the island's most beautiful trails along North Gorge, sandboarding down the huge dunes, and a search for koalas in their natural habitat. In the evening — more encounters with wild kangaroos, and we finish the day with a dinner of the freshest local seafood on the ocean shore.
Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel 3★
Today we head to the famous Manta Point dive site — one of the best places in Australia to meet majestic manta rays. After the dive we leave North Stradbroke Island and take the ferry back to the mainland. Ahead lies one of Australia's best-known resort regions: we drive along the Gold Coast, seeing its main sights, beautiful beaches and ocean panoramas.
Mantra Sun City 4★
After breakfast we continue exploring the Gold Coast: we go up to the observation deck of the Q1 skyscraper for breathtaking views, watch the traditional pelican feeding, drive along the coast to the southernmost point and stop for lunch at a famous oyster farm. In the afternoon a completely different Australia awaits — the ancient rainforest of Lamington National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scenic waterfalls, deep canyons, dense subtropical jungle, and a walk to Natural Bridge, where a waterfall has carved its way straight through a rock cave.
Mantra Sun City 4★
Today we travel to the easternmost point of the Australian continent, Cape Byron. Along the way we get a taste of the Australian outback: small coastal towns and a genuine country pub where you can feel the atmosphere of non-touristy Australia. We also make two dives at the Julian Rocks site: a rich underwater world, soft corals, sea turtles, rays, sharks and an enormous variety of fish make every dive here truly unforgettable. We return to the Gold Coast.
Mantra Sun City 4★
Today we head to one of the most beautiful national parks — Springbrook, famous for its ancient rainforest, waterfalls and unique nature. We visit the glow-worm cave, walk through the rainforest among giant trees to a scenic waterfall, and stop at a local winery. After lunch we transfer to Brisbane: we see the city's most beautiful districts, stroll through the centre, go up to the Mount Coot-tha lookout and visit the famous Lone Pine Sanctuary, home to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, Tasmanian devils and many other Australian animals. We spend the night in Brisbane.
Great Southern Hotel Brisbane 3.5★
After breakfast we move to Australia's Sunshine Coast, to the cosy resort town of Mooloolaba. Today we dive the legendary scuttled destroyer HMAS Brisbane, which was specially prepared for diving and turned into an enormous artificial reef. Over the years underwater the ship has become home to countless marine creatures, and its decks and structures are completely covered in coral. In the evening we check into a hotel next to the ocean and the dive centre.
Landmark Resort & Spa / Newport Mooloolaba Apartments
In the morning we go diving at Flinders Reef — the southernmost part of the Great Barrier Reef. If conditions are favourable, we will dive the famous Cherubs Cave, an impressive underwater cave considered one of the region's most interesting sites. Afterwards we drive towards the famous Rainbow Beach. On the way we stop at a national park: a walk along scenic coastal trails, sheer cliffs, surfers and the endless beaches of the Pacific.
Rainbow Beach Holiday Park 3★
Today we head to the famous Fraser Island — the largest sand island in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the morning we rent four-wheel drives and take the ferry across to the island, where endless beaches, ancient rainforest and crystal-clear freshwater lakes await. We stop at scenic lookouts and try to spot a wild dingo. In the afternoon there is a short hike through the rainforest to a crystal-clear freshwater lake, where you can swim and relax on the snow-white sandy beach. In the evening we return to Rainbow Beach for a traditional Australian barbecue.
Rainbow Beach Holiday Park 3★
Today another legendary dive location awaits — Wolf Rock. This is where large grey nurse sharks can be found all year round. We make two dives and spend the day among Australia's rich underwater world. Besides the sharks, huge groupers, rays, sea turtles and countless tropical fish are common here.
Ingenia Holidays Hervey Bay 3★
The morning brings an unusual encounter with Australian wildlife: we travel to a river where rare river dolphins live. We will have the chance to feed them straight from our hands and watch these remarkable animals in their natural habitat. After that we head back to Brisbane. Along the way we make several stops at famous Australian roadside landmarks: the Big Kangaroo, the Big Pineapple and the Australia sign. We also visit a centre dedicated to Australian opals, where we learn the history of these unique gemstones. If time allows, we will try once more to spot wild kangaroos and pelicans. In the afternoon — a domestic flight to Cairns. On arrival we check into a hotel on the scenic Palm Cove waterfront.
Sarayi Boutique Hotel 4★ / Mantra Amphora Hotel 4★
Today we head north of Cairns. Our first stop is a river where, on a boat trip, we can see Australia's famous crocodiles in their natural habitat. Continuing on, we reach Daintree National Park: we walk the scenic trails of Mossman Gorge, where a crystal-clear mountain river runs among giant trees. If you wish, you can swim in its refreshing waters. In the afternoon we visit the cosy resort town of Port Douglas, stroll along its waterfront and take in the atmosphere of one of the most beautiful corners of northern Queensland. By evening we return to our hotel in Palm Cove.
Sarayi Boutique Hotel 4★ / Mantra Amphora Hotel 4★
Today we travel to the scenic Atherton Tablelands. Throughout the day we look for representatives of Australia's unique fauna — kangaroos, rock wallabies, the platypus and other animals found only on this continent. We visit a granite gorge where the wallabies are not at all afraid of people, and see scenic volcanic crater lakes where you can swim if you like. We see the giant strangler figs, the famous Cathedral Fig Tree and Curtain Fig Tree, and then stop at local coffee and fruit farms to taste the region's produce.
Chambers Rainforest Lodges
On the final day of our trip we head to the mountain village of Kuranda, set among ancient rainforest. We rise above the jungle on the famous Skyrail cableway, which offers stunning views over the endless tropical forest. Along the way we stop at the impressive Barron Falls. In Kuranda we get to know the culture of Australia's Indigenous peoples: we watch traditional Aboriginal dances, learn more about their history and customs, try throwing a boomerang and a spear, and take an exciting amphibious vehicle ride through real tropical jungle. After the excursion we return to the coast at Palm Cove, where we spend the last evening of the trip.
Sarayi Boutique Hotel 4★ / Mantra Amphora Hotel 4★
Transfer to Cairns airport and the journey home to Moscow.
Tour Leader
Sergey Yashumov
Experienced tour leader · Diver · Australia and Queensland
Accommodation
All nights on the route are in 3–4★ hotels, 1/2 dbl occupancy, 14 nights without meals.
Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel 3★ (North Stradbroke Island) — a hotel on the site of the iconic “Straddie Pub”: comfortable rooms and apartments, the Manta Ray bistro, the Waves beer garden, a pool and direct access to patrolled Cylinder Beach.
Mantra Sun City 4★ (Gold Coast) — apartments a couple of minutes from Surfers Paradise beach. A cosy garden, hot tub, sauna and steam room, with shops and restaurants nearby.
Great Southern Hotel Brisbane 3.5★ (Brisbane) — a central location a few minutes’ walk from Parliament House and the Museum of Brisbane; Streets Beach is 25 minutes on foot.
Landmark Resort & Spa / Newport Mooloolaba Apartments (Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast) — spacious apartments by the ocean next to the dive centre from which the boats leave for the HMAS Brisbane wreck. Pool, spa, and the Mooloolaba esplanade and restaurants within walking distance.
Rainbow Beach Holiday Park 3★ (Rainbow Beach) — a holiday park in the town of Rainbow Beach near the popular surf beach, on the tidal side of the Great Sandy Strait.
Ingenia Holidays Hervey Bay 3★ (Hervey Bay) — next to the Urangan Central shopping centre, with a bar, restaurant, picnic and barbecue area and an outdoor pool.
Sarayi Boutique Hotel 4★ / Mantra Amphora Hotel 4★ (Palm Cove, Cairns) — refined hotels on the tropical waterfront: stylish rooms, a bar, shops with local crafts, palms and seaside restaurants.
Chambers Rainforest Lodges (Atherton Tableland) — a retreat set in 8 hectares of rainforest on the edge of Lake Eacham National Park. Cottages with kitchens and verandas overlooking the jungle, a restaurant, bar and pool.
Hotels on the programme may be replaced with equivalents.
Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel 3★ (North Stradbroke Island) — a hotel on the site of the iconic “Straddie Pub”: comfortable rooms and apartments, the Manta Ray bistro, the Waves beer garden, a pool and direct access to patrolled Cylinder Beach.
Mantra Sun City 4★ (Gold Coast) — apartments a couple of minutes from Surfers Paradise beach. A cosy garden, hot tub, sauna and steam room, with shops and restaurants nearby.
Great Southern Hotel Brisbane 3.5★ (Brisbane) — a central location a few minutes’ walk from Parliament House and the Museum of Brisbane; Streets Beach is 25 minutes on foot.
Landmark Resort & Spa / Newport Mooloolaba Apartments (Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast) — spacious apartments by the ocean next to the dive centre from which the boats leave for the HMAS Brisbane wreck. Pool, spa, and the Mooloolaba esplanade and restaurants within walking distance.
Rainbow Beach Holiday Park 3★ (Rainbow Beach) — a holiday park in the town of Rainbow Beach near the popular surf beach, on the tidal side of the Great Sandy Strait.
Ingenia Holidays Hervey Bay 3★ (Hervey Bay) — next to the Urangan Central shopping centre, with a bar, restaurant, picnic and barbecue area and an outdoor pool.
Sarayi Boutique Hotel 4★ / Mantra Amphora Hotel 4★ (Palm Cove, Cairns) — refined hotels on the tropical waterfront: stylish rooms, a bar, shops with local crafts, palms and seaside restaurants.
Chambers Rainforest Lodges (Atherton Tableland) — a retreat set in 8 hectares of rainforest on the edge of Lake Eacham National Park. Cottages with kitchens and verandas overlooking the jungle, a restaurant, bar and pool.
Hotels on the programme may be replaced with equivalents.
Recommended Flights
Moscow — Brisbane
China Eastern flight MU592 departs Moscow at 19:10 on May 1, connecting in Shanghai, arriving in Brisbane at 09:00 on May 3.
China Eastern flight MU592 departs Moscow at 19:10 on May 1, connecting in Shanghai, arriving in Brisbane at 09:00 on May 3.
Cairns — Brisbane
Virgin Australia flight VA784 departs at 14:40 on May 17, arriving in Brisbane at 17:00. Overnight in Brisbane.
Virgin Australia flight VA784 departs at 14:40 on May 17, arriving in Brisbane at 17:00. Overnight in Brisbane.
Brisbane — Moscow
China Eastern flight MU716 departs at 11:10 on May 18, connecting in Shanghai, arriving in Moscow at 14:35 on May 19.
Flight times and routing may be adjusted.
China Eastern flight MU716 departs at 11:10 on May 18, connecting in Shanghai, arriving in Moscow at 14:35 on May 19.
Flight times and routing may be adjusted.
Programme Cost
Price per person in 1/2 DBL
4930 USD
Diving programme (14 dives)
$1,820/person
Q1 skyscraper observation deck
$45/person
Boat trip on the crater lake
$30/person
Heritage steam train ride past the waterfalls, 2 hours (optional)
$70 or $125/person
What's included
Accommodation in 1/2 dbl rooms at hotels along the route, 14 nights, no meals
Transfers and entrance tickets per the programme
Russian-speaking guide throughout the programme
Brisbane — Cairns flight on May 13
Assistance finding and booking air tickets
Equipment selection advice
A Tour Leader Club leader travelling with the group
24/7 manager support at every stage of the trip
Not included
Air tickets Moscow — Brisbane — Cairns — Moscow
Diving programme (14 dives) $1,820/person
Dive equipment rental
Q1 skyscraper observation deck $45/person
Wine tasting and lunch at the winery
Boat trip on the crater lake $30/person
Heritage steam train ride past the waterfalls, 2 hours (optional) $70 or $125/person
Meals not included in the programme
Visa costs
Insurance
Private transfers
Tips, souvenirs, personal expenses
Required Gear
Clothing and protection
- • Hat
- • Sunglasses
- • Summer clothing
- • Hoodie or light sweater, windbreaker
- • Swimwear
- • Comfortable shoes for forest trails
Dive equipment
- • 5 mm wetsuit
- • Regulator with octopus
- • Buoyancy compensator
- • Mask, fins, snorkel
- • Dive computer
- • SMB, gloves, torch
- • Diver certification cards
Protection
- • Sunscreen SPF 30–50 — the Australian sun is harsh even on overcast days
- • Insect repellent with 20–30% DEET
- • Personal first-aid kit
Electronics
- • Camera, batteries, memory cards
- • Australian plug adapter (type I)
Useful Information
Climate
May in Queensland is the start of the dry season and one of the best times to visit. Daytime air reaches 24–27 °C, humidity is noticeably lower than in summer, and rain is rare and brief. Water temperature along the southern coast stays around 22–24 °C, and in tropical Cairns 25–27 °C. Evenings on the Atherton Tablelands can be cool, so a light hoodie comes in handy.
Location
The route runs along Australia's east coast — from Brisbane to Cairns, along the Pacific Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way: North Stradbroke Island, the Gold Coast and Cape Byron, Lamington and Springbrook national parks, the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island, the Daintree rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands.
Diving conditions
The Queensland coast holds some of the finest dive sites on the planet. Depths range from 5 to 30 metres, currents are moderate, and conditions are comfortable — including for beginner divers. Visibility in the dry season averages 15–30 metres. The programme includes 14 dives in total: manta rays at Manta Point, leopard sharks and turtles at Shag Rock and Flat Rock, the rich reef at Julian Rocks, the scuttled destroyer HMAS Brisbane, the southern Great Barrier Reef at Flinders Reef, and grey nurse sharks at Wolf Rock. A 5 mm wetsuit is recommended.
Visa
Travel to Australia requires a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), Tourist Stream — the standard tourist visa, issued for up to three months.
Time zone
Moscow time plus 7 hours.
Safety
Australia is one of the safest countries in the world — clean, calm and friendly. The main things to watch are the sun and the wildlife: use sunscreen, wear a hat and do not touch unfamiliar animals. Tap water is safe to drink, though bottled water is more convenient on the road.
May in Queensland is the start of the dry season and one of the best times to visit. Daytime air reaches 24–27 °C, humidity is noticeably lower than in summer, and rain is rare and brief. Water temperature along the southern coast stays around 22–24 °C, and in tropical Cairns 25–27 °C. Evenings on the Atherton Tablelands can be cool, so a light hoodie comes in handy.
Location
The route runs along Australia's east coast — from Brisbane to Cairns, along the Pacific Ocean and the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way: North Stradbroke Island, the Gold Coast and Cape Byron, Lamington and Springbrook national parks, the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island, the Daintree rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands.
Diving conditions
The Queensland coast holds some of the finest dive sites on the planet. Depths range from 5 to 30 metres, currents are moderate, and conditions are comfortable — including for beginner divers. Visibility in the dry season averages 15–30 metres. The programme includes 14 dives in total: manta rays at Manta Point, leopard sharks and turtles at Shag Rock and Flat Rock, the rich reef at Julian Rocks, the scuttled destroyer HMAS Brisbane, the southern Great Barrier Reef at Flinders Reef, and grey nurse sharks at Wolf Rock. A 5 mm wetsuit is recommended.
Visa
Travel to Australia requires a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), Tourist Stream — the standard tourist visa, issued for up to three months.
Time zone
Moscow time plus 7 hours.
Safety
Australia is one of the safest countries in the world — clean, calm and friendly. The main things to watch are the sun and the wildlife: use sunscreen, wear a hat and do not touch unfamiliar animals. Tap water is safe to drink, though bottled water is more convenient on the road.
from 4930 USD / person
★ 4.9
15 days / 14 nights · May 3 — 17, 2027
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