Helping Hand Holiday - Carnarvon Gorge, Quoin Island & Heron Island

We depart from Brisbane Coach Terminal on our opulent ‘Diamond Class’ coach, and travel responsibly knowing all coach emissions are 100% offset. We travel through the rich fertile area of the Lockyer Valley, arriving at Picnic Point Toowoomba for a cuppa, taking time to admire the stunning view. We continue through Dalby, breaking for lunch at Chinchilla, then make our way to Roma.

We set out early this morning, making our way into Carnarvon Gorge National Park. On arrival over a cuppa we meet our local nature guide to listen to a brief overview of our walk to the lush Moss Gardens. Carnarvon Gorge is an oasis hidden in the rugged ranges of Queensland’s Central Highlands. Featuring towering white sandstone cliffs, spectacular scenery, incredible bushwalks, pockets of rainforest and amazing diversity of flora and fauna. The Moss Garden has water dripping constantly from the sandstone walls, supporting a lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts. Beneath tree ferns straining for sunlight, a small waterfall tumbles over a rock ledge into an icy pool. We stop and enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by beautiful wilderness. Our afternoon takes us out of the National Park, travelling to the town of Springsure.

**The Moss Garden walk is an approximate 3 hour walk with a lunch break and is suited to those with a higher physical rating.

Departing Springsure this morning, we head east stopping for a cuppa at Rolleston, then we break at Greycliffe Homestead for lunch and a tour. Greycliffe Homestead is a heritage-listed homestead, the original family home of the Nott family, local pastoralists who owned and operated Greycliffe Station. Our afternoon takes us to the harbour city of Gladstone where we bed down for the night.

Today we visit exclusive Quoin Island, an animal-lover’s paradise and home to Central Queensland’s Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre (QITRC). Our day starts with a scenic 30-minute cruise to Quoin Island. Nestled within Gladstone harbour the island features beautiful private beaches, native landscape and glorious views of Gladstone and its surrounds. Enjoy an approximate 2-hour Turtle Rehabilitation Centre tour including feeding and assisting the volunteers with prepping food and cleaning tanks. After lunch, take some free time on the island to explore or take a swim before returning to the mainland.

Day 5 & 6

This morning we make our way to Gladstone Marina to board the Heron Island fast cat. Located in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island is a haven for nature lovers and is surrounded by pristine beaches and brilliant blue waters. Enjoy two nights at Heron Island Resort, where we join naturalist eco guides for daily activities discovering the birdlife, reef walk the coral cay formations, and discover native flora and fauna. We check-in to our Reef Rooms, which are located near the beach and offer reef views. At low tide, we take a reef walk that will expose some of the most fascinating creatures found on the coral reef.

**Fast cat transfers take 2 hours and are in open waters. Those who suffer motion sickness are advised to take the necessary precautions. Optionally, at additional expense you may like to organise return helicopter transfers from Gladstone.

We enjoy a leisurely morning on beautiful Heron Island, before an early afternoon departure on the fast cat ferry. Back on the mainland, we take a short journey to the Town of 1770.

This morning we set out on the Pink Amphibious LARC. The Paradise Tour takes us along the coastline of Eurimbula National Park, where we are given commentary on wildlife and the history of Bustard Bay. We cross four tidal creeks and take a 4WD tour up the steep climb to the historic Bustard Head Light Station. After our exciting day we return to Lagoons 1770 Resort & Spa.

Homeward bound this morning, we break at historic Childers taking time to visit the Palace Backpackers Memorial. After lunch in Gympie, we make our way back to the Brisbane Coach Terminal arriving at approximately 4.30pm.