Southern Great Barrier Reef Photography Journey
10
Days
Queensland, Australia
curated by
Mark Fitz
Queensland, Australia
Immerse yourself in the allure of the Southern Great Barrier Reef, curated through the masterful lens of award-winning Australian photographer, Mark Fitz. Seamlessly blending eco-conscious luxury with jaw-dropping natural wonders, this bespoke adventure offers a treasure trove of once-in-a-lifetime experiences and photographic opportunities.
Embark on a panoramic ferry ride to K'gari (Fraser Island), renowned as the world's largest sand island, before taking to the skies for a scenic flight to Lady Elliot Island—the southernmost coral cay enveloped in a 'Green Zone' sanctuary. Your journey also includes venturing into Noosa's UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve, paddling through the immaculate waters of the Noosa Everglades—one of only two Everglade ecosystems on Earth.
And the best part? This road trip is customisable, allowing you to tailor the adventure to your personal preferences and interests.
Unlock the Southern Great Barrier Reef's best-kept secrets with Mark's meticulously curated guide. Benefit from his extensive knowledge and access to exclusive, biodiverse sanctuaries teeming with photographic marvels.
Experience the reef through the lens of an award-winning photographer and marine conservation advocate. Mark's curated voyages are designed to both dazzle your senses and deepen your appreciation for delicate ocean ecosystems.
Whether you're an aspiring photographer or a seasoned pro, Mark's self-guided trip is tailored to meet your unique skills and aspirations. Receive personalised insights that elevate your photographic journey into an educational adventure.
Pick up your rental car and head to the relaxing oasis of Ramada Hervey Bay.
In the evening, hop aboard a luxury yacht for a Champagne Sunset Sail.
Pick-up compact SUV Nissan Qashqai or similar. Automatic transmission.
Sit back, relax and enjoy a special cruise on your first day. The Champagne Sunset Sail on a luxury yacht offers a relaxing 90-minute sail of the Great Sandy Strait. Soak up the panoramic views of Hervey Bay and World Heritage listed Fraser Island (K’gari), watch a spectacular sunset cast shadows of amber and gold as the warm night invites the stars out to play. Comes with all-inclusive drinks and a delicious finger food platter.
Next to World Heritage listed Fraser Island and surrounded by calm family friendly beaches, Ramada Hervey Bay offers the perfect base to explore the natural beauty and charm of the Fraser Coast. Only metres from Hervey Bay Marina, you can soak up the peaceful vibe of this seaside town. Rooms include a balcony, complimentary WiFi, refrigerators, and movies. Wake up feeling refreshed and swim in the outdoor pool or heated spa.
Today, you get to visit the world's largest sand island!
The World Heritage listed K'gari (meaning "paradise) —also known as Fraser Island— is full of natural beauty and a diverse array of wildlife. Explore the island, go on a ranger guided walk and sleep at the eco-friendly, award-winning Kingfisher Bay Resort.
The Kingfisher Bay Ferry will take you to the world's largest sand island. You will land at Kingfisher Bay Resort, on the western side of the island. Once here, slip into island living and explore the hundreds of magical tracks and one of nature's most spectacular art galleries.
Resort Rangers conduct a series of walks and talks to help you understand a little bit more about Fraser Island's World Heritage-listed wilderness and our native species, but also about how the resort operates. We vary the walks each week and most walks are complimentary.
By day, you'll explore Fraser's famous sand tracks and iconic beauty spots. By night, you'll enjoy resort living — with the comforts of home. You will stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort for two nights, daily breakfast included. Your typical Queenslander-style room is linked by timber walkways that meander through the bush allowing you to enjoy the best of the views to the natural wallum vegetation surrounding the hotel wings from your private timber deck.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast at your tropical resort.
Get excited, as today will get to experience the Island's most iconic spots during an adventurous ranger-guided 4WD tour. Morning tea and lunch included! Home to the Butchulla people, K’gari is the ultimate island wilderness with spectacular lakes, rainforest, sand cliffs and 120km of ocean beach.
Today, you will explore Fraser Island's iconic beauty spots — Seventy Five Mile Beach, Lake McKenzie and Wanggoolba Creek from the comfort of an air-conditioned, custom-designed 4WD coach. This full-day ranger guided 4WD tour includes morning tea, lunch and National Park Fees.
Enjoy resort living with the comforts of home. Stay at Kingfisher Bay Resort for another night (breakfast included). Your typical Queenslander-style room is linked by timber walkways that meander through the bush allowing you to enjoy the best of the views to the natural wallum vegetation surrounding the hotel wings from your private timber deck.
A ferry will take you back to Hervey Bay. You're in for another tropical paradise!
A scenic flight —that will be one of the highlights of your trip— will take you to the magical world of Lady Elliot Island. With more than 1,200 species of marine life, your complimentary snorkel equipment will be waiting for you at your Eco Resort.
The Kingfisher Bay Ferry will take you back from Fraser Island to Hervey Bay.
Your scenic flight from Harvey Bay to Lady Elliot Island takes approximately 30 minutes and will be one of the highlights of your Lady Elliot Island experience! Hop aboard a small aircraft chartered from Seair Pacific. The experienced aircraft operator of the resort since 1996 and the only one who can take you there. Lady Elliot Island is the only coral cay Island with an airstrip on the Great Barrier Reef.
Lonely Planet voted Lady Elliot Island #2 of the ‘7 best beaches for snorkelling around the world’ in 2020. Enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of Lady Elliot Island, with more than 1,200 species of marine life. Perhaps you feel like a self-guided snorkel, with complimentary use of the snorkel equipment from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (mask, snorkel & fins). In the evening, a full buffet dinner will be waiting for you.
Located at the southern tip of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is a family run and operated eco-tourism business, that is home to over 1,200 species of marine life. Your newly upgraded Eco Cabin is situated within 20 to 30 meters walk from the Lagoon, has a large front glass sliding door, a deck with chairs for added relaxation, and shared bathroom facilities. Full buffet dinner and breakfast included, as well as use of snorkel equipment and a range of guided tours and activities.
Wake up in marine paradise and enjoy a tropical breakfast.
Step off the beach and snorkel, swim or dive in an underwater world of brilliantly coloured marine life. Tour the reef in a glass bottomed boat, learn to scuba dive, feed the fish, take a guided reef walk or stroll to a deserted beach and live the dream.
The Snorkel Safari is a one-hour snorkelling tour tailored to snorkellers. An in-water guide will use their local knowledge, considering seasons and conditions, to take you through some of our best snorkelling locations where you are most likely to find animals such as sharks, turtles and manta rays. This might even be in places you recognise from your own adventures!
Lonely Planet voted Lady Elliot Island #2 of the ‘7 best beaches for snorkelling around the world’ in 2020. Enjoy the spectacular natural beauty of Lady Elliot Island, with more than 1,200 species of marine life. Perhaps you feel like a self-guided snorkel, with complimentary use of the snorkel equipment from Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort (mask, snorkel & fins). In the evening, a full buffet dinner will be waiting for you.
Located at the southern tip of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is a family run and operated eco-tourism business, that is home to over 1,200 species of marine life. Your newly upgraded Eco Cabin is situated within 20 to 30 meters walk from the Lagoon, has a large front glass sliding door, a deck with chairs for added relaxation, and shared bathroom facilities. Full buffet dinner and breakfast included, as well as use of snorkel equipment and a range of guided tours and activities.
Fly back to Hervey Bay and drive to Noosa's incredible biosphere.
A place where the community lives in harmony with its rich biodiversity, this chic coastal town is not only about pristine beaches and culinary highlights. It also is home to unique natural wonders and a stunning Hinterland, just waiting to be explored.
Wave goodbye to beautiful Lady Elliot Island from up high. A scenic flight will take you back to Hervey Bay, where your car will be waiting for you to hit the road.
Experience indulgence in your impeccably presented 1 Bedroom Apartment, including a private balcony. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park. Spend your days lazing in the inviting free-form swimming pool, pamper yourself in Stephanie's Ocean Spa, dine in style at View Restaurant or just take it easy.
Enjoy a full day in Noosa.
Visit the Eumundi Markets —an enchanting country market— and in the afternoon, we recommend to do the 'Coastal Track', the best walk in the area with many spectacular coastal views.
One of Australia’s most famous markets, the Eumundi Markets are well and truly on the beaten path. But this enchanting country market, just 15 minutes from Noosa, is famous for a reason. It boasts over 500 stalls selling arts, crafts, fashion, fresh produce, gifts and more. Lots of small stall holders try out their business ideas at Eumundi first before moving into permanent premises on the Sunshine Coast. So if you’re after the next big thing (our money is on Rod’s Brazilian Tapioca – a gluten free snack brimming with savoury or sweet fillings), don’t miss this market.
This fabulous walk follows the shoreline from the main park entrance at Noosa Heads to northern Sunshine Beach. It has amazing views and is the best walk in the area by far. A real treat! The 'Coastal Track' passes over several headlands and provides many spectacular coastal views. Take extra care near cliff edges and keep children under close supervision. Walk along the beach at Alexandria Bay and rejoin the formed walking track at the southern end of the beach. There is a very steep set of stairs leading down to Sunshine Beach.
Experience indulgence in your impeccably presented 1 Bedroom Apartment, including a private balcony. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park. Spend your days lazing in the inviting free-form swimming pool, pamper yourself in Stephanie's Ocean Spa, dine in style at View Restaurant or just take it easy.
Get ready for a spectacular adventure on the water.
Today, you will go on an incredible kayak tour on the Noosa Everglades. One of only two everglades systems on Earth, the Noosa Everglades is also known as the “River of Mirrors".
One of only two everglades in the world (the other being in Florida), the tranquility and natural beauty will win you over at first stroke. This remarkable truly sustainable adventure in the Noosa Everglades offers a chance to visit secluded locations by sea kayak and truly experience the natural beauty and wildlife in a relaxed quiet setting. You meet Kanu Kapers at the Elanda Point canoe launch area in the National Park on the Sunshine Coast, 25 minutes North of Noosa . Then you are fitted comfortably into your sea kayak provided with paddling tuition and given navigational information pointing out the ‘must see’ features for your adventure in the Everglades.
Experience indulgence in your impeccably presented 1 Bedroom Apartment, including a private balcony. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park. Spend your days lazing in the inviting free-form swimming pool, pamper yourself in Stephanie's Ocean Spa, dine in style at View Restaurant or just take it easy.
Your last day in Noosa calls for a 'beach and chill' kind of day.
We highly recommend a visit to Sunshine Beach, an idyllic beach side community with one of Australia's most pristine surf beaches. With lots of cafes and restaurants to choose from, it is also very foodie friendly.
As the last day of your trip, this calls for a full chill day. The chilled beachfront village of Sunshine Beach is set beneath a canopy of green trees and pandanus palms – perfect for a relaxing day. The main hub, Duke Street, has global cuisine including some of our best modern Asian, Italian and Greek and of course cocktail bars.
Experience indulgence in your impeccably presented 1 Bedroom Apartment, including a private balcony. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park. Spend your days lazing in the inviting free-form swimming pool, pamper yourself in Stephanie's Ocean Spa, dine in style at View Restaurant or just take it easy.
All good things come to an end.
Check out from your resort, drop off your rental car and make your way back home. If you can't get enough, you can always stay an extra night in Noosa! Just ask our friendly team.
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"I was swimming with this turtle at Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef when he flipped me the bird!"
“Thanking the stars I found Airguides and Jono's trip. We were totally taken care of! Paul answered all our questions and took care of the details so all we had to do was get there. Jono Allen is an amazing, talented photographer who created a special group experience. The WHALES were mind blowing. What a gift to be in Tonga staring into the eye of a baby whale! This trip was a lifelong dream come true. I highly recommend it so much we’ve already signed up again for next year!"
"The Airguides trip to Tonga to swim with humpback whales was the experience of a lifetime. I have traveled all over the world, and nothing compares to being in the wild, rustic, deep blue waters of the South Pacific while interacting with whales and their calves. A wonderful and caring team made our adventures stress free. Absolutely amazing, so much so, that I am doing it again this year! Thanks a million Paul, Jono, Al, Alistair, Christian and Polly!"
"Thank you for your help in putting together our trip to the Northern Territory. Everyone agreed that it was the best family holiday we'd ever had and - even better - everyone nominated something different as 'the best thing'."
"The trip with Airguides was magic. Paul was our kind and patient guide, Mark Fitz was our talented and positive photographer/storyteller. It was a perfect mix of activity and relaxation and I’m already planning my next Airguides trip."
"I recently visited Lady Musgrave Island with Airguides. They have a unique and meaningful approach to travel and travelling with and learning from a world-class photographer, who was on the trip, was incredible."
"I cannot say enough amazing things about Airguides and the amazing honeymoon they planned for us. We began our trip planning by being overwhelmed with travel blogs, not knowing what was actually the best plan for us."
“Just had an amazing trip to Heron Island organised by the Airguides team. Perfect balance of activity and relaxation, they made it so easy. Can't wait until I can do another trip!“
“ We recently organised our trip to Heron Island with Bibi and Paul as a last minute getaway. Seamlessly dealt with and an added bonus of having a world-class photographer/ free-diver as our story teller. The trip has only whet our appetite for more positive and relaxing experiences with the Airguides team- Awesome “
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