Reef, Rainforest & Icons is an unforgettable vegan adventure through some of Australia’s most spectacular destinations. From the iconic sights of Sydney and the dramatic landscapes of the Blue Mountains to the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient rainforest of the Daintree, this tour packs an incredible amount into one amazing journey.
Along the way, we’ll discover Australia’s wildlife, experience First Nations culture, explore tropical North Queensland and, of course, enjoy plenty of delicious vegan food. We take care of all the research and organising, so you can simply relax, enjoy the journey and share it with a small group of like-minded travellers.
12 nights in 4-star accommodation
12 vegan dinners featuring local and seasonal produce
10 tasty vegan lunches
12 hearty vegan breakfasts
Welcome dinner overlooking Sydney Harbour
Fully escorted coach travel
Walking tour of Sydney’s historic Rocks
Insider tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House
Explore Sydney’s beautiful Botanic Gardens
Visit world-famous Bondi Beach
Clifftop walk with spectacular coastal views
Sydney Harbour cruise
Native wildlife sanctuary visit – kangaroos, wombats and more
Blue Mountains escape with historic accommodation
See the Three Sisters and breathtaking mountain views
Return flights between Sydney and Cairns
Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail Cableway
Great Barrier Reef day trip with snorkelling
First Nations cultural experience at Mossman Gorge
Explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest
Daintree River wildlife-spotting cruise
Visit a bat rescue sanctuary near Kuranda
Swim in crystal-clear rainforest waterholes
Friendly, experienced vegan tour guide
All taxes, road tolls, national park fees & included activities
All travel within Australia for the duration of the tour including private coach, domestic flights and rail.
Flights to and from the tour start and end points are not included in the tour package
Your adventure begins in Sydney, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and settle into the city before joining us for a special welcome dinner. We’ll head out for our first vegan meal together, with unforgettable views of Sydney Harbour and the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge backdrop. This will be a relaxed first evening with plenty of time to get to know the group, chat about the adventures ahead and soak up that unmistakable Sydney atmosphere.
Today we discover some of Sydney’s most iconic sights. We’ll explore the historic Rocks area on foot before heading inside the Sydney Opera House for a guided tour of this world-famous building. There’ll also be plenty of opportunities for those all-important photos with the Harbour Bridge and Sydney Harbour.
After a day exploring Sydney, we’ll enjoy a special vegan dinner together, with the option, for those who fancy it, to continue the evening with a visit to a secret whisky bar.
Today we experience another side of Sydney, starting at famous Bondi Beach. We’ll take the beautiful coastal walk, enjoying the spectacular ocean views along the way before stopping for lunch at Funky Pies, where a traditional Aussie meat pie gets a completely vegan makeover.
After lunch, we’ll make our way back towards the city for a Sydney Harbour cruise — one of the best ways to appreciate the city and its famous landmarks from the water. We’ll finish the day with another excellent vegan dinner.
We leave Sydney this morning and travel by private coach towards the Blue Mountains, with our first major stop at Secret Creek Sanctuary near Lithgow. This genuine wildlife sanctuary provides a very different experience from a conventional wildlife park, with rescued and endangered native animals living in natural bushland habitats.
We’ll spend several hours at the sanctuary, where we may encounter wallabies, koalas, quolls, potoroos, emus and native reptiles, along with other threatened Australian species. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the animals and the conservation work involved in protecting them.
From Secret Creek we continue to Katoomba and check into our hotel. After settling in, we’ll have our first opportunity to experience the spectacular Blue Mountains landscape, including our first mountain sunset.
Today is all about exploring the beauty of the Blue Mountains. We’ll visit Echo Point and the famous Three Sisters before heading out for a gentle bushwalk through the surrounding landscape. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos and simply enjoy the incredible scenery.
We’ll also spend some time exploring the charming mountain village of Leura, with its historic streets, shops and cafés, before returning to Katoomba for a relaxing evening and a delicious vegan dinner.
After breakfast, we say goodbye to the Blue Mountains and travel by private coach back to Sydney Airport. We’ll allow plenty of time for the journey, so there’s no need to feel rushed before our flight north.
Then it’s time to swap mountains for tropical North Queensland as we fly from Sydney to Cairns. On arrival, we’ll transfer to our accommodation and settle into our new surroundings, ready for our tropical adventures to begin.
Today we experience Kuranda in a slightly different way. We’ll begin with the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding its way from Cairns through the rainforest and Barron Gorge to the mountain village of Kuranda.
There’ll be time to explore Kuranda’s markets, local crafts and rainforest surroundings, as well as enjoy a vegan lunch and some free time to wander at your own pace.
In the afternoon we’ll visit Batreach Bat Rescue & Rehabilitation for a private experience learning about flying foxes and the important role they play in Australia’s ecosystems.
We’ll then make our way back through the rainforest on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, with opportunities to stop and appreciate the rainforest from above before returning to Cairns.
Today is yours to enjoy however you choose. After several busy days of exploring, it’s a chance to slow down and make the most of Cairns at your own pace.
Perhaps you’ll explore the shops and markets for souvenirs, discover more of the local area, relax beside the pool or treat yourself to a spa treatment. Or simply find a quiet spot, pick up a good book and enjoy having nowhere you need to be.
Today is one of the big highlights of the tour — a full-day adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. We’ll head out to the Outer Reef to discover one of the world's most extraordinary marine environments.
Snorkelling will be an option for those who want to get into the water, but the day is about much more than simply swimming. We’ll have the opportunity to discover the Reef and learn about its incredible marine life and fragile ecosystem, with an operator chosen for its environmental and conservation credentials and its ability to cater well for vegan guests.
This morning we leave Cairns and travel north by private minibus towards Port Douglas. It’s only around an hour’s drive, so rather than feeling like a travel day, we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed morning and take in the changing scenery as we head towards the coast.
In the afternoon we’ll experience a Kuku Yalanji cultural experience at Mossman Gorge, learning more about the traditional custodians of this beautiful part of the Daintree region and their deep connection to Country. We’ll then settle into our Port Douglas accommodation for the next two nights.
Today we venture deep into the Daintree, one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. We’ll spend the full day exploring this extraordinary part of Far North Queensland, surrounded by lush rainforest, ancient trees and an incredible variety of wildlife.
Our North Queensland adventure comes to an end today as we make our way back to Cairns for our flight to Sydney. After everything we’ve experienced together — from Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains to the Reef and ancient Daintree rainforest — it will be a chance to reflect on just how much we’ve packed into the past 12 days.
Back in Sydney, there will be time for some last minute souvenir shopping or a gallery visit, then we’ll come together for one final special vegan dinner. It’s our farewell evening, so there’ll be plenty of time to share favourite memories, swap photos and celebrate the amazing places we’ve explored together.
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye. You’ll be heading home with some wonderful memories, lots of photos and a new group of friends.
