Optional Pre-Trip: Explore Port Douglas & the Great Barrier Reef

Kick off your Sydney Marathon adventure with a breathtaking pre-trip to Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef. This add-on is perfect for relaxing, exploring one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, and adjusting to local time/getting over jetlag before race day.

This package is designed to get the long travel out of the way and to have you settle in beautiful, tropical Northern Queensland for a few days to help with jetlag before we head to Sydney for the big event. The journey is longer to begin - but that is when you have the most adrenaline to get it done! We strategically set this as a pre-trip so that you have time to adjust to the time in Australia; after reviews from last year the package is staying as a pre-trip. We hope to see you for our pre-trip to the Great Barrier Reef in the boutique town of Port Douglas!  

Join FIT in Port Douglas before the 2026 TCS Sydney Marathon on a four-night tour to Port Douglas, a destination to the Great Barrier Reef.  The package includes: 

• 3-nights hotel accommodation in the heart of Port Douglas at the 4.5 star Pullman Hotel Resort - near to town with a beautiful footpath to the beach

• 1 extra night in Sydney prior to the marathon (Wednesday, Aug 26)

• Roundtrip Transfers from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Port Douglas - (Aug 23 & 26)

• Full Day Cape Tribulation, Daintree Rainforest, Mossman Gorge & Daintree Cruise with Lunch - (Aug 24)

• Welcome Dinner in Port Douglas

• One-way Flights from Cairns (CNS) to Sydney (SYD) - (Aug 26)

• Welcome Dinner in Sydney

• Onsite FIT guide services

• Breakfast Daily

• All taxes, gratuities, pricing in USD

Add-On Ideas (additional cost):

• #1: Arrive on Saturday, August 22nd and stay the night in Cairns. FIT can help book a hotel night for you. A few individuals did this last year and it worked well. Gives you time to rest off the plane for the evening before our 1 hour 15 min drive to Port Douglas.

• #2: Tuesday, August 25th is a free day. We highly recommend you book a snorkel, dive, or heli tour of the Great Barrier Reef. When in Rome!

FIT strives to deliver quality travel and customer service to destination running events around the world. 

With over 20 years of customized travel design & guiding experience on all seven continents and a passion for running the world, FIT seeks to bring that exploration to life for clients!

Whether it's venturing through cities or deserts on a run, bike or hike, or by having a latte around the globe, FIT strives to connect cultures and have you experience the world!

Whether it's a running trip to a top marathon destination or a custom travel experience, we will work hard to bring you the FITventure that works for your lifestyle and goals. 

Be more. See more. Move more. And live happy days.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23: 

Land in Cairns Airport (CNS*) after a long journey and take the beautiful one hour drive to Port Douglas! We know it has been a long journey, so check into your hotel room, say hello to your FIT guide, and maybe take a stroll around town before getting some much needed R&R. This evening enjoy a welcome beverage and meal. Overnight: Pullman

*Flights should be booked to CNS - look at multi-city fares into Cairns and back home from your final airport city in Australia.  You can also compare one-way tickets to CNS an then home from your final travel location in AUS.  Transfers to Port Douglas in the package are only included on Sunday, August 23 for flights arriving before 2pm - if you want to arrive a day earlier - you will need to make your own way to Port Douglas or stay the night in Cairns and meet us at the airport to transfer to Port. 

MONDAY, AUGUST 24: 

After breakfast, enjoy a full day tour of the Daintree Rainforest as we head north to Cape Tribulation to explore the worlds oldest tropical rainforest. We will enjoy lunch and a crocodile river cruise, before returning back to Port Douglas for the evening. Overnight: Pullman

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25: 

After breakfast, Free Day to adjust to your new time zone and enjoy this beautiful beach town in Northern Queensland & prep for our afternoon departure tomorrow. Opt to book a ½ or full day Great Barrier Reef Dive or Snorkel - today is a great day for ocean exploration! 

 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26: 

After breakfast, enjoy the morning to pack for our departure to Sydney! We will transfer from Port Douglas for our afternoon flights out of Cairns (CNS) to Sydney. Upon arrival, collect your luggage for our transfer to the Shangri-La. Overnight: Shangri-La Sydney

Sunrise in Sydney - you are here! We are steps from the finish line and the iconic landmarks of Sydney Harbour.  Breakfast is included today.  Opt to head to the expo (just 1.2 miles away) and grab your race bib before the crowds arrive. Opt to book a bridgeclimb today or a walking tour of the Rocks, maybe head to the botanical gardens or take the ferry to Taronga Zoo.  Nice day to settle into Sydney.