1770, Lady Musgrave Island
& the Great Barrier Reef Snorkel a coral cay lagoon & sleep beside the sea

Meet your coach in the morning at the central pickup point in Brisbane (Roma Street Station), the Gold Coast (Pacific Fair) or the Sunshine Coast (door-to-door for 2+ within 10 km of CBD) and head north along the Bruce Highway towards the Town of 1770.

Around midday we stop in Bundaberg for lunch (own expense) and a guided tour of the world-famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery — Australia's most iconic spirit, made on this site since 1888. Walk through the heritage barrel halls, hear the history, and finish with a tasting (over 18s only).

Back on the coach, we arrive in 1770 by mid-afternoon and check in to your 5-star Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort. Choose your activity: optional surf lessons or kayak hire (own expense), or simply unwind by the resort pool, lounge on the beach, or take a swim.

In the evening, dinner is included at the resort. Afterwards, enjoy the on-site nightlife or take a quiet walk along the beach — the Town of 1770 is one of the few east-coast Australian beaches where you can watch the sun set and stargaze without much light pollution. Look for shooting stars.

The headline day. After breakfast at the resort, transfer to the 1770 Marina to board the Spirit of 1770 — a high-speed air-conditioned catamaran that crosses the 90-minute open-ocean run to Lady Musgrave Island. Calm waters dominate this corner of the reef year-round, and unlike most of the Queensland coast, the lagoon is free of stinging jellyfish.

Arrive at Coral Lagoon for around five hours of paradise. Snorkel gear is provided, with flotation aids (life jackets and pool noodles) for first-timers and a qualified crew member supervising the snorkel area at all times. The lagoon is home to over 1,300 species of tropical fish, 350 coral species and the famous "Great 8" — whales (in season), manta rays, turtles, clownfish, sharks, giant clams, potato cod and Maori wrasse.

If you'd rather stay dry, the glass-bottom boat tour and a guided 45-minute island walk through the Pisonia Grandis forest reveal seabird rookeries and (in October–December) nesting turtle tracks. Optional scuba diving for both certified and beginner divers, plus deep-sea fishing charters with provided gear, are available at your own expense — pre-book at time of booking.

Lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea are served on board. If time and tides allow, you'll be treated to a sunset cruise on the return leg. Back at the resort, dinner is included; evening at your leisure.

Check out of the resort after breakfast and take the morning to enjoy 1770 one last time. Optional surf lesson (own expense), a final swim, snorkel or beach walk depending on conditions and timing.

Around midday, say farewell to 1770 and the coach turns south. We stop in Bundaberg for lunch (own expense) and visit Snakes Downunder Reptile Park & Zoo in Childers — one of regional Queensland's quirkiest family attractions, with crocodiles, snakes, lizards and a friendly café for a coffee break.

Continue south, catching the iconic silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains as you approach the Sunshine Coast. You return to your starting point in the evening, ending the tour on roughly the same time as the morning departure on Day 1.