8 Days | Swim, snorkel and stroll your way along Queensland’s East coast
Explore Australia’s sun-kissed east coast from Queensland's capital Brisbane to the tropical hub of Cairns on an epic oceanic trip that offers one coastal paradise after another. Take an off-road adventure across the undulating dunes of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), snorkel through the dazzling tropical waters of Whitehaven Beach, flop and drop on the palm-fringed sands of laidback Mission Beach, soak up the energy and nightlife of Airlie Beach after sunset and explore colourful underwater worlds in your free time. On this eight-day road trip, you’ll get wet and wild in waterfalls and rainforests and salty and sandy on islands and beaches – what could be better?
Trip overview
- Start
- Brisbane, Australia
- Finish
- Cairns, Australia
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Australia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- PZSC
- Take an incredible adventure through the breathtaking landscape of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Ride across sand dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature, the dingo.
- Venture into the wilderness of the Atherton Tablelands – take a dip in a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest and admire the blue-green hues of Lake Eacham.
- Take a full-day tour of the Whitsundays, where you’ll head out on a bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, go snorkelling among giant tropical fish and corals and then relax on the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach as the sun descends.
- Enjoy free time in Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay and Mission Beach, where you can hit the water and swim, kayak or take a boat ride or just kick back on the warm sands with a good book.
- Explore Mungalla Wetlands with a First Nations guide as you search for aquatic birdlife and learn about the history and culture of the Nywaigi people.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.
- There are some long travelling days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
- This trip includes an overnight train, which is super comfortable and features RailBeds, charging stations and USB ports. The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transport and an additional overnight stay. Please see the daily itinerary for more details.
- Multiple activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.
- This trip is part of a combination tour, with other travellers joining from Sydney when you’re starting in Brisbane. It also forms part of a longer tour with extended exploration from Cairns. See trip codes PZSPC & PZSVC on our website for these options.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 April 2025 - 31 March 2026
Itinerary
Inclusions
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat
Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Holiday Apartments (2 nights)
- K'gari - Full day tour
- Airlie Beach - Full day Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven Beach Tour with Snorkelling
- Paluma Range National Park - Crystal Creek
- Townsville - Castle Hill Lookout
- Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Tour
- Atherton Tablelands - Curtain Tree boardwalk
- Atherton Tablelands - Lake Eacham walk
- Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
- Hervey Bay - Whale Watching (Jul-Oct) - AUD122
- Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free
Dates and availability
Important notes
START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
The trip starts in Brisbane with a Welcome Meeting at 10am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel, and finishes on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 at our finish point hotel around 5pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.
OVERNIGHT TRAIN
The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Luggage weight (max 20kg for main luggage, 7kg for hand luggage) and size (23cm x 34cm x 48cm) limits apply for our overnight train journey. Please note that throughout the year scheduled railway track works may take place on the route from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach, sometimes at short notice. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in Tannum Sands, taking approximately 15 hours split across two days. Currently we are aware of Queensland Rail having track works tentatively scheduled for the following departure dates, likely affecting your departure as described above:
• Brisbane to Cairns Adventure, departing Brisbane on 30th January 2025 (trip code PZSC250130)
• Brisbane to Cairns Adventure, departing Brisbane on 27th March 2025 (trip code PZSC250327)
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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