13 Days | String together unforgettable moments along Queensland’s many coastal paradises
Explore Australia’s beautiful northeastern corner – home to rainforests, coral reefs and white sand beaches. This 13-day adventure starts strong with a dose of serenity in Noosa, before whisking you to the stunning surroundings of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the ancient wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest. Explore the expanse of the iconic Great Barrier Reef and the bliss of the Whitsundays and enjoy free time in Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay, Mission Beach and more – on this whirlwind through north Queensland, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to kick back on the warm sands with a good book or get right in on the action.
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
- PZSUC
- Take an incredible 4WD 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.
- Take a full-day tour of the Whitsundays and a half-day tour of the reef from Cape Tribulation - opportunities to swim among the colourful corals and tropical fish on the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
- 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 and Mandingal Bay with First Nations guides, including smoking ceremonies and immersive exploration of country and culture.
- Visit the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest rainforest in the world – and Cape Tribulation on a stunning day that ticks off two UNESCO World Heritage areas (nature lovers rejoice!).
- Watch the sunset over the Mareeba Wetlands on a unique wildlife spotting experience hosted by Forever Wild – an organisation focused on combatting climate crises with community and conservation-based activities.
- 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 requires a good level of fitness as it involves some walking and swimming, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit and comfortable clothing.
- This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out our 'East Coast Encompassed' trip (trip code PZSVC). See our website for details.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 April 2024 - 31 March 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat, 4WD
Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (7 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
- Cairns - Mandingalbay First Nations tour
- Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
- Mareeba Wetlands - Forever Wild sunset wildlife experience
- Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
- Barron Gorge National Park - Din Din Barron Falls lookout
- Daintree National Park - Mossman Gorge
- Daintree National Park - Jindalba circuit track
- Great Barrier Reef - Half Day Cruise & Snorkelling Experience
- Cape Tribulation - Kulki walk & lookout
- Cape Tribulation - Mason’s Swimming Hole
- Daintree National Park - Madja boardwalk
- Hervey Bay - Whale Watching (Jul-Oct) - AUD122
- Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free
- Cairns - Art gallery - Free
- Cairns - Botanical Gardens - Free
- Kuranda - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - AUD68
- Kuranda - Kuranda Scenic Railway - AUD55
Dates and availability
Important notes
START & END TIMES
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 13 at our finish point hotel around 5 pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you 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. 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. 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.
COMBINATION TRIP
This is a combination trip made up of two shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Cairns as some group members leave and new ones join you. It’s also part of a longer itinerary.
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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