Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
8 Days Starting in Brisbane and ending in Cairns
Visiting: Brisbane / Noosa / Hervey Bay, K'gari (Fraser Island) / Hervey Bay, Hervey Bay / Overnight Train, Airlie Beach, Townsville / Paluma Range National Park / Lucinda, Mungalla Station / Mission Beach, Atherton Tablelands / Cairns
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PZSC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
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?
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Brisbane / Noosa / Hervey Bay
Location: Brisbane / Noosa / Hervey Bay
Accommodation: Cabins
Welcome to Brisbane! Or Meanjin in the language of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Brisbane is now located. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 10 am. After, you’ll drive straight to Noosa Heads – a serene town in Queensland by the sea – where you can grab some lunch, relax on the beach or go shopping in the cute boutique shops. If you’d like, maybe use your free time here to do part of the Noosa Coastal Walk and look out for local flora and fauna. This afternoon, you’ll hit the road again for the coastal city of Hervey Bay, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 2: K'gari (Fraser Island) / Hervey Bay
Location: K'gari (Fraser Island) / Hervey Bay
Accommodation: Cabins
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After breakfast this morning, you’ll head to the stunning K'gari (previously known as Fraser Island) by ferry for a day trip. The name change is a major milestone in a long-running campaign by the Butchulla people, whose original name for this place means ‘paradise’ – and you’ll soon see why. Set off on an adventure through the breathtaking landscape. Start off with an adventurous drive along 75 Mile Beach Road – one of the best coastal drives in the country. Take a refreshing dive into the crystal-clear water of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) – an island icon. The lake is world famous for its turquoise colours and delicate white, 92% pure silica sand. Take another dip, this time in the fresh waters of Eli Creek, then visit the Maheno shipwreck and the coloured sands of the pinnacles. From tropical dense rainforest to wild offshore waters, you’ll witness the contrasting fauna and terrain of this truly unique island as you venture across undulating dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature – the dingo. Tonight, head back to Hervey Bay where you can rest and recharge. 
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Hervey Bay / Overnight Train
Location: Hervey Bay / Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight train
Meals Included: dinner
Enjoy a free day in Hervey Bay today – one of the best sites for observing humpback whales during migration season. If the month is right, maybe spend the morning whale watching on the water, or rent a bike to cycle along the foreshore. Or you could take a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, go kayaking or just enjoy one of the many gorgeous beaches nearby. Make sure you pick up some snacks for tonight's overnight train journey north on the famous 'Spirit of Queensland', from the train station at Maryborough West to Proserpine, just south-west of Airlie Beach, arriving early tomorrow morning.
Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Airlie Beach
Location: Airlie Beach
Accommodation: Holiday Apartments
Your new leader will meet you at Proserpine train station early this morning. Head for an optional breakfast and caffeine hit at a local café in Airlie Beach. Your day is free to explore this coastal paradise dotted with palm trees. This hub town of the popular Whitsundays has beer gardens, trendy cafes and a lawn-fringed swimming lagoon. Maybe stroll around and explore, visit some local swimming spots for a refreshing dip or find a seat at one of the many bars and watch the sun sparkle on the water. Get to know your new leader tonight with an optional group dinner. 
Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Whitsunday Islands / Whitehaven Beach / Airlie Beach
Location: Whitsunday Islands / Whitehaven Beach / Airlie Beach
Accommodation: Holiday Apartments
Meals Included: lunch
Today you’ll head out on a full-day tour to Whitehaven Beach, in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands and in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Start with a walk to the spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout, where you can take photos of the sweeping ocean views. Then, hit the water and go snorkelling at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of the secret spots today's guide will show you. See coral reefs, colourful fish, turtles, clams and other marine life. Then, enjoy an included lunch and take a boat to the southern end of the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach, taking the chance to kick back and relax in the sun after a day of outdoor adventures. Tonight, back in Airlie Beach, maybe head to one of the local bars for a cocktail (or two) and watch the sunset.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Townsville / Paluma Range National Park / Lucinda
Location: Townsville / Paluma Range National Park / Lucinda
Accommodation: Hotel
Today is a long day of travel, interspersed with some stops to stretch your legs. Your first stop is Townsville. Head to Castle Hill lookout when you arrive and take some photos of the gorgeous views of the town and ocean below. You’ll have some free time for lunch and to chill by the water. Carry on to Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range National Park, where you can take a stroll, swim in the creek or just relax among the sounds of local birdlife. This afternoon, you’ll head to Lucinda, where you’ll spend the night. Ask your leader for the best seaside spots for dinner and maybe enjoy a night walk to watch the sun go down.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Mungalla Station / Mission Beach
Location: Mungalla Station / Mission Beach
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast, drive to Mungalla station, where you’ll meet the First Nations owners of the land – the Nywaigi people – and learn about their culture and history, including about the brutal conflicts with European settlers. The story you’ve been told will come to life as you visit an exhibition of pictures within the historic homestead. Then head out and explore the Mungalla wetlands in search of aquatic birdlife. Drive to Mission Beach this afternoon – a small coastal town with expansive beaches, lined with palm trees. Stop in Tully along the way to stretch your legs, then ask your leader for the best way to spend your night.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Atherton Tablelands / Cairns
Location: Atherton Tablelands / Cairns
Meals Included: breaksfast
This morning after breakfast, drive to Millaa Millaa Falls for a nature walk and perhaps a refreshing swim in the cascades. Stop in for lunch at a local cafe at Yungaburra, then take the Curtain Fig boardwalk to see the iconic tree this park was named after – this park protects endangered mabi forest and a large green fig tree with extensive aerial roots that drop 15 m to the forest floor, forming a ‘curtain’. After, walk to Lake Eacham – the site of an old volcano and home to Australia’s largest python! Here, maybe take a swim (just keep an eye out for the resident freshwater crocodile). This afternoon, you’ll drive to Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5pm. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
Included Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Holiday Apartments (2 nights) -
K'gari - Full day 4WD tour
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Airlie Beach – Full day Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef tour
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Paluma Range National Park - Crystal Creek
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Townsville – Castle Hill Lookout
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Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Day Tour
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Atherton Tablelands – Curtain Tree boardwalk
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Atherton Tablelands – Lake Eacham walk
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Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
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Meals
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
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Airlie Beach - Full day Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven Beach Tour with Snorkelling
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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International Travel
Transport
- OVERNIGHT TRAIN
- You will be unaccompanied on the overnight train from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach (Proserpine). Your new trip leader will meet you at Proserpine. The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system, a 240v power point and a USB point. In the evening, the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. Should the overnight train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transportation and an additional night stay in a destination enroute.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 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. 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.
Mode of Transport
- You will be unaccompanied on the overnight train to Hervey Bay Proserpine. Your new trip leader will meet you at Proserpine.
- The RailBed is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system, a 240v power point and a USB point. In the evening, the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided.
- Should the overnight train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transportation and an additional night stay in a destination enroute.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
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. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions