Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays - 10 Days



Who is this trip for
Genders
- Female82%
- Male18%
Average age
Start / End
- Brisbane
- Cairns
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 20Meals included
7Highlights
- Enjoy the coastal beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Noosa's stunning beaches and national park
- Discover the pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters of the Whitsundays on a day trip
- Experience the natural wonders and diverse wildlife with an overnight stay on K'gari (Fraser Island)
- Explore the tropical charm and adventure activities of Cairns at your own pace.
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Summary
If you're big on ambition but short on time, sign yourself up for this zippy ten-day tour up the east coast of Queensland. Play transport bingo as you hop on a yacht, train, truck, and private vehicle to get around your destinations. Hit K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Whitsundays, go snorkelling, and explore the beauty of Noosa. Your time here may be fleeting, but your friends and family probably won't ever hear the end of this seriously epic trip.
Itinerary
Day 1
Brisbane
Arrive in Brisbane at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city.
If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city. Opt to catch city cat or walk to explore Brisbane via the river. Visit spots like, the Howard Smith Wharves, the Botanical Gardens, New Farm Park, or relax at Streets Beach on the South Bank.
Day 2
Brisbane/K'gari (Fraser Island)
This unique stay on K'gari is hosted by the Traditional Owners of the land who are keen to share their experiences with you and welcome you. This is an incredibly unique experience and a thrilling opportunity to gain insight into Australia's Indigenous culture-both past and present.
Day 3
K'gari (Fraser Island)/Noosa
Today you'll climb sand dunes, see the Maheno shipwreck and swim in the crystal clear Eli Creek that pumps millions of litres of spring-fed fresh water into the ocean every hour. In the afternoon, say goodbye to K'gari and head to your next beachy destination, Noosa.
Day 4
Noosa
Picture rocky coast against perfect turquoise water. Now head out with your CEO and see it first hand. Catch the ferry and start your easy hike in Noosa National Park along the waterways to end up at the secluded beach, Hell's Gate. While it sounds intimidating, it is well worth it, and really quite spectacular. Keep your eye out for koalas along the hike too. Enjoy the afternoon free in Noosa. Opt to get lunch on Hastings Street and enjoy some relaxing beach time or rent a surfboard. Then take the ferry back before dinner.
Day 5
Noosa/Airlie Beach
Enjoy a free day in cute beachfront town of Noosa! Do some shopping along Hasting Street in search of souvenirs, have a coffee on the beach, or go for a surf. Many consider Noosa to be the best place for surfing in all of Australia. You can also choose to spend time back at the hostel or participate in some of the optional activities offered in the area. In the afternoon, we'll pack our bags and head to the train station. Tonight we sleep on an overnight train as we head north to some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Fall asleep in Noosa and wake up by the Whitsundays!
Day 6
Airlie Beach
Hop off the train and board a bus for a short ride to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier reef. After dropping your bags, do your thing in Airlie Beach. Relax on a gorgeous beach, take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef or get some shopping in on the town. Airlie Beach is your oyster.
Day 7
Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach
Get ready for an amazing day at sea! Today, we'll climb aboard an ocean raft and zoom around the wispy turquoise waters. With time to snorkel, go on bushwalks, and chill on the beach, today will be as close to perfect as one can get.
Day 8
Airlie Beach/Cairns
With an early morning departure, admire the scenery on the bus ride north to Cairns. We'll make a few pit stops along the way to stretch your legs, see some sights and check out some of Australia big things!
Day 9
Cairns
Opt to pre-book the "Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Day 10
Cairns
Depart at any time.
What's Included
Accommodation
Hostels (8 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people), overnight train (1 nt). All nights are multi-share on this trip.
Meals
Breakfasts: 2, Lunches: 3, Dinners: 2
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Aug 25
from £1,262Sep 25
from £1,262Oct 25
from £1,262Nov 25
from £1,514Dec 25
from £1,615Jan 26
from £1,615Feb 26
from £1,900Mar 26
from £1,900Apr 26
from £1,781May 26
from £1,781Jun 26
from £1,682Jul 26
from £1,682Aug 26
from £1,682Sep 26
from £1,682Oct 26
from £1,682Nov 26
from £1,781Dec 26
from £1,900Jan 27
from £1,682
- Save 26%Sat 4 Oct 2025 > Mon 13 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 20 left£1,699Best offer£1,262
- Save 26%Sat 11 Oct 2025 > Mon 20 Oct 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 20 left£1,699Best offer£1,262
- Save 16%Sat 25 Oct 2025 > Mon 3 Nov 2025Guaranteed Departure6+ spaces of 20 left£1,699£1,430
Customer reviews & ratings
This is a great way to make some new friends and get a "sample platter" of places you may wish to go back to. I'm looking forward to coming back to Australia and spending some more time in Brisbane or Noosa A lot of trip planning is taken care of for you, and the accommodations are nice for the price point. The locations we visit were fun and interesting. Group travel might not be for everyone though, and some may prefer solo travel
Stoian Oct, 2024 VerifiedFor the price and the time we had, this tour was hands down the best choice to make the most of getting to know the east coast of Australia! Besides, the group was fun and very welcoming, but I really want to thank Lauren, our guide. She wasn?t just incredibly knowledgeable and organized; she felt more like a close friend who made every moment special. I honestly couldn?t have asked for a better experience! Everything was very organized, good activities and recommendations and the most amazing tour guide for a fair price.
Darina Sep, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
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