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Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
Operated by Intrepid Travel
Tripcode: PZSC
Overview
Destination:
Australia,
Duration:8 days
Type:Group tour (max 16)
Travel Period
January 2026 - March 2028
Explore Australia’s sun-kissed East Coast from Queensland's capital, Brisbane (Meanjin), to the tropical hub of Cairns (Gimuy) on an oceanic trip that takes you from one beachside hotspot after another. Take an off-road adventure across the dunes of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), explore the tropical waters of the Whitsundays, flop and drop on the palm-fringed sands of Mission Beach, soak up the energy and nightlife of Airlie Beach and explore colourful underwater worlds of the Great Barrier Reef in your free time. On this eight-day road trip, you’ll get wet in the waterfalls, wild in the rainforests and sandy on the beaches – what could be better?
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
This trip starts in Brisbane with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel and ends on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 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’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 trip 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. 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 our control, you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in Tannum Sands, taking approximately 15 hours split across two days. Departures may be affected at short notice. Please check back here closer to your departure date.
This trip starts in Brisbane with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel and ends on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 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’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 trip 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. 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 our control, you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in Tannum Sands, taking approximately 15 hours split across two days. Departures may be affected at short notice. Please check back here closer to your departure date.
Highlights:
- START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME This trip starts in Brisbane with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel and ends on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 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’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 trip 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. 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 our control, you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in Tannum Sands, taking approximately 15 hours split across two days. Departures may be affected at short notice. Please check back here closer to your departure date.
Standard inclusions
- Meals: Meals: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches.
- Transport: Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat.
- Accommodation: 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.
Itinerary
Expand all 
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Collapse allDay 1: Hervey Bay
Welcome to Brisbane! Or Meanjin in the language of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, who are the Traditional Custodians 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, where you can grab some lunch, relax on the beach or go shopping in the boutique shops. If you’d like, maybe use your free time here to explore 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: Hervey Bay
After breakfast this morning, you’ll head to the island of K'gari (previously known as Fraser Island) by ferry for a daytrip. 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 landscape, starting with an adventurous drive along the sand roads of 75 Mile Beach Road. Then, take a dive into the clear rainwater lake of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), famous for its turqouise water filtered by its 92 per cent pure silica sand. Head over to another of the island’s safe swimming spots, the fresh waters of Eli Creek, before a visit to the Maheno shipwreck and coloured sands of the pinnacles. Tonight, head back to Hervey Bay for a free evening to rest and recharge.
Day 3: Hervey Bay
Enjoy a free day in Hervey Bay today – a prime location for observing humpback whales during migration season and the world’s first certified Whale Heritage Area. If the month is right, maybe spend the morning whale-watching on the water, or rent a bike to cycle along the foreshore. You could also take a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, go kayaking or just enjoy one of the many Queensland beaches nearby. Make sure you pick up some snacks for tonight's overnight train journey north on the famous 'Spirit of Queensland.' Depart from the train station at Maryborough West and arrive in Proserpine, south-west of Airlie Beach, arriving early tomorrow morning.
Day 4: Airlie Beach
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 hub town of the popular Whitsundays, which has plenty of beer gardens, trendy cafes and a lawn-fringed swimming lagoon. Whether you want to just kick back by the water or get out into nature on a coastal hike, there’s plenty on offer. Get to know your new leader tonight with an optional group dinner.
Day 5: Airlie Beach
Today you’ll head out on a full-day tour to Whitehaven Beach in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands and the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Start with a walk to the Hill Inlet Lookout – one of the most famous lookout spots for wide spanning views of the Whitsundays’ white sands and blue waters. Then, throw your swimsuit on to go snorkelling at one of the secret spots that your guide will show you. See coral reefs, tropical 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 toast at sunset.
Day 6: Lucinda
Today is a long day of travel with some stops to stretch your legs. Your first stop is Townsville, where you’ll head to Castle Hill lookout, walking the track up to the 360-degree viewpoint of the town, Coral Sea and Magnetic Island. You’ll have some free time for lunch and to chill by the water. Then, carry on to Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range National Park for a stroll, swim in the creek or quiet time relaxing to the sounds of local birdlife. This afternoon, depart for Lucinda, your location for the night.
Day 7: Mission Beach
This morning after breakfast, drive to Mungalla Station to meet the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Nywaigi people. Learn about their culture and history, including the brutal conflicts with European settlers, during a guided tour. 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 like spoonbills, magpie geese and egrets. Drive to Mission Beach this afternoon – a small coastal town on the Cassowary Coast known for its beaches lined by palm trees and rainforests filled with cassowaries. Stop in Tully along the way to stretch your legs and tonight, maybe ask your leader for their favourite local restaurant.
Day 8: Cairns
Have breakfast before driving to Millaa Millaa Falls for a nature walk and optional swim in the cascades. Stop for lunch at a local cafe at Yungaburra, then walk along the Curtain Fig boardwalk to see the heritage-listed 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, head to Lake Eacham – the site of an old volcano and home to Australia’s largest python! Here, maybe go for a swim or walk the rainforest tracks, looking for native wildlife like the musky rat-kangaroo. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5 pm. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.
Dates
Select a date or submit general enquiry
Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid is a small group tour travel company with humble beginnings that now sends over 100,000 travellers a year on grassroots and responsible travel tours.
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
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7 nights
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