North Queensland Adventure

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Brisbane - Noosa - 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 • Fraser Island - Hervey Bay

  After breakfast, take a ferry to stunning K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) for a day trip. The name, restored by the Butchulla people, means ‘paradise’—and you’ll soon see why. Begin with an adventurous drive along 75 Mile Beach Road, then cool off in Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), famous for its turquoise waters and pure silica sand. Enjoy another dip at Eli Creek, visit the Maheno shipwreck, and marvel at the coloured sands of the Pinnacles. From lush rainforest to golden beaches, explore this unique island’s diverse terrain and keep an eye out for dingoes. Tonight, return to Hervey Bay to rest and recharge.

• Day 3 • Hervey Bay - Overnight Train

  Enjoy a free day in Hervey Bay – the world’s first certified Whale Heritage Area and a prime spot for humpback whale sightings during migration season. If timing’s right, head out for a whale-watching tour, rent a bike to explore the foreshore, or simply stroll along the water’s edge. You could also go kayaking or relax on one of the nearby beaches. Before tonight’s overnight journey on the Spirit of Queensland, pick up some snacks for the train from Maryborough West to Proserpine, arriving early tomorrow near Airlie Beach.

• Day 4 • Airlie Beach

  Your new leader will meet you at Proserpine station early this morning. Grab an optional breakfast and coffee in Airlie Beach, then enjoy a free day exploring this palm-fringed coastal paradise. Airlie is the gateway to the Whitsundays, with beer gardens, trendy cafés, and a lagoon perfect for a swim. Stroll the town, find a local swimming spot, or relax at a waterfront bar. Tonight, join an optional group dinner to get to know your new leader.

• Day 5 • Whitsunday Islands - Whitehaven Beach - Airlie Beach

  Today, set out on a full-day tour to Whitehaven Beach in the heart of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. Start with a walk to Hill Inlet Lookout for sweeping ocean views, then snorkel at secret spots teeming with coral, colourful fish, turtles, and clams. Enjoy an included lunch before cruising to the southern end of Whitehaven’s 7 km stretch of pristine sand—perfect for relaxing after your adventure. Back in Airlie Beach tonight, maybe grab a cocktail and watch the sunset.

• Day 6 • Townsville - Paluma Range National Park - Lucinda

  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.

• Day 7 • Mungalla Station - Mission Beach

  After breakfast, drive to Mungalla Station to meet the Nywaigi people, Traditional Owners of the land, and learn about their culture and history, including the conflicts with European settlers. See these stories come to life in a photo exhibition inside the historic homestead, then explore the Mungalla wetlands in search of birdlife. This afternoon, continue to Mission Beach – a laid-back coastal town lined with palm trees. Stop in Tully along the way to stretch your legs and ask your leader for their favourite local spots.

• Day 8 • Cairns

  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, head 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 you may say goodbye to some of the group who are finishing their travels here. Tonight, you'll have another welcome meeting at 6 pm.

• Day 9 • Cairns

  After breakfast, head out on a First Nations-guided eco-tour of Mandingal Bay. The Traditional Owners of this land will teach you about Country, where mountains are home to rainforests and vast wetlands are home to local birdlife. Walk to Hills Creek, where the sea meets the fresh water and attend a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Then, join your guide on a rainforest trail and learn about ancient Aboriginal traditions, customs and artefacts as you listen to the sounds of nature. After, you have a free afternoon in Cairns to grab some lunch, head to a local art gallery, explore the aquarium or just soak up some sun on the promenade.

• Day 10 • Kurana - Mareeba

  After breakfast, drive up to the mountain village of Kuranda, stopping at Barron Falls lookout for spectacular photos before enjoying free time to explore the rainforest town, browse the famous markets, or dine outdoors in the cool mountain air. This afternoon, visit the Tolga Bat Hospital to learn about bat conservation and rehabilitation, then head to the Mareeba Wetlands for a sunset wildlife-spotting experience hosted by Forever Wild, an organisation dedicated to tackling climate and biodiversity challenges.

• Day 11 • Mareeba - Mossman Gorge - Daintree Rainforest - Cape Tribulation

  This morning, head to the idyllic Mossman Gorge for a refreshing morning swim and a nature walk. After, you’ll continue to not one but two UNESCO World Heritage areas – Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. Head off on another nature walk and immerse yourself in the sounds and smells of the rainforest, keeping your eye out for local birdlife. Daintree is over 135 million years old, making it the oldest rainforest in the world! This afternoon, continue exploring the area or kick back and relax at your accommodation.

• Day 12 • Great Barrier Reef - Cape Tribulation

  After breakfast, head out on an early morning tour of the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll swim with turtles and snorkel in the pristine waters off the Daintree Coast, visiting two different snorkel locations. What better way to spend a morning!? The rest of the day is free to relax on the beach, swim, take a hike or just find a good spot to sit and people-watch. This is a nature-lovers paradise, so there are plenty of activities and laidback options to choose from.

• Day 13 • Daintree Rainforest - Palm Cove - Cairns

  This morning visit Kulki Lookout, where you can stroll along the boardwalk for some iconic views of Cape Tribulation and steep, rainforest-covered slopes that meet the sandy beaches below. Next, head to another boardwalk for a scenic circuit that takes you through dense lowland forests and mangrove-lined creeks. Then visit Mason’s Swimming Hole for a gorgeous tropical swim among lush flora and friendly fish and turtles, where you'll have time to have lunch. When you’re refreshed from a dip in the water, continue to Cairns via the idyllic Palm Cove. On arrival in Cairns your trip will come to an end at around 5 pm. If you want to extend your stay and explore Cairns further, just speak to your booking agent.