Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 8682
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Private vehicle, overnight train, truck, ferry, bus
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
G Adventures
Supplier Code: OABC.B
Starts: Brisbane, Australia
Finishes: Cairns, Australia
Duration: 10 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
Activities
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Discover Moment: Cairns Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns
- K'gari overnight experience
- K'gari Welcome Ceremony
- 4x4 Adventure on K'gari
- Whitsunday full day sailing excursion
- Whitehaven Beach visit
- Transport to and from included activities
Accommodation
- Hostels (8 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people), overnight train (1 nt). All nights are multi-share on this trip.
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Private vehicle, overnight train, truck, ferry, bus
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,999 ($300 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Brisbane
Arrive at any time.
Welcome to the “Land Down Under”! Tonight, gear up and get ready for a night out in Brisbane with the group. Enjoy an evening filled with friendly vibes, epic times, and dope views of the city as you sip some local bevvies with your new travel pals by your side.
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)
An early rise today starts your journey to K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area. Upon arrival to the largest sand island in the world, you will go through a traditional welcome by the Butchulla people, setting the tone for what's to come. After the welcome ceremony, get straight into the 4WD adventure. Swim in Boorangoora (Lake Mckenzie), hike beneath the amazing rainforest and walk along the beach during sunset. At night, sit around the campfire with your new found friends.
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
Cairns is quite the place to visit if you love warm weather (it would be headline news for the city's temperature to drop much below 20°C (68°F)) and want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Take advantage of a free day to book one of the many optional activities that will get you out in nature's playground. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, get that adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or skydiving and cap it all off on a Big Night Out in Cairns with your fellow travellers. Drinks all around are well deserved after spending the day escaping your comfort zones.
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.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Zinna L. - Traveled, December 2023
Great fun but think it suits people with a more open mind and flexible personality
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Eevastiina T. - Traveled, December 2023
I wish there had been more activities for the evenings other than drinking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Melissa M. - Traveled, December 2023
I would recommend as the whole tour was so well organised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/25/2023
Marieke G. - Traveled, November 2023
G Adventures was very organized and it was an easy way to travel since I didn't have to plan much!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/11/2023
Samantha F. - Traveled, November 2023
I really enjoyed my group, they are what made the tour. The organisation of G Adventures was a let down
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2023
Tameka C. - Traveled, November 2023
Great trip, made travelling to a new country easy and stress free.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/04/2023
Lauren K. - Traveled, November 2023
Our CEO Georgia was lovely and everyone on the tour was so nice and everyone got along really well.xx
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2023
Valeriya K. - Traveled, November 2023
Really well organised, well planned out and super nice to just turn up and have everything planned and booked for you as well as meeting new friends and travelling with a group the entire time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2023
Abbie L. - Traveled, November 2023
I had an amazing time, loved every minute of it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/20/2023
Tamara Petra W. - Traveled, October 2023
Super well organised trip, good accommodation, price is good, great and young travellers, Super guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2023
Fabienne T. - Traveled, October 2023
I traveled for the 3th time with you. I always had great CEO and I love that i can lean back and trust the guide to do a good job.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/13/2023
Jennifer F. - Traveled, October 2023
interesting activities, did a lot in a short amount of time, had a great tour leader
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
Sydney R. - Traveled, October 2023
Quite honestly the best 10 days and the reasoning for the highest score was because we did so much and our tour guide was soo organised and got us to places on time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
Rosalind V. - Traveled, October 2023
18-30 somethings is a good blend between discovering a country and having time to have drinks at bars well organized
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
Shannon W. - Traveled, October 2023
Trusted brand I have now completed two tours with G Adventures and had a great time on both trips. You make at least one lifetime friend and experience one in a lifetime scenarios. Great itinerary- only thing I would say is you could add magnetic island when we stop off at Townsville. Georgia was the best tour guide very calm caring and organised - the trip was perfect
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
Amy P. - Traveled, October 2023
The price was a bit much for what was included
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Sibusisiwe N. - Traveled, October 2023
Lauren our CEO was such an organised bubbly person and it was lovely of her to have sent us infographics detailing what would happen on each of the days with a great amount of detail and notice
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
Abigail H. - Traveled, October 2023
Only tour provider I've used so I trust it
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/30/2023
John M. - Traveled, September 2023
Great way to travel, great culture (adventure/experience based rather than purely party based, though enough of that social aspect too)
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Martin K. - Traveled, September 2023
The trips are always well organised, hit all the stops (If sometimes a little briefly depending on the trip) and they are always led by wonderful people who really know their stuff and want to help.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Dawn P. - Traveled, September 2023
Very good tour and did lots in the 10 days. It is a little deceiving that the first and last day you don't do anything with the group and the last day the tour guide flys home early anyways so there is no opportunity
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Cameron F. - Traveled, September 2023
My tour guild Lauren was amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Juliana M. - Traveled, September 2023
Overall the trip was great! However, it is a bit deceiving that it is a 10 day tour but the first and last are essentially up to you and nothing planned. Also, considering the trip was reasonably pricey there were a lot of extra fees for activities which are advertised to be included. The age range of the group should also be more closer together as 18-39 is quite broad and could make some of the younger girls feel a bit uncomfortable - offering an 18-30 would be ideal I think and perhaps another one exclusively for an older crowd.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Martin K. - Traveled, September 2023
The trips are always well organised, hit all the stops (If sometimes a little briefly depending on the trip) and they are always led by wonderful people who really know their stuff and want to help.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Sinead M. - Traveled, September 2023
Everything is so well organised and there is a nice balance of activities and the option to do your own thing too
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2023
Amanda W. - Traveled, September 2023
Would recommend if they were looking to travel on their own/on a group trip. Highly organised, well thought out route, great sights and things to do. Met some great people to share it with.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/25/2023
Anna S. - Traveled, September 2023
The tour was good overall and there weren't any major problems throughout it's duration. Also the places visited were beautiful and the prices quite reasonable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
Caroline B. - Traveled, September 2023
Good tour but room for improvement
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
Drake F. - Traveled, August 2023
Getting to do everything with a group preplanned makes travel fun and easy
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Sydney H. - Traveled, August 2023
It was a perfect balance of adventure/nature and relaxing for my taste.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
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