Australia: North Queensland Adventure Tour by Contiki

9 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

48 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 35 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Airlie Beach, Australia

Ends

Cairns, Australia

Highlights

Airlie Beach: Grab your new buddies, snorkel round the reef, see ‘the world’s best beach’ and eat lunch on a boat. A proper ‘pinch yourself’ moment.

Whitsunday Islands: The Great Barrier Reef is home to nearly 9,000 species of sea creatures. This means it’ll impress even the saltiest ‘sea dogs’.

Townsville: Catch a boat from the mainland to Magnetic Island.

Magnetic Island: Pack some comfy shoes and climb up to Hawking's Point for sundown. Yoga poses for Insta: optional.

Magnetic Island: Go koala-spotting, see WWII fortifications, or just have a beer in the sun. There’s something for everyone on this trail.

Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!

Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.

Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.

Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)

Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.

Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.

Daintree Rainforest: Learn how ancient ‘Dreamtime’ stories were shared through art. Then unleash your inner Banksy and create a masterpiece at the Janbal Gallery.

Magnetic Island: Mingle with Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk. Just watch these cheeky little guys don’t steal your wallet!

Magnetic Island: Catch a boat from Magnetic Island to the mainland. Wave goodbye to your new BFF Reggie the Koala and promise you’ll write.

Townsville: Things heat up as the landscape gets even more tropical. Soak up the scenery on this train trip from Townsville to Cairns.

Cairns: Eat like a local with this chef-guided bush food tutorial and dinner (thankfully, not a witchetty grub in sight!)

Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and more.

Daintree Rainforest: Tour the world’s oldest rainforest with an expert. Sir David Attenborough called Daintree: ‘the most extraordinary place on earth’.

Daintree Rainforest: Learn how ancient ‘Dreamtime’ stories were shared through art. Then unleash your inner Banksy and create a masterpiece at the Janbal Gallery.

Itinerary

Queensland’s tropical coast beckons with the "Australia: North Queensland Adventure," a nine-day marine wildlife trip for young adults eager for sun, sand, and natural encounters. Starting in Airlie Beach and wrapping up in Cairns, this group trip showcases the best of Australia’s laid-back lifestyle—explore the white sands of Whitehaven Beach, trek the rugged trails of Magnetic Island, and cap it all off with a bucket-list expedition to the Great Barrier Reef. With accommodations, meals, and transport included, the unique highlight is the chance to spot native wildlife, from wallabies at dusk to vibrant reef life, all while savoring the carefree Aussie spirit.

day 1 - Airlie Beach

Hello Airlie Beach! This tropical paradise is the perfect place to kick off our adventure. Our trip starts at Nomads where we'll meet our fellow adventurers.

Location Visited:Airlie Beach

Accommodation:Base Backpackers (or similar)

day 2 - Airlie Beach

Is there anywhere in the world more beautiful than the Whitsundays? We think not. With 74 perfect islands at your fingertips, an open sea calling your name, today you'll get to explore one of the worlds most lusted-after holiday destinations with a day trip to the spotless Whitehaven Beach, including snorkelling. This is as close to heaven as you can find on planet earth.

Meals:Lunch

Location Visited:Airlie Beach

Accommodation:Nomads Airlie Beach (or similar)

day 3 - Airlie Beach

We've got a free day in Airlie Beach today! This vibrant hub of the Whitsundays is ours to explore. We could take to the sky with a Skydive over Australia's most beautiful drop zone or even a relaxing scenic flight over the Whitsunday islands including Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. For those looking for a more relaxed option, kick back on the beach sipping something sweet or explore the cute boutiques, bistros and alfresco restaurants that adorn the seafront. It's a hard life.

Location Visited:Airlie Beach

Accommodation:Nomads Airlie Beach (or similar)

day 4 - Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island via Townsville

Is there anything better than the Whitsundays? We think our next destination definitely comes close! We'll board a coach this morning heading for Townsville. Here we'll board the ferry to our next destination. Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) is an apt name for this captivating isle, with its coastal walking trails and gum trees teeming with lazy koala bears. We'll have plenty of time to explore, partake in watersports in the bright turqouise waters or meet some of the local marsupials. But this evening, we'll enjoy the sunset over the bay.

Meals:Dinner

Location Visited:Airlie Beach, Townsville, Magnetic Island

Accommodation:Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar)

day 5 - Magnetic Island

We have a whole day on this paradise island - lucky us! Check out some of the walking trails - such as the Forts Walk which offers up stunning views of the Palm Island Group as well as WWII fortifications, and the chance to see koalas in the wild - or enjoy some free time at Horseshoe bay, taking a dip on the azure waters and relaxing on the beach. See Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk before a free evening, where we can watch the sunset and check out some of the local bars.

Meals:Breakfast

Location Visited:Magnetic Island

Accommodation:Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar)

day 6 - Magnetic Island to Cairns via Townsville

This morning we'll say farewell to our koala friends and depart Magnetic Island on a ferry. But we'll never forget its singular beauty. Back in Townsville we won't hang around too long, as we're hopping on a train headed to Cairns, where we'll arrive late afternoon after a gloriously scenic journey along Australia's East Coast. Welcome to the city of Cairns (Gimuy), where rainforests meet reefs. We'll enjoy one of the most memorable meals you've ever experienced today with our interactive Bush Food MAKE TRAVEL MATTERtutorial and dinner. An experienced chef will guide us through a history of Bush Food as you sample a variety of native spices and fruits, explaining their tastes, origins, and traditional uses before we enjoy our dinner, which features native game.It's anincredible cultural feast, and the perfect way to start our adventure in Cairns.

Meals:Dinner

Location Visited:Magnetic Island, Townsville, Cairns

Accommodation:Gilligans (or similar)

day 7 - Cairns

Rise and shine, our entire day today is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience, packed with history, heritage and natural beauty, as we enjoy a spectacular a day trip to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world: Daintree.With its ancient ferns and vibrant canopies, this place will take our breath away. There's a reason David Attenborough called it 'the most extraordinary place on earth.' As well as admiring the lush rainforest, we'll also meet the local Kuku Yalanji people and learn about their rich Aboriginal culture and history. We'll get the chance to view a smoking ceremony and take an art class with an Aboriginal artist. We'll also learn about ancient Dreamtime stories, local history and how these are shared through art. Then, we'll get to create our own unique souvenir to take home in the form of a canvas that tells our own stories.What a day; and our time in Cairns isn't over yet. Tonight, well keep the magic going with the option of a sunset boat cruise.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

Location Visited:Cairns, Daintree Rainforest, Cairns

Accommodation:Gilligans (or similar)

day 8 - Cairns

Today you'll have the option to board a catamaran out to the reef to snorkel or dive in the crystal waters and gaze at the colourful coral and even more vibrant marine life. Back on board, the expert marine crew will tell us all there is to know about this stunning, but vulnerable, natural miracle.

Meals:Breakfast

Location Visited:Cairns

Accommodation:Gilligans (or similar)

day 9 - Cairns

Our adventure ends this afternoon, but not before we have a chance to escape our comfort zones and try some of the adventurous activities that Cairns is famous for -think bungy jumping, skydiving and whitewater rafting. Or, sign up for a day trip on the scenic cable car, Skyrail. Gain a unique perspective of Australia's World Heritage listed tropical rainforest, gliding above the canopy before descending to the forest floor to continue your guided journey in the tropical hippie paradise of Kuranda, a village known for its appreciation of sustainable living and alternate therapies. Take the famous Kuranda Railway back to Cairns for a relaxing end to the trip.

Meals:Breakfast

Location Visited:Cairns

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What's Included

Accommodation

Base Backpackers (or similar) HotelNomads Airlie Beach (or similar) HotelNomads Magnetic Island (or similar) HotelGilligans (or similar) Hotel

Meals

Lunch (x2)Dinner (x2)Breakfast (x4)

Transport

Travel by coach

Guide

Experienced Driver Guide

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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