Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

5.0Based on

Carbon neutral

10 daysDuration

Group TourJoin a group of travelers

20 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 39 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Brisbane, Australia

Ends

Cairns, Australia

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

Itinerary

Craving sun, surf, and a little bit of everything? The "Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays" is a 10-day photography and adventure tour made for young adults with a taste for variety. Zipping up Queensland’s east coast, you’ll ride trains, trucks, yachts, and more as you check off iconic stops like K’gari (Fraser Island), Airlie Beach, and the Whitsunday Islands.

Dive into moderate activity with snorkeling, sand dune adventures, and scenic hikes, perfectly balanced with time to relax on tropical beaches. Whether you’re capturing sunrise over white sands or exploring Noosa’s laidback charm, each day brings a new highlight—and a new story to tell.

The USP of this trip package is its fast-paced, multi-modal approach, letting you experience the best of Australia’s coast in just over a week. If you want a tour that keeps the energy high and the memories rolling, this is your ticket.

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.

Accomodation:BUNK Brisbane (or similar)

Included Activities:Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr, Connect With New Friends

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.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:The Eco Retreat (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 2.75 hr - 3.0 hr Distance : 250 km

Included Activities:Welcome to Country Ceremony, K'gari Inland Experience, Twilight Beach Walk, Stories around the campfire

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.

Meal:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accomodation:Bounce Noosa (or similar)

Transport:Private Vehicle Duration : 1.5 hr Distance : 115 km

Included Activity:K'gari Beach Tour

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.

Accomodation:Bounce Noosa (or similar)

Included Activity:Noosa Coastal Walk

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!

Accomodation:Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel (or similar)

Transport:Overnight Train (seats)

Optional Activities:Noosa Everglades Kayak Adventure , Eumundi Market

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.

Accomodation:Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel (or similar)

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.

Meal:Lunch

Accomodation:Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel (or similar)

Included Activity:Whitsunday Islands Boating Excursion Duration : 8.0 hr

Optional Activities:Whitsunday Islands Snorkelling Optional floatation device is provided to travellers for extra buoyancy.

day 8 - Airlie Beach/Cairns

With an early morning departure, we take a relaxing rail journey through sugar-cane fields, and coastal countryside, the perfect way to unwind and watch Queensland roll by.

Accomodation:Cairns Central YHA (or similar)

Transport:Train Duration : 10.0 hr - 11.0 hr

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.

Accomodation:Cairns Central YHA (or similar)

Included Activity:Big Night Out

Optional Activities:Skydiving A medical questionnaire is required to be filled out on arrival., Whitewater Rafting Put on a helmet, grab a paddle and raft the Class 3 & 4 rapids of the mighty Tully River, considered the best rafting river in all Australia & New Zealand., Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling from Cairns

day 10 - Cairns

Depart at any time.

Included Activity:Departure Day

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hostels & basic lodgings (8 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people), overnight train (1 nt), remote beach accommodation (1 nt). **All nights are multi-share on this trip.

Meals

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Note: Allow USD265-345 for meals not included.

Transport

Private vehicle, bus, overnight train, boat, 4x4 vehicle, ferry, walking.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Included activities

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour First Night Out Moment: Connect With New FriendsYour Discover Moment: CairnsYour Big Night Out Moment: CairnsK'gari Welcome Ceremony4x4 Adventure on K'gariK'gari overnight experience (incl Twilight Beach Walk & Stories around the campfire)Noosa Coastal WalkWhitsunday full day excursion, including snorkellingWhitehaven Beach visitTransport to and from included activities

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

5.0

based on 7 reviews

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