15 Day Brisbane to Cairns Tour

Check into our central Brisbane accommodation and make yourself at home. If you have time, we recommend hopping on one of the free CityHopper ferries to explore the city via the Brisbane River. Meet your guide and group at 5pm in the hostel reception and head down to Southbank to check out some of the many bars and restaurants.

Accommodation: Selina Brisbane or similar. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants. Free activities: Catch the Brisbane city ferry

It’s a relaxed departure today as we leave Brisbane mid-morning and make our way north to Noosa. We’ll stop along the way for lunch and a walk to see incredible views of Noosa and Noosa headlands before arriving at our accommodation in the afternoon.

Our Noosa accommodation is less of a hostel and more of a resort, with a pool and a licensed cafe (did someone say poolside margaritas?) as well as designer dorms with privacy screens and USB charging points. This evening, we’ll grab a drink at the bar and make plans to head and explore Noosa.

Accommodation: Bounce. Meals included: Breakfast, drink on arrival. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, dinner at hostel. Free activities: Swim, walks, lookouts

Today you have a completely free day to spend doing whatever you like. Explore the Everglades by kayak, or book a skydive and see Noosa and surroundings from above. Grab a sun lounger and get some much needed R&R, go for a walk around the incredible headland, visit the beach or have a long, lazy lunch in the sun. The Noosa Surf Club is one of our faves so if you’d like to go out for dinner, you can’t go wrong with a local hotspot!

Accommodation: Bounce Noosa or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants. Free activities: Chilling by the resort pool, going for a walk in the National Park, visiting the famous beach or checking out the local boutiques and cafes. Optional paid activities: Everglades Kayak, Skydive

It’s an early start this morning as you head out for your 3-day, 2-night K’gari adventure. During this amazing experience you’ll explore the largest sand island in the world on a 4WD expedition, see the magical Lake Boorangoora (McKenzie), discover towering rainforests, spot a wild dingo, cruise along endless sandy beaches and lose yourself in the magic of stargazing. If you fancy learning how to drive a 4WD, you can do that! This is going to be one of the best experiences of your whole trip and is definitely the coolest way to explore this world-heritage listed National Park.

After a bus, ferry and 4WD transfer, you’ll arrive at The Eco Retreat on K’gari (your accommodation for the next 2 nights). You’ll have some tasty lunch and then you can check out the retreat’s ocean views before heading out for your first adventure to see some of the Island highlights. This evening, you’ll arrive back at The Eco Retreat to enjoy dinner, practice throwing a boomerang, share stories and learn to play the didgeridoo around the campfire. Tonight, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves as you settle into your beach cabin accommodation.

Accommodation: The Eco Retreat on K’gari Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

This morning, wake up to the gorgeous golden sunrise over the ocean, enjoy breakfast and get ready for a fun-filled morning exploring K’gari and her hidden treasures. Enjoy lunch on the beach and then spend the afternoon discovering more lakes (there are over 100!) and epic views before arriving back to The Eco Retreat in time for another dinner under the stars and some fun evening activities.

Accommodation: The Eco Retreat on K’gari Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

After breakfast today you’ll hit the inland tracks to discover towering trees and take one last refreshing dip, enjoy lunch in the forest and then begin your journey back to the mainland, arriving into Rainbow Beach around mid-afternoon ready for your next journey north up to Bundaberg.

Bundaberg is well-known for sugarcane, rum, ginger beer and more recently has been called the ‘Bundaberg Bowl’ for its reputation of growing and producing fresh food that’s served across the country. Your accommodation in Bundaberg is a relaxed eco-resort, this time you’ll be located by a nature reserve and have access to a spa, sauna, tennis courts and more (we know, we treat you good!). Tonight, we’ll have a group BBQ dinner and enjoy a chilled evening.

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort in villas or similar. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks, BBQ Dinner. Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

Today you get to have a relaxing morning in Bundaberg. Enjoy a sleep in, go for a swim at the resort pool or why not play a game of tennis? We’ll have breakfast at the resort and then head to Bundaberg for lunch and to explore the area.

After lunch, we’ll head to the Bundaberg Rum Centre for a tour of their distillery and a tasting of their iconic rum. Or, if you’d prefer a full day out on the water and the chance to visit the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, your guide can book you onto the incredible Lady Musgrave Full Day Tour for a day of snorkelling, a boat cruise, island walk and delicious food.

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Included Activities: Rum Tasting. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants. Optional paid activities: Lady Musgrave Full Day Snorkel Tour Free activities: Swimming, tennis or checking out Bargara Beach

Today is a big travelling day to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands, so load up on snacks and we’ll get the tunes going to get us through the day. We’ll make some stops to stretch our legs and arrive in Airlie in the evening.

Accommodation: Base Airlie Beach or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, bakery, restaurant

This morning, enjoy a sleep in or take a stroll down to the Airlie lagoon for a dip. After lunch, head down to Coral Sea Marina to meet your crew and jump onboard a 76-foot, maxi sailing yacht which will be your home for the next two days. As you leave the marina and Airlie Beach behind you, watch your crew hoist the sails for an exhilarating trip out to the Whitsunday Islands – part of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Once you arrive out around the Islands, jump in for a swim or snorkel amongst the fringing reef and then enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand on one of the crew’s favourite little beaches. In the evening relax on deck, have a few drinks, get to know the crew, stargaze and let the calm waters gently rock you to sleep – for the adventurous, mats are provided to sleep on deck under the stars or if you prefer a bit more comfort, a bed awaits you below deck.

Accommodation: Open shared dorm style accommodation on a maxi sailing yacht. Meals included: Breakfast, Afternoon Snacks, Dinner and Dessert (BYO drinks). Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes. Included activities: Sailing, snorkelling and exploring the Whitsunday Islands

This morning you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in paradise, as you wake up on a yacht surrounded by beautiful islands and enjoy a delicious breakfast on deck as you sail towards Whitsunday Island, home to the best beach in the world – Whitehaven Beach. You’ll disembark and enjoy a bush-walk to Hill Inlet Lookout and then spend the rest of the day exploring and relaxing on Whitehaven Beach. You can also go snorkelling today, enjoy a sunset beach session and another fun evening onboard with your group and the crew.

Accommodation: Open shared dorm style accommodation on a maxi sailing yacht. Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Snacks, Dinner and Dessert. Included activities: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, bush-walk, sailing, snorkelling

Enjoy your final morning on board the yacht, jump in for another magical swim or snorkel and then sail on back to Airlie Beach. This afternoon once you’ve checked back into your hostel, go and laze in the sun by the lagoon or explore the town before freshening up and meeting your group and boat crew for the after party! There will be a reserved table, drink discounts, and meal deals – so get ready for a big night.

Accommodation: Base Airlie or similar
Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants
Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea
Included Activities: Sailing, snorkeling

Today you will wake up in paradise and have a full free day to explore. This beautiful island is home to the historic Forts Complex, which you see in a scenic walk with your Guide. At the end, you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views over the island and ocean beyond. Spend the rest of your day relaxing on the secluded beaches, hiking through native bush or searching for wildlife! Top tip: stay alert and keep your eyes on the trees, Maggie Island is one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild!

Accommodation: Selina or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Self-cater, bakery or cafes. Free activities: Walk. Optional activities: Snorkel.

We catch the ferry back to the mainland in the morning and then we’ll get on the road again and head up to the stunning Atherton Tablelands. We’ll stop at the famous Millaa Millaa Falls along the way for a swim and some amazing photo ops.

We’ll go for a walk and a swim in Lake Eacham – a beautiful crater lake, and visit the heritage-listed Curtain Fig Tree, before making our way to Cairns. Tonight, we’re staying at an amazing resort with its own person-made beach! We’ll have a group dinner at the resort and then check out the legendary Cairns nightlife.

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants. Included activities: Magnetic Island ferry, swim, walk, waterfalls

Today is a completely free day so if you have a few too many cocktails last night, enjoy a lazy sleep-in and perhaps some hair-of-the-dog by the pool in the afternoon. If you’re ready for another day of adventure, why not book into a tour of Cape Tribulation or go to see the iconic Great Barrier Reef?

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar. Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants. Free activities: Hang out at the amazing resort pool, walk the Esplanade, visit the Botanical gardens. Optional Activities: Cape Tribulation day trip, bungy jump, Great Barrier Reef trip, skydive, rafting.

Today is the final day of your Stray adventure. Give a wave and a hug to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo – G’DAY MATES!