15 Day Cairns to Brisbane Semi-Guided Package (Or Reverse)

Day 1: Cairns Arrival

Cairns is the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Daintree Rainforest and offers heaps of awesome activities for travellers from nature to extreme sports! Take the day to explore Cairns. You can go white-water rafting on the Tully River, bungy jump, skydive, or explore hiking trails. You may want to walk around the Esplanade - a vibrant hub with bars, cafes, and restaurants or go for a swim in the lagoon! Check into your Cairns accommodation for 2 nights and then head out to explore the city. 

Meals included: None 

Day 2: Great Barrier Reef / Cairns

This morning you can tick off one of Australia's must-do activities - a full day Great Barrier Reef tour. You'll board at 7:30 am for a day packed with fun and excitement as you explore the outer reef. With options to try snorkeling or even scuba diving, you'll spend up to 6 hours discovering 2 spectacular reef locations. Swim alongside schools of tropical reef fish and admire amazing coral formations. Learn about the underwater ecosystem during a glass-bottom boat cruise and Marine Biology presentation. It's a true bucket-list experience that you won't want to miss! 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Bus from Cairns to Mission Beach

Today you'll wave goodbye to Cairns and hello to Mission Beach as you head South - known for its long stretches of pristine, palm-fringed beaches with soft white sand. The scenery is picturesque, making it an ideal place for relaxation, sunbathing, beach walks, and water activities!

Meals included: None 

Day 4: Mission Beach

This is one of the best places in the world to skydive, landing on the beach itself! Contact our team to add this exhilarating experience to your itinerary. Mission Beach also has a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere, making it an excellent destination to unwind in a peaceful setting.

Meals included: None 

Day 5: Bus from Mission Beach to Townsville - Magnetic Island

Today you'll make your way to Townsville where a ferry will take you to the stunning Magnetic Island. Check in for 2 nights and then kick back and relax on one of the island's many iconic beaches. 

Meals included: None 

Day 6: Magnetic Island

Today is yours free to soak in the sunshine of Magnetic Island for your final day here. A beautiful place for hiking, kayaking, and full relaxation! Explore Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay for a pristine beach day. The island is home to a variety of wildlife, including koalas, rock wallabies, and over 180 species of birds. 

Meals included: None 

Day 7: Bus from Townsville to Airlie Beach

Arrive in the tropical paradise of Airlie Beach and check into your central Airlie Beach accommodation. No time to waste! Drop your bags and head out to explore this beachside town before preparing for your Whitsunday cruise and snorkel tour tomorrow! 

Meals included: None  

Day 8: Airlie Beach to Whitsundays - Whitsundays Cruise and Snorkel Trip 

Today you'll visit the top 3 Island destinations – Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, and snorkeling at a sheltered bay on the fringing Great Barrier Reef. You will have 2-2.5 hours at the southern end of Whitehaven Beach. Picture yourself swimming in pristine, turquoise coloured waters, relaxing and soaking up the beauty of your surroundings, or walking on the soft white silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. You can also enjoy a delicious fresh buffet lunch served right on Whitehaven Beach & afternoon cakes. 

Day 9: Overnight bus to Rainbow Beach

This morning you'll check out of your hostel and have a final chance to soak in the atmosphere of Airlie Beach. Tonight you'll be heading on an overnight bus to Rainbow Beach - the gateway to Fraser Island.

Meals included: None 

Day 10: Rainbow Beach

Check into your beachfront accommodation and then head out to explore! You'll be staying at this Rainbow Beach hostel for a total of 2 nights so get comfortable - with daily free guided walks to the Carlo Sandblow, that's not hard to do!. Get stoked about your 3 day K'gari Fraser Island tour tomorrow!

Meals Included: None 

Day 11: 3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Your K'gari Fraser Island adventure begins with a quick morning brief at Freedom Hostel. At 9:30 am, depart for Fraser Island and drive approximately 10 minutes to the barge (ferry) and board for your 10-minute barge crossing. Once you have arrived on the world's largest sand island, drive for 1 hour to the Eurong Beach Resort along 75 Mile beach - Fraser Island's own highway with speed limits!  There you can grab a coffee and chocolate croissant (own cost) for morning tea. From here, the adventure really begins, as we drive to the famous Lake McKenzie, one of the most popular and picturesque highlights of Fraser. We stop for lunch and time to swim and relax in the amazingly clear waters of the lake before driving up the beach to your campsite. Settle in for an early dinner, some well-deserved drinks and plenty of fun! 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 12:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on Fraser Island! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous Fraser Island icon before continuing on to Indian Head. Fraser Island's highest point, from here you may be lucky enough to see whales and sharks in the ocean before travelling to Champagne Pools for a drop. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2 depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you'll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you'll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to Freedom Hostel between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, depending on the tides.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: Rainbow Beach

A free day to relax and explore Rainbow Beach! Maybe take an optional horse ride on the beach, canoe the waterways, or kayak with dolphins. All within a short walk of your accommodation.

Meals Included: None 

Day 15: Bus from Rainbow Beach to Brisbane / Depart

Head from Rainbow Beach to the bustling City of Brisbane where you can stroll through the popular South Bank, check out the City beach, take a Koala cruise and explore Aussie culture. Today is your finishing point, but please contact our team for extra activities here. Say goodbye to like-minded friends and set off on the rest of your travels. We hope you have made memories to last a lifetime and hope to help you on your next adventure! Fiji or New Zealand anyone….?