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Encounter a land of rainforests, beaches and waterfalls in northern Queensland.

Discover a sliver of paradise on a 7-day adventure, bouncing from northern Queensland’s sparkling coast to its secluded islands. See beneath the surface of the beautiful Magnetic Island during an afternoon of snorkelling, meet the First Nations owners of Mungalla Station, discover the untouched wonders of Hinchinbrook Island and walk through heavenly scenery on Dunk Island. If you’re looking to spot incredible wildlife, hike to waterfalls, swim in clear waters, relax on beautiful beaches and learn about local life from a leader, then this is the adventure for you.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Townsville, Australia
Finish
Cairns, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
PZSQ
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 11

Why you'll love this trip

  • Catch the ferry to Magnetic Island where you’ll find the sweeping sands of Horseshoe Bay. It’s even more beautiful beneath the surface, which you’ll find out during an afternoon of snorkelling.

  • Travel to Mungalla Station to meet the First Nations owners of the land, the Nywaigi People, and learn about their culture and history, then explore the wetlands in search of birdlife.

  • Discover the untouched wonders of Hinchinbrook Island National Park. You’ll feel like you have the whole place to yourself as you explore the rainforests and beaches of this uninhabited island.

  • Walk through the paradisical scenery of Dunk Island, passing through rainforest filled with birdlife while keeping an eye out for dugong, sea turtles and Ulysses butterflies.

  • Visit the postcard-perfect Millaa Millaa Falls to snap some pictures, then hike up the Windin Falls to a stunning natural infinity pool overlooking the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • This trip is new to our range this year. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’.

Traveller admiring Millaa Millaa Falls
The coast of Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island
Hiking trail views on the coast of Hinchinbrook Island
Koala in the trees found in Australia

Itinerary
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Welcome to Queensland! Your adventure begins in Townsville, a delightful coastal city and your gateway to the islands of northern Queensland. A welcome meeting will take place at 1:30 pm today where you’ll meet your local leader and new travel companions. You won’t have to wait long to see scenery to take your breath away – after the meeting you’ll hop across to beautiful Magnetic Island on a ferry. On arrival, you’ll have time to get to know your new surroundings. Recommended is a short walk around Horseshoe Bay Lagoon, famed for its excellent birdwatching opportunities and cacophony of magpie geese. Dinner this evening will be quintessential Aussie fare – fish and chips. After an exciting first day, retire to your eco-lodge bungalows surrounded by the flora and fauna of the island.
Accommodation
  • Bungalow (shared facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's meeting will take place at 1:30 pm in the café inside the Breakwater Ferry Terminal in Townsville. Please look out for your leader who will be holding a sign with the Intrepid logo. Make sure you are on time for this important meeting, as the group will leave Townsville on the ferry towards Magnetic Island straight after.

Wake up in paradise! This morning board a bus to Horseshoe Bay, a gorgeous 3km crescent of golden beach. Here you'll go snorkelling and come face to face with the marine life beneath the bay’s clear blue waters. You will be joined by local guides from Reef Check Australia who are engaged in long-term reef monitoring sites in the Townsville Great Barrier Reef region. Follow the marked snorkel trail and look out for giant clams, impressive coral cover and the old Moltke shipwreck, harbouring an abundance of colourful fish. Through their partnership with Intrepid, Reef Check Australia hopes to inspire travellers to become citizen scientists and contribute to monitoring the health of our reefs and spread the word about why they are so important. The rest of the day is free for you to experience all this island has to offer. One of the best ways to get to know the island is on foot – you may like to set off on the Hawkings Point Track, one of the best places to watch the sunrise or sunset, or the Forts Walk, leading you to historic WWII fortifications, with the chance to see koalas hanging out in the trees along the track. The new 5km walking track between Nelly Bay and Arcadia serves up some seriously stunning views and rewards with the chance to swim in Alma or Geoffrey Bay at the end of the walk. You may prefer to relax in Arcadia Village, home to charming cafes and shops, plus plenty of beaches to while away an afternoon on. Your leader will be on hand to make suggestions on how to get the most out of your time here.
Accommodation
  • Bungalow (shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Magnetic Island - Day bus pass
  • Magnetic Island - Snorkelling
Optional Activities
  • Magnetic Island - Forts Walk - Free
  • Magnetic Island - Hawkings Point Track - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s snorkelling activity is subject to weather and water conditions and timings may vary. Where snorkelling is not possible, alternative activities will be arranged.

Leave the pull of Magnetic Island behind and catch a ferry back to Townsville, where you’ll hop aboard a private vehicle and drive to Mungalla Station. If time permits, you’ll stop off at Big Crystal Creek or Paradise Waterhole for a refreshing swim. On arrival to Mungalla Station, meet the First Nations owners of the land, the Nywaigi People, and learn about their culture and history, including brutal conflicts with European settlers. The story you’ve been told will come to life as you visit an exhibition of pictures within the historic homestead. Stop for lunch, then head out and explore the Mungalla wetlands in search of aquatic birdlife. Enjoy an evening at leisure at your accommodation on the Cassowary Coast, serving up unforgettable views of the Hinchinbrook Island National Park.
Accommodation
  • Hotel or Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mungalla Station - First Nations Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today will be spent exploring the untouched wonders of Hinchinbrook Island. Not only is this the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef, but it also only permits 40 visitors at a time in the name of preservation, so you’ll really feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Jump on a boat across the water, then get to explore with the guidance of your local leader. From swathes of rainforest and eucalyptus trees to towering peaks and golden sand dunes, there’s so much to uncover on this uninhabited island. In the afternoon head on to your overnight stay in Mission Beach.
Accommodation
  • Hotel or Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hinchinbrook Island - Half day tour
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Travel to Hinchinbrook Island is dependent on weather and water conditions. In the case that it is unsafe to travel, an inland activity in a nearby National Park will be arranged. Be sure to bring insect repellent with you today to protect against mosquitoes and march flies.

Start your day by catching a water taxi to Dunk Island, part of the Family Islands group and home to the beautiful Mission Beach. Get to know the island on foot during a three-hour circuit walk, passing Palm Valley and shady rainforest filled with birdlife before arriving at Coconut Beach. Your leader may share stories of the island’s fascinating history as you hike. Dunk Island also hosts plenty of magnificent wildlife, so be sure to be on the lookout for dugong and sea turtles in the ocean, and the famous blue Ulysses butterflies dancing around you. After your walk and your return to Mission Beach on the mainland, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.
Accommodation
  • Hotel or Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dunk Island - Island Circuit Hike
  • Dunk Island - Picnic lunch
Meals Included
  • Lunch
Special Information
Please note that the boat transfer to Dunk Island is subject to weather conditions. If passage is deemed unsafe alternative activities will be provided. Please note there is no jetty or pontoon for boarding the boat, so you will need to wade out to the boat in up to waist deep water.

Make the morning drive to the Atherton Tablelands, and Millaa Millaa Falls. This place looks like a postcard for paradise, with a perfect cascade tumbling into a pool surrounded by lush rainforest. Take some time to soak it all in and snap some pictures, then carry on to Windin Falls. Here you’ll embark on a two to three-hour hike up the falls towards a natural infinity pool offering unbeatable views of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. After your hike, pay a visit to the Tolga Bat Hospital, Australia’s largest bat rehabilitation facility. Here you’ll learn about the research, advocacy, and community education undertaken by the facility and make some new upside-down friends before continuing to the town of Atherton. For this evening’s meal, you may like to dine at the historic hotel in the heart of town, first built in the 1880s.
Accommodation
  • Hotel or Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
  • Atherton Tablelands - Windin Falls hike
  • Atherton Tablelands - Windin Falls hike picnic lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Atherton. Perhaps browse the popular antiques and collectibles store, or check out the heritage-listed Hou Wang Temple and its attached museum to learn about Atherton’s Chinese cultural heritage. Then it’s time to leave Atherton behind and drive on to the Kuranda Markets, stopping along the way at the Mt Uncle Distillery. The markets sit in Kuranda village, a laidback place with a hippie vibe surrounded by rainforest. Take some time out to explore the colourful stalls of this iconic Australian market – if you’ve not picked up any souvenirs on your journey yet, this is the place to do it! Perhaps grab a bite to eat from one of many vendors, then continue your drive towards Cairns. You may like to get together for a final dinner as a group tonight, after which your adventure will come to an end.
Included Activities
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
  • Kuranda - Mt. Uncle Distillery
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat, Public bus, Water taxi

Accommodation

Bungalow (with shared facilities) (2 nights), Hotel or Motel (4 nights)

Included activities

  • Magnetic Island - Day bus pass
  • Magnetic Island - Snorkelling
  • Mungalla Station - First Nations Tour
  • Hinchinbrook Island - Half day tour
  • Dunk Island - Island Circuit Hike
  • Dunk Island - Picnic lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
  • Atherton Tablelands - Windin Falls hike
  • Atherton Tablelands - Windin Falls hike picnic lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
  • Kuranda - Mt. Uncle Distillery

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Queensland Coast & Islands Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

The tour commences in Townsville on Day 1 at 1:30 pm and finishes in Cairns on the final day (Day 7) in the late afternoon/evening 4.00pm. We recommend you arrive a day earlier, and onward travel must be booked for the following day.

A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential trip information

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