8 Days | Swim, snorkel and stroll your way along Queensland’s East coast





Explore Australia’s sun-kissed east coast from Queensland's capital Brisbane to the tropical hub of Cairns on an epic oceanic trip that offers one coastal paradise after another. Take an off-road adventure across the undulating dunes of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), snorkel through the dazzling tropical waters of Whitehaven Beach, flop and drop on the palm-fringed sands of laidback Mission Beach, soak up the energy and nightlife of Airlie Beach after sunset and explore colourful underwater worlds in your free time. On this eight-day road trip, you’ll get wet and wild in waterfalls and rainforests and salty and sandy on islands and beaches – what could be better?
Trip overview

- Start
- Brisbane, Australia
- Finish
- Cairns, Australia
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Australia
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- PZSC
- Take an incredible 4WD adventure through the breathtaking landscape of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Ride across sand dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature, the dingo.
- Venture into the wilderness of the Atherton Tablelands – take a dip in a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest and admire the blue-green hues of Lake Eacham.
- Take a full-day tour of the Whitsundays, where you’ll head out on a bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, go snorkelling among giant tropical fish and corals and then relax on the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach as the sun descends.
- Enjoy free time in Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay and Mission Beach, where you can hit the water and swim, kayak or take a boat ride or just kick back on the warm sands with a good book.
- Explore Mungalla Wetlands with a First Nations guide as you search for aquatic birdlife and learn about the history and culture of the Nywaigi people.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.
- There are some long travelling days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
- This trip includes an overnight train, which is super comfortable and features RailBeds, charging stations and USB ports. The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transport and an additional overnight stay.
- Multiple activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.
- This trip is part of a combination tour, with other travellers joining from Sydney when you’re starting in Brisbane. It also forms part of a longer tour with extended exploration from Cairns. See trip codes PZSPC & PZSVC on our website for these options.
Itinerary
Inclusions
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat, 4WD
Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Holiday Apartments (2 nights)
- K'gari - Full day 4WD tour
- Airlie Beach – Full day Whitsundays, Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef tour
- Paluma Range National Park - Crystal Creek
- Townsville – Castle Hill Lookout
- Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Day Tour
- Atherton Tablelands – Curtain Tree boardwalk
- Atherton Tablelands – Lake Eacham walk
- Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
- Hervey Bay – Whale Watching (Jul-Nov) - Free
- Hervey Bay – Bike rental - Free
- Hervey Bay – Kayak tour - Free
- Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. The trip starts in Brisbane with a Welcome Meeting at 10am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel.
2. The trip finishes on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 at our finish point hotel around 5pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
3. A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.
4. The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transportation and an additional night stay in a destination enroute.
5. Luggage weight (max 20kg for main luggage, 7kg for hand luggage) and size (23cm x 34cm x 48cm) limits apply for our overnight train journey.
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