Brisbane to Cairns Adventure

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

4 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Explorer
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USD $2,670
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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

Map of Brisbane To Cairns Adventure including Australia
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
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?
  • 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. Please see the daily itinerary for more details.
  • 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

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 April 2025 - 31 March 2026

Map of Brisbane To Cairns Adventure including Australia

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat, 4WD

Accommodation

Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Holiday Apartments (2 nights)

Activities
  • K'gari - Full day 4WD tour
  • Airlie Beach - Full day Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven Beach Tour with Snorkelling
  • Paluma Range National Park - Crystal Creek
  • Townsville - Castle Hill Lookout
  • Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Tour
  • Atherton Tablelands - Curtain Tree boardwalk
  • Atherton Tablelands - Lake Eacham walk
  • Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
Add on activities
  • Hervey Bay - Whale Watching (Jul-Oct) - AUD122
  • Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME
The trip starts in Brisbane with a Welcome Meeting at 10am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel, and 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.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN
The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Please note that throughout the year scheduled railway track works may take place on the route from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach, sometimes at short notice. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in Tannum Sands, taking approximately 15 hours split across two days. 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.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4 out of 5 based on 7 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Emma · Traveled August 2024
Brilliant trip! Our guide Rachel was SUPERB. Learned so much about QLD and met so many amazing people. However be ready for long travel days and do not get excited for the overnight train as Intrepid aren’t guaranteed to book the train in time and offer a 10hr drive instead. Still an amazing trip overall!
Review submitted 22 Aug 2024

Alexis · Traveled July 2024
Wonderful group of people to travel with and knowledgeable guide. However, I would ask bookings if your itinerary includes the train portion before booking. 2 free days turn into 2 entire days of driving and you will not be able to go whale watching. 1/4 trip time becomes travel time on top of already long travel days.
Review submitted 31 Jul 2024

Jo · Traveled July 2024
This was a fantastic tour. Both guides were fun to be around and very organised. The accommodation was lovely and all the locations we visited were amazing.
Review submitted 13 Jul 2024

Ryan · Traveled May 2024
This trip was fantastic, I think the tour guide Brendan made it 1000x better too. Nothing felt too much or too little, you are always active and have things to do. Only 2 negatives for me, one being that the trip was more expensive (for meals) than expected, prepare for this, and two I was disappointed you don't actually see the barrier reef as suggested on the itinerary. Overall though a great trip.
Review submitted 24 May 2024

Kathryn · Traveled April 2024
Oversold and under delivered. This is very expensive for what you get in return
Review submitted 25 Apr 2024
Brisbane to Cairns Adventure
From
USD $2,670