North Queensland Adventure

13 Days | String together unforgettable moments along Queensland’s many coastal paradises

4 out of 5 based on 4 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $4,505
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Explore Australia’s beautiful northeastern corner – home to rainforests, coral reefs and white sand beaches. This 13-day adventure starts strong with a dose of serenity in Noosa, before whisking you to the stunning surroundings of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and the ancient wilderness of the Daintree Rainforest. Explore the expanse of the iconic Great Barrier Reef and the bliss of the Whitsundays and enjoy free time in Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay, Mission Beach and more – on this whirlwind through north Queensland, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to kick back on the warm sands with a good book or get right in on the action.

Trip overview

Map of North Queensland 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
PZSUC
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.
  • Take a full-day tour of the Whitsundays and a half-day tour of the reef from Cape Tribulation - opportunities to swim among the colourful corals and tropical fish on the iconic Great Barrier Reef.
  • 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 and Mandingal Bay with First Nations guides, including smoking ceremonies and immersive exploration of country and culture. 
  • Visit the Daintree Rainforest – the oldest rainforest in the world – and Cape Tribulation on a stunning day that ticks off two UNESCO World Heritage areas (nature lovers rejoice!).
  • Watch the sunset over the Mareeba Wetlands on a unique wildlife spotting experience hosted by Forever Wild – an organisation focused on combatting climate crises with community and conservation-based activities.
  • 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 requires a good level of fitness as it involves some walking and swimming, allowing you to really get among nature. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit and comfortable clothing.
  • This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out our 'East Coast Encompassed' trip (trip code PZSVC). See our website for details.

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 North Queensland Adventure including Australia

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

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

Accommodation

Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (7 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
  • Cairns - Mandingalbay First Nations tour
  • Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
  • Mareeba Wetlands - Forever Wild sunset wildlife experience
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
  • Barron Gorge National Park - Din Din Barron Falls lookout
  • Daintree National Park - Mossman Gorge
  • Daintree National Park - Jindalba circuit track
  • Great Barrier Reef - Half Day Cruise & Snorkelling Experience
  • Cape Tribulation - Kulki walk & lookout
  • Cape Tribulation - Mason’s Swimming Hole
  • Daintree National Park - Madja boardwalk
Add on activities
  • Hervey Bay - Whale Watching (Jul-Oct) - AUD122
  • Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free
  • Cairns - Art gallery - Free
  • Cairns - Botanical Gardens - Free
  • Kuranda - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - AUD68
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Scenic Railway - AUD55

Dates and availability

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Important notes

START & END TIMES
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 13 at our finish point hotel around 5 pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A Single Supplement can be booked if you 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.

COMBINATION TRIP
This is a combination trip made up of two shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Cairns as some group members leave and new ones join you. It’s also part of a longer itinerary.

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 4 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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Alexis · Traveled September 2024
Can Not recommend this trip. For most of the trip we had a very poor tour guide that didn’t know much about the tour, didn’t communicate well with his clients and was not good at driving a small bus around.
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Rachel · Traveled August 2024
My first solo travel experience and I don’t regret it! Having everything booked for you made the experience so easy and I met some wonderful people. Will recommend to anyone who will listen!
Review submitted 27 Aug 2024

Rachel · Traveled June 2024
We did the Queensland tour from Brisbane to cairns. Truly a trip of a lifetime. Intrepid created a fantastic itinerary with lots of great stops. Highlights included snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef which exceeded expectations, short walks, exploring the daintree rain tree forest, swimming at water falls and lakes. Brendan was a fantastic guide-kind, helpful, engaged and knowledgeable. This was the trip of a lifetime!
Review submitted 23 Jun 2024

Gerald · Traveled May 2024
The tour guides make the trip. Would highly recommend this tour if you enjoy easier hikes and indigenous experiences!
Review submitted 31 May 2024
North Queensland Adventure
From
USD $4,505