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Map of Queensland Coast Adventure including Australia

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 Stationmand 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.

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.

  • 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.

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.

  • Please note that multiple activities and visits to some destinations on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions. If any of those are not possible on your departure they will be replaced with alternative activities. Please read the special information sections in the daily itinerary for more information.

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 local 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 a local guide 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 with Local Guide from Reef Check Australia
Optional Activities
  • Magnetic Island - Forts Walk - Free
  • Magnetic Island - Hawkings Point Track - Free
  • Magnetic Island - Morning or Sunset Sea Kayaking Tour - AUD65
  • Magnetic Island - Bungalow Bay Wildlife Park Tour - AUD40
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that today’s snorkelling activity is subject to weather and water conditions and timings may vary. If snorkelling is not possible on your departure, alternative activities will be arranged. Your leader will advise.

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, with a stop at Big Crystal Creek for a refreshing swim and another stop for lunch. 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. 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 across to Hinchinbrook Island.
Accommodation
  • Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Day Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Head to Girringun National Park and Wallaman Falls, the highest, permanent, single-drop waterfall in Australia. Enjoy the Djyinda (pronounced 'Yin-da' and meaning falls) walk*, starting at the falls viewpoint, then weaving through open forest and into vine-thicket rainforest to the base of the falls and a return hike uphill. After lunch, stop at the Cardwell Spa Pools, a naturally-fed idyllic swimming hole. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, but it is beautiful any time of year. Finish the day in Mission Beach, our base for the next two nights.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Girringun National Park - Wallaman Falls
  • Cardwell - Cardwell Spa Pools
Meals Included
  • Lunch
Special Information
From 1st June 2023, we are unfortunately no longer able to offer a day trip to Hinchinbrook Island due to our boat provider ceasing operations and no other local providers available that are able to transport groups to the island.

The Djyinda walk is a Grade 3, 3.2km return walk, typically taking around 2 hours. Be prepared for a steep descent and ascent on unstable surfaces, with a moderate level of fitness required.

Start your day by catching a boat transfer 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 beach walk. 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

This morning stop for an included breakfast at a local farm and cafe in El Arish that does the best coffee in Queensland. Then 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 Mount Hypipamee National Park for a hike. 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 Yungaburra. We celebrate our final night with an included dinner at a restaurant that has been rated by our travellers as one of their favourites in terms of service and quality on this route.
Accommodation
  • Hotel or Motel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
  • Atherton Tablelands - Hike at Mount Hypipamee National Park
  • Atherton Tablelands - Picnic Lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
Optional Activities
  • Yungaburra - Peterson Creek Wildlife & Botanical Walking Track - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Yungaburra. Your first stop today will be Curtain Fig National Park. Then it’s time to leave the Atherton Tablelands behind and drive on to the Kuranda Markets, stopping along the way at either the Mt Uncle Distillery or the Coffee Works, and at a stunning lookout point at Barron Gorge National Park. 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. Your adventure will come to an end upon arrival.
Included Activities
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
  • Atherton Tablelands - Mt. Uncle Distillery or Coffee Works
  • Atherton Tablelands - Curtain Fig National Park
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
Your tour finishes in Cairns in the late afternoon/evening. We recommend you book onward travel for the following day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

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 with Local Guide from Reef Check Australia
  • Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Day Tour
  • Girringun National Park - Wallaman Falls
  • Cardwell - Cardwell Spa Pools
  • Dunk Island - Island Circuit Hike
  • Dunk Island - Picnic lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls
  • Atherton Tablelands - Hike at Mount Hypipamee National Park
  • Atherton Tablelands - Picnic Lunch
  • Atherton Tablelands - Tolga Bat Hospital
  • Kuranda - Kuranda Markets
  • Atherton Tablelands - Mt. Uncle Distillery or Coffee Works
  • Atherton Tablelands - Curtain Fig National Park

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

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

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Important notes

START & END TIMES
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 after 4.00pm. We recommend you arrive a day earlier, and onward travel must be booked for the following day.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Please note that multiple activities and visits to some destinations on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions. If any of those are not possible on your departure they will be replaced with alternative activities. Please read the special information sections in the daily itinerary for more information.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
Due to limited vehicle space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, your main piece of luggage must be soft-sided and weigh no more than 15kg/33lb. We are unable to carry large suitcases, particularly hard/externally framed suitcases as they are difficult to store and can damage equipment and other travellers' belongings.

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.

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