Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

Land Tour

Now's the time to explore Australia on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. If you're big on ambition but short on time, sign yourself up for this zippy ten-day tour up the East Coast of Queensland. Play transport bingo as you hop on a yacht, train, truck, and private vehicle to get around your destinations. Hit K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Whitsundays, go snorkelling, and explore the beauty of Noosa. Your time here may be fleeting, but the photos you snap, post, and caption will have "humblebrag" written all over them forever.
Tour details Collapse
Tour Provider G Adventures
Number Of Days
10
Price From
$2,099
Price per person, twin share
Start Location
Brisbane, Australia
End Location
Cairns, Australia
Age Range
18 to 39
Group Size
1 to 16
Tour Style
Basic
Tour Themes
Small group, Virtuoso
Physical Rating
Moderate
Itinerary Expand all
Day 1 - Brisbane
Arrive at any time. Welcome to the “Land Down Under”! Tonight, gear up and get ready for a night out in Brisbane with the group. Enjoy an evening filled with friendly vibes, epic times, and dope views of the city as you sip some local bevvies with your new travel pals by your side.
Day 2 - Brisbane/Noosa
Escape the city as you journey north up the coast to Noosa. Noosa is known for the balmy sunshine, slow beach days, bright blue skies, rolling waves around every corner. Arrive at our hostel for the next three nights and enjoy lunch before heading out to explore all the area has to offer.
Day 3 - Noosa to K'gari (Fraser Island)
On your mark...get set.... go! Travel by private vehicle and ferry with your group to reach K'gari (Fraser Island); for a true Aussie experience. K'gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world and the only known place where rainforest grows on sand. In the traditional Butchulla language the name of K'Gari means paradise; think striking blue lakes, crystal clear creeks, giant dunes, and dense rainforests in a place truly unlike any other. Once on the island the group will go for a 4x4 tour, driving along over 100km of beach to get a sense of your surroundings. Then take a swim in Lake Mckenzie, or be on the lookout for wild Dings (this is one of the few places in Australia where you are able to see them). Return to Noosa later in the afternoon.
Day 4 - Noosa
Enjoy a free day in Noosa by taking in the shops along Hasting Street in search of souvenirs, having a coffee on the beach, or a surf in the Ocean. You can also choose to spend time back at the hostel or participate in some of the optional activities offered in the area.
Day 5 - Noosa/Airlie Beach
Wake up and get ready to see some of the most beautiful coastline in Australia. This morning the group will hike parts of the Noosa Coastal Track with stunning views across the water and if you look up you may just spot a Koala or two! We will cross secluded beaches before ending up at Hell's Gate. In the afternoon the group will head to the train station to board an overnight train (get ready to post some ‘grams) as the group travels north to Airlie Beach.
Day 6 - Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands
Awake as the train pulls to a stop in your next destination. Remember those stranded-on-a-deserted island fantasies that we all had growing up? (no just us?) Either way get ready to relive that castaway dream as you hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach (one of the most famous beaches in the world) and enjoy the views of powdery sand and the Coral Sea’s azure waters. You probably won’t ever want to leave. And you haven’t even gone below the surface yet! After some free time on the beach basking in the sun you'll be off to another secluded tropical island spot where the group will anchor for the night.
Day 7 - Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach
Expected forecast today is; peace, serenity, paradise, and lots of gorgeous views. You may want to pull out your phone or camera every chance you get, but try to refrain and simply enjoy the moment as you and the group continue sailing through the picturesque backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Swim, snorkel, or lounge on the boat deck before sailing to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town with your best adventure buds! Live it up because let’s face it, how often are you really in this kind of paradise?
Day 8 - Airlie Beach/Cairns
With an early morning departure, admire the scenery on the bus ride north to Cairns.
Day 9 - Cairns
Cairns is quite the place to visit if you love warm weather (it would be headline news for the city’s temperature to drop much below 20°C (68°F)) and want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Take advantage of a free day to book one of the many optional activities that will get you out in nature’s playground. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, get that adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or skydiving and cap it all off on a Big Night Out in Cairns with your fellow travellers. Drinks all around are well deserved after spending the day escaping your comfort zones.
Day 10 - Cairns
Depart at any time.
Inclusions Expand
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends Your Discover Moment: Cairns Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns
K'gari (Fraser Island) excursion
Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
Whitehaven Beach visit
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Departure dates Expand
Price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
07 Sep 2024 16 Sep 2024 8 $2,249
14 Sep 2024 23 Sep 2024 5 $2,249
21 Sep 2024 30 Sep 2024 15 $2,099
28 Sep 2024 07 Oct 2024 6 $2,999
05 Oct 2024 14 Oct 2024 1 $2,999
12 Oct 2024 21 Oct 2024 7 $2,999
19 Oct 2024 28 Oct 2024 12 $2,999
26 Oct 2024 04 Nov 2024 18 $2,549
02 Nov 2024 11 Nov 2024 5 $3,129
09 Nov 2024 18 Nov 2024 13 $3,129
16 Nov 2024 25 Nov 2024 16 $2,660
23 Nov 2024 02 Dec 2024 15 $2,660
30 Nov 2024 09 Dec 2024 13 $2,660
07 Dec 2024 16 Dec 2024 15 $3,259
21 Dec 2024 30 Dec 2024 12 $3,259
28 Dec 2024 06 Jan 2025 16 $3,259
11 Jan 2025 20 Jan 2025 17 $3,659
18 Jan 2025 27 Jan 2025 16 $3,659
25 Jan 2025 03 Feb 2025 18 $3,659
08 Feb 2025 17 Feb 2025 18 $3,659
15 Feb 2025 24 Feb 2025 20 $3,659
22 Feb 2025 03 Mar 2025 19 $3,659
01 Mar 2025 10 Mar 2025 19 $3,659
15 Mar 2025 24 Mar 2025 19 $3,659
22 Mar 2025 31 Mar 2025 20 $3,659
29 Mar 2025 07 Apr 2025 20 $3,659
05 Apr 2025 14 Apr 2025 20 $3,459
12 Apr 2025 21 Apr 2025 20 $3,459
26 Apr 2025 05 May 2025 18 $3,459
10 May 2025 19 May 2025 20 $3,459
17 May 2025 26 May 2025 19 $3,459
24 May 2025 02 Jun 2025 20 $3,459
07 Jun 2025 16 Jun 2025 20 $3,249
14 Jun 2025 23 Jun 2025 20 $3,249
21 Jun 2025 30 Jun 2025 20 $3,249
05 Jul 2025 14 Jul 2025 20 $3,249
19 Jul 2025 28 Jul 2025 19 $3,249
02 Aug 2025 11 Aug 2025 20 $3,249
16 Aug 2025 25 Aug 2025 20 $3,249
23 Aug 2025 01 Sep 2025 20 $3,249
30 Aug 2025 08 Sep 2025 20 $3,249
06 Sep 2025 15 Sep 2025 20 $3,249
13 Sep 2025 22 Sep 2025 20 $3,249
27 Sep 2025 06 Oct 2025 18 $3,249
04 Oct 2025 13 Oct 2025 20 $3,249
11 Oct 2025 20 Oct 2025 20 $3,249
18 Oct 2025 27 Oct 2025 20 $3,249
25 Oct 2025 03 Nov 2025 20 $3,249
01 Nov 2025 10 Nov 2025 20 $3,459
08 Nov 2025 17 Nov 2025 20 $3,459
22 Nov 2025 01 Dec 2025 20 $3,459
29 Nov 2025 08 Dec 2025 20 $3,459
06 Dec 2025 15 Dec 2025 20 $3,659
13 Dec 2025 22 Dec 2025 20 $3,659
20 Dec 2025 29 Dec 2025 20 $3,659
27 Dec 2025 05 Jan 2026 20 $3,659
03 Jan 2026 12 Jan 2026 20 $3,249

Scan me