Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

10 Days
From CAD $2,399 Was CAD $3,199
Best Rate
Guarantee
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(10 reviews)

Experience Overview

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 your friends and family probably won't ever hear the end of this seriously epic trip.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the coastal beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Noosa's stunning beaches and national park
  • Discover the pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters of the Whitsundays on a day trip
  • Experience the natural wonders and diverse wildlife with an overnight stay on K'gari (Fraser Island)
  • Explore the tropical charm and adventure activities of Cairns at your own pace

Trip Details

Product CodeProduct Code: 2633

Tour TypeTour Type: Small Group

AccommodationAccommodation: Basic

TransportTransport: Private vehicle, bus, overnight train, boat, 4x4 vehicle, ferry, walking.

Guide LanguageGuide Language: English

Travel StylesTravel Styles: 18 - 39 Year Olds Only

Supplier CodeSupplier Code: OABC

StartStarts: Brisbane, Australia

FinishFinishes: Cairns, Australia

DurationDuration: 10 days

DeparturesDepartures: Guaranteed

Physical RatingPhysical rating: Average

Includes

Activities

  • 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 Welcome Ceremony
  • 4x4 Adventure on K'gari
  • K'gari overnight experience (incl Twilight Beach Walk & Stories around the campfire)
  • Noosa Coastal Walk
  • Whitsunday full day excursion, including snorkelling
  • Whitehaven Beach visit
  • Transport to and from included activities

Accommodation

  • Hostels & basic lodgings (8 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people), overnight train (1 nt), remote beach accommodation (1 nt). **All nights are multi-share on this trip.
  • 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

  • Private vehicle, bus, overnight train, boat, 4x4 vehicle, ferry, walking.

Group Leader

  • CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Price

Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2399 (CAD $240 /day)

Itinerary

1

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.
Arrive in Brisbane at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city.

If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city. Opt to catch city cat or walk to explore Brisbane via the river. Visit spots like, the Howard Smith Wharves, the Botanical Gardens, New Farm Park, or relax at Streets Beach on the South Bank.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.Activity - Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.Accommodation - BUNK Brisbane

2

Day 2: Brisbane/K'gari (Fraser Island)

An early rise today starts your journey to K'gari (Fraser Island) World Heritage Area. Upon arrival to the largest sand island in the world, you will go through a traditional welcome by the Butchulla people, setting the tone for what's to come. After the welcome ceremony, get straight into the 4WD adventure. Swim in Boorangoora (Lake Mckenzie), hike beneath the amazing rainforest and walk along the beach during sunset. At night, sit around the campfire with your new found friends.
This unique stay on K'gari is hosted by the Traditional Owners of the land who are keen to share their experiences with you and welcome you. This is an incredibly unique experience and a thrilling opportunity to gain insight into Australia's Indigenous culture-both past and present.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Activity - Welcome to Paradise and the traditional homeland of the Butchulla people. Start your time on the island with a special welcome ceremony by K'gari's Traditional Owners. K'gari is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site, known for its natural beauty and ongoing geomorphological processes.Activity - Hop into an off roading, 4x4 vehicle and explore K'gari from the inside out. Check out inland highlights like Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) and Central Station. Boorangoora is a gorgeous, crystal lake filled solely by rain water. Visit Central Station and enjoy the island's ancient sub-tropical rainforest while learning some of the islands more modern history.Activity - Take a stroll along the beach in K'gari during sunset and watch as this beautiful paradise becomes even more amazing.Activity - Join your group around the campfire and look up at the stars.Accommodation - The Eco Retreat

3

Day 3: K'gari (Fraser Island)/Noosa

Today you'll climb sand dunes, see the Maheno shipwreck and swim in the crystal clear Eli Creek that pumps millions of litres of spring-fed fresh water into the ocean every hour. In the afternoon, say goodbye to K'gari and head to your next beachy destination, Noosa.

Meals included: Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Climb into a 4x4 vehicle for a full day tour of K'gari Island. Walk on Kirrar Sandblow, drive along 75 mile beach, and see the towering coloured sand dunes at the Pinnacles. Grab a swim at Eli Creek, the largest freshwater creek on the island.Transport - Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.Accommodation - Bounce Noosa

4

Day 4: Noosa

Picture rocky coast against perfect turquoise water. Now head out with your CEO and see it first hand. Catch the ferry and start your easy hike in Noosa National Park along the waterways to end up at the secluded beach, Hell's Gate. While it sounds intimidating, it is well worth it, and really quite spectacular. Keep your eye out for koalas along the hike too. Enjoy the afternoon free in Noosa. Opt to get lunch on Hastings Street and enjoy some relaxing beach time or rent a surfboard. Then take the ferry back before dinner.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Hike as a group along the shoreline between the Noosa Headlands and Hell's Gate, passing by gorgeous scenery along the way. Peer into the trees and try to spot koalas in their natural habitat and visit spots like Boiling Point, Dolphin Point, and Hell's Gates.Free_time - 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.Accommodation - Bounce Noosa

5

Day 5: Noosa/Airlie Beach

Enjoy a free day in cute beachfront town of Noosa! Do some shopping along Hasting Street in search of souvenirs, have a coffee on the beach, or go for a surf. Many consider Noosa to be the best place for surfing in all of Australia. You can also choose to spend time back at the hostel or participate in some of the optional activities offered in the area. In the afternoon, we'll pack our bags and head to the train station. Tonight we sleep on an overnight train as we head north to some of the most beautiful parts of the country. Fall asleep in Noosa and wake up by the Whitsundays!


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - 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.Transport - Curl up and catch a snooze en route to the next stop.

6

Day 6: Airlie Beach

Hop off the train and board a bus for a short ride to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier reef. After dropping your bags, do your thing in Airlie Beach. Relax on a gorgeous beach, take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef or get some shopping in on the town. Airlie Beach is your oyster.


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Enjoy free time in Airlie Beach. Opt to relax by the lagoon, take a scenic flight of cruise on a jetski.Accommodation - Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel

7

Day 7: Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach

Get ready for an amazing day at sea! Today, we'll climb aboard an ocean raft and zoom around the wispy turquoise waters. With time to snorkel, go on bushwalks, and chill on the beach, today will be as close to perfect as one can get.

Meals included: Lunch

Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Enjoy a day out on the water amidst some of the 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsunday archipelago. Visit Whitehaven Beach, jump overboard for a quick refreshing dip, and make friends with the tropical fish that thrive within Australia's Great Barrier Reef.Accommodation - Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel

8

Day 8: Airlie Beach/Cairns

With an early morning departure, we take a relaxing rail journey through sugar-cane fields, and coastal countryside, the perfect way to unwind and watch Queensland roll by.


Exclusive inclusions: Transport - Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.Accommodation - Cairns Central YHA

9

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.
Opt to pre-book the "Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.


Exclusive inclusions: Free_time - Get out and explore Cairns and beyond.Activity - Release your inner break dancer and go wild tonight in Cairns with your G travel family. Get ready to bust a move and have the time of your life. Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials or a dance off, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.Accommodation - Cairns Central YHA

10

Day 10: Cairns

Depart at any time.


Exclusive inclusions: Activity - Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

Reviews

 

Line W.  -  Traveled, June 2025

Had such a great time travelling with G! The detailed itinerary gives you such a clear idea of what you're up to and how you will make the most of your adventure.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/05/2025

 

Laura M.  -  Traveled, June 2025

This trip is a trip of a lifetime. G took the difficulty out of travelling solo and removed the mental load of planning. All major experiences, sites and landmarks were covered comprehensively and were delivered with fun.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/05/2025

 

Yaohua Z.  -  Traveled, June 2025

It was nice and amazing love u all.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/21/2025

 

Ryan S.  -  Traveled, June 2025

Fun trip with lovely people in a beautiful part of the world. We saw a lot of Australia and got to do some pretty cool stuff. There was a good pace to the trip and we were helped along by our enthusiastic CEO.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/21/2025

 

Wesley P.  -  Traveled, June 2025

This was definitely the best trip experience I've ever had. The combination of amazing activities (jet ski, sky dive, snorkel, etc.) plus a really great group of people made it fantastic. Jessie felt like the perfect leader as well.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/21/2025

 

Soeren M.  -  Traveled, May 2025

Good compact highpace experience! Good energy all the way through. Would do it again!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/14/2025

 

Gerard G.  -  Traveled, May 2025

Incredible experience, I would recomnend it to everybody.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/14/2025

 

Rithwik G.  -  Traveled, June 2025

I learned a lot about myself over the course of this tour, and I will always be grateful.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/14/2025

 

Annabelle A.  -  Traveled, May 2025

It was amazing! Best thing I have ever done!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/07/2025

 

Nicholas G.  -  Traveled, May 2025

Great trip with amazing places visited, all pulled together by an outstanding tour guide! VIP with Tam Tam!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/07/2025

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