15 Day Budget Brisbane to Cairns Tour

Your partially guided adventure starts in Brisbane and ends in Cairns, and includes all tours and accommodation along the way, with time left over for our amazing free-time add-ons! This leaves you with a worry-free travel experience and the time to let loose and have fun!

DAY 1: BRISBANE TO RAINBOW BEACH

Departing the big city life in Brisbane, you make your way to the small coastal town of Rainbow Beach. The bus journey is comfortable and short and will allow you to enjoy the scenic drive up the coast. Upon arriving in Rainbow Beach you will check into your hostel accommodation, where you can get to know your fellow adventurers or get an early night's rest to prepare for your K'gari adventure, which departs the next day.

Accommodation

• Hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• All meals paid locally

Optional Extension

• 2 and 3 night Noosa Stay & Play Extension

DAY 2 - 4:  K'GARI 4WD SAFARI

Your day will start bright and early as you head out on your 3 day, 2 night K'gari adventure. You will have the opportunity to try your hand at driving on the sandy tracks found on the world's largest sand island. Race the tides as you drive along the sand highway before jumping on the inland tracks, and making your way around the island! This tour has up to 4 vehicles per group, with the lead driver in the front to guide you from one amazing destination to the next! You can choose to drive or be a passenger in one of the tag-along vehicles or enjoy it as a passenger in the lead vehicle. 

You will spend your nights enjoying camping at our permanent campsite! Located at Cathedrals on K'gari, the campsite has 2 person tents, a dingo-proof fence and toilet and shower facilities. All tents are underneath a large covered area, which is ideal for both sun and rain protection! There is also a kitchen and dining area on site, which is also undercover. At our campsite, you will get to experience K'gari at its best - out in the wilderness seeing everything up close and personal!

Accommodation

• 2 nights at a beach campsite with 2 person tent 
• 1 night hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• 3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Extras

• $10pp fuel levy to pay in cash on arrival
• Optional sleeping bag hire & pillow hire

DAY 5 - 6: RAINBOW BEACH TO AIRLIE BEACH

Today you are free to sleep in, explore on your own or join one of our free time add-on activities from Rainbow Beach. You can also spend the day at the beach, enjoying the surf and sand - a favourite pastime in Rainbow Beach as this part of Australia is known for its beaches and coastline. There is plenty of time for an optional kite-surf lesson, dolphin feeding experience or turtle and dolphin kayak adventure! In the evening, you will grab the overnight bus to arrive in Airlie Beach early the following day, ready to explore everything the town has to offer. Airlie Beach has many small shops, bars and restaurants, as well as a huge seaside lagoon (a great place for spending the day). This is a perfect time to get some rest, relaxation and to top up your tan!

Accommodation

• Overnight bus
• Hostel (multi-share)

*AirBNB 'Local Stay' upgrade available

Meals

• 1 breakfast
• Additional meals paid locally

Free Time Add-On

• 3 Hour dolphin experience
• Dolphin kayaking

DAY 7 - 11: AIRLIE BEACH & WHITSUNDAYS SAILING 

Known as the “Heart of the Reef” the Whitsundays are one of Australia’s top holiday destinations.  With endless stretches of beaches, crystal clear waters, endless tropical hiking tracks and beautiful weather, it’s easy to understand why this is an East Coast Highlight! We have allowed plenty of time for you to see all that the mainland and 74 islands have to offer.

While on the mainland you are free to explore at your leisure or join one of our free time activities. Choices include skydiving, scenic reef flights to the famous Heart Reef and jetski tours, but don't forget to save some energy for your sailing trip!

We will take you on a 2 day, 2 night sailing adventure to see Whitsunday highlights including Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout. You will be kept busy with included activities such as snorkelling or paddleboarding or by using the giant onboard water slide and dive board where you can "walk the plank"! 

Your sailing trip will finish back in Airlie Beach with an after-party at a local bar to start your night off with a bang!

Accommodation

• 2 nights on a sailing vessel (multi-share)
• 3 night hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
• Additional meals paid locally

Free Time Add-On

• Whitsundays skydive
• Scenic flight to Heart Reef
• Jetski tours

Whitsundays Sailing Option Extras

• Scuba dive
• Jet boat ride
• Vessel upgrades available

DAY 12: - AIRLIE BEACH TO CAIRNS

It's time to say goodbye to the Whitsundays as we jump back on the bus for the trip to Cairns. You will have the option to extend your trip with an optional 2 nights on Magnetic Island along the way. Once in Cairns, you will make your way to your accommodation for a good night’s sleep before setting off to explore Far North Queensland! 

Accommodation

• Hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• All meals paid locally

Optional Extension

• 2 night Magnetic Island - Koala Cuddle Express Package 

DAY 13: CAIRNS & THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Cairns is where the reef meets the rainforest! It's time to get back out on the water for a day of exploring the Outer Great Barrier Reef. The clear waters off Cairns offer the best opportunity to scuba dive! Upgrade your snorkel tour to include a dive or extend your reef trip to include a "learn to dive" course.

Accommodation

• Hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• Buffet lunch
• All other meals paid locally

Great Barrier Reef Extras

• $20 Reef Tax paid onboard
• Optional scuba dive upgrade
• Extend your reef trip with a "learn to dive" course

DAY 14 - 15: CAIRNS & THE TROPICAL NORTH

With two more days to explore the tropical north, you can spend the rest of your time relaxing in Cairns or enjoying a free time activity. You can explore Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest on a single or multi-day tour, where will immerse yourself into the wilderness of the world’s oldest rainforest and see where the rainforest truly meets the reef. Day trips also include wildlife spotting, as well as other great perks and famous natural landmarks.

You can also choose to spend your day on an adventurous day trip where you will explore waterfalls, lakes, rainforests and more. Our guided tours to the Atherton Tablelands are great for swimming and grabbing some stunning photos as you visit iconic waterfalls found in the tablelands. 

Before you know it, your time together will have come to an end as it's time to bid farewell to your new friends. We can organise a lift to the airport or extend your nights in Cairns if you are not quite ready to leave!

Accommodation

• Hostel (multi-share)

Meals

• All meals paid locally

Free Time Add On

• Cape Tribulation and Daintree 1 or 2 day tour
• Atherton Tableland and Waterfall circuit day tour