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North Queensland Adventure
With Sailing (Until March 2022)
The one that's an unforgettable island-hopping adventure, including the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef
Travel Style
In-Depth Explorer
Learn about our travel styles.
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Duration
9 days
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Places
5 places
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Meals
7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners
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Transport Style
Coach, Ferries, Train
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Group Size
Maximum 25 people
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Average Group Age
18-35
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Team
Trip Manager, Skipper & Crew
Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Cairns, Townsville
How Contiki works
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STEP 1
Pick your destination & book
Picking where to go out of 150 countries worldwide is the hardest part. Booking is easy with complete flexibility, & confidence that your money is secure.
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STEP 2
Book 7 hotels, try figuring out public transport in a foreign language, get into an argument with your taxi driver, lose your passp… -
STEP 2
Turn up to your dream trip
Everything has been sorted for you. Cool, convenient accom, smooth transport from place to place - plus a bunch of meals and travel experiences all locked in.
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STEP 3
Have the time of your life
Your Trip Host has designed every trip to be packed with incredible, local experiences, made even more amazing as you share it with other incredible 18-35 year old travelers.
About this trip
The crystal clear waters and spotless sands of Queensland are calling our names? This sun-soaked adventure kicks things off in the paradise of Airlie Beach before an unforgettable expedition sailing along the Whitsundays on a converted racing yacht. And the paradise isles don't stop coming. Heading onto Magnetic Island, you'll get to meet some of the local koalas, before ending on a high in Cairns to get even closer to that wonder of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef.
Book With Confidence
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Reserve your space now with a deposit of only $200, pay the rest 45 days before departure
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Can't pay in full? We've got you covered with our Part Pay Program
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Change your travel dates or even your trip for free
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Book now, pay later when you're eligible for Uplift
Top Experiences
14 included & 7 free time add-ons available to add later
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Sail across the breathtaking Whitsundays on a day trip, including a visit to idyllic Whitehaven Beach, snorkelling and lunch
Included
Whitsundays
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Day Trip to the Daintree Rainforest
Included
Cairns
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Jungle Swing or Bungy Jump
A$95/ A$135
Cairns
North Queensland Adventure With Sailing (Until March 2022)
14 Inclusions
Experiences that are included with your trip
- Included Dinner
- Spend 2-nights on a converted racing yacht in the Whitsundays
- Sail across the breathtaking Whitsundays on a day trip, including a visit to idyllic Whitehaven Beach, snorkelling and lunch
- Snorkel some of the best coral reefs in Australia
- Watch the vibrant sunset on Magnetic Island at Hawking's Point
- Enjoy an unlimited chef-cooked breakfast while meeting and learning about Koalas at Bungalow Bay Koala Village
- Spot native koalas alongside WWII fortifications on a Magnetic Island Fort Walk
- See Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk
- Chef Guided Bush Food Tutorial & Dinner at Ochre Restaurant
- Scenic train ride along the East Coast of Australia from Townsville to Cairns
- Day Trip to the Daintree Rainforest
- Experience the Daintree Rainforest with an experienced Aboriginal guide for an interpretive rainforest walk through this ancient environment
- Learn ancient Dreamtime stories, local history and see how these are shared through art with an Aboriginal artist
- Create your own unique piece of art at the Janbal Gallery
7 Free Time Add-Ons
Optional experiences that you can choose from and pay for on your trip
- Scuba Diving (in addition to Outer Barrier Reef Cruise) from A$65 (certified dive); from A$100 (introductory dive)
- Great Barrier Reef Cruise A$200
- Jungle Swing or Bungy Jump A$95/ A$135
- Cairns Skydive From A$209
- One way Skyrail Experience & One Way Kuranda Scenic Railway A$115
- Return Skyrail Experience From A$105
- Half Day White Water Rafting Barron River A$ 145.00
Trip Variation
Customize the itinerary of your trip depending on yours preferences
Compare Trips Variations-
With Sailing (Until March 2022)
Option 1
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Without Sailing
Option 2
On this version of the trip you'll spend a night at a hostel at Airlie Beach, instead of sailing the Whitsundays and overnighting on a yacht. You'll still have the option to book your own day sailing excursion from Airlie Beach if you choose.
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With Sailing (From April 2022)
Option 3
Map & Itinerary
- Start location
- End location
- Trip day
- Via location
- River route
- Plane route
DAY 1 - Arrive Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach
Hello Airlie Beach! This tropical paradise is the perfect place to kick off our adventure. Our trip starts at 4pm at Base Backpackers where we'll meet our fellow Aussie adventurers before transfering to the marina. That's right - we're wasting no time getting out on the crystal-clear waters to board a converted racing yacht - our home for the next 2 nights. A delicious dinner is included tonight as we bond and swap stories under the starlit skies.
DAY 2 - The Whitsundays
Whitsundays
Is there anywhere in the world more beautiful than the Whitsundays? We think not. With 74 perfect islands at your fingertips, an open sea calling your name, today you'll get to explore one of the worlds most lusted-after holiday destinations with a day trip to the spotless Whitehaven Beach, including snorkelling. This is as close to heaven as you can find on planet earth.
DAY 3 - The Whitsundays
Whitsundays
We'll have more wonders to enjoy today as we cruise through the Whitsundays until the mid-afternoon, with opportunities to snorkel, swim and soak up those rays. Then, we'll get to enjoy a free night on Airlie Beach, admiring the lush rainforests of the Whitsundays Coast. It's not hard to get into holiday mode in this place, with its boutiques, markets and seafood cafes - and of course that beautiful blue lagoon.
DAY 4 - The Whitsundays to Magnetic Island via Townsville
Whitsundays
Is there anything better than the Whitsundays? We think our next destination comes close. We'll board a train this morning heading for Townsville.
Townsville
After soaking up some East Coast scenery on our train journey, we'll hop on a ferry headed towards the spellbinding Magnetic Island.
Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is an apt name for this captivating isle, with its coastal walking trails and gum trees teeming with lazy koala bears. We'll have plenty of time to explore, try some water sports in the bright turquoise waters or meet some of the local marsupials. But first things first, we'll enjoy some champagne (our treat) and watch the sunset over the bay. Blissful or what?
DAY 5 - Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
We have a whole day on this paradise island - lucky us! We'll waste no time meeting the locals, with a chance to eat an unlimited chef-cooked breakfast with some Koalas at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village. Then we can check out some of the walking trails - such as the Forts Walk which offers up stunning views of the Palm Island Group as well as WWI fortifications, and the chance to see more koalas in the wild- or enjoy some free time at Horseshoe bay, taking a dip on the azure waters and relaxing on the beach. See Magnetic Island's resident Rock Wallabies at dusk before a free evening, where we can watch the sunset and check out some of the local bars.
DAY 6 - Magnetic Island to Cairns via Townsville
Magnetic Island
After breakfast this morning we'll say farewell to our koala friends and depart Magnetic Island on a ferry. But we'll never forget its singular beauty.
Townsville
Back in Townsville we won't hang around too long, as we're hopping on a train headed to Cairns, where we'll arrive late afternoon after a gloriously scenic journey along Australia's East Coast.
Cairns
Welcome to the city where rainforests meet reefs, lagoons meet luxury hotels and boardshorts and business suits live side by side. We'll enjoy an included interactive Bush Tucker tutorial and dinner at Ochre restaurant. An experienced chef will guide us through a history of Bush Tucker as you sample a variety of native spices and fruits, explaining their tastes, origins, and traditional uses before we enjoy our dinner, which features native game. It's in an incredible cultural feast, and the perfect way to start our adventure in Cairns.
DAY 7 - Cairns
Cairns
Rise and shine, today is day packed with history, heritage and natural beauty, as we take a day trip to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world: Daintree. With its ancient ferns and vibrant canopies, this place will take our breath away. There's a reason David Attenborough called it 'the most extraordinary place on earth.' As well as admiring the lush rainforest, we'll also meet the local Kuku Yalanji people and learn about their rich Aboriginal culture and history. We'll get the chance to view a smoking ceremony and take an art class with an Aboriginal artist. We'll also learn about ancient Dreamtime stories, local history and how these are shared through art. Then, we'll get to create our own unique souvenir to take home in the form of a canvas that tells our own stories. What a day; and we're not done yet.
DAY 8 - Cairns
Cairns
Today you'll have the option to board a catamaran out to the reef to snorkel or dive in the crystal waters and gaze at the colourful coral and even more vibrant marine life. Back on board, the expert marine crew will tell us all there is to know about this stunning, but vulnerable, natural miracle.
DAY 9 - Depart Cairns
Cairns
Our adventure ends this afternoon, but not before we have a chance to escape our comfort zones and try some of the adventurous activities that Cairns is famous for. Anyone for bungy jumping?
Travel your way
These trips have flexible itineraries, so whether you want to sleep aboard a sailboat in the Whitsundays or prefer to stay on dry land, the choice is always yours
Where You'll Stay
Learn more about the accommodation available on this trip
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Converted Racing Yacht
Whitsundays , Australia
As you glide along the Whitsundays you’ll hop from beach to reef aboard a converted racing yacht, sleeping in a cabin just like real sailors
2 nights
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Base Backpackers
Magnetic Island, Australia
Located right on Magnetic Island’s beach with an outdoor deck, a swimming pool and hammocks, it’s the perfect place to either kick back or party, depending on your mood
2 nights
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8 nights
All accommodation is included on this trip
2 nights in Yacht, 6 nights in Hostel
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