Australia: North Queensland Adventure without Sailing

9 days

05 Apr 25 to 13 May 25

Book by 30 Dec 24

Pack your bags—Queensland’s calling. Start with the dreamy white sands of Whitehaven Beach, soaking up all the chill vibes this Aussie paradise has to offer. Then hit up Magnetic Island for epic coastal hikes and hanging with the local koalas. Finish strong with the ultimate bucket-list moment: exploring the legendary Great Barrier Reef. Let’s go!

Includes

9 Day Contiki Guided Holiday
8 Nights in Hostels
4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Transport by coach, Ferry, Train
Experienced Trip Manager and Local Guides
Optional free time add on experiences (additional costs apply)
Included Experiences
Day Trip to the Whitsundays: Grab your new buddies, snorkel round the reef, see ‘the world’s best beach’ and eat lunch on a boat. A proper ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
Discover Daintree Rainforest: Check out the oldest rainforest in the world, home to frogs, butterflies, bats and and much more!
and much more!

Excludes

Flights
Arrival/ departure transfers
Visas
Travel Insurance
Spending money and items of a personal nature

Extras

You have to be between the age of 18 and 35 years old to travel with Contiki
Additional costs apply for optional free time add on experiences
Secure your spot today with a deposit from as low as R1000* and pay the rest 60 days before departure

Highlights

8 Nights in Hostels
9 Meals
Included experiences and sightseeing

Itinerary

Day 1: Airlie Beach

Hello Airlie Beach! This tropical paradise is the perfect place to kick off our adventure. Our trip starts at Base Backpackers where we'll meet our fellow adventurers. Accommodation: Base Backpackers (or similar)

Day 2: Airlie Beach

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. Accommodation: Nomads Airlie Beach (or similar) Included Meals: Lunch

Day 3: Airlie Beach

We've got a free day in Airlie Beach today! This vibrant hub of the Whitsundays is ours to explore. We could get out onto the waters with an optional sea kayaking adventure, take to the sky with a Skydive over Australia's most beautiful drop zone or even a relaxing scenic flight over the Whitsunday islands including Whitehaven Beach and Heart Reef. For those looking for a more relaxed option, kick back on the beach sipping something sweet or explore the cute boutiques, bistros and alfresco restaurants that adorn the seafront. It's a hard life. Accommodation: Nomads Airlie Beach (or similar)

Day 4: Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island via Townsville

Airlie Beach Is there anything better than the Whitsundays? We think our next destination definitely comes close! We'll board a coach this morning heading for Townsville. Townsville Here we'll board the ferry to our next destination. Magnetic Island Magnetic Island (Yunbenun) 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, partake in watersports in the bright turqouise waters or meet some of the local marsupials. But this evening, we'll enjoy some champagne and watch the sun set over the bay. Accommodation: Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar) Included Meals: Dinner

Day 5: Magnetic Island

We have a whole day on this paradise island - lucky us! 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 WWII fortifications, and the chance to see 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. Accommodation: Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Magnetic Island to Cairns via Townsville

Magnetic Island 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 of Cairns (Gimuy), where rainforests meet reefs. We'll enjoy one of the most memorable meals you've ever experienced today with our interactive Bush Food MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® tutorial and dinner. An experienced chef will guide us through a history of Bush Food 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 an incredible cultural feast, and the perfect way to start our adventure in Cairns. Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar) Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Cairns

Rise and shine, our entire day today is an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience, packed with history, heritage and natural beauty, as we enjoy a spectacular 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. Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: 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. Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar) Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: 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? Included Meals: Breakfast

Terms & conditions

Prices are per person twin share/multi share as per itinerary, and are subject to availability and rate of exchange changes. Offers above are a guide only and will vary depending on departure date, our guide price is based on the cheapest departure within the stipulated season and availability is correct at time of loading. Visas may be necessary and insurance is essential. Pentravel and Tour Operator terms and conditions apply, and may be found on our website. Offer can be removed at any time. Pricing varies pending departure date. Contiki reserves the right to validate bookings and will remove any additional offers added online that are not combinable. Discounts are not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Offer not valid on special departure and interest groups, pre and post accommodation or the Detour range of trips. Offer is not transferable to other dates. Promo code must be mentioned or entered at checkout at time of booking. R1000* pp deposit secures your booking with full payment due 60 days prior to departure. At time of loading this may not be a definite departure. These packages are based on CASH price. E&OE;.

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