Brisbane to Cairns
21 Days. Brisbane to Cairns. The best of Queensland.
21 days
Ages 18-30
4.9
About the trip
Worry-free booking
Secure your spot with a 10% deposit. Change your travel date for free up to 30 days before departure, and pay the remaining balance 30 days before your trip starts. If your plans change, moving to an open date is also possible up to 30 days before departure.
Trip Highlights
Itinerary
Brisbane start
- Day 1
Check in to your hostel and meet your fellow Travel Buddies before a night out in the city. - Day 2
A free day for the galleries, parks and West End, or a day trip to Australia Zoo or Moreton Island.
Noosa & K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Day 3
Arrive in Noosa. Hit Hastings Street or the beach, or stroll through Noosa National Park. - Day 4
Join the 4WD tag-along convoy onto K’gari. Drive 75 Mile Beach, see the SS Maheno wreck, float down Eli Creek and camp under the stars. - Day 5
Walk Wanggoolba Creek at Central Station, swim at Lake McKenzie, then drive on to the Champagne Pools. - Day 6
Swim at Lake Wabby, take the barge back to the mainland and head to Noosa for a post-tour night out at KB’s. - Day 7
Recover with a morning at the beach and lunch at one of Noosa’s cafes. - Day 8
Walk the coastal track to the Fairy Pools and look for koalas in the trees. In the afternoon, take the overnight bus to Airlie Beach.
Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays
- Day 9
Arrive in Airlie Beach, check in and cool off at the central lagoon with harbour views. - Day 10
Set sail from Airlie Beach to Hook Island and snorkel hidden reefs like Stonehaven Bay and Langford Reef. Dinner and drinks at anchor under the stars. - Day 11
Hike to Hill Inlet for the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach, then swim and walk at the beach’s southern end. - Day 12
Snorkel one more reef, with turtles and manta rays possible, then return to Airlie Beach for an afterparty with the group. - Day 13
Recover at the lagoon, or add a 15,000ft skydive or a jet ski across the Whitsundays.
Magnetic Island
- Day 14
Travel to Townsville and take the ferry to Magnetic Island. Check in to your beachside resort and spend the afternoon on the beach or a coastal walk. - Day 15
A free day on the island. Walk the Forts Walk for 360-degree views and wild koalas, or rent a Barbie car.
Cairns
- Day 16
Travel to Cairns, Australia’s adventure capital. Browse the shops, take a dip in the lagoon and finish at the Night Markets. - Day 17
Spend the day in the Atherton Tablelands with Uncle Brian’s tour, swimming at waterfalls and trying the famous hair flick at Millaa Millaa Falls. - Day 18
A free day in Cairns. Go bungy jumping or white water rafting if you want some adrenaline. - Day 19
Sail out to the Great Barrier Reef on the Ocean Spirit, snorkel the reef and relax on a sand cay. - Day 20
Fit in any last bucket-list items and enjoy a final night out with your group.
End of trip
- Day 21
Say goodbye to your group as your trip comes to an end. Get in touch and we’ll help you plan what’s next.
What’s included
Activities
- 3-day K’gari 4WD camping tag-along tour
- 3-day Whitsundays sailing trip
- Great Barrier Reef snorkel
- Atherton Tablelands waterfall tour
Accommodation & Stay
- 20 nights total
- 15 in hostels
- 2 on a sailing yacht
- 2 camping
- 1 on an overnight bus
Transport & Food
- A bus pass covering all travel from Brisbane to Cairns, plus the ferry to and from Magnetic Island.
- 19 meals included across the trip
What’s not included
Where You'll Stay
Add-on Activities
Why choose us
Low deposit to book
Flexible if plans change
Mates from day one
Semi-guided & flexible
Handpicked places to stay
WhatsApp support, seven days a week
FAQs
Is this a guided trip, or am I responsible for my own travel?
Travel Buddies trips are semi-guided, giving you the best mix of independent and group travel. We organise your accommodation, transport and included activities, so the main planning is taken care of for you.
It’s your responsibility to arrive at meeting points and departures on time, as missed activities or transport are non-refundable.
What is a semi-guided trip, and how does it work?
There’s no full-time guide glued to your side. We handle the accommodation, transport and key activities, and you get the freedom to explore each stop your own way, solo or with the group.
You’re never on your own though: our team is on hand throughout your trip via the Travel Buddies WhatsApp community, so help or advice is always a message away.
Can I book accommodation before or after the trip?
Yes, just ask when you book. We’ll try to keep you in the same hostel as the rest of your group so you’re not switching around, subject to availability.
What is the age range?
Travel Buddies is built for 18 to 30 year olds. Just outside that range? Get in touch, as we’re often able to make it work.
How many people will be on the trip?
Groups cap at 12 travellers, small enough to actually get to know everyone, with a minimum of 2 to run.
How flexible is the itinerary?
You’ll follow a set route and timeline, but every free day is yours to fill: book an add-on, explore solo or just hang back with the group.
What are the must-see highlights on the East Coast trip?
K’gari’s 75 Mile Beach, sailing the Whitsundays, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, a rainforest waterfall tour in the Tropical North, and more! See the Highlights section above for the full list.
How do I connect with fellow travellers before the trip begins?
In the week before departure, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp community with a social channel just for chatting to your group before you even land in Brisbane.

