AUSTRALIA: NORTH QUEENSLAND ADVENTURE
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
Australia: North Queensland by Contiki (Social Travel For 18-35S)
Get ready to uncover Queensland’s many wonders. From the pure sands of Whitehaven Beach, there’s so much laid-back beauty in this part of Australia. And that’s before you head to Magnetic Island, taking epic coastal walks and meeting the local koalas, then ending on a high with an expedition to the Great Barrier Reef itself.
Included/Excluded
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Included
- Hotel/hostel accommodation
- Local transport
- Various experiences like guided tours and meals
- An expert Trip Manager & Driver
- MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences
- Breakfast daily (plus a few lunches and dinners too)
- A group of friendly travellers from around the world, all aged 18-35
- 24/7 support
Excluded
- Flights to/from your start/end destination
- Optional Free Time Add-Ons
- Meals not mentioned
Itinerary
Day 1: Airlie Beach
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.
Day 2: Airlie Beach
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.
Included Experience:
- Day Trip to the Whitsundays
- Snorkel Australia’s Best Reefs
Day 3: Airlie Beach
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.
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.
Included Experience:
- Catch a Local Ferry to Magnetic Island
- Watch a Magnetic Island Sunset
Day 5: Magnetic Island
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.
Included Experience:
- Hike Magnetic Island Fort Walk
- Spot Rock Wallabies at Dusk
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.
Included Experience:
- Catch a Local Ferry to Townsville
- Ride the Railway to Cairns
- Dig into Quality ‘Bush Tucker’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Day 7: Cairns
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.
Daintree Rainforest:
- 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.
Cairns:
- What a day; and our time in Cairns isn’t over yet. Tonight, we’ll keep the magic going with the option of a sunset boat cruise.
Included Experience:
- Discover Daintree Rainforest
- Do Daintree with a Guide MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Immerse yourself in Aboriginal Art MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Optional Experience:
- Take a ‘Deadly After Dark’ Boat Cruise
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.
- Great Barrier Reef Cruise MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Scuba Diving (In Addition to Outer Barrier Reef Cruise)
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 – think bungy jumping, skydiving and whitewater rafting. Or, sign up for a day trip on the scenic cable car, Skyrail. Gain a unique perspective of Australia’s World Heritage listed tropical rainforest, gliding above the canopy before descending to the forest floor to continue your guided journey in the tropical hippie paradise of Kuranda, a village known for its appreciation of sustainable living and alternate therapies. Take the famous Kuranda Railway back to Cairns for a relaxing end to the trip.
Optional Experience:
- Jump Off the AJ Hackett Bungy Tower
- Skyrail Experience
- Raging Thunder – Barron River Rafting
- Jump from 15,000ft in Cairns
Price
PRICE FROM RM6,381 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY.
Hotel
- Day 1: Base Backpackers (or similar)
- Day 2 – Day 3: Nomads Airlie Beach (or similar)
- Day 4 – Day 5: Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar)
- Day 6 – Day 8: Gilligans (or similar)
Remarks
