Trips

Townsville / Magnetic Island

Welcome to Queensland! Your adventure begins in Townsville, a delightful coastal city and your gateway to the islands of northern Queensland. A welcome meeting will take place at 12pm today where you’ll meet your local leader and new travel companions. After the meeting, you may like to get to know your group over lunch in one of the city’s fantastic eateries, recommended by your leader. You won’t have to wait long to see scenery to take your breath away – this afternoon you’ll hop across to the beautiful Magnetic Island on a ferry. Dinner this evening will be quintessential Aussie fare – fish and chips. After an exciting first day, retire to your eco-lodge bungalows surrounded by the flora and fauna of the island.

Magnetic Island

Wake up in paradise! This morning board a bus to Horseshoe Bay, a gorgeous 3km crescent of golden beach. Here you'll go snorkelling and come face to face with the marine life beneath the bay’s clear blue waters. The rest of the day is free for you to experience all this island has to offer. There’s certainly no shortage of stunning places to explore or incredible things to discover. One of the best ways to get to know the island is on foot – you may like to set off on the Hawkings Point Track, offering epic views over the island and one of the best places to watch the sunrise or sunset, or the Forts Walk, leading you to historic WWII fortifications, with the chance to see koalas hanging out in the trees along the track. You may prefer to relax in Arcadia Village, home to charming cafes and shops, plus plenty of beaches to while away an afternoon on. Your leader will be on hand to make suggestions on how to get the most out of your time here.

Mungalla Station / Lucinda

Leave the pull of Magnetic Island behind and catch a ferry back to Townsville, where you’ll hop aboard a private vehicle and drive to Mungalla Station. If time permits, you’ll stop off at Big Crystal Creek for a refreshing swim. On arrival to Mungalla Station, meet the First Nations owners of the land, the Nywaigi People, and learn about their culture and history, including brutal conflicts with European settlers. The story you’ve been told will come to life as you visit an exhibition of pictures within the historic homestead, then head out and explore the Mungalla wetlands in search of aquatic birdlife. Enjoy an evening at leisure at your accommodation on the Cassowary Coast, serving up unforgettable views of the Hinchinbrook Island National Park.

Hinchinbrook Island / Mission Beach

Today will be spent exploring the untouched wonders of Hinchinbrook Island. Not only is this the largest island on the Great Barrier Reef, it also only permits 40 visitors at a time in the name of preservation, so you’ll really feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Jump on a ferry across the water, then get to exploring with the guidance of your local leader. From swathes of rainforest and eucalyptus trees to towering peaks and golden sand dunes, there’s so much to uncover on this uninhabited island. In the afternoon head on to your overnight stay in Mission Beach.

Dunk Island / Mission Beach

Start your day by catching a water taxi to Dunk Island, part of the Family Islands group and home to the beautiful Mission Beach. Get to know the island on foot during a three-hour circuit walk, passing Palm Valley and shady rainforest filled with birdlife before arriving at Coconut Beach. Your leader may share stories of the island’s fascinating history as you hike. Dunk Island also hosts plenty of magnificent wildlife, so be sure to be on the lookout for dugong and sea turtles in the ocean, and the famous blue Ulysses butterflies dancing around you. After your walk and your return to Mission Beach on the mainland, the rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish.

Atherton Tablelands

Make the morning drive to the Atherton Tablelands, and Millaa Millaa Falls. This place looks like a postcard for paradise, with a perfect cascade tumbling into a pool surrounded by lush rainforest. Take some time to soak it all in and snap some pictures, then carry on to Windin Falls. Here you’ll embark on a two to three hour hike up the falls towards a natural infinity pool offering unbeatable views of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. After your hike, pay a visit to the Tolga Bat Hospital, Australia’s largest bat rehabilitation facility. Here you’ll learn about the research, advocacy and community education undertaken by the facility and make some new upside-down friends before continuing to the town of Atherton. For this evening’s meal you may like to dine at the historic hotel in the heart of town, first built in the 1880s.

Kuranda / Cairns

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore Atherton. Perhaps browse the popular antiques and collectables store, or check out the heritage listed Hou Wang Temple and its attached museum to learn about Atherton’s Chinese cultural heritage. Then it’s time to leave Atherton behind and drive on to the Kuranda Markets, stopping along the way at the Mt Uncle Distillery. The markets sit in Kuranda village, a laidback place with a hippie vibe surrounded by rainforest. Take some time out to explore the colourful stalls of this iconic Australian market – if you’ve not picked up any souvenirs on your journey yet, this is the place to do it! Perhaps grab a bite to eat from one of many vendors, then continue your drive towards Cairns. You may like to get together for a final dinner as a group tonight, after which your adventure will come to an end.