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Multi-dayAdventureSail4WD

Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns

You behind the wheel on K'gari, Whitehaven underfoot, the outer reef below. Twenty days, one crew.

Drive your own 4WD across K'gari, sail the Whitsundays, spot wild koalas on Magnetic Island and snorkel two outer Great Barrier Reef sites, the upper East Coast start to finish.

⭑ 4.9 575 Trustpilot reviews 📍 East Coast Australia ⏱ 20 days · 19 nights · Brisbane → Cairns 👥 Group tour with leader 🔥 Active 🎂 Ages 18 to 45

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Save$310 RRP $4,499

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$4,189 AUD

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4.9 from 575 Trustpilot reviews

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Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Drive a 4x4 across K'gari + camp under the stars

  2. 2

    Sail 74 tropical islands in the Whitsundays

  3. 3

    Whitehaven Beach

  4. 4

    Wild koalas & wallabies, Magnetic Island

  5. 5

    Full-day snorkel at 2 outer reef sites

  6. 6

    Atherton Tablelands waterfalls

On the ground

Real moments from the trip, tap any clip to play with sound.

Day-by-day itinerary

Brisbane Days 1–2 K'gari Days 3–7 Airlie Beach Days 8–11 Magnetic Island Days 12–13 Atherton Tablelands Days 14–15 Cairns Days 16–20
Your route, day by day
1 Days 1-2 · Big cities and sunsets

Meet your group and your tour leader on arrival, settle in before your first night out together as the adventure begins.

3 Days 3-7 · Rainbow Beach & K'gari

Discover the coastal town of Rainbow Beach. You'll kick back beach-side before heading to one of the absolute highlights on the East Coast of Australia - K'gari! You'll travel in 4x4's around the biggest sand island in the world. The beach and sand dunes are your highway for the next 3 days. Swim in the turquoise waters of Lake McKenzie, float down the lazy river of Eli Creek, chill in the bubbles of the Champagne Pools, learn about the Aboriginal history on the island, spot dingoes in the wild, and then sleep beneath the stars in a purpose built campsite with your group. Arriving back in Rainbow Beach, you'll explore the colourful sand dunes before catching the overnight bus to the Whitsundays. 🌱 Small Change: Explore K'gari with an Eco Certified operator that works closely with Butchulla representatives to follow cultural protocols.

8 Days 8-11 · Sail tropical islands

The next few days are for exploring the Whitsundays. Made up of 74 tropical islands, you'll board the boat for the next 2 nights. Relax and sunbathe on the deck as you sail around the islands. Snorkel with an abundance of marine life on the fringing reefs and later explore the swirls of fine white sand on the world-famous Whitehaven Beach. You'll then head to Airlie Beach where you will have free time to explore and try out some great optional activities. 🌱 Small Change: Sail the Whitsundays with an Eco Certified operator, where sustainability meets adventure.

12 Days 12-13 · Island exploring

Today you'll jump on the ferry to a slice of the tropics, Magnetic Island. Over the next 2 days you'll explore the best of this island. Chill out by the ocean, and hike up the historic Forts Walk. If you're lucky you'll even spot wild koalas and rock wallabies.

14 Days 14-15 · Heart-pumping adventure

Time to relax in the chilled out beachfront town of Mission Beach, with your choice of any adrenaline pumping experience this tiny town is known for. If you've ever thought of skydiving this is the place! As an optional add-on, you'll be able to jump at 15,000ft and soak up views of both the Great Barrier Reef and rainforests before landing on the beach, or white water raft the Tully River rapids through a gorge surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. You'll meet up later for dinner together!

16 Days 16-19 · Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is a backpacker adventure hub. Here you'll experience a full day on the Great Barrier Reef. You'll get to snorkel and sail the Great Barrier Reef and visit 2 unique outer reef locations. 🌱 Small Change: The Atherton Tablelands day runs with an Eco Certified operator working to protect the ancient Daintree Rainforest through sustainable tourism. While in Cairns you'll also explore the real Aussie oasis of the Atherton Tablelands. You'll swim under waterfalls, slide down natural rock slides and swim in dormant volcano craters all while your experienced guide teaches you about this extraordinary place. Tonight you wrap things up with a farewell dinner and drinks to toast the adventures you've had together.

20 Day 20 · Check out & onward travel

Your Aussie trip ends this morning. If you need help with onward travel in Oz, your tour leader is there to help for the rest of your time in Australia.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 19 nights accommodation
  • 20 meals
  • Awesome group leader
  • Brisbane city tour
  • Jet boating
  • 3 day 4WD tag along tour of K'gari
  • 2 day 2 night Whitsundays sailing trip
  • 2 nights Magnetic Island with ferry transfers
  • Forts walk
  • Atherton Tablelands
  • Full day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
  • All transport included

✕ Not included

  • ✕Flights
  • ✕Travel insurance
  • ✕Some meals
  • ✕Personal spending

Accommodation

Curated stays along the route, a mix of characterful hotels, traditional lodgings and social hostels, all with the essentials sorted.

Airlie Beach hostel, accommodation on Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns

Airlie Beach hostel

2 nights in a funky hostel with tropical vibes. Multi-share rooms with shared bathrooms, Wi-Fi, laundry, air con, bar & jacuzzi.

Mission Beach resort, accommodation on Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns

Mission Beach resort

2 nights set amongst a tropical rainforest. Multi-share rooms with ensuite, Wi-Fi, air con, laundry, BBQ area, gym & swimming pools.

Whitsundays premium boat, accommodation on Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns

Whitsundays premium boat

2 nights sleeping onboard a premium boat. Multi-share cabin with shared bathrooms.

Cairns hostel, accommodation on Oz East Coast Adventure, 20 Days Brisbane to Cairns

Cairns hostel

4 nights in the most popular hostel in Cairns! Multi-share rooms with ensuite, Wi-Fi, air con, laundry & swimming pool.

Rooming is typically same-gender multi-share unless a private/twin upgrade is noted, ask us if you'd like a private room.

Common questions about this trip

  • Do I get to drive the 4WD?

    If you're 21+ with a full licence, yes, it's a tag-along convoy so you drive your own vehicle behind the lead guide. No licence? Ride as a passenger.
  • Is this the same as the 28-day?

    The 28-day adds the Sydney → Brisbane leg (Sydney, Byron surf, Gold Coast) in front of this exact route. Already done the south? Start here.
  • What's the cancellation policy?

    Dates or tours can be changed free up to 30 days before departure, and changes inside 30 days may incur a fee. If you cancel 30 or more days out, you can keep 100% of your payment as credit, or take a refund of 75% of the tour value. Inside 30 days the operator retains the full amount. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

Got a question that's not here? Ask us or hit the chat, instant AI reply with a follow-up from the Wanderlust crew.

What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4.9 on Google · 5 on Tripadvisor · 15,000+ five-star reviews · 20+ years operating
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Google
"I completed the Oz 28 day East Coast tour and had the best time. Highly recommend!"
C

Christi Morrison

Google review · 2 weeks ago

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Google
"Just finished the Oz East Coast 21 day trip and it was the best 3 weeks! Every part of the trip was exciting with so much to do. Highlights definitely G’Kari and Whitsundays. Great group of people and friends for life. Jess was the BEST group tour leader and made sure we all had an amazing time. …"
D

Daniella MacDonald

Google review · 2 weeks ago

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Google
"Just finished the Oz [tour name] Australia tour and had an unreal time. All the activities were incredibly fun and well organised by our group leader Amber-Rose, who had such a great personality and really made the whole group gel from day one. …"
K

Kevan Meow

Google review · 5 days ago

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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