North Queensland Adventure with Sailing | 2024-2025
North Queensland Adventure with Sailing | 2024-2025
North Queensland Adventure with Sailing | 2024-2025
9 Days Starting in Airlie Beach and ending in Cairns
Visiting: Airlie Beach, Townsville, Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), Gimuy (Cairns)
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NQASS24
Recommended For:
Age range:
18-35
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishFrom:
$2150
$1834 (USD)
Operator discount: -$316
-15%
Tour Overview
The crystal clear waters and spotless sands of Queensland are calling our names! This sun-soaked adventure kicks things off in the paradise of Airlie Beach before an unforgettable expedition sailing along the Whitsundays on a converted racing yacht. And the paradise isles don't stop coming. Heading onto Magnetic Island, you'll get to meet some of the local koalas, before ending on a high in Cairns to get even closer to that wonder of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Airlie Beach
Location: Airlie Beach
Accommodation: Base Backpackers (or similar)
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 To The Whitsundays
Location: Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands
Accommodation: Prosail (or similar)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
This morning we'll transfer to the marina and board a converted racing yacht - our home for the next 2 nights - ready to set sail over crystal clear waters. 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. A freshly prepared lunch and dinner are waiting for you back on the yacht. This is as close to heaven as you can find on planet earth.
Day 3: The Whitsundays
Location: Whitsunday Islands
Accommodation: Prosail (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Is there anywhere in the world more beautiful than the Whitsundays? We think not. We'll have more wonders to enjoy today as we spend the day cruising through the islands, enjoying freshly prepared meals on board, with endless opportunities to snorkel, swim and soak up those rays.
Day 4: Whitsundays To Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) Via Airlie Beach And Townsville
Location: Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Yunbenun (Magnetic Island)
Accommodation: Base Backpackers (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Waking up on board the yacht this morning, we'll make our way to the shore. With our sights set on another beautiful island destination we'll board a coach, heading for Townsville.
Here we'll board the ferry to our next destination.
Magnetic Island 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, try some water sports in the bright turquoise waters or meet some of the local marsupials. But first things first, we'll enjoy a drink (our treat) and watch the sunset over the bay. Blissful or what?
Day 5: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island)
Location: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island)
Accommodation: Nomads Magnetic Island (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) To Gimuy (Cairns) Via Townsville
Location: Yunbenun (Magnetic Island), Townsville, Gimuy (Cairns)
Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast 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.
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.
Welcome to the city 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.
Day 7: Gimuy (Cairns)
Location: Gimuy (Cairns)
Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Day 8: Gimuy (Cairns)
Location: Gimuy (Cairns)
Accommodation: Gilligans (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 9: End Gimuy (Cairns)
Location: Gimuy (Cairns)
Meals Included: Breakfast
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?
Check out our Q&As
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How long has the tour company been trading?
In 1961, a guy called John Anderson founded Contiki in New Zealand. Whilst later bought by The Travel Corporation, the tour company had already been using the name ‘Contiki’ since its inception.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Contiki trips are designed & operated exclusively for those aged 18-35 years. Your travelling companions will be like-minded adventurers within that age range. The age range is adhered to strictly.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® is our commitment to protect people, wildlife and the incredible planet we all share. Powered by The TreadRight Foundation, a non-profit organisation and Contiki’s guiding hand when it comes to making travel matter.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
All documentation will be sent via email around 21 days prior to your trip departure. You can also access information on your trip by signing up to My Contiki via the top right icon of the homepage.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Saturday - Sunday
Aug 10, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 27, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Nov 02, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Nov 23, 2024 - Dec 01, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Dec 14, 2024 - Dec 22, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 05, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jan 06, 2025 - Jan 14, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jan 18, 2025 - Jan 26, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Feb 01, 2025 - Feb 09, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Feb 08, 2025 - Feb 16, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Feb 22, 2025 - Mar 02, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Contiki allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform contiki, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Contiki requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of contiki charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 25% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions