12 Day Coastal North Queensland

Departing: Wednesday 23rd July 2025

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Fitness Level: M - Moderate

Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

DAY 1 - HOME to ROCKHAMPTON     (D)

Wednesday 23rd July 2025:  Welcome to our amazing tropical North Queensland tour, exploring some of the state’s most beautiful destinations. Today is a travel day as we make our way to Rockhampton. Arrive at our overnight accommodation for our first dinner together. 

Stay: Regent Hotel

DAY 2 - ROCKHAMPTON to AIRLIE BEACH     (BLD)

Thursday 24th July:   Continue north to Sarina where we stop for a tour and lunch at the Sugar Shed, a unique miniature working sugar mill and distillery – the only one of its kind in Australia. This afternoon arrive at the delightful village of Airlie Beach, the coastal hub of the Whitsundays. The town has a laid back village atmosphere, nestled amongst the rainforest and overlooking the blue waters of the Whitsunday Passage. 

Stay: Coral Sea Marina Resort

DAY 3 - WHITEHAVEN BEACH AND HAMILTON ISLAND     (BLD)

Friday 25th July:   With an early start we prepare to board our full day cruise through the beautiful Whitsundays. Our cruise will take us first to Whitehaven Beach on uninhabited Whitsunday Island. With seven kilometres of glistening pure silica sand, Whitehaven Beach is nature at its most unspoilt and spectacular best. Take a stroll or maybe a swim in the crystal-clear blue water. We then visit Hamilton Island with time for a delicious lunch and a look around. Later this afternoon, enjoy afternoon tea while returning to the mainland.

Stay: Coral Sea Marina Resort

DAY 4 - AIRLIE BEACH to CAIRNS    (BD)

Saturday 26th July:  Start off the morning with a stop in Bowen where we see one of Queensland’s popular “big things” at the Big Mango. The 10 metre high big mango represents the delicious fruit which carries the name sake of the town “Bowen Mango”. One of the last stops of the day is in Tully at the Big Gumboot for another of Queensland’s popular “big things”. Leaving here, the day will be spent travelling to reach our next destination, Cairns. 

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

DAY 5 - KURANDA     (BD)

Sunday 27th July:  We embark on our gondola journey up the mountain with Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Glide across the rooftop of the tropical rainforest with spectacular views. Surrounded by world heritage rainforest lies the picturesque village of Kuranda. Enjoy a tour of the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary followed by time at leisure to wander through the many market stalls in the main street with time to purchase lunch. Next, enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Barron River onboard the MV Kuranda. The commentary highlights various aspects of the world’s most ancient tropical rainforest in Australia, river life and the history of Kuranda. Boarding the Kuranda Scenic Railway, track through picturesque valleys and century old tunnels of the magnificent Barron Falls National Park, taking in unsurpassed views of dense rainforest, steep ravines, and picturesque waterfalls.

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

DAY 6 - ATHERTON TABLELANDS     (BLD)

Monday 28th July:  Our destination today is the vibrant green land of the Atherton Tablelands. First, we head to Mareeba for a visit to Jaques Coffee. Here, we discover the world of coffee and how it is grown by joining one of the guided “Jaques Coffee Plantation Tours”. We visit the remarkable Curtain Fig Tree, with its curtain of aerial roots that drop 15 metres to the ground. Large basalt boulders cover the forest floor which is probably why the forest here wasn’t cleared for farming - and why the tree remains standing. Travelling to Lake Barrine, a beautiful volcanic crater lake, we enjoy lunch in the Tea House followed by a relaxing cruise on the stunning lake. Continuing to Gallo Dairyland, we hear about the cheese making process and sample their gourmet products while overlooking the dairy farm. After our visit we make our way back to Cairns. 

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

DAY 7 - DAY AT LEISURE     (BD)

Tuesday 29th July:  Today will be a free day to be enjoyed as you please. Perhaps some personal shopping or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and join a half day or full day cruise to Green Island or the outer barrier reef (at own expense). Tonight’s dinner will be at Dundee’s Restaurant overlooking the water, where we can talk about our day’s activities.

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

DAY 8 - DAINTREE RAINFOREST     (BLD)

Wednesday 30th July:  An early start sees us indulge in the ultimate “Breakfast with the Birds” at Wildlife Habitat. Immersed within the wetland environment, enjoy an array of sounds and colours from wildlife as they wander freely amongst us while we are treated to a fantastic tropical breakfast. Next, visit Mossman Gorge and discover the fascinating secrets of Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. Feel the serenity while watching the river as it tumbles its way over and around the huge granite boulders. Then head to the Daintree River to embark on a cruise on one of the most densely populated mangrove estuaries in the world. There is nothing quite like watching wildlife while cruising along the beautiful Daintree River. After another fantastic day return to Cairns.

Stay: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

DAY 9 - CAIRNS to CHARTERS TOWERS     (BD)

Thursday 31st July:  Say goodbye to Cairns and begin our drive south. Our first stop will be the Babinda Boulders for a photo opportunity then it’s onto the mystical wonderland of Paronella Park. Created in the 1930s by Spanish immigrant Jose’ Paronella, this once thriving social and entertainment centre is today still enjoyed by visitors from near and far. Protected by the National Trust, Paronella Park is what remains of a magnificent castle surrounded by acres of gardens, modelled on the best botanic gardens of Europe. Enjoy morning tea and time to explore the site. Continue down the coast with a chance to purchase our lunch. Travel through Ingham, Townsville and on to Charters Towers to check into our accommodation. 

Stay: Cattleman's Rest Motor Inn

DAY 10 - CHARTERS TOWERS to EMERALD     (BLD)

Friday 1st August:  Our morning will be spent at the legendary Texas Longhorn Tours complex. Experience the magnificent ‘Safari & Smoko’ tour, the perfect way to see up close and learn the fascinating history of these historical and spectacular cattle. This afternoon’s drive takes us past Blackwood National Park, arriving in Emerald this evening.

Stay: Emerald Central Hotel

DAY 11 - EMERALD to ROMA     (BLD)

Saturday 2nd August:  Farewell our hosts at Emerald and head south, stopping at Injune, located at the base of the remarkable Carnarvon Ranges, where we enjoy lunch. Next, off to Roma for a visit to the Big Rig for a self-guided tour of the Oil Patch. Journey through time to Australia’s first discovery of petroleum, through the boom and bust years of oil and gas exploration and on to today’s multibillion dollar industry. After our tour check into our motel for our last night on tour.

Stay: Roma Explorers Inn

DAY 12 - ROMA to HOME     (B)

Sunday 3rd August:  Our last day is a travel day as we express home. Say our farewells to our fellow travellers as we arrive home later today after an exciting tour.

* All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times / days and public holidays of some attractions.  We cannot be held responsible for changes due to closures or inclement weather.