Experience the best of Queensland, as well as some off the beaten track locations that we're sure will become your faves. From island hopping to exploring rainforests, you'll see more and do more on this adventure from Brisbane to Queensland.
This not a regular tour. It’s flexible adventure travel! You can complete your trip in the minimum amount of time, or you can hop off and extend your stay in any destination on the route. Use the Stray Mate App to book extra nights’ accommodation and activities along the way.
ItineraryDay 1: Arrive in BrisbaneStop At: Brisbane, Brisbane, Brisbane Region, Queensland
Arrive in Brisbane and check into your central accommodation. Then the day is yours to explore. We recommend checking out Streets Beach on warm days, Australia’s only inner city man made beach. Wander around Southbank and soak up the city vibes, or check out the Museum!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Brisbane Hostel
Day 2: Brisbane to Rainbow BeachStop At: Rainbow Beach, Rainbow Beach, Gympie Region, Fraser Coast, Queensland
You’ll be picked up by the Stray bus this morning and greeted by your friendly Stray Guide and travel crew. You’ll soon have your first opportunity to hop off in the upmarket resort town of Noosa, or continue on with the group to Rainbow Beach. Tomorrow you’ll begin your Fraser Island adventure (make sure you’ve booked in the dates in advance with Stray). Once you’ve checked-in, you’ll have a safety briefing for your Fraser Island 4WD trip.
Please Note: $20 insurance fee and $10 linen/sleeping bag hire for Fraser Island is not included. Please pay in cash on arrival.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Rainbow Beach accommodation
Day 3: Rainbow Beach to Fraser IslandStop At: Fraser Island, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast, Queensland
Wake up early and head out for your 3-day, 2-night Fraser Island adventure. You’ll explore the largest sand island in the world on a 4WD expedition with your mates, and even have the chance to drive! Check out incredible sites to snap epic pictures, swim in lakes, natural pools and the ocean all in paradise.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Fraser Island Camping
Day 4: Fraser IslandStop At: Fraser Island, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast, Queensland
After breakfast we'll drive up to stunning Eli Creek, the largest freshwater creek on the East Coast of the Island, which carves its way through to the beach and pours 80 million litres of water a day into the Pacific Ocean. After spending some time here, we head up to the famous Maheno Shipwreck for photo ops and some history about this Fraser icon. After lunch and another stop or two, we head back to te camp for dinner and drinks.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Fraser Island Camping
Day 5: Fraser Island to Rainbow BeachStop At: Fraser Island, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast, Queensland
Today you’ll spend the morning walking through magical sand dunes and soaking up the sun on Fraser Island. You’ll return back to base in the early afternoon. This evening you can head out on a short walk up the sand dunes to watch a stunning sunset at Carlo Sand Blow.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Rainbow Beach Accommodation
Day 6: Rainbow Beach to Emu ParkStop At: Emu Park, Emu Park, Queensland
After stopping briefly to pick up those who stayed in Noosa, you will depart from Cooroy on your first train journey of the trip. Kick back for a scenic train ride to Rockhampton, where you’ll meet the bus and your Stray Guide and head to your next Strademark destination - Emu Park. After getting settled in at the resort, you'll find out more about tomorrow's adventure to the stunning Great Keppel Island.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Emu's Beach Resort
Day 7: Great Keppel Island and Overnight TrainStop At: Great Keppel Island, Great Keppel Island, Queensland
This morning you head to a tropical paradise with your awesome local guide. Great Keppel Island is located on the southern of the Great Barrier Reef with untouched coral, turtles, reef fish and manta rays all straight off the beach. Relax or have a go at snorkeling or kayaking (both at extra cost) before exploring the island in search of the perfect white sand beach. Tonight, we’ll return to the mainland and gather together for dinner at Emu’s Beach Resort before we catch the overnight train to Airlie Beach.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Comfortable overnight train
Day 8: Airlie BeachStop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland
The train arrives into Prosperine early in the morning. Your Airlie-based Stray Guide will meet you off the train and accompany you on the bus into Airlie Beach. They’ll help you store your bags, and then grab breakfast (extra cost) and give you a brief orientation of the town to help you get your bearings. You’ll have the rest of your day free in Airlie Beach to do as you please. You can choose to join your guide for an easy rainforest hike. See panoramic views of the swirling Whitsundays from above and then head down a secluded beach for a splash.
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the famous Whitsunday Islands, another backpacker favourite, and that's where you'll be heading tomorrow.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Airlie Beach accommodation
Day 9: Airlie Beach to Whitsunday IslandsStop At: Whitsunday Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
There’s no better day of the week for it - wake up early and head down to the marina in time for a 2-day, 1-night adventure through the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands. These picturesque islands are set in the Great Barrier Reef and are home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches. Get ready for an epic sailing adventure that includes the highlights of this incredible area and spending the night at sea.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight boat
Day 10: Whitsunday Islands to Airlie BeachStop At: Whitsunday Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
The exact order of activities will vary, but your Whitsunday sailing tour includes a visit to Whitehaven Beach, renowned for having some of the softest sand in the world, and Hill Inlet, where the shifting tides swirl the sand and water together in a dazzling effect. You'll also sail around the reef with various stops to get out for a swim and snorkel, allowing plenty of opportunities to see marine life along the way. At the end of the second day of sailing, you'll return to Airlie Beach to spend the night back on shore.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Central Airlie Beach accommodation
Day 11: Airlie BeachStop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland
You’ll have another free day in Airlie Beach to relax and explore at your leisure. Your Airlie Guide will have lots of ideas of what you can do. If you can’t get enough of the big blue, why not get some karma points and volunteer your time with Eco Barge Clean Seas – a non-profit organisation that often takes volunteers out on a barge to the bays and beaches of the Whitsunday region. You’ll help to collect rubbish washed up onto these beaches (of course with a side of sightseeing!). If the barge isn’t going out, you may be able to help with valuable sorting of the debris.
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Central Airlie Beach accommodation
Day 12: Airlie Beach to Magnetic IslandStop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland
You'll be up with the parakeets this morning with a medley of transport to catch today. Travelling by bus, train and ferry (oh my!) we arrive at our destination of Magnetic Island in the late morning. Nearly 50% of ‘Maggie Island’ is national parkland, and it's chock-full of amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your legendary local guide will fill you on the activities you can do around the island over the next couple of days.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Magnetic Island accommodation
Day 13: Magnetic IslandStop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland
Join your guide today for a scenic walk. You’ll might head off the beaten track to beautiful Radical Bay beach for an ocean dip and amazing photo opportunities. Alternatively, your guide will take you up to the historic Forts Complex, where you’ll see incredible views over the island and ocean beyond. Whichever way you go, don’t forget to look up, as Maggie Island is one of the best places to see koalas in the wild!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Magnetic Island accommodation
Day 14: Magnetic IslandStop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland
Today you can explore at your own pace - find a secluded bay to park up with a picnic, rent a snorkel and tackle one of the marked trails, or get out on the water and take a kayak or sailing trip around the island. With so many awesome activities on offer, the hardest part of your day will be choosing which one to do!
Duration: 12 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Magnetic Island accommodation
Day 15: Magnetic Island to Rainforest ExperienceStop At: Tully Gorge National Park, Cardstone Road, Tully, Queensland 4854 Australia
We catch the ferry back to the mainland in the morning, and travel by train to Tully, arriving at lunch time. From here we embark on our Stray exclusive Rainforest Experience, travelling by bus into the heart of the stunning Tully Gorge National Park. We’ll cool off in a beautiful swimming hole this afternoon, before heading to our camp for a BBQ dinner and an evening sharing stories around the campfire.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Camping at Rainforest Experience
Day 16: Rainforest Experience to Cairns (via Tully)Stop At: Cairns, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland
Start your day with an early breakfast followed by an interpretative walk through the forest, learning about the traditional indigenous usage of the land. In the afternoon, we return to Tully to jump on the train to our final destination, Cairns. We arrive by late afternoon, so you'll have time to get ready to celebrate the final night of your epic East Coast adventure. There’s heaps to do in Cairns so check out your Stray Mate app for all the best options.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Central Cairns accommodation
