Queensland road trip and island hopping holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 1 night Brisbane
• 2 nights Noosa
• 2 nights K'gari
• 2 nights Bundaberg
• 2 nights Pumpkin Island
• 2 nights Airlie Beach
• 2 nights Magnetic Island
• 2 nights Cairns
• 4 nights Port Douglas 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Brisbane

On arrival in Brisbane, you'll be met and driven into the city, checking in for one night. Spend the rest of the day wandering along the river, before heading out to enjoy a delicious meal in one of the city's famous restaurants.

Included: Transfers, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Drive to Noosa 

Heading out of the big city, you'll continue north towards Noosa. We always recommend spending the morning exploring the Glasshouse Mountains, where endless trails and walks are perfect for those who love hiking. You could also stop in at Australia Zoo, to meet the cute wombats and cuddly koalas! Explore the Noosa Hinterland, where quaint little towns like Pomona are serving up delicious pastries at the local bakery before arriving in Noosa. Spend the evening soaking up the sunset and relaxing by the beach.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Noosa

Today is yours to explore the picturesque region of Noosa. Why not start your day with a hike in Noosa National Park, where coastal trails take you to secluded beaches and scenic spots with panoramic views over the ocean. Visit one of the popular beaches to hire a paddleboard or enjoy a swim before heading into town for a fresh seafood lunch at one of the stylish cafes. In the afternoon you could visit the nearby Everglades to kayak amongst the mangroves before enjoying a beer on the beach at the end of the day.

During your day in Noosa, we've included a two hour surfing lesson - it's a great place to try it out, with gentle surf that's perfect for beginners. It's a great to really embrace the Aussie lifestyle and enjoy the waves.

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel

Day 5: Drive to K'gari      

Head off early this morning for your drive up to Hervey Bay, 2 and a half hours away. On arrival head straight to the ferry terminal to connect with your boat over to K'gari. You will be greeted off the ferry and taken to your hotel where you will check in for the next 2 nights.

Included: Car hire, ferry, 4* hotel

Day 6: K'gari

After breakfast you will be taken on a full day 4WD explorer tour of the island, visit the main beauty spots on the island including Lake Mackenzie, known for its clear waters and silicone sands and Seventy Mile Beach, a vast expanse of golden sands and home to the Maheno shipwreck, a perfect photo opportunity. K'gari offers a rare combination of beach, bush and unique biodiversity which you can experience all in one unforgettable day.

Included: Breakfast, 4WD tour of K'gari, lunch, 4* hotel

Day 7: Drive to Bundaberg

After breakfast, depart the island at your chosen ferry time, pick up your car and head north to the small town of Bundaberg. Visit the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Mon Repos Turtle Centre or even head up to Seventeen Seventy for lunch. This charming seaside town is famous for the second landing site of Captain Cook in Australia and is a nice spot to explore before heading back to Bundaberg for the night. 

Included: Breakfast, ferry, car hire, 4* hotel

Day 8: Lady Musgrave Island 

Today you'll head out to spend the day at Lady Musgrave Island. You'll spend most of the day on the eco-friendly pontoon, where you can enjoy an underwater observatory and a delicious buffet lunch, in between snorkelling with turtles, colourful fish and even manta rays. Swim with the black-tipped reef sharks, or hop in the outdoor shower before enjoying the glass bottom boat tour where you'll admire the turquoise waters below. During the day, you'll also be taken onto the island for a guided walk, learning about the history and ecology of this tiny island from a marine biologist. in the afternoon you'll head back to Bundaberg after an incredible day on the reef. 

If you want to have a really special experience - you can even stay the night  on the pontoon! You can stay in a little glamping bed under the stars, with the ocean breeze keeping you cool as you fall asleep surrounded by views of the reef. If you'd like to add this into your trip - just ask.

Included: Car hire, Lady Musgrave tour, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Drive to Pumpkin Island 

Head north again today, driving up the coast towards the tiny town of Yeppoon, near Rockhampton. Here you'll park your car for a couple of days before hopping on the ferry to Pumpkin Island. Tucked away just 14km off the coast, this island paradise is the stuff of desert island dreams. You'll be staying at the tiny eco resort on Pumpkin Island, which has a maximum of 34 people staying on the island at any time. We've included a DIY meal plan - everything is self catered here but you'll pick up your meal plan pack from the mainland before you come over, with full meals and delicious barbecue packs to enjoy once you're on the island. 

Included: Car hire, ferry, DIY meal plan, Pumpkin Island 

Day 10: Pumpkin Island 

Spend your time doing as much or as little as you'd like. Grab a kayak and paddle out in the turquoise water to look for wildlife or enjoy a walk along the boardwalk to the headlands where you can look for dolphins and even humpback whales migrating along the coast between June and October. If the tide is low, you can walk over to Little Pumpkin Island, where you'll spot ospreys in the sky and oyster catches running away from the waves. 

Snorkel with shimmering fish and colourful coral in the crystalline water or head out to try some fishing around the sheltered bays. In the evenings, settle into the Sunset lounge for an ice cold beer, kick back in a hammock or read a book as the sun goes down behind the mainland. You can use the pizza oven or rustle up something on the barbecue and soak up the peaceful vibe of this tropical paradise.

Included: DIY meal plan, Pumpkin Island 

Day 11: Drive to Airlie Beach 

Take one last wander along the beach today before hopping onto the ferry back to the mainland this morning and pick up your car again. Stop in at Mount Archer National Park as you leave Yeppoon to stroll along the elevated boardwalk for spectacular views over the Fitzroy River. Stop in at Mackay to enjoy fresh barramundi for lunch to break the 5 hour drive north. After checking into your hotel in Airlie Beach for two nights, head to the lagoon for an afternoon relaxing by the pool and enjoying a swim. 

Included: Ferry, car hire, 4* hotel

Day 12: Whitsunday Islands 

Spend today exploring the incredible Whitsunday Islands, on a epic tour from Airlie Beach. Head out on a bushwalk to the spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout, where you'll gaze down over the swirling sands of Whitehaven before snorkelling from Border Island or Dumbbell island. Here you'll see an endless array of underwater life, including turtles, clams and reef sharks. Spend time relaxing at the beach and soaking up the best of the Whitsunday Islands famous beaches. 

Included: Whitsunday Islands tour, 4* hotel 

Day 13: Drive to Magnetic Island 

Leave Airlie Beach behind as you continue the drive north to Townsville, where you'll leave your car again and hop onto the boat over to Magnetic Island. Spend a relaxing evening sipping a beer in the one of the marina's bars or you could even book a sunset cruise to celebrate your arrival here in style. 

Included: Car hire, ferry, 4* hotel

Day 14: Magnetic Island 

Spend the day exploring the island on a tour - you'll head out to take in the best of the island this morning, learning about the indigenous roots of Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) as well as more recent WWII history. Keep your eyes peeled for koalas and rock wallabies, even whales that might be passing by during the winter as you are driven around the island to soak up all the beautiful landscapes. Enjoy a relaxed hour of free time in Horseshoe Bay, where you can enjoy lunch, stroll along the beach or have a nap under a palm tree. 

The rest of the day is yours to relax or venture out on your own - why not hire one of the iconic pink jeeps and head out to explore further!

Included: Magnetic Island tour, 4* hotel 

Day 15: Drive to Cairns 

Head back to Townsville on the ferry this morning before driving north to Cairns. You'll be staying here for two nights, so why not enjoy some lunch in town before heading up to Kuranda on the cable car - you can spend a couple of hours exploring the village before enjoying the scenic train back, all close by to Cairns. 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 16: Dreamtime Snorkel 

Today you'll head off on a tour to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef. This unique tour will take you out to the reef to swim amongst the colourful coral and shimmering fish where you'll be joined by both marine biologists and Indigenous Cultural Guides to learn about the Aboriginal culture and Dreamtime stories about the creation of the Great Barrier Reef. It's the perfect way to experience this wonder of the world whilst also learning about native Australian history and storytelling.

Included: Car hire, snorkel tour, 4* hotel 

Day 17: Drive to Port Douglas 

Spend the morning exploring Cairns before driving up to Port Douglas to enjoy the vast Four Mile Beach, stroll around the quaint town and have a mosey in the shops, stopping in at the beaches of Palm Cove on the way. On your way, you could visit Kuranda, a charming rainforest village that you can access either by cable car or the scenic railway. You'll find markets, wildlife and a full day of fun to be found. Arriving in Port Douglas, you'll check into your hotel for four nights, ready to enjoy the final stop of your epic Queensland adventure. 

Included: Car hire, 4* hotel 

Day 18 - 20: Port Douglas 

On Day 18, we've included a tour to the Daintree Rainforest blending rainforest adventure with local flavour. Begin with morning tea at Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre before a guided walk through ancient rainforest. Cruise the Daintree River to spot wildlife like crocodiles and tropical birds, then enjoy a relaxed lunch at Heritage Lodge by Cooper Creek. Explore Cape Tribulation’s iconic beach, indulge in exotic fruit ice cream at the Daintree Ice Cream Company, and finish with sweeping views from Alexandra Lookout over the rainforest and Coral Sea.

On Day 19, we've included the River Drift Experience, a perfect retreat into the rainforest. You'll start with a walk along the river, completely enclosed by the forest, before hopping onto the river sleds, gliding along the water as the current takes you through the landscape and you can admire the green canopy of ferns above the Mossman River. It's a real highlight of enjoying this unique region.

Included: Car hire, Daintree tour, River Drift tour, 4* hotel 

Day 21: Depart Australia 

This morning you'll drive back down to Cairns, dropping off your car and catching your flight home. 

Included: Car hire, international flights

Day 22: Arrive UK