Autopia Tours: 9 Day Brisbane to Daintree Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Comfort Tour (Twin Share)
Duration:
This fare price is a (Per Person) suitable for Adults 18+ and older. Not suitable for children 17 years and under. *Solo travellers who book separately in Twin Share Accommodation will be paired with another solo passenger of the same gender.
TOUR CODE: BD9-B – Shared Accommodation (Twin Share Ensuite Room)
OPERATES: Sundays (select departures)
TOUR DURATION: 9 Days / 8 Nights
MEETING POINT LOCATION & TIME: The Point Brisbane – Hotel, 21 Lambert St, Brisbane at 17:00 PM.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Boutique touring style – enjoy a thoughtfully curated, small-group experience with a relaxed pace and a bespoke itinerary tailored for the comfort-level traveller. You will leave this tour with a full camera roll.
- Red Cat Whitsundays & Whitehaven Beach – all inclusive full-day island trip with snorkelling. Sit back on the catamaran and take in the sea air before you dive into the underwater world.
- Atherton Tablelands tour – crater lake swim, waterfalls, and chance to spot wild platypus. Immerse yourself into this stunning landscape.
- Great Barrier Reef Ocean Freedom day cruise – including drift snorkel tour and glass-bottom boat experience.
- Skyrail gondola ride – soar above the rainforest to the village of Kuranda. Take in the views of the wet tropics of Queensland.
- Daintree Rainforest Walk – a guided, sustainable walk through the world’s oldest rainforest, in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough. Embrace Australia’s rich history of flora and fauna.
- Eco-friendly nature cruise – spot crocodiles, birds, and marine life in the wild, those friends asking if you see crocs in Australia this is your cancer to say yes!
- Mossman Gorge entry – guided soft-adventure loop rainforest walk. Be in awe of the ancient Rainforest
- Kuku Yalanji First Nations guided experience with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Cape Tribulation visit – where the rainforest meets the reef. This remote headland will have you feeling connected to nature.
Aussie blockbuster must-see attractions. Off-the-beaten track gems. Local, family run restaurants. Intimate group experiences. The best beaches in the world. Cuddly (and not-so cuddly) wildlife. Fun, bustling cities. What’s not to like on this 9-day adventure across lush, verdant landscapes and glittering turquoise water? Nothing, that’s what.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Brisbane
It’s Bris-vegas baby, Queensland’s capital aka Brisbane, soon to be home of the summer Olympics. Laidback, sunny, optimistic, buzzing – in many ways it’s the quintessential Aussie city. Meet your fellow travellers and friendly guide at 5pm in the hotel reception. After a brief welcome meeting, we head off on an evening orientation tour, and a chance to enjoy a meal together (optional) at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Brisbane to Airlie Beach
Airport time! It’s up, up, and away, as we take the plane to Airlie beach, the jewel in the magnificent Whitsundays crown. It’s another choose-your-own-adventure day: take a stroll through the town, find a cool little bar, or explore the local swimming hole, the choice is yours.
Day 3: Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands
After breakfast, we’re heading out on a full-day speedboat cruise through the postcard-perfect Whitsunday Islands, including a stop at the iconic Whitehaven Beach aboard the award-winning Red Cat Adventures Thundercat vessel. Words can’t quite capture the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and lush greenery of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get up close by snorkelling among colourful coral, playful fish, and maybe even a sea turtle or two. Afterwards, unwind at your own pace or head into town to discover the best local food and drink spots.
Day 4: Mission Beach
A change of scenery today as we head through undulating cane fields to picturesque Mission Beach. This afternoon, kick back and enjoy yourself. This is your chance to catch up on some reading, or just sit by the pool with a cold drink and enjoy this tropical paradise. We may be even lucky enough to spot some wallabies or cassowary in the wild!
Day 5: Cairns via the Atherton Tablelands
Enjoy breakfast before we travel into the wet tropics of Far North Queensland. We’ll discover a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest en-route to the Atherton Tablelands. Take a dip in the cool water before we head to Lake Eacham, a crater lake with crystal-clear water, and visit the massive ‘Curtain Fig Tree’. We’ll finish the day in Cairns, one of Australia’s most vibrant, tropical and energetic cities.
Day 6: Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef
It’s one of the highlights of any trip to Australia: the Great Barrier Reef. Today, we will take a cruise to the famed reef, where we’ll go snorkelling to see incredible marine life. Learn about this special reef with conservation commentary, onboard a 20 metre luxury motor catamaran. This is the big one, so get the camera ready! After a great day at one of the seven natural wonders of the world (and the only one seen from space), join us for an optional dinner to share stories of our adventures together!
Day 7: Kuranda and Port Douglas
It’s go, go gondola, as we take an incredible gondola ride over ancient rainforest, the Barron River, and the surrounding mountains on our way to picturesque Kuranda with its colourful markets. Then, it’s a trip north to the chilled out village of Port Douglas, where you can choose to join the group for dinner,drinks and the stunning sunset.
Day 8: Mossman Gorge & First Nations experience
Ease into the day with a relaxed morning in beautiful Port Douglas — exactly as it should be. Stroll through the vibrant Sunday markets, grab a locally brewed coffee, and soak up the ocean views. Later, we’ll head to Mossman Gorge in the ancient Daintree Rainforest for a guided walk through lush jungle, flowing streams, and towering trees. In the afternoon, connect with the land and its people during an immersive cultural experience with the Kuku Yalanji people. Learn about traditional customs, bush foods, and the deep spiritual ties they hold to Country — a truly memorable encounter.
Day 9: Daintree Rainforest walk, Cape Tribulation & Crocodile/nature cruise
It’s another big day – we’re going deeper into the tropical World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation (don’t worry, it’s just a name!) on a short ferry. We’ll take a walk through the ancient rainforest and meet the local family who hosted David Attenborough’s documentary crew whilst keeping our eyes peeled for ancient cassowary, birds and other wildlife. In the afternoon we cruise the Daintree River (Julaymba) on the eco-friendly Solar Whisper, a quiet solar-powered boat, for an immersive wildlife experience. Spot crocodiles, birds, frogs, snakes, and more with the help of your expert guide and the unique “CROC CAM”. We take a wonderful coastal drive back to Cairns, where your tour ends on arrival around 6pm. If you need help with post tour accommodation, please let us know as we can help! Thanks for a wonderful adventure together!
*Autopia Tours (Via Travel) reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary stops during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures.
INCLUSIONS:
- 8 Nights’ Shared Boutique Style Hotels/Resorts – all rooms with ensuite
- Includes: 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches
- All National Park entry fees included
- First Nations cultural experience
- Atherton Tablelands guided tour
- Whitsunday Island & Whitehaven beach day trip & snorkel
- Great Barrier Reef day cruise – incl. snorkelling gear & glass bottom boat
- Kuranda Skyrail gondola ride over lush rainforest
- Guided rainforest, gorge, river cruise & lookout walks
- Hosted by an experienced driver-guide, with local tour commentary
- All transport (private small-group vehicle, domestic flight BNE>PPP & boat trips)
- Brisbane meeting point / Cairns drop-off points
EXCLUSIONS:
- Any meals not indicated within the itinerary – plenty of opportunity will be provided to purchase food along the way or dine out with the group.
- Pre- or post-tour accommodation is available on request at an additional cost.
- Hotel transfers pre/post tour itinerary to a nominated pickup point.
- Optional activities and/or tours, and hire equipment extra. Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
- Personal travel insurance is highly recommended
- Spending money for personal items and expenses
- International flights are not included
WHAT TO BRING:
1L Refillable water bottle – Your guide will be monitoring hydration and encouraging water consumption at all times during your daily adventures in order to avoid health concerns arising, Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses & sunscreen, Beach towel and toiletries, Bathers or swimwear, flip-flops shoes (beach thongs), Comfortable sturdy walking shoes (closed-toe shoes), All-weather clothing (In case extreme conditions day/night), Overnight bag 20kg & small day pack 5kg, Personal medicine if required, any pre-existing medical issues, please let us know at time of booking, Flashlight or torch (optional), Insect repellent & camera, Money for snack and meals, A sense of adventure!
CHILD POLICY:
This tour is not suitable for infants or children 12 yrs and under. Children aged between 12 to 17 years old are required to stay in private accommodation and must be accompanied by a legal guardian or adult. Private accommodation upgrades are available on a different product listing, subject to availability.
WEATHER:
The weather along the East Coast of Australia varies by region and season. In summer, temperatures can reach the high 30s (°C), while winter days are generally mild, especially in the north. Coastal areas can experience sudden changes, including rainfall and cooler evenings. We recommend checking the average temperatures for the time of year you’ll be travelling and packing accordingly, including sun protection, light layers, and wet weather gear. Tours will proceed in most weather conditions unless otherwise advised by the provider.
SUITS
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Watching the little penguins emerge from the ocean at sunset and make their way across the beach to their burrows was something we’ll remember for a long time. The whole experience is very well organised, with excellent viewing areas and knowledgeable staff helping visitors appreciate the importance of protecting this unique wildlife.
One piece of advice for anyone booking tickets: we chose the VIP Underground Viewing experience, but in hindsight we don’t feel it offered enough extra value over the Premier Viewing tickets. The Premier option provides an excellent view, and we think it offers the best balance of experience and value. If we visited again, we’d happily choose Premier Viewing.
Overall, this was a fantastic wildlife experience and a real highlight of our time in Victoria. It’s a must-do if you’re travelling to Melbourne or the surrounding area.
The tour itself was great, from pick-up, to site visits, to easy drop-off at the end of a long day! We really lucked out with the weather and got to see so many more sights than we would have otherwise if we'd gone alone. There was a lot of ground to cover, with the "Twelve" Apostles being the clear highlight of the tour. We did great on time and even managed a few bonus stops which included a Koala sighting and a whole group of Kangaroos!
The star of the show was honestly our guide, Ilkay. I have no idea how he maintained such great energy throughout what must have been an incredibly long day for him (bearing in mind he was driving AND guiding, and we were his first pick-ups at 7am, and last drop-offs around 8pm). His explanations were brilliant, both in content and delivery, and his enthusiasm really kept our group engaged. Couldn't have asked for a better guide!
The natural scenery was beautiful, and seeing koalas and penguins up close was an unforgettable experience. I’d never seen them that close before.
Great day..
Our guide, Kiwi, is very knowledgeable about history, nature and how to assure that his guests are getting the most out of the trip.
The coffee was served as committed. It's a DIY coffee where they keep hot water, coffee, sugar, milk etc and make your own. Alongwith Tim Tams. The sandwich for lunch was tasty and filling. I opted for veg and the veggies inside it were so fresh n crunchy. I didn't feel hungry till evening. I saw the veg sandwich bigger than the non veg ;)
Special credits to our tour guide Joel. He did a fab job telling us about the points, history of the places. Sweet person to spend the day with. He made all the tourists comfortable, co and waited patiently incase we were late.
Joel- Thanks and love from India.
The had been the perfect guide shared interesting stories and information in an entertaining way. Thanks for a wonderful day!
My highlight was definitely Nobbies Lookout and of course the penguins.
My experience on the Reverse Great Ocean Road Tour (Booking: 122799) was a catastrophic failure of service, hygiene, and basic safety. This tour is NOT worth the premium price of AUD $165.
MAJOR FAILURES:
• CORE PROMISE BROKEN: The driver was over an hour late, ensuring we arrived at the 12 Apostles with massive crowds, completely nullifying the 'Reverse Tour' promise.
• ITINERARY OMITTED: We only stopped at 2 out of 5 major promised sites. The driver intentionally skipped 60% of the itinerary, including the guaranteed rainforest walk.
• HYGIENE : The 'picnic lunch' was served standing up next to the bus from a cooler box. Furthermore, the restrooms at the morning tea stop were in a shockingly unsanitary state, forcing me to avoid using them for hours.
• SUBSTANDARD SERVICE: The vehicle was dirty and loud (not 'modern and comfortable'). Onboard Wi-Fi and USB charging were unavailable. The same individual served as both the driver and the guide. He provided commentary while actively driving on long, winding roads. This was extremely stressful for passengers as his focus was repeatedly diverted from the road, creating a serious safety risk throughout the tour. Moreover, the 'guided tour' existed only inside the bus; when we stopped at sites, the driver/guide never joined the group to provide explanations.There were no promised "Guided walks", no rain forest walk, nothing. We stopped for only 15 minutes for restroom in the forest!
This company failed to provide the service they advertised and showed a profound disregard for customer welfare!
Formidable trip de 3 jours de Melbourne à Adélaïde , malgré lire 📖 rt du car, (peu de place à bord, pas de panier bagage ni de tablette, pas prises de charge USB. ) et les réveils matinaux ( 5 à 6am)
Oui le parcours est très bien conçu, une remorque pour les bagages de nuit. de très nombreux arrêts. ( panorama, pt de vue, toilettes, repas) les hébergements sont de qualité et variés, un peu de folklore avec le BBQ et un BF ( que l’on fait sois même) dans une auberge de jeunesse ou l’on lave et essuie ses couverts.
Toutes les marches, randonnées, que ce soit en forêt, en montagne ou dans le bush sont accessibles et renforcent les mollets, pour nous s’il y a bien trop de marches à gravir (+ de 300) on trouve une alternative.
Janet. Notre chauffeur/ guide est exceptionnelle de compétence, érudition et convivialité.
Conduite fluide et sans ácoups.
Son animation dynamique: musicale et humoristique est un vrai bonheur . Ce parcours de 850km de car et 8,5 km de marche/jours de moyenne, que je craignais pour sa densité est plus efficace pour le corps et l’esprit qu’un stage de fitness!!!!
Bravo. Nous recommandons vivement.
Catyah et Jean ( pour mémoire Jean a 80 ans)
850km de car en 3 jours






































































