Duration:
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Brisbane to Cairns – 7 Day Boutique Tour
Experience some of Queensland & Australia’s top attractions like the Great Barrier Reef & the Whitsunday islands. Explore an ancient volcanic landscape taken over by lush forest and spectacular waterfalls. Relax on world-class beaches, encounter unique wildlife, and discover local hidden gems in a small group. This 7-day adventure offers lush landscapes and sparkling waters, perfect for travellers who want to experience the real Australia, without the crowds.
No hidden cost on our tours – Look closely at our amazing inclusions & value for money!
Included
Great Barrier Reef day cruise including snorkelling & glass bottom boat
Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven beach day trip & snorkelling
Atherton tablelands tour – Volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus
Small Group Tour (Max 16 Guests)
All transport (Private buses, transfers, domestic flight & boat trips)
All accommodation (Boutique locally owned hotels/resorts)
Friendly & experienced local guide
6 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Full 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 at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
Orientation tour
Included Meals
None
Accommodation – The Point Hotel Brisbane
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.
Included Activities
Free afternoon & evening to explore Airlie Beach
Domestic Flight to the Whitsunday Coast
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc
Day 3: Airlie Beach & Whitsunday Islands
After breakfast, we’re taking a day cruise through the postcard-perfect islands of the Whitsundays, including a stop at the famed Whitehaven beach. Words can’t do justice to the dazzling white sands, azure waters, and densely verdant vegetation of this incredible corner of the world (so we won’t try!). Get a closer look by snorkelling with colourful coral, and an array of playful fish and maybe even some turtles. Afterwards, it’s your chance to relax or seek out the town’s best food and drink options.
Included Activities
Whitsundays Islands day cruise including snorkelling, Whitehaven beach visit, Hill Inlet walk and lunch
Included Meals
Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation – Mantra Club Croc
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. 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 cassowary in the wild!
Included Activities
Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Mission Beach Resort
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.
Included Activities
Scenic Atherton tablelands tour including a volcanic crater lake, stunning waterfalls and a chance to spot wild platypus
Included Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns
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 fantastic 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 a farewell dinner to share stories of our adventures together!
Included Activities
Great Barrier Reef day cruise including snorkelling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch
Optional Activity – Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
Included Meals
Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation – Flynn Hotel Cairns
Day 7: Cairns
Your tour ends after breakfast. Time to say farewell to your travel buddies after a great trip together
Included Meals
Breakfast
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The group was very nice and fun! We grew from strangers to friends from the youngest at 20 to the oldest at almost 80! We always had something to talk about and laugh :)
My only wish would be a bit more physical activities on land. Our longest walk was about 10min. But it was advertised to be very low on the physical activity side, so that was at least no surprise.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect as I’ve never been on a tour of this kind before however I enjoyed every second of it and was sad to see it come to an end. Some of my highlights were exploring and snorkelling around the Whitsunday Islands and also scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef which was spectacular, along with the incredible scenery throughout the tour!
The entire tour was very well organised to a high standard, was well paced and transportation was also comfortable, I also found the tour very interesting, educational and thought provoking. I learned things that I never would have known had I not gone on this tour.
I must also give a huge shout out to Jason who was a tour leader and he was simply incredible and made the tour so special. His knowledge of the various locations and wildlife was second to none and there were not many questions in which he did not know the answer! He was also extremely friendly and caring and did everything that he could to make sure that the whole group had the best time possible. He was always on hand to help anyone with any problem, no matter how big or small, and he bonded with us and felt like a friend throughout the entire tour. I could not have asked for a better tour leader.
This tour was an amazing experience that I will never forget, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Having travelled solo plenty before, but never in a group, this was an entirely new experience for me. If you’re lucky enough to have Jason as your tour guide you have hit the jackpot! He brought together people of all ages and walks of life, ensuring that everyone felt important and heard, and most of all, had fun!! He was adaptable, knowledgeable, kind and hilarious throughout. Group members overcame fears and tried new things, in no short part due to Jason. I’ve made friends for life and will absolutely be returning to Aus!
We were really lucky to have Jason as our guide. He was caring, funny, and always made sure everyone had a great time, truly making the tour extra special. At every stop and along the way, he shared fantastic local tips and little insights you just wouldn’t find in a guidebook.
The group size was perfect and included people of all ages, but it never mattered at all. Everyone got along so well and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, almost like travelling with a small family.
I can’t recommend this tour enough!
Our tour guides, Jason and Chris, were very organized, professional, and yet laid-back at the same time. What a fantastic mix!! They were good with both young and older passengers and were very keen on us all having a great time together, which we really appreciated. We packed in a lot of sights and adventures in 9 days. What a trip! (We also got see a cassowary!)
Both Jason and Chris had exemplary driving skills, too, so one could sit back and totally enjoy the ride!
The tour guides gave 110% of themselves to their job and it really showed!! We can’t thank them enough for our awesome memories!!
Our tour guides, Jason and Chris, were very organized, professional, and yet laid-back at the same time. What a fantastic mix!! They were good with both young and older passengers and were very keen on us all having a great time together, which we really appreciated. We packed in a lot of sights and adventures in 9 days. What a trip! (We also got see a cassowary!)
Both Jason and Chris had exemplary driving skills, too, so one could sit back and totally enjoy the ride!
My husband and I would recommend this company to anyone wanting to have fun while enjoying Australia! (We would absolutely pick you guys first, for any future travels!)
The tour guides gave 110% of themselves to their job and it really showed!! We can’t thank them enough for our awesome memories!!
We were really lucky to have Jason as our guide. He was caring, funny, and always made sure everyone had a great time, truly making the tour extra special. At every stop and along the way, he shared fantastic local tips and little insights you just wouldn’t find in a guidebook.
The group size was perfect and included people of all ages, but it never mattered at all. Everyone got along so well and the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, almost like travelling with a small family.
I can’t recommend this tour enough!
Fourteen days on the road from Sydney to Cairns, and the craic was mighty every step of the way. From the youngest to the eldest, the group energy was something special. I even reached a milestone by learning to snorkel thank you Jason but what truly made the journey unforgettable was the family dynamic we created.
At the heart of it all was Jason, our leader, the gel that kept us together. Wayne and Kylie kept the transport running smoothly, never letting us down, and my many coffee stops and room changes just became part of the adventures and jokes
We ended the trip as we lived it – with laughter, tears, and a well-earned drink.
Thank you all for making it such a memorable journey. Miss you all and hope our friendship keep going strong
As Oscar Wilde said: “Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” And this one will stay with me always.
Love to you all BUT Jason you are the conductor even if Carol see the Beatles live 1964.
Every day was perfectly curated, it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite activity but spending 2 days at Monkey Mia was very special. Being in the water with wild dolphins - only a metre away as they are being fed! The wildlife in WA is unmatched.
Ollie was our tour guide and not only was he extremely knowledgeable of the areas we visited, but overly accomodating to specific needs of the each member of the tour group. You can tell he has such passion for his job by his positive energy and exceptional story telling! Absolute legend!
This is your sign to book the trip and make sure you include the whale shark swim as it really was the icing on the cake for us. Unreal! Thanks again!
Through the recent floods, storms and re-routing…..the team had it covered. We felt safe and taken care of. We had a brilliant group of people; it felt like we were all traveling with friends. I cannot recommend the Via team enough, the hotels, activities, options, meals, ability to turn on a dime, and company were all exceptional.
Through the recent floods, storms and re-routing ..the team had it covered. We felt safe and taken care of. We had a brilliant group of people; it felt like we were all traveling with friends. I cannot recommend the Via team enough, the hotels, activities, options, meals, ability to turn on a dime, and company were all exceptional.
Kevin &Niamh from Ireland 🇮🇪
Well paced itinerary, interesting and informative guide whilst being a lot of fun!
Small group tour and everyone was catered for.
Would recommend highly! ️️️️️
The trip for me was accompanied by great concerns and endless doubts. Much to my surprise, thanks to one man, Irish by origin, I discovered a new world full of good things. This is Ian, the one and only legendary guide! There are no people like you, Ian. You are humane, patient, professional, serious, interesting, knowledgeable, diverse and multidisciplinary.
I enjoyed every moment and I have no doubt that thanks to you I got to know a country rich in amazing people, landscapes, nature, culture and much more.
The company that organized the trip, Via Travel, is simply genius - it is a trip that was organized in a smart, professional and most amazing way!
I couldn't ask for more! I was blessed! Continue on your wonderful path with amazing people!
The tour was a great mix of naturals wonders, cultural experiences and sharing good times together, all facilitated by Summar and enhanced by her knowledge, kindness and sense of fun.
Highlights for us were the Pinnacles, the Aboriginal arts centre at Northampton, Kalbarri National Park, crayfishing, the famous WA spring wildflowers, snorkeling on Ningaloo Reef, and the friendships made.
Amazing Pinnacles to swimming with Whale Sharks. Summar was exceptional looking after us all and so well informed. We had the best time and I would do it all again.
We made friends for life. Thank you!!
The fact that the group was small, only 9 people, also made this a memorable tour. Our best recommendations! Bente and Per, Norway
Be ready for early starts and lots of driving but worth it
Day 1 There could have been pick up several places in Perth.
Nambung was interesting, so was Carnavon (day 5) Ningaloo Reef (day 6) and Exmouth (day 7&8). The really nice places are Kalbarri (lobster fishing) and the trip to the National park (day 2&3). The First Nations experience and visiting parks and places around Shark Bay and Monkey Mia (day 3&4) is well worth the money.
This trip is totally dependent on an excellent tour guide to be a success. You need knowledge of history, nature, people, culture and all that is special for this aera.
We were lucky and got Summar as our guide.
She was also an excellent driver.
Todo the trip in 8 days may feels abit short, a day or two extra in Kalbarri would have been nice.
Hotels selected were great and comfortable, because I was traveling solo, I paid extra to have my own room. Worth the extra money, unless you have no preference. I am in my mid/late 30’s so having comfortable and clean hotel rooms was key, my hostile days are long gone.
Experiences were incredible, a few highlights that were my favorite was visiting the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, taking a dip under a live waterfall in Bielsdown River, having belly hurting laughs with Cockatoo Paul, and soaking in all the sun in Byron Bay. I did not want to leave Bryon, it’s such a magical gem of a place.
Restaurants selected that were included in your booking were amazing. I am a lucky one and have no food allergies and love to eat anything..but for the ones from our group that had allergies or food preferences they were accommodated
As far as our tour guide Eoin Kennedy was beyond amazing!! By far the best tour guide I have ever had on a trip. He was personal, provided great insight, extremely knowledgeable, and had an awesome personality. Lots of laughs were shared. He is a one-man band when touring the group, he is not only your tour guide, but he is also your driver. Definitely would book another trip just to have him as my tour guide again.
I booked the 8-day excursion with Via Travel, which started in Sydney and ended in Brisbane, from there I continued my trip solo to the Whitsunday’s. About half of the group stayed on to continue the trip up the coast, and the rest either continued traveling or traveled back home. Everyone from my group was wonderful, lots of laughs, fun memories, and friendships created.
Don’t think about booking, be about booking!
One of the highlights of the trip was the snorkelling excursion to Whitsunday Islands, offering surreal views of colourful marine life and stunning coral reefs.
Magnetic Island charmed us with its laid-back atmosphere and stunning coastal scenery, while the lively city of Cairns provided the perfect finale to our journey, with a fun last night out with the whole group.
Throughout the journey, our guide, Jason, played an important role in enhancing our experience. His knowledge about each destination, coupled with his enthusiasm, made every stop on our itinerary come alive. Jason's attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort and enjoyment were truly appreciated.
In conclusion, our experience with Via Travel exceeded all expectations, thanks to the breathtaking destinations, and the exceptional guidance provided by Jason. We highly recommend Via Travel to anyone seeking an enriching and unforgettable group travel experience in Australia.
We would never have been able to achieve all the activities in this region without Via travel and their local knowledge, this was key to everything for us!!! Via travel ensure that all age groups feel included and experience that sense of adventure. A BIG thank you Justin, not only for your knowledge but most importantly for your kindness.
Would highly recommended, even for a lone traveller of any age. Loved the banter and made my holiday!!
The places chosen to stay were unique and not all big commercial hotels. The group dinners were well coordinated. The ability to ask the guide questions as they came up and the personal commentary as the group was small enough not to get lost in the crowd.
Every detail down to Jason shopping for a bbq at the hotel including some native foods like kangaroo. We got to see them, pet them and taste them if we chose to. He even took the time to drive us to find a Kasawari bird in the wild.
I will definitely be doing more tours with Via Travel Australia 5 stars all the way!







































































