Itinerary in brief:
- 3 nights Airlie Beach
- 2 night Mission Beach
- 2 nights Palm Cove
Day 1: Arrive Airlie Beach
On arrival into Proserpine Airport, collect your hire car and make the 30-minute drive to Airlie Beach. The rest of the day is yours to explore this small seaside town.
Day 2: Airlie Beach
Today we’ve included a full day catamaran Whitsundays tour to the notably beautiful Whitehaven Beach with its striking, azure waters and fine white silica sands. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the full length of the beach, before taking a guided walk to a lookout point. Depending on sea conditions, you could also cross to Esk Island to a small reef area to snorkel, or simply laze on the beach and cool off in the pristine waters.
Day 3: Airlie Beach
Today is your last full day in Airlie Beach so make sure you make the most of this lively little town. Shute Harbour Road is dotted with alfresco cafes, restaurants and bars that are laidback by day and bustling with life by night. The Airlie Beach Lagoon is a really popular spot for a safe swim, or to find a shady spot to read books. For the more daring, jet skiing and crocodile safaris are amongst some of the tours you can book while in town!
Day 4: Airlie Beach to Mission Beach
It’s a long drive up to Mission Beach today (around 6 hours) so make time for a pit stop in Townsville for lunch to break up your journey.
After you check in, you have the remainder of the day at leisure. The small town of Mission Beach is also a hotspot for adrenaline junkies with skydiving, rafting and scuba diving on offer.
Day 5: Mission Beach
We’ve included another day tour today, so you can snorkel the Great Barrier Reef in more detail with a full day’s exploration at Dunk Island. All equipment will be provided so just turn up and enjoy the marine life up close!
By embarking on this tour away from the hustle and bustle of the popular gateways towns of Cairns and Airlie Beach you’ll enjoy a more personal and secluded experience to maximise your enjoyment of this region.
Day 6: Mission Beach to Palm Cove
2 hours drive up the coast you’ll find yourself in Northern Queensland’s tropical Palm Cove, named for the palm trees that fringe the beach. Quieter and more relaxed in vibe than its surrounding towns, you’ll enjoy a slower pace here sauntering around the boutique shops, galleries, spas and restaurants.
Day 7: Palm Cove
If you feel like getting away from the beach today, we can add on an excursion to the oldest rainforest in the world – Daintree. A recommended way to see this unique environment is via the Kuranda Scenic Railway which glides above the rainforest canopy past spectacular scenery of the lush surrounding nature.
Day 8: Departure
Check out of your hotel and head to Cairns airport to drop off your car hire before your onward flight.
