Dunk Island Day 1: Cairns to Mena Creek (Paronella Park) and Mission Beach 

Mamu Tropical Skywalk: Take a walk in the clouds in Wooroonoon National Park just 15 minutes out of Innisfail. Elevated walkways, a cantilever, and observation towers offers visitors the exhilarating experience of being high in the rainforest canopy, along with providing spectacular panoramic views of World Heritage rainforest landscapes. The Mamu Skywalk allows visitors to explore the rainforest from the floor to the canopy, in comfort and safety. 

Everyone has a dream but not everyone's dream is fulfilled. Jose Paronella's dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park. On 5 hectares beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis court, bridges, and tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees (now a lush rainforest!). It opened to the public in 1935 and since then Paronella Park has received multiple Queensland tourism awards, is State and National Heritage listed and is a National Trust listed property. 

Mission Beach Dunk Island Water Taxi: Operates from Wongaling Beach and is a quick and easy way to get to Dunk Island in comfort in their custom designed 10-metre-long vessel. 

Dunk Island's lush rainforest, dense flora and fauna offers a variety of wildlife, the Ulysses butterfly, mammals and about 150 species of birds. The spectacular island also offers a variety of marine life in the reef including crabs, shellfish, sea turtles, fish, dugongs and colourful corals. 

  • Gourmet packed lunch with locally sourced produce
  • Townsville transfer additional extra
  • Catch Barramundi, Sooty Grunter, Jungle Perch and Tarpon

Day 2: Ingham 

Travel to Wallaman Falls: Discover Wallaman Falls, Australia's highest permanent single drop waterfall in Girringun National Park, west of Ingham. Surrounded by World Heritage rainforest, Stony Creek plunges 268 meters in a clear single-drop, often through a rainbow-fringed cloud of mist. 

Insider Tip: Take the walk to the base of the falls for another stunning view. Wear sturdy shoes and take water with you. Allow 2 hours return (excluding photography) 

Heli-fishing Tour - Hinchinbrook Adventures: Hinchinbrook Adventures in partnership with Liddle's Air Service are the only company in Australia privileged to carry out these amazing tours in this national park. Tours depart around 8:00am and won't be back until late afternoon with around 6 hours of fishing time at up to 5 different locations depending on the fishing and your desire to move. Hinchinbrook Adventures Heli-Fishing tours operate in the pristine wilderness of the Hergert River Gorge, located in the Girringun National Park. Once over the Girringun National Park you will arrive at some of Australia's most remote, fresh water fishing locations, targeting species such as Jungle Perch, Brim and Barramundi. 

Herbert River Gorge and Girringun National Park: Girringun National Park is over 1500 square kilmetres and encompasses a myriad of Australia's most spectacular waterfalls which includes Wallaman Falls - the longest single drop waterfall in Australia, Blenco Falls and Herbert River Falls. The locations are spectacular, but from the air the beauty and the views have to be seen to be believed. 

All fishing equipment will be provided as well as a gourmet picnic lunch and refreshments. Tour guest need not being a thing, except closed in shoes, sun safe clothing and a sense of adventure!

Inclusions 

  • Helicopter transport from Ingham to up to five different fishing sites
  • Local fishing guide 
  • High quality fishing gear 
  • Light refreshments 
  • Gourmet packed lunch with locally sourced produce
  • Townsville transfers additional extra
  • Catch Barramundi, Sooty Grunter, Jungle Perch and Tarpon

Day 3: Townsville 

You’ll be hard pressed to find any ‘must do’ list for Townsville without this local hot spot! The Strand is a thriving beach foreshore with 2.5km of walkway, stunning views across to Magnetic Island, outdoor gym equipment, and more playgrounds than the kids will know what to do with, including the free water park. The Strand Jetty is also the best location to view the Ocean Siren – a 16m art installation part of the Museum of Underwater Art project (Tip: visit at sunset to watch her change colours in response to sea temperatures).

Insider Tip: Hire a stand-up paddle board for some active fun in the sun from In The Loop (Flinders Street, Townsville) – bikes, kite-boarding lessons and water sport equipment also available.

If you’re keen to get up close and personal with some Aussie wildlife, head to Billabong Sanctuary. With natural bushland to explore and a 2-hectare billabong at its heart, the Australian native animal wildlife park is home to over 50 native species including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, parrots, and even the snappy variety – with mainland Queensland’s biggest crocodile, Krakatoa at 5.1m (and his croc mates)!

For a bit of tropical history, you can’t go past the Queensland Museum Tropics. It is here you will discover about life onboard an old sailing ship and get insights into the stories of the region’s rainforests and reefs. 

For an unforgettable sunset and to really soak up the best views of the city, take a hike to the top of Castle Hill, an iconic attraction which stands proudly at 286m in the centre of Townsville City. Castle Hill offers vehicle access as well as several popular walking tracks – including the Goat Track and Cutheringa Track, which are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day! The 360-degree views of Townsville at the top are well worth the journey. After you’ve seen the sights from above, don’t miss the urban inner-city Street Art Trail for stunning murals which will lead you through the city centre.

For an exquisite touch of luxury, consider exploring Ardo and The Ville Resort. With breathtaking views overlooking Townsville and Magnetic Island, this destination offers a plethora of quality restaurants and bars that are sure to culminate your day in pure indulgence.

Day 4: The Great Barrier Reef Tour 

Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive: Immerse yourself in one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders and discover a pristine underwater wonderland. 

The central section of the Great Barrier Reefs has less boat traffic and impact from human activity, giving snorkelers and divers a truly breathtaking experience. Follow schools of marine life weaving through vibrant coloured corals which fill the ocean , find Nemo hiding in aNemones and cruise alongside rays and turtles. 

Throughout the experience you'll discover how the reef is managed, what makes it such incredible place and all about creatures which call it home. Take away lifetime memories and and discover this majestic world that offers a guaranteed wow factor. 

Day trips often visit Lodestone Reef, home to a variety of habitats from shallow areas with white sandy sea floor and large coral bommies (outcrops), to steep slopes with deep crevasses, hosting a great diversity of fish life, including small damsels and butterfly fish to larger animals like giant trevally and occasional reef shark. 

Day 5: Magnetic Island 

Clock-up a few more nautical miles with a short 20-minute ferry ride with SeaLink Queensland across to the locally nicknamed “Maggie”, where the adventure is up to you.

Spend the day (or ideally days) exploring the 23 beaches and bays dotted around the island, either by car (if you travelled by Magnetic Island Ferries car barge), or hire an iconic topless island cruiser. Even better, take a discovery tour with Aquascene Charters to access some of the most remote and exclusive beaches on the island and maybe even checkout the famous SS City of Adelaide shipwreck.

Make a splash along one (or both) of the self-guided snorkelling trails at Geoffrey Bay and Nelly Bay and get an up-close-and-personal look at the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef – right off the beach!

If nature and wildlife is also your thing – you’re in luck – because Magnetic Island is also home to Northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas in the wild!

Tip: Wake before the sun and take the gentle stroll along the Forts Walk – it’s the best place to spot a furry companion, and also a pretty sweet sunrise vantage point… can’t beat a 360-degree view! Want a local’s point of view – take the Fort Walk tour with Magnetic Island Best Bus Tours.

End the day sailing the high seas on a luxury yacht with Big Mama Sailing, or Pilgrim Sailing. Both tours offer a sunset sail – so kick-back and relax while you sip a champagne and take in the watercolour skies across the horizon.

Day 6: Magnetic Island 

Forts Walk: The remarkable forts walk on Magnetic Island is the best vantage point for wildlife, spectacular scenery and historic military sites. The walk is 4km return and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. 

Insider Tip: The Forts Walk is the best location on the island to spot koalas in the wild, look out for the arrows made from sticks that locals leave behind to point out where they were last seen. 

Pilgrim Sailing: Sail into the sunset! Pilgrim Sailing offers small personalised lunchtime and twilight sailing crusies around Magnetic Island on a beautiful 58 foot yacht. 

Insider Tip: Cruise from bay to beach in a topless Car - feel the breeze in your hair and embrace the island way of life. However, if you want to get to some of the more secluded bays hire a 4WD!