Compare Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays by G Adventures vs Shawnee National Forest: Birding & Ecology in Southern Illinois by Road Scholar

Day 1 Brisbane

Arrive at any time. Welcome to the “Land Down Under”! Tonight, gear up and get ready for a night out in Brisbane with the group. Enjoy an evening filled with friendly vibes, epic times, and dope views of the city as you sip some local bevvies with your new travel pals by your side.

Arrive in Brisbane at any time. There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city. If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city. Opt to catch city cat or walk to explore Brisbane via the river. Visit spots like, the Howard Smith Wharves, the Botanical Gardens, New Farm Park, or relax at Streets Beach on the South Bank.

Day 2 Brisbane/Noosa

Escape the city as you journey north up the coast to Noosa. Noosa is known for the balmy sunshine, slow beach days, bright blue skies, rolling waves around every corner. Arrive at our hostel for the next three nights and enjoy lunch before heading out to explore all the area has to offer.

Day 3 Noosa to K'gari (Fraser Island)

On your mark...get set.... go! Travel by private vehicle and ferry with your group to reach K'gari (Fraser Island); for a true Aussie experience. K'gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world and the only known place where rainforest grows on sand. In the traditional Butchulla language the name of K'Gari means paradise; think striking blue lakes, crystal clear creeks, giant dunes, and dense rainforests in a place truly unlike any other. Once on the island the group will go for a 4x4 tour, driving along over 100km of beach to get a sense of your surroundings. Then take a swim in Lake Mckenzie, or be on the lookout for wild Dingoes (this is one of the few places in Australia where you are able to see them). Return to Noosa later in the afternoon.

Once on the island, enjoy a 4x4 tour of K'gari (Fraser Island), driving along over 100km of beach. Go for a swim in Lake McKenzie, and enjoy a rainforest walk along the way.

Day 4 Noosa

Enjoy a free day in Noosa by taking in the shops along Hasting Street in search of souvenirs, having a coffee on the beach, or a surf in the Ocean. You can also choose to spend time back at the hostel or participate in some of the optional activities offered in the area.

Day 5 Noosa/Airlie Beach

Wake up and get ready to see some of the most beautiful coastline in Australia. This morning the group will hike parts of the Noosa Coastal Track with stunning views across the water and if you look up you may just spot a Koala or two! We will cross secluded beaches before ending up at Hell's Gate. In the afternoon the group will head to the train station to board an overnight train (get ready to post some ‘grams) as the group travels north to Airlie Beach.

Day 6 Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands

Awake as the train pulls to a stop in your next destination. Remember those stranded-on-a-deserted island fantasies that we all had growing up? (no just us?) Either way get ready to relive that castaway dream as you hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach (one of the most famous beaches in the world) and enjoy the views of powdery sand and the Coral Sea’s azure waters. You probably won’t ever want to leave. And you haven’t even gone below the surface yet! After some free time on the beach basking in the sun you'll be off to another secluded tropical island spot where the group will anchor for the night.

The sailing route today allows us to follow part of Captain Cook's route up through the Whitsunday Islands.

Day 7 Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach

Expected forecast today is; peace, serenity, paradise, and lots of gorgeous views. You may want to pull out your phone or camera every chance you get, but try to refrain and simply enjoy the moment as you and the group continue sailing through the picturesque backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Swim, snorkel, or lounge on the boat deck before sailing to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town with your best adventure buds! Live it up because let’s face it, how often are you really in this kind of paradise?

We sail back to Airlie Beach for a night on land in a local beach hostel. Feel free to relax by the pool and unwind at the end of the day.

Day 8 Airlie Beach/Cairns

With an early morning departure, admire the scenery on the bus ride north to Cairns.

Get ready for an early morning wake-up today for the journey to Cairns. Make sure to stock up on snacks and bring personal entertainment – it may be one of the longer travel days on this trip, but it's worth it to reach The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!

Day 9 Cairns

Cairns is quite the place to visit if you love warm weather (it would be headline news for the city’s temperature to drop much below 20°C (68°F)) and want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Take advantage of a free day to book one of the many optional activities that will get you out in nature’s playground. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, get that adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or skydiving and cap it all off on a Big Night Out in Cairns with your fellow travellers. Drinks all around are well deserved after spending the day escaping your comfort zones.

Opt to pre-book the "Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Depending on availability of Dive Instructors, an upgrade to SCUBA diving from snorkelling may be possible but is by no means guaranteed. Please speak to your CEO to see if this is available.

Day 10 Cairns

Depart at any time.

Day 1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Makanda D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Dinner: Dinner in the famous CCC built Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Arrival, introductions; presentation on Illinois Natural Divisions highlighting the physiographic regions that converge in this area creating a diversity of plant and animal life.

Day 2
birding techniques in various habitats
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: Family style in the Lodge Restaurant.

Morning: Introduction to birding techniques in the field. Birding at Giant City State Park among the sandstone bluffs and open fields. Birding techniques and binocular use will be discussed. Short birding hike.

Lunch: Picnic style in the field.

Afternoon: Pine Hills Ecological Area. Unlike anywhere else in Illinois, this is a true extension of the Ozark Plateau. Short Leaf Pine cling to the cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley. This range of habitats, from towering limestone bluffs adjacent to spring-fed swamps offer a diversity of flora and fauna. Floodplain bird species and geology are highlighted. Also see spectacular views of the vast Shawnee National Forest from the bluff top, spot soaring raptors, and see the changing Fall colors. One mile hike along flat surface.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge restaurant.

Evening: An evening Owl Prowl to call for resident Barred, Screech, and Great-Horned Owls.

Day 3
Cache River Wetlands, The Heron Pond Nature Preserve
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: Giant City Lodge restaurant.

Morning: Field trip hike at Cache River Wetlands/Heron Pond State Nature Preserve. A designated "Wetland of International Importance" site this wetland complex is a naturalist’s paradise! This is the northernmost range of cypress habitat. A foot bridge over the Cache River leads us to a floating boardwalk which winds its way into the secluded depths of this forested swamp, providing us a chance to step back in time and observe wetland ecosystems that have remained relatively undisturbed for thousands of years. Flat terrain, approx. 2 ½ mile hike.

Lunch: In the field.

Afternoon: Cache River/Heron Pond continued.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Free-time. Optional viewing of Green Fire.

Day 4
Wildlife Rehabilitator, Pontoon Boat Ride, Performance
Makanda B,L,D Giant City State Park Lodge & Cabins
Breakfast: In the field or lodge restaurant.

Morning: This morning we'll visit the Wildlife Rehabilitator to learn about raptors.

Lunch: Picnic style in the field.

Afternoon: After lunch we'll enjoy a pontoon boat ride on Little Grassy Lake with its 27 miles of undeveloped shoreline and the opportunity to spot migrating waterfowl, osprey, eagles, and migratory neotropicals. After we'll enjoy some local beer/wine sampling.

Dinner: Giant City Lodge.

Evening: Join local songer/songwriter/storyteller/naturalist Curt Carter as he weaves an evening of songs and stories that reflect his love of rivers and passion for the natural world. His songs will take you from the southwestern deserts, to Montana mountains, the re-discovery site of the Ivory-billed woodpecker "Bayou de View" to the Cache River in southern Illinois...... the place he calls home.

Day 5
Morning interpretive hike. Program ends by 11:00 am
Makanda B
Breakfast: Lodge restaurant.

Morning: One mile hike on rugged terrain within the state park. Departures before lunch.