Australian Multi-day Tour

Whitsundays Pack-Free Hiking by Tallship

Discover the Whitsundays one trail at a time, exploring spectacular island walks from the comfort of a beautifully restored tall ship. Hike to breathtaking lookouts, snorkel vibrant coral reefs and wake up each morning in a new corner of this island paradise.

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Destination Queensland, Australia

Duration 8 Days

Price From $3,990

Departs 02 Aug 2027

Group Size 12 Max

Overview

Explore the Whitsundays with AW

Explore the best of the Whitsunday Islands on foot, using a beautifully restored 125-year-old tall ship as our floating basecamp. Instead of packing and unpacking each day or relying on day trips from the mainland, we'll wake up in a new location each morning, giving us access to some of the region's most rewarding coastal walks, secluded beaches and spectacular lookouts.

From the iconic Whitsunday Peak to the dazzling white sands of Whitehaven Beach, each day combines rewarding hikes with opportunities to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, paddle crystal-clear waters and relax in peaceful anchorages.

Evenings are spent sharing meals on deck, watching the sun sink behind the islands and falling asleep to the gentle sounds of the water beneath a sky full of stars. It's a chance to slow down, disconnect from the everyday and experience the Whitsundays in a way that few visitors ever do.

Pack-free hiking - your luggage moves with you
Wineglass Bay sunrise lookout walk
Freycinet National Park kayak with playful seals
Local Tasmanian produce at every meal
Comfortable lodge accommodation, not camping
Small group of like-minded women, max 14

A holiday aboard historic tall ship, Solway Lass

Day 1 Mon 02 Aug Arrival Day

Your Whitsunday Wanderings adventure begins with a relaxed evening in Airlie Beach.

Fly into Proserpine Airport (PPP) at any time today, where an included airport shuttle will transfer you to our accommodation in Airlie Beach. Check-in is from 2 pm. If you arrive earlier, feel free to relax by the pool or explore the town at your leisure.

The group will meet at 5 pm for a welcome briefing, followed by our first dinner together.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Motel, Airlie Beach

Day 2 Tue 03 Aug All Aboard the Solway Lass

This morning, there is the option to tackle the Honeyeater Lookout Trail (unguided), a challenging but rewarding hike that forms part of the Whitsunday Great Walk. The climb is steep, so be sure to bring plenty of water – the panoramic views across the Whitsunday Islands from the top make every step worthwhile.

In the afternoon, we'll regroup at the hotel before transferring to the marina to board our majestic tall ship, Solway Lass. As we set sail, keep an eye out for turtles and rays, then settle in with a drink as the sun sinks behind the islands.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin, The Solway Lass

Day 3 Wed 04 Aug Whitsundays: Whitsunday Peak Hike (5km)

Important note: Our daily itinerary is subject to change based on weather and sea conditions. While we'll do our best to include all of the hikes listed, the order and timing may vary to make the most of the conditions.

Wake to a leisurely breakfast on deck as we cruise into the sheltered waters of beautiful Cid Harbour.

After lunch on board, we'll head ashore to hike Whitsunday Peak, following a trail through rainforest and coastal scrub. The effort is rewarded when we reach the ‘Roof of the Whitsundays’, one of the region's most spectacular lookouts.

Take time to soak up the panoramic views before returning on board for dinner beneath a canopy of stars, anchored in a peaceful bay.

Distances: Whitsunday Peak appx 5 km or 4 hrs / Difficult

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin, The Solway Lass

Day 4 Thu 05 Aug Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach & Chance Bay Hike (3.5-5 km)

Wake to breakfast on deck before arriving at South Whitehaven Beach. From here, we'll walk between Whitehaven Beach South and the peaceful Chance Bay (tide-dependent), following a trail through secluded forest that offers welcome shade from the tropical sun.

Back at Whitehaven Beach South, you can choose to explore by stand-up paddleboard or enjoy a leisurely beach walk.

After a hearty lunch on board, we'll visit Haslewood Island for a short walk to the lookout, followed by our first snorkelling adventure among colourful coral gardens teeming with tropical fish. Keep an eye out for graceful sea turtles gliding through the crystal-clear waters.

We'll also visit the iconic Hill Inlet Lookout, where swirling turquoise waters and brilliant white sands create one of the Whitsundays' most unforgettable views.

Distances: Chance Bay appx 3.5 km (Moderate), Hill Inlet Lookout appx 1.3 km (Easy)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin, The Solway Lass

Day 5 Fri 06 Aug Whitsundays: Whitsunday Cairn Hike (4km)

Rise early for breakfast on deck before setting off on the Whitsunday Cairn Walk. This rewarding hike climbs to a spectacular vantage point with sweeping views across all 74 islands of the Whitsundays.

After lunch on board, we'll visit Hook Island's beautiful Nara Inlet for a stroll to the ancient Ngaro Sea Caves, where you'll discover one of Australia's most significant Indigenous cultural sites, featuring remarkable Aboriginal rock art.

This evening, we'll anchor in the tranquil waters of Stonehaven Bay, where you can relax on deck and soak up another memorable Whitsundays sunset.

Distances: Whitsunday Cairn appx 4 km (Difficult)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin, The Solway Lass

Day 6 Sat 07 Aug Whitsundays: Snorkelling & Exploring

Today we'll explore the vibrant underwater world on a snorkelling safari, visiting sites such as Cockatoo Point or Manta Ray Bay, depending on the conditions. After lunch on board, we'll visit Langford Island's beautiful sandy spit, where you can enjoy a short walk, a paddle, another snorkel, or simply relax on the beach.

As the sun begins to set, we'll gather for farewell drinks on a private beach before returning on board for our final night, anchored off South Molle Island.

Distances: Langford Sandbar and Lookout 300 m (Easy)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cabin, The Solway Lass

Day 7 Sun 08 Aug Whitsundays: Spion Kop Lookout Hike; Departure (5 km)

Our final day in the Whitsundays begins with a hike to Spion Kop Lookout on South Molle Island. The trail winds through lush rainforest and eucalypt forest, passing an ancient Ngaro stone quarry before reaching a spectacular lookout with panoramic views across the Whitsunday Islands.

After morning tea on board, we'll return to Airlie Beach, arriving at approximately 11:30 am. An included shuttle transfer will then take you to Proserpine Airport (PPP), timed to meet flights departing from 2:30 pm onwards.

Distances: Spion Kop appx 4.7 km (Moderate)

Meals: Breakfast, Morning Tea

Important Notes

Please note that while every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as detailed, it is the nature of sailing that the tides, wind and weather conditions will influence our ability to follow the itinerary.

To ensure safety and comfort, the itinerary may change according to tides, wind and weather conditions. Your skipper will decide the best route and places to stop to ensure you get the most out of your stay in the Whitsundays. While the ship is equipped for sailing, the use of sails is subject to wind conditions and may not always be possible- the boat may travel under motor power rather than sail.

Adventurous Women Tour Leader
1 night twin share accommodation in an Airlie Beach motel
5 nights aboard Solway Lass (private charter with twin-share cabins)
Use of Solway Lass Tall Ship and her tenders
Experienced on-board ship crew
Guided hikes as per the itinerary
Coffee, tea and drinking water when onboard Solway Lass
All water activities: snorkelling, stand up paddle boards, Tarzan rope
Marine and national park fees and marina Levies
Arrival shuttle transfer from PPP airport to hotel in Airlie
Departure shuttle transfer from the marina to PPP airport for guests departing on day 7
Meals as listed in the itinerary

"Fantastic trip! Loved the walks and the snorkelling. The guide and crew were great and the ship had lots of character"

Vanessa Whitsundays

"Wonderful adventure hiking, snorkelling and exploring the Whitsundays Islands with newfound friends ... Thanks Adventurous Women for a great time"

Karen Whitsundays

"An unforgettable trip that truly showcases the best of the Whitsundays. From breathtaking views aboard the ship, to scenic lookouts during adventurous hikes, and vibrant underwater life at multiple snorkelling spots"

Mel Whitsundays

Good to know

Cancellation & Refunds

Cancellation by Adventurous Women:
In the event that we cancel a tour or are unable to guarantee the departure due to not meeting minimum numbers, we will provide a full refund.

Cancellation by you:

90+ days before departure - Loss of deposit (partial voucher available*)
75-89 days before departure - Loss of deposit
74 days or less before departure - Loss of all payments
No refund is available once a tour has commenced

*Multi-day tour cancellations made 90+ days before departure are eligible for a $250 voucher

We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance with trip cancellation cover for peace of mind.

View our full booking terms & conditions

The Adventurous Women Way

The magic of our trips comes from travellers bringing a supportive mindset, a go-with-the-flow attitude, and a genuine spirit of adventure.

The itinerary could change should weather and tide conditions deem our route on any given day to be unsafe. The ship may also travel under motor power instead of sails, dependent on weather. You are also living on board a 100+ year old tall ship in cabins / shared bathrooms, so please don't expect luxury - yes clean and tidy, however not luxury!

Good news is that this is a private charter just for Adventurous Women meaning that you're not sharing with anyone else other than our group!

Find more about the Adventurous Women Way and travelling with AW

Exclusions

The following is not included in the tour cost:

Flights to/from Airlie Beach
Drinks on board the Solway Lass - no BYO as it is licensed
Travel insurance (recommended)
Departure transfers for guests departing after day 7
Expenses of a personal nature

Solo Travellers

If you’re travelling solo not to worry, you’re in good company! Many of our travellers join solo and our trips are designed to feel welcoming and supportive from the moment you arrive. It’s a great way to meet like-minded women, and friendships often form quickly along the way.

We’ll pair you with a room/cabin buddy for the trip. Or, if you’d prefer your own room/cabin, this option is available for an additional supplement. You can select your rooming preference at the time of booking or reach out to us for more information.

Arrival and Departure details

The trip starts in Airlie Beach on 2 August, with a group meeting at 5pm. For guests flying into Proserpine Airport (PPP), an arrival transfer by shuttle bus will be provided.

The ship returns to the marina on 8 August around 11.30AM. If you are flying home that day, please book a flight departing no earlier than 2:30 pm. An included shuttle transfer to Proserpine Airport is provided for guests departing on 8 August. If you are extending your stay in Airlie Beach, onward transfers are not included.

Who will be leading the trip?

All AW trips are accompanied by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. Their role is to take the hassle out of your travels and help you get the most out of your experience, while embracing the Adventurous Women way.

On board the Solway Lass, the captain and the crew will support you on the water as well as preparing meals.

Do you accommodate dietary requests?

Yes, we do our best to accommodate dietary requirements and food allergies on every tour. It’s important that any requirements are communicated accurately prior to the trip.

As we will be spending five nights on board the Solway Lass, ingredients for meals are purchased and portioned in advance. If you request a specific diet (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free) but then choose not to follow it during the trip, it can lead to unnecessary waste and may also mean that other guests have less food available to them.

Accommodation

We’ll spend one night in Colonial Palms Motor Inn before boarding the historic Solway Lass for five nights in the Whitsundays. Chartered exclusively for our group, the Solway Lass is a lovingly restored 125-year-old tall ship full of character, charm and a few quirks that come with her rich history.

Cabin options include ensuite single rooms, single rooms with shared bathroom facilities, and twin-share cabins with shared facilities. There are four shared showers and four shared toilets onboard. Cabins are a bit on the small side but designed primarily for sleeping, while the spacious deck areas provide plenty of room to relax, read a book, enjoy the sea breeze or simply soak up the stunning scenery.

What do I need to bring onboard?

A detailed packing list will be provided closer to the trip date.

It is important to note that hard suitcases and bags with wheels are not allowed on the ship, as they can cause damage to the deck and cabins. We request that you pack what you will need for your trip in a soft-sided bag, no bigger than carry-on baggage limits for an aircraft. A duffle bag or similar is recommended.

How will we be travelling?

Airport transfers between Proserpine Airport and Airlie Beach are provided by shuttle bus and are included in your tour. Arrival transfers are available regardless of which day you arrive, while departure transfers are only included for guests departing on the final day of the tour (8 August).