Introductory scuba dive or experienced reef dive on the Great Barrier Reef day (extra cost, booked locally)

Accommodation
• 6 nights in boutique locally owned hotels and resorts – comfortable, well-located properties chosen for their character and easy access to each day’s highlights
• Twin share rooms standard with options to upgrade to private single or double rooms
• Each stay offers pools, relaxed atmospheres and a genuine connection to the local area

Meals
• 6 breakfasts – fresh hotel spreads to start each day
• 2 lunches – included on the Whitsundays cruise and Great Barrier Reef cruise
• 1 farewell dinner – relaxed evening meal in Cairns to share stories of the week
• All meals feature fresh regional produce and showcase Queensland flavours

✅ What’s Included
• All accommodation in boutique hotels and resorts (twin share)
• All transport including domestic flight Brisbane to Airlie Beach, private buses, ferries and boat trips
• 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 1 farewell dinner
• Whitsundays Islands day cruise with Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling
• Atherton Tablelands tour with waterfalls, crater lakes and Curtain Fig Tree
• Great Barrier Reef day cruise with snorkelling and glass-bottom boat
• Friendly, experienced local guide throughout

🚫 What’s Not Included
• Flights to Brisbane or from Cairns
• Optional scuba diving on the Reef day
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• Personal spending and tips

Queensland’s east coast is warm and tropical year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons.
• Dry Season (May–Oct) • Daytime 22–28 °C • Sunny and ideal for reef and island trips
• Wet Season (Nov–Apr) • Daytime 26–32 °C • Short showers possible, especially in the north
Practical note: Pack a light rain jacket – afternoon showers are common but rarely last long.

Documents & Essentials
• Passport or photo ID and booking confirmation
• Any personal medication and travel insurance details

Clothing (layered for tropical conditions)
• Light, quick-dry walking clothes and comfortable shoes
• Swimwear, hat, sunglasses and light rain jacket
• Modest clothing for any cultural stops

Toiletries & First Aid
• Sunscreen, insect repellent and hand sanitiser
• Basic first-aid items and blister care

Electronics
• Charged phone, adapter and portable power bank
• Underwater camera or phone case for the reef

Accessories & Nice-to-Haves
• Small daypack for daily excursions
• Reusable water bottle and lightweight towel

Queensland’s east coast is known for its laidback vibe, sunny weather and some of Australia’s most iconic natural attractions.

The Whitsundays are a group of 74 islands with Whitehaven Beach regularly voted one of the world’s most beautiful.

Mission Beach is a quiet tropical paradise where you might spot wild cassowaries wandering through the rainforest.

The Atherton Tablelands offer cool, green highlands with volcanic crater lakes and ancient fig trees.

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system on Earth and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Cairns sits at the gateway to the reef and the Daintree Rainforest, making it a perfect end point.

Local guides share stories of the region’s Indigenous history and the importance of protecting these fragile ecosystems.

Seasonal marine life means you may see turtles, colourful fish and even the occasional reef shark while snorkelling.

Queensland hospitality is warm and genuine – you’ll feel welcomed from the moment you arrive.

Carbon Footprint & Offset Report: Whitsundays Reef & Rainforest: 7–9 Day Brisbane to Cairns Boutique Tour

Quick Snapshot

Estimated CO₂e footprint per participant: 1,600 kg CO₂e
(higher-end conservative estimate – covers all on-tour impacts plus average travel to/from Brisbane/Cairns)

Our 200% offset commitment per booking: 3,200 kg CO₂e
Funded through genuine landscape restoration in climate-vulnerable developing regions (reforestation, mangroves, soil regeneration, etc.). This creates real net-positive impact beyond neutrality.

Tour summary

• 7 days (Brisbane–Cairns) or 9 days (+Daintree) / 6 or 8 nights
• Max 16 guests
• Starts Brisbane (hotel lobby), ends Cairns (after breakfast)
• Transport: mini-coach, domestic flight Brisbane–Proserpine, catamaran, ferry
• 6–8 nights boutique hotels/resorts (twin-share ensuite, pools)
• Meals: 6–8 breakfasts, 2 picnic lunches; others own expense
• Highlights: Great Barrier Reef snorkel with marine biologist, Whitehaven Beach, Atherton Tablelands waterfalls, (9-day) Mossman Gorge, Daintree croc cruise, Cape Tribulation

Overview

This report estimates the carbon footprint for one individual participant on this tour using higher-end data from trusted sources. We intentionally choose upper-range figures to fully cover every impact – including hard-to-measure parts like supply chains and indirect effects.

We then double it (200%) and fund genuine landscape restoration projects in developing and climate-affected regions worldwide. This goes beyond standard offsetting to deliver real, lasting benefits for ecosystems and communities.

All figures in kg CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent – the standard measure that includes all greenhouse gases).

Tour Details

• Duration: 7–9 days / 6–8 nights
• Key locations: Brisbane, Airlie Beach/Whitsundays, Mission Beach, Cairns, (9-day) Port Douglas/Daintree
• Travel style: Boutique reef & rainforest adventure with snorkel and First Nations insights
• Assumptions: Average participant, standard behaviours, higher-impact choices where uncertain. Travel to/from Brisbane/Cairns is factored into the higher-end footprint for completeness.

Calculation Approach

• Sources: UK DEFRA 2025 conversion factors, Australian National Greenhouse Accounts 2024, UNWTO tourism data, IPCC guidelines, and peer-reviewed studies.
• Higher-end scale: Upper-range emission factors everywhere, plus radiative forcing for flights, well-to-tank fuel effects, +20% uncertainty buffer, and conservative assumptions for marine/coach operations.
• Per person, full tour experience (using 9-day for maximum).
• Excludes only purely personal extras (e.g. souvenirs).

Detailed Emissions Breakdown (per participant)

Transportation – 850 kg CO₂e

• Average travel to Brisbane/start & Cairns/end (higher-end domestic/international): 550 kg
• Mini-coach, domestic flight, catamaran, ferry: 300 kg – higher-end factor

Accommodation – 360 kg CO₂e

• 8 nights boutique resorts (9-day): 45 kg per night – higher-end for pools & energy

Meals & Food – 180 kg CO₂e

• 9 days of included + own meals: 20 kg per day – higher-impact estimate

Activities & Excursions – 210 kg CO₂e

• Reef snorkel, Whitehaven Beach, Tablelands waterfalls, (9-day) Daintree experiences

TOTAL ESTIMATED FOOTPRINT PER PERSON: 1,600 kg CO₂e (rounded higher for full coverage)

Our 200% Offset Commitment

• Amount we will offset:2 × 1,600 kg = 3,200 kg CO₂e per individual booking
• How: Direct funding of landscape restoration projects – reforestation, mangrove protection, regenerative agriculture, wetland and soil carbon restoration
• Where: Developing countries and regions most affected by climate change (e.g. Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America) for maximum global benefit and community co-benefits
• Why 200% and higher-end estimates: To guarantee coverage despite any measurement discrepancies and to create genuine extra positive impact

Important Notes

• Numbers are deliberately conservative (higher) so we over-deliver on restoration – real footprint may be lower
• The tour already has strong sustainability practices; our independent higher-end analysis adds extra certainty
• Carbon accounting has natural uncertainties – doubling it is the responsible way
• This directly supports long-term carbon-sequestering landscapes and local communities

How many people are in the group?
Maximum 16 guests, keeping the tour small and personal.

What is the accommodation like?
Comfortable boutique hotels and resorts with twin share rooms standard and upgrade options available.

Are meals suitable for dietary needs?
Most requirements can be accommodated if you let us know at booking.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer for the reef day?
No – snorkelling is suitable for most levels and life jackets are provided.

What happens on the last day?
The tour ends after breakfast in Cairns – your guide can help arrange onward travel.

Is travel insurance required?
Yes, we strongly recommend it covers medical, cancellation and adventure activities.

Can I extend my trip?
Yes – many travellers add extra time in Cairns or the Daintree. Just ask when booking.

What should I bring for the reef day?
Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat and a sense of adventure.