Activity Airlie Beach, Australia
Airlie Beach: Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Wildlife Tour
out of 5
18 reviews
About this activity
Before sunrise, the bus is at your door, it’s an early start but it is worth it. The drive south takes 1.5 hours and by the time you reach Cape Hillsborough National Park, the light is just coming up over the Coral Sea and the kangaroos are already moving down to the beach.
These animals are completely wild. No fences, no feeding shows, no handlers. They approach on their own terms — to within half a metre — as they forage along the sand at dawn. Your accredited EcoGuide is beside you throughout, telling you what you are looking at and why Cape Hillsborough is one of the few places in Australia where this happens naturally, every morning.
After sunrise, the group cooks the Drovers Breakfast together: bacon and egg damper rolls, hot French press coffee, and authentic Aussie Vegemite to try if you dare, while overlooking the coastal rainforest.
Airlie Adventure Tours holds the 2026 Best of Queensland Experiences Gold Award.
At a glance
- Duration
- 6 h 30 min
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group
- Up to 20 people
- People per booking
- 1–10
- Guide
- English
- Operated by
- Airlie Adventure Tours
Ages: Infants (0–1 years) · Children (2–14 years) · Adults (15–99 years)
What is included
Included
- Included: Authentic Aussie Vegemite
- Included: Shared Drovers Breakfast: guests help cook their own bacon and egg damper rolls with the team
- Included: Comfortable air-conditioned transport from and to Airlie Beach accommodation
- Included: Hot coffee (French press) and tea
- Included: Cape Hillsborough National Park entry
- Included: Eco-certified guided tour with accredited EcoGuide
Not included
- Not included: Gratuities
Itinerary
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1 h 30 min
3:00 am departure from your accommodation. Driver has a sign and wears a green shirt.Travel time approximately 1 hour 30 minutes south along the coast following hotel collections.
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Cape Hillsborough National Park
30 min Admission included
Enter the National park prior to sunrise before you make you way onto the beach.
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Stop 3
1 h 30 min
Wild eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies emerge from the bush onto the beach at sunrise. Completely wild and free-roaming. The animals approach freely — often to within half a metre. Please note: no flash photography, feeding, touching, noise, speakers, or flashlights are permitted. The certified guides will brief you prior to stepping onto the beach.
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Cape Hillsborough National Park
30 min
After the sun is well and truly in the sky and the Kangaroos have departed, the group cooks the Drovers Breakfast together overlooking the water. Bacon and egg damper rolls, French press coffee, Vegemite to try the Australian way if you are bold.
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Passing by
We return to Airlie Beach with you being dropped at your accommodation at approximately 9:30am with the rest of the day to explore at your leisure.
Meeting point and pickup
The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.
Pickup points
- At Marina Shores
- Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach
- Coral Sea Resort
- Club Wyndham Airlie Beach: The gateway to the Whitsundays!
- Colonial Palms Motor Inn
- Daydream Island
- Heart Hotel and Gallery Whitsundays
- The Islands Inn Motel
- Coral Point Lodge
- Whitsunday on the Beach
- Airlie Beach Hotel
- Airlie Beach Motor Lodge
and one more pickup point
Pickup is at 3:00 am from the front of your accommodation. Your driver will carry a sign and wears a green shirt. If you are not at your pickup point, the driver will call the phone number used at booking. Tour departs at 3:00 am and returns by approximately 9:30 am. Duration: 6.5 hours.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
| If you cancel | You get back |
|---|---|
| At least one day before | 100% |
| Less than a day before | 0% |
- The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
- The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.
Good to know
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Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
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Public transportation options are available nearby
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Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
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Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Pickup is at 3:00 am from the front of your accommodation. Your driver will carry a sign and wears a green shirt. If you are not at your pickup point, the driver will call the phone number used at booking.
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Cape Hillsborough is 1.5 hours south of Airlie Beach. The early morning is significantly colder than Airlie Beach, even in summer. A light jacket is essential. Wear layers.
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What to bring: light jacket (essential), comfortable clothing for walking, walking shoes, water, camera.
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Kangaroo and wallaby sightings are highly likely but cannot be guaranteed. Animals are completely wild. Wildlife behaviour varies.
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No flash photography, no feeding animals, no touching animals, no noise, no speakers, no flashlights or torches, no insect repellent.
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No smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, no intoxication, no unaccompanied minors.
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Not wheelchair accessible. Stroller accessible. Near public transportation. Infants on laps during transport. Most travellers can participate. Maximum 20 guests per departure.
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Tour departs at 3:00 am and returns by approximately 9:30 am. Duration: 6.5 hours.
Traveller ratings
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Airlie Beach: Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Wildlife Tour
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