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Escape to Hidden Coastal Gems at Cape Gloucester and Dingo Beach
Tour Information
Tour Operator:
Driftwood Tours
Duration:
Full Day (7 hours)
Departure:
9:00am from Airlie Beach
Phone:
0413 234 524
Return Time:
Approximately 4:00pm
Group Size:
Maximum 11 guests
Where This Tour Goes
Departure Point
Airlie Beach (hotel pickup included)
Beaches Visited
Dingo Beach, Rocky Beach, Nelly's Bay, Froggies Beach, Cape Gloucester
Resort Access
Cape Gloucester Resort & Montes (pool, restaurant, beach)
Scenic Drive
Through sugar cane fields and cattle country
Departure Location & How to Get There
Hotel Pickup
Free pickup from your accommodation in Airlie Beach (wait at reception 5 mins before departure)
Departure Time
9:00am pickup (exact time confirmed when booking)
Travel Time
45 minutes scenic drive to first beach
What to Look For
White Driftwood Tours bus with company logo
About Airlie Coastal Beach Adventures
Airlie Coastal Beach Adventures is a full-day mainland tour operated by Driftwood Tours, departing from Airlie Beach. The 7-hour coastal escape explores five pristine mainland beaches including Dingo Beach, Rocky Beach, Nelly's Bay, Froggies Beach, and Cape Gloucester, with lunch and relaxation time at the exclusive Cape Gloucester Resort. This is the perfect way to discover the quieter side of the Whitsundays that most visitors never see.
Driftwood Tours is the 2023 Gold Winner of Best New Tour at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards and holds the Best of Queensland Experiences badge with a perfect 100% score. Founder Cherene Poidevin is a qualified Savannah Guide and EcoGuide with over 30 years of experience. The small group size - just 11 passengers maximum - means you get personalised attention and the flexibility to spend as much or as little time at each beach as the group wants.
What makes this tour special is that locals genuinely rate these beaches as the best on the mainland. They're quiet, unspoilt, and absolutely stunning - crystal blue waters, white sand, and dramatic granite rock formations. While everyone else is fighting for space on the touristy beaches, you'll have these hidden gems practically to yourselves. The Cape Gloucester Resort is the icing on the cake - access to their pool, restaurant, and beachfront means you can spend the afternoon however you like. Cherene's also brilliant at spotting turtles and other marine life, and she knows exactly which beaches are best for swimming versus just chilling out and soaking up the views.
What Guests Are Saying
"We did the Cape Gloucester full day tour with one other couple. Driftwood was recommended to us and totally lived up to the high praise. Cherene is so knowledgeable about the area and is passionate about what she does - great commentary throughout the tour. She is very engaging, established a great rapport with us very quickly. Cherene is an amazing guide and took us to some places many visitors never see or know about. Highly recommend this lively and lovely lady and her small business."
TripAdvisor
"The guide was fantastic, very enthusiastic and took all the time for you. She took us to the most beautiful beaches and the lunch spot was one from a book, so beautiful. She liked to take pictures which was very nice as a single traveller."
GetYourGuide
"Beautiful relaxing day! Cherene took us to out of the way beaches and showed us some amazing scenery. She is also a wealth of knowledge about the area. The day was very relaxing and we ended up at Cape Gloucester where we had a yummy lunch. I highly recommend this tour not just to solo travellers but also to families."
Google Reviews
Good to know: Stinger suits are highly recommended from November to April if you're planning to swim in the ocean. Hire is available from Aqua Dive at Coral Sea Marina. Lunch is not included in the tour price - you can bring your own or purchase food and drinks at Cape Gloucester Resort.
What's Included
Hotel Transfers
Free pickup and drop-off
Air-Conditioned Bus
Comfortable 11-seater vehicle
Morning Tea
Snacks and refreshments included
Water Refills
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Pool Noodles
For swimming and floating
Resort Access
Pool and beach at Cape Gloucester
Expert Local Guide
Qualified Savannah Guide
Photo Opportunities
Cherene takes photos for you
The Experience
Airlie Coastal Beach Adventures is nothing like the typical island-hopping tours in the Whitsundays. This full-day escape takes you to the mainland's best-kept secrets - five pristine beaches that locals love but most tourists never find. You'll spend the day swimming, relaxing, exploring dramatic rock formations, and soaking up the laid-back coastal vibe at Cape Gloucester Resort. It's raw, real, and ridiculously beautiful.
Your Itinerary
Morning Pickup: Free pickup from your accommodation in Airlie Beach around 9:00am. Cherene drives the white Driftwood Tours bus - look out for the logo on the side. Wait at your hotel reception or driveway 5 minutes before departure so she can spot you easily.
Scenic Drive North: The 45-minute drive is part of the experience. You'll wind through lush green mountains, sprawling sugar cane fields, and cattle country as Cherene shares stories about the area. It's a totally different landscape to the marina precinct - this is rural tropical Queensland at its best.
Dingo Beach: Your first stop is Dingo Beach, a stunning golden sand beach that's popular with locals but rarely sees tourists. The beach is perfect for swimming, with a safe enclosed area during stinger season (November to April). Keep your eyes peeled for turtles - they're often spotted in the calm waters here. You can spend your time swimming, walking the shoreline, or just relaxing on the sand.
Rocky Beach: Next up is Rocky Beach, named for its dramatic granite boulders and rock formations. This beach has a completely different vibe - more rugged and wild. The rocks create interesting pools and the backdrop is incredible for photos. Cherene knows all the best spots for photography.
Nelly's Bay: A quieter cove with crystal clear turquoise water. This one's great for a quick dip or just admiring the view. The water colour here is absolutely unreal - that Whitsundays blue that looks photoshopped but is totally real.
Froggies Beach & Lookout: One of the highlights of the day. Froggies Beach is surrounded by massive granite formations and the lookout offers sweeping views of the Coral Sea. The combination of white sand, turquoise water, and giant boulders makes this spot incredibly photogenic. Cherene will take as many photos as you want.
Cape Gloucester Resort & Montes: The grand finale. You'll arrive at Cape Gloucester Resort for lunch and relaxation time. This is a treasured local hangout with a beachfront restaurant, swimming pool, bar, and beach access. Lunch is not included, but the menu is excellent - fresh seafood, burgers, salads, and great cocktails. You can also bring your own food if you prefer. Spend the afternoon however you like - swim in the pool, lounge on the beach, order drinks, listen to live music (if it's on), or just chill out and soak up the tropical paradise vibes.
Return Journey: Around 3:30pm you'll head back to Airlie Beach, arriving back at your accommodation by approximately 4:00pm. Plenty of time to freshen up before dinner.
Before You Book
Important Information
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. No-shows or cancellations within 21 days forfeit 100% of the ticket price. Tours run in most weather conditions. Reconfirm your booking directly with Driftwood Tours before your tour date.
What to Bring
Swimmers (wear under your clothes), towel, sunscreen (reef-safe preferred), hat, sunglasses, camera or phone for photos, water bottle (refills available on bus), and cash or card for lunch at Cape Gloucester Resort. Stinger suit hire is highly recommended November to April - available from Aqua Dive at Coral Sea Marina. You can bring your own lunch or snacks if you prefer.
Who Can Come
Minimum age is 4 years old. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels - this is a relaxed day with optional swimming and walking. Not wheelchair accessible, but pushchair accessible and service animals are allowed. Perfect for families, couples, solo travellers, and anyone wanting to escape the crowds and see the quieter side of the Whitsundays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch included in the Airlie Coastal Beach Adventures tour?
No, lunch is not included, but you can purchase food and drinks at Cape Gloucester Resort or bring your own.
Will we see turtles on this tour?
Turtles are often spotted at Dingo Beach, though sightings aren't guaranteed as they're wild animals.
What's the difference between this tour and other beach tours?
This tour visits mainland beaches that are quieter and less touristy, with small group sizes (max 11) and a qualified local guide.
Can I swim at all the beaches?
Yes, swimming is possible at all locations, though some beaches are better suited for swimming than others - Cherene will advise.
How does this compare to island tours?
This mainland tour explores coastal beaches rather than island destinations, offering a different perspective of the Whitsundays.
More Mainland Adventures
If you enjoyed exploring the mainland coastline, Driftwood Tours offers several other award-winning experiences including the Airlie Beach Sightseeing Explorer, waterfall adventures, and Bowen discovery tours. For water-based adventures, check out day tours to the islands and reef, or browse all tours departing from Airlie Beach.
Why Trust This Guide?
We're Airlie Beach locals who've called the Whitsundays home since 2001. Over more than two decades living and working in this stunning corner of tropical North Queensland, we've personally experienced the tours, explored every beach, and know which operators genuinely deliver on their promises.
Driftwood Tours has built an exceptional reputation since starting in 2017. Cherene's Cape Gloucester tour won Gold for Best New Tour at the 2023 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, and she holds the prestigious Best of Queensland Experiences badge. The perfect 5.0/5.0 rating across both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews tells you everything you need to know - guests consistently praise the pristine beaches, personalised attention, and Cherene's infectious passion for the area. This is genuinely the best way to see the mainland beaches that locals love.
The recommendations are honest, unbiased, and based on genuine local knowledge to help make your Whitsunday holiday unforgettable.
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