Airlie Beach: Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Wildlife Tour
Overview
Available languages
6 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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.
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.
What to bring: light jacket (essential), comfortable clothing for walking, walking shoes, water, camera.
Kangaroo and wallaby sightings are highly likely but cannot be guaranteed. Animals are completely wild. Wildlife behaviour varies.
No flash photography, no feeding animals, no touching animals, no noise, no speakers, no flashlights or torches, no insect repellent.
No smoking, no alcohol, no drugs, no intoxication, no unaccompanied minors.
Not wheelchair accessible. Stroller accessible. Near public transportation. Infants on laps during transport. Most travellers can participate. Maximum 20 guests per departure.
Tour departs at 3:00 am and returns by approximately 9:30 am. Duration: 6.5 hours.
What To Expect
Airlie Beach
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.
Cape Hillsborough National Park
Enter the National park prior to sunrise before you make you way onto the beach.
Options
Airlie Beach: Wild Kangaroos on the Beach at Sunrise Eco Tour
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Authentic Aussie Vegemite
Shared Drovers Breakfast: guests help cook their own bacon and egg damper rolls with the team
Comfortable air-conditioned transport from and to Airlie Beach accommodation
Hot coffee (French press) and tea
Cape Hillsborough National Park entry
Eco-certified guided tour with accredited EcoGuide
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
11 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing morning on cape hillsborough
R5569OJkatiem,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had an amazing experience. My guide was super informative and helpful. Being able to see there animals in their natural habitat was truely special, and a yummy breakfast was the perfect way to end the morning!
Wallabies and Kangaroos
Y2992FSkimn,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Magical Experience and a lovely little Breakfast
Amazing experience with the wallabies in their natural environment on the beach!
L9233PDstephanief,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderful sunrise amongst the wallabies ! A real wonder of the world . D’Artagnan and Cara were amazing and organised the trip perfectly! It is definitely worth waking up early to observe the wallabies in their natural environment on the beach! Amazing time with amazing team and amazing wallabies ! An experience not to miss while on Airlie Beach !
Would recommend
sierrahp2026,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Was very cool getting to see the kangaroos on the beach at sunrise. Worth getting up early for
An indescribable sunrise with cute kangaroos
Paula H,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible experience. Our tour guide Cara was very friendly and nice. It's worth getting up at 3:00 am.
Kangaroo spectacular
Annie C,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dee was very informative and passionate about kangaroo and wallaby wildlife and provided us with knowledge. He was very attentive and friendly. Would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a unique Aussie experience!
Well worth the very early alarm
andreag475,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow ! What an experience . So worth the very early alarm call . It’s was amazing to see the kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise. There is a warden on the beach who lays out treats for the kangaroos . You can get quite close . Once the sun rises you also can see the beauty of the Park and beach area . When we arrived there was not many people , a little later on quite a few more people arrived . We were collected from our hotel at 2.24am, it’s was approx 2 hrs to get there , on the way back we stopped in an ‘ ‘American Diner ‘ for bacon and egg burgers , they were gorgeous. Back at our hotel just after 9am Our driver was Cara , she was lovely and chatty and was giving us information about the area . It was a small group of 6 , just right .
Up close with wildlife
54adriae,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thanks to our guide, D, for a great experience! We saw kangaroos and wallabies close up. D is extremely knowledgeable and I learned many new things about these animals. We also stopped at a beautiful waterfall on the way back where you could take a dip. Park fee and a hot breakfast were included in the price so you don't have to think too much before getting on the bus in the wee hours of the morning.
Wonderful trip
Julia H,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful trip with D. He is super nice, gives any info and makes the trip very entertaining and fun :) The breakfast was delicious and was totally lovingly prepared. The highlight was of course the kangaroos on the beach! Insanely impressive and you have over an hour there. Since we still had a bit of time, he also drove us to a waterfall. Thanks for everything!
It is an early morning,...
Elina B,Jan 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is an early morning, but it was worth it. Kangaroos and wallabies are all over the beach and park grounds. D was also knowledgeable about animals and area. It was a great experience through and through!
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Operated by Airlie Adventure Tours