Cape Hillsborough: Sunrise Kangaroos & Wallabies Tour with Breakfast

Summary

Sunrise with kangaroos wallabies and breakfast at Cape Hillsborough

You’ll start before sunrise with hotel pickup from Airlie Beach, then watch kangaroos and wallabies greet the day on Cape Hillsborough’s beach. Share breakfast surrounded by forest scents, join your local guide for a gentle bushwalk past volcanic rocks to a lookout over the bay—and leave with that quiet feeling only early mornings bring.

What’s the experience like?

You know that weird feeling when it’s too early to be awake but you’re kind of excited anyway? That was me in the van from Airlie Beach, wrapped in a blanket, trying to nap but mostly just watching the dark shapes of cane fields slide past. By the time we pulled up at Cape Hillsborough, the sky was already hinting at pink — and I could smell salt in the air before I even saw the water. Our guide, Matt (who seemed way too cheerful for 5am), handed out coffee and told us to keep our voices down as we walked toward the sand.

I didn’t expect to see so many kangaroos and wallabies just… there. Not behind fences or anything. They were picking through seaweed right where the tide had left it, some with little joeys peeking out. It felt strange to stand so close — like we were guests at their breakfast party. The only sounds were soft thumps and this low chatter from a couple of local walkers who nodded hello. Matt explained how Cape Hillsborough is sort of a dawn ritual spot for these marsupials, and pointed out which ones were wallabies (I kept mixing them up). The sun came up fast — gold light on wet sand, shadows stretching long behind every tail.

After they’d wandered off into the bush again, we sat down for breakfast under these old eucalypts that smelled sharp and sweet after last night’s rain. Someone passed around toast and fruit; I mostly just stared at my shoes for a bit because it felt peaceful in a way I can’t explain well. There was a short bushwalk after — Matt stopped every few minutes to show us weird plants or volcanic rocks (he called them “geological leftovers”, which made me laugh). The lookout over the bay was honestly better than any photo I’ve seen online. Still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise wildlife and nature walk

• Early morning pickup and drive
• Watch kangaroos and wallabies at sunrise
• Enjoy breakfast in bush setting
• Guided bushwalk to lookout and volcanic rocks
• Drive back to Airlie Beach, enjoy scenery

Top questions

How long is the drive from Airlie Beach to Cape Hillsborough?

The drive takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes each way.

What time is pickup for the sunrise kangaroo tour?

Pickup is between 3am and 4am depending on the season.

Is breakfast included on this Cape Hillsborough tour?

Yes, breakfast is included after watching sunrise with kangaroos and wallabies.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, an accredited eco-nature guide leads the experience.

Is this sunrise encounter suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are there other animals or birds besides kangaroos?

You may also spot unique plant species and bird life during the bushwalk.

Does this day trip include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup from Airlie Beach is included in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning pickup from Airlie Beach, coffee on arrival at Cape Hillsborough, watching sunrise with wild kangaroos and wallabies on the beach, breakfast in a peaceful bush setting, a guided bushwalk to a scenic lookout over volcanic rocks and forest, plus an easy drive back through cane fields before midday.