Trip Builder – East Coast

Itineraries

The Epic

Trip Length: 35 Days

Route: Sydney ⭤ Cairns

Starting from $4,749AUD

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Days 1-3: Start your adventure in iconic Sydney, grab a selfie in front of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge then escape the city with a day trip to the stunning Blue Mountains. You’ll have another day to hit Sydney’s best beaches before your overnight bus to Byron Bay.

Days 4-7: Picturesque Byron Bay is the surf town you’ve been dreaming of. The coast here is home to plenty of sea life and you’ll be getting close to the action with a dolphin kayak. Then make sure to walk to the lighthouse to take in the best views of Byron.

Days 8-12: Next up is the Gold Coast where skyscrapers meet sprawling beaches. Take in the excellent nightlife of Surfers Paradise before catching the short bus to Brisbane. Here you’ll have time to explore the city’s many cafes and bars on South Bank. But that’s not all you’ll be doing. Spend an adventurous day on Moreton Island snorkelling, kayaking and sandboarding! 

Days 13-16: You’ll be heading out of the city to the surf town of Noosa, with its amazing beaches, national park and buzzing high street. After a day on the beach you’ll be heading out to the reflecting waters of the Everglades for a canoe trip. Back in Noosa, make sure to head along the coastal walk to find the fairy pools – perfect for a swim and a pic. 

Days 17-21: Next up, it’s time for K’Gari (Fraser Island) the largest sand island in the world! You’ll be driving 4x4s, jumping into beautiful freshwater lakes and camping under the stars. You’ll start and end your K’Gari adventure in Rainbow Beach, which is home to Australia’s longest wave, which you’ll be surfing on! 

Days 22-25: After an overnight bus you’ll wake up in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. After your first night on land you’ll be heading for the ocean where you’ll be living and sailing around these islands for the next three days. Hit up the world-famous Whitehaven Beach, explore deserted islands and snorkel over the coral reefs. 

Days 26-28: You’ll continue island life, with a trip to Magnetic Island – home to the largest population of wild koalas! Our top tip? Hire a Barbie Car to get around and stop by the Forts Walk for your best chance of spying a koala. 

Days 29-35: You’ll have made it to Cairns, your final stop, but that’s not the end of the adventure. You’ll be scuba-diving in The Great Barrier Reef, exploring ancient rainforests at Cape Tribulation and chasing waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands. Then by night, check out the iconic Cairns Night Markets and nightlife before having a chill day at the lagoon. What a way to finish your adventure!

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Accommodation

  • 28 nights of accommodation in our favourite hostels
  • 2 nights camping on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • 2 nights living aboard a boat in the Whitsundays
  • 2 overnight buses

Travel

  • 8 bus trips on modern air-conditioned coaches
  • 3 day Whitsundays boat trip
  • 4x4 jeep (Or similar) on K’Gari
  • Ferry to Magnetic Island

Meals

  • 5 breakfasts
  • 10 lunches
  • 5 dinners

Activities

  • Take in the stunning Blue Mountains from Sydney
  • Kayak with dolphins in Byron Bay
  • Explore stunning beaches and popular surf towns
  • Kayak and snorkel around shipwrecks on a day trip to Moreton Island
  • Canoe through the reflecting waters of the Everglades
  • Drive 4x4s, swim in incredible lakes and camp on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • Take in an amazing sunset at Carlo Sandblow
  • Learn to surf to on Australia’s longest wave
  • Sail around the stunning Whitsundays
  • Visit Australia’s best beach: Whitehaven Beach
  • Spot wild koalas on Magnetic Island
  • Scuba-dive and snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef
  • Visit Cape Tribulation and walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest
  • Swim in waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands

Additional Travel Advice

  • Free optional face-to-face meeting or travel call before your trip
  • Free recommendations for every destination in your itinerary
  • Ongoing travel advice for your time in Australia
  • Potential discounts and special offers on Optional Extras
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  • Add extra nights in Sydney before your trip
  • Take a surf lesson in Byron Bay or Noosa, to try out the ultimate Australian pastime
  • Visit Australia Zoo, home of the Irwin family, and a short train ride from Brisbane
  • Get your adrenaline pumping with a skydive! There are numerous places you can skydive on your East Coast. We love to recommend skydiving in Airlie Beach or over Mission Beach
  • If you’re feeling adventurous, spend a day white water rafting from Cairns
  • Spend a morning bungy jumping! At the only bungy jump in Australia, a short ride from Cairns
  • Learn to scuba dive with a 5 day PADI course on The Great Barrier Reef
  • Add extra nights accommodation in Cairns at the end of your trip
Edit Content

Let’s go! This is your ideal itinerary and you’re ready to book. Best decision ever.

If there are any slight changes you want to make to this itinerary, let us know, we want to make sure you have the most amazing experience on the East Coast.

We’ll now match you to a travel expert in our amazing Community Team who will be in touch with your itinerary details soon. 

We also want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to book you this exact itinerary it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

Edit Content

Let’s start your adventure! Please let us know in as much detail as possible what edits you’d like to make to this itinerary and any preferences you have for your trip. We’ll then connect you with a travel expert to plan your dream East Coast adventure.

We want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to plan your itinerary based on your requests, it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

The Mighty

Trip Length: 25 Days

Route: Sydney ⭤ Cairns

Starting from $3,499AUD

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Day 1: Explore Sydney’s iconic Circular Quay, home to the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Then get ready to head north as you take the overnight bus to Byron Bay.

Days 2-6: Hit up the surf town of Byron Bay, here you’ll kayak with dolphins, join the yogis and visit Australia’s most easterly point on the Lighthouse walk. Next up, the nightlife of Surfer’s Paradise calls, party all night and treat your hangover by day on the beach.

Days 7-11: Take in Queensland’s capital city Brisbane, or explore the many stunning national parks around the city. By contrast, your next stop Noosa is a chilled-back surfer town with incredible beaches and the hidden fairy pools. 

Days 12-16: It’s time for a big bucket-list item: K’Gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world, you’ll be driving around in 4x4s, swimming in freshwater lakes and camping under the stars. You’ll stay in the small town of Rainbow Beach before and after your island adventure, where you’ll watch an amazing sunset at Carlo Sandblow. 

Days 17-21: Take the overnight bus to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. You’ll tick off a second big bucket list item by spending three incredible days sailing and swimming around these islands and visiting the world-famous Whitehaven Beach.

Days 22-25: You’ve made it to your final destination: Cairns. This tropical city is an adventure-playground of activities. And you’ll be experiencing the best of them! Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef then chase waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands. 

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Accommodation

  • 18 nights of accommodation in our favourite hostels
  • 2 nights camping on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • 2 nights living aboard a boat in the Whitsundays
  • 2 overnight buses

Travel

  • 7 bus trips on modern air-conditioned coaches
  • 3 day Whitsundays boat trip
  • 4x4 jeep (Or similar) on K’Gari

Meals

  • 4 breakfasts
  • 7 lunches
  • 4 dinners

Activities

  • Kayak with dolphins in Byron Bay
  • Explore stunning beaches and popular surf towns
  • Drive 4x4s, swim in incredible lakes and camp on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • Take in an amazing sunset at Carlo Sandblow
  • Sail around the stunning Whitsundays 
  • Visit Australia’s best beach: Whitehaven Beach
  • Scuba-dive and snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef 
  • Swim in waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands

Additional Travel Advice

  • Free optional face-to-face meeting or travel call before your trip
  • Free recommendations for every destination in your itinerary
  • Ongoing travel advice for your time in Australia
  • Potential discounts and special offers on Optional Extras
Edit Content
  • Add extra nights in Sydney before your trip
  • Take a surf lesson in Byron Bay or Noosa, to try out the ultimate Australian pastime
  • Visit Australia Zoo, home of the Irwin family, and a short train ride from Brisbane
  • Kayak and snorkel around shipwrecks on a day trip from Brisbane to Moreton Island
  • Explore the Everglades in Noosa, learn about this unique water system and canoe through the reflecting waters
  • Get your adrenaline pumping with a skydive! There are numerous places you can skydive on your East Coast. We love to recommend skydiving in Airlie Beach or over Mission Beach
  • Add a Magnetic Island package, return ferry rides and accommodation on Magnetic Island where you can spot wild koalas and rock wallabies
  • If you’re feeling adventurous, spend a day white water rafting from Cairns
  • Spend a morning bungy jumping! At the only bungy jump in Australia, a short ride from Cairns
  • Explore the rainforest and Cape Tribulation from Cairns
  • Learn to scuba dive with a 5 day PADI course on The Great Barrier Reef
  • Add extra nights accommodation in Cairns at the end of your trip
Edit Content

Let’s go! This is your ideal itinerary and you’re ready to book. Best decision ever.

If there are any slight changes you want to make to this itinerary, let us know, we want to make sure you have the most amazing experience on the East Coast!

We’ll now match you to a travel expert in our amazing Community Team who will be in touch with your itinerary details soon. 

We also want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to book you this exact itinerary it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

Edit Content

Let’s start your adventure! Please let us know in as much detail as possible what edits you’d like to make to this itinerary and any preferences you have for your trip. We’ll then connect you with a travel expert to plan your dream East Coast adventure.

We want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to plan your itinerary based on your requests, it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

The Highlights

Trip Length: 16 Days

Route: Brisbane ⭤ Cairns

Starting from $2,249AUD

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Days 1-2: Begin your East Coast adventure in Queensland’s capital, Brisbane. Walk through the buzzing South Bank, hop on the free river ferries and chill at the city centre lagoon.

Days 3-5: Next up is the chill beach town of Noosa, home to stunning beaches, surfers and a legendary coastal walk. But that’s not all Mother Nature has in store. You’ll also spend a day exploring one of the world’s two Evergalde systems and canoeing on the magical reflecting waters.

Days 6-10: It’s time for your first bucket-list item: K’Gari (Fraser Island). You’ll spend your days driving in 4x4s, swimming in stunning freshwater lakes and finding shipwrecks. By night, you’ll be sleeping under the stars. You’ll start and end your K’Gari adventure in Rainbow Beach, which is home to Australia’s longest wave, which you’ll be surfing on!

Days 11-13: After your overnight bus to Airlie Beach, you’ll be exploring the incredible Whitsunday Islands. On your day trip you’ll walk along the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach and snorkel over the coral reefs. You’ll also have the option to add in a scenic flight over the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef. 

Days 14-16: All good things must come to an end. But not yet! You’ll end your trip in Cairns with an incredible day scuba diving in The Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have one final day to explore the city, swim in the lagoon and take in the Cairns Night Market. 

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Accommodation

  • 12 nights of accommodation in our favourite hostels
  • 2 nights camping on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • 1 overnight bus

Travel

  • 4 bus trips on modern air-conditioned coaches
  • 4x4 jeep (Or similar) on K’Gari
  • Whitsunday boat trip

Meals

  • 2 breakfasts
  • 5 lunches
  • 2 dinners

Activities

  • Explore stunning beaches and popular surf towns
  • Canoe on the reflecting waters of the Everglades
  • Drive 4x4s, swim in incredible lakes and camp on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
  • Take in an amazing sunset at Carlo Sandblow
  • Learn to surf to on Australia’s longest wave
  • Sail around the stunning Whitsundays
  • Visit Australia’s best beach: Whitehaven Beach
  • Scuba-dive and snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef

Additional Travel Advice

  • Free optional face-to-face meeting or travel call before your trip
  • Free recommendations for every destination in your itinerary
  • Ongoing travel advice for your time in Australia
  • Potential discounts and special offers on Optional Extras
Edit Content
  • Add extra nights in Brisbane before your trip
  • Visit Australia Zoo, home of the Irwin family, and a short train ride from Brisbane
  • Improve your surfing with an extra surf lesson in Noosa
  • Add a scenic flight over The Whitsundays and The Great Barrier Reef to your Whitsundays boat trip
  • Get your adrenaline pumping with a skydive! There are numerous places you can skydive on your East Coast. We love to recommend skydiving in Airlie Beach or over Mission Beach
  • Add a Magnetic Island package, return ferry rides and accommodation on Magnetic Island where you can spot wild koalas and rock wallabies
  • Learn to scuba dive with a 5 day PADI course on The Great Barrier Reef
  • Visit Cape Tribulation and walk through the ancient Daintree Rainforest on a day trip from Cairns
  • Spend a day swimming in waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns
  • If you’re feeling adventurous, spend a day white water rafting from Cairns
  • Add extra nights accommodation in Cairns after your trip
Edit Content

Let’s go! This is your ideal itinerary and you’re ready to book. Best decision ever.

If there are any slight changes you want to make to this itinerary, let us know, we want to make sure you have the most amazing experience on the East Coast!

We’ll now match you to a travel expert in our amazing Community Team who will be in touch with your itinerary details soon. 

We also want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to book you this exact itinerary it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

Edit Content

Let’s start your adventure! Please let us know in as much detail as possible what edits you’d like to make to this itinerary and any preferences you have for your trip. We’ll then connect you with a travel expert to plan your dream East Coast adventure.

We want to let you know, that while we’ll try our absolute best to plan your itinerary based on your requests, it is dependent on availability with our favourite tour operators, suppliers and hostels.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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On a BYO/customised itinerary you’ll be choosing every single element of your trip according to your own wishes. From the duration of your adventure to the hostels, mode of transport and which boat on the Whitsundays you prefer, etc.

The example itineraries are put together based on years of experience and thousands of Welcome to Travellers going up the East Coast and we’ve put the best bits together for you, so you don’t have to think about it.

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We are more than happy to make some changes for you! Perhaps you’re an adrenaline junkie and want to pack in as many extreme sports as possible. Or you may just want to tweak a few little things with an extra night here or there. Just let us know in the comments when you fill out the enquiry form.

Want to make heaps of changes? That’s fine, but we recommend going through the Trip Builder in that case.

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We’ve added some of our favourite optional extras as suggestions for how you could tweak the itineraries. So you may want to learn to scuba dive at the end of your trip or maybe you want to add in a few day trips to the rainforests or islands off the coast. When you get in touch include all the extras you’re thinking about and our Community Team will create your perfect itinerary for you.

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As early as you can! Every BYO itinerary is subject to availability of the amazing tour operators and hostels we love to work with. So the earlier you book, the more likely you’ll get the exact itinerary you’d like. We do find that in the peak summer months, some activities can book out weeks or months in advance.

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Once you’re happy with your itinerary you’ll be ready to book! As a BYO itinerary is bespoke to you, we need full payment to book your trip with our operators and hostels. Once you’ve paid, our Community Team will send over all the details of your booking with all your travel tickets and bus times. Then get ready to make the most amazing memories!

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Of course! If you would like to include private rooms instead of dorm rooms we can absolutely include those in your itinerary.

If you’d also prefer a specific dorm type like female-only or 8-bed dorms just let us know.

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