30 Days / 29 Nights - Semi-Guided

Welcome to Australia: East Coast | 30 Days

30 days. One group. Explore the entire East Coast. Drive a 4×4 on K’gari, take a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef, cruise the Whitsundays and snorkel The Great Barrier Reef. With the best hostels, a group of new friends and support all the way to Cairns – this is the best way to see Australia.

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Over 4,000 Reviews

📆

30 Days / 29 Nights

Tour Length

📍

Sydney → Cairns

Start & End

🗺️

Semi-Guided

Travel Style

👥

24 - 30 People

Group Size

💬

Start - End

Support

🍕

Dietary Needs

Included

Check Dates
Itinerary
Experiences
Add-Ons
FAQs

This tour was incredible!

Abi

|

Jul 26

Everything was made so easy from the very first meeting in the office. The itinerary was great, everything you could want to do in Australia on the East Coast was included. All the popular spots were included and a personal highlight was Airlie Beach and flying over the Whitsundays was incredible…

The East Coast tour was amazing!

Dave

|

Jun 26

From the first day meeting our amazing guides in both Sydney and Byron, who made sure we had the best time possible at the start of our trip, to the incredible friends I made in my group. Everything was so organised from Welcome to Travel too, from me booking the trip, and the team answering lots of…

I planned the tour with WtT

Charlize

|

Mar 26

I planned my East Coast tour together with Welcome to Travel and also spent the first week in Sydney with them. I had a wonderful time and the team is really great and always by your side to help. I was very satisfied with the planning and everything was explained in detail and made understandable…

The most amazing 5 weeks

Emily

|

Jun 26

Everything was made so easy from the very first meeting in the office. The itinerary was great, everything you could want to do in Australia on the East Coast was included. All the popular spots were included and a personal highlight was Airlie Beach and flying over the Whitsundays was incredible…

We had an amazing experience

Robert

|

Jun 26

Maz was such a good guide. She manages to blend being super friendly social, whilst being professional and organised. Very knowledgeable about Sydney and Australia and super supportive. Welcome to travel has helped us massively really like how they have given us information for our future travels and work.

5.0

Over 4,000 Reviews

Why is Semi-Guided so good?

Come solo. Leave with friends for life.

All the support of a guided trip, all the freedom to explore your way. We take care of the big stuff, so you can focus on making memories.

  • Start with a guide (Sydney to Byron Bay) to nail the first leg
  • Same group all the way - your travel family from day one
  • Everything organised - transport, stays, experiences
  • More free time than a fully guided tour
  • Constant support to the team via our Trip Loop app

Where You'll Stay

Best hostel policy. Epic locations. Unforgettable memories.

We believe where you stay can make or break your trip – so we’ve set the bar high. Our best hostel policy means we only stay in places we’d stay in ourselves. Comfortable, social and safe – the perfect base to relax, connect and make memories that last.

Only the best hostels

Hand-picked for location, comfort and good vibes. Our best-hostel policy means you’ll only stay in places we’d call home.

Unique camping stays

Spend 2 unforgettable nights camping out on K’gari – tents, sleeping bags and marshmallows all provided.

Travel while you sleep

2 nights by overnight bus will ensure you wake up close to the next adventure. Comfortable, safe and hassle-free.

Your travel family

You’ll stay in 6-8 bed dorm rooms with your new friends on tour. We don’t leave anyone behind, so you’ll always be sharing with the group.

Bucket List Inclusions

Scenic flight over the Whitsundays

You’ve seen it on TikTok. Now it’s your turn.

The scenic flight over Heart Reef has been living in your saved folder long enough. First from the sky, then from the sea, we know it’s on your bucket list – that’s exactly why we made sure it’s included in your tour.

Top Experiences

K’gari (Fraser Island)

K’gari is the largest sand island in the world! And you’ll be driving on the beaches, swimming in the lakes and relaxing in the lazy rivers.

Explore the Whitsundays

Start the day in the sky, with a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef. Then sail out to Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays Islands.

Dive in the Great Barrier Reef

Snorkel the world’s largest living structure. Swim with colourful coral, friendly fish and a turtle if you’re lucky.

Surf Town Living

Beach days, coastal walks and a river kayak. Your guided time in Byron shows off the best of surf town living.

Aboriginal History

Learn about the world’s oldest continuous civilisation with a guided walking tour through Burleigh Head.

Noosa RoundAboat
Noosa RoundAboat

The most unique way to see Noosa, a round boat for good times on the river. Bring snacks and the vibes will bring themselves.

River of Mirrors

Start your day spotting kangaroos jumping across the water – magic. Then canoe along the mirrored Everglades spying wildlife.

Magical Magnetic Island

Spot koalas, feed wallabies and hit up the best beaches on Magnetic Island. This is the relaxing island-getaway of your dreams.

Welcome to Sydney

Discover one of the world’s most iconic cities. Everything in the Welcome to Sydney itinerary is included in this package.

Iconic Beaches

Tick off iconic Bondi Beach, then walk the coastal path to Coogee Beach to see the beaches only the locals know about.

Surf Town Living

Beach days, coastal walks and a river kayak. Your guided time in Byron shows off the best of surf town living.

River of Mirrors

Start your day spotting kangaroos jumping across the water – magic. Then canoe along the mirrored Everglades spying wildlife.

K’gari (Fraser Island)

K’gari is the largest sand island in the world! And you’ll be driving on the beaches, swimming in the lakes and relaxing in the lazy rivers.

Explore the Whitsundays

Start the day in the sky, with a scenic flight over the iconic Heart Reef. Then sail out to Whitehaven Beach and the Whitsundays Islands.

Magical Magnetic Island

Spot koalas, feed wallabies and hit up the best beaches on Magnetic Island. This is the relaxing island-getaway of your dreams.

Dive in the Great Barrier Reef

Snorkel the world’s largest living structure. Swim with colourful coral, friendly fish and a turtle if you’re lucky.

Make It Yours

Personalise Your Dream Australia Tour

Choose from up to 20 optional add-ons to build your dream trip – pick what excites you, skip what doesn’t. 

Skydive
Mission Beach
Surf Lesson
Byron Bay
Rainbow Beach
Intro Scuba Dive
Great Barrier Reef
Bungy Jump
Cairns
Australia Zoo
Queensland
Waterfall Tour
Cairns
Moreton Island
Brisbane
Dolphin Kayak
Rainbow Beach
White Water Rafting
Cairns
Daintree Rainforest
Cairns
Jetski Safari
Airlie Beach
Fitzroy Island
Cairns

Your 30 Day Itinerary

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Ask Us Anything

Home

Before and after you book the tour, we know that you’ll have questions about travelling to Australia. This is totally natural and we’re able to help with all of this, not just over email but through our famous free, personalised travel advice calls.

We’ll jump on an easy Google Meet video call so you can hear more about the tour and ask all your questions.

Book a Travel Call

The support continues with helpful info emails leading up to you joining us on tour.
And the week before your tour we’ll also create a group on our Travel App to connect you with everyone that you’ll be on tour with!

Free Travel Call

Your East Coast Adventure Starts

Sydney

Today marks the start of your East Coast adventure!

We’ll start with an overview session, running through everything for the next 30 days so you know exactly what’s ahead. We’ll go over your itinerary for the East Coast, answering anything and everything so that you feel as relaxed and excited as possible.

After that we’ll head for a cool secret inclusion followed by a welcome dinner, our first meal together as an East Coast travel fam! That evening you will be getting the overnight bus to our next stop, beautiful Byron Bay.

East Coast Overview
SECRET INCLUSION
1 Dinner

River Kayak & Rooftop Nights

Byron Bay

With its beautiful beaches, epic surf, great food and good vibes, every traveller has Byron Bay on their bucket list. Get grounded with a tour of ‘the Bay’ with your tour guide before having a group meal to celebrate your first night in town.

The next morning we’re straight out on a stunning river kayak tour – there’s really nothing like taking to the water and this is the first of many water-based activities on your tour. In the afternoon, we’ll head up to the iconic Byron Bay Lighthouse for one of the best views on the East Coast, taking in the most easterly point of mainland Australia.

Whilst in Byron Bay we’ll be staying at the incredible Surf House, which is 100m from the beach AND has a rooftop bar.

With your days in Byron taken care of, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. Between activities you’ll get pockets of downtime to catch a wave, soak up the sun on the beach or just take in the laid-back Byron lifestyle, and your guide will be on hand throughout to run you through everything coming up on the rest of your trip and answer any questions you have.

The final evening in Byron Bay will be a team night out, what a great first few days!

RIVER KAYAK
Lighthouse Walk
2 Dinners

Burleigh Heads Walk

Surfers Paradise

From Byron Bay, you’ll be heading up the Coast as a group without your tour guide, but worry not, we’ll have covered everything you need to know before you get on the bus, you’ll also have our Travel App to follow your itinerary and we’re contactable when you need us too. Just because your Welcome to Travel Guide is waving goodbye doesn’t mean the end of your guided experiences. Instead we pass over to the local experts up the Coast, the first in Surfers.

You’ll be taken on a guided walk around Burleigh Heads coastline with an Aboriginal guide who will be telling you all about the rich history of the land and their people… which is mind blowing.

Spend the rest of your time in Surfers Paradise chilling on the beach, exploring the town or even hitting one of the theme parks or water parks. Then spend your evening enjoying the famous night-life.

BEACH TIME
JELLURGAL WALKABOUT
2 Dinners

Charge Up or Chase Adventure

Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital of Queensland is a cool metropolitan city, with so many beautiful national parks surrounding it. It’s at this time where people either need to charge up their social batteries or go on an adventure. That’s the best part about it being semi-guided, you can choose depending on how you feel.

Moreton Island is one of our most popular add-ons where you can be sandboarding down sand dunes, kayaking around shipwrecks and snorkelling with the local marine life. Then spend the day at Australia Zoo. Get up close with kangaroos and maybe even Robert Irwin?

Back in the city, make sure to head to Southbank, there’s a free lagoon (swimming pool) by the river’s edge. For getting around the city, the ferry system is the way to go and offers the best views.

MORETON ISLAND ADD-ON
AUSTRALIA ZOO ADD-ON

Fairy Pools & National Park

Noosa

Noosa is a popular holiday destination for travellers, but also Aussies. To be honest, Noosa is as perfect as life gets.

Like Byron Bay, it has beaches to die for and a great food scene, but it also has a National Park that’s just 500m from town. This is where you’ll find the famous Fairy Pools. You saw them on insta, and now it’s your turn to swim in them.

We have the best advice on how to explore the National Park and the rest of Noosa, as well as where the best sunset spots are all in our handy app.

We’re committed to our best hostels policy and here we’ll stay in Bounce, our most-requested hostel and for good reason, you could easily spend all day not leaving the hostel grounds.

FAIRY POOLS
SUNSET

Lakeside Cabins & River of Mirrors

The Everglades

After Noosa, we’ve organised for you to stay right within the Everglades National Park itself at Kangarooms. Here you’ll be staying together in cabins / safari tents that are surrounded by kangaroos every evening.

You can grab a kayak or paddleboard and hit the lake or chill out on land with a beer at the onsite brewery. On your second day you’ll be exploring further into the Everglades, firstly on a boat cruise, and then secondly by canoe. Both are on the spectacular River of Mirrors. Don’t worry, it’s a short distance to canoe and they supply everything you need!

KANGAROOS
EVERGLADES

4x4 Island Living & Freshwater Lakes

Rainbow Beach & K'gari

K’gari (meaning paradise) is the traditional name for a place you may know as Fraser Island.

This is the world’s largest sand island and you’ll experience island-living over the next three days. You’ll be exploring the island by 4×4, stopping off to swim in freshwater lakes, drift down lazy rivers, spot shipwrecks and so much more.

This is the laid-back island-living of your dreams. They’ll be sand between your toes, you’ll forget what time it is and will feel totally switched off from the world. This is why you came to Australia.

You will also get the chance to drive!* And there’s no cooler feeling than driving down the beach in a car filled with your friends.

Before and after your time on K’gari, you’ll stay at Rainbow Beach, a short ferry ride away from the island. You’ll spend three days on the island, camping for two nights with everything provided for you.

*Must be 21+ and hold a valid drivers license.

4X4 OFFROADING
2 Breakfasts
3 Lunches
2 Dinners

Heart Reef Flight & Whitehaven Beach

Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays

We want you to experience the best things on the East Coast, and the Whitsundays is one of them. What’s better than experiencing the Whitsundays once? Experiencing it twice!

Based in Airlie Beach – the gateway to the Whitsundays and a buzzing hub in its own right – you’ll have time to explore the town’s laneway bars, lagoon and waterfront restaurants in between adventures.

We’re obviously going to ensure you see the Whitsundays by boat, on a fantastic day trip that includes snorkelling pristine waters and visiting Whitehaven Beach.

Before that though, we’re going to take you on a truly once in a lifetime experience, a 60 minute, scenic flight over Heart Reef. Yes, that’s included!

Whitsundays Scenic Flight
Whitsundays Boat
1 Lunch

Forts Walk, Koalas & Barbie Cars

Magnetic Island

You may not have heard of Magnetic Island but it is a true Welcome to Travel favourite. Get ready for beautiful beaches, a chilled-back lifestyle and heaps of wildlife. After so many activities this is a great place to relax and recharge before your final stop, Cairns.

‘Maggie’ is also home to so many wild koalas and wallabies that if you haven’t spotted any in the wild yet, you will do here. While on Magnetic Island you’ll be able to do the famous Forts Walk, hire snorkels or wait for it… Barbie Cars. All of which we’ll be able to help you with.

Island Life
Koalas

Great Barrier Reef & Farewell Feast

Cairns

And just like that, you’ve travelled nearly 3000km and you are now a true travel family.

To celebrate this, you’re going to spend an incredible day out on the Great Barrier Reef, where you’ll snorkel with Nemo. If you want, you’ll also get the opportunity to scuba dive too! Following that, you’ll clink your glasses and say cheers to the best month of your lives at your final farewell meal.

With so many things to do, Cairns is THE place for backpackers. From white water rafting, to rainforest trips, bungy jumps, skydives and more we have heaps of add-on activities to tempt you with either on tour or after.

Today is the official end of the tour and you’ll be able to leave at any point during this day for onward travel, but if you can hang around an extra few days we’d highly recommend it!

Great Barrier Reef
Add-Ons
1 Lunch
1 Dinner

Keep the Adventure Going

Cairns

Cairns is packed with incredible activities and we wish we could fit them all in but we simply couldn’t. So if you have the time we highly recommend staying around Cairns for another few days to tick off a few more must-see spots. This includes crocodile-spotting in the world’s oldest rainforest, snorkelling from Fitzroy Island or even getting your diving qualification on the Great Barrier Reef.

If you’re keen to travel more of Australia, we’re here to help you plan every adventure, or if you simply need a few hostel nights to plan your next move that’s what we’re here for too. Simply get in touch at any point during or after your trip for ongoing support for your time in Australia.

Heading home? We hope you’ve had the best experience in Australia! You’ll head home with memories to last a lifetime, new friendships that span the globe and a good tan too.

Add-Ons
Ongoing Support

Tour Inclusions

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  • Relax with our day one group Meet and Greet Session
  • Secret fun pre-departure Sydney activity
  • Guided walks around Byron Bay
  • Afternoon river kayaking in Byron Bay
  • Beach time and lighthouse walk in Byron Bay
  • Team night out on final evening in Byron Bay
  • Discover the rich Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast with a guided walking tour of Burleigh Headland
  • Hit the beach and the bars in Surfers Paradise
  • Get to know Queensland’s capital city, Brisbane
  • Visit beautiful Noosa National Park, home of the Fairy Pools
  • Afternoon boat trip on Noosa River with Roundaboat (BYO snacks and drinks)
  • Noosa Cruise (boat trip) and canoe on the River of Mirrors in the Everglades National Parks
  • Bring in sunset at beautiful Carlo Sandblow at Rainbow Beach
  • Dive 4x4 on K’gari (Fraser Island)
  • Swim in freshwater lakes, lazy rivers and more on K’gari
  • See the best stars of your life around the campfire
  • Take a scenic flight (this is included!) over the Whitsundays and Heart Reef
  • Experience a boat trip to the world famous Whitehaven Beach
  • Snorkel the pristine waters around the Whitsundays
  • Spot koalas, feed wallabies and swim in crystal clear beaches on Magnetic Island
  • Visit the Great Barrier Reef trip. Snorkelling is included, scuba diving is possible to add on
  • 23 Nights dorm accommodation in Australia’s best hostels
  • 2 Nights in an incredible lakeside Wildlife Retreat, Kangarooms
  • 2 Nights camping on K'gari (Fraser Island) with all camping gear included
  • 2 Overnight buses so you wake up in your next destination
  • Stay and travel as one group, start to finish
  • Extra nights available for before and after the tour
  • Bus: Airport pick up
  • Ferry: Ferry to Manly
  • Bus: modern, air conditioned coach travel up the coast (WiFi/USB)
  • Ferry: your transport to Magnetic Island
  • 4WD Jeep/Troupes on K'gari (Fraser Island)
  • Fast Boat: your trip to the Whitsundays
  • Plane: flight over the Whitsundays
  • 2 Breakfasts
  • 5 Lunches
  • 6 Dinners
  • Food and drink discounts and specials for every destination

Dietary Requirements

  • Suitable for vegetarians & vegans
  • Gluten free options available
  • Connect with your group on Trip Loop, before, throughout and after the tour
  • Lifetime membership with Welcome to Travel
  • Access to free regular Welcome to Travel events
  • Discounted rates for Melbourne and Sydney events (parties, bar crawls)
  • Private lifetime member Facebook group access
  • Customised travel planning and ongoing help after your tour
  • National travel specials and discounts
  • Ongoing travel help after your tour

As seen on tour

Tried, Tested & Loved By Our Community

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East Coast 8
East Coast 10
East Coast 4
East Coast 9
East Coast 7
East Coast 3
East Coast 2
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Final price is based on today’s exchange rates. Tour charges are in AUD.

For tours starting in the first week of January 2027, a maximum of 2 pre-tour nights are available to book online.

If you’d like to request additional pre-tour nights, please contact our Reservations Team at [email protected].

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Customisable

📍Bespoke

East Coast Trip Builder

Take your time travelling the East Coast with a personalised trip to match your budget, travel-style and time scale. Whether you’re a nature-lover, adrenaline-junkie, beach-bum or all three we’ll create your perfect trip.

Design Your Trip

What Happens After You Book Your Tour?

Before Your Tour

Connect with future travellers

Join our Facebook group to meet fellow travellers, ask questions and get advice from people who’ve already done the trip. Your group starts here.

Join the Group

Once You've Booked

Make it yours

You’ll receive our add-ons form so you can start planning the extras – skydiving, scuba diving, surf lessons and more. No pressure to decide right away – you can fill it out before you leave or sort it when you arrive!

Discover Add-Ons

A Week Before Your Tour

Meet Trip Loop - your tour in your pocket

You’ll be added to Trip Loop, our app that has everything you need in one place. Your full itinerary, activity bookings, local recommendations and a group chat with everyone on your tour. Plus direct access to the WtT team whenever you need us – support from day one!

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After Your Tour

The adventure doesn't stop here

Ready for what’s next? Welcome to Travel can help you build a completely personalised trip! Whether that’s Uluru, the West Coast, Bali or further into Asia. We know Australia and beyond, and we want to be part of your whole journey, not just the East Coast.

Plan A Custom Trip

Make Memories Fund

A portion of every booking goes towards good.

Every booking includes a donation to the Make Memories Fund split across four causes: land, ocean, First Nations culture and social impact. On tour we also educate on how to respect the country, showcase First Nations culture and highlight the issues that matter.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

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The best way to explore the East Coast with a new group of mates! Our semi-guided group adventure starts in Sydney and finishes in Cairns. You’ll travel with a group of like-minded people stopping at Australia’s most iconic destinations: Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, K’gari, the Whitsundays, Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef. It’s the best way to see the East Coast, with the big experiences organised and the freedom to explore in between.

Anyone aged 18-39 who wants to see Australia properly. Whether you’re on a Working Holiday Visa, travelling as a tourist or just looking for the adventure of a lifetime, this tour is built for people who want more than a highlight reel. About 80% of our travellers are solo so you’ll be in good company from day one.

Our 30 Day East Coast tour is built for solo travellers. Around 80% of people on tour are travelling alone and the whole format, from the group chat set up before you leave to the shared dorms and guided experiences, is designed to help you meet people fast and travel together. You’ll leave with friends you couldn’t imagine not having met.

We run groups of up to 24 travellers as standard, up to 30 during peak summer months. Small enough to feel like a tight-knit travel family, big enough to always have someone up for an adventure.

Our tours are open to 18–39 year olds. The average age tends to sit in the mid-twenties but it varies week to week and that’s what makes it interesting. Age really is just a number when you’re all experiencing the same things for the first time.

Yes! You’ll be advised to download our TripLoop app which includes a group chat with your tour group. This is created the week before departure so you can get to know each other before you even arrive in Sydney. You can also join our Australia Travels Facebook group to connect with future travellers, ask questions and get advice from people who’ve already done the trip.

The tour starts in Sydney and finishes in Cairns. If you want to start in Melbourne, our 44-day Melbourne to Cairns package adds Welcome to Melbourne and Welcome to Sydney before the East Coast tour begins. If you want more time to explore Sydney our 37-Day packages includes 5 extra fully guided days to explore the iconic city before your East Coast tour officially starts. We’d also highly recommend having a few days free at the end to make the most of the optional add-on experiences in Cairns.

We include the Heart Reef scenic flight in our itinerary as we know this is one of the biggest bucket list activities for backpackers – a lot of other tour companies only offer this on their longest and most expensive tours. We have a strict best hostel policy so you’re never staying somewhere we wouldn’t stay ourselves. Our group size is capped between 24-30 so it never feels like a bus tour. And the semi-guided format means you get the big experiences organised with real freedom in between to explore at your own pace and personalise as you go.

We only stay in places we’d stay ourselves. Our best hostel policy means every hostel is handpicked for location, atmosphere and quality. You’ll stay in 6-8 bed dorms and always with people from your group. You’ll also have some more unique accommodations including 2 nights camping on K’gari and 2 nights at Kangarooms Habitat retreat surrounded by kangaroos! Full accommodation details are listed in the tour inclusions.

Dorms are super social and that’s exactly why we love them. Introduce yourself, be friendly and you’ll get the same in return. All dorms have lockers so bring a small padlock to keep your valuables safe. We keep the whole group in the same dorms wherever possible so you’ll be with your travel family from night one.

It’s completely normal to feel nervous and the best part of a group tour is that everyone in your group is in the same boat and it’s that shared experience is what makes the friendships form so fast. By the end of the first week you’ll wonder how you only just met. Your guide is also there to make sure no one feels lost or left out, especially in the early days. If you want to start connecting before you arrive, join our Australia Travels Facebook group to chat and connect with other travellers before your tour.

Absolutely! The nature of travelling together, sharing dorms, doing bucket list experiences side by side and navigating a new country together creates the kind of friendships that last well beyond the trip. Most of our travellers stay in touch long after the tour ends and many go on to travel together again.

A genuine mix and that’s what we love! We find most people who join us on tour are in their mid-twenties, travelling solo for the first time or the fifth time. Some are on Working Holiday Visas, some are tourists on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We have travellers join us from all over the world, and we love that no two tours are the same. Most of our travellers are from the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Scandinavia and they all arrive for the same reason: to see Australia properly and have the time of their lives doing it.

All our groups mix really well, with group elements that are designed to bring everyone together but enough free time to do your own thing in smaller groups. When couples join the tour they also slot naturally into the group dynamic, they’re there for the same experience and usually spend plenty of time with the wider group rather than keeping to themselves. With 80% of the group typically solo, the energy is always social and welcoming.

You’ll start in Sydney and end in Cairns. You’ll visit: Sydney → Byron Bay → Surfers Paradise → Brisbane → Noosa → The Everglades → Rainbow Beach → K’gari → Airlie Beach → Whitsundays → Magnetic Island → Cairns.

You’ll spend 2-3 nights in most spots, but it varies by destination so you’ll always have the perfect amount of time in each spot. K’gari gets two nights camping, the Whitsundays gets enough time for the boat trip and Whitehaven Beach, and Cairns is your final destination with time to explore before the tour wraps up. The full breakdown is in the day-by-day itinerary on the tour page.

Day one is all about arriving, settling in and meeting your group. Your morning is yours to explore Sydney, and in the afternoon we’ll begin with our Meet & Greet. This is your time to meet your group and hear what you’ll be doing over the next 30 days, get ready for instant wanderlust! We’ll then head out on a secret group activity, grab dinner together and head to the bus stop for your first overnight bus of the trip.

Most of the group arrives in Sydney a day or two before the tour starts; this gives you time to do all your Sydney sightseeing and get over some of your jetlag. You’ll have the option to book in pre-tour nights when booking your tour (or we can add these later for you!).

Want to see more of Sydney? Add in our Welcome to Sydney tour for a 5 day guided tour around the city.

If you’re arriving on the first day of the East Coast tour, we highly recommend landing before 9am to give you time to clear the airport and make it into the city centre for your Meet & Greet. We normally start our Meet & Greet at 12.45pm, so you’ll need to be in the city for this time.

We know nothing brings together the group like food, so we have meals included across the 30 days so you can stop, grab a bite and chat about your day. The tour includes 2 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners. Outside of included meals you’ll be eating independently, either get together in the hostel kitchen to cook a group meal or check out your Travel App for the best local spots at every stop.

All your transport is included from Sydney to Cairns. You’ll be travelling on Premier Coaches, super comfy, with everything you need onboard – even a toilet! For your two overnight buses you’ll be able to make the most of the reclining seats and there are always regular rest breaks to stretch your legs or grab some food. For your time on K’gari and Magnetic Island, the ferry transfers are all included too. And of course your epic scenic flight over the Whitsundays is also included!

You’ll be able to find all your transport details in your app so you always know where you need to be and when.

You’ll most likely have been on an overnight plane to get to Australia, so you can definitely do an overnight bus or two. You’ll be travelling on Premier buses, think comfortable reclining seats, a handy toilet on board and regular stops to get off and stretch your legs. The best thing about overnight travel is that you don’t lose a day of your trip and you wake up somewhere new ready to explore.

This is going to be where you’ll find everything you need for your trip! Your full itinerary, activity bookings, local recommendations, transport details and a group chat with everyone on your tour. You also have direct access to the Welcome to Travel team through the app whenever you need support. Think of it as your travel companion for the full 30 days.

We run our East Coast tour year-round. In fact winter on the East Coast is actually a brilliant time to travel with cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and some of the clearest visibility for Great Barrier Reef snorkelling.

As Australia is a huge country, the weather varies significantly from south to north. In the south (so Sydney and Byron Bay) you’ll have four clear seasons similar to at home but with much warmer winters! Then as you travel further north it gets warmer and also more humid too. By the time you get to Cairns you’ll be in a tropical climate with hot humid days most of the year. We run tours all year round and partner with incredible suppliers who know what to do whatever the weather so we’ll be there to tell you to put on more sunscreen (the sun’s harsher than back home) or adapt a tour to make the most out of a rare rainy day.

All good things must come to an end 😢 and after our farewell meal on day 29, the tour officially ends in Cairns on day 30. As this is a free day, you’re free to depart at any time on this day. BUT we don’t want to say goodbye, just yet.

Most of the group stay on for a few extra days to enjoy some of the add-on experience like croc spotting in the world’s oldest rainforest or snorkelling from Fitzroy Island. So if you can, keep two or three days free after the tour to enjoy these stunning spots around Cairns.

Or we’d love to help you continue your travels elsewhere in Australia, head over to Tassie, explore the outback or join one of our 5 day tours in Melbourne or Sydney. Whatever your next plans are, we’re here with heaps of support, great deals and advice. Just email us at [email protected] and we’ll organise your next adventure or simply help with a few nights of accommodation while you plan your next move.

There’s no bad time to travel the East Coast, in fact we could chat about this all day, so much so we wrote a blog on it. In short, summer is most popular with hot weather everywhere you go but the chance of rain further north. Winter brings cooler weather in the south but sunny dry days the whole way up the coast. And spring and autumn offer warmer days but without the peak-season crowds.

Summer on the East Coast is the peak season, and for good reason – it’s hot! You can expect hot weather everywhere you go in an endless summer – this is why you came to Australia afterall. As you travel further north into the tropics, the weather turns more humid with occasional rain in the air. This is also peak season, so you’ll find a great social vibe in all the hostels and included tours for an epic time on the coast.

This is Australia remember, so winter will never be like winter back home. Expect sunny cool days in the south and still hot humid days as you head north. As a quieter time of year to travel, you’ll get to experience less-crowded destinations but with all the same wow-factor.

Yes, you’ll be snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef as part of your tour. You’ll head out to the outer reef by boat, snorkel over coral gardens and swim alongside Nemo and Dory. Want to get closer to the action? You’ll have the option to upgrade to an introductory scuba dive.

A guided walk through Burleigh Heads National Park led by Aboriginal guides who share the stories, traditions and deep connection to the country of the Yugambeh people. It’s one of the most meaningful experiences on the tour and a genuinely important way to understand the land you’re travelling through. One of those inclusions that stays with you long after the trip ends.

Semi-guided is the best of both worlds; structure where you need it, freedom where you want it. You’ll have a Welcome to Travel guide at the start of your tour, showing you around and making sure you know everything you’ll be doing over the next 30 days. You’ll then have guided activities and inclusion with local experts as you travel up the coast. The time in between is yours to explore with the group independently, with heaps of tips and support from us.

On a fully guided tour every moment is scheduled and a guide is with you at all times. We feel having a little more independence gives you a better experience, you’re not on a school trip after all.

Our semi-guided tour means you start with a Welcome to Travel Guide and then enjoy guided tours and experiences with local experts as you travel up the coast. All the big stuff is covered, your transport, hostels and activities are all organised, and you can always contact us though the app if you need more support. You get more free time, more flexibility and a more authentic travel experience, without ever feeling like you’re on your own.

The Sydney to Byron Bay leg is fully guided with your Welcome to Travel guide. From Byron Bay onwards you’ll travel with a group semi-independently, we’ve already organised your transport, accommodation and epic experiences all in one handy app to keep you on track.

We work seamlessly with our suppliers so everything is super smooth behind the scenes leaving you free to sit back and enjoy. Still need a helping hand? You’ll find support on the app and the team ready to help any day of the week.

Not unless you want to! You’ll be travelling as a group, staying in the same rooms in your hostels and doing all your amazing activities together. You have free time to explore independently within each stop, so if you need some you-time to grab a coffee on the beach you can do so. But we find the group naturally wants to stay together and explore together on your free days too. We’re also available through the Trip Loop app at any point if you need support, guidance or just a local recommendation.

This is your guide in your pocket. Everything you need to know about your tour will be on your Trip Loop app. It holds your full 30-day itinerary, transport details, accommodation information, activity bookings and local recommendations for every stop. There’s a group chat with everyone on your tour and direct access to the Welcome to Travel team whenever you need it.

All the support you need to have an amazing time on the East Coast! Contact the Welcome to Travel team through the Trip Loop app at any time, your guide is with you for the opening leg and available throughout, and the local hostel teams at each stop are there to help and support you too. You’re never left without someone to turn to, what we love about the semi-guided format is that you’re encouraged to explore with confidence rather than wait to be told what to do next.

Absolutely! And we’d argue it’s better than fully guided for most first time travellers. The structure gives you the confidence to get started, the group gives you people to explore with and the free time means you can travel your way. Most people who’ve never travelled before finish the East Coast tour feeling like seasoned adventurers.

It varies by stop but there’s free time built into every destination. Some stops are more experience-heavy, others give you full afternoons and evenings to explore independently. You’ll be able to check your Trip Loop app to see exactly what’s included and when you have free time to explore on your own or with the group. Plus, your guide and the Welcome to Travel team are always on hand with recommendations for each spot.

It’s very hard to get lost as our Travel App has all your transport and accommodation details in one place. But if something does go wrong, give our office a quick ring and we’ll get you sorted!

Our semi-guided tour comes with more support and a built-in group of friends. You’ll have a travel family from day one, a guide to make sure you know what you’re doing at the start and the support to grow in confidence as you travel. You also get a super easy app to follow and everything in one handy place.

On our self-guided options, we still offer support and book your accommodation, transport and amazing activities, but you’ll be travelling solo from day one. So a semi-guided is ideal if you want a friendship group straight away, self-guided is for the independent queens who want inside tips and support booking everything but the freedom to roam their way.

We’ve packed the tour full of activities from kayaking in Byron Bay to snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef! Your scenic flight over the Whitsundays is also included as is a 3 day camping trip on K’gari. There are too many activities to include here so you can find our full list of inclusions on the tour page.

You’ll have the option to personalise your tour with add-on activities along the way, the nature lovers can add trips to Australia Zoo and dolphin kayaks while the adrenaline junkies can skydive, bungy jump and so much more. Have a look at all the add-ons on the tour page. Our tip? If possible leave a few days free after your tour ends in Cairns to make the most of the extra add-on activities available.

As early as possible! We do regularly see some add-ons sell out, particularly the Moreton Island day trip, scuba upgrade, skydive and Cape Tribulation and Waterfalls overnight trip. Once you’re booked on tour, you’ll be sent a quick email to pick your add-on options, or you can also email [email protected] at any time to book your add-ons.

You’ll also be able to book your add-on on tour with your guide, but this is dependent on availability, so if you have your heart set on a skydive, we’d recommend getting this booked nice and early.

It depends entirely on how many add-ons you want to do. If you plan to do several activities across the trip including a skydive, budget an extra $1,000 – $1,500 on top of your general spending money. If you want to do a surf lesson, day trip to Australia Zoo and Moreton Island, budget around $500.

If you’re happy with the included experiences and just want spending money for food and drinks, $250–$350 per week is a good guide.

Tour after tour, we see most of the group booking Australia Zoo, Moreton Island and a skydive! The scuba dive upgrade on The Great Barrier Reef is also always a top choice. After the tour officially ends, we find a lot of the group choose to add on the Cape Tribulation and Waterfalls tour to extend their time in Cairns.

We love that each tour group chooses a mixture of add-ons so if you choose to join in or have a free day you’ll have friends on the tour joining you.

Yep! We book add-ons on the same day at the same time, so you’ll be the other people in your group who have signed up too. We find there’s always a nice split of the group who have booked add-ons so you’ll be with your friends on tour.

The add-on activities are always scheduled on free days on your itinerary, so if the add-on isn’t for you, you’ll be able to find heaps of suggestions and recommendations of how to spend the day on the app. Or you may choose to spend the day at the beach or chilling around the hostel – that’s the benefit of semi-guided you can decide based on how you feel.

It varies by activity. Most included experiences are accessible to all fitness levels. Some add-ons like skydiving and white water rafting have age, weight and health requirements, we’ll check in with you about any of these at the time of booking. If you have specific concerns about any activity, get in touch with the Welcome to Travel team before you book.

Yes, in fact the skydive add-on is one of the most popular experiences on the entire tour. Jumping over the rainforest and reef with the Coral Sea stretching out beneath you is about as Australian as it gets. Book early as spots fill up fast.

You can secure your post with just a $400 deposit, you’ll then need to pay the final balance 42 days before your tour starts (don’t worry we’ll send you your payment link with plenty of time to get this paid). If you book within 56 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking.

As soon as you know you’re coming! We do regularly see our tours booking out weeks or months in advance during the peak summer months, so booking your spot early means you’ll get your preferred date. We also know things change, so we offer free date changes up to 43 days before your date, depending on availability.

We know things pop up, so we offer free date changes up to 43 days before your tour date depending on availability. You can also change your date up to 15 days before your tour for a fee. Please see our booking terms and conditions for full details.

Yes, we highly recommend you have travel insurance before flying to Australia. You never know when the unexpected might happen to you, so with travel insurance you know you’re covered. You can find our travel insurance recommendations on our website. Check out our travel insurance recommendations for the best options for your trip.

Pack light, seriously, future you with thank you! You’ll be moving between destinations regularly and a heavy bag gets old fast. Pack for 10-14 days and use hostel laundry facilities to wash and repeat. Don’t forget to come with a padlock for hostel lockers, eyemask and earplugs for the dorms, two towels (one for the beach, one for the showers) and a good day bag and water bottle. Check out our full packing guide for a comprehensive list.

This is our most-asked question. And our answer is…either! A soft-shell bag is generally easier for the East Coast, it fits under bunk beds easily in your hostel dorms and doesn’t get damaged the way a hard-shell suitcase can. A backpack is worth it if you’re planning to travel in Asia before or after. Whatever you bring, make sure you also have a good day bag for shorter trips when you leave your main bag at the hostel.

Yes! Otherwise you won’t be allowed in! If you’re visiting as a tourist you’ll need a Visitor Visa. If you’re coming to work while on holiday you’ll need a Working Holiday Visa (417) or Work and Holiday Visa (462) depending on your country. Check the Australian Government website for the full list and application process.

We recommend budgeting $250–$300 per week for food and drinks outside of included meals. On top of that, budget separately for any add-on activities you want to do.

You sure can! You can book nights in Sydney before the tour starts either at the time of booking or you can add these on later. If you want to extend your time in Cairns after the tour finishes, we can sort this for you too. Simply get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected]

Yep! Our 37-day Sydney to Cairns package combines Welcome to Sydney with the East Coast tour in one seamless booking so you have time to explore Sydney fully. Our 44-day Melbourne to Cairns package goes further, adding Welcome to Melbourne before Welcome to Sydney for the complete Australian adventure. Have a look at our packages for the full itineraries.

The 37-day Sydney to Cairns package combines Welcome to Sydney (5 days) with the Welcome to Australia: East Coast tour (30 days). The 44-day Melbourne to Cairns package adds Welcome to Melbourne (5 days) at the start – so you get Melbourne, Sydney and the full East Coast all in one booking. It’s the complete Australia experience from start to finish.

We totally understand that things pop up. As per our booking terms and conditions, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing your name and booking reference to [email protected]. Our reservations team will share your options with you, or you can check our booking terms and conditions.

The East Coast tour is focused on showing you the best of the East Coast and doesn’t include dedicated WHV admin support. However if you book Welcome to Sydney or Welcome to Melbourne as part of a travel package, the free Welcome Pack, which covers TFN, bank account setup, employment webinar and more, is available to add at checkout. It’s the best way to get your WHV admin sorted before you hit the road.

The best way to access WHV support is to add Welcome to Sydney or Welcome to Melbourne to your East Coast booking as part of our 37-day or 44-day packages. Both include the option to add our free Welcome Pack at checkout, covering everything you need to hit the ground running in Australia before the East Coast adventure begins.

You don’t need to be an athlete but a reasonable level of fitness will help you get the most out of the trip. The tour involves walking, swimming, camping and some physical activities. If you have specific fitness concerns get in touch with the Welcome to Travel team before booking and we’ll talk you through what to expect at each stop.

We want to welcome as many travellers as possible and will always do our best to accommodate specific needs. Some stops and activities have physical requirements that may be challenging depending on your disability. We’d encourage anyone with accessibility needs to contact the team before booking so we can walk through the itinerary together and make sure the tour is right for you.

Yep! We’ll pass on any dietary requirements to our suppliers and make sure you’re covered. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or have allergies, you’ll find options at every stop. Let us know your requirements when you book so we can make sure you’re catered for.

Absolutely! Welcome to Travel is an inclusive company and our tours welcome travellers of all identities, orientations and backgrounds. Australia is a generally very LGBTQ+ friendly destination and our groups reflect the diversity of the travellers who join us. Everyone is welcome here.

A genuine mix from all over the world. The most common nationalities tend to be British, Irish, Dutch, German, Scandinavian and North American but we regularly have travellers from across Europe, Asia and beyond. The international mix is one of the things people love most about the tour, you leave having made friends from countries you’ve never even visited.

Our groups are made up of people from all over the world with different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences. That diversity is one of the best things about the tour and something we actively celebrate.

Your guide and the Welcome to Travel team are available throughout the tour via the Trip Loop app. If you’re finding anything difficult, whether that’s the travel itself, group dynamics or anything else, reach out to your guide or the team directly. We’ve been doing this a long time and there isn’t much we haven’t helped someone through. You’re never on your own.

Definitely! All your accommodation, transport and heaps of incredible activities are included. You’ll visit surf town, K’gari, The Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach, the Great Barrier Reef and so much more all with a group of people who’ll become friends for life. Most travellers tell us it’s the best thing they’ve ever done. The question isn’t really whether it’s worth it. It’s whether you can afford not to do it.

The most incredible adventure of your life. So much is included, all your transport between destinations, your accommodation in the best hostels in Australia, and bucket list moments across the East Coast.You also have a welcome dinner and farewell meal, and other meals throughout your trip.

When you cost it up properly, the gap is smaller than most people think, and the experience is incomparably better. Accommodation alone at quality hostels would cost $80–$120 per night independently. Add transport, activities and meals and you’re looking at well over $6,000 before you’ve done anything spontaneous. With our Day East Coast Tour you get all of that plus unique experiences like the scenic flight over the Whitsundays and a group of people to share it all with – for less than you’d spend doing it alone.

There are no hidden costs. The $4,995 price covers all your accommodation, transport and heaps of activities.You can find absolutely everything that’s included in our list of inclusions above. The only additional costs are meals and drinks outside of included ones, personal spending and any add-on activities you choose to do. We recommend budgeting $1,500–$2,500 spending money for the full 30 days depending on how many add-ons you want to do.

At $163 per day covering accommodation, transport, meals and some of Australia’s most iconic experiences, we’d say yes, it’s exceptional value! To put it in perspective, a single night in a Sydney CBD hotel averages $200+. The Heart Reef scenic flight alone costs $200–$300 if booked independently. Plus you’ll have access to our tips, recommendations and support the whole way up the coast – that’s something you can’t put a price on.

We’ve pulled out three things that we feel really highlight the value of our East Coast tour. 1. The group atmosphere, you’ll be travelling with a group of likeminded friends. 2. The inclusions, particularly the Whitsundays scenic flight, which most competitors either don’t include or reserve for their longest and most expensive packages. And 3. Peace of mind, you can sit back and enjoy knowing every hostel, every bus and every major experience is sorted for you.

Time, money and experience. Planning 30+ days across multiple destinations takes weeks of research, dozens of bookings and a lot of local knowledge you don’t have yet. We’ve spent years perfecting this itinerary, knowing which hostels are actually worth staying in, which experiences deliver and which order to do everything in to make the most of the journey. You could do it yourself. But you’d spend more, stress more and almost certainly miss the best bits.

We prioritise the best value all year round so we don’t offer regular discounts. We do run occasional promotions throughout the year – follow us on social media and sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know.

Our deposit option also means you can lock in the current price without paying in full straight away.

Yes, once you’ve paid your $400 deposit, contact our reservations team to set up a payment plan. Please note that all payment plans need to be completed and final balances paid 42 days before your tour starts.

The 44-day Melbourne to Cairns package is the best value per day, combining Welcome to Melbourne, Welcome to Sydney and the full East Coast tour in one booking. You get the complete Australian experience across three products for less than booking them separately. If you’re coming from Melbourne or want to see both cities before hitting the road, it’s the perfect choice.

The people most of all. The friendships formed on a group tour are unlike anything you build travelling solo. Beyond that, you’d miss our local knowledge, tips and tricks that guarantee you see the very best of each spot.

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