30 Days / 29 Nights Semi-Guided Tour
Welcome to Australia: East Coast
On our 30-day semi-guided East Coast tour you’ll tick off every East Coast must-do with a group of new mates! Drive a 4×4 on K’Gari, fly over and cruise the Whitsundays then snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef.
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Final figure is based on todays exchange rates. Tour charges are in AUD.
30 Days / 29 Nights Semi-Guided Tour
Welcome to Australia:
East Coast
On our 30-day semi-guided East Coast tour you’ll tick off every East Coast must-do with a group of new mates! Drive a 4×4 on K’Gari, fly over and cruise the Whitsundays then snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef.
aud
from
gbp
from
eur
from
usd
from
Final figure is based on todays exchange rates.
Tour charges are in AUD.
The new way to travel the East Coast of Australia
The East Coast of Australia has it all and we will make sure you see it properly. We will explore bohemian Byron Bay with its laid back surfer backpacker vibe and explore the world’s largest sand island (K’gari / Fraser Island) by 4WD. You will snorkel the Great Barrier Reef out of Cairns, get up close to Koalas on Magnetic Island as well as see the incredible Whitsunday Islands TWICE, once by boat and then once from the sky as we take you on a spectacular scenic flight above Heart Reef. Truly special.
This is just the start, this Semi-Guided Tour will make sure that you and your new travel family have the best 30 days on the East Coast of Australia.
What can A$500 get you? 👀
Learn to Surf!
An intro surf lesson will get you up on your feet in no time.
From A$79
Intro Scuba Dive
Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef and get up close to Nemo & Dory!
From A$90
Visit Australia Zoo
The best wildlife conservation facility in the world - and you might even meet Robert!
From A$75
Do a Skydive
Breathtaking views of rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef, and Mission Beach.
From A$379
Plus many more experiences!
The East Coast never runs out of things to do - and neither will you.
30 Days / 29 Nights
Tour Length
Travellers wanting a group tour but with freedom
Perfect for
Max 24 travellers
Group Size
Semi guided
Travel Style
You will have us here to help, all the way up the coast!
Support
We will cater for your dietary needs
Some Meals Included
"We wanted to create the perfect mix of guided tours, free time and amazing advice... and with this tour we did!"
Darryl | Welcome to Travel Co-founder
Top Experiences
Experience Byron Bay
Explore Byron Bay with your guide before doing an incredible kayak. You’ll spend 3 days in Byron Bay.
Fly Over the Whitsundays
Before an incredible boat trip, you will see the Whitsundays from the sky on a special scenic flight over Heart Reef.
Explore K’Gari (Fraser Island)
Spend 3 days at our favourite place in Australia, driving through rainforest, swimming in freshwater lakes and relaxing in lazy rivers.
Aboriginal Experience
Discover the rich Aboriginal history and culture of the Gold Coast with a guided walking tour of Burleigh Headland.
Unique Everglades Stay
Stay amongst kangaroos in lakeside cabins before exploring the Everglades by cruise and canoe!
Great Barrier Reef
Get up close to Nemo and if you want, upgrade to a Scuba Dive!
Magical Magnetic Island
Spend two days relaxing amongst koalas and wallabies on Magnetic Island, also a great place to swim or hike!
Add-On Options
Whether it’s our Skydiving, White Water Rafting or Surfing we can help with all of it!
Where you'll go
Starting in Sydney, you will travel all the way up the East Coast of Australia until Cairns. Hitting the beautiful small towns, getting off the beaten path with unique destinations but also experiencing the big three: Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays and K’Gari (Fraser Island).
Where you'll stay
As we make our way up the East Coast, we’ll be staying in our favourite hostels in the different towns along the way. You’ll also spend two nights camping on K’Gari (Fraser Island) and two nights on an overnight bus.
Tour Inclusions
Experiences
- Relax with our day 1 group Meet and Greet Session
- Secret fun pre-departure Sydney activity
- Get to know each other at our Welcome Meal
- Explore Byron Bay as a group
- Beach time and lighthouse walk in Byron Bay
- Byron Bay dinner on your first night in town
- Team night out on final evening in Byron Bay
- Go kayaking 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)
- Frisbee golf and wildlife spotting at the stunning Kangarooms Noosa
- Cruise (boat trip) and canoe on (optional but already included!) 1 of 2 of the world’s Everglades National Parks
- Bring in sunset at beautiful Carlo Sandblow
- Spend 3 days on K’Gari (Fraser Island)
- 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
- Chill out on Magnetic Island
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef trip. Snorkelling is included, scuba diving is possible to add on
Accommodation
- 21 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)
- 2 Nights dorm accommodation on beautiful Magnetic Island
- 2 Overnight buses
- Extra nights available for before and after the tour
Meals and Drinks
- 2 Breakfasts
- 7 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
- Food and drink discounts and specials for every destination
- Suitable for vegans
- Beer tasting at lakeside brewery (optional)
Community
- Connect with your group on WhatsApp, 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
Transport
- 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
Additional Advice Travel Help
- Travel information session
- Free recommendations for every destination on your tour
- Book other activities with the help of our Community Team
- Customised travel planning
- National travel specials and discounts
- Ongoing travel help after your tour
East Coast Itinerary
Sydney
Day 1
Today is the day, the day you meet your new tour guide and the day that you meet your new travel family for the best 4 weeks of your life.
We will get to know each other in our meet and greet session, where we’ll also go over your itinerary for your East Coast adventure, 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 as a travel fam! That evening be getting the overnight bus to our next stop, beautiful Byron Bay.
Byron Bay
Days 2-4
With its beautiful beaches, epic surf, great food and good vibes, every traveller has Byron Bay on their bucket list.
You will do a tour of ‘the Bay’ with your tour guide before having a group meal to celebrate your first night in town.
The next 2 days are all about you, that’s the beauty of our style of trip. Some of your group may want to surf or just chill on the beach. Everyone’s different but whatever you want to do, our tour guide will be able to help with.
We’ll spend your second evening on a stunning river kayak tour finishing at the pub. The final evening in Byron Bay will be a team night out, what a great first few days!
Whilst in Byron Bay we’ll be staying at the incredible Surf House, which is 100m from the beach AND has a rooftop bar.
Surfers Paradise
Days 5-6
From Byron Bay, you’ll be heading up the Coast as a group without your tour guide, but worry not, before this your guide will host a special session to help with the rest of your time in Australia.
However, you will have guided experiences throughout your East Coast trip and the first one is in Surfers Paradise.
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.
Your next stop is Surfers Paradise where you’ll stay in the best hostel on the Gold Coast.
Here you’ll have time to hit the beach, or go to one of the many theme parks, all of which we can help organise for you!
Brisbane
Days 7-9
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.
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. Also this is where you can head to Australia Zoo. Get up close with kangaroos and maybe even Robert Irwin.
Noosa
Days 10-12
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 National Park is home to the famous Fairy Pools.
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.
We’re committed to you staying at the best hostels and here we’ll stay in Bounce, a brand new hostel that’s just minutes from the turquoise river, perfect of a swim. Not only is Noosa itself stunning, it’s not far away from 1 of the world’s 2 Everglades National Parks.
The Everglades
Days 13-14
After Noosa, we’ve organised for you to stay lakeside at Habitat Noosa. 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 2nd day at Habitat you’ll be lucky enough to experience the Everglades National Park, 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!
K'gari
Days 15-20
K’gari (meaning paradise) is the traditional name for a place you may know as Fraser Island. The world’s largest sand island is one of the East Coast’s most popular places for travellers like you.
We explore the rainforest, sand blows and freshwater lakes (like Lake McKenzie) on a 4WD tag along tour so we can see every part of it. You will also get the chance to drive!* We stay as a group on the island, before returning to beautiful Rainbow Beach. Because it’s the coast’s perfect beginner beach, this is where we can book you a Surf Lesson!
*Must be 21+ and hold a valid drivers license.
Whitsundays
Days 21-23
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! 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!
Magnetic Island
Days 24-26
You may not have heard of Magnetic Island but it is a true Welcome to Travel favourite, I mean look at it! After so many activities this is a great place to relax and recharge before your final stop, Cairns.
There’s no better place to chill than ‘Maggy’ home to so many wild koala bears and wallabies. While on Magnetic Island you’ll be able to do the famous Forts Walk, hire kayaks, snorkels or wait for it… Barbie Cars. All of which we’ll be able to help you with of course 🙂
Cairns
Day 27-30
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 our glasses and say cheers to the best month of our 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 can help you book all of these different things in Cairns.
Why is Semi-Guided so good?
Here are some reasons this new way to travel, is THE best way to travel the East Coast:
1. Your tour will start (Sydney to Byron Bay) with a guide to ensure a perfect start
2. You are travelling with the same group, who will become your travel family
3. All of your activities, transport and accommodation will be organised for you
4. Compared to a guided tour, you have more free time to relax or do your own thing
5. Through Trip Loop, you will have support from your Welcome to Travel guide all the way through your trip
6. Your activities will always have a guide
Welcome to Travel is all about helping people become the best version of themselves, and that includes ensuring you’re confident to continue travelling after you’ve travelled with us. This perfect blend of a group tour, with free time but a continuous support network will help you do that.
Make Memories Fund
A portion of your booking going towards good.
On tour we spread awareness and educate on how we can respect land and sea. We also showcase first nations culture as well as highlight social issues.
Not only are we highlighting these things on tour, each booking that you make, we make a donation to the Make Memories Fund. This fund is split between 4 causes: land, ocean, first nations culture and social impact – and donations are made to a charity that falls under each cause.
The 4 charities we support are Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation, The Penguin Foundation, Children’s Ground and WILL2LIVE.
Land
With the land we wanted to support native animals which we see on the Welcome to Melbourne tour. Annually we have a tree planting day as a Community which you will be invited to.
Ocean
With the ocean we wanted to support a cause which is close to our hearts and Phillip Island Nature Park helps support the population of penguins in Australia.
Culture
At Welcome to Travel we believe that every child have the basic right to education and we want to support this with the First Nation’s communities.
Impact
Travel is a privilege and we know there are people less fortunate. We want to support people who have fallen on hard times by donating meals.
Tour Comparison
Want to add this to a Welcome Tour?
We have several amazing packages to choose from, for whatever Australian adventure you’re looking for!
Tour Package
The Hemsworth
52 Days / 51 Nights
The Hemsworth combines BOTH our Welcome to Melbourne, Great Ocean road trip & semi guided East Coast tour together to make the most epic travel itinerary. Oh and don’t forget the 5 day surf camp included! This is the best combination of activities for those who want to see and do it ALL!
This tour is for you if you...
- want to do it all with zero compromises
- starting in Melbourne
- want maximum days and maximum memories
Includes:
Tour Package
The Irwin
52 Days / 51 Nights
We’ve combined our Welcome to Sydney, Blue Mountains road trip, semi guided East Coast tour AND a 5 day surf camp together to make the most epic travel itinerary. By the time you’ve finished, you’ll be an honorary member of the Irwin family in no time.
This tour is for you if you...
- want to do it all, no compromises
- need WHV support
- want the best value for the full experience
Includes:
Tour Package
The Margot
52 Days / 51 Nights
If you’re coming to Australia but think you’ll be cheering for the Melbourne side, then the Margot combines BOTH our Welcome to Melbourne, Great Ocean road trip & semi guided East Coast tour. This is one not to miss!
This tour is for you if you...
- want experience both Melbourne and Sydney
- want to complete the East Coast
- want the full Australia experience in one go
Includes:
Tour Package
The Rebel
45 Days / 44 Nights
This one’s for the Sydney-siders! The Rebel combines Welcome to Sydney, Blue Mountains road trip & our semi guided East Coast tour. Tick off all your bucket list activities in only 45 days, how insane is that!?
This tour is for you if you...
- want to maximise your time in Sydney
- want to complete the East Coast
- want the best value for the full experience
Includes:
Payment Plans Available
Unlimited & Free Date Changes*
Open Dated Bookings Available
Just $400AUD To Secure Your Spot
Check Available Dates & Book Your Tour
Date not available?
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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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Frequently Asked Questions
How the $500 Credit Works (FAQ's)
