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Your East Coast trip planner

The Sydney to Cairns route with recommended days per stop, a checklist for your first days on a working holiday visa and a packing list. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1 · Route

Sydney to Cairns in three to four weeks

Without Noosa it is about 21 days. With Noosa and a little buffer, four weeks. Cairns to Sydney works just as well.

StopDaysGetting thereDon't miss
Sydney 3 Arrival Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, ferry to Manly, a day in the Blue Mountains.
Byron Bay 2–3 Overnight bus, about 9 hrs Surfing, the Cape Byron lighthouse walk, sunset on the beach.
Brisbane 1 About 2.5 hrs South Bank and Fortitude Valley. You can skip the Gold Coast.
Noosa (optional) 2 About 2 hrs Only if you have more than three weeks: national park and the Everglades.
K'gari (Fraser Island) 3 About 4–5 hrs from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay, about 2 hrs from Noosa Three days in a 4WD convoy, camping on the beach.
Airlie Beach + Whitsundays 3–4 Overnight bus, about 17 hrs One recovery day at the lagoon, then two nights aboard.
Magnetic Island 2 About 4 hrs to Townsville + 20 min ferry Forts Walk and snorkelling bays.
Mission Beach 2 About 3 hrs Quiet beach town between rainforest and sea.
Cairns + Great Barrier Reef 3 About 2 hrs A day on the outer reef, plus the Daintree or Atherton Tablelands.

Timing: the tropical north is in its dry season from about May to October. Stinger season runs from about November to May, and boats supply stinger suits then. Allow a buffer day, as boats are occasionally cancelled for weather.

2 · Checklist

Your working holiday start

3 · Packing list

What goes in the backpack

  • Backpack (50–65 L) and a small daypack
  • Travel adapter for Type I sockets
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
  • Swimmers and a microfibre towel
  • Dry bag for boats and the beach
  • Thongs (flip-flops) and sturdy shoes for walking
  • Light rain jacket
  • Head torch and power bank
  • Padlock for hostel lockers
  • Insect repellent and a small first-aid kit
  • Jumper for overnight buses and air-conditioned rooms

What a tour supplies itself (snorkel gear, bedding, stinger suit) is listed under "Included" in the tour details.

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Plan my trip See the Travel Mates 28-day trip

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