East Coast Explorer Sydney to Cairns (5 Weeks)

Your East Coast adventure starts in Sydney with a guided tour of the city, then an orientation at 5:30pm. You then board the overnight coach with wifi and reclining seats, ready for five weeks of the best of the east coast.

Accommodation

Overnight sleeper bus

Pull into Byron, the boho hub of the East Coast, and check in to your beachfront hostel. Your group leader walks you through town, then it is straight to the sand. Grab a free surfboard from the hostel or just flop on the beach and settle into the surf-town rhythm.

Accommodation

Hostel in Byron Bay

Meals Included

Welcome group dinner

Stand up on a board in your two hour professional beginner surf lesson, then wander up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for ocean views from the most easterly point of mainland Australia. There is also a private yoga session, the local markets and Byron's famous nightlife. Want more? Your leader can organise dolphin kayaking or a Byron beach and waterfalls tour as optional extras.

Accommodation

Hostel in Byron Bay

After a lazy morning, roll up the coast to Surfers Paradise, famous for its waves, long sandy beaches and endless nightlife. Explore the town and beachfront on a city walk, then dress up and hit your leader's favourite bars.

Accommodation

Hostel in Surfers Paradise

Two days to do it your way: laze by the pool, browse the beachfront markets, or add an optional SkyPoint tower pass for Gold Coast views. Stand-up paddle boarding and jet boating are available as optional extras.

Accommodation

Hostel in Surfers Paradise

Hop on the bus to Brisbane for a city walk through the best bits: the man-made Streets Beach lagoon, the Southbank cultural precinct and a photo with the Brisbane sign. Finish with a wander through the Queen Street Mall.

Accommodation

Hostel in Brisbane

Two free days in a hostel right in the middle of everything. Optional extras include a day at Australia Zoo with a return transfer, or snorkelling the famous shipwrecks off Moreton Island, and your leader knows all the best spots for a drink.

Accommodation

Hostel in Brisbane

Tropical greenery, wildlife and beautiful beaches make Noosa a favourite. Arrive in the afternoon, hit the beach and join in the hostel activities. You are here for two nights, so settle in.

Accommodation

Hostel in Noosa

Hike the coastal headlands of Noosa National Park for sweeping sea views and swim in the Fairy Pools. The rest of the day is yours: relax by the pool, borrow a free surfboard or boogie board from the hostel, or catch sunset from Laguna Lookout. A Noosa Everglades adventure is available as an optional extra.

Accommodation

Hostel in Noosa

Roll into Rainbow Beach, the gateway to the K'gari adventure. Check in, get your head around what is coming and rest up.

Accommodation

Hostel in Rainbow Beach

Time to explore the world's largest sand island in a 4x4. You camp for two nights in your own campsite just metres from the beach, so settle in and soak up the views.

Accommodation

Camping on K'gari

Meals Included

Lunch, Dinner

Dip into the crystal-clear water of Lake McKenzie, soak in the Champagne Pools and drive the beach highway through K'gari's wild landscapes. As night falls, gather round the campfire and disconnect from the outside world.

Accommodation

Camping on K'gari

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start with breakfast on K'gari, pack up camp, then head to another lake for a swim and lunch. Drive down the beach to the barge, return to the mainland and clean up the 4WDs before heading back to your hostel for a well-earned chilled night.

Accommodation

Hostel in Rainbow Beach

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch

One last day in Rainbow Beach: check out the Rainbow Steps, take the Carlo Sand Blow guided walk, squeeze in a final surf or get ready for the next leg. In the evening you board the overnight bus north, arriving next morning at the gateway to the Whitsundays.

Accommodation

Overnight bus

Check in, then head out to explore tropical Airlie Beach and take a dip in the famous harbourfront lagoon. Stroll the main street, have a cold drink with your mates and check out the local markets.

Accommodation

Hostel in Airlie Beach

Two days to relax in the sun or join optional activities. Take a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach, or jump on a jet ski and keep an eye out for turtles.

Accommodation

Hostel in Airlie Beach

Your Whitsundays adventure starts here. You spend the next two days sailing the islands and sleeping onboard, so get comfy, have a drink and enjoy the food and surroundings.

Accommodation

Sailing boat, open cabin sleeping

Meals Included

Dinner

Snorkel in pristine blue water, visit Whitehaven Beach, one of the whitest sandy beaches in the world, and watch some incredible sunsets with your mates.

Accommodation

Sailing boat, open cabin sleeping

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

One more swim, a slide down the inflatable slide and a go on a stand-up paddle board before lunch and the sail back to Airlie Beach. Freshen up, then meet the group and boat crew for dinner and a night out at the After Boat Party.

Accommodation

Hostel in Airlie Beach

Meals Included

Breakfast, Lunch

Hop on the ferry for the next few days on Magnetic Island, home to wild koalas, wallabies and golden beaches. Settle in and get ready for island life.

Accommodation

Hostel in Magnetic Island

Maggie, as locals call it, is a tropical paradise. Snorkel in the clear water, take the guided Forts Walk for incredible views and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife.

Accommodation

Hostel in Magnetic Island

Explore the rest of the island, with an optional hire of a topless 4x4 jeep to cruise the beaches with your mates, hand-feed wallabies or lorikeets, or visit the wildlife park (optional). The evening is for the beachfront hostel bar.

Accommodation

Hostel in Magnetic Island

Next stop is Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the reef. Arrive in the evening and relax into the jungle vibes before the big activities.

Accommodation

Hostel in Mission Beach

A free morning to explore the neighbouring national park, traditional country of the Djiru people. Adrenaline fans can add white-water rafting in Tully or Australia's highest skydive (15,000 ft), both optional extras.

Accommodation

Hostel in Mission Beach

Roll into Cairns, the backpacker capital and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You are here for several nights, so settle in for a big finale.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Explore the adventure capital of Australia and cool off at the Cairns lagoon before making the most of the backpacker nightlife.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Take a boat out to the outer reef for a full day of snorkelling around vibrant coral, with turtles, stingrays and maybe even Nemo. A buffet lunch is included.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Meals Included

Lunch

Explore the Atherton Tablelands: swim under waterfalls, wander through rainforest and slide down natural rock slides, with stops at Babinda Boulders, Millaa Millaa Falls and Josephine Falls. With luck you might spot a shy platypus.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Meals Included

Morning tea, Lunch

An open day to explore Cairns and the surrounding area, such as the Daintree Rainforest or nearby islands. Bungy jumping and canyoning are optional extras, or you can stay local and soak up the sunshine.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Chill by the hostel pool, join pool volleyball or hit the deck bar, then head to one of your leader's favourite spots for a farewell dinner and a look back over the adventure.

Accommodation

Hostel in Cairns

Whether you are staying in the tropics, exploring elsewhere in Australia or heading overseas, your leader will help you plan what comes next. The tour finishes at 10am.