Australia
Four weeks, one crew, the whole East Coast sorted in a single booking.
A laid-back, all-in-one East Coast trip from Sydney: 28 days travelling with the same crew of like-minded travellers, ticking off the coast's big-name destinations as a group. Public transport is not included.
More East Coast Australia trips
From
$4,749 AUD
per person
Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.
Lock it in with a $950 deposit, balance before you travel
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The East Coast is the backpacker route, and the usual way to do it is piecemeal: a bus pass, a dozen separate bookings and a new set of faces at every hostel. This is the other way. One booking, one group, four weeks from Sydney northwards.
The format is deliberately laid-back and all-in-one: you travel with a crew of like-minded travellers for the duration, picking off the iconic East Coast destinations together rather than solo. If you'd rather have the logistics handled and a built-in set of mates from day one, that's the pitch.
Public transport is not included. Ask us for the full day-by-day itinerary and inclusions before you book.
28 days from Sydney up the East Coast
One group, one booking
Travel with like-minded mates
The coast's big-name destinations
Laid-back, all-in-one format
Your East Coast adventure starts with the iconic Coogee to Bondi coastal walk, a cliff-top trail past six beautiful beaches with time to swim, sunbathe or simply soak up the view before finishing at world-famous Bondi Beach. In the afternoon, meet your leader and fellow travellers for a full orientation on how the trip flows. Then it is a group welcome dinner, final trip details and the overnight bus north to surf camp.
Three days on a beachfront surf camp tucked between Sydney and Byron Bay in a National Marine Park. Arrive early, drop your bags and dive into the waves, then surf lessons, a kangaroo trek through the coastal bushland to see resident kangaroos and their joeys and pass Indigenous midden sites, a rafting session and campfire evenings. On the final day, a guided beach and bush walk with local Garby elders brings a Welcome to Country and stories of the land, bush tucker and bush medicine. All meals are included, and you stay in simple beachside dorm accommodation steps from the sand.
Farewell the surf camp and take the bus to Byron Bay, where your leader welcomes you and walks you to your hostel, your home for the next few nights. Meet Cockatoo Paul for his renowned Bush Tucker Walk and pick up bush survival skills like getting water from a tree and turning plants into sunscreen. Then head to Apex Park for laid-back tunes, with snacks from your pick of Byron's restaurants.
Start with a guided yoga session, then learn a fire-starting method in the Fire by Friction workshop, a life skill that could save your life one day. In the afternoon, stroll through the lively streets of Byron to the sound of street musicians with your local leader, then walk to the famous lighthouse for spectacular views. Finish with chill time at Byron Bay beach.
Paddle out through the surf in two-person sit-on-top sea kayaks with guides who are also surfers and local historians. You might meet bottlenose dolphins up close, watch sea turtles surface for air and, from May to November, spot migrating humpback whales. The tour finishes on a pristine beach with an all-you-can-eat Tim Tam treat, and the rest of the day is yours to explore Byron your way.
Catch the first rays on a sunrise walk to the Byron Bay lighthouse with your local leader, then head to The Farm, a working farm of micro-businesses united by one goal: to grow, feed and educate. Join the farmers at breakfast time to meet the animals, then take a guided tour of the regenerative farming set-up, from the flower fields to the organic, spray-free gardens.
Welcome to the Sunshine Coast. Drop your bags at the hostel in Noosa and chill out poolside, then join your group for a group dinner and a night out exploring Noosa's bars, live music and beachfront.
Start at the local farmers markets for produce and artisan goods, then spend free time at Noosa Main Beach. Your leader then guides you on a spectacular hike in Noosa National Park, with coastal views and the chance to spot native wildlife. Late in the afternoon, regroup for sunset drinks.
Glide through the Noosa Everglades, one of only two Everglades in the world, on a purpose-built eco vessel. Known as the River of Mirrors for its reflections, this pristine waterway is a photographer's dream, with expert commentary on the area's history and abundant wildlife, including over 44 percent of Australia's bird species.
A three day, two night swag adventure on K'gari, the world's largest sand island. Cruise the famous 75 Mile Beach highway, swim in pristine lakes and streams, and stare up at the only rainforest in the world that grows on sand. Sample highlights include Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, the Maheno wreck, Champagne Pools and Lake Wabby, with the itinerary shaped by tides and weather. Sleep under the stars in a swag at a camp protected by a dingo fence, just a short stroll from the beach, and unwind around the campfire each night. Back in Noosa on day 14 for a post-tour party with your group at the hostel bar.
A full day to shape as you like: explore solo, hang out with your new mates or unwind by the hostel pool. In the evening, regroup and board the overnight bus to Airlie Beach.
Arrive in Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, after an overnight bus journey. Your bags are looked after, so you have the whole day to shake off the bus, chill by one of the hostel pools or explore the local scene. Cap the day with a group dinner.
Hop aboard a sailboat for a two night trip through the Whitsunday Islands. Visit the Hill Inlet lookout, unwind on world-renowned Whitehaven Beach, snorkel in crystal-clear water and sleep under the stars on board. Meals are included, and you can bring your own drinks.
Join a volunteer clean-up with a local marine conservation group to reduce marine debris and protect local marine life. Afterwards, explore Airlie Beach, with a free drink and nibbles waiting as a thank you.
Spend the day at the Airlie Beach lagoon, swimming, sunning or joining in traditional Aussie beach games. When the sun goes down, it is time for the sing-along style karaoke night.
A short bus ride and a quick ferry from Townsville and you are on Magnetic Island, where your local leader greets you at the beachfront hostel with an island cocktail. Settle in, soak up the ocean views from the deck, then join the group for the famous Maggie bingo night.
Watch the sunrise from the hostel, share a group breakfast overlooking the ocean, then hike the Forts Walk, the island's most popular trail, with sweeping views, World War II remnants and the chance to spot wild koalas. Cool off in the pool or at the beach (snorkel gear can be hired from reception), then finish with the Hawkins Point sunset walk.
A full free day to swim straight off the beach, float in the pool, laze in a hammock or hire a car or scooter to explore the bays and lookouts. In the evening, gather for a group dinner to celebrate your last night on the island.
Say farewell to Magnetic Island and travel to Cairns with your group. Check in, unpack and settle into your home for the next four nights in tropical Far North Queensland.
A full-day boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef to snorkel vibrant coral gardens and marine life in one of the world's most iconic natural wonders.
Join a 1.5 hour Aboriginal art class with local artist Munganbana, learn traditional techniques, create your own painting and take it home as a keepsake. The rest of the day is free.
A fun-filled day through the Atherton Tablelands on a waterfalls and rainforest tour, visiting pristine waterfalls and crater lakes such as Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Eacham. Back in Cairns, celebrate the end of the trip with a group farewell dinner.
Check out and say goodbye to the group. Your East Coast adventure wraps up here.
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Sydney to Cairns
Some meals included
$3099 AUD
≈ $148/day
East Coast Australia
21 days · your own van + 5 big adventures
$2499 AUD
≈ $119/day
Sydney to Cairns
Some meals included
$4909 AUD
≈ $149/day
From
$4749
