Discover all the iconic highlights of Australia's east coast with our ultimate East Coast Tour. From Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, this fast-paced adventure takes you to unconventional beach towns, world heritage sites, legendary surf beaches, unspoilt landscapes and the Great Barrier Reef! The best three weeks of your life!
If you want to make new friends and discover the best of Australia's East Coast, then this Ultimate East Coast Highlights Tour is for you.
Detailed information about the tour and accommodation can be found below and in the tour PDF. This can be found further down on this page under “Tour PDF”.
Duration of the journey: 21 days / 20 nights
Start: Sydney
End: Cairns
Transport: Modern Scania buses - “Recliner seats” on board
Meals: 4x breakfast, 5x lunch, 6x dinner
Group size: 6-24 persons
Accommodation: 18 nights in shared rooms with 4 to 12 beds plus 2 nights in a modern night bus
Single/double room surcharge: 1,345.00 EUR (please specify in notes; availability must be checked)
Age range: 18 - max. 35
International flights to and from the destination are not included in the price. We will be happy to provide you with a non-binding flight offer. Simply send us an enquiry.
21 days
Daily Tour
English
24 people
Today our East Coast Explorer tour begins in Sydney with a city tour. We will visit all the famous sights of the city and end at the legendary Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House! Tonight we leave the city and make our way up the coast. First stop is the lively Byron Bay.
Start of the tour: 13:00
Included in the price: Sydney City Walk
Optional add-on: Want to see more of Sydney? Book the „Ultimate Sydney“ add-on for 3 nights before the tour and a Sydney harbour cruise or regular extra nights. Just specify it in the description
Accommodation: Night bus
After settling into our beachfront accommodation in Byron Bay, we explore the town to familiarise ourselves with the laid-back bohemian vibe that this place is known for. The Byron Bay Lighthouse is located on Cape Byron, an area so beautiful you'll want to explore it on foot. The coastal walk is the best way to take it all in! We will also explore the surrounding area and visit Killen Falls, Lenox Head and Lake Ainsworth.
Included in the price: Day tour to the waterfalls, group dinner, hike to Cape Byron lighthouse
Accommodation: WakeUp Hostel (or similar)
This morning we said goodbye to Byron and arrived in the famous Surfers Paradise where we will spend the night! On arrival we will explore the golden sands of Surfers Paradise Beach and have the opportunity to enjoy the view from the tallest building in Australia! In the evening we will head out and discover the endless entertainment on offer in this vibrant city.
Included in the price: Surfers Paradise Tour
Accommodation: BUNK Hostel (or similar)
Today our journey continues and we drive a short distance to Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. We spend the day exploring the man-made city lagoons of Brisbane's Southbank entertainment district.
Included in the price: Southbank Brisbane Tour
Accommodation: BUNK Hostel (or similar)
We get up early in the morning to make our way to Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter! This zoo, made famous by Steve Irwin, offers endless wildlife action every day and there are always plenty of exciting wildlife shows to see. Throughout the day we interact with Australian wildlife and learn about the famous history of the Irwin family.
Included in the price: Australia Zoo Tour
Accommodation: BUNK Hostel (or similar)
Our second week on the East Coast includes three days on the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island. We'll swim in the crystal clear waters of secret lakes, discover the famous Maheno shipwreck and explore various island lookouts to soak up the island's incredible atmosphere and views. We spend our first night at Rainbow Beach to receive a safety briefing and meet the specialised local guide who will be with us for the next three days.
Not included in the price: 30 AU$ insurance, payable on arrival (to be paid by all customers. Customers must be over 21 years of age and hold a manual transmission driving licence to drive themselves. Driving is at the discretion of the partner company and cannot be guaranteed prior to departure). Sleeping bag fee of 18 AU$, payable directly (optional)
Accommodation: Freedom Hostel (or similar)
Once we arrive on the largest sand island in the world, we'll drive for an hour to the Eurong Resort on 75 Mile Beach ... the Fraser Island Highway with a speed limit! There you can grab a coffee and a chocolate croissant (at your own expense) for your morning tea. From here, the big adventure begins as we head to the famous Lake McKenzie ... probably Fraser's favourite and most picturesque highlight! Here we'll break for lunch and you'll have time to play with your new-found friends in the beautifully clear water! Around 3pm we'll head up the beach to our campsite for an early dinner, a few well-earned drinks and some fun!
Meal(s): Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: K'gari Camping
This morning we make our way to Eli Creek, a beautiful clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Heading north, we'll stop at the Maheno shipwreck to take some photos and get a quick history lesson on this famous Fraser Island landmark. Shortly afterwards, we head to Indian Head, the highest point on Fraser Island. If you're lucky, you might spot whales and sharks in the ocean from here before we head to the Champagne Pools for a dip! Depending on time, safety and beauty, we will have lunch on the second day either at the Maheno shipwreck or at the Champagne Pools! In the afternoon we return to camp for dinner and drinks.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: K'gari Camping
We start with breakfast on Fraser Island before cleaning up and dismantling our campsite. We then head to the Lake Wabby trailhead where we hike through the sand dunes to this tropical paradise! After our hike to Lake Wabby, we'll have lunch before heading to the beach to return to the barge. Once back on dry land, we'll return to the 4x4 shed where you'll unpack the cars and give them a quick clean. We'll return to Freedom Rainbow Beach between 3 and 4pm.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Freedom Hostel (or similar) and night bus
Our next destination is the coastal town of Airlie Beach. This town is the gateway to the Whitsundays Islands. We spend the first day at the local lagoon and explore the coast. Of course, you'll also have some free time to yourself.
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
We set sail from the Coral Sea Marina at around 2 pm and sail to the spectacular Whitsunday Islands! Don't worry if you get seasick; the sea is usually very calm here. Did you know that the Whitsunday Islands are part of the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park? We reach our first snorkelling spot and take some time to experience the magical underwater world of these fringing reefs. Then we return on board and sail to our anchorage for the night. Enjoy snacks and drinks at sunset and then dinner (with dessert). Spend the night on deck with your new friends.
Meal(s): Dinner *Please note that our itinerary is subject to change due to weather, conditions, wind, tides, etc.
Accommodation: Sailing boat, open cabins
We have an early breakfast on the way to Tongue Bay. Once there, we'll take a bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, where the view of the famous Whitehaven Beach will take your breath away. Once you've perfected your new Instagram photo, we'll head down to the beach (approx. 3 hours). We return to the boat for lunch and then sail to our second snorkelling spot. Once you've snorkelled enough (if that's even possible), we'll head to Langford Island where we'll enjoy the sunset on the beach with a snack. In the afternoon we sail to our anchorage for the night, enjoy dinner (with another dessert), a few drinks and your second night of fun, relaxation, socialising and stargazing.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Sailing boat, open cabins
Enjoy breakfast and the breathtaking scenery around you before setting off for our fourth and final snorkelling/swimming location and then setting sail back to Airlie Beach. Arrive around 11am - but the fun's not over yet! After returning to our accommodation and freshening up, we'll meet our sailing crew for a few drinks!
Meal(s): Breakfast
Accommodation: Nomads Hostel (or similar)
Back on the mainland! Today you have the opportunity to discover more of Airlie Beach. Start the day with an exploration of the Bicentennial Walkway before relaxing in the Airlie Lagoon. Are you adventurous? Then you can get a bird's eye view of the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef with an optional skydive or a scenic flight over the Whitsundays! Tonight we board our last bus and make our way to Cairns.
Accommodation: Gilligans Hostel (one of the best in Australia)
The last stop on our adventure is Cairns, home of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia! This morning we arrive early and settle down in palm paradise! After familiarising yourselves with the city and the local lagoon, you'll have the opportunity to join the group on the outskirts of town for an afternoon of local music and sunshine. The rest of the day is at leisure. This evening the group will meet for dinner together in Cairns.
Included in the price: Group dinner
Accommodation: Gilligans Hostel
Today we have the opportunity to spend a whole day on the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and enjoy unlimited snorkelling! The boat we sail on is suitable for snorkellers, certified divers and novice divers. Our dive sites on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef (about 70 km offshore) offer excellent underwater visibility, great coral formations and a rich, colourful marine life.
Included in the price: Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Meals: Lunch
Accommodation: Gilligans Hostel
Today is our last full day on tour and we can spend it however you like! Spend time at the popular Cairns Lagoon, learn more about Indigenous Australian culture or have another adventure with a skydive, bungee jumping is also available - Cairns has endless adventures to offer! On our last evening in this North Queensland paradise, your group leader will be on hand to help you plan your further adventures and travels.
Accommodation: Gilligans Hostel
Today our adventure on the east coast comes to an end and we say goodbye to our new friends and the east coast.
The tour ends at 10 a.m., but you can also check out earlier.
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