2 Week Basic Sydney to Cairns East Coast Tour (Or Reverse)

Day 1: Overnight bus from Sydney to Byron Bay

Your adventure kicks off in stunning Sydney city where you'll have time to explore all the highlights including the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour. Looking at arriving a few days earlier to explore the best of Sydney tours? Chat with our travel experts today to find the best prices on day trips and Sydney accommodation. Tonight, you'll hop on board the overnight bus that will take you to the iconic coastal town of Byron Bay. 

Day 2: Byron Bay

Today is yours free to kick back and enjoy Byron. With stunning coastal walks as well as plenty of hinterlands, and awesome nightlife - there's plenty to keep you busy. If you want to make the most of this free day head to the iconic lighthouse to do the famous Lighthouse Walk.

Meals Included: None 

Day 3: Byron Bay 

Today you can soak up Byron Bays' charm and relaxed atmosphere. It is also a hub for artists, musicians, and creatives, plus you'll find a vibrant arts scene, live music performances, street markets, and an array of unique and eclectic shops.

Meals Included: None 

Day 4: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise

Say see ya to Byron and hello to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast/ Goldie! Its a pretty short bus ride but youll pass Brunswick Heads - epic beaches and views and Burleigh Heads. Cruise past these laid back coastal towns and natural beauty before reaching the vibrant energy of Surfers Paradise. Surfers Paradise is a bustling destination with a mix of natural beauty, exciting attractions, and a busy nightlife. Relax on the iconic golden sands, swim in the clear waters, or try your hand at surfing. You can also browse local arts, crafts, and food stalls along the beachfront every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evening. 

Meals Included: None 

Day 5: Surfers Paradise

Another day in paradise! Enjoy breathtaking views from the SkyPoint Observation Deck, visit attractions like Infinity and Ripley's Believe It or Not!, or experience water sports and jet boating. There are also, nearby theme parks, whale watching (seasonal), and Sea World. Whether you're after adventure or relaxation, Surfers Paradise has something for everyone.

Meals Included: None 

Day 6: Surfers Paradise to Rainbow Beach

Jump on board a bus to Rainbow Beach Check into your beachfront accommodation and then head out to explore! You'll be staying at this Rainbow Beach hostel for a total of 3 nights so get comfortable - with daily free guided walks to the Carlo Sandblow and free pancake breakfasts, that's not hard to do!

Meals Included: None 

Day 7: 1 Day K'gari Dingos Fraser Island Tour - Return Rainbow Beach

Your guide, a K'gari expert with in-depth local knowledge and a passion for the island, will lead you on an adventurous day exploring some of its most beautiful natural spots. You’ll travel across sand tracks in custom-designed, air-conditioned 4WD buses with panoramic windows, ensuring comfort as you take in the stunning scenery.

The day begins with a visit to Lake McKenzie (Boorangoora), K'gari's most iconic swimming spot. Here, you can immerse yourself in the crystal-clear blue freshwater and relax on its pristine white-sand beaches. Next, you’ll stop at Central Station, once a bustling logging hub that housed schools and shops, now a peaceful stop where you can stroll along the Wanggoolba Creek boardwalk. As you walk, you’ll discover ancient King Ferns, towering Flooded Gums, and Pine trees that give this area its distinctive charm.

Continuing through the subtropical rainforest of Pile Valley, you'll marvel at the centuries-old Satinay trees and towering palms. The journey takes you along the golden sands of 75 Mile Beach, where you may spot dingoes, birds of prey, or even migrating humpback whales during their season from July to October. A stop at Eli Creek offers the chance to float gently down this tree-lined creek, with four million litres of fresh water flowing into the Pacific Ocean every hour.

You’ll then visit the Maheno Shipwreck, one of K’gari’s most recognisable landmarks. This rusting relic washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935 and has since become a symbol of the island’s rugged beauty. The adventure concludes at The Pinnacles, where you’ll learn about the Indigenous Dreamtime stories that surround these radiant, cliff-like sand formations. Up close, you’ll witness the spectacular 72 shades of red, orange, and yellow sands that make this site so unique.

By the end of the day, you'll return to Rainbow Beach around 5-5:30 PM, having experienced the very best of K'gari’s natural beauty and fascinating history.

Meal(s) included : Lunch

Day 8:  Rainbow Beach

Famous for its vibrant coloured sands, why not surf, kayak, or skydive, while nature lovers will enjoy dolphin tours at Tin Can Bay, hiking in Great Sandy National Park, or relaxing on pristine beaches. With its mix of adventure, stunning scenery, and laid-back charm, Rainbow Beach is not only the gateway to K'gari Fraser Island.

Meals included: None  

Day 9:  Rainbow Beach - Overnight Bus to Airlie Beach

Kick back in sunny Rainbow Beach for your last day. Take a swim in the pool, dip in the ocean and soak up the small coastal village vibes! If you havent already, make sure you explore the Coloured Sands to discover the stunning cliffs of Rainbow Beach, known for their vibrant, multi-colored sands formed over millions of years. Also visit Carlo Sand Blow: A massive sand dune with panoramic views of the coast, perfect for sandboarding, taking in the sunset, or simply enjoying the scenery. This evening you will take an overnight bus to the tropical paradise of Airlie beach and gateway to the Whitsundays!

Meals included: None 

Day 9: Airlie Beach - Whitsundays Trip

This unique full day Whitsundays tour visits both the northern and southern ends of Whitehaven Beach. Enjoy approximately two hours relaxing on the world famous white silica sand and enjoy a guided bushwalk to spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout to view and capture photographs of the stunning swirling silica sands and aqua water. Snorkel for over an hour at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of our “secret” snorkel spots, enjoying the amazing hard and soft corals of the fringing reefs. You'll head back to Airlie Beach where you will stay for the night. 

Day 10: Bus from Airlie Beach to Mission Beach

Today you'll leave stunning Airlie Beach behind and explore Mission Beach, known for its long stretches of pristine, palm-fringed beaches with soft white sand. The scenery is picturesque, making it an ideal place for relaxation, sunbathing, beach walks, and water activities!

Meals included: None 

Day 11: Mission Beach

This is one of the best places in the world to skydive, landing on the beach itself! Contact our team to add this exhilarating experience to your itinerary. Mission Beach also has a laid-back and tranquil atmosphere, making it an excellent destination to unwind in a peaceful setting.

Meals included: None 

Day 12: Bus from Mission Beach to Cairns

Today you'll wave goodbye to Mission Beach and hello to Cairns as you then head further North. Cairns is the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Daintree Rainforest and offers heaps of awesome activities for travellers from nature to extreme sports! Check into your Cairns accommodation for 2 nights and then head out to explore the city. 

Meals included: None 

Day 13: Great Barrier Reef / Cairns

This morning you can tick off one of Australia's must-do activities - a full day Great Barrier Reef tour. You'll board at 7:30 am for a day packed with fun and excitement as you explore the outer reef. With options to try snorkeling or even scuba diving, you'll spend up to 6 hours discovering 2 spectacular reef locations. Swim alongside schools of tropical reef fish and admire amazing coral formations. Learn about the underwater ecosystem during a glass-bottom boat cruise and Marine Biology presentation. It's a true bucket-list experience that you won't want to miss! 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 14: Depart Cairns

This morning you will check out of your hostel and wave goodbye to your East Coast adventure! If you want to add some time to this trip but don’t want to add on destinations, Cairns is a great place to add on a few nights and explore! Say goodbye to like-minded friends and set off on the rest of your travels. We hope you have made memories to last a lifetime and hope to help you on your next adventure! Fiji or New Zealand anyone….?

Meals included: None 

This package has select departure dates.

Please contact our travel specialists to discuss your preferred date of travel.

Departs: Sydney or Cairns 

Returns: Cairns or Sydney

• The bus + package price includes a specific bus pass, selected to work with this trip length

Contact Us today if you wish to explore alternative trip lengths or transport options.

Please note: If you are travelling in Peak Season, there is a slight rate increase as reflected on our package pricing.
Please contact us for any questions.