East Coast Tours & Packages / Start in Sydney
Snorkelling/Scuba Diving Surfing Sightseeing Bus Pass Whitsundays Fraser Island 4 Weeks

4 Week Basic Sydney To Cairns East Coast Tour (Or Reverse)

Sydney

5.0 (2 reviews)

Details

Highlights

  • Drive 4x4s on K'gari Fraser Island with a 3 day 4x4 tag-along safari
  • Cruise on a day trip through the beautiful Whitsunday Islands & Whitehaven beach
  • Take a ferry and stay on dreamy Magnetic Island for 2 nights
  • Enjoy 3.5 amazing days in beautiful Byron Bay
  • Scuba dive, snorkel and relax on a glass bottom boat on the Great Barrier Reef
  • Visit some awesome East Coast hot spots like Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, 1770, Mission Beach, Cairns and Airlie Beach

Optional Hostel, Bus & Tour Inclusions 

  • 3 Nights in Sydney
  • 3 Nights in Byron Bay 
  • 2 Nights in Surfers Paradise
  • 2 Nights in Brisbane
  • 2 Nights in Rainbow Beach at Freedom Hostel
  • 3 Day / 2 Night Dingos K'gari Fraser Island Tag Along Safari
  • 2 Nights in 1770
  • 2 Nights in Airlie Beach 
  • 1 Day Whitsundays Cruise 
  • 2 Nights on Magnetic Island
  • 2 Nights Mission Beach
  • 3 Nights Cairns 
  • 1 Day Great Barrier Reef Trip including 1 Intro Scuba Dive, Snorkel & Glass Bottom Boat
  • Some Meals Included
  • Bus Pass (Optional)

Additional Tour Add Ons

Sydney - Blue Mountains
Brisbane - Australia Zoo
Byron Bay - Dolphin Kayak
Airlie Beach - Skydive
Cairns - Daintree & Cape Tribulation

Ask us for more

Our Services
FREE Personalised Plan
Trusted Tour Providers
Discounted Price Applied
No Booking Fees
1:1 Travel Specialist Support


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! Check into your Sydney accommodation for 3 nights and then head out to explore all the city has to offer! Head to the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House for some classic photos before wandering the museums and parks. As well as being one of Australia's most iconic cities, it also boasts heaps of awesome day trips including Bondi Beach, the Hunter Valley, and Blue Mountains tours! 

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 2: Sydney

Why not hop on a small group tour for a day in the epic Blue Mountains National Park - ask us for more info! You can also explore the historic charm of The Rocks, where cobblestone streets meet modern boutiques and cozy cafés. Dive into the bustling atmosphere of Darling Harbour, home to fantastic dining, entertainment, and attractions like the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium. For a taste of local wildlife, visit Taronga Zoo, offering stunning views of the harbour alongside encounters with native animals. 

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 3: Sydney

Begin your day at the iconic Sydney Opera House to admire its stunning architecture and harbour views. Afterwards, enjoy a peaceful stroll through the nearby Royal Botanic Garden. 

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 4: Sydney to Byron Overnight Bus

Today is your final day free in Sydney! Head out to explore numerous stunning beaches, including Bondi Beach, Manly Beach, and Coogee Beach before relaxing on your final night before catching the overnight bus to bohemian Byron Bay!

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 5: Byron Bay

You'll arrive early in Byron from the overnight bus and today is yours free to kick back and enjoy. 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 6: Byron Bay 

 Why not tackle some waves like the locals and hop on a surf lesson? Ask us for more info! Or maybe take a Dolphin kayak or day trip to awesome Nimbin - yeeeeow.

Meals Included: None   

 

Day 7: 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 8: Bus from Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise

Head up the East Coast to popular Surfers Paradise where you can take a dip in the ocean and look at the city skyline at the same time! Explore the endless shoreline and vibrant nightlife for 2 nights. 

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 9: Surfers Paradise 

Today you can check out the dining scene here, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and eateries at Surfers Paradise serving a variety of cuisines. Perhaps ride a wave... whether you are an experienced surfer or a beginner, the area offers excellent surfing conditions and a range of surf schools to help you learn.

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 10: Surfers Paradise to Brisbane

Jump on board a bus to Brisbane in the Queensland Region where you will check-in for 2 nights. Spend your first day exploring the area! Brisbane is known for its thriving arts and cultural scene. You can explore the Queensland Cultural Centre, which houses several world-class museums and galleries.

Meals Included: None  

 

Day 11: Brisbane

Enjoy your free day in Brisbane! Opt for a koala river cruise, go visit Australia Zoo or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic South Bank Parklands, where you'll find picturesque views, riverside dining options, and the iconic Wheel of Brisbane.

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 12: Bus from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach

Today, you’ll head up 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, that's not hard to do!

Meals Included: None 

 

Day 13: 3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Your K'gari Fraser Island adventure begins with a quick morning brief at Freedom Hostel. At 9:30 am, depart for Fraser Island and drive approximately 10 minutes to the barge (ferry) and board for your 10-minute barge crossing. Once you have arrived on the world's largest sand island, drive for 1 hour to the Eurong Beach Resort along 75 Mile beach - Fraser Island's own highway with speed limits!  There you can grab a coffee and chocolate croissant (own cost) for morning tea. From here, the adventure really begins, as we drive to the famous Lake McKenzie, one of the most popular and picturesque highlights of Fraser. We stop for lunch and time to swim and relax in the amazingly clear waters of the lake before driving up the beach to your campsite. Settle in for an early dinner, some well-deserved drinks and plenty of fun! 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 14:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on Fraser Island! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous Fraser Island icon before continuing on to Indian Head. Fraser Island's highest point, from here you may be lucky enough to see whales and sharks in the ocean before travelling to Champagne Pools for a drop. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2 depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 15:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you'll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you'll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to Freedom Hostel between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, depending on the tides

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 16: Rainbow Beach to 1770 

You'll check out of your hostel for another free day in Rainbow Beach, tonight you'll head to 1770 - Agnes Water!

Meals included: None 

 

Day 17: 1770 

Wake up and head to the epic coastal beach here. Surfing and Swimming at Agnes Water beach. Known as the northernmost surf beach on Australia's east coast, is perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers. In the evening check out the sunset at the 1770 Marina. Witness a stunning sunset over the water, a perfect way to end the day. Learn about the local history, including Captain Cook's landing in 1770!

Meals included: None 

 

Day 18: 1770 to Airlie Beach

You'll check out of your accommodation in Agnes Water this morning and have another full day to chill at the beach or why not explore the Agnes Water Museum and Visitor Centre before your overnight bus to Airlie Beach.

Meals included: None  

 

Day 19: Airlie Beach

You'll arrive in the tropical paradise of Airlie Beach bright and early. This morning you'll check into your central Airlie Beach accommodation. No time to waste! Drop your bags and head out to explore this beachside town before preparing for your Whitsundays tour tomorrow! 

Meals included: None  

 

Day 20: Whitsundays Trip from Airlie Beach

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. 

Meals included: Lunch

 

Day 21: Bus from Airlie Beach to Townsville - Magnetic Island

Today you'll make your way to Townsville where a ferry will take you to the stunning Magnetic Island. Check in for 2 nights and then kick back and relax on one of the island's many iconic beaches. 

Meals included: None 

 

Day 22: Magnetic Island

Today is yours free to soak in the sunshine of Magnetic Island for your final day here. A beautiful place for hiking, kayaking, and full relaxation! Explore Horseshoe Bay and Picnic Bay for a pristine beach day. The island is home to a variety of wildlife, including koalas, rock wallabies, and over 180 species of birds. 

Meals included: None 

 

Day 23: Bus from Townsville to Mission Beach 

Today you'll 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 24: 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 25: 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 26: 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 27: Cairns

Ask us about visiting the stunning Daintree Rainforest for hikes and wildlife spotting, and take a refreshing dip at the nearby waterfalls like Josephine Falls or the Crystal Cascades! For a budget-friendly adventure, head to the Cairns Esplanade, where you can relax by the lagoon or join free fitness classes.

Meals Included: None

 

Day 28: 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 

 


Pickups / Departures

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


Extras

  • There is an optional driving insurance levy to pay directly for the K'gari 4WD Safari 
  • 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.


FAQs

Love this package but have some questions? No worries!

Here is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about our packages.

Don't see yours here? Contact Us to find out more.

  •  Can I make changes to the package?

It is no problem to customise your package to suit your travel plans by adding/removing anything that you wish. If you wish to make changes, please contact us via email hello@backpackersworld.com, and we will be more than happy to assist you by providing you with an updated itinerary/package inclusions/price.

 

  • Is this a guided trip?

This trip consists of a combination of tours and hostels, selected to fit in with your chosen style of travel (budget or flexi flashpacker). Whilst this means that you will not be with the same group of people for the entire duration of your tour, you will be with a group for each tour that you do, and it is very likely that the people that you do the tours with will be booked in the same accommodation in the area. As travellers often travel to similar destinations, it is likely that you will see some of these people, again and again, throughout your tour!

We book all of your tours/accommodation on your behalf and you will be given a voucher for each with all of the information needed ie travel date and pick up location/time. For your buses, we provide you with a bus ticket which has all of the individual departure and arrival times/details.

As Backpackers World Travel is one of the largest travel agencies in Australia, these packages are heavily discounted. Should you need any extra guidance, we are always on hand to help!

This is the most popular way of travel for backpackers along the East Coast, whether you are a solo traveller or travelling in a group of friends - it is the perfect way to meet other travellers and get the most out of your East Coast trip!

 

  • How much should I budget for spending money?

All of our packages include some meals (you can find the included meals in the inclusions and in the day-to-day itinerary) which means that you will only have to budget for the meals that are not included. The amount that these meals will cost vary however all of the hostels have communal kitchens so you can cook your own meals instead of eating out. Some travellers will only spend an extra $5 a day whereas some will spend an extra $50!

 

  • Do I have to choose the exact dates?

Due to limited availability in hostels and on tours we recommend that you book your package as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability on your chosen dates.

 

  • What hostels are included in the package?

We hand-pick the best selection of hostels on the East Coast that are available for your travel dates. We include 6-8 bed dorms in the package price however double/twin share room upgrades are available at an additional cost. Please contact us with your preferred travel date and package name if you would like a price to upgrade to double/twin share rooms.

 

  • Does this package depart daily?

This package is available to depart most days of the week (subject to availability). To check availability for your preferred departure date please ask us on live chat, or send us an email at hello@backpackersworld.com. Alternatively you can book directly on the website by selecting your preferred date and we will reply within 48 hours with a booking confirmation or a secondary option that suits your dates.

 

  • Do I have to pay upfront for this tour or can I pay a deposit/in instalments?

The majority of our customers book and pay for their package in full, meaning that we will book everything in advance to guarantee availability. However, as the prices of our packages can change due to price increases, you are able to secure this amazing package price with a small deposit of just $100pp. You are then able to pay off the package in instalments as and when you wish. As we are unable to make the bookings for the hostels and tours until we have received full payment, due to availability, we do recommend completing payment for your package as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. Because of this, it is no problem to tweak the itinerary until full payment has been received - the deposit just locks in the discounted price of this package. If you are worried about availability, let us know as so we can go ahead and look into options for you, for example locking in certain parts of your trip that are likely to fill up in advance such as the Whitsundays/Fraser Island. Have a query about the payment that isn't answered above? Feel free to ask us on live chat, or send us an email at hello@backpackersworld.com

 

  • Is it possible to cater for specific dietary requirements?

Most if not all suppliers are able to cater for specific dietary requirements, however for some suppliers this can be an additional cost. Our online team are fully knowledgeable on what suppliers/tours charge extra for which dietary requirements so feel free to contact us for more information. 


Reviews

5.0 (2 reviews)
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Rosie Hilton - UK 01 Oct 2024
Make your dreams come true !! Such amazing service. I knew I could trust Rachel from the first time I spoke to her. Everything taken care of with precision and thought, a truly tailored experience. Wouldn't go anywhere else !!
Alice Paget - UK 07 Mar 2024
**Amazing Experience with Rachel at Backpackers World Travel!** I had the absolute pleasure of booking a 7-week East Coast trip in Australia earlier this year with Rachel at Backpackers World Travel, and once again, she exceeded all expectations! I originally booked an East Coast trip with her 9 years ago, which was an unforgettable adventure. Over the past few years, I’ve also booked several smaller trips with her across Australia and New Zealand, and each experience has been nothing short of perfect. So, when I decided to plan another big trip, Rachel was the first person I contacted. Rachel is incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive to every detail. She tailored the entire trip perfectly to suit my interests, making sure that every stop along the coast was exactly what I was looking for. From must-see attractions to hidden gems, Rachel provided amazing recommendations for places to eat, drink, and explore, ensuring that I made the most of every moment. Her passion for travel and commitment to creating the best possible experience shines through in every interaction. If you're planning a trip and want someone who really knows Australia, New Zealand, and the East Coast inside out, and can create a truly personalised itinerary, Rachel is your go-to! I can’t recommend her enough—booking with her not only made the trip seamless but turned it into an unforgettable journey of a lifetime. Thank you, Rachel, for another incredible adventure! 10/10 – Would book with her again in a heartbeat!
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4 Week Basic Sydney To Cairns East Coast Tour (or Reverse)