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Oz east coast escapeThis itinerary was created for those looking for an active east coast Australia adventure, but don't want to drive. In two weeks you'll travel in a mixed, international group along the east coast from Sydney to Cairns and experience the real Aussie adventure. The route includes Fraser Island and the Whitsundays, horse-riding at a cattle station and hiking through the rainforest at Cape Tribulation. At Byron Bay you'll learn to ride the waves with an experienced surfer.During the trip you'll stay in shared accommodation with your fellow travellers, though in some places you can upgrade to a private room. You can round off this two-week itinerary with a beach break in one of beaches around Cairns. |
| Duration |
14 days / 13 nights Departs twice a month on Sunday and Monday from Sydney - ask for exact dates. It's also possible to do the tour in reverse order from Cairns to Sydney. This departs more frequently. |
Accommodation |
Permanent camps and hostels (shared rooms and facilities) |
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Price |
Please see our Contact us page for more details | Includes |
Accommodation and transport and meals as described. Activities and excursions mentioned in the itinerary description. |
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Transport |
Minibus (maximum 24 people) |
Excludes |
Fraser Island entrance fee AU$ 24, Whitsundays National Park entrance fee AU$ 39 |
Day 1: Sydney - Surf campYou'll want to set your alarm clock to wake you up early on the first day of your trip. After meeting your fellow travellers you'll head out for a long drive. After about 5 hours of driving along the coast you'll arrive at a surf camp; one of the best surf schools in Australia. You'll have the rest of the afternoon to spend as you wish. Stretch your legs after the long drive with a long walk or spend time perfecting your tan on the white sands of the beach. At the end of the afternoon you'll head towards the Mojo Beach House where you'll dine with your fellow travellers before heading off to bed. Dinner is included today on the East coast Australia adventure. |
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Day 2 - 3: Surf camp - Byron BayAfter breakfast you'll head towards Byron Bay. The next two days are free for you to spend as you please. You'll have time to visit the most eastern point of Australia, Byron Lighthouse, or to just relax and enjoy the beach. Byron Bay is a popular surfing area, attracting surfers from all over the world who come here to hang ten on spectacular waves. If you enjoyed yesterday's surfing lesson, you can put your lessons into practice and show the locals what you got. Breakfast is included.Byron Bay has a pleasant laid-back surfers atmosphere, and there's plenty to keep you entertained. In the evening you can unwind and make new surfer friends in one of the many bars in Byron Bay. |
Day 4: Byron Bay - Rainbow BeachIt's an early start this morning. After breakfast you'll continue your east coast Australia adventure to Rainbow Beach, one of the two gateways to Fraser Island. On the way you can visit the Australia Zoo, founded by the late Steve Irwin. Feeding kangaroos and a crocodile show are just a few of the things on offer here.After an interesting route along the Sunshine Coast you'll arrive in Rainbow Beach. This town is popular backpacker destination and has a very mellow, laidback atmosphere. In the evening you'll have time to sit back and relax at your accommodation. The beach is just 100m away, so perfect for a sunset walk along the beach. Later on, hit the bars in Rainbow Beach and swap travel stories with your fellow travellers. Dinner is included in your stay here. |
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Day 5 - 6: Fraser IslandThe next two days you'll visit the world's largest sand island, Fraser Island by 4x4. You'll drive across the 75-Mile Beach, which doubles as a landing strip for air planes during low-tide. You'll stop for a swim at Lake Wabby and Lake McKenzie with its azure blue waters and powdery white beaches. Maheno Wreck, which has been a part of the Fraser coastline forever, Eli Creek and last but not least Indian Head are all included in the tour.Standing on top of Indian Head you can look down over sheer rock cliffs and the sea below and perhaps even spot sharks and manta rays in the clear water. Between July - November there's a good chance of spotting whales, while on dry land you'll be sure to encounter the odd dingo or two. At the end of Day 6 you'll arrive back at Rainbow Beach. Lunch and dinner are included on Day 5 and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on Day 6. |
Day 7 - 8: Rainbow Beach - Kroombit Cattle StationIn the morning you can take the ferry or a bus for a visit to Tin Can Bay, where wild dolphins are fed at the beach. After feeding the dolphins you'll be driven to "Cattle Country" where you'll stay at Kroombit Cattle Station. It's one of those quintessential Aussie experiences and a great taste of life in the Outback. In the evening you'll be treated to a traditional Australian dinner prepared over the campfire.The following day you'll learn the ropes of farm life and cattle ranching. There are several activities to choose from, like horse-back goat herding, clay pigeon shooting or taking part in a mini-rodeo. In the evening you'll gather round the campfire again for dinner before ending the day with a cold beer at the bush bar. As part of this east coast Australia adventure, dinner is included on Day 7 and breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on Day 8. |
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Day 9: Kroombit Cattle Station - Airlie BeachRise and shine early today for another day of road travel towards Airlie Beach, the departure point for sailing trips to the Whitsundays. On the way to Airlie you'll stop off to stretch your legs a few times. At Airlie Beach you'll head straight to the harbour where your yacht is waiting. Jump aboard and hoist the sails, the next few days you'll be heading for blue waters, white beaches and palm trees. Dinner is included today. |
Day 10: Sailing around the Whitsunday IslandsDuring the sailing trip along the (often uninhabited) Whitsundays, you'll have plenty of time to sunbathe on deck or on one of the pristine white sandy beaches. The boat will regularly drop anchor so you can dive overboard to snorkel amongst the colourful fish. You can also go ashore to explore the islands, where you can go hiking or just lie on the deserted beach. You'll also drop anchor at the famous pearly white 'Whitehaven Beach'. |
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Day 11 - 12: Airlie Beach - Mission BeachAfter spending two nights on board you'll sail back to the mainland and pick up your east coast Australia adventure by car along the coastline towards Cairns. Your next destination is Mission Beach, the adrenaline capital of Queensland. How about spending a day rafting down the wild Tully river? Or perhaps a spot of skydiving, landing on Mission Beach? If this all sounds a bit too madcap for your liking, take a water taxi to Dunk Island where you can hike through the rainforest and enjoy views across the islands along the Great Barrier Reef. You'll spend two nights in Mission Beach where you might spot the endangered cassowary. Dinner is included on Day 11. |
Day 13: Mission Beach - Cape TribulationFrom Mission Beach you'll continue north through Cairns to Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation. You'll take the ferry across the Johnson River to your accommodation deep in the jungle. We'll leave it up to you what you want to do here. A rainforest spotlighting walk, a dip in the sea, or just chilling out by the pool. In the evening there are several restaurants to choose from, but you might want to have a farewell dinner with your travel group. This is the last evening on your east coast Australia adventure. |
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Day 14: Cape Tribulation - CairnsTo end your trip on a special note, you might want to witness a spectacular sunrise on an (optional) three-hour kayaking trip. On the other hand you could just enjoy a lie-in and spend the morning relaxing on the beach. Later today you'll take the bus back to Cairns. You'll pass an idyllic beach with waving palm trees. If you ask nicely the guide might want to make a stop so you can take that perfect holiday picture. At the end of the trip you'll be dropped off in Cairns. |
You can round off your East Coast Australia adventure in Cairns or in Palm Cove, a friendly beach resort just north of Cairns. You could also extend your trip with a domestic flight to Darwin for our Kakadu National Park tour or to Alice Springs for our Ayers Rock camping tour. This trip can also be upgraded by booking double occupancy rooms instead of shared rooms (not available during Byron Bay surf camp or Whitsundays sailing trip).