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Real Aussie Says
Explore Australia’s stunning East Coast stretching all the way from the sunny tropics of Cairns to Sydney. Full of bucket list adventures, this travel package is designed to help you tick off all those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Perfect for those 18-39 years old.
19 Day Cairns to Sydney East Coast Tour Package
- Trip Styles: Budget
This 19 day experience offers iconic East Coast destinations Cairns to Sydney.
Embark on a 19-day journey along Australia’s East Coast with our Cairns to Sydney tour. This adventure promises to immerse you in the rich culture, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable experiences of this diverse land.
Starting in Cairns, you’ll settle into comfortable 3-4* twin/double accommodations. Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring a native bush food tutorial, and dive into the vibrant Cairns nightlife.
Embrace your inner nature lover on Magnetic Island, where you’ll encounter koalas and wallabies in their natural habitat. Wildlife spotting is a theme that runs throughout this journey.
Sail to the Whitsunday Islands, where you’ll visit the famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout, and snorkel over breathtaking coral reefs. It’s a paradise for beach lovers and water enthusiasts.
Relax at an eco resort in Bargara, near Bundaberg, surrounded by pristine natural beauty. It’s the perfect place to unwind.
Discover the Southern Great Barrier Reef with a full-day tour to Lady Musgrave Island and Lagoon. Dive into the world of marine and wildlife while exploring vibrant coral reefs.
Experience luxury camping in Noosa at Habitat Noosa Eco Camp, nestled within a National Park and everglades. It’s a unique way to connect with nature.
Adventure awaits on Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. Enjoy a thrilling 4WD day safari, explore lush rainforests, and swim in crystal-clear waters.
Visit the Gold Coast and relax in laid-back Byron Bay for a weekend filled with surf, relaxation, and exploration.
Connect with Australia’s Aboriginal culture through immersive experiences and bush walks. You’ll also have the chance to spot kangaroos on the Coffs Coast.
Discover your inner wine connoisseur in Hunter Valley, tasting award-winning wines fresh from organic vineyards, accompanied by local cheeses.
Conclude your adventure in the vibrant city of Sydney with a farewell dinner and a central city hotel stay, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.
This tour is designed for ages 18 to 80, offering comfortable transportation, various accommodations, and a mix of meals. It’s your gateway to stunning scenery, wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, food & wine tasting, and more. Join us on the Cairns to Sydney tour and experience the best of Australia’s East Coast!
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KOOKABURRA Cairns-Sydney East Coast Select Tour (twinshare)
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Itinerary
Day 1- Monday: Arrive Cairns
G’day and welcome to your epic East Coast adventure. If you’ve just flown in, we recommend jumping on a shuttle bus from the airport to our centrally located accommodation. You can check into your hotel between 2 and 4.30pm. At 5pm head down to reception where you’ll meet your Stray guide and your new Stray mates, who you’ll be travelling with for the next few weeks. Then, everyone will head out for a special welcome dinner – a Taste of Australia Experience with a bush food tutorial and a 3-course menu featuring native foods that have been used by indigenous Australians for thousands of years. What a way to start your adventure right?!
Accommodation included: Mercure Cairns in hotel rooms or similar. Included activities: Native Australian bush food tutorial. Optional activities: Explore Cairns Esplanade and lagoon, sip on a cocktail at Salt House on the water, visit Cairns Night Markets. Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 - Tuesday: Free Day Cairns
Today you’re free to do whatever you choose. Walk the Esplanade and go for a refreshing dip, check out the many shops and cafes in town, the new Forever Reef exhibit at the aquarium or visit the tropical Botanical Gardens. If you’d like to visit Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef or even skydive on this day please let Stray or your agent know in advance so we can reserve your spot as the best activities book up quickly (additional cost).
Accommodation: Mercure Cairns in hotel rooms or similar. Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: Local cafes, restaurants. Free activities: Relax around the resort pool, walk the Esplanade, visit the Botanical Gardens. Optional Activities: Cape Tribulation day trip, bungy jump, skydive, rafting, visit Cairns Aquarium, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Great Barrier Reef snorkel or scuba trip
Day 3 - Wednesday: Cairns to Magnetic Island via Townsville
This morning we’ll jump on the Stray bus and head south, stopping at the famous Josephine Falls along the way for a refreshing dip and some amazing photos. Next, we’ll dry off and make our way to Townsville where we’ll catch the ferry to our destination for the next two nights, Magnetic Island (known to the locals as ‘Maggie’). Nearly 50% of Magnetic Island is national parkland so it’s absolutely steeped in natural beauty, it’s surrounded by beaches and is also home to loads of wildlife, including koalas! Settle in for a dreamy couple of days in an island paradise.
Accommodation included: Selina Magnetic Island in cabins or similar. Included activities: Magnetic Island ferry, swim, walk, waterfall spotting. Included meals: Breakfast, welcome drink. Meal options: Self-cater, onsite restaurant, local restaurants or cafes
Day 4 - Thursday: Free Day Magnetic Island
Today you have a full free day to explore so have a relaxing sleep-in or get an early start with a morning hike! This beautiful island is home to the historic Forts Complex, which you’ll get to see during a scenic walk with your Guide, finishing with amazing views over the island and ocean beyond. Spend the rest of your day relaxing on a secluded beach, hiking through native bush, searching for wildlife or joining in on a wellness activity at your accommodation. Top tip: throughout the day, make sure you stay alert and keep your eyes on the trees – Maggie Island is one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild.
Accommodation: *Selina Magnetic Island in cabins or similar. *Meals included: Breakfast. Meal options: *Self-cater, onsite restaurant, local restaurants or cafes. *Included activities: Scenic walk with your guide. Free activities: Walk, swim. Optional activities: Snorkel
Day 5 - Friday: Magnetic Island to Airlie Beach
This morning we’ll say goodbye to Maggie Island and catch the ferry back to the mainland where we’ll hit the road travelling south to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands! Check in and then spend some time checking out Airlie Beach – we recommend heading to the lagoon for a swim and then to one of the many local bars for sundowners.
Accommodation included: Colonial Palms Motor Inn in hotel rooms or similar. Included activities: Magnetic Island ferry. Free activities: Explore Airlie Beach, swim. Included meals: Breakfast. Meal options: Local cafes, restaurants & bars
Day 6 - Saturday: Airlie Beach and The Whitsunday Islands
Today you’ll head out on the water to see the spectacular Whitsundays Islands up close. Starting with an exhilarating ride to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach where you can actually polish jewellery with the white silica sand, we’ll explore Hill Inlet Beach and a guided walk-through Whitsunday Island National Park to the lookout for the most amazing views. We’ll have lunch together and then do some snorkelling over vibrant fringing reefs. If you’d like to see the Islands from above, there’s time for a scenic flight (optional extra) over the outer Great Barrier Reef (including Heart Reef) in the morning before the Whitsundays tour departs.
Accommodation included: Colonial Palms Motor Inn in hotel rooms or similar. Included Activity: Ocean Rafting Whitsunday Islands day tour including Whitehaven Beach and snorkelling. Optional activities: Scenic flight over Whitehaven Beach & outer Great Barrier Reef. Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch. *Meal options: *Local cafes, restaurants & bars
Day 7 - Sunday: Airlie Beach to Bundaberg
Today is a big travelling day to Bargara, a beachside suburb of Bundaberg, so load up on snacks, make sure all your devices are charged and keep your eyes on the road for some amazing views along the way. We’ll make some stops to stretch our legs and arrive in Bargara in the evening, where we’ll have a bush BBQ dinner together.
Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort in villas or similar. Included meals: Breakfast, BBQ dinner. Meal options: Local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Day 8 - Monday: Bargara & Lady Musgrave Island
Rise and shine this morning for a big adventure, today is going to be special so make sure to pack your camera! We’ll head to the marina where we’ll board the Reef Empress, a luxury high speed catamaran. To wake us up we’ll get a barista-made coffee which we can enjoy as we set sail for Lady Musgrave Island. The Island is a 14 hectares coral cay, a turtle breeding area and is the second southernmost island in the Great Barrier Reef chain of islands so it’s pretty spectacular.
On arrival at Lady Musgrave Island, we’ll be welcomed by one of their guides who will share some history and acknowledgement of our traditional owner tribes, as well as the important safety points about visiting this highly protected marine park.
After exploring the island, we’ll have a delicious lunch and then we’ll get to go snorkelling in the Lady Musgrave Lagoon. There’s so much vibrant coral and marine life including manta rays, turtles and reef sharks, as well as ledges and caves just waiting to be explored. After all the under the sea fun, we’ll head back to the mainland in the late afternoon.
Accommodation included: Kelly’s Eco Resort in villas or similar. Included activity: Lady Musgrave Island Day Tour. Optional activity: Scuba dive (must be booked in advance). Included meals: Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea
Day 9 - Tuesday: Bundaberg to Noosa
Today we’ll have a leisurely start to the morning and then jump back on the bus to head down towards the Sunshine Coast, arriving at Habitat Noosa, an Eco Camp where we’ll spend the next three nights. Set amongst 65 acres of the Great Sandy National Park and perched on the edge of picturesque Lake Cootharaba, your accommodation is super close to some awesome walking trails that show you the rich history of the region and help you get up close and personal with some wildlife! Habitat is the gateway to one of only two everglades in the world, and it has its own bar and bistro serving up local produce plus there’s also a Microbrewery onsite – we know, it all sounds un-beer-liveable doesn’t it?
Accommodation included: Habitat Noosa in glamping safari tents or similar. Optional paid activity: * Stand up paddle boards, canoes, wave skis, kayaks and tinnie hire. Beer tasting. *Free Activity: Bush walks. Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner. Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Day 10 - Wednesday: Free Day Noosa
Today you have a completely free day to spend doing whatever you like. Explore the Everglades by kayak or boat (optional extra), head into Noosa town and check out the boutiques and cafes on Hastings Street, or just spend the day at Habitat and enjoy some beer tasting or water sports (optional extra). The Noosa Surf Club is one of our faves so if you’d like a long lunch in the sunshine, you can’t go wrong with a local hotspot!
Accommodation included: Habitat Noosa in glamping safari tents or similar. Optional paid activity: Stand up paddle board, canoe, wave ski, kayaks or tinnie hire, Beer tasting, Everglades tour. Free Activity: Explore Noosa, swim, bush walks. Included meals: *Breakfast. *Meal options: Self cater, local cafes, bakery, restaurants or onsite restaurant
Day 11 - Thursday: K’gari (formerly Fraser Island)
This morning, get an early start to make sure you can explore as much of the world’s largest sand island as possible on a specially curated one-day 4WD adventure. Led by an experienced local guide, you’ll see K’gari’s most iconic sights from Lake McKenzie and 75 Mile Beach to Eli Creek, World Heritage-listed rainforest and the historic Maheno Shipwreck. After all the action of the day it’s back to Habitat and our glamping tents under the stars.
Accommodation included: Habitat Noosa in glamping safari tents or similar. Included Activity: K’gari Island Day Tour. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 - Friday: Noosa to Byron Bay
Today we’re heading off towards Byron Bay, stopping along the way in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We’ll stretch our legs in Surfers Paradise where you can explore the golden beaches and cafes before arriving ready for the weekend in the iconic Byron Bay!
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron in studio rooms or similar. Free activities: Visit Surfers Paradise, explore Byron Bay, swimming. Included meals: Breakfast. Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Day 13 - Saturday: Free Day Byron Bay
Today you have a full day in Byron Bay to really embrace the Byron Bay motto: “cheer up, slow down, and chill out”. Start your day off with a morning swim in the ocean then spend your day exploring the laidback hippy town.
Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s most easterly point, or check out the many eclectic boutiques and cafes around town. If you’re looking for adventure, join a sea kayaking or snorkel trip and search for dolphins and other marine life, or even go for an iconic Australian activity – learning to surf.
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron in studio rooms or similar. Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, Cape Byron lighthouse walk, swimming. Optional paid activities: Surf lesson, Dolphin Kayak tour, Skydive, Rail Trail. Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Day 14 - Sunday: Byron Bay to Darlington Beach
Enjoy a bit more of Byron Bay this morning until we make our way further south to the super scenic Coffs Coast. On the way there, we’ll stop in the picturesque seaside town of Yamba for lunch. We’ll also visit the Angourie Blue Pool, an old quarry that was accidentally filled by an underground spring, meaning you can now cool off in a freshwater pool right on the beach.
For the next two nights we’re staying in villas at a beachfront holiday resort set amongst 110-acres of beachside rainforest, so it’s the best of both worlds. Jump in the pool, take a heated spa, grab a cocktail at the bar or head to the beach. Feeling active? Go for a bike ride, a spot of archery or nine holes of golf if you fancy it.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar. Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, swimming. Optional activities: Push bike hire, golf. Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Day 15 - Monday: Free Day Darlington Beach & Coffs Harbour
Today we’ll have a relaxed morning followed by a stop in Coffs Harbour for lunch and then a special Aboriginal experience learning about the First Nations people of Australia.
Your Cultural Experience takes place at an important cultural site of the Gumbaynggirr people, the stunning location of Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) within the Orara East State Forest. You’ll go for a 2-hour tour and see 360-degree views, as well as getting the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture through stories, songs, language and the uses of native plants. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience with an emphasis on authentic connection and contributing to helping a community regain their culture and identity.
Do More: By taking part in the experience, you’re making a direct contribution to the revitalisation of Gumbaynggirr language and culture with a percentage of the tour price going towards the local bilingual school to help foster cultural identity and education success.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar. Included activities: Aboriginal Cultural Experience. Included meals: Breakfast. Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
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Highlights
What To Bring
Important Booking Info
- Experience Cairns’ Relaxed Vibes: Enjoy the laid-back lifestyle, indulge in a welcome dinner featuring native bush food, and dive into the exciting nightlife.
- Wildlife Paradise on Magnetic Island: Embrace nature-lovers’ paradise on Magnetic Island, home to adorable koalas and wallabies.
- Whitsunday Wonders: Explore the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands with a day tour to Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout, and incredible snorkeling spots.
- Eco Retreat in Bargara: Relax in an Eco Resort in the serene seaside town of Bargara near Bundaberg.
- Southern Great Barrier Reef Gem: Embark on a full-day adventure to Lady Musgrave Island and Lagoon, encountering abundant marine and wildlife.
Essential things to pack
- Camera,
- Sneakers/trainers,
- Flip Flops/Sandals,
- Clothing (mainly light layers but some warm items),
- Waterproof jacket,
- Hat & Sunscreen,
- Swimsuit/towel,
- Reusable water bottle,
- Toiletries,
- Motion sickness tablets,
- Insect repellent.
Important Booking Info
- Trip starts: Arrival day is on a Monday
- Transport: Travel by private Stray bus, ferry to Magnetic Island, semi rigid inflatable speed boat (Whitsundays), power catamaran (Lady Musgrave), ferry and 4WD (K’gari).
- Luggage is limited to one piece per person with a maximum weight of 20kg plus a day pack.
- A basic level of fitness is required for medium-length walks.
- All accommodation rooms are twin/double share and include a private ensuite or bathroom with the exception of your accommodation at Selina Magnetic Island where bathrooms are separate and shared between up to 4 people and your accommodation at Darlington Beach Holiday Park (Coffs Harbour) where you stay in villas with bathrooms that are shared between up to 4 people.
- 21 meals are included. We make regular supermarket stops so you can self-cater for other meals, or there are usually quite a few cafe/restaurant options in each location.
- The itinerary is a guide. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips and lack of control over Australia’s weather(!), what we do each day might occasionally vary.