Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns
16 days
from Sydney to Cairns
From
$ 2549
Duration16 days
The route up Australia’s East Coast has earned its rep as one of the seemingly endless supply of must-do experiences in the country. The classic Sydney-to-Cairns route introduces you to both sides of modern Australia — the bright lights of the big city and the raw beauty of the Outback. You’ll get to try your hand at dozens of activities — everything from wine-tasting to sailing and snorkelling. And when you travel in small groups like we do, you really get out there into the wild to meet the locals and experience the land like they do. That amazing new frontier you’ve been looking for? Here it is.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 16 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: SydneyPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: CairnsAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
There are no planned activities during the day, so check into the hotel and explore the city.
If you arrive early enough, head down to the harbour's edge to 'The Rocks' historic area and the Opera House.
If you arrive early enough, head down to the harbour's edge to 'The Rocks' historic area and the Opera House.
Arrive at any time.
Want to start your Down Under adventure with an adrenaline rush? Add the 'Sydney Adrenaline Bundle' or 'Sydney Bridge Climb' extra to your tour. Get an incredible view of the iconic Sydney Harbour from the top of the Harbour Bridge, then zip through the waterways on a jet boat ride if you book the 'Adrenaline Bundle'. PLEASE NOTE: If booking either of these extras, a pre-night in Sydney is highly recommended as the Bridge Climb starts early in the morning on Day 1.
End place: Sydney
Day 2: Sydney
Start place: Sydney
Enjoy a free day to explore Sydney. Opt to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, hop on a jet boat ride through the harbour, or chill out at Bondi Beach.
End place: Sydney
Meals: B
Day 3: Sydney/Tamworth
Start place: Sydney
Travel to the Hunter Valley for a wine tasting before continuing on to Tamworth for a taste of Australian country living.
Due to operational reasons, tours that are scheduled to visit Tamworth between January 23-27, 2018 will be rerouted to Coffs Harbour for the night.
End place: Tamworth
Meals: B, D
Day 4: Tamworth/Yamba
Start place: Tamworth
Continue north, visiting Raspberry Lookout and Boundary Falls in Gibraltar National Park en route. Once in Yamba, head to the beach for a swim.
Travel over the Great Dividing Range to Yamba, a quaint beach town. Go for a swim at the beach, relax, and enjoy the view.
End place: Yamba
Meals: B
Day 5: Yamba/Byron Bay
Start place: Yamba
After breakfast, travel the coastal road to the stunning surf and arts town of Byron Bay. Enjoy plenty of free time to experience the hippie surfing town. Options are abound — walk to the lighthouse (located on Australia's most easterly point) for a chance to see whales swimming off shore or hang ten with the locals after an included surfing lesson.
Continue up the coast to Byron Bay, an alternative hippie paradise. Hit the beach and enjoy an included surf lesson.
End place: Byron Bay
Meals: B
Day 6: Byron Bay
Start place: Byron Bay
The free time is yours to explore. Walk along the long stunning beach, play in the surf, or simply hang out at the Byron Bay Brewery and people watch. Want to get your adrenaline pumping? Go skydiving, try sea kayaking, or go on a dolphin watch.
Enjoy free time to hit the beach, get a massage, or try sea kayaking.
End place: Byron Bay
Day 7: Byron Bay/Brisbane
Start place: Byron Bay
Travel north, and opt for a night out in Queensland's capital.
Stop along the way to Brisbane for a quick break at one of the many surf spots such as the Gold Coast.
End place: Brisbane
Meals: B
Day 8: Brisbane/Noosa Everglades
Start place: Brisbane
Head north to Noosa, and enjoy a free afternoon for surfing or strolling the boardwalk to Noosa National Park, where koala sightings are common.
End place: Noosa River
Meals: B
Day 9: Fraser Island/Noosa Everglades
Start place: Noosa River
Travel by private 4x4 and ferry to reach Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Walk through the rainforest, visit Lake Mackenzie, and drive along Australia's only sand highway.
End place: Noosa River
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Noosa Everglades/Airlie Beach
Start place: Noosa River
Go canoeing along the calm waters of the Noosa Everglades before hopping an overnight train north to Airlie Beach.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: L
Day 11: Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands
Start place: Airlie Beach
After arriving in Airlie Beach, transfer to the marina and embark on a maxi yacht which will be our home for the next three days. Set sail to a secluded cove in the Whitsunday Islands where you will drop anchor for the night.
Embark on a 3-day maxi yacht sailing adventure. Enjoy beach visits, island bush walks, and time to snorkel the reefs. Anchor off of secluded tropical islands at night.
End place: Whitsunday Islands
Meals: D
Day 12: Whitsunday Islands
Start place: Whitsunday Islands
The sailing route today allows us to follow part of Captain Cook's route up through the Whitsunday Islands. Again we drop anchor in a secluded bay for the night.
Hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach, known for its stunning white sand, then enjoy free time on the famous beach. Anchor off of a secluded tropical island at night.
End place: Whitsunday Islands
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13: Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach
Start place: Whitsunday Islands
After three days at sea, we sail back to Airlie Beach for a night on land in a local beach hostel. Feel free to relax by the pool at the end of the day.
Continue sailing through the gorgeous backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Sail to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town.
End place: Airlie Beach
Meals: B
Day 14: Airlie Beach/Cairns
Start place: Airlie Beach
Admire the scenery on the train north to Cairns.
Get ready for an early morning wake-up today for the journey to Cairns. Make sure to stock up on snacks and bring personal entertainment – it may be one of the longer travel days on this trip, but it's worth it to reach The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef!
End place: Cairns
Meals: L
Day 15: Cairns
Start place: Cairns
Enjoy a free day to visit the Great Barrier Reef or get the adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or bungee jumping. Cap it all off with a Big Night Out in Cairns.
End place: Cairns
Day 16: Cairns
Start place: Cairns
Depart at any time.
End place: Cairns
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Reef Ecologic Coral Restoration, Whitsunday Islands Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Hands-On Moment: Wine Tutorial, Hunter Valley Your Hands-On Moment: Surfing Lesson, Byron Bay Your Discover Moment: Byron Bay Your Discover Moment: Cairns Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns
- Sydney orientation walk
- Fraser Island 4x4 excursion
- Entrance fees to Cooloola Recreation Area and Fraser Island in Great Sandy NP
- Noosa Everglades overnight experience
- Noosa Everglades canoeing excursion
- Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion (3 days)
- Whitehaven Beach visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Private vehicle, Train, Maxi yacht, 4x4 vehicle, Ferry, Walking -
Accommodation
Hostels (11 nts), Overnight train (1 nt), Maxi yacht (2 nts), Cabin (1 nt) All nights multi-share