Amazing!

East Coast Northbound

28 Days. Sydney to Cairns. The trip of a lifetime.

Sydney to Cairns

28 days

Ages 18-30

4.9

From $4,499 AUD

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Byron Bay

Blue Mountains

Kayaking Noosa

Airlie Beach

K’gari

Whitsundays

Port Douglas

Moreton Island

Minyon Falls

About the tour

You'll travel from Sydney to Cairns over 28 days with a small group of up to 12, hitting the icons and the hidden gems along the way, from Byron Bay and K'gari to the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. We handle the accommodation, transport, and the big-ticket activities, and there's loads of free time built in to explore, book an add-on, or just do your own thing. You handle showing up and having the time of your life. Somewhere between the road trips and the sunsets, the people you started the trip with stop being people you just met.

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Highlights Itinerary Inclusions Exclusions Accommodation Add-ons Why Us FAQs

Highlights

Whitsundays (3 Days, 2 Nights)

Set sail from Airlie Beach for two nights out on the water. Snorkel hidden reefs, hike to Hill Inlet for the postcard view over Whitehaven Beach, and fall asleep under the stars.

Fraser Island (K'gari) (3 Days, 2 Nights)

Get behind the wheel yourselves for a 4WD tag-along adventure along the 75-mile beach. Swim at Lake McKenzie, cool off in the tea-coloured Champagne Pools, and camp two nights under the stars.

Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest

Snorkel the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, then head into the Atherton Tablelands for waterfalls, wildlife, and rainforest along the way.

Amazing Locations

From the harbour views of Sydney to the laid-back cafes of Byron Bay, Noosa's beaches, and the wild koalas of Magnetic Island, every stop on this route is a highlight in its own right.

Free Time, Your Way

Plenty of free days built in to explore each stop at your own pace, or fill them with an optional add-on activity.

Your Home Each Night

Private dorms exclusive to your group, in social hostels handpicked for good vibes and good company.

Worry-free booking

Secure your spot with a $449 AUD deposit. Change your travel date for free up to 30 days before departure, and pay the remaining balance 30 days before your trip starts.

Itinerary

Day 1-2

Sydney Start

Day 1: Meet your fellow travel buddies and spend the day exploring Sydney, the Opera House, harbour views, and the Botanic Gardens. Your local Travel Buddies rep will run you through the trip details over a welcome dinner, on us.
Day 2: A free day to do Sydney your way. Walk the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail and catch some sun before hopping on the overnight bus north.
Optional add-ons: Whale Watching.

Day 3-5

Byron Bay

Day 3: Arrive in Byron Bay for a three-night stay. That afternoon, join a Travel Buddies rep for the Lighthouse Walk out to Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point.
Day 4: A free day to fill however you like, snorkel Julian Rocks, kayak with dolphins, the glow-worm rainforest experience, or a surf lesson, all optional, all on the table.
Day 5: Another free day in Byron before heading north tomorrow, same optional activities if you didn’t get to them yesterday, or just relax.
Included: Lighthouse Walk (Day 3, with a Travel Buddies rep).
Optional add-ons: Surf Lesson, Dolphin Kayaking, Glow-Worm Rainforest Experience, Julian Rocks Snorkeling.

Day 6-7

Surfers Paradise

Day 6: Say goodbye to Byron and head north to Surfers Paradise, cafes, craft breweries, and some of the best shopping on the coast.
Day 7: A free day on the Gold Coast. Catch a tan, try your hand at surfing, or head out for the day.
Optional add-ons: Moreton Island.

Day 8-9

Brisbane

Day 8: Arrive in Brisbane. Explore the parks, the galleries, and the buzzing food scene, then enjoy a night out in the city.
Day 9: A free day to shop, explore the West End, or take a day trip out of the city.
Optional add-ons: Australia Zoo, Moreton Island.

Day 10-15

Noosa & K'gari

Day 10: Bus from Brisbane to Noosa, arriving with a free afternoon, followed by your K’gari safety briefing ahead of tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 11: Head out to K’gari in your 4WD. Drive the 75-mile beach, visit the SS Maheno Shipwreck, float the Eli Creek lazy river, then settle into your Dingo-safe campsite for an evening under the stars.
Day 12: Explore Central Station’s rainforest trails, swim at Lake McKenzie, and cool off in the Champagne Pools.
Day 13: Pack up camp and visit Lake Wabby before making your way back to Noosa.
Day 14: A free day to unwind, shop Hastings Street, or explore the local surf scene.
Day 15: Track down Noosa’s hidden Fairy Pools before boarding your overnight bus to Airlie Beach.
Included: K’gari 4WD Tag-Along Tour (2 nights camping).
Optional add-ons: Noosa Everglades.

Day 16-20

Whitsundays & Airlie Beach

Day 10: Bus from Brisbane to Noosa, arriving with a free afternoon, followed by your K’gari safety briefing ahead of tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 11: Head out to K’gari in your 4WD. Drive the 75-mile beach, visit the SS Maheno Shipwreck, float the Eli Creek lazy river, then settle into your Dingo-safe campsite for an evening under the stars.
Day 12: Explore Central Station’s rainforest trails, swim at Lake McKenzie, and cool off in the Champagne Pools.
Day 13: Pack up camp and visit Lake Wabby before making your way back to Noosa.
Day 14: A free day to unwind, shop Hastings Street, or explore the local surf scene.
Day 15: Track down Noosa’s hidden Fairy Pools before boarding your overnight bus to Airlie Beach.
Included: K’gari 4WD Tag-Along Tour (2 nights camping).
Optional add-ons: Noosa Everglades.

Day 21-22

Magnetic Island

Day 21: Bus to Townsville, then ferry across to Magnetic Island for a free afternoon at your beachside stay.
Day 22: A full free day to explore, the Magnetic Island Wildlife Park is available as an optional add-on.
Optional add-ons: Magnetic Island Wildlife Park.

Day 23-27

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Day 23: Ferry back to Townsville and bus up to Cairns, arriving in the afternoon. Settle in with an evening at the Cairns Night Markets.
Day 24: Explore the Atherton Tablelands on a full day waterfall tour, Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls, Milla Milla Falls, and Lake Eacham.
Day 25: A free day in the city, with plenty of backpacker energy to soak up.
Day 26: Sail out to the Great Barrier Reef for a day of snorkelling at Michaelmas Cay.
Day 27: A free day to fit in any last bucket list items, or head into the Daintree Rainforest.
Included: Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour, Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Trip.
Optional add-ons: Bungee Jumping, Whitewater Rafting, The Daintree Rainforest.

Day 28

Tour Finish

Say goodbye to the people you arrived not knowing. Your local rep can help you plan whatever’s next.

What's included

Activities

K’gari 4WD Tour
Whitsunday Sailing to Whitehaven Beach
Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour
Byron Bay Lighthouse Walk

Accommodation & Stay

1 night in Sydney
3 nights in Byron Bay
2 nights in Surfers Paradise
2 nights in Brisbane
3 nights in Noosa
2 nights on K’gari
3 nights in Airlie Beach
2 nights on the Whitsundays
2 nights on Magnetic Island
5 nights in Cairns
2 nights on overnight buses

Transport & Food

A bus pass covering all travel from Sydney to Cairns, plus the ferry to and from Magnetic Island.
18 meals included across the trip

What's not included

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Any meals not indicated on the itinerary

Any deposits required for equipment hire

Public transport

Accommodation outside of the booking

Shuttle buses not included by providers

Extra activities that need to be booked separately

The best accommodation

Nomads Sydney

Your first night's base in the city, a classic backpacker hostel with a social common room to kick the trip off with your group.

Drifter Byron Bay

A newly renovated hostel built for the free-spirited, with a heated pool, a rooftop courtyard, and modern rooms with privacy curtains and comfy beds. Just moments from Main Beach, with a laid-back, easygoing social scene.

Bounce Surfers Paradise

A brand new, purpose-built hostel that plays more like a boutique hotel than a backpackers'. Custom dorms with privacy features and big lockers, a rooftop infinity pool and bar, and nightly social events, moments from Surfers Paradise Beach.

Roamer Brisbane

A freshly renovated, ensuite hostel right in the heart of the city near Roma Street Station, with a restaurant and bar on site and a reputation for some of the friendliest staff on the East Coast.

Nomads Noosa

Your beachside stay in Noosa, both before and after your K'gari adventure.

K'gari Dingo-Safe Campsite

Sleep under the stars on the island, in a secure, dingo-safe campsite.

Nomads Airlie Beach

Your base before and after sailing the Whitsundays.

Whitsundays Sailing Boat

Two nights aboard, waking up out on the water.

Nomads Magnetic Island

Beachside stay on a tropical island known for its wildlife.

Gilligan's Cairns

Your final base and the trip's biggest party hostel, a resort-style property with its own nightclub, a pool that hosts the famous Sunday pool party, and ensuite rooms on the quieter upper floors if you'd rather sleep than dance.

Overnight Bus Transfers

Two overnight legs of the journey, so you wake up in the next destination without losing a day.

Add-ons

Want to do more? Add extra experiences to your trip.

Whale Watching

Catch Sydney's migrating whales in action, exclusively from May to October.

Surf Lesson

A 3-4 hour lesson with Byron's own surf school, picked up from your accommodation and dropped at the best beach for the day's conditions.

Dolphin Kayaking

Paddle out from Clarks Beach with Byron's original dolphin kayaking crew, spotting dolphins, turtles, and (in season) migrating whales, Tim Tams included at the end.

Glow-Worm Rainforest Experience

Hike Byron's UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforest to a waterfall swim, an organic vegan dinner, and a glow-worm show after dark.

Julian Rocks Snorkeling

60 minutes in the water at Julian Rocks Marine Park, home to over 1,000 marine species including sharks, rays, and turtles.

Australia Zoo

A full day at the home of Steve Irwin, with return transfers from central Brisbane and at least 6 hours to explore.

Moreton Island

A full day on Moreton Island, snorkelling famous shipwrecks, joining the wild dolphin feeding program, and relaxing by the pool with a sunset cocktail included.

Noosa Everglades

Cruise or canoe through one of only two Everglades systems on Earth to the historic Harry's Hut, morning tea included.

Whitsundays Scenic Flight

A 60-minute flight over the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, taking in Heart Reef, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet from above.

Skydiving

Freefall from 15,000ft with an exclusive beach landing, the only beach skydive in the Whitsundays region. Free return transfer included.

Jet Ski

Ride an award-winning Two Island Safari on your own jet ski past Daydream and South Molle Islands, no licence needed.

Magnetic Island Wildlife Park

Get hands-on with native wildlife, python included, on a ranger-led tour of the island's koalas, wombats, and crocodiles.

Bungee Jumping

Take the leap at Australia's only Bungy tower, a 50-metre jump with 16 different styles to choose from.

Whitewater Rafting

A full day tackling Grade 3-4 rapids on the Tully River through World Heritage rainforest, hearty meal included.

The Daintree Rainforest

Cross the Daintree River by ferry, spotting wild crocodiles, walking Cape Tribulation Beach, and swimming in a freshwater rainforest stream.

Why choose us

Low deposit to book

Lock in your spot for a $449 deposit, then pay the rest 30 days before you travel.

Small groups

Travel with up to 12 people, small enough that everyone actually gets to know each other, big enough that there's always someone up for anything.

WhatsApp support

You'll be added to your trip's WhatsApp community before you even land, daily updates, direct access to the team, and a space to get to know your group before day one.

Semi-guided & flexible

No tour leader hovering over your shoulder. We handle the accommodation, transport and key activities, and you decide how to spend the rest.

“I had a rlly great time ! Before the tour started I was a bit unsure how everything is gonna be bit I do not regret anything !!!! I did a group travel and the people in my group became like a family for me. Everything was perfectly organised with no issues ! It’s the perfect tour for you if you want safety and having everything (accommodation, activities, etc.) figured out but still have lots of freedom by deciding on your own. I would recommend this to everyone!!!”

Marissa Janik

Netherlands

“My experience with travel buddies was fantastic from booking through to the entire trip. The trip was very well organised and they were always on hand to help. I highly recommend booking the east coast trip with travel buddies.”

Charit

Hong Kong

“Travel buddies has made it super easy to travel the east coast by booking and organizing everything I need! Reps meet you along the way and are super quick to respond if you have any questions.”

Sasha Kerr

Australia

“Super well organised, good communication and great activities! Useful and helpful local recommendations too.”

Emma Wadsworth

Netherlands

“I did the east coast trip and loved it so much, so many amazing experiences included and was easy to add on the extras if you wanted to. I had a very small group size and think it would have been better being a few more people to be honest, but we met so many others along the way so was still great! The Whitsundays was probably my favourite part!! The travel buddies team were super helpful with everything and gave really clear instructions to follow of where to be and what times etc. I thought it was very well organised. I enjoyed it so much I also did the New Zealand tour afterwards and that was equally incredible, what a beautiful country!! Lake Tekapo and Queenstown were my favourite spots here (The bungee jump is a must!!!) A bigger group size on this trip was definitely better. Overall would absolutely recommend!!”

customer

United Kingdom

“I did the East Coast tour from Sydney to Cairns, and honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve done while in Aus. You get a built-in friendship group from day one. I joined this trip solo but within a few days you really start to get know to people and by the time we finished we all felt super close. Doing this tour made the whole East Coast experience feel effortless and it was pretty emotional saying goodbye at the end. From the beginning the Travel Buddies team were super helpful with booking any extra activities and quick to answer any questions. In the group chat we got sent recommendations and travel reminders which made everything run super smooth. My highlights were for sure the Whitsundays sailing trip; you see some unreal beaches, reefs, and sunsets. And of course being able to start the tour with a group of strangers and finish as friends :)”

Gemma Cripps

United Kingdom

“Had such a good 31 days and Ellie was amazing”

Archie Cook

Australia

“Jeremy was excellent, very quick to respond and catered for every request. Nothing was too much to ask for! I had to do very little organising for this trip Jeremy made a custom itinerary for me and was able to alter to suit our preferences. Would highly recommend Travel Buddies for any custom itineraries”

Heather

Australia

“I did the East Coast tour from Sydney to Cairns and I loved every minute! Before even travelling to Australia, the entire booking process was so smooth and I was given all the info I needed well in advance, which really helped reduced the nerves of being a solo/ first-time traveller. I was lucky have an absolutely amazing group of people travelling with me - we had so many fun experiences and all loved to go on adventures and try new things so it was so fun to share memories (and a few laughs) with them. My favourite experience had to be the time on a sailboat through the Whitsundays, with a gorgeous sunrise and white sandy beaches greeting us each day. Definitely recommend for a first time traveller with a love of exploring and adventures (and also people who want to take away the stress of having to meticulously plan travel arrangements and accommodation on the trip). I would do it all over again if I could!”

Maria Roberts

United Kingdom

“I travelled through Australia with travel buddies and it was amazing, everything was well organised i had few to none problems. And they will be there for you when you need them!”

Geeky

Netherlands

“It was a nice tour but needed to double check everything, when we booked add ons they always put us in different groups than the people traveling with us at first and sometimes hard to reach or different people give you different information”

Carina Busse

Germany

“Everything is so well organised and they prioritise you getting the best experience!”

Rosie Brentnall

United Kingdom

“Had the absolute time of my life doing the 32 day east coast Australia tour back in January. Travel Buddies sorted absolutely everything for me, all I needed to do was be in the right place at the right time.”

Daniel

United Kingdom

“Best group trip ever - we had a lot of free days and could decide what to do, but travel buddies was always in the background and you could reach out to them, when you needed help or ideas about what to do”

Paula

Germany

“was great, new friendships”

Ariana Brügger

Switzerland

“Did the east coast trip and it was such a great month! Met some lovely girls in my group and many others along the way. Made travelling super easy with everything planned, all you had to do was turn up, and follow tips and directions via the WhatsApp’s group. Best month of my life, very action packed! Would 100% recommend travel buddies.”

Hannah

Australia

“Travel Buddies were extremely easy to communicate with and so polite and helpful, they made my whole experience in australia the absolute best ever! special mention to Ellie who helped so much!”

Brayden Bergset

Australia

“I had a great New Zealand trip with Travel Buddies! Met some of the best people ever and felt looked after by the Travel Buddies Team! Ellie was really helpful and supportive!”

Connor

Jersey

“I did a Travel Buddies trip last month and it was the best way I have travelled! I’ve done other group tours before but the semi-guided style was so much better - i had more freedom to do more activities I actually wanted, while still having great recommendations and support from the team via Whatsapp. They were super helpful before i booked too and helped me book my other add ons booked like kayaking with dolphins! I had a lovely group who i still talk to today! I really recommend”

Ellie

United Kingdom

FAQs

Is this a guided tour or am I responsible for my own travel?

Travel Buddies trips are semi-guided, giving you the best mix of independent and group travel. We organise your accommodation, transport, and included activities, so the main planning is taken care of for you.
It’s your responsibility to arrive at meeting points and departures on time, as missed activities or transport are non-refundable and any alternative arrangements would need to be organised at your own expense.

What is a semi-guided tour, and how does it work?

There’s no full-time guide glued to your side. We handle the accommodation, transport, and key activities, and you get the freedom to explore each stop your own way, solo or with the group. You’ll also meet plenty of other travellers along the way at hostels and on group activities.

Can I book pre and post tour accommodation?

Yes, just ask when you book. We’ll try to keep you in the same hostel as the rest of your group so you’re not switching around, subject to availability.

What is the age range?

Travel Buddies is built for 18 to 30 year olds. Just outside that range? Get in touch, we’re often able to make it work.

How many people will be on the tour?

Groups cap at 12 travellers, small enough to actually get to know everyone, with a minimum of 2 to run.

How flexible is the itinerary?

You’ll follow a set route and timeline, but every free day is yours to fill, book an add-on, explore solo, or just hang back with the group.

What are the must-see highlights on the East Coast tour?

K’gari’s 75-mile beach, sailing the Whitsundays, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, and a Daintree crocodile cruise in the Tropical North, see the Highlights section above for the full list.

How do I connect with fellow travellers before the tour begins?

In the week before departure, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp community with a social channel just for chatting to your group before you even land in Sydney.

Total (AUD) $4,499

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