East Coast Escape
Sun, sea, surf and more!
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Group Size: Max 30
Trip code: CTBR
Duration: 16 days
Want to explore the epic East Coast but short on time? Then this is the one for you. Hit all the highlights on this whirlwind group tour, from Sydney to Cairns. Hike into the misty Blue Mountains, cruise Sydney’s iconic harbour, snorkel on the Barrier Reef in the Whitsundays, get up close to adorable koalas and wallabies, live your hippy dreams in Byron Bay, stay in an amazing eco-lodge in the Noosa Everglades, and create your own Aussie masterpiece in an Aboriginal art class. With 16 unforgettable days jam-packed with fun, sun and laughs, and two internal flights to save time on travel, it’s all killer, no filler.
Trip Highlights
- Cruise the Whitsundays’ turquoise waters and bliss out on dazzling Whitehaven Beach
- Make like the locals with a surf lesson in boho Byron Bay
- Explore the sand dunes and sparkling lakes of K’gari
- Meet the koalas and walk the Fort Trail on magical Magnetic Island
- Discover Daintree rainforest with an indigenous guide and meet the local Kuku Yalanji people
- Enjoy a mouth-watering chef-led bush food tutorial and dinner in Cairns
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- 15 nights’ accommodation
- 9 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners
- Expert trip manager & local guides
- All on-trip transport (inc 2 flights)
- Blue Mountains day trip
- Guided tour of Sydney
- Bondi Beach
- Byron Bay surf lesson
- Eco-lodge stay in Noosa
- K’gari day trip
- Lake Mackenzie
- Whitsundays overnight trip
- Barrier reef snorkelling
- Ferry to Magnetic Island
- Hawking’s Point hike
- Koala Village breakfast
- Magnetic Island Fort walk
- Meet rock wallabies
- Bush tucker tutorial and dinner
- Daintree Forest day trip
- Aboriginal art class
- 24 hour emergency support
- Visas
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Some meals
- Optional activities
Day 1: Sydney and Blue Mountains. G’day mate! Take a day trip to the Blue Mountains where we’ll explore the beautiful landscapes, learn about the legend behind the Three Sisters, and discover Jamison Ridge. Head back to Sydney this evening, ready for a night out in the city’s backpacker pubs.
Day 2: Sydney tour. We’re exploring the city’s best bits today with a guided tour. Check out the iconic Opera House, take the ferry to Watson’s Bay, and spend the afternoon on beautiful Bondi. How about an optional climb of the Harbour Bridge too?
Day 3: Sydney free day. Sydney’s your oyster with a full free day. Grab some lunch in Darling Harbour, stroll through the Botanical Gardens, pick up some souvenirs at the Rocks Market, take a thrilling jet-boat ride round the harbour, or explore the city by bike. Then go out out tonight!
Day 4: Sydney to Byron Bay. See ya Sydney, you’ve been great! Hop on a plane to boho Byron today and head straight to the beach where we’ll make like the locals with an included surf lesson! Spend the rest of the afternoon living the beach life and practicing your new-found skills on the board.
Day 5: Byron Bay. Kick-start your morning with an optional sunrise trip to Byron Bay Lighthouse. Then spend the rest of the day enjoying Byron’s laid-back vibe at your own pace. Take a guided kayak adventure, go whale watching, or just kick back on the beach. And relaxxxxx.
Day 6: Byron Bay to Noosa. Get your Zen on before we leave Byron behind, with an optional morning yoga session. Our next destination is a watery wonderland where we’ll be staying in a special lakeside eco-lodge. Chill with the gang over dinner tonight in the bistro.
Day 7: K’Gari Island. Wake up with the dawn chorus before an unforgettable day on K’Gari. Cruise along the world’s longest sand highway, take a dip in the sparkling waters of Lake Mackenzie, and enjoy a delish lunch before heading back to the eco camp for a last night.
Day 8: Noosa Everglades to Airlie Beach. Round off your time in the Glades with an awesome optional canoe experience before hopping on a plane for the short flight to Airlie Beach. Grab a bite to eat this evening and party the night away in one of the backpacker bars.
Day 9: Whitsundays boat trip. A cluster of jewel-like islands with turquoise waters and blinding white sands, the Whitsundays is paradise found. Snorkel over rainbow coloured reefs, take a castaway moment on Whitehaven Beach, and enjoy a yummy lunch and dinner on board the yacht.
Day 10: Whitsunday boat trip. More opportunity to swim, snorkel and soak up the sun as we cruise around the Whitsunday Islands on our yacht today.
Day 11: Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island. Hop on the train to Townsville today before taking the ferry to magical Magnetic Island. Explore the island on foot looking for wild koalas, relax on the beach and climb up Hawking’s Point ready for sundown. Just amazing.
Day 12: Magnetic Island. Start your day with a chef-cooked breakfast at Bungalow Bay Koala Village, where you’ll meet some of the adorbs marsupials. Then strap on your walking boots for the Magnetic Island Fort trail. Later on, get to know the island’s resident rock wallabies – cuuute!
Day 13: Magnetic Island to Cairns. Thanks Magnetic Island, you’re the best! We’re headed back to the mainland on the ferry this morning and then jumping on a train to Cairns. This evening we’ve got a chef-led bush food tutorial and dinner (no witchetty grubs though, we promise!) on the menu.
Day 14: Cairns. We’ve got an amazing day lined up for you as we head into the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, Daintree. Explore your surroundings with an indigenous guide, meet the local Kuku Yalanji people, and create your own Aussie masterpiece in an art class led by Aboriginal artists.
Day 15: Cairns. It’s your last day in Cairns so we’ll leave it to you to decide how you want to spend it. We’d recommend diving on the outer Barrier Reef or taking a luxury catamaran snorkelling trip. Get together with your buddies over a few beers tonight and celebrate your amazing Aussie adventure.
Day 16: Trip end. All good things come to an end so it’s time to pack our bags and continue your travels. If you fancy a last blast of Cairns adventure, how about a bungy jump and jungle swing combo, one last skydive, or white-water rafting on the Barron River? Planning the next trip already?
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Online booking isn't currently available but if you'd like to enquire please use the form below. Alternatively if you'd like to discuss alternate trips or if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact us.Most expensive: £1,292 July, 2024
Arrive in Sydney the day before your trip or earlier as there’s a full programme of activities planned for day 1. You’ll need to make your own way to the trip start point (details provided after you’ve booked).
Your trip ends on day 16 in Cairns. You’ll need to arrange your own onward travel, but your travel advisor or tour guide can help with this.
Accommodation
15 nights’ accommodation are included. You’ll spend 11 nights in single sex room hostels and 2 nights in an eco-camp and 2 nights on board a yacht. Rooms are 4-6 people. Please note that nights on board the yacht in the Whitsundays are mixed-sex cabins.
Meals
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 6 dinners are included. You’ll have to buy the rest of your meals yourself.
You’ll need to be a minimum of 18 years old to take part in this trip.
British citizens need a visa to enter Australia. British citizens can usually get the following types of electronic visitor visa: eVisitor visa. There is no visa application charge or service fee. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the iOS App or Android App. There is no visa application charge, but a service fee of $20 may apply.
Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.
Please note: Visa rules are subject to change. Please check for the most up to date information before you travel.
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