18 Day Cairns to Sydney Budget Package $99 Per Day

Day 1: Cairns

Welcome to Cairns, the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Daintree Rainforest. This sub-tropical hub offers heaps of awesome activities for travellers from nature to extreme sports! Check into your Cairns accommodation for 3 nights and then head out to explore the city before getting super excited for your Great Barrier Reef experience tomorrow morning!

Meals included: None

Day 2: Cairns

Take the day to explore Cairns. You can go see the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Natural Wonders of the World. Contact us for all of the different snorkelling and scuba diving options available.

Meals Included: None 

Day 3: Cairns

Take the day to explore Cairns. You can go white-water rafting on the Tully River, bungy jump, skydive, or explore hiking trails. You may want to walk around the Esplanade - a vibrant hub with bars, cafes, and restaurants or go for a swim in the lagoon!

Meals Included: None

Day 4: Bus from Cairns to Airlie beach

You'll arrive in the tropical paradise of Airlie Beach bright and early. This morning you'll check into your central Airlie Beach accommodation. No time to waste! Drop your bags and head out to explore this beachside town before preparing for your Whitsundays tour tomorrow! 

Meals included: None 

Day 5: Whitsundays Day Trip - Airlie Beach to Whitsundays

Cruise out to one of Whitsunday's most picturesque islands and jump in the water to experience what all this fuss about Whitsundays Snorkelling is about. With 2 tropical snorkelling opportunities and Whitehaven beach you'll see the most vibrant marine life, the colours are simply breathtaking. You’ll arrive back at Airlie Beach around 5 pm with a bucket load of memories!

Meals included: Lunch, Snacks

Day 6: Overnight Bus to Rainbow Beach

Today, you’ll head down to Rainbow Beach on an overnight bus. Check into your beachfront accommodation early and then head out to explore! You'll be staying at this Rainbow Beach hostel for a total of 3 nights so get comfortable - with daily free guided walks to the Carlo Sandblow, and heaps of hikes to discover that's not hard to do!

Meals Included: None 

Day 7: Rainbow Beach

Today, you're free to explore. You can visit the famous Colored Sands. They are a unique geological formation that consists of over 70 different shades of sand and offers stunning panoramic views of the coastline. You can hike to the top of the sand blow for a breathtaking view of the area. 

Meals Included: None 

Day 8: 3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Your Fraser Island adventure begins with a quick morning brief at Freedom Hostel. At 9:30 am, depart for Fraser Island and drive approximately 10 minutes to the barge (ferry) and board for your 10-minute barge crossing. Once you have arrived on the world's largest sand island, drive for 1 hour to the Eurong Beach Resort along 75 Mile beach - Fraser Island's own highway with speed limits!  There you can grab a coffee and chocolate croissant (own cost) for morning tea. From here, the adventure really begins, as we drive to the famous Lake McKenzie, one of the most popular and picturesque highlights of Fraser. We stop for lunch and time to swim and relax in the amazingly clear waters of the lake before driving up the beach to your campsite. Settle in for an early dinner, some well-deserved drinks and plenty of fun! 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on Fraser Island! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous Fraser Island icon before continuing on to Indian Head. Fraser Island's highest point, from here you may be lucky enough to see whales and sharks in the ocean before travelling to Champagne Pools for a drop. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2 depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos to Rainbow Beach

Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you'll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you'll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to Freedom Hostel between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, depending on the tides

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11: Rainbow Beach 

Today is your final day at Rainbow Beach, so take in the views, coastal walks, wildlife, and pristine beach whilst you prepare for your next journey to the buzzing City of Brisbane!

Meals Included: None 

Day 12: Bus from Rainbow Beach to Noosa 

Jump onboard a bus to Noosa in the Queensland Region where you will check-in for 2 nights. Spend your first day exploring the area!

Meals Included: None 

Day 13: Noosa

Enjoy your free day in Noosa. Visit the amazing national park and see the amazing fairy pools. Why not go and visit the world famous Noosa Everglades, with only two everglades in the world this one is not to be missed. 

Meals Included: None 

Day 14: Bus from Noosa to Brisbane

Jump on board a bus to Brisbane in the Queensland Region where you will check-in for 1 night. Spend your day exploring the area! Brisbane is known for its thriving arts and cultural scene. You can explore the Queensland Cultural Centre, which houses several world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps opt for a koala river cruise, or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic South Bank Parklands, where you'll find picturesque views, riverside dining options, and the iconic Wheel of Brisbane.

Meals Included: None 

Day 15: Bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay

Today is yours free to kick back and enjoy Byron. With stunning coastal walks as well as plenty of hinterlands, and awesome nightlife - there's plenty to keep you busy. If you want to make the most of this free day head to the iconic lighthouse to do the famous Lighthouse Walk.

Meals Included: None 

Day 16: Byron Bay

Today you can soak up Byron Bays' charm and relaxed atmosphere. It is also a hub for artists, musicians, and creatives, plus you'll find a vibrant arts scene, live music performances, street markets, and an array of unique and eclectic shops.

Meals Included: None 

Day 17: Overnight bus from Byron Bay to Sydney

Today you get to enjoy your last day in the beautiful Byron Bay. Watch the sunset on the main beach before you hop on your overnight bus to Sydney.

Meals Included: None

Day 18: Depart Sydney

Your East Cost adventure has come to an end. Today you'll have time to explore all the highlights including the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour. Looking at staying a few nights to explore the best of Sydney tours? Chat with our travel experts today to find the best prices on day trips and Sydney accommodation. 

We hope you have made memories to last a lifetime and hope to help you on your next adventure! Fiji or New Zealand anyone….?

Meals included: None

Day 1: Overnight bus from Sydney to Byron Bay

Your adventure kicks off in stunning Sydney city where you'll have time to explore all the highlights including the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour. Looking at arriving a few days earlier to explore the best of Sydney tours? Chat with our travel experts today to find the best prices on day trips and Sydney accommodation. Tonight, you'll hop on board the overnight bus that will take you to the iconic coastal town of Byron Bay. 

Meals Included: None

Day 2: Byron Bay

Today is yours free to kick back and enjoy Byron. With stunning coastal walks as well as plenty of hinterlands, and awesome nightlife - there's plenty to keep you busy. If you want to make the most of this free day head to the iconic lighthouse to do the famous Lighthouse Walk.

Meals Included: None 

Day 3: Byron Bay

Today you can soak up Byron Bays' charm and relaxed atmosphere. It is also a hub for artists, musicians, and creatives, plus you'll find a vibrant arts scene, live music performances, street markets, and an array of unique and eclectic shops.

Meals Included: None 

Day 4: Bus from Byron Bay to Brisbane

Jump on board a bus to Brisbane in the Queensland Region where you will check-in for 1 night. Spend your day exploring the area! Brisbane is known for its thriving arts and cultural scene. You can explore the Queensland Cultural Centre, which houses several world-class museums and galleries. Perhaps opt for a koala river cruise, or take a leisurely stroll along the scenic South Bank Parklands, where you'll find picturesque views, riverside dining options, and the iconic Wheel of Brisbane.

Meals Included: None 

Day 5: Bus from Brisbane to Noosa

Jump onboard a bus to Noosa in the Queensland Region where you will check-in for 2 nights. Spend your first day exploring the area!

Meals Included: None 

Day 6: Noosa

Enjoy your free day in Noosa. Visit the amazing national park and see the amazing fairy pools. Why not go and visit the world famous Noosa Everglades, with only two everglades in the world this one is not to be missed.

Meals Included: None 

Day 7: Bus from Noosa to Rainbow Beach

Today, you’ll head up to Rainbow Beach. Check into your beachfront accommodation and then head out to explore! You'll be staying at this Rainbow Beach hostel for a total of 3 nights so get comfortable - with daily free guided walks to the Carlo Sandblow, and heaps of hikes to discover that's not hard to do!

Meals Included: None 

Day 8: Rainbow Beach

Today, you're free to explore. You can visit the famous Colored Sands. They are a unique geological formation that consists of over 70 different shades of sand and offers stunning panoramic views of the coastline. You can hike to the top of the sand blow for a breathtaking view of the area. 

Meals Included: None 

Day 9: 3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

Your Fraser Island adventure begins with a quick morning brief at Freedom Hostel. At 9:30 am, depart for Fraser Island and drive approximately 10 minutes to the barge (ferry) and board for your 10-minute barge crossing. Once you have arrived on the world's largest sand island, drive for 1 hour to the K'gari Beach Resort along 75 Mile beach - Fraser Island's own sand highway with speed limits!  There you can grab a coffee and chocolate croissant (own cost) for morning tea. From here, the adventure really begins, as we drive to the famous Lake McKenzie, one of the most popular and picturesque highlights of Fraser. We stop for lunch and time to swim and relax in the amazingly clear waters of the lake before driving up the beach to your campsite. Settle in for an early dinner, some well-deserved drinks and plenty of fun! 

Meals included:  Lunch, Dinner

Day 10:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos

The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on Fraser Island! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous Fraser Island icon before continuing on to Indian Head. Fraser Island's highest point, from here you may be lucky enough to see whales and sharks in the ocean before travelling to Champagne Pools for a dip. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2 depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11:  3 Day / 2 Night K'gari (Fraser Island) Tag Along Safari - Dingos to Rainbow Beach

Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you'll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you'll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to Freedom Hostel between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, depending on the tides

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Rainbow Beach and Overnight bus to Airlie Beach

This morning you'll check out of your hostel and have a final chance to soak in the atmosphere of Rainbow Beach for the day. Tonight you'll be heading on an overnight bus to Airlie Beach - the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. 

Meals included: None 

Day 13: Airlie Beach

You'll arrive in the tropical paradise of Airlie Beach bright and early. This morning you'll check into your central Airlie Beach accommodation. No time to waste! Drop your bags and head out to explore this beachside town before preparing for your Whitsundays tour tomorrow! 

Meals included: None  

Day 14: Whitsundays Day Trip - Airlie Beach to Whitsundays

Cruise out to one of Whitsunday's most picturesque islands and jump in the water to experience what all this fuss about Whitsundays Snorkelling is about. With 2 tropical snorkelling opportunities and Whitehaven beach you'll see the most vibrant marine life, the colours are simply breathtaking. You’ll arrive back at Airlie Beach around 5 pm with a bucket load of memories!

Meals included: Lunch, Snacks

Day 15: Bus from Airlie Beach to Cairns

Today you'll wave goodbye to Airlie beach and say hello to Cairns as you catch the ferry back to Townsville and then head further North. Cairns is the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Daintree Rainforest and offers heaps of awesome activities for travellers from nature to extreme sports! Check into your Cairns accommodation for 3 nights and then head out to explore the city. 

Meals included: None 

Day 16: Cairns

Take the day to explore Cairns. We recommend you go to one of the natural wonders of the world - the Great Barrier Reef. Contact us for a list of options to go and visit this Australian absolute must-see.

Meals Included: None

Day 17: Cairns

Take the day to explore Cairns. You can go white-water rafting on the Tully River, bungy jump, skydive, or explore hiking trails. You may want to walk around the Esplanade - a vibrant hub with bars, cafes, and restaurants or go for a swim in the lagoon!

Meals Included: None

Day 18: Depart Cairns

This morning you will check out of your hostel and wave goodbye to your East Coast adventure! If you want to add some time to this trip but don’t want to add on destinations, Cairns is a great place to add on a few nights and explore!  Say goodbye to like-minded friends and set off on the rest of your travels. We hope you have made memories to last a lifetime and hope to help you on your next adventure! Fiji or New Zealand anyone….?

Meals Included: None

This package has select departure dates.

Please contact our travel specialists to discuss your preferred date of travel.

Departs:  Cairns or Sydney

Returns: Sydney or Cairns

Extra Costs

You will need to pay the "Magnetic Island Ferry" cost directly (approx $36 AUD return ticket)
There is an optional driving insurance levy to pay directly for the K'gari 4WD Safari 
The bus + package price includes a specific bus pass, selected to work with this trip length

Contact Us today if you wish to explore alternative trip lengths or transport options.

Please note: If you are travelling in Peak Season between the 15th December to the 15th January 2024 there is a slight rate increase as reflected on our package pricing.
Please contact us for any questions.

Love this package but have some questions? No worries!

Here is a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about our packages.

Don't see yours here? Contact Us to find out more.

•  Can I make changes to the package?

It is no problem to customize your package to suit your travel plans by adding/removing anything that you wish. If you wish to make changes, please contact us via email hello@peterpans.com, phone +61 3 9125 3620 or live chat and we will be more than happy to assist you by providing you with an updated itinerary/package inclusions/price.

• Is this a guided trip?

This trip consists of a combination of tours and hostels, selected to fit in with your chosen style of travel (budget or flexi flashpacker). Whilst this means that you will not be with the same group of people for the entire duration of your tour, you will be with a group for each tour that you do, and it is very likely that the people that you do the tours with will be booked in the same accommodation in the area. As travellers often travel to similar destinations, it is likely that you will see some of these people, again and again, throughout your tour!

We book all of your tours/accommodation on your behalf and you will be given a voucher for each with all of the information needed ie travel date and pick up location/time. For your buses, we provide you with a bus ticket which has all of the individual departure and arrival times/details.

As Peterpans is one of the largest travel agencies in Australia, these packages are heavily discounted. Should you need any extra guidance, we are always on hand to help!

This is the most popular way of travel for backpackers along the East Coast, whether you are a solo traveller or travelling in a group of friends - it is the perfect way to meet other travellers and get the most out of your East Coast trip!

If you prefer a full guided East Coast tour click here to view the options.

• How much should I budget for spending money?

All of our packages include some meals (you can find the included meals in the inclusions and in the day-to-day itinerary) which means that you will only have to budget for the meals that are not included. The amount that these meals will cost vary however all of the hostels have communal kitchens so you can cook your own meals instead of eating out. Some travellers will only spend an extra $5 a day whereas some will spend an extra $50!

• Do I have to choose the exact dates?

Due to limited availability in hostels and on tours we recommend that you book your package as far in advance as possible to guarantee availability on your chosen dates.

• What hostels are included in the package?

We hand-pick the best selection of hostels on the East Coast that are available for your travel dates. We include 6-8 bed dorms in the package price however double/twin share room upgrades are available at an additional cost. Please contact us with your preferred travel date and package name if you would like a price to upgrade to double/twin share rooms.

• Does this package depart daily?

This package is available to depart most days of the week (subject to availability). To check availability for your preferred departure date please ask us on live chat, give us a call on +61 3 9125 3620 or send us an email at hello@peterpans.com. Alternatively you can book directly on the website by selecting your preferred date and we will reply within 48 hours with a booking confirmation or a secondary option that suits your dates.

• Do I have to pay upfront for this tour or can I pay a deposit/in instalments?

The majority of our customers book and pay for their package in full, meaning that we will book everything in advance to guarantee availability. However, as the prices of our packages can change due to price increases, you are able to secure this amazing package price with a small deposit of just $100pp. You are then able to pay off the package in instalments as and when you wish. As we are unable to make the bookings for the hostels and tours until we have received full payment, due to availability, we do recommend completing payment for your package as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment. Because of this, it is no problem to tweak the itinerary until full payment has been received - the deposit just locks in the discounted price of this package. If you are worried about availability, let us know as so we can go ahead and look into options for you, for example locking in certain parts of your trip that are likely to fill up in advance such as the Whitsundays/Fraser Island. Have a query about the payment that isn't answered above? Feel free to ask us on live chat, give us a call on +61 3 9125 3620 or send us an email at hello@peterpans.com

• Is it possible to cater for specific dietary requirements?

Most if not all suppliers are able to cater for specific dietary requirements, however for some suppliers this can be an additional cost. Our online team are fully knowledgeable on what suppliers/tours charge extra for which dietary requirements so feel free to contact us for more information.