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25 Day Cairns to Sydney Original

location_on Cairns
Sydney location_on
calendar_monthMulti-day Tour
sentiment_calmBus transfer
sentiment_calmHostel Accommodation
sentiment_calmWhitsundays Overnight Trip
sentiment_calmK'gari overnight trip
sentiment_calmGreat Barrier Reef
FROM
per person
$2,899
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Multi-day Tour

The Cairns to Sydney Original is the ultimate 25-day East Coast backpacker adventure, packed with beaches, islands, reef, rainforest, and classic Aussie travel moments.

Travel from Cairns to Sydney with all bus transport included, stopping in Magnetic Island, the Whitsundays, Airlie Beach, Rainbow Beach, K’gari, Noosa, Brisbane, Byron Bay and Sydney. This package includes a 3 day / 2 night K’gari 4WD camping adventure, a 2 day / 2 night Whitsundays sailing trip, Magnetic Island, and various optional add-on activities to choose from. With plenty of free days and optional add-ons along the way, it’s the perfect mix of adventure, freedom, and backpacker fun.


Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 50
Fitness Requirement: Average Fitness
Age Restriction: 18
Group Size: 1 - 100
Operating Partner: Travel Reservations
What To Bring: Camera, Sunscreen, Clothes, Comfortable Shoes, Snacks, Swimwear, Towel, ID, Good Vibes ;)

Day 1:

Cairns

Arrive in Cairns and settle into your tropical base in Far North Queensland. Spend the day exploring the lagoon, markets, cafes, and nightlife, and ease into the start of your East Coast adventure.

Day 2:

Cairns

Enjoy a free day in Cairns. Add on an adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, chase waterfalls, explore Cape Tribulation, or take it easy around the lagoon and Esplanade.

Day 3:

Bus from Cairns to Townsville - Ferry to Magnetic Island

Travel south from Cairns to Townsville, then catch the ferry across to Magnetic Island. Check in and get ready for beaches, bays, walking trails, and laid-back island time.

Day 4:

Magnetic Island

Spend the day exploring Magnetic Island. Visit beautiful beaches and bays, hike scenic trails, spot local wildlife, or add on the famous Koala Park experience. You can also use a bus pass to get around the island or hire a car for the day.

Day 5:

Bus from Magnetic Island to Arlie Beach

Catch the ferry back to Townsville, then continue by bus to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays. Spend the evening settling in, exploring town, or relaxing by the lagoon.

Day 6:

2 Day/ 2 Night Whitsundays Trip - Airlie Beach

Enjoy the morning in Airlie Beach or add on an optional skydive before departing on your 2 day / 2 night Whitsundays sailing adventure. Cruise through tropical islands, swim in turquoise water, and settle into life on board.

Day 7:

Overnight Whitsundays Trip

Spend the day sailing through the Whitsundays. Visit stunning island locations, snorkel among marine life, relax on deck, and soak up the magic of this bucket-list destination.

Day 8:

Whitsundays Sailing to Airlie Beach

Enjoy your final morning on the water before returning to Airlie Beach. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, catching up with your group, or enjoying the local nightlife.

Day 9:

Bus from Airlie Beach to Rainbow Beach

Enjoy a free day in Airlie Beach or add on an optional scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays. Tonight, board the overnight bus south to Rainbow Beach.

Day 10:

Rainbow Beach

Arrive in Rainbow Beach and settle into this relaxed coastal town. Spend the day exploring, relaxing on the beach, or checking out the colourful sand cliffs and laid-back surf-town atmosphere.

Day 11:

Rainbow Beach

Enjoy a free day in Rainbow Beach. Visit Carlo Sandblow for amazing views, relax on the beach, or add on optional activities like dolphin kayaking or a surf lesson.

Day 12:

K’gari 4WD Camping Adventure

Start your 3 day / 2 night K’gari 4WD camping adventure. Explore the world’s largest sand island, drive along sandy tracks, swim in freshwater lakes, and camp under the sta

Day 13:

K’gari 4WD Camping Adventure

Spend another full day discovering K’gari. Visit island lake mckenzie, eli creek, the maheno shipwreck and more. Cruise along the beach and enjoy the wild beauty of this incredible World Heritage-listed island.

Day 14:

K'gari to Rainbow Beach

Enjoy your final day on K’gari before returning to Rainbow Beach. Spend the evening relaxing after three epic days of island adventure.

Day 15:

Rainbow Beach to Noosa

Jump on the bus from Rainbow Beach to Noosa and settle into this stylish coastal town. Spend the afternoon exploring, relaxing by the water, or wandering through the shops and cafes.

Day 16:

Noosa

Spend the day exploring Noosa. Walk through Noosa National Park, swim at Main Beach, relax by the water, or add on an optional Everglades tour.

Day 17:

Noosa

Enjoy a free day in Noosa. Take it slow by the beach, explore Hastings Street, look for koalas in the national park, or make the most of the relaxed Sunshine Coast lifestyle.

Day 18:

Noosa to Brisbane

Travel from Noosa to Brisbane and check in for your stay in Queensland’s capital. Spend the afternoon exploring South Bank, riverside bars, markets, or local food spots.

Day 19:

Brisbane

Enjoy a free day in Brisbane. Explore the city, visit South Bank, or add on an optional day trip such as Australia Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, or Moreton Island.

Day 20:

Brisbane to Byron Bay

Jump on the bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay and arrive in one of Australia’s most iconic coastal towns. Settle in, hit the beach, and enjoy Byron’s relaxed surf-town energy.

Day 21:

Byron Bay

Spend the day enjoying Byron Bay. Add on a half-day surf lesson, kayak with dolphins, visit the lighthouse, or explore the beaches, markets, and creative local scene.

Day 22:

Byron Bay

Byron Bay has something for everyone. Spend your free day catching waves, visiting waterfalls and hinterland spots, browsing local shops, or taking on the famous Lighthouse Walk.

Day 23:

Byron Bay to Sydney

Enjoy your final day in Byron Bay. Relax on the beach, explore town, or squeeze in one last coastal walk before boarding the overnight bus to Sydney.

Day 24:

Sydney

Arrive in Sydney and spend the day exploring Australia’s most iconic city. Check out the harbour, beaches, cafes, nightlife, and famous sights like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Day 25:

Final Day Sydney

Your East Coast adventure comes to an end today. Depart any time, or stay longer in Sydney to keep exploring.

  • Bus Cairns to Sydney
  • 2 nights Cairns
  • 2 nights Magnetic Island
  • 2 nights Airlie Beach
  • 2 day / 2 night Whitsundays
  • 3 nights Rainbow Beach
  • 3 day / 2 night K'Gari
  • 3 nights Noosa
  • 2 night Brisbane
  • 3 nights Byron Bay
  • 1 night Sydney
  • 2x overnight buses

Departures & Pickups

This package is adaptable to your dates.

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

Departs: Cairns 

Returns: Sydney

There is an optional driving insurance levy to pay directly for the K'gari 4WD Safari 
You will have to pay the $20 reef levy for the Great Barrier Reef

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

Bookings Terms & Conditions

These booking terms and conditions apply to bookings you make with Peterpans Adventure Travel PTY LTD (ACN 673 404 389) trading as Peterpans Travel (whether over the phone or by email) as well as online bookings you make on our website. We will rely on the authority of the person making the booking to act on behalf of any other traveller on the booking and that person will bind all such travellers to these terms and conditions.

The ticket(s) (“voucher(s)”) for your travel or experience are booked by us on your behalf with various Service Providers. Each Service Provider may have their own terms and conditions applying to your travel. It is important that you read the relevant and corresponding brochure for each of your bookings in order to understand all applicable terms and conditions. If you require additional information to that contained in the brochure then we recommend that you contact the Service Provider for further clarification.

BOOKING CONFIRMATIONS

Your responsibilities: Open tickets: You must book your travel dates in advance with the individual Service Provider as per the details provided on your voucher.

Tickets with booked dates: It is your responsibility to ensure you redeem your vouchers on the dates booked. If you wish to change these dates you must organise it with the Service Provider directly, with adequate notice. You must reconfirm all booked dates 48 hours prior to travel (minimum guide only) or in the manner stated on your voucher. If applicable, dietary requirements should also be confirmed at this time.

CANCELLATIONS and REFUNDS

Credit card fees, and additional fees paid to us for deposits of accommodation, transport and luggage storage are not transferable or refundable.
Please note that deposits on bookings are also non-refundable but may be used as credit towards future bookings.

Cancellations by service providers

If a service provider cancels your booking for any reason you WILL NOT be charged any cancellation fee and will be entitled to a full refund (other than any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider). ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON-REFUNDABLE, in some cases it may be transferable.

Cancellations by you outside of 14 days from the date of travel

Where you provide us with at least 14 days’ notice that you wish to cancel your booking for any reason, you will be charged a 10% cancellation fee and will be entitled to a refund (in addition to any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider) or can transfer, with no fee, any balance (in addition to any amount we are charged as a cancellation fee on your behalf by the service provider) to a new booking or credit voucher. ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON-REFUNDABLE, in some cases it may be transferable.

Cancellations by you within 14 days of the date of travel

Where you provide us with less than 14 days notice that you wish to cancel your booking for any reason, you will be charged a 30% cancellation fee and will be entitled to a refund ( in addition to any amount we are charged on your behalf by the service provider) or can transfer, with a $30 per product transfer fee, any balance (in addition to any amount we are charged as a cancellation fee on your behalf by the service provider) to a new booking or credit voucher. ALL TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION is NON REFUNDABLE, in some cases they may be transferable.

In addition, if a Service Provider charges us for the cancelled travel you must also pay us the amount that we are charged on your behalf by the Service Provider. It is, therefore, possible your cancellation fees could be up to 100% of the cost of the booking, regardless of whether travel has commenced (for example cancellations made within 24hrs of travel or certain flight bookings). The Cancellation Fee will apply in all cases where a tour is able to run. For example, if you are unable to reach a tour due to an “act of God” (for example a road is cut off due to flooding) the normal Cancellation Fee will apply if the tour still runs in your absence or would have run but for your absence. If a tour or other travel service is cancelled by the Service Provider, we will refund you in full the amount paid for the tour or other travel service. This full refund is subject to a fully refundable amount being given to our agency from the supplier who is cancelling. We highlight here that all suppliers have different cancellation terms.

All refunds will occur in the local currency and will be refunded to the same card that payment was made with. If your credit card uses a different currency, the amount refunded may be different from the original amount paid due to exchange rate fluctuations. We are not liable for these fluctuations, or any fees your bank charges.

Please note that in the case of natural disasters (e.g. flood, fire, cyclone, etc.), many Service Providers do not offer refunds, and we may therefore be unable to provide a refund to you. We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover this situation.

The 10% or 30% agency cancellation fee does not apply to: Dive Courses where you fail a Dive Medical test; or Skydives cancelled by the Service Provider within 3 days of booking due to weather, in which case a full refund will apply.

Where a refund or other payment applies, you may choose to transfer the full cost of your booking to another tour. However, a transfer fee of $30 may apply. While we aim to process refunds swiftly, high-demand situations (such as natural disasters) may result in delays.

We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy at the time of booking to protect yourself against unexpected cancellations and changes. Depending on your policy, your insurance provider may cover up to 100% of cancellation fees and other costs incurred. Cancellation fees for tours and bus bookings can be up to 100%, so having appropriate coverage can help minimise financial risk.

Please act responsibly and with respect on your travels. All Service Providers reserve the right to cancel bookings based on recommendation from another provider due to misconduct/misbehaviour during another stage of their trip. We will treat this as any normal cancellation and charge the above-mentioned Cancellation Fee, plus any Service Provider fees.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. It is your personal responsibility to purchase your own travel insurance to cover any liability which may be incurred to us or a Service Provider and other travel misadventures that you wish to be insured against. We recommend that you source travel insurance with a low excess payment, to make claiming on cancelled tours worthwhile.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

We endeavour to package tours that will meet your expectations. However, we take no responsibility for any matters that arise with regard to or during individual tours or arrangements with individual Service Providers. We appreciate your feedback, whether complaints, compliments or suggestions. However, to the extent permitted by law we will not be responsible to you for any loss, expense or damage that you may suffer during any particular tour, accommodation or travel, no matter the cause. These matters are the responsibility of each individual Service Provider and you agree that you will not hold us liable in any such circumstance.

TOUR DETAILS

The inclusions, departure details and itinerary points of each tour and activity listed on our websites are current as of the last product update. We endeavour to reflect up-to-date information on all website pages but will not be held accountable for changes from suppliers which are yet to be reflected on site. Upon booking we ask that you review details listed in your vouchers as these will be the most reliable.

PRICES

We endeavour to package the best value tours available at the best prices. However, we take no responsibility for price fluctuations arising from changes in the prices charged by Service Providers occurring before final payment. The price of your travel is subject to change until such time as you pay for the travel in full.

EXTRA COSTS

Many tours have extra costs and you should be aware that there may be added expenses. These expenses will differ for each Service Provider but some of the more usual extras may include: EMC Tax, Stinger suit Hire, Luggage storage, Sleeping Bag Hire, Linen Hire, National Park Fee, Food, Insurance, Accommodation, Equipment Hire, Petrol Levy. We will alert you to extra costs to the extent reasonably practicable. However, you must also check with each individual Service Provider when you confirm your voucher.

PASSPORT and VISAS

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility. All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine-readable passport. Transfers between tours may incur a $30 administration fee.

By proceeding with a purchase via our Call Centre or Website you declare that you have read, understood, acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of this booking and if your booking is accepted, you will be bound by these terms and conditions.

call Australian Phone: +61 3 9125 3620 call International Phone: +61 (0)3 9125 3620 call WhatsApp: +61 480 064 975
location_on Peterpans Adventure Travel Stores

Cairns
Peterpans Cairns Esplanade
83A Esplanade, Cairns, 4870 Queensland, Australia

Byron Bay
Peterpans Byron Bay
1/90-96 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, 2481, NSW, Australia