FAQs East Coast Tours

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ITINERARIES

Can I design my own itinerary?

For those travellers looking for a completely bespoke Aussie itinerary, you can certainly design-your-own itinerary! Use our itinerary-builder tool to take the stress out of your holiday planning, and our friendly travel agents can help you along the way! 

Do you have pre-made itineraries?

Yes, we do have pre-built itinerary packages perfect for the backpacker looking to explore the East Coast of Australia! Check out our many pre-designed itinerary packages to make sure you see it all while down under! 

What is the difference between Express, Explorer and Ultimate itineraries?

Let us explain our three most popular types of itinerary packages! 

• Our Express Itineraries take you from one iconic city to another in any direction of your choosing, stopping at the highlights. Enjoy tours like Whitsunday overnight sailing, K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD safari and Cairns Great Barrier Reef diving. These Express Itineraries are the perfect option for travellers on a time budget!
  
  
• Our Explorer Itineraries build upon the Express Itineraries, taking you to the highlights in Airlie Beach, K’gari and Cairns as well as extra stops and experiences. Stop in Byron Bay and take a surf lesson, hike the Blue Mountains and wander through the Atherton Tablelands with rainforest waterfall tours all included.
  
  
• Our Ultimate itineraries are the best choice for those with longer to spend on the East Coast. Do it all and see the best of iconic destinations and local hidden gems with these extended, super-inclusive itineraries! With everything in an Explorer Itinerary plus extras such as white water rafting, skydiving, dolphin kayaks and more, you're in for a totally unforgettable East Coast adventure! 

Are East Coast Tours itineraries guided? What does semi-guided mean? 

The majority of our itineraries (including the Express, Explorer and Ultimate itineraries) are semi-guided. Pretty much this means that any time spent on individual tours (like sailboats, 4WD camping tours, reef tours and the likes) is led by professional skippers and tour guides. However, the in-between bits like travel days and free days are up to you, making for a more personalised and flexible experience!

If you are looking for fully-guided itineraries to travel with a group of other backpackers and be guided through every leg of your journey, check out our fully-guided group itineraries. Or, check out our new "G'day Mates" Itinerary for an elevated, semi-guided group trip, where you will have guidance along the way and travel with a pre-organised group of backpackers!

What is a "G'day Mate" East Coast Tour itinerary?

Our "G'day Mates" trips are semi-guided group tours along the East Coast. This trip includes transport, accommodation, tours, some meals, local guides along the way, You will be travelling with an epic group of backpackers the whole way, and we even set up a Whats App group so you can get to know each other and communicate throughout your trip! This itinerary balances fun group travel with unique, independent experiences. Ideal for adventurers who want to avoid feeling like tourists while enjoying the convenience of pre-organised trips as well as an awesome group of travel mates. So, pack your back and grab your sense of adventure, adventure and new friends await!

What is the difference between a tour-only package and a full itinerary package? 

Some of our itineraries offer a tour-only option. This means that you are purchasing a package of individual tours without transport or accommodation. 

The full itinerary package includes all accommodation and transport, and is the best value you can find when planning your East Coast adventure! 

What should I pack on my East Coast itinerary?

For a tried-and-tested guide to packing for your Aussie road trip, check out our East Coast packing article!

Where does ECT sell tours?

We specialise in tours and itineraries all along Australia's East Coast! The most popular destinations include Cairns, Magnetic Island, Whitsundays, Noosa, K'gari (Fraser Island), Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, and Melbourne. 

If you want to travel beyond the East Coast of Australia, we also sell tours to other top travel destinations in the Southern Hemisphere. You can travel to other locations in Australia such as the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and Tasmania. We can also book you into overseas adventures including New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Phillippines, Japan, and South Korea. 

These destinations are not currently listed on our website so please contact our team if you wish to travel beyond Australia's East Coast!

TRANSPORT

What sort of transport is included?

Our itineraries include bus transport which is primarily a Greyhound Whimit Pass. However, if you wish to upgrade your package, you can book a rental car or campervan through our friendly travel experts.

Can I book my own transport?

You can choose to book your own transport, however, our team offers excellent package discounted deals when you book your tours, accommodation and transport together! 

I don’t want to travel by bus, can I rent a car or hire a van instead? 

Yes, you can upgrade to a hire car or campervan for your Aussie itinerary! Simply chat with our friendly travel agents. Van life, here we come! 

Do I have to pay for petrol on my East Coast itinerary?

If you are travelling by bus, all petrol and costs are included. However, if you choose to upgrade to a car or campervan, you are responsible for all fuel and additional costs involved!

Does my campervan or car hire include comprehensive insurance?

We offer an array of campervan hire and car hire options from our many partners. For more specific information, please see the JUCY hire T&Cs and the Spaceship hire T&Cs.

ACCOMMODATION 

What kind of accommodation is included in an East Coast itinerary?

Itineraries include a range of accommodations, predominantly hostels, backpacker lodgings, overnight buses, shared boat cabins and island camping. Consult a specific itinerary for more information on exact nightly accommodations.

Can I book private rooms rather than shared rooms? 

Yes, you can upgrade most shared accommodation to private accommodation. You will, however, have to pay the additional cost of these private rooms. A very popular choice for couples and groups, simply chat with our friendly agents to upgrade your itinerary! 

MEALS

Are meals included in my itinerary?

Our itineraries include some meals, these being to included meals on your individual tours such as overnight sails, island camping tours and reef day trips. Meals outside of these inclusive trips are at your own discretion and cost to manage. Not to worry though, Australia is brimming with delicious cafes, restaurants and eateries! 

Can itineraries cater to dietary requirements?

If you have any specific dietary requirements, don’t forget to advise your travel agent upon booking. Most dietaries such as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free can be catered for on tours, however additional fees may apply.

FLIGHTS

Are flights included in my itinerary?

No, flights are not included in the price of your itinerary.

Does East Coast Tours book flights?

East Coast Tours does not currently book flights. If you need assistance booking flights, simply speak with our friendly customer service team! 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Is travel insurance included in my East Coast Itinerary?

No, travel insurance is not included in your itinerary. We strongly recommend getting travel insurance when you book your itinerary, as East Coast Tours cannot protect you from additional costs caused by possible injury, cancellations, etc.

Do I need to get travel insurance to book an East Coast Tours Itinerary?

We cannot recommend strongly enough that you get travel insurance upon booking your itinerary. East Coast Tours is not responsible for any costs incurred by cancellations, injuries and lost items, so you should cover yourself before travelling! 

Which travel insurance should I get when travelling to Australia?

Check out our Backpacker Handbook for more information on which travel insurance to pick! 

PAYMENT 

Does East Coast Tours do payment plans?

Currently, East Coast Tours does not accept payment plans in multiple instalments. However, upon booking, you can put down a deposit for your itinerary, tour, transport or accommodation, and pay the rest at a later date. Chat with our travel experts for more info!

ONLINE SUPPORT 

How can I contact East Coast Tours for support?

You can call, email or online chat with our friendly team of Aussie experts. Check out our Contact Us page for more information.

How quickly will I get a response from your support team?

Our team operates 24/7 and aims to respond to your enquiry in less than a day. Most of the time, you will receive a response within the hour! 

Who is on the other end of the East Coast live chat?

Our team of travel agents will answer your East Coast enquiries! Our tight-knit team all have an undying love of Australia and travel and are often ex-backpackers themselves. So, rest assured, you will be talking with a retired skipper, a dive-lover or an Airlie Beach local when you say “g’day” on the chat line! Learn more about our values, story and team at East Coast Tours.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

What happens if my tour gets cancelled due to bad weather?

Depending on your itinerary, many tour operators will give a refund for cancelled plans due to bad weather. However, accommodation and transport often aren’t as lenient with bad weather cancellations. For more specific information, please see our Terms, Conditions & Cancellations Policy.

Can I get a refund for my whole itinerary? 

Please see our Terms, Conditions & Cancellations Policy or chat with a travel agent for information regarding itinerary refunds.

COVID-19 

Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel to Australia?

As of 14 November 2022, visitors don’t require COVID-19 vaccination to enter Australia. However, always check the Australian Government website for the latest updates before travelling!

Are there mask mandates in Australia at the moment?

Please check current state-by-state restrictions through Australia Health Direct before travelling.

Still have unanswered questions? Jump on live chat or give us a call for friendly and real-life support! 

Get in touch with our friendly local travel agents today!