19 Day Guided Cairns To Sydney Kookaburra Tour

Day 1

Monday 

Arrive in Cairns

Your adventure begins in the tropical city of Cairns! Check in to your hotel, settle in, and head down to reception to meet your friendly tour guide and fellow travellers. Tonight you'll kick off the tour with a bush food tutorial and a 3-course meal using native ingredients that are cherished by the indigenous people of Australia. 

Day 2

Tuesday

Uncover the wonders of Cairns

Today is a free day to make the most of Cairns! There are so many things to see and do, including the Esplanade Lagoon, Rusty's Fruit Markets, Botanical Gardens, Cairns Aquarium, and numerous shops and cafes. You can also add on a fun day tour such as skydiving, river rafting, snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, or touring the ancient rainforests of Cape Tribulation!

Trip Upgrades

• Cape Tribulation day trip
• Cairns Bungy jump
• Great Barrier Reef trip from Cairns
• Cairns skydive

Day 3 

Wednesday

Travel to Magnetic Island via Townsville

It's time to start making your way down Australia's East Coast! Hop on the comfy, air-conditioned Stray shuttle bus and cruise down to Josephine Falls for a swim. After this picturesque stop, continue south to Townsville and then catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island where you can rest and relax before a day of exploring. 

Day 4

Thursday

Gallivant around Magnetic Island

Today is a free day to explore the lush landscapes of Magnetic Island! Start your day with a guided scenic walk to the historic Forts Complex and fill the rest of your day with whatever activities you like. Search for koalas in the treetops, swim in the turqoise waters, lounge on gorgeous beaches, or go bushwalking in the national parklands. 

Optional Activities

• Snorkelling

Day 5

Friday

Head to Airlie Beach

Depart Magnetic Island and continue on towards Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands! Check in to your hotel room and spend the afternoon exploring Airlie Beach. This charming tourist town has plenty of places to stroll along the water, grab some dinner, listen to live music, and indulge in a few cocktails. 

Day 6

Saturday

Excursion to the Whitsundays Islands

It's time to get out on the water! Join an epic speedboat tour through the dazzling Whitsunday Islands and soak in the saturated, vibrant natural beauty. Spend the day on Whitehaven Beach, often regarded as one of the best beaches in the world! Sunbathe on dreamy silica sands, admire the picturesque views from Hill Inlet Lookout, snorkel with the diverse marine life, and even have the chance to add on a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef!

Tour Upgrade

• Scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef

Day 7

Sunday

Travel to Bundaberg

Get ready to travel from Airlie Beach to Bundaberg! Today is a big travel day, so make sure you have snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Enjoy the scenic views of Queensland's countryside along the way, and by evening you’ll arrive in Bargara. Check in to your accommodation in this beachside suburb of Bundaberg and wrap up the day with a group bush BBQ dinner.

Day 8

Monday

Lady Musgrave Island and the Great Barrier Reef

Today will be spent on one of the southernmost islands of the Great Barrier Reef. Lady Musgrave Island is a coral cay that serves as a haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts! Spend the day frolicking underwater amongst the coral gardens, spotting sea turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays. You'll also have the chance to explore the island itself and learn about the traditional owner tribes of the land. 

Trip Upgrades

• Scuba diving

Day 9

Tuesday

Bundaberg to Noosa

It's time to travel down to the Sunshine Coast! Leave Bundaberg in the morning and head down to the enticing seaside town of Noosa. You’ll be staying in stylish glamping tents at an eco-camp just outside the city center. Immerse yourself in the serenity of the Noosa Everglades, or make use of the bar, bistro, and microbrewery on-site. 

Day 10

Wednesday

Noosa Awaits!

The world is your oyster today! Spend the day however you choose, and there is no shortage of fun things to do in Noosa. Wander through the charming downtown area, hike through the nearby national park, or try surfing or paddleboarding at the postcard-worthy beaches. Or upgrade your day with a Noosa Everglades canoe tour so you can see this unique habitat up close!

Trip Upgrades

• Noosa Everglades Canoe tour
• Stand up paddleboarding or kayaking
• Beer tasting at a local brewery

Day 11

Thursday

4WD Tour on K'gari (Fraser Island)

Today you'll embark on a day trip to K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). As the world’s largest sand island, K’gari is home to mind-blowing natural scenery that includes ancient sand dunes, crystal-clear perched lakes, and dense rainforests. Visit iconic spots like Lake McKenzie, 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck on this action-packed 4WD tour.

Day 12

Friday

Journey to Byron Bay

Road trip along the stunning Sunshine Coast! From Noosa, you'll head south towards Byron Bay. On the way, you'll get to stop in famous Aussie cities like Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Enjoy some free time in Surfers Paradise before arriving in Byron Bay for the weekend. 

Day 13

Saturday

Explore Byron Bay

Take a full day to get acquainted with Byron Bay! This laid-back surf town in northern NSW is packed with unique attractions and things to do. There are countless beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, stroll, kayak, and surf with the locals. You can also have a blast exploring town or hiking up to the scenic Cape Byron Lighthouse!

Trip Upgrades

• Surf lesson
• Sea kayaking tour

Day 14

Sunday

Travel to Darlington Beach

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Byron Bay before continuing down the coastline of New South Wales. Stop for lunch in the peaceful seaside town of Yamba and go for a swim in the freshwater Angourie Blue Pool. Soon you'll arrive at the beachfront resort accommodation surrounded by beautiful rainforest where heaps of fun activities like golf, biking, and swimming await you!

Optional Activities

• Bike Hire
• Golf

Day 15

Monday

Coffs Harbour & Aboriginal Cultural Experience

After a relaxing morning at your accommodation, enjoy lunch in Coffs Harbour before joining an enlightening cultural experience with indigenous Australians. This 2-hour tour provides insights into the traditions, language, music, stories, and cultural sites of the Gumbaynggirr people in the Orara East State Forest. Taking part in this fascinating tour means you are contributing to the preservation and education of the Gumbaynggirr language and culture, as part of the tour profits go to the local bilingual school. 

Day 16

Tuesday

Head south to Port Stephens

Explore more of NSW with a visit to the majestic coastal area of Port Stephens! After departing Darlington Beach in the morning, you'll stop at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to witness the rehabilitation of these furry creatures. Next, visit Murray's Brewery for a craft brewery tour and beer-tasting before ending the day at your accommodation in Port Stephens

Day 17

Wednesday

Soak in the beauty of Port Stephens

It's a free day in Port Stephens! There are so many cool activities to choose from. Join your tour guide for an exhilarating hike up Tomaree Mountain, where you can admire amazing views of the surrounding islands and beaches. Roam around the quaint harbour or go surfing or sunbathing. Or opt for an optional add-on activity such as sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes or gliding along the ocean on a Dolphin Discovery Cruise. 

Trip Upgrades

• Sandboarding 
• Dolphin Discovery Cruise

Day 18

Thursday

Hunter Valley Wineries and Sydney

Today you'll depart Port Stephens and travel to Sydney. The tour will take a slight detour out to the world-class wine country of the Hunter Valley so you can tour an organic vineyard and taste local wines and cheeses. After absorbing all the landscapes and culinary delights of the Hunter Valley, continue south towards Sydney. Enjoy a fabulous group dinner at a Sydney restaurant for the last night of the tour!

Day 19

Friday

Finish up in Sydney

The tour ends today in the famous city of Sydney! Farewell your new friends and faithful tour guide, and start reminiscing on all the memorable times you had on this 19-day East Coast Australia adventure. Chat with our travel experts if you’re looking for any guidance on what to do in Sydney or where to go next on your Australian adventure!