2 Week Cairns To Sydney Budget
Select Date and Passengers
Whitsundays
Airlie Beach + Island
Fraser
K'gari Island Day Tour
Cairns
Tropical Reef Tour
Sailing
Social Vessel
Snorkelling
Great Barrier Reef
Accommodation
Hand-picked Hostels
Surfing
Lessons In Byron Bay
Transport
East Coast Bus Pass
Overview
Get the good times rolling and the adventures flowing with our ever-popular 14-Day East Coast Cairns to Sydney Itinerary! Venture from the tropical town of Cairns to the bustling and iconic Sydney city stopping at idyllic gems along the way.
From the shores of K'gari (Fraser Island) to the magnificent islands of the Whitsundays, revel in this authentic, vibrant and most importantly, exciting tour designed specifically for backpackers. Make your next Aussie escape about both the journey and the destinations with your wonder-filled 2 Week East Coast Cairns to Sydney Itinerary!
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and spot colourful corals, glimmering fish and sea turtles!
- Zoom through the Whitsunday Islands on a fun and adventurous vessel in tropical paradise.
- Immerse yourself in K'gari's wonders on an exciting 4WD island adventure.
- Discover Noosa, Byron Bay, Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane, Airlie Beach and Rainbow Beach.
- Focus on the fun parts with this worry-free, flexible and inclusive coastal journey out to Australia’s finest!
Your Sample Itinerary
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Day 1 |
Welcome to CairnsArrive in Cairns, renowned as the tropical town where the rainforest meets the reef! A charming and vibrant hub for your Great Barrier Reef and Atherton Tableland adventures, enjoy a warm Cairns welcome and settle into your sunny East Coast adventure! StayHostel in the heart of Cairns |
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Day 2 |
Great Barrier Reef AdventureToday is all about diving in and exploring the wonders of the flourishing Great Barrier Reef! Let us know if you would prefer to scuba dive or just snorkel in advance so we can organise the perfect experience for you! Rub shoulders with sea turtles, tropical fish, dazzling corals and more as you delve into mystical underwater ecosystems! StayHostel in the heart of Cairns |
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Day 3 |
Journey to the WhitsundaysGet excited for tropical marvels during your travel day to Airlie Beach! And, if cuddling a koala is on your Aussie bucket list, you can’t miss a stop at the heavenly Magnetic Island. Just ask us to extend your tour with a tropical stop! StayHostel or apartment in central Airlie Beach |
Trip Extension
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Day 4 |
Ahoy there Whitsunday sailor!Glide through the turquoise waters of the pristine Whitsundays on a state-of-the-art vessel. Whether you’re all about that luxe island life, up for an adventure or both, head out on this sun-soaked day trip laden with coral reef snorkelling, a stop at Whitehaven Beach and lunch! When you return to the mainland, put on your finest outfit and head to your VIP boat afterparty with a free welcome drink! StayHostel or apartment in central Airlie Beach |
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Day 5 |
Travel to the Fraser Coast RegionHead down the idyllic East Coast, where vistas of dazzling oceans and golden sands adorn your journey south. Your destination is Rainbow Beach, which is brimming with lush rainforests, turquoise oceans, rolling farmscapes and native wildlife. StayOvernight bus to Rainbow Beach |
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Day 6 |
Rainbow Beach Leisure DayRelax with your mates and get settled into paradise! Enjoy the beauty of the Fraser Coast Region, or choose to head out on an exciting, hands-on day tour where you can kayak amongst friendly and majestic dolphins! StayRainbow Beach hostel |
Trip Upgrade
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Day 7 |
Your K’gari adventure begins!Embark on a journey to remember as you dive into K’gari’s wonders! With infinite possibilities, island life awaits. Your dreamy itinerary is subject to weather and tidal conditions, and holds crystal-clear swims, cruisy beach days and exciting 4x4 trips down abundant sandy stretches! Swim in Lake Mackenzie, snap a shot by Maheno Shipwreck and float away down Eli Creek... this is living! StayRainbow Beach hostel |
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Day 8 & 9 |
Noosa chilling or Australia Zoo wildlife experienceExplore the beautiful Sunshine Coast at your own pace, with a free day in this Noosa! Hit Main Beach, grab a coffee at sunrise, hike the National Park, catch a wave or go waterfall chasing: the possibilities are endless! Or, With the optional choice to add a trip to Australia Zoo to your itinerary, rub shoulders with extraordinary Aussie wildlife like never before. Home to the renowned Crocodile Hunter, get a taste of the native Australian marvels iconic to this slice of natural paradise! Stay2 nights in a Noosa hostel |
Trip Upgrade
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Day 10 |
Journey to the vibrant BrisbaneYou’re southbound today, as you take in a dreamy drive to the ever-bustling streets of Brisbane! Go for an arvo swim at Street's Beach and walk along the Brisbane River for a killer sunset. Then, hit the town with a cocktail at Howard Smith Wharves and opt into a night of dancing and gallivanting through Fortitude Valley; the heart of Brisbane's nightlife. With a unique and vibrant city scene, enjoy the lights! StayCentral Brisbane hostel |
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Day 11 & 12 |
Byron Bay surf lesson & beach chilling!Continue south and hit Byron Bay for two dreamy days of surf, salt, sand and good vibes! Bask in a cruisy day, explore the main street, go for a swim and head to the pub for some live music to get a taste of the musical scene Byron is renowned for. On your second day in Byron, wake up for your surf lesson. With awesome teachers and perfect beginner waves, you'll be shredding in no time! Stay2 nights in a beachy Byron hostel |
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Day 13 & 14 |
Sydney here we come!Your ultimate destination awaits, so make the journey to Sydney with an overnight bus trip departing Byron. When you arrive on day 14, the harbour is your oyster! Go your own way and explore the array of marvels at your fingertips in Sydney City! StayDay 13 - Overnight bus to Sydney |
What's Included?
- Whitsundays sailing and snorkelling day trip
- Guided 4WD tour of K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Cairns Great Barrier Reef cruise
- Half-day Byron Bay surf lesson
- VIP Airlie Beach afterparty + welcome drink
- Free luggage storage in Airlie Beach
- Deluxe hostel accommodation
- All bus transport from Cairns to Sydney
- 3 lunches
- Guaranteed authentic adventures!
What's Extra?
Optional Trip Add-ons
- Australia Zoo Wildlife experience
- Rainbow Beach Dolphin Kayak
- Magnetic Island Wildlife Island adventure
Optional Trip Upgrades
- Van or rental car transport
- Private room upgrade
Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms, conditions and cancellation policies before booking your East Coast itinerary package.
FAQs
Who will I travel with?
This is not a group tour, so you only travel with whoever you book for. Whether that’s solo, with your partner, friend or group of your own choice, spend your downtime how you like and make memories with your tribe!
Whenever you embark on a tour during your itinerary (like your Whitsunday sailing trip or K'gari 4WD), rest assured that you will be on fun and adventurous backpacker-style tours.
Is this itinerary guided?
This is a semi-guided itinerary, meaning that professional skippers and tour guides lead any time spent on individual tours (like sailboats, 4WD camping tours, reef tours, and the likes). However, the in-between bits like travel days, downtime and free days are up to you.
That means nobody will be waking you up for your early bus or checking into hostels with you, however, it makes your time in Australia undeniably more personalised and flexible. Read more about our semi-guided itineraries in our FAQs or chat with a local travel agent to match you with your dream experience.
If you are looking to travel with a group of other backpackers and be guided through every leg of your journey by a local leader, check out our fully guided group itineraries.
Are meals included?
Do I need travel insurance?
How much spending money do I need?
We recommend about $60 to $100 AUD spending money per day. This will cover you for a meal in a restaurant, a couple of beers and some supermarket supplies daily. For details on your daily spending budget in Australia, check out our budget travel guide!
Where will I stay?
Can I upgrade to private rooms rather than shared dorms?
What kind of transport is included?
Our itineraries include bus transport which is primarily a Greyhound Whimit Pass. Greyhound Busses are deluxe coaches with in-seat USB charging, wifi, reclining seats, air conditioning and onboard bathrooms. If you wish to upgrade your package, you can book a rental car or campervan through our friendly travel experts to go your own way!
Can I extend or personalise my itinerary?
Are the dates flexible?
Customer Reviews
Ben Wernstrom
Aug, 01 2024
Donnchadh Parkes
Jun, 11 2024
Fantastic trip!!!!! :) I loved seeing the East Coast of Australia!!!! I got to meet some amazing people from all over the world. Highlights were the Whitsundays, Cairns and K'gari!! I love Australia and want to move there!!!! Can't recommend these guys enough, so helpful!!!
Ali Jones
Feb, 15 2024
I had the most amazing trip travelling Australia's East Coast! The East Coast Tours team helped plan my trip and they were fantastic! I saw so many amazing things and even cuddled a koala!!! 10/10, highly recommend!
Talia Condon
Dec, 08 2023
Took two weeks off to travel from Cairns to Sydney and it was epic! Managed to squeeze in as much as possible and loved every second! Thank you ECT!!!!
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Just finished my East Coast Tour and had the best time! Made so many friends along the way and saw some pretty insane places! I loved scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, such a highlight! I even did the most Aussie thing ever and tried Vegemite lol, was surprisingly good! Best trip to Oz!!!