21 Day Guided Sydney To Cairns Emu Tour

Day 1

Monday

Let the adventures begin in Sydney

Make your own way to Sydney, Australia’s iconic harbourside city, home to an array of things to do and see and do. Today is up to you, so whether you’re hitting the town to discover the local yellow ferries, the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Bondi Beach, or taking it easy, Sydney’s your oyster. Check into your central hostel anytime after 2 pm. After a day of exploring, head down to the onsite hostel bar for a welcome pizza night to meet your guide and new travel mates! 

Trip Upgrade

• Taronga Zoo

Day 2

Tuesday

Hunter Valley delights & coastal walks

Start your East Coast experience off with a bit of luxury. Today, enjoy an afternoon wine & chocolate tasting at a bespoke Hunter Valley winery, before continuing onto Port Stephens. Your local eco-accommodation here is set on stunning natural bushland and will have you relaxing in the beautiful East Coast settings. After check-in, lace up your shoes and embark on a guided walk to the summit of Tomaree Head. Take in dazzling views of the coastline and spot the lighthouse, local islands and even perhaps some dolphins! Return to your accommodation for a quintessential Aussie BBQ for a chill and social night with your group! 

Day 3 

Wednesday

Port Macquarie Koalas & Sandboarding

Choose your own adventure this morning, as you elect either a gorgeous headland walk with views of Fingal Head, or wake up early and embark on a Stockton dune sandboarding experience (additional cost)! Your local guide will teach you how to zoom down dunes on a board, as well as the local Indigenous history of the area. The next stop on your journey is Port Macquarie, where the local Koala Hospital awaits. This conservationist rehabilitation facility is home to some of Australia’s cutest native friends, so rub shoulders and learn about Koalas here!

Trip Upgrade

• Stockton Dune Sandboarding 

Day 4

Thursday

Indigenous Cultural Experience & Byron Bay

Today, you’re heading up to Byron Bay… but first breakfast! On the drive, stop in at Dangar Falls for a light walk and swim, before exploring the historic and colourful little town of Bellingen. After lunch, embark on a guided Indigenous cultural experience as you learn about the First Nations’ history of the area. Be guided through stories and practices of the local Gumbaynggirr people at “Niigi Niigi” (Sealy Lookout) and you learn about traditional uses for native plants and dance. Then, continue to Byron Bay where you will stay at a central hostel right on the beach! 

Day 5 & 6

Friday & Saturday

A weekend in Byron Bay

Wake up in Byron Bay and start your first day in the most Byron way possible: with a grounding yoga class! After that, the days are yours. Hit the Byron Bay lighthouse walk, spend a day on the beach, try out surfing, browse the hippy boutiques, indulge in an array of delicious cafes and restaurants and explore the charming Saturday markets. Once the sun goes down Byron Bay turns up, so head to the bustling bars and nightclubs in the main street to live it up in a beachside paradise! 

Trip Upgrades

• Byron Bay surf lesson

• Dolphin kayak

• Snorkel or dive at Julian Rocks

• Skydive over Byron Bay

Day 7

Sunday

Mullumbimby to Gold Coast to Brisbane!

Today you’re heading to sunny QLD, with plenty of iconic stops along the way! Enjoy breakfast before heading out on the bus to the quirky little town of Mullumbimby, where charming streets, community vibes and a hippy atmosphere await! Then, continue north to Surfers Paradise for lunch and a cheeky swim, before your guide takes you to a nearby nature reserve popular amongst local kangaroos! Then, hop on your last leg to Brisbane where your central hostel awaits. Have a quiet night, or hit the fun and lively Fortitude Valley for a social night of dancing and local music! 

Day 8

Monday

Say g’day to the Sunshine Coast

Enjoy a chilled-out departure, with a bit of time in the morning to take a walk along the Brisbane River. Then, hop on the bus and head to Noosa… that’s right, the beach holiday of your dreams is here! Pass through the stunning Glass House Mountains in the lush hinterlands. Then, arrive in Noosa and enjoy a walk with your group along the headland and take in views of rolling waves and sun-soaked shores. Your hostel is in the heart of Sunshine Beach, along a main bus line meaning it's easy to get around, and features an onsite pool, bar and art-deco-style common areas. Catch up with your group over a margarita at your hostel to plan the next couple of days.

Day 9

Tuesday

Explore Noosa

Indulge in a Noosa free day where you can select the pace, places and plans! If you need a catch-up day, sleep in, lay on the beach, enjoy lazy swims in turquoise oceans and yummy food at local eateries. Or, if you want to keep the adventures rolling, get out and amongst the surfer lifestyle of this iconic spot! Add on an optional day experience like a Noosa Everglade kayak tour, a surf lesson or a beach skydive, or fill your day with one of the many free things to do in and around Noosa! 

Trip Upgrades

• Noosa Everglades Kayak
• Beach Skydive
• Surf lesson

Day 10 & 11

Wednesday & Thursday

K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD camping adventure

Rise early on Wednesday as you depart Noosa for K’gari (Fraser Island), the world’s largest sand island and home to an array of incredible natural marvels. Over the next two days and nights, venture to gem-coloured lakes like Lake Boorangoora (Mackenzie), and historical wonders like Central Station and the Maheno Shipwreck. All meals, transport and accommodation are included so unwind and enjoy! Experience authentic beach 4WDing, and settle into your beachside campsite set up with a “glamping” tent including a mattress and crisp linen. Relax by the fire, gaze up at glimmering stars and enjoy excellent company as you feel a million miles away from reality… in the best way! If you're feeling like doing a bit of good for the planet, opt-in to the beach clean-up session available to your group!

Day 12

Friday

K’gari morning & explore Bundaberg 

Wake up by the beach for one final K’gari breakfast, enjoy a walk through ancient forests, take a refreshing dip and eat a healthy lunch before hopping on the barge back to the mainland. Your bus will take you from Rainbow Beach in the afternoon to Bundaberg, an iconic northern QLD town. Renowned for its iconic ‘Bundy’ rum and local produce, this quirky town awaits! Check into your eco-resort accommodation and take advantage of the spa, sauna and tennis courts before a group BBQ dinner.

Day 13

Saturday

Bundaberg turtle encounter & distillery tour 

Let your guide show you the hidden gems of Bundaberg today as you gear up for plenty of learning and awesome photo ops. Discover the wonderful world of reptiles at the Mons Turtle Centre, before a local tour of the Bundaberg Rum distillery. Or, choose to get out amongst the wonders of the reef with an optional snorkel day tour add-on. 

Trip Upgrade

• Lady Musgrave snorkel tour

Day 14

Sunday

To Airlie Beach!

Today is all about driving those kilometres as you embark on your journey to Airlie Beach. Hop in the bus, plug in your favourite playlist as you relax and we continue to the Whitsundays, where backpacker vibes and tropical paradise meet! 

Day 15 & 16

Monday & Tuesday 

Whitsunday Overnight Sailing Adventures

Wake up in the bustling Airlie Beach on Monday, and explore the delightful township or take a dip in the central lagoon. Then after lunch, head to the marina to board your maxi sailing yacht! This deluxe sailing yacht will be your home and vessel for the next two days and nights. Spend your time sailing to dazzling Whitsunday Islands and destinations like Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Hook Island and Butterfly Bay, as well as snorkelling, paddleboarding and hiking through island paradises. All food, activities and accommodation are included, so unwind and make new friends on this social tour!

Tour Upgrades

• Diving (introductory or certified)

Day 17

Wednesday

Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island

Wake up to the gentle lull of waves for your last morning on your sailing yacht. Dive in for a final swim or snorkel before taking in the incredible island vistas on the journey home. Return to Airlie Beach and board your bus, you're heading north for Magnetic Island today! Catch the ferry across to the palm-tree-lined haven, where backpacker energy and natural bliss make for a unique and fun vibe! Get ready for a night of outright fun as you hit the bars on this lively little island! 

Day 18

Thursday

Discover Magnetic Island

Island adventures, coastal walks and tropical nature await on a chill day in paradise! Your guide will take you along the historical and stunning Forts Complex walk, where you will be greeted with fun facts, breathtaking beach views and might even spy koalas! Magnetic Island is one of the best places to see these Aussie locals in the wild, so keep your eyes up for some gum-leaf-munching mates!

Day 19

Friday

Millaa Millaa Falls, Atherton Tablelands & Cairns

You're inbound for tropical north QLD today as you say farewell to the Whitsundays. Your first stop is the Atherton Tablelands, where the gorgeous Millaa Millaa Falls awaits. Spend a relaxed day here swimming, relaxing and snapping some shots of the cascades. Continue your journey to Yungaburra and Lake Echam, where gorgeous nature and wildlife make for excellent photo ops. Check-in to your central, deluxe Cairns hostel before an evening cocktail in town!

Day 20 & 21

Saturday & Sunday

Cairns adventures

Your final weekend on your East Coast adventure is spent in Cairns! With two days of leisure time, unwind, explore and indulge in the tropical wonders of this incredible corner of the world. Check out the incredible and affordable things to do in Cairns, head out to the Tablelands do a self-guided waterfall circuit or book into one of the many reef, diving and adrenaline tours! Enjoy one more night at your social hostel, where you can even spend the entire weekend lounging by the pool and partying at night! Then, on Sunday, it’s time to say farewell to your newly made friends from your group… and say g’day to the next adventures awaiting you on the East Coast! 

Trip Upgrades

• Cape Tribulation day trip
• Cairns bungy jump
• Great Barrier Reef trip from Cairns
• Cairns skydive
• Cairns river rafting