3 Week Cairns to Sydney Express

Day 1 

Welcome to Cairns!

Start your East Coast adventure in the lively tropical hub of Cairns, where the palm trees are swaying and the esplanade is always in full swing! Settle in to your central hostel, grab a drink and let the good times roll.

Trip Extension

• Haven’t explored Cairns yet? See the most of this tropical haven with pre-tour accommodation and experience add-ons.

Day 2

Great Barrier Reef Scuba Diving Experience

Sprawling over 2,300 kilometres along the northeast coast, the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef is situated a short cruise from Cairns. Dive into turquoise waters and adventure amongst technicolour reef systems, spot exotic reef fish and unique corals, and tick off your bucket list dreams of swimming near a friendly sea turtle! Choose to pop on a snorkel or explore deeper with an introductory scuba dive, where experienced trainers will teach you the basics of scuba. The ultimate opportunity to learn to dive amongst some of the world’s most pristine coral walls!

Trip Extension 

• Expand your diving skills with a 4-day open water certification course

Day 3

Cairns free day

A free day in the palm-clad Cairns is bound to have you feeling like you're on holiday! Choose to explore the nearby wonders of the Daintree Rainforest and Atherton Tablelands with a guided local tour or kick back by the lagoon! With cool swim, night markets and backpacker bars, it's never been a better time to soak up North Queensland’s epic atmosphere!

Trip Upgrade

• Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour
• Daintree Rainforest Guided Tour

Day 4

Cruise south to Airlie Beach

It's time to say goodbye to Cairns, head southbound along the East Coast highway and reach the vibrant backpacker town of Airlie Beach by nightfall! As you kick back for the eight-hour journey, take in Australia’s classic farm scapes and gleaming horizons before arriving at your central accommodation for the evening. With a lively backpacker scene and handfuls of bars and clubs at your doorstep, the night is yours to explore! Or, break up the road trip with a sneaky overnight stop at Magnetic Island, where untouched beaches and cuddly koalas are waiting to say hello!

Trip Extension

• Magnetic Island Koala & Wildlife Experience

Day 5

Hello Airlie Beach!

The dream backpacker town, Airlie Beach offers everything from snorkelling, hiking, seaside dining and a classic bar hop filled with local and traveller favourites! The day is your oyster, so it's time to slop on the sunscreen and hit the ground running. Fill your morning with a stroll along the Airlie Beach foreshore and swim in the seaside lagoon. Next, chill out with your newfound mates, hike to scenic lookouts or take a thrilling jump into paradise with an Airlie Beach Skydive upgrade! To finish, we recommend raising a glass as the sun sets at one of Airlie’s main street bars!

Trip Upgrade

• Airlie Beach Scenic Skydive
• Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

Day 6 & 7

Set sail amongst the Whitsunday Islands!

Ahoy sailors! Get ready to open the sails and cruise into the world-renowned Whitsunday Islands where all of your island-hopping, snorkelling and beach dreams are bound to come true. Enjoy two days and two nights on a state-of-the-art backpacker boat, exploring the pristine silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, capturing the majestic swirling sands of Hill Inlet and snorkelling to your heart's content amongst fringing coral walls and friendly marine locals. Your swimsuit and camera are a must-bring, as you adventure to world-famous island destinations. In between the action, chill out on shady deck spaces, crack open a cool beverage and enjoy the social scene at sea with your crew!

Trip Upgrade

• Private cabin
• Scuba dive

Day 8

Head back to Airlie Beach

Wake to the soft lull of the ocean on your last morning in the Whitsunday Islands and spend the morning cruising back to the mainland hub of Airlie Beach. Once you’ve enjoyed some downtime back on land, make the most of your last night in Airlie Beach at the exclusive sail afterparty. Take advantage of free entry into Airlie’s hottest nightclub and VIP drink discounts with your new Whitsundays mates!

Trip Upgrade

• Airlie Beach Scenic Skydive
• Scenic Flight over the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands

Day 9

Airlie Beach to Rainbow Beach Travel Day

After four fabulous days of Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands fun, the East Coast is beckoning once more! Depart Airlie Beach on an overnight bus to the laid-back Rainbow Beach, the getaway to K’gari (Fraser Island). The journey is roughly 1000 kilometres so it's a good idea to download some movies and podcasts for the trip, reflect on your dazzling travels so far (perfect time for an Instagram post!) and kick back before your next adventure begins!

Day 10 & 11

Relax and play at Rainbow Beach

A hidden paradise situated along Queensland’s southeast coast, approximately three hours from Brisbane, Rainbow Beach is the ultimate beach town! Boasting a homely charm and idyllic sandy beaches, travellers can escape the crowds and soak up the simple life amongst Rainbow Beach’s chilled-out streets and shorelines. Nestled amongst walking trails and home to thriving native wildlife, now is your chance to delve into the off-the-beaten tracks. Choose to book a Dolphin Kayak tour and meet the local dolphins or add a surf lesson to your trip for an extra slice of thrill to your free time!

Trip Upgrade

• Rainbow Beach Dolphin Kayak tour 
• Surf lesson

Day 12 & 13

K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD Camping Safari

Bring along your sense of adventure and hit the shores of K’gari, the world’s largest sand island, for a three-day, two-night guided 4WD camping tour! Spend your days trying your hand at some off-road four-wheel-driving, diving into the salty waves, swimming in freshwater lakes, exploring biodiverse forests and best of all… sleeping under the stars! With expert tag-along guides, learn the unique history of the sand island and have a laugh amongst fellow East Coast sun seekers. From the astounding delights of Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, 75 Mile Beach and Maheno Shipwreck, you're guaranteed to find your zen and get personal with mother nature at her finest! 

Day 14

Head back to Rainbow Beach

Wake early for a final K’gari sunrise, enjoy a steaming cuppa along the beach and final ocean swim, before hitting the sand highways once more to journey back to Rainbow Beach. Arriving at your beachy accommodation by late afternoon, spend the night catching up on some well-earned rest or continue the fun with newfound friends at the Rainbow Beach Surf Club, a local watering hole overlooking the sea!

Day 15 & 16

Noosa Dreaming

Days 15 and 16 hold a beach-drenched stop on the Sunshine Coast. Noosa is renowned for its excellent surf, beachy towns and gorgeous hinterland, so get ready for plenty of swimming, surfing, walking and exploring! Grab a good book and catch a tan as you lay on the sands of Little Cove, doing as much or as little as you please!

Day 17

Hit the road to Byron Bay

From one East Coast beach highlight to the next, you go! Pop your headphones on once more as you hit the wide-open roads and cross the Queensland border to New South Wales. Situated amongst the rolling hills and divine coastal headlands of northeast New South Wales, Byron Bay is the ultimate destination to ‘cheer up, slow down, and chill out’ (as the welcome sign says). After a day of travel, head to Main Beach for a sunset stroll and cruise along the buzzing main street to get a taste of Byron’s cruisy, free spirit!

Day 18 & 19

Explore Byron Bay your way & Surf Lesson!

Travelling down Australia’s East Coast the last two weeks, you’re sure to have heard all about Byron Bay’s famous beachy vibes… now it’s time to experience it for yourself! Your first day in Byron holds a half-day surf lesson bound to have you cruising the waves like a local! On day 19, you have a free day! Rise early (if you want to, that is) and wander to one of the main street's many eclectic cafes for your morning coffee before spreading your towel and enjoying some rays! Adventure to the Byron Bay Lighthouse, Australia’s most easterly point, to check out some spectacular views, and take a cheeky dip at The Pass beach whilst you’re there.

Trip Extension 

• Nimbin Tour & extra night in Byron Bay

Day 20

Byron Bay to Sydney Travel Day

Say goodbye to Byron Bay in the morning and hello to your final leg of overnight bus travel as you head south to Sydney! Kick back in comfort, gaze out at rolling coastal and country scenery, and scroll through all the once-in-a-lifetime adventure memories you’ve made over the past 20 days. Now is certainly a convenient time to get posting all of your beached-up Byron selfies for everyone back home. Don’t forget to tag us at @eastcoasttours... we love watching our one-of-a-kind itineraries come to life!

Day 21

Farewell and welcome to Sydney!

Touchdown in Sydney, the classic Aussie capital city where world-class surfing beaches meet the teeming concrete jungle! By now you’ll be ready to stretch your legs and explore all of Sydney’s iconic destinations from the Opera House, Bondi Beach, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Taronga Zoo, the list of things to do in Sydney is endless. As your unforgettable 21 Day Express Cairns to Sydney Itinerary comes to an end, it's time to go your own way and continue the fun in Sydney’s city lights! 

Trip Upgrade

• Post-tour accommodation and activities in Sydney