3 Week Sydney to Cairns Express

Day 1 

Hit the road from Sydney to Byron Bay

Begin your East Coast adventure by cruising from the bustling city lights of Sydney to the bohemian streets of Byron Bay, located in northeast New South Wales. Download some music and podcasts, pop your headphones in and watch the lush coastal headlands whirl past on your comfortable overnight bus. The perfect time to rest up and get excited for the once-in-a-lifetime experiences ahead!

Trip Extension

• Haven’t explored Sydney yet? See the most of this seaside city with pre-tour accommodation and experience add-ons.

Day 2, 3 & 4

Explore Byron Bay your way & surf lesson!

Immerse yourself in Byron Bay’s relaxed, eclectic spirit with two sun-soaked days of carefree adventure! Unwind on golden beaches, wander to the Byron Bay Lighthouse (Australia’s most easterly point), hang out at trendy local cafes and set free with a cheeky boogie at one of many beachfront bars! Boasting some of the best waves along Australia’s East Coast, catch a salty wave with a Byron Surf Lesson on day three; your teacher will have you catching barrels in no time! If you’re eager to see more Byron sites, extend your trip with a unique tour of Nimbin, Australia’s renowned hippie town set in the hinterland!

Trip Extension 

• Nimbin Tour & extra night in Byron Bay

Day 5 & 6

Head north to Noosa

Say goodbye to Byron Bay with relaxed shoulders and a smile on your dial, before hopping aboard the day bus to Noosa, the dazzling seaside destination! The journey is roughly 400 kilometres, creating the perfect chance to reflect on your Aussie travels as you pass into Queensland. Following a day of cruising, reach the sandy shorelines of Noosa in time for a sunset stroll before checking into your central accommodation. Check out your poolside digs and explore Noosa with a free day! With gorgeous, endless beaches, excellent surf, colourful nightlife and exceptional National Park hikes, you have endless magic at your fingertips on the Sunshine Coast!

Day 7 & 8

Hello Rainbow Beach!

Reaching the sub-tropical wonder of Queensland’s southeast coast, Rainbow Beach evolves around the ocean, with the main street leading you straight to the turquoise waves! A hidden paradise with an inviting coastal charm, escape the crowds and enjoy flourishing walking trails laden with native wildlife during your free day. Afterwards, cool off with a refreshing ocean swim or meet the quirky local dolphins with a Dolphin Kayak tour add-on. You’re bound to live the simple beach life at Rainbow Beach!

Trip Upgrade

• Surf lesson

• Dolphin Kayak 

Day 9 & 10

K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD Camping Adventure!

Time to hit the iconic sand highways of the world’s largest sand island, K’gari (Fraser Island)! Slopping on the sunscreen and wearing your favourite swimsuit, prepare for days brimming with crystal-clear freshwater lakes, salty ocean swims, ancient forest hikes and the chance to try off-road driving! From Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, Maheno Shipwreck and 75 Mile Beach you're bound to learn the island’s rich history and find your tropical zen along the way. By sunset, cruise back to your campsite where a classic campfire under the stars sets the scene for two nights of delicious meals and belly laughs amongst fellow East Coast adventurers!

Day 11

Cruise back to Rainbow Beach

Start the last day of your K’gari adventure by catching a magnificent sunrise with a steaming brew in hand before hopping aboard the ferry back to Rainbow Beach. Arriving at your beachy accommodation by late afternoon, indulge in some well-earned downtime and laid-back chills with new mates before you journey to Airlie Beach the following day!

Day 12

Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach Travel Day

After 12 unforgettable days of adventure-chasing from Sydney to Byron Bay and the Fraser Coast, the East Coast is beckoning once more! Hop aboard an overnight bus to Airlie Beach, the renowned coastal town where the backpacker scene is always in full swing! Despite the long journey ahead, kick back with a movie or two and reflect on your brilliant travels so far. Don’t forget to tag us at @eastcoasttours in your FOMO-inducing Instagram posts!

Day 13

Welcome to Airlie Beach!

Wahoo you’ve arrived in Airlie Beach, the tropical town on every backpacker's bucket list, situated at the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef! Stretch your legs and get a taste of Airlie’s social scene with a morning wander along the foreshore and swim at the lagoon overlooking the Coral Sea. Offering natural wonders and bustling nightlife at your doorstep, there is an abundance of exciting budget-friendly activities to fill your free day with!

Trip Upgrade

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

Day 14 & 15

Sail through the Whitsunday Islands!

Time to hoist the sails and venture to the world-famous Whitsunday Islands on a two-day, two-night social sailing tour! Kick back on the 98% pure silica sands of Whitehaven Beach, hike to Hill Inlet lookout where the swirling lagoons below make the perfect photo, and snorkel amongst fringing reefs brimming with vivid coral formations and quirky marine species. On a state-of-the-art backpacker boat, enjoy shady deck spaces, an abundance of aquatic activities and a fun knowledgeable crew. After days of island-hopping adventure, be sure to enjoy the social scene by cracking open a cool beverage with your crew at sunset, pure bliss!

Trip Upgrade

• Private cabin
• Scuba dive

Day 16

Airlie Beach afterparty time!

Make the most of your last morning of authentic sailing amongst the dazzling Whitsunday waters with a cup of tea at sunrise and breakfast mingle with your crew, before cruising back to Airlie Beach. After checking into your central accommodation, take some downtime to rest up before the night of fun ahead! Reunite with your new mates at the exclusive sail afterparty, where free entry into Airlie’s best nightclub and VIP drink discounts are ready and waiting. The perfect excuse to let down your hair and show off that newfound tan!

Day 17

Airlie Beach adventure day

You’ve explored the golden highlights of the Whitsunday Islands, now it's time to discover the natural wonders of the Whitsundays mainland! A full day in Airlie Beach offers you the ultimate flexibility to adventure at your own pace. Grab your friends and check out the freshwater beauty of Cedar Creek Falls, road trip to the neighbouring town of Bowen, indulge in a delicious seafood buffet along the esplanade, relax by the Airlie Beach Lagoon with your travel journal, or head back out to the islands with a day tour add-on! From an adrenaline-pumping skydive, a mindblowing scenic reef flight or an exciting jet ski adventure... the choices are endless!

Trip Upgrade

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

Day 18

Hello tropical Cairns!

From one lively East Coast haven to the next! Take it easy as you embark on the eight-hour journey from Airlie Beach to Cairns, passing a plethora of rich farmscapes and shining coastal horizons along the way. Touching down in the lively tropical centre of Cairns by dusk, stretch your legs with a stroll along the palm-fringed esplanade and say hello to new friends at the many vibrant backpacker bars. To break up the journey to Cairns, add a magical overnight stop at Magnetic Island, for a chance to cuddle a furry koala and swim amongst some of the clearest waters you’ll ever see!

Trip Upgrade

• Magnetic Island Koala & Wildlife Experience

Day 19

Great Barrier Reef scuba diving experience

The glistening gem of the East Coast, the Great Barrier Reef sprawls over 2,300 kilometres, giving life to over 3,000 individual reef systems and hundreds of unique marine species! The best way to discover the biodiverse coral forests is with an introductory scuba dive (included), where experienced instructors will teach you the basics of diving. Cruise to the Outer Reef for the day where quirky reef fish, friendly sea turtles, giant clams and corals of all colours are thriving below the glassy surface. Whether you stick to snorkelling or try out diving, the Great Barrier Reef is a marine adventure you’ll never forget!

Trip Extension 

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

Day 20

Cairns free day

Cairns is a tropical marvel, with everything from rainforest, reef, island and bush. Make the most of your free day by venturing out to the Daintree Rainforest and Atherton Tablelands local guided tour add-on, where enchanting freshwater waterfalls and ancient forests showcase a different side of the tropical reef city! Or, chill out by the pool with your new mates and let the beachy do the work!

Trip Upgrade

• Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour
• Daintree Rainforest Guided Tour

Day 21

Continue the fun in Cairns!

As your sun-soaked 3 Week Express Cairns to Sydney Itinerary comes to an end, it's time to check out of your accommodation and say hello to the next leg of your great Aussie adventure!

Trip Extension

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