4 Week Brisbane to Cairns Ultimate

Day 1 

Cruise to Noosa and begin the fun!

Begin your ultimate East Coast adventure by hopping aboard the bus from Brisbane to Noosa, home to dazzling Sunshine Coast beaches and stylish restaurants galore! Check in to your deluxe central hostel for the next four nights and head to Main Beach for a cheeky swim followed by a celebratory cocktail along Hastings Street. Fill your time with lush national park walks and beach sessions, there is an abundance of things to do in Noosa!

Trip Extension

• Pre-tour accommodation and tours in Brisbane

Day 2

Discover the Noosa Everglades by canoe

Cruise from the lively Noosa streets to the Noosa Everglades, a hidden gem boasting phenomenal biodiversity! Get comfy in your canoe as you set out to explore ancient waterways on an eco-friendly guided adventure of one of just two everglade systems in the world. Keep your eyes peeled for bird and aquatic wildlife, learn alongside new friends and take refreshing swims amongst the reflective waters. The untouched winding wetlands are a nature-lovers dream!

Day 3 

Say g’day at Australia Zoo

Head to Australia Zoo, the home of late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, for a day of getting up close and personal with Aussie wildlife! Grab a picture cuddling a furry koala, hand-feed spiky echidnas and kick back on the lawn with kangaroos. The wildlife doesn’t just end with Aussie icons, so make sure to check out the rhinos, meerkats, tigers, elephants, komodo dragons and more! Best of all, watch an action-packed crocodile feeding in the Crocoseum and learn all about these powerful Aussie reptiles - crikey!

Day 4

Noosa Free Day!

Hit the waves and learn how to surf for the super keen, with an awesome lesson add-on. Or, catch up on some beachside reading, go for a National Park walk and relax at one of the many cafes and bars near your hostel during your free day in Noosa!

Trip Upgrade

• Surfing lesson

Day 5 & 6

Hello Rainbow Beach & Dolphin Kayak!

Within a blink of an eye, it’s time to say goodbye to Noosa and hello to Rainbow Beach! Reaching the charming coastal town within a few hours, you’re sure to feel at home amongst Rainbow Beach’s laid-back streets within minutes of checking into your accommodation. With two days to adventure at your own pace, discover marvellous sand cliffs, scenic walking trails and local dolphin pods with a Dolphin Kayak day trip. Your local guide will take you out to an ocean pocket renowned for local dolphins who will come and say g'day! The ultimate time to relax your shoulders and get salty with hostel mates!

Trip Upgrade

• Surf lesson

Day 7 & 8

K’gari (Fraser Island) 4WD Camping Safari

Time to embark on three days of sun-drenched adventure on the largest sand island in the world! K’gari (Fraser Island) is an ancient paradise home to rich Australian biodiversity and untouched marvels such as freshwater lakes, tropical forests, sandy beaches and unique wildlife! Alongside expert guides and a crew of fellow adventurers, swim in Lake McKenzie, witness the scenic views at Indian Head, watch a sunset at Maheno Shipwreck, float down Eli Creek and try out four-wheel-driving on 75 Mile Beach. At night, relax by the campsite fire and get cosy under the stars!

Day 9

Cruise back to Rainbow Beach

After exploring K’gari’s pristine natural wonders over the last two days you’re sure to be absolutely captivated by island life! Make the most of your last morning by catching a mesmerising sunrise over the rolling ocean, enjoying a cuppa with lifelong mates and making a splash with a final ocean swim. Once you’ve arrived back at Rainbow Beach, feel free to cruise at your own pace!

Day 10

Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach travel day

Hop aboard the overnight bus from Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach on your ninth East Coast day! Following days of Aussie sun and belly laughs, today is the ultimate chance to snooze, kick back with a movie and give your sunburn a well-earned rest. The journey is roughly 1000 kilometres north, so get comfy and excited for the next leg of your adventure!

Day 11

Good morning Airlie Beach!

Welcome to Airlie Beach, the fabulous gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and vibrant East Coast hub where the backpacker scene is always bustling! The morning is young so stretch your legs with a stroll along the esplanade and a refreshing swim in the Airlie Beach Lagoon - you’re a local already! Don’t forget to check out the main strip come sunset for a slice of live music and great yarns at your pick of seaside pubs, clubs and bars!

Trip Upgrade

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

Day 12 & 13

Social sailing amongst the Whitsunday Islands!

Tropical islands are on the horizon fellow sailors! Step aboard your epic backpacker vessel for an action-packed two-day, two-night social sailing experience through the Whitsunday Islands. Relax along some of the whitest sands in the world at Whitehaven Beach, experience the phenomenal view at Hill Inlet Lookout and snorkel at fringing reef locations brimming with exotic marine species. Your overnight trip includes all meals, accommodation and extras like SUPs and waterslides! Kick back or learn the ropes, party with new friends and discover world-renowned destinations as you sail the glassy seas!

Trip Upgrade

• Private cabin on your overnight vessel

Day 14 & 15

Soak up the Airlie Beach bliss

Wake to the soft ocean lull and sail back to the Airlie Beach mainland after two packed days of fun under the sun. The party isn’t over yet though! Check back into your accommodation before hitting Airlie’s most popular club for an exclusive sailing afterparty with your fellow sailors. After boogying the night (and early morning) away, indulge in a flexible leisure day in the tropics. Shake off your hangover with a hike, road trip to the sensational Cedar Creek Falls, unwind with a seaside picnic or get your adrenaline pumping with a skydive over the islands! 

Trip Upgrade

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

Day 16, 17 & 18

Discover Magnetic Island

Say hello to Magnetic Island, the ultimate relaxation destination along the Aussie East Coast! Indulge in seamless stress-free travel as you hop aboard the ferry from Townsville and cruise into the secluded white shores of Maggie Island (as the locals say). Revel in the opportunity to get off grid for the next three days as you swim amongst turquoise bays, hike to sensational scenic lookouts and spot rock wallabies in the wild. Between your island cruising, be sure to visit Maggie’s koala sanctuary for a furry cuddle!

Day 19

Mission Beach, here we come!

Board the ferry to the Aussie mainland once more and hop aboard the northbound bus to Mission Beach, a cruisy stretch of North Queensland coastline nestled off the popular tourist track! After checking into your central accommodation for the next three nights, explore the charming town with a stroll along South Mission Beach, hire a bike and cruise through Daintree Rainforest tracks, and catch a fiery sunset at Clump Point Jetty!

Day 20

Take a thrilling skydive over the reef!

Your ultimate East Coast itinerary is in full swing today! Get your adrenaline pumping 15,000 feet above the world’s largest reef system, the Great Barrier Reef! Alongside a qualified skydive expert, take a thrilling tandem jump above turquoise lagoons and flourishing coral reefs, one of the most scenic drop zones in the Southern Hemisphere. After landing peacefully on Mission Beach, celebrate with a drink and yarn at a local watering hole!

Day 21 & 22

White water raft at Tully River & Free Day

The aquatic action continues! Keep ticking off new experiences along the East Coast with an exhilarating white water rafting tour in the flowing Tully River. Slop on your sunscreen and sense of adventure because this day will have you rafting through downstream rapids, learning how to navigate the rushing waters for yourself and sharing a bucket load of laughs alongside your friendly guides and rafting crew! Kick your feet up and relax on day 22 with a Mission Beach free day - it's time to do a bit of laundry and catch up!

Day 23

Head to your final destination, Cairns!

Leave Mission Beach with a camera roll full of action-packed memories and head further north to Cairns, the final destination of your East Coast adventure! Check into your central CBD hostel, grab a bite to eat and hit the ground running with a free day to immerse yourself in the brimming Cairns backpacker scene. Hit Rustys Market, take a swim in the Cairns Lagoon and get the party pumping in your pick of seaside bars and clubs!

Day 24

Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef

Board your state-of-the-art reef vessel for a day of underwater discovery on the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world! Home to more than 9,000 species of unique marine life and 400 types of hard and soft coral, the biodiverse ecosystems of the reef are best explored with an unforgettable scuba dive. Grab a scuba tank and learn the basics of scuba from experienced instructors before making a splash. Glide alongside sea turtles and rub shoulders with technicolour reef fish at some of the best reef locations in the world!

Day 25

Road trip and chase waterfalls!

After a day in the ocean, head off into the Atherton Tablelands to explore the freshwater highlights surrounding Cairns! Road trip with a social crew of fellow experience-seekers to the natural waterslides of Josephine Falls, the 18-metre tall Millaa Millaa Falls, the volcanic crater of Lake Eacham and more! Swim to your heart's content, capture fabulous pictures and learn the area's rich history from knowledgeable guides. And if you’re lucky, see a shy platypus in the wild, one of Australia’s icons!

Day 26

Adventure into the Daintree Rainforest

Did you know that Cairns is the only destination in the world where two World Heritage-listed destinations meet? Journey deep into the ancient brilliance of Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest on day 23 of your East Coast itinerary. Be amazed by the pristine depths and granite boulders of Mossman Gorge, leave the crowds behind at Cape Tribulation and cruise along the lush Daintree River, where you’ll be able to spot a wild crocodile or two! The radiant rainforest gullies never disappoint!

Day 27

Discover Cairns your way!

You’ve immersed yourself in Cairns’ most prized destinations over three adventure-laden days! Now is your chance to design your own day of fun in the colourful coastal hub. Put your backpack on and head out for another venture in the rainforest village of Kuranda or journey north to Port Douglas. If a cruisy Cairns day is on your mind, wander the Botanical Gardens and treat yourself to a seafood feast; there are plenty of things to do in Cairns for backpackers!

Day 28

Goodbye for now!

It’s time to say farewell to your ultimate East Coast itinerary as your 28-day venture comes to a close! Check out of your central Cairns hostel, head to a late brunch to recover from last night's boogie and continue the trip in Cairns. Whether you’re flying out to your next destination or planning on spending more time in the tropical city, your wanderlust is bound to be satisfied!

 Trip Extension

• Post-tour accommodation and activities in Cairns