5 Week Guided Sydney to Reef Group Tour

Day 1 

G’day Sydney! 

Welcome to the iconic and bustling city of Sydney, where you meet with your group and guide for the next 36 days! Hop straight into a guided tour of the Sydney Harbour and city, before you board your bus in the afternoon, en route to Byron Bay!

Day 2 - 5

Byron Bay Days

Wake up in the hippie wonderland of Byron Bay, where a surf lesson and day at the beach await! There really is no better place to get your clock to holiday time! Welcome day 3 with a morning yoga sesh by the ocean, before a free day and complimentary wine and cheese in the afternoon at your hostel. Venture to the charming Byron Bay lighthouse with a guided coastal walk on day 4, followed by a meander at the local farmers market! Choose to add a dolphin kayak or trip out to Nimbin to your itinerary on day 5 if that’s your vibe.

Trip Upgrade

• Dolphin kayak tour
• Day trip to Nimbin

Day 6 - 8

Gold Coast Exploring

Depart Byron for another coastal paradise with more of a party atmosphere… that’s right, we’re heading to Surfers Paradise! Quite literally a surfer’s paradise, the Gold Coast is known for its sweet swell and colourful nightlife! Take your time and unwind here, before big nights of dancing with your new friends! With loads of added extras available, do as much or as little as you please! On day 8, meet your group for a quintessential Aussie barbeque and drinks for your final night on the Gold Coast.

Trip Upgrade

• Guided pub crawl
• Dreamworld theme park
• Stand-up paddleboarding session

Day 9 - 11

Discover Brisbane

Head north towards Brisbane, arriving for a couple of days of city adventures. Take a dip in the Streets Beach lagoon, and check out an interactive exhibit at the Gallery of Modern Art before heading back to your hostel for some pub trivia. There are heaps of awesome (and cheap) things to do in Brisbane, so have a blast with your new mates! Add on a trip to Australia Zoo if you fancy a cuddle with a koala, or enjoy some downtime and catch up on some laundry.

Trip Upgrade

• Day at Australia Zoo

Day 12 & 13

Good Vibes Only In Noosa

The heart of the flourishing Sunshine Coast, Noosa is the perfect place to spend a couple of beachy days unwinding and exploring. With gorgeous coastal sceneries, calm beaches and chill local vibes, the best way to spend your days is under the sun and in the waves! Your guide will guide you through the Noosa National Park! Choose to head out on an extra Noosa Everglade kayak tour to get back to nature, or hang out by the pool of your hostel! Enjoy another group sausage sizzle, cracking open a few cold ones with your mates!

Trip Upgrade

• Noosa Everglades kayak tour

Day 14

Rainbow Beach Wandering

Rainbow Beach is next up on the itinerary, so head out to the gorgeous seaside town renowned for its access to K’gari (Fraser Island). Your guide will lead you up to the crescent-shaped Carlo Sandblow with enchanting views of K’gari and the ocean. Relax at your own pace, before heading to your safety briefing for your K’gari tour that evening.

Day 15 - 17

K’gari 4WD Camping Adventure

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you depart the mainland for K’gari, the world’s largest sand island that literally translates to paradise! While you may be familiar with the local dingoes and effervescent Lake Mackenzie, your guide will also take you to hidden gems like Champagne Pools, Lake Wabby, Central Station and Eli Creek. Glide across beaches as you 4WD to glorious forests, swim spots and hidden gems, settling down each night at a deluxe beachside campsite!

Day 18 - 21

Whitsunday Island Sailing Trip

Arrive into Airlie Beach on day 18 in the evening, having a walk along the esplanade before crashing at your central hostel. Day 19 holds the most luxurious trip yet: a social sailing trip out to the Whitsunday Islands! Your skipper will guide you through rolling seascapes to simply breathtaking destinations, like Whitehaven Beach and the swirling Hill Inlet Lookout. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and rub shoulders with turtles, before chilling out on the deck with afternoon drinks! Let the good times roll and less your worries on the shore, with all food, gear and good vibes provided! Arrive back to Airlie Beach and be welcomed by a VIP afterparty, where you can have a night on the town with your new boat besties! 

Day 22 - 24

Chill Out In Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach has been a backpacker hub since the 70s, so get in the social spirit and enjoy the friendly party vibes of this haven! Spend your days playing mermaid in the sparkling Airlie Beach Lagoon and exploring the vibrant streets and local hikes. Wrap it up with a sunset on the esplanade and a cocktail at Mika’s before heading further north!

Trip Upgrades

• Diving trip
• Scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef
• Jet Ski experience
• Waterfall day tour

Day 25 - 28

Magnetic Island Marvels

Depart from Townsville to the sun-soaked Magnetic Island! A tropical gem just a short barge across the water, Maggie Island is renowned for its local wildlife, leafy hikes and endless beaches. Head out on an offshore snorkel and explore magnificent fringing reefs, embark on the guided Fort’s Walk with your group and visit the on-site koala sanctuary to get up close with these cuddly creatures! Set your watch to island time and get that vitamin D!

Trip Upgrades

• Island 4WD hire

• Koala Sanctuary experience

Day 29 & 30

Mission Beach

A lesser-known gem of Far North Queensland, Mission Beach is the place to be when it comes to culture, reef and nature. Enjoy a free day at your own pace, explore the National Park or sign onto an extra white water rafting tour through the magical rainforests and streams of Tully! If you’re looking for something a bit elevated, add on an adrenaline-pumping skydive over some of the most pristine reefs, landing on a local beach!

Trip Upgrades

• White water rafting
• Skydive experience

Day 31

Cairns Is Calling!

Your final destination, and the most stunning tropical capital in the world, Cairns awaits! With a unique balance of natural adventures, backpacker vibes and local small-town charm, kick back in your deluxe flashpacker accommodation with a pool! Spend the arvo by the pool, or add on a Cape Tribulation & Daintree Rainforest tour!

Trip Upgrade

• Cape Tribulation Tour

Day 32

Chase Waterfalls In The Atherton Tablelands

Head out to the lush, waterfall-laden national park of the Atherton Tablelands for some serious fairy-magic action! Take a dip in bubbling pools, marvel at immense cascades and enjoy picnic lunches on the grassy banks of rivers as your local guides show you the most famous falls of the regions, as well as some more out-of-the-way spots! Don’t forget your swimmers and camera on this one!

Day 33

Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

All aboard a world-class reef adventure boat! Today is all about discovering the marvels of the deep blue, so don your snorkel and mask and jump into the Great Barrier Reef! Your friendly crew will guide you to some of the most colourful fringing reefs, perfect for getting up close with coral gardens, shimmering fish, giant clams, graceful turtles and sweet reef sharks! Enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and soak up the sunshine, before another snorkel!

Day 34 - 36

Free Days In Cairns & Farewells!

Your final days in tropical paradise are totally up to you! Chill out by the pool with your new mates, explore the funky township of Cairns, indulge in local seafood and dance the nights away! Craving more time on the reef? Add on an introductory dive course and explore the stunning marine ecosystems at new depths! Grab your new travel buddies’ Instagram handles, give your final goodbye hugs and head on to the next part of your journey. It’s been such a blast!

Trip Upgrade

• Dive course
  
  

Trip Extension

• Post-tour accommodation in Cairns