8 Day Guided Sydney To Brisbane Koala Tour

Day 1 

Monday

Welcome to Sydney

Your adventure begins in Sydney, so start your East Coast journey with a day of exploring this iconic city. Take today at your own pace, checking into your accommodation anytime after 2 pm, located just across the road from the CBD’s Central Station. Head downstairs for a celebratory cocktail to welcome your week of adventuring, before hitting the Sydney icons! We’re talking the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the bustling Circular Quay… make sure there’s space on your camera! Or if you want to make more of a day of it, start early and head to Bondi Beach, Darling Harbour, the Botanical Gardens or  Manly! Whatever your adventures, mosey on back to your hostel pizza bar to meet your local guide and travel buddies at 7 pm for a relaxed introduction over delicious food!

Trip Extension

• Want to explore Sydney for a little longer before jetting off? Check out our popular Sydney Arrival Package.

Trip Upgrade

• Day at Taronga Zoo

Day 2

Tuesday

The Hunter Valley Wine Tasting + Port Stephens Coastal Hike

Depart Sydney for the dreamy Hunter Valley region, where a sun-dappled afternoon of wine and chocolate tasting awaits! Enjoy the finer things in one of Australia’s most renowned food provinces. Friendly guides and local growers will enlighten you about this exquisite food country, and all of its divine delicacies! Then, continue onto Port Stephens, a coastal paradise just out of Sydney. Check in to your eco-boutique accommodation at Surfside Hotel, set on a vast bushland property home to kangaroos and wallabies! Then, head out on an afternoon walk to the top of Tomaree Head, a dazzling coastline summit that will provide you with incredible panoramic views of the whole region at sunset and some Aussie marinelife. Return to your accommodation for a classic Aussie BBQ as you get to know your group of fellow travellers! 

Day 3 

Wednesday

Beach Adventueres + Port Macquarie Koala Experience

Choose to enjoy a sleep-in at your flora-adorned hotel before wandering down to the beach for a salty morning swim! Or, if you’re inner-daredevil desires, head out on an options activity and learn how to sandboard down the golden Stockton Dunes! Learn about this iconically Aussie past-time, as well as the rich Indigenous history of the area. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast and then, hit the road and drive up to Port Macquarie. Stop in at local eateries on the way for lunch before making your way to the Koala Hospital. Snap your essential Aussie koala photos and learn about the centre’s rehabilitation and protection of these fluffy and dozy bears!

Trip Extension

• Sandboarding Lesson

Day 4

Thursday

Indigenous Cultural Experience + Waterfall Walk

Spend your morning en route to the cruisy and famous Byron Bay, renowned for its authentic surf culture and worry-free vibes. Make a couple of stops along the way at the amazing Dangar Falls and the trendy town of Bellingen. Here you will grab some lunch, before embarking on an incredible Indigenous cultural experience where you will learn about the Gumbaynggirr people, the stunning location of “Niigi Niigi.” This two-hour tour will weave an important and spiritual historical journey of Australia with stories, songs, language and plants, leaving you with a whole and special understanding of Australia’s First Nations importance. Continue on to Byron Bay, where you will be shown a brief tour of the town; that’s right, the best bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs, beaches, walks and secret spots! Retire to your beachfront accommodation, the Surf House, your home for the next couple of nights and right on Main Beach! 

Day 5 & 6

Friday & Saturday

Byron Bay’s Your Oyster! 

Spend the next two days slowing down and really embracing the beachy magic found in Byron Bay. Start your Friday with a morning yoga class like a real Byron Bay local, before a refreshing morning swim. With plenty of free, self-explorable adventures to be had, hit the beach (every day, all day), pop on your thongs for a hike up to the Byron Bay lighthouse, wander the Byron markets, embrace your foodie holiday with awesome cafes and restaurants and unwind at local gigs with new friends in the evenings. The best of Byron is on your doorstep, so spend more time amongst the gems of this coastal NSW town. If you’re looking to dive deeper and go further, choose to add one of the many adventurous day activities available to your itinerary! Surf lesson anyone?

Trip Upgrades

• Byron Bay surf lesson
• Dolphin kayak
• Snorkel or dive at Julian Rocks
• Skydive over Byron Bay

Day 7

Sunday

Gold Coast + Brisbane Roadtrip!

Get ready for a day of adventures as you meet your group and guide in reception at 8:30 am. A visit to Mullumbimby, a local hippy town renowned for its charming and alternative charm, start off your day of coastal exploring.  Then, hop back on the bus for a journey to the Gold Coast. Discover the wonders of Surfers Paradise where you and the group will eat some lunch, check out the beach and discover a local nature reserve home to some pretty cute local kangaroos. Then, return to the bus for the final leg of your East Coast day. Brisbane awaits your arrival, so let the vibrant city life amaze you! Take a stroll along the winding Brisbane River to Southbank, where you can indulge and unwind at a busy bar or boutique restaurant. Return for a good sleep, or hit Fortitude Valley for a lively night of dancing, before heading back to your central hostel for the night.

Day 8

Monday

Say Farewell To Friends + Hello To Next Adventures!

Your ultimate day of your Guided Koala Tour, it’s time to say bye to your friends and guide! Hug, exchange numbers and give a huge wave, as you part a lot richer in mates, memories, local culture and photos on your camera roll! It’s time for the next chapter of your East Coast Adventure, and there really are an array of options! Whatever you choose to do next, don’t forget to use some of that Aussie slang you picked up along the way!

Trip Upgrade

• Fancy heading up to the tropical north for a Great Barrier Reef adventure? Check out our 9-Day Brisbane to Cairns Itinerary, jampacked with island marvels, exquisite tours and social experiences.