Itinerary
- Day 1
Sydney
You'll meet your leader and group at 6 pm in Sydney. If you're arriving early, there's time to check out the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park, or Sydney Tower Eye before the meeting. After everyone gathers, you'll head to Darling Harbour with the group for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided walk to Harbour Bridge
- Visit Opera House
- Explore Botanical Gardens
- Explore Hyde Park
- Visit Sydney Tower Eye
- Dinner along Darling Harbour
Landmarks Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Opera House Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney Hyde Park Sydney Tower Eye - Day 2
Sydney to Port Macquarie
The drive to Port Macquarie follows the scenic coastline, with a stop at Crowdy Bay National Park to walk the Mermaid Lookout Track. You'll get views over the ocean and forest, and keep an eye out for whales, dolphins, and kangaroos. Lunch happens during the drive, then you have a free evening to relax at your accommodation or catch the sunset on the beach.
Included Activities
- Crowdy Bay National Park - Mermaid Lookout Track walk
Optional Activities
- Lunch along the drive
- Sunset viewing on beach
Landmarks Crowdy Bay National Park Mermaid Lookout Track - Day 3
Port Macquarie to Red Rock
You'll visit the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie to meet volunteers and see the rehabilitation work they do. From there it's a drive to Red Rock in Coffs Harbour with a lunch stop along the way. By evening you'll be at the northernmost Coffs Coast village, where the group gathers for a barbeque dinner as the sun goes down.
- Meals
- Dinner (Barbeque dinner with typical Australian fare)
Included Activities
- Port Macquarie - Koala Hospital guided tour
- Barbeque dinner
Optional Activities
- Lunch during the drive
Landmarks Koala Hospital Port Macquarie Red Rock - Day 4
Red Rock to Byron Bay
Stand-up paddleboarding with the Gumbaynggirr community comes first, where you'll work with local guides and learn about Aboriginal cultural knowledge. After paddling along the river, you'll drive to Byron Bay to visit the Byron Lighthouse and look for dolphins, whales, and other marine life offshore.
Included Activities
- Red Rock - Wajaana Yaam Stand Up Paddleboarding
Optional Activities
- Byron Bay - Byron Lighthouse visit
Landmarks Byron Lighthouse 
- Day 5
Byron Bay
This day is yours to explore Byron Bay however you'd like. If you wake early, catch the sunrise from Australia's most easterly point. You can try a beginner's surf lesson, do guided sea kayaking through the Byron Bay Marine Park, or just spend time on the beach. Later, meet up with other travellers at local pubs or bars for drinks.
Optional Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Australia's most easterly point
- Beginner's surf lesson - AUD85
- Guided sea kayaking tour of Byron Bay Marine Park - AUD89
- Beach relaxation
- Pub or bar visit with group
Landmarks Byron Bay - Day 6
Byron Bay to Lamington National Park
You'll start at The Farm, a working farm with micro-businesses, where breakfast and lunch items are available. Then it's to Springbrook National Park to walk to the Natural Bridge rock arch, formed by waterfall force through a basalt cave. After that, you'll explore Lamington National Park's rainforest trails, waterfalls, and creeks before settling into a lodge in the subtropical rainforest.
Included Activities
- Springbrook National Park - Natural Bridge Circuit Walk
- Byron Bay - The Farm visit
Optional Activities
- Breakfast at The Farm
- Lamington National Park walking tracks
Landmarks The Farm Byron Bay Springbrook National Park Natural Bridge Lamington National Park 
- Day 7
Lamington National Park to Brisbane
Wake early if you want to watch the sunrise over the rainforest. You'll travel to the Gold Coast with free time to explore the beaches and surf spots or just relax by the water. Then it's on to Brisbane for your final night, where you have the evening free to find a local restaurant with recommendations from your leader.
Optional Activities
- Sunrise viewing over rainforest
- Gold Coast beach time
- Restaurant dinner in Brisbane
Landmarks Gold Coast 
- Day 8
Brisbane
You have the day to explore Brisbane on your own. Check out the Botanic Gardens, Roma Street Parklands, or head to Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout for city views. At 6 pm you'll attend a meeting to meet new travellers joining the second leg of the tour. After that comes group dinner so you can start getting to know the other people.
Optional Activities
- Explore Brisbane Botanic Gardens
- Visit Roma Street Parklands
- Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout visit
- Dinner with group
Landmarks Brisbane Botanic Gardens Roma Street Parklands Mount Coot-Tha Summit Lookout - Day 9
Brisbane to Noosa
You'll head to Noosa and walk part of the Coastal Walk through Noosa National Park, strolling along shoreline and headlands with sweeping ocean views, rocky bays, and sandy beaches. Watch for koalas and marine life. The walk continues to Hell's Gate Lookout for 270-degree ocean views and chances to spot ospreys or dolphins. Lunch is included, then you'll settle in outside Noosa with a free evening to surf, walk, or relax.
Included Activities
- Noosa - Coastal Walk
- Noosa - Hell's Gates Lookout
Optional Activities
- Lunch in Noosa
- Afternoon surf lesson
- Evening walk or beach relaxation
Landmarks Noosa National Park Hell's Gate Lookout Sunshine Beach 
- Day 10
Noosa
You have a free day in and around Noosa. There's an optional guided 4WD tour of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) visiting Lake McKenzie, UNESCO World Heritage rainforest, 75 Mile Beach, Eli Creek, and the Maheno Shipwreck. Or you can join a boat tour through the Noosa Everglades eco-safari to see abundant birdlife, or paddle canoes to historic Harry's Hut. It's up to you.
Optional Activities
- K'gari (Fraser Island) Day Tour - AUD240
- Everglades Explorer Tour - from AUD149
Landmarks K'gari (Fraser Island) Lake McKenzie 75 Mile Beach Eli Creek Maheno Shipwreck Noosa Everglades Harry's Hut - Day 11
Noosa to Whitsundays
Another free day in Noosa, so you can take the everglades eco-safari if you missed it yesterday, explore the town, or just relax on the beach. That evening you'll board an overnight train to the Whitsundays region. Grab dinner and snacks for the journey and settle into your bunk for the night with your bunkmates.
Optional Activities
- Everglades Explorer Tour if not done previously
- Noosa town exploration
- Beach time
- Day 12
Proserpine to Whitsunday Islands
You'll arrive in Proserpine early morning where a new leader meets you at the station. The drive takes you to Airlie Beach with free time to swim, grab breakfast, or relax on the sand. This afternoon you'll board a boat for a two-night sailing trip through the Whitsundays, a group of islands in the Coral Sea known for bright blue waters and white sands.
Included Activities
- Whitsunday Islands - Sailing Excursion (2 Nights)
Optional Activities
- Airlie Beach free time - swimming, breakfast, or beach relaxation
Landmarks Whitsunday Islands Airlie Beach - Day 13
Whitsunday Islands
Wake early to make the most of your day at sea. You'll move through the gorgeous landscapes of the Whitsundays, snorkel at some of the best spots, and visit Whitehaven Beach. Fresh meals are served on the boat, and you'll meet new friends while soaking up the scenery. Tonight ends with sunset drinks on the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Sunset drinks)
Included Activities
- Whitehaven Beach - Visit
- Snorkelling at Whitsunday Islands spots
Landmarks Whitehaven Beach Great Barrier Reef - Day 14
Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island
Your last morning on the boat gives you time to take in the surroundings before disembarking in Airlie. You'll have free time to relax on the beach or grab lunch. From there it's a drive to Townsville and then a ferry to Magnetic Island, a mountainous island with scenic national park, abundant koalas, secluded beaches, and hiking opportunities.
Optional Activities
- Airlie Beach beach time or lunch
Landmarks Magnetic Island - Day 15
Magnetic Island
You can explore Magnetic Island at your own pace, finding a secluded beach, taking a hike, or relaxing with a drink. Later you'll join a group hike along the Forts Walking Track, watching for resident koalas and enjoying the views. Keep an eye out for World War II relics scattered throughout the tropical landscape.
Included Activities
- Magnetic Island - Forts Walking Track
Optional Activities
- Secluded beach exploration
- Independent hiking
- Relaxation with drinks
Landmarks Forts Walking Track 
- Day 16
Magnetic Island to Mission Beach
You'll take the morning ferry back to Townsville, then drive to Mungalla Station to meet the Nywaigi people, the First Nations owners of the land. Learn about their culture, history, and the conflicts with European settlers through an exhibition in the historic homestead. You'll explore the Mungalla wetlands looking for aquatic birdlife before heading to Mission Beach, a small coastal town with palm-lined beaches.
Included Activities
- Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Tour
Optional Activities
- Mungalla wetlands exploration
Landmarks Mungalla Station Mission Beach 
- Day 17
Mission Beach to Cairns
Your last day of adventure starts with a drive to Cairns where the trip ends. Along the way you'll stop at waterfalls and swimming holes to take in the last of the natural scenery. When you arrive in Cairns, it's time to say goodbye to the adventure and everyone you've met.
Optional Activities
- Waterfall stops along the way
- Swimming hole stops
Landmarks Cairns
