ROO 16 Day East Coast Tour - Byron Bay to Cairns

This morning meet your guide and group outside the Surf House at 8.50am. Then we’ll jump on the Stray bus and depart north across the NSW/QLD border and onto Surfers Paradise where we’ll stretch our legs and grab some lunch. We’ll then head to a nearby nature reserve to spot some wild kangaroos, before continuing to Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland for the night. We’ll head down to Southbank for a walk along the Brisbane River and then check out some of the many bars and restaurants.
 

Accommodation: Brisbane YHA or similar

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants
Free activities: Visit Surfers Paradise, kangaroo spotting, catch the Brisbane city ferry.

It’s a relaxed departure today as we leave Brisbane mid-morning and make our way north to Noosa.   We’ll stop along the way for lunch and a walk to see incredible views of Noosa and Noosa headlands before arriving at our accommodation in the afternoon. 
 

Our Noosa accommodation is less of a hostel and more of a resort, with a pool and a licensed cafe (did someone say poolside margaritas?) as well as designer dorms with privacy screens and USB charging points. This evening, we’ll grab a drink at the bar and make plans to head and explore Noosa.
 

Accommodation: Bounce 

Meals included: Breakfast, drink on arrival

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, dinner at hostel
Free activities: Swim, walks, lookouts

Today you have a completely free day to spend doing whatever you like. Explore the Everglades by kayak or book a skydive and see Noosa and surroundings from above. Grab a sun lounger and get some much needed R&R, go for a walk around the incredible headland, visit the beach or have a long, lazy lunch in the sun. The Noosa Surf Club is one of our faves so if you’d like to go out for dinner, you can’t go wrong with a local hotspot!
 

Accommodation: Bounce

Optional paid activities: Everglades Kayak, Skydive, Surf Lesson

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants

Free activities: Chilling by the resort pool, going for a walk in the National Park, visiting the famous beach or checking out the local boutiques and cafes

It’s an early start this morning as you head out for your 3-day, 2-night K’Gari (Fraser Island) adventure. During this amazing experience you’ll explore the largest sand island in the world on a 4WD expedition, see the magical Lake Boorangoora (McKenzie), discover towering rainforests, spot a wild dingo, cruise along endless sandy beaches and lose yourself in the magic of stargazing. If you fancy learning how to drive a 4WD, you can do that! This is going to be one of the best experiences of your whole trip and is definitely the best way to explore this world-heritage listed National Park.
 

After a bus, ferry and 4WD transfer, you’ll arrive at Beach Camp on K’gari (your accommodation for the next 2 nights). You’ll have some tasty lunch and then you can check out the camp which has a kitchen and a deck with ocean views. We’ll then head out for your first adventure to see some of the Island highlights. This evening, you’ll arrive back at camp to enjoy dinner, share stories, play the didgeridoo around the campfire and engage in some mind-blowing stargazing. Tonight, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves as you settle into your safari tent (which includes a comfy mattress and hotel quality linens).
 

Accommodation: Beach Camp K’gari (Fraser Island) Safari Tents*   

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks  

Included activities: K’gari adventure tour 

*Between Oct-Nov 22, the groups will be staying in cabins rather than safari tents

This morning, wake up to the gorgeous golden sunrise over the ocean, enjoy breakfast and get ready for a fun-filled morning exploring K’gari and her hidden treasures. Enjoy lunch on the beach and then spend the afternoon discovering more lakes (there are over 100!) and epic views before arriving back to camp in time for another dinner under the stars and some fun evening activities.
 

Accommodation: Beach Camp K’gari (Fraser Island) in 2-3 share Safari Tents*

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks

Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

*Between Oct-Nov 22, the groups will be staying in cabins rather than safari tents.

After breakfast today you’ll hit the inland tracks to discover towering trees and take one last refreshing dip, enjoy lunch in the forest and then begin your journey back to the mainland, arriving into Rainbow Beach around mid-afternoon ready for your next journey north up to Bundaberg. 
 

Bundaberg is well-known for sugarcane, rum, ginger beer and more recently has been called the ‘Bundaberg Bowl’ for its reputation of growing and producing fresh food that’s served across the country. Your accommodation in Bundaberg is a relaxed eco-resort, this time you’ll be located by a nature reserve and have access to a spa, sauna, tennis courts and more!  Tonight, we’ll have a group BBQ dinner and a chilled evening.
 

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort in villas or similar 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks, BBQ Dinner 

Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

*It’s a day of exploring Bundaberg today! After breakfast we’ll head to the Mon Repos turtle centre* for a wholesome morning learning all about these amazing animals. The centre supports the largest concentration of nesting mating turtles on the eastern Australian mainland.  You can grab a snack or lunch at the onsite indigenous inspired Gidji cafe. 
 

In the afternoon we’ll head to the Bundaberg Rum Centre for a tour of their distillery and a tasting of their iconic rum. Or, if you’d prefer a full day out on the water and the chance to visit the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, your guide can book you onto the incredible Lady Musgrave Full Day Snorkel Tour for a day of snorkelling, a boat cruise, island walk and delicious food. 

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort or similar 

Meals included: Breakfast

Included Activities:  Mon Repos Turtle Centre*, Rum Tasting

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants

Optional paid activities: Lady Musgrave Full Day Snorkel Tour

Free activities: Checking out Bargara Beach

*After October 1st 2023 we have a free morning in Bargara with the Turtle Centre as an optional extra.

Today is a big drive day to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands, so load up on the snacks, make sure your phone is charged and you’ve got some good tunes loaded up. We’ll make some stops to stretch our legs and see some sweet views along the way, arriving in Airlie in the evening.
 

Accommodation: Base Airlie Beach or similar

Meals included: Breakfast

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, bakery, restaurants

This morning, enjoy a sleep in, take a stroll down to the Airlie lagoon for a dip and then check in and receive your briefing for your sailing trip. After lunch, head down to the marina to meet your crew and jump onboard a 76-foot, maxi sailing yacht which will be your home for the next two days. As you leave the marina and Airlie Beach behind you, watch your crew hoist the sails for an exhilarating cruise out to the Whitsunday Islands - part of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
 

Once you arrive out around the Islands, jump in for a swim or snorkel amongst the fringing reef and then enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand on one of the crew's favourite little beaches. In the evening relax on deck, have a few drinks, get to know the crew, stargaze and let the calm waters gently rock you to sleep - for the adventurous, mats are provided to sleep on deck under the stars or if you prefer a bit more comfort, a bed awaits you below deck.
 

Accommodation: Shared dorm cabins/sections on a maxi sailing yacht 

Meals included: Afternoon Snacks, Dinner & Dessert (BYO drinks)

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes

Included activities: Sailing, snorkelling and exploring the Whitsunday Islands

This morning you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in paradise, as you wake up on a yacht surrounded by beautiful islands and enjoy a delicious breakfast on deck as you sail towards Whitsunday Island, home to the best beach in the world - Whitehaven Beach. You’ll disembark and enjoy a bush-walk to Hill Inlet Lookout and then spend the rest of the day exploring and relaxing on Whitehaven Beach. You can also go snorkelling today, enjoy a sunset beach session and another fun evening onboard with your group and the crew.
 

Accommodation: Shared dorm cabins/sections on a maxi sailing yacht 

Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Snacks, Dinner & Dessert 

Included activities: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, bush-walk, sailing, snorkelling

Note: From October 1st 2023 we head to Magnetic Island on this day and stay for 2 nights before heading to Cairns.

Enjoy your final morning on-board the yacht, jump in for another magical swim or snorkel and then sail on back to Airlie Beach. This afternoon once you’ve checked back into your hostel, go and laze in the sun by the lagoon or explore the town before freshening up and meeting your group and boat crew for the after party! There will be a reserved table, drink discounts and meal deals - so get ready for a big night.

Accommodation: Base Airlie or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants
Included Activities: Sailing, snorkelling

Today we’ll get on the road again and head up to the stunning Atherton Tablelands. We’ll stop at the famous Millaa Millaa Falls along the way for a swim and some amazing photo ops.
 

Tonight, we’re staying at a cosy eco-lodge in the historic village of Yungaburra. We’ll check in and have a BBQ dinner before heading out for a moonlit paddle for some amazing stargazing through the rainforest at Lake Tinaroo. This night canoeing tour is the best way to spot unique nocturnal rainforest animals in their natural habitat.
 

Accommodation: On the Wallaby Eco Lodge

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Meal options: Self-cater, bakery or cafes

Free activities: Millaa Millaa Falls

Included activities: Night wildlife canoe trip. Note: depending on conditions, we might do the canoe trip in the morning.

Today we have an awesome day planned, visiting lots of cool spots before we reach our final destination of Cairns. In the morning we’ll visit the heritage-listed Curtain Fig Tree and Lake Eacham, a beautiful crater lake for a swim and a walk. Then we’ll head to the quirky Kuranda markets set in the rainforest, for lunch and a browse before heading to Cairns. Tonight, we’re staying at an amazing resort with its own person-made beach! We’ll have a group dinner at the resort and then check out the Cairns nightlife.
 

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar 

Meals included: Breakfast

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants 

Included activities: Swim, walk, markets

Today is a completely free day so if you have a few too many cocktails last night, enjoy a lazy sleep-in and perhaps some hair-of-the-dog by the pool in the afternoon. If you’re ready for another day of adventure, why not book into a tour of Cape Tribulation or go to see the iconic Great Barrier Reef?

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar 

Meals included: Breakfast

Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants

Free activities: Hang out at the amazing resort pool, walk the Esplanade, visit the Botanical gardens
Optional Activities: Cape Tribulation day trip, bungy jump, Great Barrier Reef trip, skydive, rafting

Today is the final day of your Stray adventure. Give a wave and a hug to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo - G’DAY MATES!

This itinerary is a guide. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips and lack of control over Australia's weather(!), what we do each day might occasionally vary.