Sleep under the stars, zip over dunes in a 4x4 on a remote sand island, sail from island to island through the Whitsundays on a maxi yacht, dive the Great Barrier Reef and see the best Queensland has to offer.
Travelling in small groups, we will be visiting the best of the east coast; Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Cape Tribulation & The Great Barrier Reef! All while eating great food, meeting new friends and having a magical time.
Due to availability, please try to book your package at least 30 days in advance. For dates available contact us directly.
Days
- 21 days, 20 nights
Start / finish
- Cairns / Sydney
- Sydney, 8am on day 21
Return
- Sydney, 8am on day 21
Tour style
- Travel Package: Buses, Beds and Guided Tours
Accommodation
- 20 nights — hostels at Cairns, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Noosa, Surfers Paradise and Byron Bay, two nights camping on K'gari, two nights in a shared cabin sailing the Whitsundays, and two nights on overnight buses.
Transport
- Bus passes between towns, booked for you before you travel, plus the Townsville ferry to Magnetic Island, which runs every 20 minutes with no booking needed. The day tours run their own transport — a 4WD on K'gari, and boats in the Whitsundays and on the reef.
Meals
- Seven breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners.
Route
Included experiences
- Cape Tribulation — Port Douglas, Four Mile Beach and the Daintree ferry
- Daintree River — a crocodile cruise timed to the tides
- Cassowary spotting — in some of the oldest rainforest in the world
- Great Barrier Reef — five hours at the reef on a stabilised vessel
- Magnetic Island — a guided two-hour Koala Sanctuary tour
- Magnetic Island — a koala photo and cuddle, snorkel gear hire and rock wallaby food
- Airlie Beach — the lagoon and free days either side of the sail
- Whitsundays — a 3 day sail with Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Noosa — one of Australia's best beaches, home of the Noosa Surf Festival
- K'gari (Fraser Island) — a 3 day 4WD safari, Lake McKenzie and the Maheno wreck
- K'gari — Eli Creek, the Champagne Pools and Lake Wabby
- Noosa Everglades — a guided canoe day, one of only two Everglades systems in the world
- Surfers Paradise — a night on the Gold Coast
- Byron Bay — the Lighthouse and The Farm Byron Bay
- Byron Bay — a 3.5-hour dolphin kayak tour around Cape Byron
- Bus passes — the full route from Cairns to Sydney
Reviews
5.0
Based on 28 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 28 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the well-organised nature of this tour, frequently noting that the pre-arranged Greyhound bus transfers between towns made moving along the East Coast easy and stress-free. Many highlight the range of experiences, with snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, seeing wild dingos and freshwater lakes on Fraser Island, sailing through the Whitsundays, and swimming in waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands mentioned most often, alongside cuddling koalas on Magnetic Island. Reviewers regularly commend the guides as knowledgeable, energetic and good-humoured, and describe the small group size as creating a close-knit, sociable atmosphere. Several also mention comfortable accommodation, accommodating dietary needs, straightforward booking and responsive staff, with a number describing the trip as good value for money. The most common qualifying comment relates to the itinerary being packed, though travellers generally add that it did not feel rushed.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“5 stars”
An amazing time was had by me and my friends. Will be back to do it all again one day hopefully! 5 stars.
“Thanks!”
Devo anche dire che prenotare è stato super semplice. Ho fatto un sacco di domande prima di iscrivermi e mi hanno sempre risposto subito, il che mi ha fatto sentire molto più tranquillo prima della partenza. Bello non dover stressarsi con tutti i dettagli.
“What an amazing trip! ”
The weather was perfect the entire time, which made sailing in the Whitsundays and snorkeling in the reef even better. Fraser Island was stunning, and we had time to explore the beaches and lakes without feeling rushed. Our guide was great, always full of energy, and made sure everyone was having a good time. The group felt really close-knit by the end of every tour.
“everything organized”
This trip had everything I was hoping for. The Great Barrier Reef snorkeling was phenomenal, with so many colorful fish and coral. Then there was Fraser Island, where we saw dingos and took in the amazing views from Indian Head. The Greyhound bus system worked perfectly—it was nice to have everything organized for us so we could focus on the experience.
“great for the price”
I had a really good time on this trip. Everything was taken care of, including all the Greyhound buses between towns, so I never had to worry about transportation. The guides were knowledgeable, and Fraser Island was incredible. The accommodations were great for the price!
“just do it!”
The highlight for me was sailing in the Whitsundays—Whitehaven Beach was absolutely stunning.
“Wonderful”
Every day felt like a new adventure. Thanks for the great memories.
“Travel forever!”
I’ve been on five solo trips around the world, and this journey along Australia’s East Coast is one I’ll never forget. I booked this 20-day tour in February 2023 to escape the cold winters of New York City. It was my first time traveling with Lost in Australia, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. You meet so many interesting people along the way, and the small group size made it feel intimate and relaxed. It wasn’t one of those huge tours where you feel like you’re just part of a crowd—there were about 12 of us, a mix of solo travelers and couples, all looking for adventure.
The accommodations were comfortable, and I opted for my own room since I’m in my mid-30s and past the hostel days. It was worth it to have my own space after days filled with exploring. The hotels were clean and well-located, making it easy to enjoy each destination.
Some of the highlights for me included sailing through the Whitsundays, where we snorkeled in pristine waters and relaxed on Whitehaven Beach. Seeing wild dingos on Fraser Island was also incredible—it felt like a truly wild part of Australia. Another unforgettable day was spent snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, where I spotted turtles and so much marine life. Cape Tribulation was another standout, with its lush rainforest and scenic views. I even got to cuddle a koala on Magnetic Island, which was something I’d always dreamed of doing.
The meals included were fantastic, with plenty of variety and options for everyone. We had some travelers with dietary restrictions, and they were always accommodated without a problem. Personally, I loved the local food, especially in places like Airlie Beach and Byron Bay, where the fresh seafood was unbeatable.
The guides were a huge part of what made this trip so special. Our guide was not only knowledgeable about every place we visited but also had a great sense of humor and kept the group entertained the whole time. He was super attentive, making sure everyone was having the best possible experience. We spent a lot of time laughing, sharing stories, and learning about the local culture and history.
I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to explore Australia’s East Coast. By the end, I felt like I’d made lifelong friends and memories. The Greyhound buses made getting from place to place easy, and I never had to worry about a thing—everything was planned out perfectly. I could have kept traveling forever!
“Best trip ever”
This trip really shows you the best of Australia’s East Coast, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
“Would definitely recommend”
What an unforgettable tour! From the waterfalls in Atherton Tablelands to snorkeling at the reef, every stop was stunning. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the Greyhound bus rides, but they were smooth and hassle-free, which made it all so easy.
“Done and done”
Went to all the places we wanted to see. The Greyhound buses were super convenient for getting from town to town, and everything was well organized. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to make the most of their time in Australia.
“exceeded all of our expectations”
My partner and I recently completed a 20-day group trip along Australia’s East Coast with Lost in Australia, and it was an unforgettable adventure from start to finish. From the lush rainforests of Cape Tribulation to the pristine beaches of Fraser Island, each stop was filled with unique experiences.
“aussie experience”
This trip was a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and new friendships. cheers from USA
“plenty of adventure”
Fraser Island, with its 75-mile beach, was absolutely breathtaking, and seeing dingos in the wild was a rare treat. Overall, it was such a well-rounded experience—plenty of adventure
“good time ”
The Lost in Australia staff were very kind. They help me when I make a mistake with my booking. I enjoy the trip very much, especially Fraser Island and the snorkel. The guides were also very good, they explain things in easy English for everyone.
“Couldn't have done it better myself”
Couldn't have done it better myself. Great value for money and much better than some of the bigger companies. Great experience!
“incroyable”
Ce voyage a été absolument incroyable. Nous avons nagé dans les cascades des Tablelands et exploré des endroits fantastiques comme Fraser Island. Le guide était génial et nous avons vu des dingos en liberté, ce qui était incroyable. Le trajet en bus Greyhound a rendu tout très simple, donc aucun stress pour aller d’un endroit à un autre. Très bon équilibre entre aventures et moments de détente.
“reat experience!”
Fantastic trip and thoroughly enjoyed by all - Seeing dingos on Fraser Island was such a highlight, and the sailing trip around the Whitsundays was simply stunning. thanks again!
“great memories to take home”
The Great Barrier Reef was more beautiful than I imagined, and I’ll never forget the thrill of seeing dingos roaming on Fraser Island. Thanks Lost In Australia for being so flexible and accommodating. Big shout out to our incredible guides.
“epic epic epic”
I loved this trip so much! We had a packed schedule. It was a packed schedule but we never felt like we needed more time. Great value for money.
“Great holiday”
They pack so much into this 20-day tour, but it never felt overwhelming or rushed. Every stop had plenty of time to explore and really enjoy the location. Starting off in the Atherton Tablelands, we swam in some amazing waterfalls, and the weather was perfect for the entire trip! From snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef to sailing the Whitsundays, the views were incredible everywhere we went. We also got to cuddle koalas on Magnetic Island and had a great time kayaking with dolphins in Byron Bay.
The Greyhound buses made traveling between towns super easy, and everything was booked ahead of time so we didn’t have to worry about it. My absolute favorite part was the few days we spent on Fraser Island, where we saw wild dingos and swam in freshwater lakes—it was unreal. The guide was really energetic, kept things moving at a good pace, and made sure everyone was having the best time. I met so many awesome people from all over the world on this trip, and it was the perfect mix of adventure and downtime. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone looking to see the best of Australia’s East Coast!”
“unreal”
Easy to book and Lost In Australia helped us add in a couple of other stops along the way. Swimming in waterfalls, sailing through the Whitsundays, and snorkeling with turtles were all unreal experiences. The best part was that the whole trip was super laid-back, and I never felt rushed.
“Easy and great”
The highlights for me were definitely snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and spending a few days exploring Magnetic Island. The mix of activities was perfect. Was not sure about using greyhound between towns but it turned out to be easy to do and a great way to move along the east coast.
“perfect way to see so much”
From the tropical rainforests in Cape Tribulation to the sandy shores of Fraser Island, I feel like I saw every side of Australia’s East Coast. Even the long bus rides were relaxing, thanks to the pre-arranged Greyhound tickets. This was the perfect way to see so much in just a few weeks.
“Thanks LIA!”
Enjoy the independent style travelling this package provided. The bus rides in between were super comfortable, and I actually enjoyed the downtime to relax between activities. I never felt like I was missing out on anything, and every day brought something new and exciting.
“perfect”
The itinerary was so well thought out. We had plenty of time at each location without feeling rushed. Fraser Island was a dream.
“Such good experience! ”
The places we visit were all amazing, and the guides so nice and fun. I thought the price was really good for what we got, and the hotels were very comfortable. Snorkeling at Great Barrier Reef is something I will never forget.
“We loved every minute.”
This tour was the best way to experience the East Coast. The Great Barrier Reef snorkeling was hands down my favorite day. We loved every minute.
