21 Days Cairns to Brisbane Explorer
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.
- 3 Days Whitsunday Sailing
- 3 Days Fraser Island
- 4 Days Magnetic Island
- 1 Day Cape Tribulation
- 1 Day Great Barrier Reef
- 2 Nights in Cairns
- 2 Nights in Noosa Heads
- 3 Nights in Airlie Beach
- 3 Nights on Magnet Island
- 2 Nights in Rainbow Beach
- Greyhound Bus Passes
- Experienced & Knowledge Guides
- Meals & Equipment
- Taxes & Fees
- Trip length:
- 21 Days
- Group size:
- Max 21
- Start:
- Cairns
- End:
- Brisbane
- Vehicle:
- Bus, Boat, 4x4, Ferry
- Sleep:
- Hostel, Boat, Camping
- Physical Demand:
- Comfortlevel:
Itinerary
How it works:
Our incredible east coast packages are made up of a combination of various tours, accommodation and bus routes. You'll be travelling independently between each town using our amazing greyhound bus network that we'll book and organise for you.
We plan out your entire trip to help you save money and time and take away the fuss of making sure everything fits together seamlessly.
We'll be staying in some of Australia's best hostels and exploring iconic destinations such as Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef with amazing guides and other likeminded travellers. No time is wasted and every dollar goes towards maximising your experience!
Day 1: Welcome to Cairns!
Kick off your East Coast adventure in sunny Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Check in to your centrally located hostel and spend the day exploring the vibrant town, filled with bars, cafes, and shops. Settle in and enjoy your first evening, perhaps with a drink in the hostel's bar.
Accommodation: Cairns Hostel
Day 2: Full Day Great Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
Get ready for a day of exploration as you set sail on a modern vessel to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. Starting at 7am, dive into the marine wonderland, where you can snorkel among colorful fish, coral reefs, sea turtles, and reef sharks. Enjoy a healthy lunch aboard the boat, recharging for more reef adventures.
Activities: 1 Day Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
Accommodation: Cairns Hostel
Day 3: Full Day Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour
Today starting at 7am, you’ll visit the spectacular Atherton Tablelands, where you’ll explore lush rainforests and visit the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. Swim in refreshing waters and visit other hidden gems like Josephine Falls and Lake Eacham.
Activities: 1 Day Atherton Tablelands Tour
Accommodation: Cairns Hostel
Day 4: Free Day in Cairns
Take this day at your own pace. Whether you want to relax by the lagoon, explore the town, or embark on an optional tour to Cape Tribulation, today is yours to enjoy.
Accommodation: Cairns Hostel
Optional Activities: Cape Tribulation day tour
Day 5-7: Discover Magnetic Island
Head south to Townsville at 7am arriving at 1pm, then take a ferry to Magnetic Island. Spend your time relaxing on secluded beaches, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and indulging in the island’s nightlife. For a unique experience, you can visit the local Koala Wildlife Centre for breakfast with koalas.
Accommodation: Hostel on Magnetic Island
Optional Activities: Breakfast with Koalas
Day 8-9: Explore Airlie Beach
Back on the mainland at 7am, head to Airlie Beach arriving at around 11am. After checking into your hostel, spend your free day as you wish—whether it’s hiking, sunbathing by the lagoon, or taking a scenic flight over the Heart Reef.
Accommodation: Airlie Beach Hostel
Optional Activities:
- Scenic flight over Heart Reef
Day 10-12: 3 Days Whitsundays Sailing Tour
Day 1
Embark on a sailing adventure to one of the Whitsundays' most picturesque islands. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and discover the wonders of snorkeling and scuba diving. As you sail to your first sleeping location in the protected waters of Whitsunday Island, unwind on the deck with a refreshing beer or wine and savor a freshly cooked dinner sourced locally.
Day 2
Rise and shine to a freshly cooked breakfast. Today's activities will depend on the weather and tides. You can look forward to two additional snorkeling sessions at different beautiful locations around the islands, or opt for a quick 10-minute bush walk to Hill Inlet lookout. Capture the breathtaking view and take a leisurely stroll to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach. Indulge in a fully catered lunch and dinner during the day.
Day 3
Beach Wake up early once again to enjoy breakfast and make the most of your final day in the Whitsundays. Spend more time exploring the beaches and snorkeling spots before heading back to Airlie Beach in the late afternoon. You'll have another night's stay at Nomads and can look forward to an epic after-party with your newfound friends.
Activites: 3 Day Whitsunday Sailing Tour
Food: All Means
Accommodation: Shared Cabin
Day 13: Travel to Rainbow Beach
Hop on an overnight bus at 5:30pm and travel from Airlie Beach to Rainbow Beach. Rest and recharge as you prepare for more adventures on the coast.
Accommodation: Overnight bus to Rainbow Beach
Day 14-15: Free Days in Rainbow Beach
Arrive in Rainbow Beach at 8:30am and check into your hostel.. Explore the local beaches, go for a hike, or opt for a surf lesson or dolphin kayak tour.
Accommodation: Hostel in central Rainbow Beach
Optional Activities:
- Surf lesson
- Dolphin kayak tour
Day 16-18: 3 Day Fraser Island Tour
Today at 7am we start our K’gari (Fraser Island) 3-day adventure.
Day 1: Depart Rainbow Beach
Once you have arrived on the world's largest sand island, drive for 1 hour to the Eurong Beach Resort along 75 Mile Beach - K'gari's (Fraser Island) own highway with speed limits! There, you can grab a coffee and chocolate croissant (at your own cost) for morning tea. From here, the adventure really begins as we drive to the famous Lake McKenzie, one of the most popular and picturesque highlights of K'gari (Fraser Island). We stop for lunch and time to swim and relax in the amazingly clear lake waters before driving up the beach to your campsite around 3:00 pm. Settle in for an early dinner, well-deserved drinks and plenty of fun!
Day 2: K'gari (Fraser Island)
The day begins with a quick breakfast to fuel your busiest day on K'gari (Fraser Island)! First stop is Eli Creek, a beautifully clear creek perfect for a relaxing swim. Travelling north, stop at Maheno Shipwreck for a photo opportunity and a short history lesson about this famous K'gari (Fraser Island) icon before continuing on past Indian Head to the stunning Champagne Pools for a dip. Lunch is served at either Maheno Shipwreck or Champagne Pools on Day 2, depending on time constraints, safety and beauty. In the afternoon, travel back to camp for dinner and drinks.
Day 3: Return to Rainbow Beach
Start with breakfast before cleaning and disassembling your campsite. Once packed up, you'll drive to the beginning of the Lake Wabby walk where you'll stride through the dunes to find a tropical paradise! Lunch follows your trip to Lake Wabby before you begin the drive down the beach and back to the barge. Once arrived on the mainland, head to the 4WD shed where you can unpack and quickly clean the cars. You will return to your hostel between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Activities: 3 Day K'gari (Fraser Island) Tour
Food: All Meals
Accommodation:
Day 12 & 12 - K'gari campsite
Day 14 - Hostel in Noosa
Day 19-20: Sunny Days in Noosa
At 8:30am, travel from Rainbow Beach to Noosa, where you’ll experience the beauty of the Sunshine Coast. Spend your days lounging on the beach, hiking coastal trails, or exploring the vibrant town. For a unique experience, you can book a Noosa Everglades kayak tour.
Accommodation: Hostel in central Noosa
Optional Activities:
- Noosa Everglades kayak tour
Day 21: Travel to Brisbane
Enjoy a final morning coffee or swim before heading southwards to Brisbane at 10am arriving 12pm. With its dazzling lights and vibrant scene, Brisbane is the perfect place to wrap up your 21-day East Coast adventure.
Accommodation: Optional post-tour stay
What to bring
CLOTHING
- Comfortable hiking/walking shoes
- Warm jacket and long pants
- Long Sleeve shirt for protection from the Sun and Mosquitoes
- Shorts and T Shirts for daytime hikes and walks
- Swimwear
- Hat and sunglasses
EQUIPMENT / OTHER
- Sunscreen
- Towel & toiletries
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle
- Mp3 Player / iPod
- Chargers
- Torch
- Camera
What is included
Included Activities
- 2-day, 2-night Whitsundays Sailing Trip
- 3-day, 2-night K'gari Camping Safari
- Great Barrier Reef Intro Dive Tour
- Cairns Waterfall Day Tour
Extras
- Luggage Storage in Airlie Beach
- Return Ferry from Townsville to Magnetic Island
Accommodation
- 3 nights on Magnetic Island
- 4 nights in Cairns (hostel)
- 3 nights in Airlie Beach (hostel)
- 2 nights on Whitsunday Islands (sailing cabin)
- 2 nights camping on K'gari (Fraser Island)
- 2 nights in Rainbow Beach (hostel)
- 2 nights in Noosa (hostel)
- 2 nights on an overnight bus
Transport
- All Greyhound Bus Passes from Cairns to Brisbane
Meals
- Meals provided during your tours
Trip Info
Preparing for the trip
Where can I get more information about this trip?
If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.
What should I pack?
Depending on where in Australia you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.
What immunisations do I need?
For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.
Do I need to take any medical supplies?
It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour will carry an first aid box and our guides are all certified in First Aid.
How much luggage can I bring along the East Coast?
You can bring is much as luggage as you like. However, during each tour on the east coast, whether its a 2 day Fraser tour or a 3 Day Whitsunday tour, there will be luggage restrictions - generally to around 10-15kg per person. In these scenarios, you'll be able to leave the bulk of your luggage at your hostel/hotel whilst you're on tour.
Where can I store my luggage whilst on tour?
During the tour your main luggage will be stored in our trailer. This trailer is always locked however we cannot guarantee the complete safety of your gear from theft or damage. This is why it is so important to purchase a good travel insurance.
If you need to store your luggage whilst away on tour, this can be done through your accommodation. Most hostel and hotels will store your luggage safely free of charge.
Where can I do laundry?
Each hostel and hotel we book you into will have laundry facilities you can use.
Do I need travel insurance?
Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended.
Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.
Private tours and families
Is it possible to travel in a private group?
Definitely! Just choose an existing itinerary or destination and contact us we can help you arrange the trip as a private tour.
If your looking for a customised itinerary we can tailor make a tour to suit your requirement.
Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip. Our team can help you decide on destinations best suits your needs and give you additional information on the best time to visit, cultural expectations, weather conditions and so fourth.
Booking the trip
Do I have to book this tour online?
Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.
If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?
Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.
Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.
How do I know when a tour is available?
You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.
Can I just do a section of this tour and not the whole trip?
Unfortunately it is not possible to only do a part of the tour. Passengers generally need to stay with the tour from start to finish.
However, drop off locations at the end of the tour made me negotiated.
Does the tour price include flights?
No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself.
If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!
How far in advance do I need to book my tour?
As a rule of thumb we generally say AT LEAST 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible.
Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.
How do I know what date this package is available?
Since these packages are made up of a wide variety of different hotels, tours and transport we need to check that all these things are available one after another from the starting date you need. Although our calendar says that you can go any day you like, please contact us directly so that we can piece it all together for you and reconfirm that everything is ok.
Who travels with us
Is this tour for me?
Our tours are made up of small groups with a range of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds. Generally people who travel with us are between 20 and 45, though we also get alot passengers much older onboard - everyone is welcome! On tour we get equally as many males as females and everyone shares an enthusiasm for the out doors, nature, adventure and culture.
Our tours are for those wanting to really explore Australia and share the experience with likeminded travellers. Whether we are camping by a billabong in Kakadu National Park or sharing a cabin in Tasmania, our travellers want more than just a site seeing tour. They are chasing a hands on group experience.
The trips are packed with many highlights and the pace can be fast. There may be some long drives and passengers should expect to help out when setting up camp or cooking food - this is a group adventure. However, there’s always time to chill out, have a cold beer ( or wine! ) and soak up your surroundings.
As always, if in doubt then contact us directly with your concerns.
What type of groups go on these tours?
Onboard our tours there are usually around 5 - 24 people ( depending on the tour and destination ). Lost In Australia's travellers want to explore the country and develop a real sense for the land, nature and its people. We travel in small groups which allows us to get from destination to destination quickly and effortlessly whilst being flexible and free!
Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?
We have many travellers jumping onboard our tours by themselves. Those travelling by themselves are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that will last a life time.
Those who do travel by themselves will probably be sharing a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room, you won't be charged extra. For camping tours, generally there are enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.
For more information please contact us directly.
How many people will be on tour?
Group sizes vary from tour to tour. You can find the size of your group by checking out information at the top right hand corner of the tour page. Group sizes range of 5 - 24 people.
Is there an age limit?
We get a large range of travellers from all over the world and from a very large age range. We get people of all ages joining these trips; generally our travellers vary between 21 - 45 though we also get many happy travellers in their 60s and 70s. Some tours however have a restriction on children under the age of 16 - 18. This will depend on the destination so please email us for more info.
Cost and Fees
Are there any additional costs?
Whilst you are on the various tours we book for you, you do not need to pay anything extra. All food, accommodation, transport and equipmenet will be provided for you. When you are not on a tour, the only additional costs you need prepare for is food and drink. Accommodation and transport along the east coast will be covered for.
Do I need to tip our guide?
If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip the guide, then that is completely up to you. However, tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.
Whilst on tour
Where do we stay during our journey?
During our tours we stay in a wide variety of different styles of accommodation. All accommodation are run my friendly and hospitable locals who's job it is to make sure you enjoy your stay. Acommodation varies between hostels, hotels, camping to sleeping on boats! So please check your itinerary for exact details.For those who'd like more privacy, we may be able to upgrade to twin or double rooms with private facilities. Just ask!
What will the food be like?
Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied on these tours. If you are vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, please discuss this at time of booking. For breakfast we supply cereals, fruits, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-serve picnic sandwich and salads; in the evening we have a cooked dinner - This can vary between pastas, bbqs, rices and other hearty food to keep you energized! We always carry water in the vehicle and you will often have the chance to buy your own drinks, ice-creams etc at stops. Please refer to each individual tour/package to establish which meals are included.
Can you cater of special diets?
We can certain cater for most dietary needs. Please advise us at the time of your booking so arrangements can be made. For travellers with more extreme diets we may ask that you bring along additional snacks.
Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?
Definitely - We know Australia inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations.
What vehicle will we use to explore?
We will be using everything from trains to boats, to buses and in some cases, even a horse! For more specific information on what transportation you'll be on please refer back to your itinerary. Whatever it is though, it will be lots of fun.
What is the weather like on the east coast?
The east coast of Australia is an extremely long piece of coastline and it traverses very different weather patterns, from the temperate south in Sydney to the tropical north in Cairns. Irrespective of the season, In summer, if you are travelling between Sydney and Cairns, you are probably going to either experience wetter more humid weather nearer Cairns. In winter months, clear and dry conditions near cairns and cooler and wetter weather nearer Sydney.
Will I travel with the same people the whole time?
No. This itinerary is made up of various different tours and accommodation. You may run into the same people as you travel along the east coast, however, each tour will have new people who will likely be moving to different cities and destinations after their trip.
How do I travel between destinations?
All destinations such as Noosa Head, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Brisbane etc are connected together using the greyhound bus network. We'll book all your passes for you and provide you with the meeting locations and times. These will be in coordination with your tours and accommodation so that its easy for you to meet each bus to get to your next destination.
What happens if I miss the bus?
If you miss your bus please contact us immediately via phone or email. We'll need to try and push back your other tours and accommodation that we can not gaurantee that this is possible. In most cases, if you miss your bus you may end up missing out on the next tour that we planned for you.
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