Ultimate East Coast Explorer Australia (7 Week)

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A 7 week fully guided group tour of Australia's east coast: the 6 Week East Coast Explorer Tour, with an extra 7 nights in Melbourne.

Days

50 days, 49 nights

Group size

Large group

Start / finish

Melbourne / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Hostels, 47 nights
2 nights on overnight buses

Transport

Coach and bus, with an ULTIMATE group leader

Meals

Some meals included

Route

Map of Ultimate East Coast Explorer Australia (7 Week)

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Included experiences

Great Ocean Road — day tour from Melbourne
Sydney — city tour, harbour catamaran cruise and Coogee to Bondi walk
Port Stephens — sandboarding, Mt Tomaree and dolphins
Byron Bay — lighthouse walk and surf lesson
K'gari (Fraser Island) — Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek and Champagne Pools
Whitsunday Islands — 2 nights sailing, Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
Great Barrier Reef — snorkel day trip
Atherton Tablelands — waterfalls tour

Ultimate East Coast Explorer Australia (7 Week)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAYS 1 TO 7: MELBOURNE AND THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

The trip starts at midday in Melbourne with a welcome dinner. Your group leader takes you through the city's laneways, where Hosier Lane is covered in ever-changing street art. Spend a day at St Kilda, where little penguins nest in the breakwater by the pier, and soak at the Peninsula Hot Springs on the Mornington Peninsula. The big day out is the Great Ocean Road, built by soldiers home from the First World War and the world's largest war memorial. It leads to the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks standing off the cliffs, Loch Ard Gorge, named after an 1878 shipwreck, and London Bridge, which lost its link to the mainland in 1990. On day 7 you take the train to Sydney.

Overnight: Melbourne, then Sydney

DAY 8: SYDNEY AND THE HARBOUR BY CATAMARAN

Day 8 is when the rest of the group joins you in Sydney. Your group leader walks you through the city, with lunch at Darling Harbour and a look at the Sydney Opera House, World Heritage-listed since 2007. Then a catamaran takes you out on the harbour, under the Harbour Bridge, whose steel arch has carried traffic since 1932. The harbour has more than 240 km of shoreline, full of hidden bays for a swim.

Overnight: Sydney

WEEK 2: PORT STEPHENS

The group heads north to Port Stephens and two nights in eco cabins five minutes' walk from the beach. A 4WD carries you onto the Stockton Bight dunes, the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere at 32 km long, inside the Worimi Conservation Lands, owned by the Worimi people. Grab a board and sandboard down the slopes. Hike to the summit of Mt Tomaree, 161 metres above the bay, for views along the coast. Then cruise the bay, home to about 90 resident bottlenose dolphins, before heading back to Sydney.

Overnight: Port Stephens (eco cabins, 2 nights), then Sydney

WEEK 2: COOGEE TO BONDI AND NORTH

Back in the city, walk the 6 km coastal path from Coogee to Bondi, past sandstone cliffs and ocean pools, and spend the afternoon on Bondi's famous crescent of sand. Then there's a party night with the group. Your leader can help you add a Blue Mountains trip or a Harbour Bridge climb, both at extra cost. At the end of the week you board the coach north.

Overnight: Sydney, then the coach to Byron Bay

WEEK 3: BYRON BAY AND SURFERS PARADISE

Ride the overnight coach north and wake up on the far north coast of New South Wales in Byron Bay. Here Cape Byron is the most easterly point of mainland Australia, and its white lighthouse has been shining since 1901. Walk the lighthouse track at sunrise and watch for dolphins in the swell below, and from June to November humpback whales passing on their migration. Your two-hour beginner surf lesson is on the town's gentle beach breaks, and there's a private yoga session too. The rest is beach time, markets and evenings in town. Then it's up the coast to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, named after a hotel built in 1925, for beach days and nights out with your group.

Overnight: Byron Bay, then Surfers Paradise

WEEK 4: BRISBANE, NOOSA AND RAINBOW BEACH

In Brisbane, walk South Bank, the riverside parklands built on the site of the 1988 World Expo, and swim at Streets Beach, a lagoon with real sand in the middle of the city. Noosa follows, with the headland walk through Noosa National Park, where koalas sleep in the gum trees and dolphins and turtles cruise the bays below. At Rainbow Beach, named for its cliffs of coloured sand, you walk up the Carlo Sand Blow, a dune of about 15 hectares above the ocean.

Overnight: Brisbane, Noosa, then Rainbow Beach

WEEK 5: K'GARI AND ON TO AIRLIE BEACH

Three days and two nights camping on K'gari (Fraser Island), with all meals included. At 123 km long it is the largest sand island on earth, World Heritage-listed since 1992, and the 4WD runs along 75 Mile Beach as its highway. Swim in Lake McKenzie, rainwater perched on white silica sand, float down Eli Creek, which pours up to 80 million litres of fresh water a day across the beach, and see the rusting hull of the Maheno, driven ashore by a cyclone in 1935. Then it's north to Airlie Beach.

Overnight: K'gari (beachside camp, 2 nights), then Airlie Beach

WEEK 6: THE WHITSUNDAYS AND MAGNETIC ISLAND

Two days and two nights sailing the Whitsunday Islands, 74 islands named by Captain Cook in 1770, with snorkelling stops and a landing on Whitehaven Beach, 7 km of silica sand so pure it squeaks underfoot. From Hill Inlet lookout, watch the tide swirl sand and sea into new patterns. After a couple of days in Airlie Beach, head to Magnetic Island, where the Forts Walk climbs to gun emplacements built in 1942 and 1943 and wild koalas doze in the gums. Hiring a topless jeep is an extra.

Overnight: 2 nights on board, Airlie Beach, then Magnetic Island

WEEK 7: MISSION BEACH AND CAIRNS

Mission Beach is 14 km of beach backed by rainforest, one of the last strongholds of the southern cassowary. Then five nights in Cairns. One full day goes out to snorkel the outer Great Barrier Reef, more than 2,300 km long and home to around 1,500 kinds of fish. Another climbs to the waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands, the cool volcanic plateau behind the city. Swim at the Esplanade Lagoon between trips, and finish with a farewell night out. The tour ends at 10am on the last day.

Overnight: Mission Beach, then Cairns (5 nights)

Map

Good to know

Fitness: Moderate.
Please note: Your itinerary and group chat are in the ULTIMATE Travel App; login details are emailed a week before the tour starts.

What is included

47 nights' accommodation and 2 overnight buses
ULTIMATE group leader
All tour transport
Melbourne City Tour and the Great Ocean Road
Sydney City Tour and Sydney Harbour catamaran cruise
Port Stephens trip: sandboarding, Mt Tomaree hike and dolphin cruise
Byron Bay surf lesson
Surfers Paradise beach and city tour
K'gari (Fraser Island) trip
2 day, 2 night Whitsunday Island sailing
1 day Great Barrier Reef snorkel trip
1 day Atherton Tablelands waterfalls tour
Some meals

Not included

Optional activities

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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 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 carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

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.

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, try to book 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 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.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share 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. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.