Joey Travel Joey 11 Day Package

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Byron Bay, Noosa and K'gari made easy: a fully connected journey from Brisbane on the Joey hop-on hop-off bus, with transport, stays and activities sorted.

Days

11 days

Start / finish

Brisbane / Brisbane

Return

See itinerary for details

Tour style

Hop-on hop-off bus pass with your hostels, a surf lesson and a K'gari camping trip booked for you. You travel between stops on the Joey bus

Accommodation

Backpacker hostels in Byron Bay, Noosa and Rainbow Beach
Camping in an enclosed campsite on K'gari

Transport

Joey hop-on hop-off bus from Brisbane and back

Meals

Food included on the K'gari camping trip; no other meals are listed

Route

View map

Included experiences

Byron Bay — surf lesson, beaches and the lighthouse
Noosa — national park walks and Hastings Street
Rainbow Beach
K'gari — Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek
K'gari — Champagne Pools and the Maheno shipwreck

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: BRISBANE TO BYRON BAY

The trip starts on Albert Street in central Brisbane, where you board the JOEY bus at lunchtime. It's a small bus, 20 seats at most, full of people travelling the coast the same way you are. You head south past the towers of the Gold Coast and over the border into New South Wales, where in summer the clocks jump forward an hour because Queensland skips daylight saving. Late in the afternoon you roll into Byron Bay and check in at WakeUp Byron Bay, a short walk from Main Beach.

Overnight: Byron Bay (WakeUp Byron Bay)

DAY 2: SURF LESSON IN BYRON BAY

Today is your surf lesson. Byron's beaches face north and east around the curve of the cape, which gives gentle, rolling waves that suit beginners. Your instructor gets you standing up in the white water before you know it. The afternoon is free. Head into town for the cafés and shops along Jonson Street, or spend it on the sand watching the surfers you'll soon be joining.

Overnight: Byron Bay (WakeUp Byron Bay)

DAY 3: BYRON BAY AT YOUR OWN PACE

A free day, and the best use of it is the 3.7 km loop walk to Cape Byron, the most easterly point of mainland Australia. The lighthouse at the top has stood there since 1901. From the cliffs, watch for dolphins in the surf below, and between about June and October for humpback whales passing on their migration. Wind back down via Wategos Beach, one of the few beaches on the east coast where you can watch the sun set over the sea.

Overnight: Byron Bay (WakeUp Byron Bay)

DAY 4: BYRON BAY TO NOOSA

The JOEY bus heads north in the morning, back through the Gold Coast and Brisbane and up the Bruce Highway past the Glass House Mountains, volcanic plugs Captain Cook named in 1770. You reach Noosa in the afternoon, in time to drop your bag and walk down to the river or the beach. Noosa sits inside the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO in 2007.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAYS 5 AND 6: NOOSA

Two free days in Noosa. Walk the coastal track through Noosa National Park to Hell's Gates, a headland where koalas sit in the trees above the track and dolphins and turtles show up in the bays below. Swim at Main Beach, one of the few north-facing beaches on the east coast, sheltered enough for beginners, and eat on Hastings Street. Or paddle a kayak up the Noosa Everglades, the dark, still upper reaches of the Noosa River inside Great Sandy National Park. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the Eumundi Markets are a short ride inland.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 7: NOOSA TO RAINBOW BEACH

An afternoon ride north on the JOEY bus brings you to Rainbow Beach, a small town named for the cliffs of coloured sand along its shore. Check in at Freedom Rainbow Beach. If there's light left, walk up to the Carlo Sandblow, a 15-hectare dune on the cliff top with views across the water to the island you're heading for tomorrow.

Overnight: Rainbow Beach (Freedom Rainbow Beach)

DAY 8: ACROSS TO K'GARI

Your bags go into storage at the hostel and you join your 4WD tag-along tour, crossing by barge from Inskip Point to K'gari (Fraser Island). At 123 km long it's the largest sand island on earth, World Heritage-listed since 1992. The beach is the highway here. Head up 75 Mile Beach to the Maheno, a First World War hospital ship that a cyclone drove ashore in 1935 on its way to the scrapyard. At Champagne Pools the waves foam over a rock shelf into sheltered pools, the safest place on the island to swim in the sea. All meals are included on the island.

Overnight: K'gari (camping in an enclosed campsite)

DAY 9: LAKE MCKENZIE AND ELI CREEK

Today it's the island's fresh water. Lake McKenzie is a perched lake, pure rainwater sitting on white silica sand, so clear you can see the bottom metres out. Eli Creek pours up to 80 million litres of fresh water a day across the beach; walk upstream on the boardwalk and float back down. The order of stops can change with the tides. Evenings are around the campfire inside the dingo fence.

Overnight: K'gari (camping in an enclosed campsite)

DAY 10: K'GARI TO NOOSA

A last morning on the island, then the barge back to the mainland. The tour ends at Rainbow Beach, where you collect your bags and catch the evening JOEY bus south to Noosa for your final night.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 11: NOOSA TO BRISBANE

A morning bus takes you back down the coast to Albert Street in Brisbane, arriving around midday, where the trip ends. Plenty of travellers stay on in the city a night or two, or catch the train from Roma Street to the airport.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: 276D Albert St, Brisbane City; the trip finishes back in Brisbane.
Accommodation note: Nights are at three backpacker hostels — WakeUp! Byron Bay, Bounce Noosa and Freedom Rainbow Beach — and in an enclosed campsite on K'gari. All are social spots that make it easy to meet fellow travellers.

What is included

Joey hop-on hop-off bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay, Noosa, Rainbow Beach and back
Surf lesson in Byron Bay
Backpacker hostel stays in Byron Bay, Noosa and Rainbow Beach
K'gari camping trip, with food and camping accommodation

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.