Joey Travel Joey 11 Day Premium Package

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Brisbane, Byron Bay, Noosa, K'gari and back on the Joey bus — surf lessons, Sunshine Coast hinterland waterfalls and a two night K'gari (Fraser Island) trip, staying in a beach house. The classic east coast loop done right.

Days

11 days

Start / finish

Brisbane / Brisbane

Return

See itinerary for details

Tour style

Bus pass with your hostels, a surf lesson, a hinterland waterfalls trip and a K'gari trip booked for you. You travel between stops on the Joey bus

Accommodation

Backpacker hostels in Byron Bay and Noosa
Beach house on K'gari for two nights

Transport

Joey bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay and Noosa, and back

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Joey Travel Joey 11 Day Premium Package

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Included experiences

Byron Bay — surf lesson, cafes, markets and beaches
Sunshine Coast hinterland — waterfalls, rainforest and swimming holes
K'gari — Lake McKenzie swim
K'gari — 75 Mile Beach and rainforest growing out of sand
Noosa — national park and beach town

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: BRISBANE TO BYRON BAY

Your trip starts in central Brisbane, the river city where the Story Bridge has carried traffic since 1940. The Joey bus leaves in the early afternoon and runs south for about three hours, past the Gold Coast and over the border into New South Wales, where clocks go forward an hour in summer. By late afternoon you're in Byron Bay, beside Cape Byron, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland. Check in at WakeUp Byron Bay, your hostel for three nights, and head out for a first evening in town.

Overnight: Byron Bay (WakeUp Byron Bay)

DAYS 2 AND 3: SURF LESSON AND FREE TIME IN BYRON BAY

Day 2 is your surf lesson, in the gentle beach breaks inside the bay, where Cape Byron shelters the sand from the big southerly swells. Wipe-outs are part of the deal. Day 3 is free. Walk the 3.7 km loop over the headland to the Cape Byron Lighthouse, lit in 1901 and still the most powerful lighthouse in Australia, and watch for dolphins below, and humpback whales between June and November. Browse the markets, swim at the main beach, or head to the Byron Arts and Industry Estate, where makers, cafés and breweries fill the warehouses on the edge of town.

Overnight: Byron Bay (WakeUp Byron Bay)

DAY 4: BYRON BAY TO NOOSA

A morning bus takes you north through the Gold Coast and Brisbane and up the Sunshine Coast to Noosa, arriving mid-afternoon. The whole shire is part of the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, listed by UNESCO in 2007 for the way the town has kept its rivers, lakes and bush intact. Check in at Bounce Noosa, your base for four nights, then wander along Hastings Street, the low-rise strip of restaurants and bars between the river and Main Beach, one of the few north-facing beaches on Australia's east coast.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 5: A FREE DAY IN NOOSA

The coastal track through Noosa National Park runs around the headland past surf breaks like Tea Tree Bay, with koalas often seen in the gum trees beside the path and dolphins and turtles off the rocks. If it's a Wednesday or Saturday, the Eumundi Markets, running since 1979, are a short bus ride inland. Or kayak the Noosa Everglades, a maze of tea-tree-stained water in the upper Noosa River where the reflections are so still the locals call it the river of mirrors.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 6: BUDERIM FALLS

After a lazy morning you're picked up from Bounce around midday for the hinterland. Buderim Falls, also called Serenity Falls, drops over a rock ledge on Martins Creek in Buderim Forest Park, a pocket of rainforest that survives on the edge of the Sunshine Coast suburbs. Swim in the rock pools, sit under the falling water, and look for the piccabeen palms and big strangler figs along the creek. On the way back the trip calls in at the Peregian Beach Hotel for a free drink (food and more drinks at your own cost), and you're back in Noosa by early evening.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 7: NOOSA AT YOUR OWN PACE

Another free day. Surf Main Beach or Tea Tree Bay, walk out to Hell's Gates, the cleft in the national park cliffs where the swell surges through, or settle into a café on Hastings Street. Before bed, pack for the island: a small bag for two nights is all you need.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 8: NOOSA TO K'GARI

Today you head for K'gari (Fraser Island) with a guide from Drop Bears. At 123 km long it is the largest sand island on earth, World Heritage-listed since 1992, and the Butchulla people have lived on it for thousands of years. Their connection to the island runs through the day: your guide shows you how to throw a boomerang and gives a didgeridoo demonstration. Tonight there's no tent to pitch. You sleep in beach house style accommodation, with your meals on the island included.

Overnight: K'gari (beach house)

DAY 9: LAKES, CREEKS AND 75 MILE BEACH

A full day on the island, in an order set by the tides. Swim in Lake McKenzie, a "perched" lake of rainwater sitting on white silica sand, so clear you can see the bottom metres out. Float down Eli Creek, which pushes millions of litres of fresh water across the beach every hour. On 75 Mile Beach, the island's sand highway, stop at the Maheno, a First World War hospital ship that a cyclone drove ashore in 1935 while she was under tow to the scrapyard. At the Champagne Pools by Indian Head the waves foam over a rock wall into sheltered pools where you can swim safely.

Overnight: K'gari (beach house)

DAY 10: K'GARI TO NOOSA

A last morning on the sand, then your Drop Bears guide drives you back to Bounce Noosa for a final night on the coast.

Overnight: Noosa (Bounce Noosa)

DAY 11: NOOSA TO BRISBANE

The mid-morning Joey bus takes you south. On a clear day look inland for the Glass House Mountains, the volcanic plugs James Cook named in 1770 after the glass furnaces of his native Yorkshire. You're back in Brisbane around lunchtime, where the trip ends.

Map

Good to know

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

What is included

Joey bus from Brisbane to Byron Bay, Noosa and back
Surf lesson in Byron Bay
Sunshine Coast hinterland waterfalls trip
3 day, 2 night K'gari trip with a beach house stay
Backpacker hostel stays in Byron Bay and Noosa

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.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 1 review

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

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. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

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.

(5/5)

I did the 11-day premium package, stopping at Byron Bay, Noosa and K'gari, and it was seamless from start to finish, with plenty of fun activities in each place plus free time to explore. A friendly, helpful team.

Timothy Johnston Verified· Travelled 10th September 2026

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