New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
North Island
South Island

Sydney to Cairns Road Trip Itinerary | East Coast Reefs and Beaches Tour 

Cairns beach shorefront

Buckle up and get ready for an epic Australian adventure!

The open road beckons on this thrilling road trip from Sydney all the way to the tropical paradise of Cairns. Get set to soak up the sun and uncover hidden gems along the way on this epic 15 Day East Coast Reefs and Beaches Tour!

Perfect for solo travellers and for those travelling with friends, this trip is alongside a group of up to 20 other 18-35s from all over the world (plus your Ultimate East Coast Group Leader).

Over two weeks, you will travel over 2000km via plane, train and car! Between Sydney and Cairns, experience the very best of Australia's East Coast, including Byron Bay, Noosa, Noosa National Park, K'Gari (Fraser Island), Lake Mckenzie,  Airlie Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

So, pack your bags, roll down the windows, and let's hit the highway as we chase the sun from Sydney to Cairns! 

Sydney to Cairns Itinerary:

Days 1-3: Sydney

Welcome to Sydney! Spend your first three days in Sydney, experiencing its vibrant culture and surroundings. Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome dinner with fellow travellers and your tour guide.

On Day 2, explore Jervis Bay's stunning beaches, national parks, and wildlife on a full-day tour. Then day 3 offers a free day to discover Sydney at your own pace, with personalised suggestions from your guide, including iconic landmarks, optional city tours, or a visit to Taronga Zoo.

 Days 4-5: Sydney to Byron Bay

On Day 4, fly to Byron Bay, a laid-back town famous for its surf culture and vibrant music scene. Relax on the beach or explore by bike, and visit the Cape Byron Lighthouse for stunning views.

Next, Day 5 features a guided tour through Byron Bay's hinterland, showcasing the region's natural beauty, history, and cultural richness. Explore waterfalls, rainforests, and farmland before returning to Byron Bay for the evening.

Days 6-8: Byron Bay to Noosa

Travel from Byron Bay to Noosa on Day 6, enjoying a scenic 3-hour 30-minute drive through Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Explore Noosa's charming town, beaches, and national park.

On Day 7, embark on a captivating K'gari (Fraser Island) day trip, experiencing diverse landscapes and learning about its Aboriginal history.

Finally, day 8 offers a free day in Noosa to relax, visit the national park, or browse local shops before boarding an overnight train sleeper to Airlie Beach in the late afternoon.

Days 9-11: Noosa to Airlie Beach & Whitehaven

Arrive in Airlie Beach on Day 9 and enjoy leisure time exploring the town, markets, or lagoon, with optional activities like a Great Barrier Reef scenic flight. Day 10 takes you to the stunning Whitehaven Beach for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing, followed by a picnic lunch.

Your final day in Airlie Beach gives you another free day, with options to sail the Whitsunday Islands or relax poolside, culminating in a group dinner to celebrate your journey.

Days 12-15: Airlie Beach to Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

On Day 12, embark on a 12-hour scenic journey from Whitsundays to Cairns, with numerous stops to enjoy Queensland's breathtaking landscapes.

Then, on day 13, jump into a full-day snorkelling tour of the iconic Great Barrier Reef, complete with a buffet lunch on board. Spend a free day in Cairns on Day 14, exploring local attractions, before joining a farewell dinner with your fellow travellers.

Finally, Day 15 marks the end of your tour at 10am, leaving you free to extend your stay in Cairns or continue exploring Australia.

AUTHOR PROFILE
Chyna Hayden

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

Surf lesson east coast

Can Gold Coast cure my lack of surfing ability?

Alright guys it is time! Time for me to step up the game. After several attempts during a gorgy-teenage-surfing-summer-camp in France, some private lessons from a hot Ozzie boy at the tropical beaches of Brasil (free of charge for Blonde, Dutch girls, lucky me) it was time to give my surfing moves one last and […]

How to spend 2 days on Fraser Island!

With its rainforests, white sandy beaches, freshwater creeks and crystal clear lakes, it's not hard to understand why Fraser Island gained its world heritage listed status. Thousands of travellers descend upon the island each year to explore this natural, rugged, untapped paradise and this year I was lucky enough to be one of them. The […]

Tips for the female backpacker 

I shouldn't have to write a blog post separately just for the ladies, but unfortunately, there are differences between the two genders in the vast majority of cases. This is a short and sweet list of things I found that were especially helpful for me while I was travelling Asia. Keep toilet roll with you […]

3 Days on K'gari (Fraser Island) with Dropbear Adventures

I have visited quite a few islands during my travels recently. There's Phillip Island down in Victoria south of Melbourne, Rottnest Island in Western Australia outside of Perth, Magnetic Island in Queensland from Townsville, the Whitsunday Islands surrounding Airlie Beach… Each island has been amazing with its unique flair. There are remarkably over 8,200 Australian islands […]

Epic Ocean Adventures - 3 Hour Surf Lesson and 4WD Experience

Okay, it’s time to talk about surfing in Australia. On the outside, Australia is portrayed as a country with countless small beach towns where everyone that lives there wakes up and heads to the beach for a nice surf before starting their day. To be honest, this assumption is not far off. This is due […]

Snorkel & Dive the Great Barrier Reef with Reef Daytripper

The Great Barrier Reef is one of those highlights of Australia that I can’t imagine you would even fathom leaving this country without seeing for yourself. You learn about this magnificent reef in school, you see it featured in popular movies like Finding Nemo, and you dream about the day you get to jump off […]

Social Media

Accepted Payments

Members of

chevron-down