Day 1 : Travel Day: Byron Bay (via Gold Coast & Brisbane) - Noosa or Rainbow Beach
MEET: at the main bus stop on Jonson St, Wake Up or Arts Factory hostel (please confirm in advance). We cruise up to the New South Wales/Queensland border and hop out at Danger Point to stretch our legs and check out the view of one of Australia’s best surf spots Snapper Rocks. We then drive into Surfers Paradise, you may want to get off here to experience the sun, sand, tans and high-rises of Australia’s most developed beach area. We drive through Brisbane (pick up and drop off travellers in the city centre) then travel on to the upmarket beach resort town of Noosa. Hop off here or continue onto Rainbow Beach for the night. Rainbow Beach and Noosa are both departure points for Fraser Island (a backpacker must-do). At Rainbow Beach we take a walk up to Carlo Sand Blow for sunset. SLEEP: Your choice of Noosa or Rainbow Beach accom, you can book via the Stray Mate app.
Meals :None
Day 2 : Travel Day: Rainbow Beach (via Noosa) — Emu Park
MEET: outside Dingos/Frasers at Rainbow Beach, or outside Nomads at Noosa We hop in our bus in Rainbow Beach and head back to Noosa, before picking up some more Stray travellers and driving to Cooroy to start our first train journey. We travel to Rockhampton then get met by a private bus, which takes us to Emus Beach Resort. We get welcomed onto the resort and find out more about our options for the next day or so. We have an awesome Stray Treasure Island option, which includes accommodation, return ferry transfers to Great Keppel Island, activities, Bluff Point Turtle Walk, and evening meal on the second day; or you can choose to just pay for your bed only and do your own thing. SLEEP: at Emus Beach resort.
Meals :None
Day 3 : Travel Day/Night: Emu Park— OVERNIGHT TRAIN — Airlie Beach
MEET: At Emus Beach Resort For those that have the Treasure Island package we depart early to head to the tropical paradise Great Keppel Island at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. Relax or have a go at snorkeling or kayaking (extra cost) before exploring the island. We head back to the mainland late afternoon with a quick stop to go on a walk to Bluff Point. Have dinner at Emus Beach Resort before we catch the train in the evening and travel overnight to Airlie Beach – the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. We grab some breakfast when we arrive and your guide will give you a brief walking orientation tour of Airlie. Note: Depending which day you depart Noosa/Rainbow you may have an extra day at Emu Park and you can choose to spend your 2nd night on Great Keppel Island. If bad weather you can also choose to visit the local crocodile farm (additional cost). SLEEP: Overnight train (price included), then your choice of Airlie accom.
Meals :None
Day 4 : Travel Day: Airlie Beach (via Townsville) — Magnetic Island
MEET: outside Base Backpackers We start early with a local bus to the train, a ferry out to beautiful ‘Maggie Island’, and a local transfer to the accommodation. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your guide will join you on a walk around the Island; otherwise you can do more exploring or just relax by the pool. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day to spend on Magnetic Island. SLEEP: YHA Bungalow Bay or your choice of Magnetic Island accom.
Meals :None
Day 5 : Travel Day: Magnetic Island (via Townsville) — Tully
MEET: at YHA Bungalow Bay reception or at the ferry terminal (please confirm). We travel back to the mainland on the ferry, travel by train to Tully – getting in at around lunchtime. You have the option of taking part in Stray’s exclusive Rainforest Experience for the special price of $120. For those keen to camp, we travel by bus into the amazing rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. Cool off with a swim in a beautiful swimming hole, before a BBQ dinner and stories around the campfire. SLEEP: Rainforest Experience.
Meals :None
Day 6 : Travel Day: Tully – Cairns
MEET: Tully Train Station We wake early at our rainforest camp for breakfast and then have an interpretative walk through the forest, learning about the traditional indigenous usage of the land. We then head back to Tully and jump on the train to our final destination, Cairns. We arrive late afternoon, then get ready to party tonight to celebrate and farewell the end of your East Coast adventure. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day/night to spend in Tully before heading to Cairns, we recommend doing one of the famous Tully rafting trips or going skydiving at Mission Beach on this day. SLEEP: Your choice of Cairns accom, you can book via the Stray Mate app.
Meals :None