Melbourne to Cairns East Coast Essentials Tour Package – 19 Days

Below is an example calendar and written itinerary. However, your itinerary will depend on the availability of tours and accommodation from your start date.

One Stop Adventures will always endeavour to make sure you have the best itinerary and time possible.

Day 1 – Melbourne to Sydney 

Explore the city during the day before to catch a night bus to Sydney.

Day 2 – Sydney

Arrive in Sydney early in the morning with the rest of the day free to explore as you please! See the Botanical Gardens, Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Day 3 – Sydney

Today is a free day. You can choose to add an activity like a Blue Mountains day tour (additional cost) or simply enjoy the city and its beautiful beaches. Ask at your accommodation about the scenic walk toward the beaches.

Day 4- Sydney to Byron Bay 

Spend your day in the city before to catch a night bus to Sydney.

Day 5- Byron Bay

Arrive in the morning in Byron Bay and enjoy your day discovering the beach and the lighthouse.

Day 6- Byron Bay – ACTIVITY

Choose between kayaking with dolphins or having a surf lesson – the 2 most popular activities of Byron. They are both half day tours, simply write which one you have chosen in the”Order Notes” section in the shopping cart.

Day 7- Byron Bay to Brisbane

Travel to Brisbane and discover the city.

Day 8 – Brisbane to Rainbow Beach

Travel to Rainbow Beach there is a Safety Briefing at 4:00pm for your Fraser Island Tour. If you have chosen to travel by Premier Bus, you won’t arrive on time for the briefing. To not miss out on anything, we will include an extra day in Rainbow Beach for no extra cost! You will then arrive in the evening of day 2, discover Rainbow Beach during Day 3 and attend the briefing in the evening. Your journey will then finish on day 17.

Day 9 –Fraser Island (Lunch, Dinner) 

Today you begin your Fraser Island tour! The morning of departure is a pretty hectic time, with excitement everywhere, we will again split you up into your groups and ask you to work together in checking off all your food to make sure it is all there before you go. You will pack your food into the eskies, alcohol into cool boxes, do a full vehicle inspection including checking all camping and cooking equipment is provided and then do a full driver briefing outlining the most important aspects of driving on soft sand and how to use the gears. Then it’s off you go!!

Day 10 – Fraser Island (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Due to tide times and changing conditions, the itinerary of the tour will forever change in terms of where you go, on what days but know that the experience of the lead driver will ensure you get to see the most important and beautiful sights on Fraser Island. Some of these should include Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, Eli Creek, Champagne Pool, Indian Head and The Maheno Shipwreck to name but a few. You will only set up camp the one time and travel back to this area every evening so you can sit down, relax with a drink and cook your evening meals without the hassles of having to relocate every time.

Day 11 – Return to Rainbow Beach (Breakfast, Lunch)

Due to tide times and changing conditions, the itinerary of the tour will forever change in terms of where you go, on what days but know that the experience of the lead driver will ensure you get to see the most important and beautiful sights on Fraser Island. Some of these should include Lake McKenzie, Lake Wabby, Eli Creek, Champagne Pool, Indian Head and The Maheno Shipwreck to name but a few. You will only set up camp the one time and travel back to this area every evening so you can sit down, relax with a drink and cook your evening meals without the hassles of having to relocate every time.

On the third and final day, you will arrive back into Rainbow Beach approximately around 4:00pm (depending on tides).

Day 12 – Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach 

Enjoy the day in Rainbow Beach before hopping on an overnight bus to Airlie Beach.

Day 13 – Airlie Beach

Arrive in Airlie Beach and check-in at your hostel. You will also have to check-in for your departure on the Whitsunday for the following day. The instructions will be written on your voucher

Day 14 – The Whitsundays (Dinner)

Begin your 2 days 2 nights Whitsundays sailing tour between lunchtime and early afternoon. The departure time will depend on the boat you choose, click the ‘Whitsunday Boat Options’ tab to check out the boats and their itineraries.

Day 15 – The Whitsundays (Breakfast, lunch, Dinner)

Explore the Whitsundays, snorkelling in the ocean and exploring the islands. The options onboard may depend on the boat you have chosen.  Click the ‘Whitsunday Boat Options’ tab to check out the boats and their itineraries.

Day 16 – Return to Airlie Beach (Breakfast)

Return to Airlie Beach from your Whitsundays adventure and celebrate being back on dry land!

 Day 17 – Airlie Beach to Cairns

Today you will be travelling to Cairns. If you are travelling with Premier, you will catch a day bus and arrive in the evening but if with Greyhound, you will have the option between a day or a night bus. With the night option, it is possible to have an extra free day in Airlie Beach before or after going on the Whitsundays and will then finish on day 14. While making the booking, add your preference in the “Comment” section.

Day 18 – The Great Barrier Reef (Lunch)

Enjoy a day trip on Great Barrier Reef with snorkelling and lunch included.

Day 19 – Cairns

Today is the end of your journey, you can check out the hostel and travel onward at any time.