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Melbourne to Cairns East Coast Map
Melbourne to Cairns East Coast Map Scuba Diving Fraser Island Lake Mackenzie rainforest fraser island Eli Creek Fun Times Mojo Surf Living the Dream Double Island Point Dolphin Kayak Set Sail and enjoy the beautiful Whitsundays

Melbourne to Cairns East Coast Essentials Tour Package – 19 Days

Back to Melbourne Tours

$1,479.00$2,264.00

Transport:
Mixed (Bus, 4X4, Boat)
Difficulty:
Easy
Accom:
Mixed(Dorm Share and Camping)
Duration:
19 days, 18 nights
Food:
Some Meals
Guided?:
While on activities/tours
Departs:
Daily
Arrives:
Ends in Cairns on Day 19
Explore the East Coast of Australia from Melbourne to Cairns with all the essential activities and tours included!

You will see the big cities of Australia including Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, before heading north to Byron Bay, an iconic hippy town where you will have the chance to choose between kayaking with the dolphins or having a surf lesson – the 2 most popular activities in the town!

You will continue your journey driving a four wheel drive on the world’s largest sand island Fraser Island and sailing around the Whitsundays in style!

You will end with the world famous Great Barrier Reef, you will have the chance to see more coral and marine life than anyone else with an introductory dive included while on board.

This great value package includes all accommodation, tours and most meals while on tours! What are you waiting for? Explore the East Coast of Australia today!

Includes:

  • 2 nights accommodation in Sydney
  • 2 nights accommodation in Byron Bay
  • Half day kayaking with dolphins OR half day surf lesson
  • 1 night accommodation in Brisbane
  • 2 nights accommodation in Rainbow Beach
  • 3 days 2 nights Fraser Island – click here to check it out
  • 2 nights accommodation in Airlie Beach
  • 2 days 2 nights sailing boat in the Whitsundays on the Budget Boat, Adventure Boat, James Bond Boat or Party Boat!
  • 2 nights accommodation in Cairns
  • 1 day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef (lunch included) – click here to check it out!

Simply choose if you are driving yourself or if you need to add on a Greyhound bus pass!

*You can do this trip in the reverse direction, click here*

 

“Our East Coast packages offer the best tours, trips and accommodation at an amazing price! You can keep all your tours, buses and accommodation open dated or give us the date you want to start and we’ll book everything for you!”  – Cameron – One Stop Adventures Travel Expert

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Description

  • Explore Sydney, Byron Bay, Rainbow Beach, Airlie Beach and Cairns!
  • Visit Fraser Island
  • Sail and cruise around the Whitsundays
  • Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
  • Surf or kayak around the dolphins *please indicate which activity you have chosen in the checkout section

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.

 

What exactly are the differences? 

Greyhound 

  • Up to 3 departures a day
  • Goes to all the places you want to visit on the East Coast
  • Newer luxury coaches with Wifi and USB Charging Ports
  • Overnight buses can be utilised to save on accommodation while travelling

 

Premier

  • 1 departure a day, some departures are at painful times (such as Coffs Harbour which is 3:00am)
  • Does not go to 1770, stops at the turn-off and some hostels will come and pick you up at midnight/1:00am for $15 each way
  • Older buses
  • Will get you from A to B
  • The cheapest option!

The Adventure Boat

A maxi sailing adventure on the British Defender, Condor, Boomerang, Broomstick with 28 guests maximum.

Whitsunday SailingWhitsunday SailingWhitsunday Sailing

Click here to learn more about the Adventure Boat 

The James Bond Boat

The Powerplay is a sleek catamaran with a spa on deck and neon lights on the bottom to attract dolphins and squid with a maximum of 18 guests.

Whitsundays Powerplay Catamaran Powerplay Whitsundays Jumping off Powerplay Blue lights

Click here to learn more about the James Bond Boat

The Party Boat

The Atlantic Clipper is a tall ship with an inflatable slide, spa on deck, dive board and a maximum of 55 guests.

Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays Spa Atlantic Clipper Whitsundays

Click here to learn more about the Party Boat

The Budget Boat

We usually choose between Mandrake or Tongarra as budget boat depending on the availability.

whitsundays Tongarra Cabin on TongarraNational Parks Whitsundays

Click here to learn more about Tongarra

Click here to learn more about Mandrake

These are our favourite boats to include on your East Coast adventure though you can do the trip on any boat you want!

Click here to check out all the Whitsunday Boat Options

**Certain boats on the Whitsundays will incur a $40 per person public holiday fee, which is payable on check-in. If you would like to check if this applies to your boat, please contact our office**

*To drive on Fraser Island you must be 21 years of age or older (please note if you don’t have a drivers licence or don’t want to drive you can be a passenger)

What to bring:

  • Water
  • Hat
  • Sunscreen
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Warm and cool clothing
  • Flashlight
  • Toiletries
  • Rain jacket
  • Camera
  • Towel
  • Insect repellent
  • A sense of adventure!

Luggage restrictions: 20 kg max

Q: Is this a fully guided Tour?

A: No, This is a combination of accommodation and separate tours that we organise for you. You need to choose how you travel between your destinations whether by bus or driving. You can then choose to have open dated tickets or select a starting date and we’ll organise everything and send you an itinerary!

Q: Can I change anything?

A: Of course, just call or email us and we can organise a custom package in no time and set you on your adventure.

Q: Will I meet lots of people this way?

A: Definitely, this is the most popular way of travelling and experiencing Australia’s East Coast, so no matter if you’re on tour or on a bus or in a hostel you’ll make lots of new friends.

Q: What’s the difference between Greyhound and Premier Buses?

A: Greyhound has new buses with Wi-Fi, USB plugs for charging devices and up to 3 departures per day, Premier has older buses with usually 1 departure a day.

Q: What accommodation will I be staying at? 

A: You will be staying in dorm rooms at the accommodation we book for you, we use accommodation that we know are awesome because we’ve been sending people there for years. If you would like to stay somewhere in particular just let us know and we will do our best to make it happen.

If you would like to stay in private rooms, get in touch with us and we can make a custom package for you.