Cairns to Melbourne East Coast Nature Lover’s Package – 29 days
$2,678.00 – $3,128.00
This package is the perfect adventure for nature lovers fascinated about all the different landscapes of Australia. Starting in Cairns, you will explore Cape Tribulation, the oldest rainforest of the world and swim in the stunning waterfalls of the Atherton Tablelands. Heading south, you will be cruising in the famous river of mirrors in the Everglades as well as discovering the famous Springbrook before heading to the Blue Mountains National Park and finishing along the Great Ocean Road.
You will have plenty of opportunities to see the wildlife including kayaking with the dolphins!
Your adventure doesn’t stop there! You will also snorkel and dive on the Great Barrier Reef, sail in the Whitsundays and go four wheel driving on Fraser Island.
This great value package includes all accommodation, tours and most meals whilst on tours. What are you waiting for? Explore the East Coast of Australia today!
Includes:
- 4 nights accommodation in Cairns
- 1 day Cape Tribulation tour – click here to check it out
- 1 day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef – click here to check it out
- 1 Day Atherton Tablelands National Park + Waterfalls Tour – click here to check it out
- 2 days- 2 nights on Magnetic Island – click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Airlie Beach
- 2 day-2 night sailing the Whitsundays on the Adventure Boat, James Bond Boat, Party Boat or Budget Boat
- 3 nights accommodation in Rainbow Beach
- 3 day-2 nights Fraser Island Tour – click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Noosa
- 1 day Everglades River cruise-canoe – click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Surfer Paradise (Gold Coast)
- Half day tour Springbrook National Park – click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Byron Bay
- Half day kayaking with dolphins – click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Sydney
- 1 day Blue Mountains tour Click here to check it out
- 2 nights accommodation in Melbourne
- 1 day Great Ocean Road tour – click here to check it out
Simply choose if you are driving yourself between destinations or if you need to add a Greyhound Bus Pass.
*You can do this trip in the reverse direction, click here*
“We’ve been sending people up and down the East Coast of Australia for years and are 100% confident you will have an amazing time on any of our packages. You can keep all your tours, busses and accommodation open dated or give us the date you want to start and we’ll book everything for you!” – Liz – One Stop Adventures Travel Expert
Description
- Explore the most popular nature destinations including Cape Tribulation’s jungle and rainforests, Atherton Tablelands rainforests and waterfalls and the Noosa Everglades pristine mirrored waters!
- Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Sail and cruise around the Whitsundays
- Explore Fraser Island
- Kayak with the dolphins
- Visit the Blue Mountains and Springbrook
- Visit Melbourne and the famous Great Ocean Road
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 – Cairns
Arrive in Cairns and check into your accommodation, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore.
Day 2 – The Atherton Tablelands (Lunch)
1 day tour to the Atherton tablelands. Bring your swimming gear as you will visit loads of Waterfalls and waterslides through the magnificent rainforest. Return to Cairns hostel for the night.
Day 3 – The Great Barrier Reef (Lunch)
Enjoy a fantastic day cruise on the Great Barrier Reef with snorkelling and lunch included. You will also have the opportunity to experience an intro dive!
Day 4 – Cape Tribulation (Lunch)
Discover Cape Tribulation, the oldest rainforest of the world in a day tour including Port Douglas, crocodile cruise, rainforest walk and swim, lookout for breathtaking scenery and more! You will have lunch in a local bistro.
Day 5 – Cairns to Magnetic island (Dinner)
Travel to Townsville and catch the ferry to Magnetic Island. Your stay includes the ferry return, 2 nights of accommodation, 1 breakfast, 1 dinner, 1 complimentary drink.
Day 6 – Magnetic Island (Breakfast)
The second day on Magnetic Island. You can relax by the pool, hire a topless convertible car and visit the Koala Sanctuary(optional $35).
Day 7 – Magnetic Island to Airlie Beach
Catch the Ferry from Magnetic Island to Townsville and travel to Airlie Beach!
Day 8 – The Whitsundays (Dinner)
Early check-in for your Whitsunday tour. Begin 2 days 2 nights Whitsundays sailing around the magnificent 74 tropical islands!
Day 9 – The Whitsundays (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Continue exploring the Whitsundays!
Day 10 – Return to Airlie Beach (Breakfast)
Arrive back to Airlie Beach and celebrate being back on dry land!
Day 11 – Airlie Beach to Rainbow Beach
Relax in Airlie beach for the day before hopping on the overnight bus to Rainbow Beach
Day 12 – Rainbow Beach
Arrive early in Rainbow Beach, there is a safety briefing at 4:00pm for your Fraser Island Tour the next day.
Day 13 – Fraser Island (Lunch, Dinner)
Today you begin your Fraser Island tour! The morning of departure is a pretty exciting time, 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 14 – 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 15 – Return to Rainbow Beach
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 16 – Rainbow Beach
You will have a day free day in Rainbow Beach to explore the town and the beautiful beach.
Day 17 – Rainbow Beach to Noosa
Travel from Rainbow Beach to Noosa and explore the beautiful town at your leisure.
Day 18 – Noosa- Everglades ( Lunch)
Today you will discover the famous “River of Mirrors” Everglades on a full day tour combining a cruise and canoe experience.
Day 19 – Noosa to Gold Coast ( Surfer Paradise)
Travel the short distance to the Gold Coast and enjoy time to explore.
Day 20 – Gold Coast ( Surfer Paradise) – Springbrook National Park
Discover the famous National Park in the Gold Coast Springbrook on a half day tour including Rainforest walk, drive on the beach and spectacular lookout!
Day 21 – Gold Coast ( Surfer Paradise) to Byron Bay
Travel to Byron Bay to discover the iconic hippy town of Australia. Explore the town and relax on the beach
Day 22 – Byron Bay- Kayak with Dolphins
Become closer to nature with a half day tour kayaking in the ocean with the dolphins. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the town or enjoying the scenic walk to the lighthouse.
Day 23 – Byron Bay to Sydney
Spend your last day in Byron Bay before catching a night bus to Sydney.
Day 24 – Sydney
Arrive in Sydney in the morning and explore the city and its beaches.
Day 25 – Blue Mountains (Lunch)
You will have the chance to see in this full day tour the Featherdale Wildlife Park, the Blue Mountains National Park, Wentworth Falls the Three Sisters and more!
Day 26 – Sydney to Melbourne
Today you have a full day in Sydney before hopping on an overnight bus to Melbourne
Day 27 – Melbourne
Arrive in Melbourne at early in the morning. The rest of the day is free to explore as you please!
Day 28 – The Great Ocean Road (Lunch)
Depart Melbourne around 7:00am and enter the Great Ocean Road arriving at a beautiful coastal town for Coffee, Cookies and Tea. Visit Loch Ard Gorge and learn the tale of the famous shipwreck, descend the Gibson Steps and have an epic view of the Apostles from sea level on the beach!
*Tour itinerary may vary slightly due to weather.
Day 29 – Melbourne
Today your journey comes to an end, you can check out of the hostel and are free to travel onward anytime this day!
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!
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
*To drive on Fraser Island you must be 21 years of age or older*
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.