Stray Australia Brisbane to Cairns Stu Bus Pass

Travel Day: Brisbane – Noosa or Rainbow Beach
MEET: outside Base Central or Bunk Backpackers (please confirm).
We pick you up in Brisbane 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 either the sunset or sunrise.
SLEEP: Your choice of Noosa or Rainbow Beach accom*, you can book via the Stray web app.

Travel Day: Rainbow Beach (via Noosa) — Country Campout
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, pick up passengers, and then drive to Cooroy where we hop on the train. We travel to Rockhampton then get met by a local bus, which takes you to our options of a remote farm stay for the night (traditional swagman’s dinner around the campfire, sleep in swags, breakfast, morning farm tour, and dinner at Emus Beach Resort the next night – for an inclusive price of $75) or you can stay the night at Emus Beach Resort and self-cater.
SLEEP: Country Campout experience for $75 or dorm at Emus Beach resort for $30.

Travel Day/Night: Country Campout— OVERNIGHT TRAIN — Airlie Beach
MEET: At the farm or Emus Beach Resort
If you have stayed on the farm, we take a walk around the property and visit a sacred Indigenous site at the base of Mount Wheeler. We then head to the beautiful, little coastal town of Emu Park. In the afternoon you can just relax around the resort pool, go on a turtle-spotting walk (seasonal), or visit the local crocodile farm (additional cost). We catch the train in the evening and travel overnight to Airlie Beach. It is a modern train with large reclining seats, a bar and a dining carriage. We get into a town called Proserpine in the morning then take a local bus in to Airlie Beach – the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
Note: Depending which day you depart Noosa/Rainbow you may have an extra day at Emu Park.
SLEEP: Overnight train (price included), then your choice of Airlie accom*.

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 tropical ‘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*.

Travel Day: Magnetic Island — Indigenous Camp (Special Stop) / Tully
MEET: at YHA Bungalow Bay reception or at the ferry terminal (please confirm).
We travel back to the mainland on a ferry, travel by train to Tully – getting in at around lunchtime. You have the option of staying in Tully at a historic hotel (for hostel prices) or taking part in Loka’s exclusive Indigenous Rainforest Experience for the Loka special price of $120. We get met by local Aboriginals and travel by bus into the amazing rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. Get welcomed onto their traditional lands in ‘Jirrbal’ language. We go for a swim in the scenic Tully River before having a group dinner (modern food with a traditional twist). After dark we go ‘spotlighting’ in the rainforest for native wildlife. An enchanting evening of dreamtime stories around a campfire.
SLEEP: Indigenous Camp $120 for an all inclusive package, or Mt Tyson hotel, $35 for accom only.

Travel Day: Indigenous Camp – Cairns
MEET: Indigenous Camp or Tully train station (please confirm).
In the morning, enjoy a big breakfast then head off for an interpretative walk into the national park. We then travel back to Tully to catch the train north. You may like to spend more time in Tully to do the kayak trip, whitewater rafting or some of the rainforest walks. We travel to Cairns by train arriving late afternoon. Note:Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day/night to spend in Tully at the historic Mt Tyson hotel before heading to Cairns.
SLEEP: Your choice of Cairns accom*, you can book via the Stray web app.

*NOTE:  Usually a dorm bed will cost between $24 – $45 per person depending on the size of the dorm and time of year (averaging $32 per person per night), a twin/double option will range from $75 – $180 (averaging $100 per room). You can pre-book your accommodation through Stray’s web app, you just pay a deposit to reserve your spot and pay the remainder direct to the operator. At most locations you are welcome to stay where you like, however please be aware of Stray’s set departure points as outlined by the meeting place on the travel days. For a full list of these points, you can download the pdf from the Timetable section.