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Loka Pass Map Mick
Loka Pass Map Mick Loka Unique Spots Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Spot X Surf Lessons Horse Riding Loka Unique Spots Magnetic Island Base

Stray Australia Mick Sydney to Cairns Bus Pass!

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$1,265.00

Transport:
Mixed(Minibus, Boat, train)
Guided?:
Fully
Pass Validity:
12 months in one direction
Toilet:
Regular Stops
Travel from Sydney to Cairns by bus and train on a flexible fully guided tour. 

Stray is an innovative and fun way to travel the East Coast of Australia for those that want to be flexible, get the best insight and information and get off the beaten track to see unique things as well as take in all the main attractions Australia’s Coastline has to offer.

You’ll experience flexible, fully guided travel by mini bus and by train(between Noosa and Cairns) and unique Stray Inclusions.

Stray offers travellers a different, unique and affordable way to check out the best spots on the coast with like minded people that all share the same dream, to have the time of their lives!

Starts: Sydney
Finishes: Cairns
Minimum Time: 13 Days
Maximum Time: 12 Months

Includes:

  • Transport by mini bus and Train(between Noosa and Cairns) including Magnetic Island Ferry
  • Friendly, informative tour guide
  • Access to Stray app
  • Wine tasting in the Hunter Valley
  • Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie
  • Tubing and guided walk at Barrington Tops National Park
  • Beach time at Spot X Surf Camp
  • Kayak to remote river camp
  • Country Campout experience
  • indigenous rainforest experience

*Stray has four unique locations where local fees apply – click the itinerary tab to see an example itinerary and the fees paid at these locations

Once you have purchased your pass One Stop adventures will send you your Stray Login Details by email, you can then use the Stray App or Login on the Stray Website to book your travel. 

Jono Small Face“It’s Awesome being part of the Stray Community – learning, giving back, changing your life, all while having a mind blowing time!” – Jono – Stray Crew

Description

  • Transport by Mini Bus and Train(between Noosa and Cairns) including Magnetic Island Ferry
  • Unique overnight Stray Stops
  • Fully guided and Flexible!
  • Get off the beaten track
  • Travel with like minded people
  • passes are valid for up to a year!

Below are all the places Stray Stops on your journey, overnight stops are highlighted in bold however you can stop at any of the other locations!

  • Sydney
  • Hunter Valley
  •  Barrington Tops National Park
  • Spot X Surf Camp
  •  River Retreat
  • Yamba
  • Byron Bay
  • Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
  • Brisbane
  • Noosa(to access Fraser Island)
  •  Rainbow Beach
  • Cooroy / Miriam Vale (hop off the train here to access 1770 & Agnes Water)
  •  Rockhampton
  •  Country Campout
  • Emu Park
  •  Proserpine
  •  Airlie Beach (to access Whitsunday Islands)
  •  Townsville
  •  Magnetic Island
  • Tully
  •  Indigenous Camp
  •  Cairns

Below is a description of how Travel Days on Stray works! You can travel by train on non guided days if you wish.

Travel Day: Sydney — Barrington Tops (Special Stop)
MEET: outside Wake Up hostel at 8am or outside Nomads (if confirmed) at 8.10am
We depart the big city and head to the Hunter Valley wine area for a tasting at one of Australia’s most famous vineyards. We then travel through the backcountry to our stunning stop on the edge of Barrington Tops National Park (a World Heritage Listed Area). We stay in our own private lodge overlooking the Barrington River. You have the option to ride an inner tube down a scenic part of the river or go mountain biking (additional cost). Have a few drinks and relax in the hot tub in the evening.
SLEEP: $60 for dinner, dorm bed and breakfast at Twistops Retreat.

Travel Day: Barrington Tops — Spot X Surf Camp
MEET: at the lodge
In the morning we do a walk to take in the scenery and wildlife (there are kangaroos, a variety of birds and even platypus!) We then visit a Koala hospital to learn about their efforts in preserving Koalas and what we can do to help, and then travel on to our waterfront accommodation at the Spot X Surf Camp, arriving in the early evening.
SLEEP: $35 for shared accom.

Travel Day: Spot X Surf Camp — River Retreat (Special Stop)
MEET: at Loka bus
We have the morning at leisure at Spot X. You can relax on the beach or choose to take a group surf lesson (additional cost). In the afternoon we travel to the Solitary Islands Marine Park where we kayak to the River Retreat – our exclusive tipi camp, on the edge of the park. In the evening have a few drinks and/or play volleyball or petanque. We sleep in beds in a tipi or swags under the stars. Note: in winter we take a walk on the headlands through a wild kangaroo sanctuary and stay in a historic country pub on the river.  We recommending hopping off here for a few days and getting a 2- 5 Day Surf & Stay with accom/meals/surf lessons included.
SLEEP: $60 for bed, dinner and breakfast.

Travel Day: River Retreat — Byron Bay
MEET: At camp
We leave our camp early, hop in our bus and head up towards Byron Bay, Australia’s famous surf and arts town. We stop in the picturesque town of Yamba along the way where you can have a walk around or have a swim in the Angourie Blue Pool.
SLEEP: Your choice of Byron accom*, you can book through the Stray web app.

Free Day in Byron Bay
Explore, learn to surf, party, visit the alternative town of Nimbin (additional cost), or just relax and take in the laidback, hippy vibe. We recommend taking a walk to the lighthouse to view the Australian mainland’s most easterly point. We have an orientation drive on the way to Byron Bay to help you get your bearings.
SLEEP: Your choice of Byron accom.

Travel Day: Byron Bay (via Gold Coast & Brisbane) – Noosa or Rainbow Beach
MEET: at the main bus stop on Jonson St or Arts Factory hostel (please confirm)
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 Rock. Then drive into the Gold Coast, you may want to get off here to experience the sun, sand, tans and high-rises of Australia’s most developed beach resort. 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 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 (Special Stop)
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 feed some farm animals.  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.  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, then share stories around the campfire before bed.
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.  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. 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.

Click on the icons below to download the timetable

+ Once you have purchased your pass One Stop adventures will send you your Loka Login Details by email, you can then use the Stray App or Login on the Stray Website to book your travel.

+ Passes are valid for up to 12 months from your date of departure. You can hop on and off anywhere at any of our overnight stops and key activity stops for the total validity of the pass. You have up to 12 months from your date of purchase to start your Loka pass.

+  Travel is in our own 24 seat mini coaches between Sydney and Noosa/Rainbow Beach, and local bus and fast trains (with toilets, showers and a dining carriage) between Noosa/Rainbow Beach and Cairns.  The return ferry to Magnetic Island is also included in your Mick pass.

+  Our guides travel on all routes on the set departure days.  You can travel on the train on other days without a guide, however you can only access our unique transfers and activities when travelling with the guide.

+  There is a minimum of 2 departures per week (up to 5 in summer) over all routes. For specific departure days and times please see our timetable.

+ Accommodation and food are not included in your Stray pass. You can book your accommodation through our web-app along the way. We hold spots in our preferred locations so you’re guaranteed a bed.

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 3am)
  • Does not go to 1770, stops at the Turn off and some hostels will come and pick you up at midnight/1am for $15 each way
  • Older buses
  • Will get you from A to B
  • The cheapest option!

Stray

  • Fully guided travel up the East Coast in 24 seater mini buses and by train from Noosa to Cairns
  • 4 unique location stops along the way!
  • Get off the beaten track
  • Departs minimum 2 times a week, up to 5 times in summer.