About this tour Sun? Sea? Sand? Surf? Enjoy them all – along with pristine beaches and delicious food – on this active east coast adventure for the 18 to 30-somethings! Surf, sail and island hop your way along the East Coast. Leave all things urban behind to visit beautiful beaches, a proper Aussie farm, a national park and the odd World Heritage site.
Travel Itinerary
Day 1 – Cairns
Welcome to the trip. You’re in Cairns, baby! Get your bearings on an orientation tour. Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns has got adventure for days. Take a stroll around. Then the night is yours to get out and experience some of the East Coast’s best nightlife.
Highlights – Orientation tour in Cairns
Day 2 – Cairns
Wanna see turtles, reef sharks, rays and more? Then don’t miss the optional excursion to dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef today! Other optional include skydiving, bungy jumping, Minjin Jungle Swinging and jungle surfing. Pluck up the courage and go for it.
Meals Included – Breakfast
Optional Extras – Great Barrier Reef day trip / Skydiving / Bungy Jumping / Minjin Jungle swinging / Jungle surfing
Day 3 – Cairns to Magnetic Island
Leave the reef behind with a short ferry ride to Magnetic Island (cue pretty views en route). Relax, recharge and take it easy in a hammock of your choice. Or, seek out hidden beaches, hikes and swim out for a snorkel. This place is awesome and a little slice of paradise.
Highlights – Visit Magnetic Island
Meals Included – Breakfast / Dinner
Day 4 – Magnetic Island to Whitsundays (Overnight Sailing)
Before leaving Magnetic Island we’ve got a visit to a wildlife park lined up for you. Get ready for snakes, birds and koalas. Eeeek! Later, hop in the coach as we’re headed to the Whitsunday Islands. Been on a private yacht before? You will today as you sail the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. This is the life. Please note: We ask that you have packed a small overnight bag to take onboard with you as space on the overnight sailing is limited. Pack items like swimmers, beach towel, chargers, hat, sunscreen, camera, jacket, toiletries, sandals/flip flops and casual clothes for two days.
Highlights – Visit a wildlife park / Sail the Whitsunday Islands
(Please note: The twin / double / or single upgrade is not applicable to the Overnight Sailing in the Whitsunday Islands)
Meals Included – Breakfast / Dinner
Day 5 – Air-lie Beach
Shorten your bucket list with a visit to Whitehaven Beach and get ready to feast, swim and snorkel the day away. Sounds good, huh? Grab a last pic of paradise before we head back to Airlie Beach tonight. The nightlife here is a backpacker’s dream. Get amongst it and celebrate an epic start to the trip with your new travel mates.
Highlights – Sail the Whitsunday Islands / Visit Whitehaven Beach / Snorkelling
Meals Included – Breakfast / Lunch
Day 6 – Air-lie Beach to Farm Stay
Wave goodbye (briefly) to the coast this morning as our journey continues to the stunning landscape, wildlife and country hospitality of Myella Farm. A working cattle station and our unique home for the next two nights, we’ve got a welcome dinner here to help get us settled.
Meals Included – Breakfast / Dinner
Day 7 – Farm Stay
Embrace your inner jackaroo (or jillaroo) and get amongst farm life during your time here. You could always go all out and opt in to explore the farm on horseback too. Giddy-up!
Meals Included – Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Optional Extras – Horse riding
Day 8 – Farm Stay to Fraser Island
Kick off your day with a farm breakfast before catching a ferry bound for the UNESCO World Heritage listed Fraser Island. This place is the world’s largest sand island and has the longest beach in Queensland. Epic! We ask that you have packed a small overnight bag to take to Fraser Island with you as luggage space is limited. Pack items like swimmers, beach towel, chargers, hat, sunscreen, camera, jacket, toiletries, sandals/flip flops and casual clothes for two days.
Meals Included – Breakfast / Dinner
Day 9 – Fraser Island
It’ll be love at first sight as you hit up the peaceful Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck, the crystal-clear Lake McKenzie and much more on Fraser Island.
Highlights – Visit Fraser Island (including Lake McKenzie) / Full-day Fraser Island 4WD experience
Meals Included – Breakfast / Lunch
Optional Extras – Scenic flights from the beach
Day 10 – Fraser Island to Brisbane
On our way to Brisbane, we’ll swing by Noosa for a tour and a walk in Noosa National Park. Ten points if you spot a koala! There are also hidden natural pools around here, so bring your swimmers in case you have time for a quick dip.
Highlights – Visit Noosa
Meals Included – Breakfast
Day 11 – Brisbane to Byron Bay
Leave Brisbane behind you as we head to Byron Bay. But first up are the famous Surfers Paradise beach and an Aboriginal Cultural experience (with song, dance and storytelling). Don’t miss the nightlife in Byron Bay tonight. It’s pretty special!
Highlights – Visit Surfers Paradise / Aboriginal Cultural experience
Day 12 – Byron Bay
In Byron Bay, you can burn incense, sip chai, practice yoga and go on an epic night out all in the space of 24 hours. Oh, and the beaches here are gorgeous. Get a feel for the place with an included orientation tour. Then, you’ve got a free day to do your own thing! Anti-McDonald’s and anti-anything mass produced but pro juice bars, beer gardens and beards, it’s no wonder Byron Bay is a traveler’s hotspot. Also, Chris Hems worth has a house here. Eeeek! Optional on the menu? Surfing, stand up paddle boarding and skydiving.
Highlights – Orientation tour of Byron Bay
Meals Included – Breakfast
Optional Extras – Skydiving / Stand up paddle boarding / kayaking
Day 13 – Byron Bay to Surf Camp
See ya Byron. It’s been real. Tear yourself away as our road trip continues with a stop by the Big Banana statue in Coffs Harbour. Then: say hello to our epic Surf Camp in Crescent Head. Once here, get ready to hit the waves with an included surf lesson today. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, your instructors will give you some top tips that’ll have you surfing like a local in no time. Dinner’s on us tonight.
Highlights – Surf lesson / See the Big Banana statue
Meals Included – Breakfast / Dinner
Day 14 – Surf Camp to Sydney
Bye Surf Camp! We’re continuing our journey down the coast and we’ve got a spot of wine tasting and grape stomping in the beautiful Hunter Valley. Keep your eyes peeled for the cheeky kangaroos that hang around the vines here, and leave enough space in your backpack for a bottle of wine or two… Then we’ll be crossing Sydney’s iconic Harbour Bridge on our way back to the big city. Cheers Topdeck, it’s been epic.
Highlights – Wine tasting and grape stomping in Hunter Valley / Surf lesson
Meals Included – Breakfast / Lunch
Our Group Travel Dates:
- Monday 14th of October, 2019
- Monday 4th of November, 2019
- Monday 11th of November, 2019
- Monday 2nd of December, 2019
- Monday 9th of December, 2019
- Monday 30th of December, 2019
- Monday 7th of January, 2020
- Monday 27th of January, 2020
- Monday 24 February, 2020
- Monday 23rd of March, 2020
- Monday 13th of April, 2020
- Monday 20th of April, 2020
Accommodation
- 4 nights in hotels
- 2 nights in motels
- 4 nights in lodges
- 2 nights in cabins
- 1 night sailing on a private yacht
Upgrades
- If you are travelling with a friend and require twin or double accommodation, this can be arranged at a small extra charge. Should this be required, you can select this at the time of booking.
Vehicle
- Modern air-conditioned coach with free Wi-Fi
Meals Included
- 13 Breakfasts / 4 Lunches / 6 Dinners
(Special Dietary Requirements can be catered for and must be advised at time of booking)
Luggage Restrictions
- 75cm x 50cm x 25cm and a Maximum Weight of 20 kilogram’s & 1 small Day Pack
Fitness Level
- Moderate level of fitness required
What to bring
Comfortable, casual clothing for day wear and ‘smart casual’ for dining and those nights out. Remember that Autumn/Winter you will need warmer loathing as well as a raincoat/jacket. A pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential. Swimwear and towel, hats and sunscreen, insect repellent, toiletries. And of course, your camera.
Optional Activities
The prices of optional activities offered on this trip change regularly. When prices are listed, they should be used only as a guide.
Cairns
Tandem Skydive: TBC
Go Wild Day Tour: TBC
Go Jungle Surfing: TBC
Tully River Rafting (Full Day): TBC
Tully River Extreme (Full Day): TBC
Baron River Rafting (Half Day): TBC
Full Day Reef Trip: TBC
Bungy Jump: TBC
Minjin Swing: TBC
Myella Farm
Horse Riding: TBC
Fraser Island
Scenic Flight: TBC
Byron Bay
Tandem Skydive: TBC
Dolphin Kayaking: TBC
Surf Lesson: TBC
Hang Gliding: TBC
Please advise which Optional Activities you would like added to your purchase at the time of booking and Travel Forever can make the necessary arrangements for you.
Personal Safety
One of the best parts of travelling is experiencing the nightlife and entertainment each city has to offer. However, amidst the fun and excitement, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and personal safety as well. Before you hit the road with us, it’s important to be aware of the following:
When you’re on a night out, remember to avoid walking alone, particularly through deserted areas like beaches and back streets. Always stick together, take a taxi where possible, and keep a note of your accommodation details so you can find your way back to your fellow Topdeckers if you become separated.
In some countries, alcoholic measures can be considerably larger than what you may be used to. Try to keep track of what you’re drinking, and if you see one of your trip mates looking a little worse for wear, take them back to your accommodation. Be cautious when accepting drinks from strangers and never leave your drink unattended.
It’s also important to be aware that what you might consider harmless flirting may be interpreted differently in some countries. Be yourself and have fun, but don’t be naïve, and be mindful of the signals you are sending out so that you don’t find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
