Today our East Coast Sydney to Great Barrier Reef Highlights tour kicks off in Sydney with a City Orientation tour. We will visit all of the cities famous landmarks and finish at the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House! Tonight, we depart the city on our journey up the East Coast. First stop, the vibrant Byron Bay.

After settling into our beachfront Byron Bay accommodation, we will explore town to get familiar with the laid back bohemian vibes this spot is known for. The Byron Bay lighthouse is situated on Cape Byron, an area so naturally beautiful its begging you to explore on foot. The coastal walking track is the best way to take it all in! We will also explore the surrounding area visiting Killen Falls, Lenox Head and Lake Ainsworth.

This morning we bid farewell to Byron and arrived at the famous Surfers Paradise where we’ll spend the night! On arrival, we will go explore the golden sands of Surfers Paradise Beach and have the option to see the views from the tallest building in Australia! This evening we will head out and discover the endless entertainment on offer in this lively town.

We continue our travels up to Brisbane, the capital of the Queensland state. We spend our first day exploring the Southbank cultural precinct of the city. The Southbank parklands feature the man-made Streets Beach (outdoor swimming pools!), walking tracks and picnic areas. Our second day is spent at the home of the crocodile hunter, Australia Zoo! Our day will be spent learning about the conservation efforts of the famous Irwin family and exploring the variety of native Australian wildlife.

The start of our second week on the East Coast involves arriving into Rainbow Beach, one of the gateways to the World’s largest sand island. On arrival, we will head to the famous Rainbow Steps and ‘Carlo Sand Blow, a unique “moonscape” sand mass covering over 15 hectares! Over the coming days, we will adventure Kgari (Fraser Island) and swim the crystal waters of secret lakes, explore the Maheno shipwreck and hike to various island lookouts for stunning panoramic views across the island. We return to Rainbow Beach for a night before catching an overnight bus to Airlie Beach. Not included: $20 insurance payable on arrival. $10

Sleeping Bag Hire

When we are done exploring the majestic Fraser Island, we continue our journey to Airlie Beach, home to the Whitsundays Islands, made up of 74 island wonders. We settle into the vibrant coastal town and explore the local lagoons before boarding our Sailing Boat for a two night sail around the Whitsunday Islands! You will be treated to the perfect mixture of adventure and relaxation. Take it easy on deck while you sail around the islands, stopping off to snorkel, swim and explore the world famous Whitehaven beach.

The final stop on our journey is Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the adventure capital of Australia! Check into our resort-style accommodation, chill by the pool and settle in ready for an awesome few days ahead!

Discover UNESCO World Heritage Great Barrier Reef on our snorkel day trip of the outer reef. Encounter marine life such as turtles, stingrays and clownfish at the best snorkel spots, enjoy a buffet lunch onboard and learn all about the areas diverse reef.

You’ll be travelling with a group of 18-30-somethings from all over the world, and an ULTIMATE Group Leader. Group sizes vary but you can generally expect to travel with a group of approximately 10-20 people.

We stay at some of the most popular hostels along the Australian East Coast. All prices are based on shared accommodation in 4 –  12 share dorm style rooms.rnrnTwin and private room upgrades are available to book but are subject to availability.

We have done our best to include all fees and charges but there are some key touring components that are required to be paid on arrival whilst on tour.rnrnFraser Island Insurance Fee ($20 AUD) – Paid direct on arrivalrnrnFraser Island Sleeping Bag Hire ($10AUD) – Paid direct if requiredrnrnGreat Barrier Reef Conservation Levy ($20 AUD) Paid direct on arrivalrnrnWhitsundays National Park EMC Levy ($30 AUD) Paid direct on arrival

Australia has no shortage of incredible food and when travelling on our East Coast tours, we make sure we include some iconic Australian BBQs.  But please note that meals are generally not included and we recommend you account for meals and drinks in your budgeting.