Stray Australia Byron Bay to Cairns - Freestyle Tour

Stray Australia Byron Bay to Cairns - Freestyle Tour

Get further off the beaten track and explore more of the East Coast with Stray! You'll start in one of Australia's most iconic surf towns and cruise up the coast, stopping along the way to catch killer sunsets, sail in the Whitsundays, drive around Fraser Island, explore national parks and so much more!

The best part? It’s flexible adventure travel! You can complete your trip in the minimum amount of time or you can hop off and extend your stay in any destination on the route. Use the Stray Mate App to book extra nights’ accommodation and activities along the way.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Shire, New South Wales

Check in to your Byron Bay accommodation and prepare for the exciting days ahead. There is plenty to do in this laidback hippy town if you have a few days up your sleeve: practice your surfing skills down at the beach, walk to mainland Australia’s most easterly point at the Cape Byron Lighthouse, or search for dolphins and other marine life on a sea kayaking trip.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Rainbow Beach, Rainbow Beach, Gympie Region, Fraser Coast, Queensland

This morning we cross the border from New South Wales into Queensland. Our destination today is Rainbow Beach, but those with more time might want to hop off and explore tourist hot spot Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Queensland's capital city of Brisbane, or the upmarket resort town of Noosa. Tomorrow you’ll begin your Fraser Island adventure (make sure you’ve booked in the dates in advance with Stray). Once you’ve checked-in, you’ll have a safety briefing for your Fraser Island 4WD trip.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Fraser Island, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast, Queensland

Wake up early and head out for your 3-day, 2-night Fraser Island adventure. You’ll explore the largest sand island in the world on a 4WD expedition with your mates, and even have the chance to drive! Check out incredible sites to snap epic pictures, swim in lakes, natural pools and the ocean all in paradise. Includes lunch & dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Fraser Island, Fraser Island, Fraser Coast, Queensland

After breakfast we'll drive up to stunning Eli Creek, the largest freshwater creek on the East Coast of the Island, which carves its way through to the beach and pours 80 million litres of water a day into the Pacific Ocean. After spending some time here, we head up to the famous Maheno Shipwreck for photo ops and some history about this Fraser icon. After lunch and another stop or two, we head back to the camp for dinner and drinks. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Rainbow Beach, Rainbow Beach, Gympie Region, Fraser Coast, Queensland

Today you’ll spend the morning walking through magical sand dunes and soaking up the sun on Fraser Island. You’ll return back to base in the early afternoon. This evening you can head out on a short walk up the sand dunes to watch a stunning sunset at Carlo Sand Blow. Includes breakfast, lunch.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Emu Park, Emu Park, Queensland

After stopping briefly to pick up those who stayed in Noosa, you will depart from Cooroy on your first train journey of the trip. Kick back for a scenic train ride to Rockhampton, where you’ll meet the bus and your Stray Guide and head to your next Strademark destination - Emu Park. After getting settled in at the resort, you'll find out more about tomorrow's adventure to the stunning Great Keppel Island.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Great Keppel Island, Great Keppel Island, Queensland

This morning you head to a tropical paradise with your awesome local guide. Great Keppel Island is located on the southern of the Great Barrier Reef with untouched coral, turtles, reef fish and manta rays all straight off the beach. Relax or have a go at snorkeling or kayaking (both at extra cost) before exploring the island in search of the perfect white sand beach. Tonight, we’ll return to the mainland and gather together for dinner at Emu’s Beach Resort before we catch the overnight train to Airlie Beach. Includes lunch, dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland

The train arrives into Prosperine early in the morning. Your Airlie-based Stray Guide will meet you off the train and accompany you on the bus into Airlie Beach. They’ll help you store your bags, and then grab breakfast (extra cost) and give you a brief orientation of the town to help you get your bearings. You’ll have the rest of your day free in Airlie Beach to do as you please. You can choose to join your guide for an easy rainforest hike. See panoramic views of the swirling Whitsundays from above and then head down a secluded beach for a splash.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the famous Whitsunday Islands, another backpacker favourite, and that's where you'll be heading tomorrow.


Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Whitsunday Islands, Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

There’s no better day of the week for it - wake up early and head down to the marina in time for a 2-day, 1-night adventure through the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands. These picturesque islands are set in the Great Barrier Reef and are home to some of the world’s most pristine beaches. Get ready for an epic sailing adventure that includes the highlights of this incredible area and spending the night at sea. Includes lunch and dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland

The exact order of activities will vary, but your Whitsunday sailing tour includes a visit to Whitehaven Beach, renowned for having some of the softest sand in the world, and Hill Inlet, where the shifting tides swirl the sand and water together in a dazzling effect. You'll also sail around the reef with various stops to get out for a swim and snorkel, allowing plenty of opportunities to see marine life along the way. At the end of the second day of sailing, you'll return to Airlie Beach to spend the night back on shore. Includes breakfast, lunch.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland

You’ll have another free day in Airlie Beach to relax and explore at your leisure. Your Airlie Guide will have lots of ideas of what you can do. If you can’t get enough of the big blue, why not get some karma points and volunteer your time with Eco Barge Clean Seas – a non-profit organisation that often takes volunteers out on a barge to the bays and beaches of the Whitsunday region. You’ll help to collect rubbish washed up onto these beaches (of course with a side of sightseeing!). If the barge isn’t going out, you may be able to help with valuable sorting of the debris.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland

You'll be up with the parakeets this morning with a medley of transport to catch today. Travelling by bus, train and ferry (oh my!) we arrive at our destination of Magnetic Island in the late morning. Nearly 50% of ‘Maggie Island’ is national parkland, and it's chock-full of amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your legendary local guide will fill you on the activities you can do around the island over the next couple of days. Includes dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland

Join your guide today for a scenic walk. You’ll might head off the beaten track to beautiful Radical Bay beach for an ocean dip and amazing photo opportunities. Alternatively, your guide will take you up to the historic Forts Complex, where you’ll see incredible views over the island and ocean beyond. Whichever way you go, don’t forget to look up, as Maggie Island is one of the best places to see koalas in the wild!

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland

Today you can explore at your own pace - find a secluded bay to park up with a picnic, rent a snorkel and tackle one of the marked trails, or get out on the water and take a kayak or sailing trip around the island. With so many awesome activities on offer, the hardest part of your day will be choosing which one to do!

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Tully Gorge National Park, Cardstone Road, Tully, Queensland 4854 Australia

We catch the ferry back to the mainland in the morning, and travel by train to Tully, arriving at lunch time. From here we embark on our Stray exclusive Rainforest Experience, travelling by bus into the heart of the stunning Tully Gorge National Park. We’ll cool off in a beautiful swimming hole this afternoon, before heading to our camp for a BBQ dinner and an evening sharing stories around the campfire. Includes dinner.

Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Cairns, Cairns, Cairns Region, Queensland

Start your day with an early breakfast followed by an interpretative walk through the forest, learning about the traditional indigenous usage of the land. In the afternoon, we return to Tully to jump on the train to our final destination, Cairns. We arrive by late afternoon, so you'll have time to get ready to celebrate the final night of your epic East Coast adventure. There’s heaps to do in Cairns so check out your Stray Mate app for all the best options. Includes breakfast.

Duration: 12 hours