Stray Australia Cairns to Sydney - Freestyle Pass

Stray Australia Cairns to Sydney - Freestyle Pass

Explore Australia's east coast from Cairns to Sydney with a Stray Freestyle pass. You'll go on a flexible, guided adventure, visiting off the beaten destinations like a little island on the Great Barrier Reef You'll also check out the main highlights such as Airlie Beach (the gateway to the Whitsundays), and Byron Bay.

Hop on and off the bus as you please, so you can stay longer in the places you love. With up to 12 months to travel, you can go at your own pace down the East Coast, working and exploring, or just relaxing!

Itinerary

Day 1: Cairns to Magnetic Island

Stop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland
Meet your Stray local legend first thing, who will make sure you have everything you need (especially your train tickets) before you jump aboard the train and head south to Townsville. You will arrive mid-afternoon and meet your Stray Guide at the station. We’ll travel together from there, taking the ferry out to our first overnight stop, the tropical Magnetic Island. Welcome to paradise! Nearly 50% of ‘Maggie Island’ is national park land, and it's chock-full of amazing beaches and abundant wildlife, so make sure you get out to do a little exploring before catching the sunset. Join in the group pizza dinner tonight (extra cost).
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Magnetic Island

Stop At: Magnetic Island, Magnetic Island, Queensland
Join your guide today for a scenic walk. You 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.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Magnetic Island to Airlie Beach

Stop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland
The morning is yours to explore more of the island, visit the wildlife park or just relax by the pool. In the afternoon, we’ll travel back to the mainland by ferry, and jump on the train to Proserpine, transferring to Airlie Beach in the evening. Your Airlie-based Stray Guide will meet you off the train and accompany you on the bus into Airlie Beach, where they’ll give you a brief orientation of the town to help you get your bearings.


Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Airlie Beach

Stop At: Airlie Beach, Airlie Beach, Queensland
You have a full free day in Airlie Beach to soak up the tropical vibes. Join a multi-day sailing adventure around the famous Whitsunday Islands, jump out of a plane over the beautiful tropics, or just relax and spend your day discovering the local area. There are some beautiful rainforest hikes in the vicinity, and a splash in the lagoon is a must do on a hot afternoon.

Please Note: Some trips may have an extra night at Airlie Beach.

Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Airlie Beach to Emu Park

Stop At: Emu Park, Emu Park, Queensland
Spend most of the day at your leisure in Airlie Beach, before we jump on the train to Rockhampton in the early evening. Our destination tonight is our Strademark stop of Emu Park. Emu Park is a cool little coastal town and the gateway to the Keppel Islands on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. (Be sure to book Emu’s Beach Resort and the Great Keppel Island Adventure in the Stray Mate App prior to arrival.)
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Emu Park

Stop At: Emu Park, Emu Park, Queensland
Today we highly recommend taking part in a Stray highlight, an Island Adventure on the tropical paradise of Great Keppel Island, with untouched coral, turtles, reef fish and manta rays all straight off the beach. We catch the ferry in the morning for a day of swimming, walking, snorkelling with turtles or kayaking (additional cost) before exploring the island itself in search of the perfect white sand beach for a little afternoon rest and relaxation. You’ll ferry back to the mainland in the late afternoon and gather together again at Emu’s Beach Resort.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Emu Park to Rainbow Beach

Stop At: Rainbow Beach, Rainbow Beach, Gympie Region, Fraser Coast, Queensland
We begin our day with an early morning bus to the train station. It’s a scenic train journey from here to Cooroy, where you'll meet your Stray Driver Guide and bus to head to Rainbow Beach. Rainbow Beach is a gateway to the world-famous Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island. From here you can opt to take part in a multi-day tour of the island, or just spend your afternoon relaxing in this beachside paradise. Don’t miss the chance to walk to Carlo Sand Blow to catch a gorgeous sunset.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Rainbow Beach to Byron Bay

Stop At: Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Shire, New South Wales
We hop back on the Stray bus this morning, heading to the relaxed resort town of Noosa. You can hop off here or join us as we continue down the coast, with quick stops in Brisbane and Surfers Paradise in the Gold Coast, also popular stops to hop off and stay longer. Our final destination today is Byron Bay, a relaxed, hippy surf town that travellers love! Upon arriving in Byron Bay, we’ll take you on an orientation drive around town to help you get your bearings, showing you the points of interest and the top spots for food, shopping and nightlife.
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 9: Byron Bay

Stop At: Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Shire, New South Wales
You have two full free days in Byron Bay to "cheer up, slow down, and chill out” as the town’s famous welcome sign instructs. And there is plenty to do in this laidback hippy town: practice your surfing skills down at the beach, walk to mainland Australia’s most easterly point at the Cape Byron Lighthouse, search for dolphins and other marine life on a sea kayaking trip, or visit the alternative town of Nimbin. Tonight, get out to experience Byron’s eclectic nightlife – there is always something going on!
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 10: Byron Bay

Stop At: Byron Bay, Byron Bay, Byron Shire, New South Wales
You have another free day in Byron Bay today. Tick off any activities you didn’t get the chance to do yet, or pass the day wandering the township and exploring the many boutique shops and cafes. Eating your way around Byron is an experience in itself, and there are plenty of vegetarian options available!
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 11: Byron Bay to Sydney (via Spot X)

Stop At: Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales
Today is an express travel day to the final destination of our trip, Sydney. Along the way we stop at Spot X, a famous surf camp with perfect waves for beginners and pros alike. Hop off here to hang 10, or continue with the bus to Sydney, arriving in the evening. If you have some time in Sydney, there is plenty to do! From Stray’s famous Blue Mountains day trip, whale watching tours to climbing the Harbour Bridge, you won’t be bored for a moment. We hope you had a blast on your Stray adventure!
Duration: 12 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.