Ultimate East Coast Highlights: Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef

Twenty-one days from Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef, hitting every icon of Australia’s east coast along the way. This is Ultimate Travel’s flagship group tour: Byron Bay’s lighthouse and beaches, Australia Zoo with the Irwin family, a full exploration of K’gari (Fraser Island) by 4WD track and freshwater lake, a multi-day sailing trip through the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach, and a Great Barrier Reef snorkelling day out of Cairns. Weekly departures from Sydney, small group of 10-24, with an Ultimate Group Leader the whole way.

Sydney → Byron Bay (2 nights)

Meet your group and leader in Sydney for a city tour, then head north to Byron Bay for the lighthouse walk and a “Behind the Bay” day trip. Stay at WakeUp Hostel.

Surfers Paradise (1 night) & Brisbane (2 nights)

Beach and city orientation walk at Surfers Paradise (BUNK Hostel), then on to Brisbane to explore Southbank and visit the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo (BUNK Hostel).

Rainbow Beach & K’gari / Fraser Island (3 nights)

Overnight at Rainbow Beach (Freedom Hostel) before two nights camping on K’gari (Fraser Island), exploring Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, the Champagne Pools, the Maheno shipwreck, Indian Head and Lake Wabby, then back to Rainbow Beach and an overnight bus north.

Airlie Beach & Whitsundays Sailing (1 night + 2 nights sailing)

One night at Airlie Beach (Nomads Hostel) before a two-day, two-night sailing adventure through the Whitsunday Islands, including Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, then back to Airlie Beach.

Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef (4 nights)

Four nights at Gilligans Hostel in Cairns, with a full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkel trip (reef conservation levy payable locally) and time to relax at the Cairns Lagoon before the tour wraps up.

Optional Sydney pre-tour add-on available: 3 nights at Wake Up! Sydney Central with welcome dinner, airport shuttle, city tour and Sydney Harbour catamaran cruise.