Travelling from Cairns to Sydney and want the flexibility of a hop on, hop off bus pass but with the opportunity to meet heaps of new travel buddies and have an awesome guide help you out?
Well then the Stray Australia Trev Pass is for you!
The Stray Australia (formerly Loka Travel) is one of the freshest and best ways to travel the East Coast of Australia – combining all the ease and fun of an organised tour with the flexibility of a hop on, hop off bus pass.
Travelling between Cairns and Sydney on the Stray Australia mini buses (max 24 passengers) you’ll stop off at all the must see destinations along the East Coast – including spots like Byron Bay, Rainbow Beach (for access to Fraser Island), Airlie Beach (for access to The Whitsunday Islands) and Magnetic Island.
Stray Australia packages in some unique stops too – like the exclusive River Retreat Tipi Camp, an Indigenous Camp and Barrington Tops National Park – so you get to see an alternative side to the usual backpacker trail.
Alongside that are some awesome included activities – like Hunter Valley wine tasting, a visit to a Koala Hospital, ocean rafting and snorkelling.
Manage your travel plan with the Stray app and with up to 12 months to complete your trip you can extend your stay in any stop and explore some more.
Want to surf longer in Spot X? No worries!
Found work sailing on the Whitsundays? Easy as!
Although accommodation isn’t included in the pass your Stray Australia Guide will help you organise your stay at the next stop, with a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles – they’re there to help you make the most your trip!
Make the most of the East Coast, tailor it to suit your needs and meet some new buddies – the Stray Australia Passes are the way forward!
Day 1
Cairns (Arrival Day)
Check into your central located hostel and get ready for your epic East Coast adventure.
Note: Contact the Stray office to book in your Whitsunday sailing trip prior to arrival.
Accommodation included: Central Cairns accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: Skydiving, bungy jumping
Day 2
Cairns to Magnetic Island
Meet: YHA Cairns or Cairns train station (please confirm prior to departure)
We travel by train south to Townsville, getting in around mid-afternoon and then take the ferry out to tropical ‘Maggie Island’. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife
Accommodation included: YHA Bungalow Bay
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: n/a
Day 3
Full Day Magnetic Island
Today is yours free to do what you want and explore the Island. Hire a 4WD, check out the local wildlife park, go diving or just relax by the pool.
Accommodation included: Magnetic Island accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: Swimming, snorkeling, diving, rent a 4WD, wildlife park.
Day 4
Magnetic Island to Airlie Beach
Meet: YHA Bungalow Bay
In the morning your guide will join you on the Fort’s walk, otherwise you can do some exploring, check out the local wildlife park or just relax by the pool. In the afternoon we travel back to the mainland on the ferry, then jump on the train to Proserpine, with a transfer to Airlie Beach arriving approx. 7pm.
Accommodation included: Airlie Beach accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: Fort’s walk
Optional activities: Swimming
Day 5
Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Islands
Meet: 8.30am Abell Point Marina
Wake up early and head to the marina for the start of your 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. You’ll go on an epic sailing adventure, spending the night at sea. You’ll visit Whitehaven beach and sail around the reef with various stops to get out and swim/snorkel, seeing plenty of marine life along the way.
Accommodation included: Overnight boat
Meals included: 2L, 1D, 1B
Activities included: Sailing, snorkeling
Optional activities: n/a
Day 6
Whitsundays / Airlie Beach to Emu Park (Strademark Stop)
We wake early and enjoy more snorkeling and stunning beaches before returning to Airlie mid-afternoon. Depending on which day you depart, you may have a extra day in Airlie Beach to relax, otherwise early evening we head back to Proserpine train station and then travel to Rockhampton. From there we have a quick transfer to the cool, little coastal town of Emu Park where we spend 2 nights.
Accommodation included: Emu’s Beach Resort
Meals included: 1 B, 1 L
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: n/a
Day 7
Full Day Emu Park
This morning we head to a tropical paradise like nowhere else on our Treasure Island Adventure. Our destination 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 snorkelling or kayaking (additional cost) before exploring the island. Late afternoon we head back to our hostel for dinner and to share photos from our big adventure.
Accommodation included: Emu’s Beach Resort
Meals included: L
Activities included: Treasure Island Adventure
Optional activities: Snorkelling, swimming.
Day 8
Emu Park to Rainbow Beach
We begin the day with an early morning bus transfer to the train. We travel to Cooroy then via Stray bus to Rainbow Beach. Rainbow Beach is the departure point for your Fraser Island day trip (make sure you’ve booked in the dates in advance with Stray). We recommend walking up to Carlo Sand Blow to see the amazing sunset.
Accommodation included: Rainbow Beach accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: Carlo Sand Blow sunset walk
Day 9
Fraser Island Day Trip
Wake up early on Rainbow Beach and head out for your Fraser Island adventure. Whilst on Fraser you’ll experience the largest sand island in the world, explore the island, swim in lakes, walk through forests and check out incredible sites to snap epic pictures.
Accommodation: Rainbow Beach accommodation
Meals included: 1 L
Activities included: Guided Fraser Island day tour
Optional activities: Swimming, walks.
Day 10
Rainbow Beach to Byron Bay
We have the morning to relax or do your choice of activities (extra cost), before heading south to the resort town of Noosa. You have to option to hop off here, Brisbane and/or at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, otherwise we head through to Australia’s coolest surf town, Byron Bay. We recommend hopping off here for a few days to learn to surf, head out the alternative town of Nimbin, or snorkel at the famous Julian Rocks (extra cost).
Accommodation: Byron Bay accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: Dolphin Centre or sandboarding
Day 11
Byron Bay to Sydney (via Spot X)
Meet: Main bus stop on Jonson St, Wake Up! Hostel or Arts Factory hostel (please confirm prior to departure)
We travel to Sydney via Spot X Surf Camp. Hop off if you want to learn to surf or just hang by the beach. We then express down to Sydney getting in early evening with drop offs to selected Sydney central hostels.
Accommodation: Central Sydney accommodation
Meals included: n/a
Activities included: n/a
Optional activities: n/a
Minimum Duration: 11 Days // 11 Nights
Departs: At least 2 times per week year-round
Blackout Periods: Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Departure Location: Cairns
Finish Location: Sydney
Group Size: Min 4 / Max 40
Transportation: Comfortable train, Stray bus, Magnetic Island
Ferry & local transfers
Age Requirement: 18+, 16-17 with parental consent
What’s Included:
- All transport including the Stray bus between Sydney and Rainbow Beach/Cooroy, fast trains between Cooroy and Cairns, local transfers and return Magnetic Island ferry
- 7 meals, 11 nights’ accommodation
- Guidance from local guide
- Access to Stray Mate App
- Forts Walk at Magnetic Island
- 2 Day, 1 Night Whitsunday Sailing Tour
- Airlie Orientation Walk
- Treasure Island Adventure
- 1 Day Fraser Island Day Tour
- Carlo Sand Blow Walk, Rainbow Beach
- Danger Point Border Crossing walk
- Byron Bay orientation drive
- Kangaroo Spotting, Emerald Beach
What’s Not Included:
- Some meals
- Additional accommodation in places where you hop-off to extend your stay
What to Bring:
- Clothes (mainly light with some warm layers)
- Walking shoes (sneakers/trainers)
- Camera
- Swimsuit & towel
- Toiletries
- Hat & sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- Day-pack**
- Water bottle
- Waterproof jacket (shell)
- Do NOT bring: Sleeping bag, sheets, blankets or pillow
** our trips are pretty active; you’ll need a day-pack to carry the essentials during activities and walks but you won’t have to carry your pack/suitcase that far
Notes:
- Luggage restrictions: A backpack or small/medium suitcase (up to 15kg) and a small daypack for day excursions.
- Reconfirmation instructions: All the activities/accommodation listed are open-dated, please contact Stray’s reservations team (email hey@straytravel.com) at least 48 hours prior to arrival to confirm your bookings. For Fraser Island and Whitsunday trip bookings, we recommend booking at least 7 days in advance to guarantee your spot. In peak periods (e.g. Christmas/New Years Eve, Easter, School Holidays/Events) some accommodation may be subject to an additional surcharge or minimum number of nights.
- Freestyle Tours include the first night’s accommodation at each destination, a selection of top-rated activities and some meals. Due to how Stray’s timetable works, travellers may have an additional night in certain places which will need to be booked and paid for in addition to the nights included in their tour. If travellers choose to hop-off and extend their stay in any location, all additional accommodation, meals and activities are at their own expense. Additional accommodation and activities can be booked via the Stray Mate app.
This itinerary is a guide. Given the spontaneous nature of our trips and lack of control over Australia’s weather(!), what we do each day might occasionally vary.
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