Travel Buddies is not your typical handheld tour, meaning you will get to enjoy the best of both guided and solo travel. Travel Buddies will arrange all of your accommodation, bus sectors, and activities included in your package. However, it is your responsibility to arrive at the designated pick-up or starting points on time. If you miss an activity or bus, you will not be refunded, and you will need to handle your own travel arrangements and any related expenses. You are also then free to choose your own downtime activities and you can add on any additional tours as you go, pending availability. Although there is no official guide for this trip, you will have someone dedicated to your group in the WhatsApp chat to help out along the way.

A semi-guided tour combines the best of guided and solo travel. Travel Buddies handles key aspects like accommodation, transportation, and scheduled activities, but you are free to explore and experience each destination at your own pace. A Travel Buddies rep meets you at specific points to provide assistance, but there’s no full-time guide, giving you the freedom to choose your own adventures in your downtime. This allows for a blend of group and independent travel, offering flexibility with the comfort of support when needed.

Yes, you can – just reach out to ask a travel specialist when booking your tour, who can also provide recommended activities to take part in before your tour starts. This accommodation will be separate from the rest of your Travel Buddies group, but pending availability we will be sure to book you into the same hostel as at the start of your trip, so you won’t need to move hostels.

Anyone 18+ can join and enjoy our tours, however the average age range is between 18 and 35. This is mainly because our chosen accommodations and activities are often catered towards social backpackers between these ages.

Travel Buddies tours typically have a maximum group size of 18 travellers, however our minimum number is 2. This allows for a more intimate, social experience, where everyone gets to know each other while still having the space for individual exploration.

The tour price includes all accommodation, all pre-booked bus transportation, 22 meals, and key activities such as a K’gari 4WD Tag Along Tour, a Whitsundays Sailing Tour, and a 3 day Surf Camp. You’ll also have access to a dedicated WhatsApp group for daily updates and assistance from Travel Buddies reps at key locations.

The itinerary offers a balance of planned group activities and free time, allowing you to explore each destination on your own or with your new friends. While certain activities and transport are scheduled, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your own adventures during free days or in your downtime.

On the East Coast tour, you’ll experience a mix of Australia’s most iconic destinations and hidden gems. Must-see highlights include sailing through the Whitsunday Islands, exploring the Great Barrier Reef with a snorkelling or diving experience, a 4WD tag-along tour on K’gari (Fraser Island), and hanging out with kangaroos on the beach at sunrise. Other standout stops include the vibrant cities of Sydney and Brisbane, the laid-back vibes of Byron Bay, and the lush Daintree Rainforest near Cairns. You’ll also visit Magnetic Island, known for its wild koalas and stunning landscapes.

You’ll be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group chat on the Friday before your departure. This group will include your fellow travellers as well as a Travel Buddies rep. The chat is a great way to connect before the trip, share excitement, and arrange meet-ups before your official start date.

On the Friday before your departure, you’ll be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your Local & Travel Buddies, giving you a chance to connect before the trip begins. This chat will provide daily updates about where you need to be, what activities you’ll be doing, and include Google Maps links for easy navigation. While there is no guide for this trip, a dedicated group chat representative will be available to help you throughout your journey. Keep in mind, it’s your responsibility to arrive at the correct pick-up or start location on time.

Once you’ve officially booked your spot with Travel Buddies, we will send you a confirmation email. An itinerary specific to your trip, including bus schedules and activity times, will be finalised and sent to you at least 14 days before your departure.

On the East Coast tour, you’ll encounter iconic Australian wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, dingoes, and various species of marine life. Magnetic Island is famous for its wild koala population, and many of the national parks and nature reserves you visit offer opportunities to see native birds, reptiles, and marsupials in their natural habitats.

No special permits or licences are required for the 4WD tour on K’gari (Fraser Island). You’ll just need a full manual regular licence to drive, and if not you can enjoy the tour as a passenger. You’ll be part of a tag-along tour, meaning a guide will lead the group, and you’ll follow along in a convoy. Your participation is fully supervised, so there’s no need to worry about driving requirements.

Yes, the East Coast tour offers plenty of opportunities to experience Australia’s nightlife. In cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns, you’ll find buzzing bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. Byron Bay is famous for its laid-back beach parties and evening events. Throughout the tour, your Travel Buddies rep and fellow travellers will help you discover the best spots to enjoy the local nightlife, whether it’s a chilled-out beach bonfire or a lively bar scene.

The amount of spending money you’ll need depends on your personal preferences and activities you choose to add. Most essentials are covered, such as accommodation, transport, and some meals, but you’ll need to budget for additional meals, drinks, extra activities, and souvenirs. On average, backpackers recommend budgeting around AUD $50-100 per day for extra expenses. This could vary depending on your spending habits, such as how often you eat out, participate in optional activities, or go out for nightlife.

From the 1st of April 2024, travel insurance is compulsory when booking Travel Buddies. It is important to have a travel insurance policy that covers you in case you get sick or injured (COVID-19 or otherwise), lose an item, or miss your tour. At minimum, your travel insurance policy should include: medical costs, emergency evacuation, and cancellation protection. This includes adventure activities and any unexpected situations, such as illness, injury, unpredictable weather, or cancellations. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.

World Nomads travel insurance provides coverage for over 150 activities. You can get a quote, file a claim, or purchase or extend your policy while travelling.

Each tour’s meeting point and time will be different – your official itinerary will be sent out to you at the latest 21 days before departure with information about your meeting locations. Your pre-booked hostel is available for check-in anytime from 2pm. If you arrive early, don’t worry – the hostel offers a secure area to store your bags, allowing you to explore the city during your free time. On the Friday before your departure, you will be added to a WhatsApp group chat with your fellow Travel Buddies and a Local Buddy, making it easy to arrange meet-ups before check-in. Your Local Buddy will also provide a time and location for a welcome gathering in the afternoon or evening.

We’ve chosen our favourite hostels and accommodation in Australia for you to stay at while on your tour. These hostels include Gilligans Backpacker Resort, Nomads Magnetic Island, Vali Byron Bay, and more. All are highly rated and perfect for a bit of socialising. You’ll get to enjoy wonderful amenities like pools, bars, big shared kitchens, and central locations as well as excellent staff. Check out our itineraries for more information on where you will be staying in each location.

If an activity is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will try to reschedule it or find an alternative activity for you. If rescheduling or finding an alternative is not possible, you will receive a refund for the discounted rate paid for that activity.

For most of the trip, you will be in dorm rooms shared only with other members of your Travel Buddies group. In some circumstances you may be sharing a room with other travellers – however you will never be booked into a room alone without at least one other Travel Buddy.

Yes, all of your Greyhound buses will be pre booked for you. All information regarding times and bus stop locations will be sent to you along with your itinerary and ticket details at the latest 21 days before your departure.

If you’d like to continue travelling once you’ve finished your Travel Buddies trip, why not reach out to your travel agent and find out some more bucket-list destinations for any onward travel – whether it’s continuing on where you are, travelling somewhere else in the country, or even a different country – we’ve got you covered.