The Tropical Trail
20 Days. Brisbane to Cairns. Your way, your pace.
20 days
Ages 18+
4.9
About the trip
Choose a bus pass or campervan, and book it as it is or tell us what you’d change. It also runs in reverse, starting in Cairns and finishing in Brisbane.
This is just one example
Everything below is one way to spend 20 days getting from Brisbane to Cairns. You can book it exactly as shown, or make any changes you would like. We can adjust the length, the stops, the activities and the mode of transport. Prefer to start in Cairns and head south? The whole route runs in reverse too.
Trip Highlights
Bucket list activities
Sail the Whitsundays to Whitehaven Beach, camp your way across K’gari on a 3-day 4WD tag-along tour, and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. The big three are already included.
Unreal locations
From the riverside city of Brisbane to Noosa’s beaches, the sand dunes of K’gari and the wild koalas of Magnetic Island, every stop on this route is a highlight in its own right.
Free time, your way
Plenty of free days built in to explore each stop at your own pace, or fill them with an optional add-on activity.
Your home each night
Your accommodation is sorted from start to finish. Choose hostel beds or your own campervan, plus the camping nights on K’gari and the boat nights in the Whitsundays.
Itinerary
Brisbane
- Day 1
Travel to Brisbane and get settled. Wander down to South Bank for an easy first evening. - Day 2
A free day in Brisbane to explore at your own pace.
Noosa & K’gari
- Day 3
Travel to Noosa. Unwind in a relaxed beach town before the adventure ahead. - Day 4
K’gari, Day 1. Your 3-day 4WD tag-along tour begins, and tonight you’re camping on the island. - Day 5
K’gari, Day 2. A full second day on the island, with another night camping. - Day 6
K’gari, Day 3. Wrap up the tour and return to Noosa. - Day 7
A free day in Noosa. Hit the beach, explore the town, or just relax. - Day 8
A free day before you travel overnight to Airlie Beach. Pack up, grab a last coffee, and relax before heading north.
Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays
- Day 9
Arrive in Airlie Beach and get settled in. - Day 10
A free day in Airlie Beach. Spend it by the lagoon or exploring the town before you set sail. - Day 11
Whitsundays, Day 1. Set sail and spend the night on board. - Day 12
Whitsundays, Day 2. More time on the water, including Whitehaven Beach, with a second night on board. - Day 13
Sail back and return to Airlie Beach.
Magnetic Island
- Day 14
Travel to Townsville, then take the included ferry across to Magnetic Island. - Day 15
A free day on Magnetic Island. Look out for wild koalas, hike the headlands, or spend the day on the beach.
Cairns
- Day 16
Travel to Cairns. Settle in and enjoy having made it to tropical North Queensland, and Australia’s adventure capital. - Day 17
A free day in Cairns. Explore at your own pace, or head out on one of the day trips from town. - Day 18
Another free day in Cairns to explore, relax, or try something new. - Day 19
Your Great Barrier Reef snorkelling trip, the final highlight of the route. - Day 20
End of trip.
What’s included
Activities
- K’gari 3-Day 4WD Tag-Along Tour (2 nights camping)
- Whitsundays Sailing Trip (2 nights aboard)
- Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Trip
Transport & Food
- Choice of bus pass or campervan rental for the trip duration. If you take the bus pass, we send you a recommended schedule and you book your own seats.
- Magnetic Island ferry
- 16 meals included. This can change depending on the activities and tours available on your dates.
Accommodation & Stay
Your choice of:
- Hostel accommodation: for every night of the trip (except the overnight journey), including the K’gari camping and Whitsundays boat nights
- Campervan: your own van for the duration, plus the same K’gari camping and Whitsundays boat nights
What’s not included
Customise your trip
Included activities
You can skip any you’re not interested in
Whitsundays Sailing Trip
K’gari 4WD Tag-Along Tour
Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling Trip
Accommodation & transport
Choose your preferred option
Hostel + bus pass
Campervan
Your own way
Add-on Activities
Why choose us
Low deposit to book
Any date works
Travel your way
Still supported
Easy to tweak
“I had a really great time ! Before the tour started I was a bit unsure how everything is gonna be bit I do not regret anything !!!! I did a group travel and the people in my group became like a family for me. Everything was perfectly organised with no issues ! It’s the perfect tour for you if you want safety and having everything (accommodation, activities, etc.) figured out but still have lots of freedom by deciding on your own. I would recommend this to everyone!!!”
“My experience with travel buddies was fantastic from booking through to the entire trip. The trip was very well organised and they were always on hand to help. I highly recommend booking the east coast trip with travel buddies.”
“Travel buddies has made it super easy to travel the east coast by booking and organizing everything I need! Reps meet you along the way and are super quick to respond if you have any questions.”
“Super well organised, good communication and great activities! Useful and helpful local recommendations too.”
“I did the east coast trip and loved it so much, so many amazing experiences included and was easy to add on the extras if you wanted to. I had a very small group size and think it would have been better being a few more people to be honest, but we met so many others along the way so was still great! The Whitsundays was probably my favourite part!! The travel buddies team were super helpful with everything and gave really clear instructions to follow of where to be and what times etc. I thought it was very well organised. I enjoyed it so much I also did the New Zealand tour afterwards and that was equally incredible, what a beautiful country!! Lake Tekapo and Queenstown were my favourite spots here (The bungee jump is a must!!!) A bigger group size on this trip was definitely better. Overall would absolutely recommend!!”
“I did the East Coast tour from Sydney to Cairns, and honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve done while in Aus. You get a built-in friendship group from day one. I joined this trip solo but within a few days you really start to get know to people and by the time we finished we all felt super close. Doing this tour made the whole East Coast experience feel effortless and it was pretty emotional saying goodbye at the end. From the beginning the Travel Buddies team were super helpful with booking any extra activities and quick to answer any questions. In the group chat we got sent recommendations and travel reminders which made everything run super smooth. My highlights were for sure the Whitsundays sailing trip; you see some unreal beaches, reefs, and sunsets. And of course being able to start the tour with a group of strangers and finish as friends :)”
“Jeremy was excellent, very quick to respond and catered for every request. Nothing was too much to ask for! I had to do very little organising for this trip Jeremy made a custom itinerary for me and was able to alter to suit our preferences. Would highly recommend Travel Buddies for any custom itineraries”
“I did the East Coast tour from Sydney to Cairns and I loved every minute! Before even travelling to Australia, the entire booking process was so smooth and I was given all the info I needed well in advance, which really helped reduced the nerves of being a solo/ first-time traveller. I was lucky have an absolutely amazing group of people travelling with me - we had so many fun experiences and all loved to go on adventures and try new things so it was so fun to share memories (and a few laughs) with them. My favourite experience had to be the time on a sailboat through the Whitsundays, with a gorgeous sunrise and white sandy beaches greeting us each day. Definitely recommend for a first time traveller with a love of exploring and adventures (and also people who want to take away the stress of having to meticulously plan travel arrangements and accommodation on the trip). I would do it all over again if I could!”
“I travelled through Australia with travel buddies and it was amazing, everything was well organised i had few to none problems. And they will be there for you when you need them!”
“Everything is so well organised and they prioritise you getting the best experience!”
“Had the absolute time of my life doing the 32 day east coast Australia tour back in January. Travel Buddies sorted absolutely everything for me, all I needed to do was be in the right place at the right time.”
“Best group trip ever - we had a lot of free days and could decide what to do, but travel buddies was always in the background and you could reach out to them, when you needed help or ideas about what to do”
“Did the east coast trip and it was such a great month! Met some lovely girls in my group and many others along the way. Made travelling super easy with everything planned, all you had to do was turn up, and follow tips and directions via the WhatsApp’s group. Best month of my life, very action packed! Would 100% recommend travel buddies.”
“Travel Buddies were extremely easy to communicate with and so polite and helpful, they made my whole experience in australia the absolute best ever! special mention to Ellie who helped so much!”
“I had a great New Zealand trip with Travel Buddies! Met some of the best people ever and felt looked after by the Travel Buddies Team! Ellie was really helpful and supportive!”
“I did a Travel Buddies trip last month and it was the best way I have travelled! I’ve done other group tours before but the semi-guided style was so much better - i had more freedom to do more activities I actually wanted, while still having great recommendations and support from the team via Whatsapp. They were super helpful before i booked too and helped me book my other add ons booked like kayaking with dolphins! I had a lovely group who i still talk to today! I really recommend”
“I did the New Zealand travel buddies tour in April. I had probably the best month of my life, the tour included all of the bucket list spots to go in New Zealand, my group was amazing and I love them allllll so much, we made the most amazing memories (karaoke in Rotorua will forever be number 1). The tour itself was perfect for me – I loved the independence we all had, the support we got, how easy it was to travel, and the fact that we didn’t need to worry about where we were going next/how we were going next because it was so easy – we could just live in the moment and enjoy the trip and New Zealand! I have recommended this trip to all of my friends at home <3 I have memories and friends that I will have forever. If you’re thinking of doing it – DO ITTT”
“I did the 24 day New Zealand group tour and had such a good time. Met great people, and loved everything that was planned for us.”
“Travel Buddies were perfect for planning my solo trip to the East Coast! Jeremy was a great help planning my itinerary, always quick to respond, flexible with my changing requests, and proactive with recommendations. The smooth booking process and the reassurance that group activities are built in to help me meet other travellers made me feel confident booking a solo adventure. The trip is still ahead of me, but the planning experience alone was excellent. Highly recommend for anyone looking to build a flexible, custom solo itinerary!”
“My booking experience has been fantastic, especially with the help of Jeremy! He’s been incredibly helpful throughout the process and has answered all of my questions. I’ve felt really supported with everything, and I can’t wait for my Australia and Fiji trip! 🇦🇺🌴🇫🇯✨”
“Had such a good 31 days and Ellie was amazing”
“I like that I’ve managed to experience so much in just one month.”
“Was absolutely amazing and amazing organization!”
“That was really perfect ! Enjoyed everything”
“Nice communication with the team !”
“was great, new friendships”
FAQs
Is this a guided trip, or will I need to manage my own travel?
No, this is a self-guided package. We book your accommodation and main activities, and send you your bus pass or campervan rental, then you travel between stops at your own pace. It’s up to you to book your bus seats and arrive on time at pick-up points and departures, as missed buses or activities aren’t refundable and any extra travel is at your own cost. Our team is on WhatsApp if you need help along the way.
What is a solo package, and how does it work?
A solo package is an example itinerary for independent travellers who want the freedom of solo travel without planning every detail. It shows one way to do the trip, with accommodation, transport and activities arranged. Book it as shown, or change anything you like, including the route, the length, the stops, the activities and the direction. Just book now or send us a message and we’ll build the perfect trip for you.
What’s included in the package?
This package includes your nights of accommodation, meals and the main activities listed in your itinerary. Transport is a bus pass or campervan rental for the trip duration, and extra activities are optional add-ons. Meals can change depending on the activities and tours available on your dates. Flights and travel insurance aren’t included.
How does transport work, and do I need to book my buses?
You choose between a bus pass and a campervan rental. If you take the bus pass, we’ll get it to you, but you’re responsible for booking your own bus seats. We’ll send you our recommended schedule, times and bus stop locations with your itinerary and ticket details.
Can I travel by campervan instead?
Yes, you can choose a campervan rental for the trip duration instead of the hostels and bus pass. Let us know when you book and we’ll set it up.
Can I start on any date?
Yes, there are no fixed departures. Pick a start date that suits you when you check availability.
Can I do the trip in reverse?
Yes. Every itinerary can run in reverse, starting at the other end. Just choose your direction when you book.
How flexible is the itinerary?
Completely. Each itinerary is an example, so you can change anything: the route, the length, the stops, the activities, the accommodation and the direction. Add extra nights, swap activities, skip stops or start somewhere new, and we’ll adjust the trip and the price to match, subject to availability. Free days are yours to fill with an add-on, exploring solo or hanging out with the people you meet. Prefer to plan it from scratch? Try our build-your-own trip form.
Can I customise the package?
Yes, it’s fully customisable. Whether you want extra nights, different activities or a different route, we’ll tailor the trip to you. Try our build-your-own trip form to start planning your dream adventure.
What type of accommodation is included?
You’ll stay in highly rated social hostels with great amenities and central locations, perfect for meeting other travellers. Multi-day tours include nights camping or aboard a boat, and some itineraries include an overnight bus journey. If you’d like something a bit different, let us know and we can adjust your accommodation.
Is this trip suitable for solo travellers?
Absolutely. All the activities run in groups, while your travel between stops and your accommodation are your own. It’s a solo trip in that sense, but this coast is one of the easiest places to meet people, and since everyone’s heading the same direction you’ll likely keep bumping into the same faces at every stop.
Can I travel with a friend or partner?
Yes. Solo or with company, you can book for as many as you need and we’ll set up the trip around you all.
Are there any night-time activities or nightlife options?
Yes, plenty. Brisbane has speakeasy cocktail bars and a busy food scene, and Noosa’s KB’s Bar is a favourite for meeting other backpackers. Airlie Beach and Cairns have karaoke, bars and nightclubs. On the multi-day tours, the nights are part of the experience, with campfire evenings on K’gari and two nights aboard in the Whitsundays, with your guides and the rest of your group.
How much spending money should I bring?
Most essentials are covered, but we recommend budgeting about $50 to $100 AUD per day for extra meals, drinks, optional activities and souvenirs.
What happens if an activity is cancelled due to weather?
If an activity is cancelled because of weather or unforeseen circumstances, we’ll try to reschedule it or find an alternative. If neither is possible, you’ll get back what you paid for that activity: the full price, or the discounted price if you had a discount.
Can I book accommodation before or after the trip?
Yes, just ask when you book. Let us know your dates and we’ll make sure it lines up with your package, keeping you in the same hostel where we can, subject to availability.
When will I receive my itinerary and tickets?
Once you’ve booked and paid, you’ll get an email with a PDF of your itinerary, tickets and bus pass details. Everything is in chronological order, with one page per activity or accommodation and what you need to bring.
What should I pack, and should I bring a backpack or a suitcase?
Pack casual warm-weather clothing, swimwear, sunscreen, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and comfortable walking shoes. For camping tours, bring light layers and a small daypack. In winter, bring a jumper, as it can get chilly at night, especially south of Airlie Beach. A backpack or a suitcase both work, so bring whichever you’re more comfortable with.
How do I secure my booking?
Lock in your spot with a $200 AUD deposit and pay the rest once your plan’s confirmed.
Can I change my trip after I book?
You can up until the moment you’ve paid in full, but changes usually come with a small admin fee afterward, and they still need to fit within each supplier’s own terms and conditions.
Can I meet other travellers before the trip starts?
If you’d like a ready-made social group, why not join one of our semi-guided group trips? Otherwise, you can join Facebook backpacker groups to meet others travelling at the same time as you.
What is the age range?
Anyone 18 or over can book. There’s no upper age limit, and most solo travellers are between 18 and 35.
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