Epic East Coast Australia — Self-Launched

Fly into Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport. Take the Airport Link train into the city centre (~£12, ~13 mins to Central Station). Check into your hostel in the CBD or Kings Cross area. Spend your first afternoon getting your bearings — walk across the Harbour Bridge for free or pay ~£18 for the BridgeClimb lookout platform. Head to Circular Quay to admire the Opera House exterior (free) or book a guided tour (~£25 via GetYourGuide). Tonight, explore the lively bars of Darlinghurst or Newtown.

🚌Airport Link train: Airport to Central Station, ~£12

🛏Wake Up! Sydney Central Hostel or YHA Sydney Harbour — dorm from ~£22/night

• →Airport Link train from airport to Central Station (~£12)
• →Walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge (free)
• →Circular Quay and Sydney Opera House exterior (free)
• →Optional: Opera House guided tour (~£25 via GetYourGuide)
• →Evening: explore Darlinghurst or Newtown bar scene

Catch the 333 bus from the CBD to Bondi Beach (~£2.50). Walk the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (6km, free, ~2 hrs) taking in cliffside ocean pools, sea views, and Bronte Beach. Have lunch at one of the Coogee cafés. Return to the city via bus. In the afternoon, explore the Royal Botanic Garden (free) or Taronga Zoo (~£28). This evening, fire up the free electric BBQs at Bondi Beach parkland — a classic backpacker move.

🚌City bus (Opal card): ~£2.50 per journey

🛏Wake Up! Sydney Central Hostel or YHA Sydney Harbour — dorm from ~£22/night

• →Bus 333 to Bondi Beach (~£2.50 each way)
• →Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk — 6km, free
• →Picnic lunch on Bronte or Coogee Beach
• →Optional: Taronga Zoo (~£28 via direct booking)
• →Free BBQ at Bondi parkland in the evening

Book a 2-hour beginner surf lesson at Bondi or Manly Beach through Let's Go Surfing or a similar local operator (~£55 including board and wetsuit hire). Spend the afternoon at Manly Beach, accessible via a scenic 30-minute ferry from Circular Quay (~£8 each way — worth it for the harbour views). Tonight, head out to Sydney's nightlife — Oxford Street, Newtown, or the Rocks area.

🚌Manly Ferry from Circular Quay: ~£8 each way

🛏Wake Up! Sydney Central Hostel or YHA Sydney Harbour — dorm from ~£22/night

• →2-hr beginner surf lesson at Bondi or Manly (~£55 via Let's Go Surfing or GetYourGuide)
• →Ferry from Circular Quay to Manly (~£8 each way)
• →Afternoon free time at Manly Beach
• →Evening: Sydney nightlife — Oxford St, Newtown, or the Rocks

Take an overnight or morning Greyhound coach from Sydney Central to Byron Bay (~£45–£55, journey ~12 hrs). Alternatively, Premier Coach offers similar fares. Consider purchasing a Greyhound Whimit Pass (unlimited travel, 15-day from ~£165) if you plan to use coaches for the whole route — it offers great value. Arrive in Byron Bay and check into a hostel. Byron is one of Australia's most beloved backpacker towns — spend the evening on the beach or exploring the town's cafés and bars.

🚌Greyhound/Premier Coach: Sydney → Byron Bay, ~£45–55

🛏Arts Factory Lodge or Cape Byron YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Greyhound or Premier Coach: Sydney to Byron Bay (~£45–55, ~12 hrs)
• →Check in and explore Byron Bay town centre
• →Sunset swim at Byron Bay main beach (free)

Start the morning with a beachfront yoga class — Byron Bay is Australia's yoga capital, with drop-in classes available at Byron Yoga Centre or similar (~£12–16). Then walk the Cape Byron Lighthouse Track (3.7km loop, free) to Australia's most easterly point — the views are breathtaking and dolphins and whales are commonly spotted offshore. In the afternoon, hire a surfboard from one of Byron's many hire shops (~£15/half day) and head to The Pass or Wategos Beach for gentler waves.

🚌Walking and cycling (bike hire ~£10/day)

🛏Arts Factory Lodge or Cape Byron YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Morning yoga drop-in class (~£12–16 at Byron Yoga Centre or similar)
• →Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk — 3.7km loop, free
• →Surfboard hire (~£15/half day from local hire shops)
• →Surf session at The Pass or Wategos Beach

Rise early for sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse — the most easterly point in Australia and a magical start to the day (free). If it's a Thursday, don't miss the Byron Bay Farmers' Market at Butler Street Reserve. Spend a lazy morning on the beach before catching an afternoon Greyhound service north to Surfers Paradise (~£25–35, ~2.5 hrs).

🚌Greyhound/Premier Coach: Byron Bay → Surfers Paradise, ~£25–35

🛏Surf n Sun Beachside Hostel or Sleeping Inn Surfers — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Sunrise walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse (free)
• →Byron Bay Farmers' Market (Thursdays, free entry)
• →Morning beach time
• →Greyhound/Premier Coach: Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise (~£25–35, ~2.5 hrs)

Surfers Paradise is the Gold Coast's glitzy hub. Book a jet boat thrill ride with Jet Boat Extreme or Paradise Jet Boating (~£45–55, 55 mins, book via GetYourGuide or direct). Spend the rest of the day on the famous Surfers Paradise Beach (free). Explore the Cavill Avenue hub and try one of the many cheap eats. In the evening, visit SkyPoint Observation Deck for panoramic Gold Coast views (~£18) or just enjoy the neon-lit beachfront nightlife.

🚌Walking/local tram (G:link, ~£2.50 per journey)

🛏Surf n Sun Beachside Hostel or Sleeping Inn Surfers — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Jet boat ride (~£45–55 via Jet Boat Extreme or GetYourGuide)
• →Surfers Paradise Beach (free)
• →Optional: SkyPoint Observation Deck (~£18)
• →Explore Cavill Avenue dining and nightlife

Take the Greyhound or TransLink train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane (~£10–18, ~1.5 hrs). Check into your hostel in Fortitude Valley or the CBD. Spend the afternoon exploring Brisbane's free South Bank Parklands and the artificial Streets Beach (free). Visit the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA, free entry) and stroll across the Goodwill Bridge. This evening, explore Fortitude Valley's vibrant bar and microbrewery scene — try Newstead Brewing Co or Felons Brewing Co at Howard Smith Wharves.

🚌TransLink train or Greyhound: Gold Coast → Brisbane, ~£10–18

🛏Base Brisbane Uptown or YHA Brisbane City — dorm from ~£22/night

• →TransLink train or Greyhound: Surfers Paradise to Brisbane (~£10–18, ~1.5 hrs)
• →South Bank Parklands and Streets Beach (free)
• →Gallery of Modern Art / GOMA (free)
• →Goodwill Bridge walk (free)
• →Fortitude Valley microbreweries — Newstead or Felons Brewing Co

Explore Brisbane on foot or via the free CityHopper ferry along the Brisbane River. Visit the City Botanic Gardens (free), Kangaroo Point Cliffs (free rock climbing wall with hire available ~£15), and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (~£22 via Klook or direct — the world's largest koala sanctuary). In the evening, head to West End for Brisbane's most eclectic dining and bar scene — try the Boundary Street Markets if visiting on a weekend.

🚌Free CityHopper ferry / walking

🛏Base Brisbane Uptown or YHA Brisbane City — dorm from ~£22/night

• →Free CityHopper ferry along the Brisbane River
• →City Botanic Gardens (free)
• →Kangaroo Point Cliffs — free walking, rock climbing hire ~£15
• →Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (~£22 via Klook or direct)
• →West End dining and bar scene

Take a Greyhound coach from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach (~£30–40, ~3.5 hrs). Rainbow Beach is a small, laid-back coastal town and the main jumping-off point for K'gari (Fraser Island). Check into your hostel and spend the afternoon exploring the coloured sand cliffs of Rainbow Beach (free) and swimming at the beach. Tomorrow you'll join a 3-day 4WD tour of K'gari — book this independently in advance with operators like Fraser's on Rainbow or Nomads Fraser Island Tours (~£150–200 for a 3-day/2-night tag-along 4WD tour).

🚌Greyhound: Brisbane → Rainbow Beach, ~£30–40

🛏Rainbow Beach Holiday Village or Dingo's Rainbow Beach Hostel — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Greyhound: Brisbane to Rainbow Beach (~£30–40, ~3.5 hrs)
• →Rainbow Beach coloured sand cliffs walk (free)
• →Afternoon swim at Rainbow Beach (free)
• →Pre-book 3-day K'gari 4WD tag-along tour (~£150–200 with Fraser's or Nomads)

Board the vehicle barge from Inskip Point to K'gari with your 4WD tag-along group (barge included in most tour packages). K'gari is the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day 1 typically covers the eastern beach highway, stopping at Eli Creek (float down Australia's largest freshwater creek on the island — magical), the Maheno Shipwreck, and the multi-coloured Pinnacles sand cliffs. Camp overnight at a beachside campsite under the stars.

🚌4WD tag-along tour vehicle (included in tour package)

🛏Beachside camping on K'gari (included in tag-along tour package ~£150–200 total)

• →Barge crossing from Inskip Point to K'gari (included in tour)
• →Eastern beach 4WD drive
• →Eli Creek — float downstream through freshwater creek (free with tour)
• →Maheno Shipwreck viewing (free)
• →Pinnacles coloured sand cliffs (free)
• →Beach camping — meals usually included in tag-along tour

Today is the highlight of many visitors' entire Australia trip. Drive through the island's interior rainforest tracks to Lake McKenzie — a stunning perched lake with crystal-clear freshwater and white silica sand shores. Swim and relax. In the afternoon, head to the Champagne Pools in the island's north — natural rock pools filled by crashing waves, creating a champagne-like effect. Watch for dingoes on the beach at dusk — K'gari is home to Australia's purest population of wild dingoes.

🚌4WD tag-along tour vehicle (included in tour package)

🛏Beachside camping on K'gari (included in tag-along tour package)

• →Lake McKenzie — freshwater swimming in crystal-clear perched lake (free with tour)
• →Interior rainforest 4WD tracks
• →Champagne Pools — natural rock pools (free with tour)
• →Dingo spotting at dusk
• →Campfire dinner at beach camp

Final morning on K'gari — explore any remaining stops such as Lake Wabby (a sand blow lake slowly being consumed by a giant dune) before taking the barge back to Inskip Point and driving back to Rainbow Beach. Rest up, shower, and repack your bags. Tonight is a great chance to meet other travellers at the Rainbow Beach hostel and compare notes on the island.

🚌4WD return to Rainbow Beach (included in tour)

🛏Rainbow Beach Holiday Village or Dingo's Rainbow Beach Hostel — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Optional morning: Lake Wabby hike (~45 mins return, free with tour)
• →Barge return: K'gari to Inskip Point (included in tour)
• →Return to Rainbow Beach hostel
• →Rest and repack evening

Take the Greyhound overnight coach from Rainbow Beach/Noosa towards Airlie Beach (~£55–70, ~10–12 hrs overnight). This is a classic backpacker move — you save a night's accommodation and wake up at your next destination. Pack a neck pillow and an eye mask. If travelling on a Whimit pass, this is included. Arrive in Airlie Beach in the morning of Day 15.

🚌Greyhound overnight coach: Rainbow Beach → Airlie Beach, ~£55–70

🛏Overnight Greyhound coach (saves one night's accommodation cost)

• →Relax and explore Rainbow Beach in the morning
• →Evening: board overnight Greyhound coach to Airlie Beach (~£55–70)

Arrive into Airlie Beach in the morning. Check into your hostel and freshen up. Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsundays and the town is buzzing with backpackers. Spend the morning booking or confirming your 2-night Whitsundays sailing trip — top operators include Summertime Sailing, Ragamuffin, Derwent Hunter, and Camira (book via direct operator websites or GetYourGuide, expect ~£250–320 for a 2-night/3-day trip including all meals and snorkelling). Explore the Airlie Beach Lagoon (free outdoor pool), browse tour operators on the main strip, and enjoy the lively backpacker nightlife.

🚌Walking around Airlie Beach town

🛏Magnums Backpackers or Base Airlie Beach — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Arrive Airlie Beach, check in and freshen up
• →Airlie Beach Lagoon — free outdoor pool
• →Book/confirm Whitsundays 2-night sailing trip (~£250–320 direct or GetYourGuide)
• →Explore tour operator strip and town
• →Evening: Airlie Beach nightlife (Magnums, Mama Africa)

Board your sailing vessel from Airlie Beach Marina in the morning. The Whitsundays 2-night sailing trips are one of Australia's iconic backpacker experiences — you'll sail between stunning islands, snorkel coral reefs, and sleep on the boat under the stars. Day 1 typically includes sailing to Whitehaven Beach — a 7km stretch of 98% pure silica sand consistently ranked among the world's best beaches. Hike up to Hill Inlet lookout for the swirling sand and turquoise water views. Snorkelling stops at fringing reefs along the way. All meals are included on liveaboard trips.

🚌Sailing vessel (included in package)

🛏Liveaboard sailing vessel bunk (included in sailing package ~£250–320 total)

• →Board sailing vessel at Airlie Beach Marina (included in sailing package)
• →Sail to Whitehaven Beach — 7km of pure silica sand
• →Hill Inlet lookout hike for swirling sand views
• →Snorkelling at fringing reefs (equipment included in package)
• →Sundowner drinks on deck

Full day of sailing and snorkelling around the Whitsunday Islands. Most operators visit Hardy Reef or Knuckle Reef for snorkelling — part of the Great Barrier Reef — where you'll swim above coral gardens, reef fish, and turtles. Learn to help sail the boat if you're keen. Enjoy sundowner drinks as you anchor in a sheltered bay for the night. The social atmosphere on liveaboard boats makes this one of the easiest places to make travel friends.

🚌Sailing vessel (included in package)

🛏Liveaboard sailing vessel bunk (included in sailing package)

• →Reef snorkelling at Hardy Reef or Knuckle Reef (equipment included)
• →Sailing between islands — optional crew participation
• →Whale watching (seasonal, June–September)
• →Sundowner beers on deck at anchor

Return to Airlie Beach Marina in the morning. Grab a shower at the hostel, repack, and head to the Proserpine or Airlie Beach bus station for a Greyhound coach to Townsville (~£25–35, ~3 hrs). From Townsville, catch the Sealink passenger ferry to Magnetic Island (~£12 each way, 20 mins). Check into your hostel on Maggie Island — one of Australia's most underrated stops.

🚌Greyhound: Airlie Beach → Townsville ~£25–35; Sealink ferry: Townsville → Magnetic Island ~£12

🛏Base Magnetic Island or Bungalow Bay Koala Village — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Disembark sailing vessel at Airlie Beach Marina
• →Greyhound: Airlie Beach to Townsville (~£25–35, ~3 hrs)
• →Sealink ferry: Townsville to Magnetic Island (~£12, 20 mins)
• →Check in and explore Nelly Bay or Horseshoe Bay

Magnetic Island ('Maggie') is a hidden gem 20 minutes from Townsville with 23 pristine bays, wild koalas, and stunning coastal walks. The Forts Walk (3.8km return, free) is the island's must-do — WWII military ruins set amid boulder landscapes with panoramic views and wild koalas sleeping in the trees along the trail. Afterwards, hire a mini-moke (open-sided buggy, ~£45–60/day from Magnetic Island Car Rentals) to explore the island's bays. Horseshoe Bay is the liveliest — great for kayaking (~£20 hire) and the famous Horseshoe Bay Bar & Grill for evening drinks.

🚌Mini-moke hire ~£45–60/day (shareable between 4 people)

🛏Base Magnetic Island or Bungalow Bay Koala Village — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Forts Walk — 3.8km return, WWII ruins, koala spotting (free)
• →Mini-moke hire to explore the island (~£45–60/day)
• →Horseshoe Bay swimming and beach time (free)
• →Optional: kayak hire at Horseshoe Bay (~£20)
• →Horseshoe Bay Bar & Grill for sundowners

Take the Sealink ferry back to Townsville (~£12) and board a Greyhound coach north to Mission Beach (~£30–40, ~3 hrs). Mission Beach is a small, lush rainforest-meets-beach paradise — home to cassowaries, the world's most dangerous birds, which you may spot wandering the streets. Check into your hostel and take an easy stroll along the 14km beach. Mission Beach is also Australia's skydiving capital — if you're brave, book a tandem skydive with Skydive Mission Beach (~£150–175 for a 14,000ft jump with Great Barrier Reef backdrop, book via GetYourGuide or direct).

🚌Sealink ferry + Greyhound: Magnetic Island → Mission Beach, ~£42–52 total

🛏Sanctuary Rainforest Retreat or Dunk Island View Caravan Park — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Sealink ferry: Magnetic Island to Townsville (~£12)
• →Greyhound: Townsville to Mission Beach (~£30–40, ~3 hrs)
• →Walk Mission Beach's 14km stretch of beach (free)
• →Cassowary spotting in town (free, keep your distance!)
• →Optional: tandem skydive with Skydive Mission Beach (~£150–175)

Spend the morning sea kayaking in the Mission Beach waters with Coral Sea Kayaking (~£50–65 for a guided half-day tour to Dunk Island). In the afternoon, consider a trip to the magical Paronella Park (~£28 entry, ~45 mins south of Mission Beach by car — arrange a shared taxi or day tour for ~£15–20). Paronella Park is a Spanish castle built in the rainforest in the 1930s, now partially reclaimed by nature — one of Queensland's most unique and atmospheric sites, especially on the evening glow-worm tour.

🚌Shared taxi/shuttle to Paronella Park ~£15–20 return

🛏Sanctuary Rainforest Retreat or Dunk Island View Caravan Park — dorm from ~£18/night

• →Morning sea kayaking with Coral Sea Kayaking (~£50–65 half-day to Dunk Island)
• →Paronella Park — Spanish castle ruins in the rainforest (~£28 entry)
• →Paronella Park evening glow-worm tour (included in entry after dark)
• →Shared taxi or shuttle to Paronella Park (~£15–20 return)

Take the Greyhound coach from Mission Beach to Cairns (~£20–30, ~2 hrs). Cairns is the adventure capital of Australia and the end point of the classic East Coast trail. Check into your hostel in the city centre or at the Esplanade. Spend the afternoon at the free Cairns Esplanade Lagoon (one of the best free public pools in Australia), browse the famous night markets, and walk the Esplanade boardwalk. Pre-book your Great Barrier Reef snorkelling day trip for tomorrow or Day 23 — top operators include Reef Magic, Sunlover Reef Cruises, and Passions of Paradise (~£75–110 for a full day, book via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct).

🚌Greyhound: Mission Beach → Cairns, ~£20–30

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Greyhound: Mission Beach to Cairns (~£20–30, ~2 hrs)
• →Cairns Esplanade Lagoon — free public swimming lagoon
• →Cairns Night Markets — browse and eat (~£5–10 for food)
• →Esplanade boardwalk walk (free)
• →Book Great Barrier Reef snorkelling day trip (~£75–110)

Today is the undisputed highlight of the entire East Coast trip. Board your reef cruise vessel from Cairns Marina for a full-day snorkelling trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Operators like Reef Magic (Moore Reef), Sunlover (Moore Reef), and Passions of Paradise (Paradise and Michaelmas Reefs) offer full-day trips with 2–3 snorkelling stops, lunch on board, and optional introductory scuba dives (~£35 extra). The reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the natural wonders of the world — a genuinely life-changing experience. Return to Cairns in the late afternoon.

🚌Reef cruise departs from Cairns Marina (included in tour price)

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Full-day Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise (~£75–110 via Reef Magic, Sunlover, or Passions of Paradise / GetYourGuide)
• →2–3 snorkelling stops on the Outer Reef (equipment included)
• →Lunch on board (included)
• →Optional: introductory scuba dive (~£35 extra)
• →Semi-submersible or glass-bottom boat viewing (included on some tours)

The Atherton Tablelands is a lush volcanic plateau 1 hour inland from Cairns, packed with waterfalls, crater lakes, and wildlife. Join a day tour from Cairns (~£65–80 via On The Wallaby or Uncle Brian's Tours — both popular backpacker-focused options on GetYourGuide) or hire a car and self-drive (~£35–45/day). Highlights include swimming in the twin crater lakes of Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine (free), Millaa Millaa Falls (Queensland's most photographed waterfall), and platypus spotting at Yungaburra at dusk. Return to Cairns in the evening.

🚌Day tour ~£65–80 return from Cairns, or car hire ~£35–45/day

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Day tour to Atherton Tablelands (~£65–80 via On The Wallaby or Uncle Brian's / GetYourGuide) OR self-drive hire car (~£35–45/day)
• →Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine — volcanic crater lakes, swimming (free)
• →Millaa Millaa Falls — Queensland's most photographed waterfall
• →Curtain Fig Tree — ancient strangler fig (free)
• →Platypus spotting at Yungaburra at dusk (free)

Spend a relaxed day in and around Cairns. Take the local bus (~£3) north to Palm Cove — a beautiful beachside village 25km from Cairns with lined palm trees, calm water, and excellent cafés. Swimming is safe here (unlike central Cairns, which has stingers). Back in Cairns, consider optional adventure activities: white water rafting on the Tully River (~£100, full day), bungy jumping at AJ Hackett (~£75), or a scenic hot air balloon flight over the tablelands (~£150 via Cairns Balloon). This evening, have a farewell dinner with travel friends made along the way.

🚌Local bus to Palm Cove ~£3 each way

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Local bus to Palm Cove (~£3, 25km north of Cairns)
• →Swimming and café lunch at Palm Cove
• →Optional: white water rafting on Tully River (~£100 full day via Raging Thunder)
• →Optional: bungy jumping at AJ Hackett Cairns (~£75)
• →Farewell dinner in Cairns (try Ochre Restaurant for local cuisine, ~£25–35)

Use this buffer day to plan your onward journey. Popular options from Cairns include: flying to Bali or Southeast Asia (budget airlines like AirAsia and Jetstar from ~£80–120), taking the Greyhound north to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest, or flying back to Sydney for international connections. Visit the Cairns Aquarium (~£18) or the free Museum of Tropical Queensland. Cairns also has excellent free walking paths along the Esplanade. Explore the city's food scene — Cairns Night Markets and the Esplanade café strip are great for cheap meals.

🚌Walking / local bus

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Cairns Aquarium (~£18) or Museum of Tropical Queensland (free)
• →Esplanade boardwalk and gardens (free)
• →Onward travel planning — research Bali, Southeast Asia, or Daintree connections
• →Cairns Night Markets for food and souvenirs

Final full day in Cairns. If budget allows, take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (~£40–50 return) or Kuranda Scenic Railway (~£30–38 return) up to Kuranda village in the rainforest — both are iconic Queensland experiences. The scenic railway winds through tunnels and over gorges through Wet Tropics rainforest. Explore the Kuranda markets and Rainforestation (~£28). Return to Cairns for a final evening dinner and drinks.

🚌Skyrail/Scenic Railway to Kuranda ~£30–50

🛏Gilligan's Backpacker Hotel or Cairns Central YHA — dorm from ~£20/night

• →Optional: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (~£40–50 return via Klook or direct)
• →Optional: Kuranda Scenic Railway (~£30–38 return via direct booking)
• →Kuranda village markets and Rainforestation (~£28)
• →Final evening dinner and drinks in Cairns

Trip ends in Cairns. Check out of your hostel and head to Cairns Airport for your onward flight. The airport is only 7km from the city centre — take a taxi (~£10–12) or pre-book an airport shuttle (~£8). Congratulations — you've completed one of the world's great backpacker routes, from Sydney to Cairns, entirely on your own terms and at a fraction of the group tour price. Safe travels!

🚌Taxi or shuttle to Cairns Airport ~£8–12

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Check out of hostel
• →Taxi or shuttle to Cairns Airport (~£8–12)
• →Depart Cairns