If you’re planning on travelling the east coast you may feel a little overwhelmed with all the trips.

Or with which company you should go with. Here are some companies we think are best suited for young backpackers.

Melbourne

Ride tours

Ride Tours are a perfect trip to check out the Great Ocean Road just outside of Melbourne. You will get stop over at some awesome locations such as The 12 Apostles, loch and gorge and apollo bay. But you’ll even get to see some native Australian animals like koalas and kangaroos. After doing some walks and heading down by the beach you can see the famous great ocean road sign. Where you are able to stop and take photos and it’s a good opportunity to learn about the famous road. And how many returned soldiers built it in honour of their fellow soldiers who passed in world war I. They are a great company as they take people aged from 18-35 years old meaning super social and fun. 

Ride tours also offers not only day trips but also a 2 day 1 night trip. Which is great for socialising and meeting other solo travellers. 

Explore Australia Phillip Island

The perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with some of Australian native animals. Explore Australia takes a small group and you have two options. You can either head over to French island or visit the Moonlit Sanctuary.
If you are heading out to French Island you get to hop in a 4 wheeled drive and see koalas. And stroll along the volcanic coastline and check out some amazing lookouts.
If you go with the Moonlit Sanctuary tour. You’ll get to encounter some famous Australian wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, reptiles, Tasmanian Devils, and Koalas. Sometimes you are even able to get up close and personal with the koalas and kangaroos.
Whether you go exploring French Island or hang with the natives at the Moonlit Sanctuary. You then head over to Phillip Island where you get to see hundreds of penguins. Making their way into there burrows as the sun goes down.

Images from Phillip Island Nature Parks | 2016

Sydney East Coast

Coast warriors blue mountains

Coast warriors are a great tour company for anyone travelling alone or with some buddies. They take 21 people on board Trudy the bus and include a picnic lunch. Where you can BYO alcohol (they stop off at a bottle shop). They delve into the aboriginal culture a bit telling you about the three sisters rock formations story.

Wentworth falls is next on this tour, where you do a 90 minute hike down through the undercliff. To the bottom of the 187 meter waterfall in Jamison Valley. Or as some say Jurassic Park, especially on foggy days.

After lunch you’ll head over to Lincoln’s Rock which is an amazing rock lodge. With a beautiful view of Jamison Valley. Where some say it feels like you’re looking over the edge of the world.

On hot days we go for a dip. And sun bath at the local swimming spot in Glenny called Jellybean Pool! This swimming hole is a real Aussie experience, as it’s surrounded by bush, different bird species, rocks, random natural sand.

Byron Bay East Coast

Cape Byron kayaks

Kayak around the famous Byron Bay marine reserve and get up close and personal with the friendly Bottlenose Dolphins see them in their natural habitat. You also may get the chance to spot some sea turtles coming up for air or the majestic Humpback whales migrating through Byron Bay. You will even stop over at a beach and try the iconic Tim Tams.

dolphin next to kayak in byron bay

Brisbane East Coast

Moreton Island Adventure Pass

Jump on the ferry and spend the day exploring Moreton Island and the Tangalooma Shipwrecks at your own pace where you can kayak, stand up paddleboard and snorkel. Out of the water you’ve still got plenty to do whether you’re playing basketball, mini golf or tennis, so be ready for a fun filled day. 

DCIM100GOPRO

Noosa

Noosa Everglades

See Australia’s only Everglades in the comfort of the specially designed eco boats with Noosa Everglades. Cruise to the canoe launch area, grab a paddle and jump in a canoe for one of the most beautiful experiences and see the untouched wilderness regions.  This area is home to 44% of Australia’s bird species.  When travelling down what is known as the river of mirrors, you will be in awe of the breathtaking scenery because the reflection provides picture-perfect opportunities.

Swimming in the noosa everglades

Rainbow Beach

Pippies Fraser Island Tag-along

If you’re planning to visit Fraser island, Pippies offer an unforgettable experience. With their tagalong tours you can drive 4×4’s along the beach, sleep in tents getting that real camping experience and see some of Fraser island’s most beautiful landmarks. They have a tour which runs from rainbow beach for 3 days and 2 nights giving you plenty of time to explore the natural treasures on the island such as the Champagne rock pools, Eli creek, The Maheno Shipwreck and Lake Mackenzie.

They offer pre and post accommodation on rainbow beach for before and after your tour and all your food is included in the coast. It’s a great tour if you are travelling alone or even with some friends as it is such a social atmosphere and you’ll find yourself forming tight bonds in such a short amount of time. They cover all food while you are on the island and you are able to bring your own alcohol along to keep the good times going all night.

Fraser car group shot

Airlie Beach Whitsundays East Coast

Clipper and New horizon

If you love to party and meet new people The Clipper and New Horizon boats are the best option for you when picking which tour for your Whitsundays sailing trip. On your trip you will not only be making some great friends but you will get to snorkel along the fringe of the great barrier reef, walk along the beautiful white sand and swim in the turquoise waters at Whitehaven beach. They are 2 day 2 night trips which include all snorkel gear and all your food so you only need to pack lightly with bathers being your top priority.

whitehaven hill inlet

Day trip tour ocean rafting

If you’re short on time or just looking for a cheaper option when heading out on the Whitsundays, a day trip may be a great option. In just one day you will Ride, beach, snorkel and bushwalk. With Ocean Rafting you get to spend up to 2 hours on the famous Whitehaven Beach.

Mission beach

Skydive Australia

Skydiving is already an unforgettable experience and one of the most thrilling things some do in their life. What mission beach offers which is different to all other locations is that you are able to skydive overlooking the Great Barrier Reef and Islands and then land on the beach. Definitely a great stop if you were wanting to check sky diving off your bucket list and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way down.

Leaving the plane on a skydive

Cairns

Passions of Paradise- The Great Barrier Reef

A must see when in cairns is of course the great barrier reef. Passions of Paradise take you out for the day where you can snorkel, dive and sail on The Great Barrier Reef. The big 25 meter high performance catamaran goes out daily from Cairns marina taking guests to 2 unique outer reef locations. Out here you will see hundreds of different species of fish and all colours of the rainbow in coral. You also have a high chance of spotting sea turtles and swimming only meters away from reef sharks. The tour guides on board have great knowledge about the different species you may spot while out snorkelling or diving which is super helpful for any questions you may have.

Cape Tribulation Tropics Explorer

Cape Tribulation is a great stop along the East Coast where you can find the world’s oldest rainforest meet The Great Barrier Reef. This is the only place in the world where you can see 2 world heritage listed sites at once. On your ferry over to the Daintree rainforest keep your eyes peeled for some crocodiles. Some places you will see on your trip are Mossman Gorge where you can experience an indigenous welcoming to the country, Cape Tribulation where you can go on a short walk finding different ferns and shrubs, The Daintree Rainforest and a short visit to Port Douglas.

Waterfalls Uncle Brian’s

There’s not a dull moment with Uncle Brian’s tours from the moment you step on the bus. The guides are playing some Australian classics through the speakers. And playing some ice breakers on your journey to the first stop. The day includes visiting Babinda Boulders with crystal clear mountain water you can swim in.

Josephine falls which has a natural rock slide you can slide down into a swimming hole, Milla Milla falls which has a 30 meter (100ft) waterfall you can swim behind and watch the water crash over the top, Lake Echam is a volcanic crater lake filled by rain water, which is over 60 meters deep created by pressure that erupted and a beautiful location where you can have a dip. Make sure you’ve got your bathers on this trip as there is lots of swimming at every location, also included is a massive lunch at a café which also includes dessert… say less. At the end of the tour you get the chance to try and spot platypus in a little hidden spot just off the road.

Beautiful lake in the Atherton Tablelands

Green Island Great Adventures

Green island is home to both a reef and rainforest experience. Here you can go snorkelling spotting different species of fish and see coral of all different colours. Another special experience you can have on Green Island is the glass bottom boat tour. Where you can see all the marine life in their natural habitats. Plenty to see and do on Green Island. If you’re looking for an adventurous day or if you just want to relax. It’s perfect for a day out.

snorkelling green island

Fitzroy Island Adventures

Fitzroy Island Adventures offers many different options when planning your trip. You can either just pay for the ferry transfers or if you want to experience more you can add things such as lunch, the glass bottom boat tour and snorkelling. Spot marine and coral of all colours of the rainbow snorkelling or on the glass bottom boat. Spend up to 6 hours on the island soaking up the sun, swimming in the beautiful waters and walking on the many different tracks.

In the East Coast of Australia there is so much to see and do. These are some of the many companies that take you on the best, most unforgettable trips on your journey. Enjoy some of the most beautiful places around Australia on these tours. Where you will be meeting so many new people from all around the world and make memories that will last forever.