Description
Stray tours embarks on an unforgettable 19-day journey along the captivating East Coast. Commencing from the laid-back ambiance of Cairns and culminating in the bustling energy of Sydney.And guided by the spirited Kookaburra! Native to Australia, this charismatic bird is renowned for its mischievous laughter, ensuring plentiful moments of amusement throughout your adventure. Prepare to immerse yourself in verdant rainforests, pristine beaches, rich cultural experiences, and exclusive local gems. Carefully curated for your enjoyment. Accompanied by a knowledgeable driver/guide sharing insider insights and surrounded by fellow travelers destined to become lifelong friends, delve into the wonders that Australia has to offer.
Whats included on Stray
Private Coach & Small Group
Take the pressure off, kick back, relax and soak up the scenery and let someone else do the driving. Only Stray travels by private, air-conditioned bus all the way from Cairns to Sydney, with a maximum of 20 onboard for your comfort.
Stray Guide
So much more than just your tour guide – expect entertaining anecdotes, great recommendations, extra support and local insider knowledge. They know every inch of this country. You can’t get this from a google search!
Accommodation
18 nights twin/double accommodation and including 9 nights 3-4 star hotel and resort accommodation, 3 nights glamping in Noosa, 6 nights in cabins/villas.
Meals
21 meals included – 13 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Top Rated Experiences
Stunning scenery, tropical islands, amazing culture, food & wine tasting, wildlife spotting! There are so many inclusions with the Stray Kookaburra Cairns to Sydney tour. And we can’t wait for you to experience them:
- Furthermore enjoy the relaxed Cairns lifestyle, welcome dinner with a native bush food tutorial and the fun nightlife.
- Embrace your inner nature-lover on Magnetic Island, a wildlife paradise filled with koalas and wallabies.
- Explore the breath-taking Whitsunday Islands on an exhilarating day tour visiting both ends of the famous Whitehaven Beach. Hill Inlet lookout and snorkelling over amazing fringing reef.
- Stay at an Eco Resort in the relaxed seaside town of Bargara near Bundaberg.
- Head out on a full day tour to the jewel of the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Lady Musgrave Island and Lagoon where you will encounter abundant marine and wildlife.
- Visit Noosa and spend three nights glamping in safari tents at Habitat Noosa Eco Camp. Set amongst 65 acres of National Park on the edge of Lake Cootharaba. And the gateway to 1 of only 2 everglades in the world.
- Embark on a 4WD day Safari to the largest sand island in the world – K’gari. Visit a shipwreck, rainforest and swim in crystal clear waters.
- Check out the Gold Coast with a stop in Surfers Paradise before arriving in laid-back Byron Bay for the weekend.
- Connect and gain an understanding of the incredible Aboriginal Culture through a bush walk and cultural experience.
- Stay in cabins/villas at a beachside holiday resort. On the beautiful Coffs Coast while watching the local kangaroos hop on by.
- Get a closer look at Australia’s laziest (and cutest) marsupials at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
- Stop for a brewery tasting tour then snap the amazing views and beaches in and around Port Stephens.
- Discover your inner wine connoisseur at Hunter Valley. And taste award-winning samples fresh from the organic vineyard along with some local cheeses.
- Finish the tour in the harbour city of Sydney with a farewell dinner. And night included in a convenient central city hotel.
Your travel itinerary
G’day and welcome to your epic East Coast adventure. If you’ve just flown in, we recommend jumping on a shuttle bus from the airport to our centrally located accommodation. You can check into your hotel between 2 and 4.30pm. At 5pm head down to reception where you’ll meet your Stray guide and your new Stray mates, who you’ll be travelling with for the next 12 days. Then, everyone will head out for a special welcome dinner – a Taste of Australia Experience with a bush food tutorial and a 3-course menu featuring native foods that have been used by indigenous Australians for thousands of years. What a way to start your adventure right?!
Today you’re free to do whatever you choose. Walk the Esplanade and go for a refreshing dip, check out the many shops and cafes in town, the new Forever Reef exhibit at the aquarium or visit the tropical Botanical Gardens. If you’d like to visit Cape Tribulation, the Great Barrier Reef or even skydive on this day please let Stray or your agent know in advance so we can reserve your spot as the best activities book up quickly (additional cost).
This morning we’ll jump on the Stray bus and head south, stopping at the famous Josephine Falls along the way for a refreshing dip and some amazing photos. Next, we’ll dry off and make our way to Townsville where we’ll catch the ferry to our destination for the next two nights, Magnetic Island (known to the locals as ‘Maggie’). Nearly 50% of Magnetic Island is national parkland so it’s absolutely steeped in natural beauty, it’s surrounded by beaches and is also home to loads of wildlife, including koalas! Settle in for a dreamy couple of days in an island paradise.
Today you have a full free day to explore so have a relaxing sleep-in or get an early start with a morning hike! This beautiful island is home to the historic Forts Complex, which you’ll get to see during a scenic walk with your Guide, finishing with amazing views over the island and ocean beyond. Spend the rest of your day relaxing on a secluded beach, hiking through native bush, searching for wildlife or joining in on a wellness activity at your accommodation. Top tip: throughout the day, make sure you stay alert and keep your eyes on the trees – Maggie Island is one of the best places in Australia to see koalas in the wild.
This morning we’ll say goodbye to Maggie Island and catch the ferry back to the mainland where we’ll hit the road travelling south to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands! Check in and then spend some time checking out Airlie Beach – we recommend heading to the lagoon for a swim and then to one of the many local bars for sundowners.
Today you’ll head out on the water to see the spectacular Whitsundays Islands up close. Starting with an exhilarating ride to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach where you can actually polish jewellery with the white silica sand, we’ll explore Hill Inlet Beach and a guided walk-through Whitsunday Island National Park to the lookout for the most amazing views. We’ll have lunch together and then do some snorkelling over vibrant fringing reefs. If you’d like to see the Islands from above, there’s time for a scenic flight (optional extra) over the outer Great Barrier Reef (including Heart Reef) in the morning before the Whitsundays tour departs.
Today is a big travelling day to Bargara, a beachside suburb of Bundaberg, so load up on snacks, make sure all your devices are charged and keep your eyes on the road for some amazing views along the way. We’ll make some stops to stretch our legs and arrive in Bargara in the evening, where we’ll have a bush BBQ dinner together.
Rise and shine this morning for a big adventure, today is going to be special so make sure to pack your camera! We’ll head to the marina where we’ll board the Reef Empress, a luxury high speed catamaran. To wake us up we’ll get a barista-made coffee which we can enjoy as we set sail for Lady Musgrave Island. The Island is a 14 hectares coral cay, a turtle breeding area and is the second southernmost island in the Great Barrier Reef chain of islands so it’s pretty spectacular.
On arrival to Lady Musgrave Island, we’ll be welcomed by one of their guides who will share some history and acknowledgement of our traditional owner tribes, as well as the important safety points about visiting this highly protected marine park.
After exploring the island, we’ll have a delicious lunch and then we’ll get to go snorkelling in the Lady Musgrave Lagoon. There’s so much vibrant coral and marine life including manta rays, turtles and reef sharks, as well as ledges and caves just waiting to be explored. After all the under the sea fun, we’ll head back to the mainland in the late afternoon.
Today we’ll have a leisurely start to the morning and then jump back on the bus to head down towards the Sunshine Coast, arriving at Habitat Noosa, an Eco Camp where we’ll spend the next three nights. Set amongst 65 acres of the Great Sandy National Park and perched on the edge of picturesque Lake Cootharaba, your accommodation is super close to some awesome walking trails that show you the rich history of the region and help you get up close and personal with some wildlife! Habitat is the gateway to one of only two everglades in the world, and it has its own bar and bistro serving up local produce plus there’s also a Microbrewery onsite – we know, it all sounds un-beer-liveable doesn’t it?
Today you have a completely free day to spend doing whatever you like. Explore the Everglades by kayak or boat (optional extra), head into Noosa town and check out the boutiques and cafes on Hastings Street, or just spend the day at Habitat and enjoy some beer tasting or water sports (optional extra). The Noosa Surf Club is one of our faves so if you’d like a long lunch in the sunshine, you can’t go wrong with a local hotspot!
This morning, get an early start to make sure you can explore as much of the world’s largest sand island as possible on a specially curated one-day 4WD adventure. Led by an experienced local guide, you’ll see K’gari’s most iconic sights from Lake McKenzie and 75 Mile Beach to Eli Creek, World Heritage-listed rainforest and the historic Maheno Shipwreck. After all the action of the day it’s back to Habitat and our glamping tents under the stars.
Today we’re heading off towards Byron Bay, stopping along the way in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We’ll stretch our legs in Surfers Paradise where you can explore the golden beaches and cafes before arriving ready for the weekend in the iconic Byron Bay!
Today you have a full day in Byron Bay to really embrace the Byron Bay motto: “cheer up, slow down, and chill out”. Start your day off with a morning swim in the ocean then spend your day exploring the laidback hippy town.
Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s most easterly point, or check out the many eclectic boutiques and cafes around town. If you’re looking for adventure, join a sea kayaking or snorkel trip and search for dolphins and other marine life, or even go for an iconic Australian activity – learning to surf.
Enjoy a bit more of Byron Bay this morning until we make our way further south to the super scenic Coffs Coast. On the way there, we’ll stop in the picturesque seaside town of Yamba for lunch. We’ll also visit the Angourie Blue Pool, an old quarry that was accidentally filled by an underground spring, meaning you can now cool off in a freshwater pool right on the beach.
For the next two nights we’re staying in villas at a beachfront holiday resort set amongst 110-acres of beachside rainforest, so it’s the best of both worlds. Jump in the pool, take a heated spa, grab a cocktail at the bar or head to the beach. Feeling active? Go for a bike ride, a spot of archery or nine holes of golf if you fancy it.
Today we’ll have a relaxed morning followed by a stop in Coffs Harbour for lunch and then a special Aboriginal experience learning about the First Nations people of Australia.
Your Cultural Experience takes place at an important cultural site of the Gumbaynggirr people, the stunning location of Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) within the Orara East State Forest. You’ll go for a 2-hour tour and see 360-degree views, as well as getting the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture through stories, songs, language and the uses of native plants. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience with an emphasis on authentic connection and contributing to helping a community regain their culture and identity.
Do More: By taking part in the experience, you’re making a direct contribution to the revitalisation of Gumbaynggirr language and culture with a percentage of the tour price going towards the local bilingual school to help foster cultural identity and education success.
We’ll depart Darlington Beach this morning and make a stop at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to see the amazing work being done to protect koalas from loss of habitat and injury. On the way into Port Stephens we’ll stop at Murray’s Brewery, one of Australia’s leading craft beer brewers, where we’ll enjoy a tour and beer tasting. Not into beer? Not to worry, there is a spritz, ginger beer and a gin drink to try out instead.
This morning you have the choice to sleep in, go for some first-class sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes (optional expense), or join your Stray guide for an energising hike to the summit of Tomaree Head, which stands at 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance. This short 2.2km return track offers breathtaking views of the coastline and panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands- you might even be lucky enough to see some dolphins.
In the afternoon spend some time relaxing at the resort pool (one of the largest in Australia) or jump on a Dolphin discovery cruise (optional expense).
Today we head to Sydney, our final destination! Along the way, we’ll stop at the popular Hunter Valley wine region for a tour of an organic vineyard. Learn about how through years of research and development, they have become one of Australia’s largest producers of award-winning organic, vegan-friendly, and no added sulphur wines. Their contemporary organic philosophy aims to produce wines of terroir while limiting environmental pollution and leaving the land in the best condition possible for generations to follow. And of course, after the tour sit down to a wine tasting with cheese and crackers.
On arrival in the beautiful harbour city of Sydney, we’ll check in then head to a nearby restaurant for dinner and drinks to celebrate our last night on tour and say some emotional farewells to our group!
Today is the final day of your Stray adventure. Give a hug or a wave to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo – G’DAY MATES!
Check out some other great adventures with Kakadu
Important info before travel
- Trip starts: The arrival day is on a Monday and we depart from Cairns on Wednesday morning.
- Transport: Travel by private Stray bus, ferry (Magnetic Island & K’gari), 4WD bus (K’gari), fast semi rigid inflatable boat (Whitsundays), cruise catamaran (Lady Musgrave Island).
- Included meals: Any dietary requirements or allergies must be advised upon booking so that they can be catered to where possible.
- Guides: Your Guide is your Bus Driver, Activity Organiser, Tour Guide, and friend. They’re always on hand to give you travel trips, advice and any help you need.
- Stray Travellers: Find your tribe and make meaningful connections with travellers from all over the world. The majority of our passengers are aged between 31-55 but there is no age limit! You just need to be reasonably fit and be young at heart!
- Covid Safety Measures: To minimise risk to our travellers, staff and operators we will be doing everything we can to reduce the risk of transmission and we will be playing it safe with safety measures such as regular bus cleaning and disinfecting, and having hand sanitiser on the bus. If you would like a copy of our full COVID-19 Safety Plan, please email reservations@straytravel.com
You should bring a backpack or small/medium suitcase (up to 15kg) filled with…
- Your clothes with at least one warm jumper and a pair of trousers.
- Swimsuit / Towel
- Bug repellent
- Reef Safe Sunblock / Hat
- Day pack
- Water bottle
- Waterproof jacket (shell)
- Walking shoes/trainers
- Sarong/shawl
In winter (May – September) we also suggest packing a warm hat, jacket and light thermals or clothes you can layer, particularly for the South Island of New Zealand where it gets very cold. In Asia between Nov – Mar it can also get pretty cold in Northern Thailand and Laos and you will need a warm jumper and trousers.
You won’t be needing…
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Blankets or sheets
- These points make up all of the terms of contract between Stray (‘Stray’ or ‘us/we’) and the customer (‘passenger/you’).
- Prices: Prices: All prices are inclusive of tax. Prices listed on Stray’s website may be rounded. The final amount charged may vary +/- $0.50 of the advertised price. New Zealand products are priced in NZD. Australian products are priced in AUD. Asia products are priced in USD
- Stray passes and tours are only valid for the person whose name they were originally issued for and are non-transferrable. Passengers can expect to be Photo ID checked.
- Behaviour: Stray is not a common carrier and therefore can refuse to carry a person whose behaviour is detrimental to the enjoyment of the group. By travelling with Stray you agree to accept the authority of the Guide and accept their decisions. Our staff are entitled to a safe working environment, and our passengers to a great experience. Any threats to safety, being physical or verbal, or inappropriate behaviour may result in removal from the trip. If a Guide requires a passenger to leave the trip no refunds will be given and the passenger in question will be responsible for their own travel costs from that point.
- Published information: Stray will endeavour to adhere to published/stated departure, arrival and general travel times however on occasion, external and unpredictable events may prevent us from meeting these times. In these scenarios Stray is not liable for any loss or damage arising out of, or consequentially upon, any abandonment of, or delay in, any departure. We make a concerted effort to ensure the accuracy of our brochure, Stray Mate and website content however on occasion details may vary. Liaise with your Guide or Stray’s reservations team for clarification. Where a new brochure has been published (as shown by the validity date) it supersedes all older brochures. Anything listed in the brochure as free is not considered included in the ticket price and is non-refundable and non-transferable, no matter what the circumstances.
- Disruptions: Stray will not be held liable for unforeseen disruptions to your trip that are beyond our control (weather, natural disasters, third party service changes, etc). We will always endeavour to assist you but encourage you to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will cover you for unforeseen disruptions, cancelling and cutting short your trip, delayed departures, accident and medical.
- Sickness & injury: While all care will be taken, Stray will not be held liable for any sickness or injury to any customer.
- Visas: It is the passenger’s responsibility to carry a valid passport and appropriate visas while travelling on any Stray services.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is not included with Stray passes or tours. Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory to travel with Stray in all regions. Your travel insurance policy must cover you for accidents, injury, illness and death medical expenses, including any related to pre-existing medical conditions, emergency repatriation (including helicopter rescue and air ambulance where applicable) and personal liability. Stray also recommends that it covers tour cancellation or curtailment, loss of/damage to luggage, personal effects and natural disasters. When travelling with us in Asia, you must provide Stray with your travel insurance details prior to departure and carry your policy information with you while travelling and produce it on request. Your trip may be cancelled or you may be removed from a tour if you cannot provide proof of travel insurance at any time. We do not take responsibility for any personal possessions lost under any circumstances.
- Where third party operator services are included in Stray’s passes/tours, Stray will make every endeavour to ensure the operator meets their obligations in the delivery of the service. If the Operator fails to deliver on their obligations Stray will seek a fair and reasonable resolution, which may result in a partial or full refund. If the expected level of service or inclusions have been misrepresented by the ‘booking agent’, the passenger will need to address their concerns directly with their agent. Stray takes no responsibility for any act of neglect by any company whose services are used as part of your trip including but not limited to, activity and accommodation providers.
- Stray accepts no responsibility for any independently operated activity a passenger chooses to undertake while travelling with Stray.
- Illegal activity: If passengers are caught with non-prescription, illegal drugs or partaking in illegal activities while travelling with Stray, any resulting consequences (incarceration, capital punishment and even death) will result in the passengers Stray pass/tour being nullified (voided) without refund. Stray will refuse carriage and will take no responsibility for passengers partaking in illegal activities.
- Images and video: On occasion, Stray conducts photo and video projects for the purposes of promoting its products and services. Passengers on these trips will be given the option to opt out of any such activities. Passengers are to advise their Guide should they wish to be excluded. If you do not opt out you are consenting to Stray using the images taken whilst on your Stray trip for advertising and promotional purposes worldwide, royalty-free in any medium.
- Deposit payments: A $200 deposit is required upon booking. Full payment is required within 6 months of the booking or a minimum of 31 days prior to departure (whichever comes first). If the full payment is not received in the designated time frame, Stray reserves the right to cancel the booking. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. When you pay by deposit, you have committed to paying the price advertised at the time of booking, regardless of any price changes or alternative promotions that become available. If you want to cancel your Stray pass after pay the deposit, please check the details of Stray’s Cancellation Policy.
- Promotions with free inclusions or value-adds: A value added product (which could be a pass, journey, accommodation, activity or good) is a product which is included free of charge with the purchase of another Stray product. Value-added products cannot be sold, transferred to another traveller’s name, exchanged for a refund or an alternative product. If a traveller is unable to redeem the value-add product within 18 months of the original purchase it is forfeited. Once travel has commenced, Stray’s Cancellation Policy applies and neither of the bundled products is subject to a refund. If a promotion has bespoke terms or conditions for a free or value-added offer (e.g. travel date restrictions) these will supersede our standard conditions. [term amended from 12 months to 18 months on 11 March 2020]
- Competitions and Prizes: Stray products included as part of a competition or prize pack cannot be exchanged for cash, sold or transferred. Products must be redeemed within 12 months of the announcement or within a specific time frame if stated in the competition/prize terms, or the prize will be forfeited. These generic terms apply unless a variation is specified in the competition’s terms.
- Privacy: When purchasing a Stray product you will only be contacted by Stray with information directly relating to the supply of the product or service you have purchased. These types of communications include booking confirmations, pre departure information and service updates before, during or after travel. Unless you have opted-in to receive other types of communications from Stray (ie. general news, offers etc) you will not be contacted by Stray. You can opt out of Stray communication by emailing us at unsubscribe@straytravel.co.nz or by using the unsubscribe link in the footer of our emails. Please note, if you do so, we will not be able to communicate with you about any service or trip updates and it becomes your responsibility to communicate with Stray. View Stray’s Privacy Policy.
- Disputes: Should you wish to raise any issues regarding your trip, it is your responsibility to notify Stray as soon as possible so that we have every reasonable opportunity to resolve the issue.
If you are currently travelling: Advise your Stray Guide of your concern immediately so that steps can be taken to address the matter. If you would prefer to contact Stray directly, email feedback@straytravel.com.
If you have finished travelling: You must email feedback@straytravel.com within 28 days of the dispute in question.
We will not consider claims that are submitted 28 days after the dispute in question. Please provide a valid email address so we can provide a written response. - Law: These terms and conditions apply to the extent that they are NOT inconsistent with, or in contravention of, any obligation imposed on Stray by local law in the country of travel.
- Children: New Zealand Tours: Children aged 12-17 may travel, only if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (The Select Tours only). Children are entitled to 15% off the full retail price of Stray Journeys Select Tour based on their age at the time of commencing travel (not booking). Australia Tours: Children aged 12-17 may travel if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (The Select Tours only). Asia Tours: Children aged 12-17 may travel if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Travellers aged 16 or 17 years old can only travel alone with a signed consent form from a parent or guardian (contact Stray reservations for the form – book@straytravel.com). Please note: some of Stray’s accommodations in Asia are 18+ only, which means that any travellers younger than 17 may need to find alternative accommodation or stay in a private room.
- Luggage: Luggage must be limited to one backpack, bag or case per person with a maximum weight of 15kgs as our buses have limited storage space. You may also travel with a daypack for cameras, valuables, raincoats and items you will need to access throughout the day. Stray does not take any responsibility for any damage to, or loss of, any property or personal effects under any circumstances while passengers are utilising any of the services which Stray provides or markets.
- Fuel: We have fuel efficient buses to minimise our consumption but we reserve the right to put in place a fuel surcharge (at any time post ticket purchase) if fuel prices increase significantly during the pricing validity. Any surcharge will be payable to your Guide on your first day of travel. It will be a maximum of $30 local currency (NZD/AUD/USD) and will be clearly outlined online if initiated.
- Water safety: During your Stray trip there are options to be involved in swimming or water based activities independent of Stray and its partners. It is the passenger’s sole responsibility to determine if he or she is qualified and capable of participating in any water activity, and he or she chooses to participate at their own discretion.
- Fitness: Our tours are active so a reasonable amount of fitness is required. We undertake walks throughout the day to break up travel days. If you have any concerns regarding your suitability for any of our tours, please discuss this with our reservations staff before booking.
- Dietary requirements and allergies: Any dietary requirements or allergies must be advised upon booking so they can be catered to where possible.
- Cancellations: If you cancel your pass or tour a cancellation fee will apply. See Stray’s Cancellation Policy.
