Cairns Lagoon 

Whitsunday Islands chill out 

Cairns to Sydney or Melbourne

Cairns to Sydney pass

Cairns to melbourne pass

Highlights 

Start in Cairns and finish in Sydney or Melbourne.

Cheaper than travelling north from Melbourne or Sydney to Cairns by $25. You would do this pass if you want some cool included activities like a Surf Lesson and Outback Cattle Station and stop at the highlights of coast like Byron Bay, Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands for optional activities. Go all the way to Melbourne via the Snowy Mountains and coast.

Minimum Recommended Trip Time:help.gif

20 days to Sydney
26 days to Melbourne


Pass Route

Use next and previous to work your way through the pass route. Click the icons in the map to discover destinations, things-to-do and accommodation.

  • Cobber pass Cairns to Sydney or Melbourne

    Start in Cairns and finish in Sydney or Melbourne.

    Cheaper than travelling north from Melbourne or Sydney to Cairns by $25. You would do this pass if you want some cool included activities like a Surf Lesson and Outback Cattle Station and stop at the highlights of coast like Byron Bay, Fraser Island and the Whitsunday Islands for optional activities. Go all the way to Melbourne via the Snowy Mountains and coast.

  • Cairns

    Cairns is the popular starting point for many Oz Experience passes and also the finishing point for those heading north.

    Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef one of the seven natural wonders of the world; and Cape Tribulation, the world’s oldest living rainforest.

    Oz Experience recommends:

     

     

    Find more information on Cairns destination guide

  • Innisfail

    Oz Experience stops long enough here to pick up and drop off travellers.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    •  Getting off here if you want to work in the surrounding vegetable and fruit picking industry

    Find more information on Innisfail destination guide

  • Johnstone River Crocodile Farm

    The Oz Experience bus stops at the Crocodile Farm (special Oz Ex price entry) so you have time to have a good look around.

    Your entry includes a tour of the place and some time with local legend Mick. His favourite croc is 'Gregory' - all 5 metres of him. He's reputedly the largest crocodile in captivity in Australia.

    You'll also see other crocodiles being fed, snakes, and lizards. You can touch the snakes. It's a cheap and authentic slice of what is unique about Australia.

    Find more information on Johnstone River Crocodile Farm destination guide

  • Mission Beach

    Oz Ex stops in at Mission Beach during the day, which is one great place to stay over for a few days. The beaches are superb. Relax or go skydiving or white water rafting (optional). If you’re lucky you’ll see a Cassowary, these are seriously big birds with attitude to match.

     

    Find more information on Mission Beach destination guide

  • Tully

    Tully is the major contender for the Golden Gumboot award, the title given to the wettest place in Australia. Don't let that put you off, the high rainfall is a good thing because it means a lot of water pumping into the Tully River.

    Rafting companies like Raging Thunder do most of their rafting down the Tully River, which runs wet and wild down through some awesome rainforest.

    Find more information on Tully destination guide

  • Townsville

    Townsville is an overnight stop for Oz Experience. You can stay in Townsville or travel over to Magnetic Island with your Guide (optional). 

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Getting a deal and taking the ferry with your Guide to Magnetic Island for the night, or even better staying on longer on the Island
    • $89 gets you - 2 nights at Base Backpackers Magnetic Island, return ferry transfer from Townsville, return bus transfer on island, 1 x hot breakfast, 1 x free hour kayak hire, This deal saves you $16. Book this onboard the bus with your Guide.

    Find more information on Townsville destination guide

  • Ayr

    Ayr is the mango and melon capital of Australia! If you're getting off here it is probably because of work opportunities.
     

    Find more information on Ayr destination guide

  • Bowen

    Oz Experience travels via Bowen, which is a great place to stop and earn some money picking fruit or vegetables.

     

    Find more information on Bowen destination guide

  • Airlie Beach

    Airlie Beach is an overnight stop for Oz Experience.

    For the next 2-3 days most of you will say goodbye Oz Bus and hello sunshine and sailing boats …a highlight of the east coast trip. One we hope you remember after the traditional end-of-sailing party.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Booking a Sailing Trip to suit you and enjoy the Whitsunday Islands on board a multi-million yacht.
    • Ocean Rafting out to the Islands and Reef.

     

    Find more information on Airlie Beach destination guide

  • Sarina

    Sarina is where the Oz Experience bus will stop during the day for a break and an included game of Barefoot Lawn Bowls.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • You will bowl better when you have a beverage in your hand and have bare feet

     

    Find more information on Sarina destination guide

  • Rockhampton

    Rockhampton is the beef capital of Australia and there are over 3 million cattle in the region. Beyond cattle dating, ‘Rocky’ as it is known up here can offer you the quintessential cowboy experience.  Oz Experience stops here during the day to/from Kroombit Cattle Station.
     

    Find more information on Rockhampton destination guide

  • Kroombit Cattle Station

    The Oz Experience bus travels into the outback to our overnight stop at Kroombit Cattle Station.

    There's a local payment od AU$45 to cover dinner, bunk accommodation and breakfast.

    Enjoy the original and world famous (in Kroombit) Goat Rodeo which is included in your pass price.

    Don’t go to bed before learning to crack a whip (free) and having a ride on the mechanical bull (also included)!

    Oz Experience recommends:
    •  Experiencing a Goat Muster on horseback (optional at own expense). Your guide will book this for you.

    Find more information on Kroombit Cattle Station destination guide

  • Miriam Vale

    Miriam Vale is where you get off the bus travelling southbound to meet an independent shuttle bus to reach Town of 1770 / Agnes Waters.  

    The shuttle costs $28 each way if you are travelling Southbound from the drop off point at Miriam Vale (45 minute drive from 1770).

    Your Oz Ex guide can organise for you to be picked up by the shuttle.

    Find more information on Miriam Vale destination guide

  • Childers

    If you're getting off here, the attraction of Childers is usually the opportunity to work in the local sugar and vegetable picking industries.

    If you are driving through, keep an eye out for the unusual Brazilian Leopard trees lining the main street and the historic buildings.

    Find more information on Childers destination guide

  • Hervey Bay

     

    Oz Experience will stop in Hervey Bay long enough to pick up and drop off travellers before continuing on to the "Town of 1770" for the overnight stop.

    Oz Experience recommends:

    Find more information on Hervey Bay destination guide

  • Rainbow Beach

    Rainbow beach is now an overnight stop on both directions North and South!

     

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Doing a Fraser Island Guided or Self Drive Safari from here, the Island is only 10 minutes away by ferry
    • Taking a walk up onto the Carlo Sandblow - huge sand dune area close to town
    • Checking out the coloured sands for which the place is famous
    • Go sea kayaking with dolphins
    • Staying at Frasers On Rainbow backpackers hostel

    Find more information on Rainbow Beach destination guide

  • Noosa

    Noosa Heads is is so popular mainly because of its safe swimming beach and warm climate year round. It's a comfortable collision of retirees, those looking for a better lifestyle and those passing through like you.

    Find more information on Noosa destination guide

  • Mooloolaba

    Oz Experience only stops at Mooloolaba if you or someone else booked to get on or off here. This small seaside town sprawls along the coastline where the beach is the focus of most entertainment for a traveller. There are cruises, jet ski hire, surfing schools available or just chill out have an ice cream and watch the world go by.

    Find more information on Mooloolaba destination guide

  • Glasshouse Mountains

    The Glasshouse Mountains, remnants of active volcanoes from times past. Sailing past in 1770 Captain Cook saw them and thought they looked like Glasshouses in his home of Yorkshire: Active Volcanoes or an overactive imagination?

     

    Find more information on Glasshouse Mountains destination guide

  • Brisbane

    If you're heading north, Brisbane is an overnight stop for the bus.

    If you're heading south, you will stop and pick up and drop off travellers in Brisbane.

    Oz Experience recommends:

     

    Find more information on Brisbane destination guide

  • Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast

    Next up you will head into Surfers Paradise, which is the centre of the Gold Coast: golden sands, theme parks, and great bars and clubs.

    Oz Experience will pick up and drop off travellers getting off here at the conveniently placed Transit Centre.

    Oz Experience recommends:

    Find more information on Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast destination guide

  • Byron Bay

    If you are travelling north, Oz Experience will stop in Byron Bay only to pick up and drop off travellers.

    If you are travelling south, Byron Bay is an overnight stop for the bus.

    Byron Bay is the type of place that most of our travellers spend at least a few days.

    Book your accommodation early in summer and at peak times (Easter) to ensure yourself a bed.

    Oz Experience recommends:

    Find more information on Byron Bay destination guide

  • Surf Camp

    Surf Camp is an overnight stop right on the beach.

    Your Oz Experience pass includes a learn to surf lesson here with qualified instructors. The beach at Surf Camp is one of the best learn to surf beaches on the coast. 

    Warning: Surfing is addictive and may be very good for your health!

    You will pay a Local Payment of AU$50 directly to Mojo Surf at Surf Camp. This covers 1 night of hostel dorm accommodation, dinner and breakfast.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Staying longer if you want more wave action. Accommodation, Learn To Surf and Meal packages available at Surf Camp for extended stays

    Find more information on Surf Camp destination guide

  • Sydney

    Sydney is the starting and finishing point for many popular passes.

    If you are starting here, come in and see us at our Oz Ex Site at 804 George St, Sydney Central, to get pre-departure advice and travel planning assistance.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Do a Blue Mountains Day Tour or multi-night package to this popular destination just 2 hours from Sydney
    •  Note: Fish Hook, Whipper Snapper, Knobs and Bells, Fair Dinkum passes starting or passing through Sydney include a Blue Mountains as a standard inclusion.
    • Stay at base Backpackers or Wake Up! Hostel

    Find more information on Sydney destination guide

  • Canberra

    You will travel to Australia’s capital city of Canberra checking out Parliament House and other highlights on a city tour. 

    After lunch we pass through Cooma, learning about Australia’s great engineering feat the ‘Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Getting off in Canberra for a few days to see the National Gallery and National Museum.  Well worth staying here.
    • Stay at the YHA Canberra

    Find more information on Canberra destination guide

  • Jindabyne

    This is an overnight stop for the Oz Experience bus. Accommodation and meals are included here as part of your Local Payment. Here you’ll get to enjoy the mountain life; perhaps a sauna, swim or a drink at the bar while taking in the magnificent view of the lake.

    Seasonal itineraries:
    Let the bus do all the work as we climb high into the Australian Alps (seasonal Nov-May).  Enjoy a rewarding hike to the glacial Blue Lake along an alpine track (2½ hour round-trip) absorbing stunning views and the peak of Mt Kosciuszko (the highest point in Australia). 

    During winter, (Jun–Oct) we visit the ski village of Perisher/Smiggins for fun in the snow (optional hire of toboggans or snow tubes at own expense). 

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Give yourself a few days here in winter for additional alpine walks or go skiing/snowboarding at the nearby Perisher and Thredbo resorts (own expense)
    • Go 'hot dogging' behind a power boat on lake Jindabyne in summer

     

    Find more information on Jindabyne destination guide

  • Barry Way

    You will travel along the The Barry Way - a remote un-sealed road that cuts across the Snowy Mountains on the Victoria and New South Wales state border. 

    It is a road rarely travelled by the general public but it offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and rivers including the Snowy.

     

     

    Find more information on Barry Way destination guide

  • Lakes Entrance

    Arrive for your overnight stop at the coastal township of Lakes Entrance; the Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia’s longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. Accommodation and meals are included here as part of your Local Payment.

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Getting off here if you are into fishing or need a quiet place to chill out for a few days 

    Find more information on Lakes Entrance destination guide

  • Wilsons Promontory

    At Wilsons Promontory National Park you will have time to hike and explore!

    Walk on squeaky beaches and watch the ocean of Bass Strait pound on to the Australian mainland’s most southerly point.

    Your guide will take you on a walk along spectacular granite rock formations with fantastic views and learn about the coastal flora and native wildlife (maybe even sighting emus and wombats)

    Oz Experience recommends:
    • Having your swim gear handy for a swim at the Prom in summer.

     

     

    Find more information on Wilsons Promontory destination guide

  • Melbourne

    Melbourne is a diverse and interesting city to interest all tastes for many days.

    It is the starting and finishing point for many passes.

    Oz Experience recommends:

    Find more information on Melbourne destination guide

More stuff for you to look at

Cobber pass photos

  • Looking over the Alps
  • Charlottes Pass Snowy Mountains
  • Funky Nimbin
  • Parliament House Canberra New South Wales
  • Byronbayguy
  • LEARN TO SURF
  • At Kroombit
  • Beach Chill Out
  • Kroombit cattle station goat muster Queensland
  • Fraser Island
  • Sunbake on Australian beaches
  • Crocodile Farm action
  • Tidal-river-wilsons-promontory-vic
  • Kroombit, Mechanical Bull
  • FEDERATION SQUARE vic
  • Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach
  • Fraser Island couple
  • Goast muster at Kroombit cattle station outback Queensland
  • Barefoot Lawn Bowling
  • Brisbane, Queensland

Passes similar to the Cobber

 

Things To Do on the Cobber

Popular places to stay longer

Last 5 pages viewed:



Feedback Form