What’s included?
Your guide, bus transport, included activities (including selected walks, surf lesson, goat rodeo, barefoot bowling depending on which pass you do), national park entry fees.
So the price does not include food or accommodation?
To give you the flexibility you want, we don’t include this. However, in some areas there is a local payment because there is simply no other option to buy or cook your own food or there isn’t any other accommodation. But don’t worry, we’ve got you a really good deal!
Can I get off anywhere other than the towns marked?
Yes, you can get OFF anywhere on our route (subject to there being a safe place to stop on the road. Often it is illegal to drop people at motorways/freeways/autobahns). However, you can only get back ON at the designated pick up times and places on our timetable (refer to our website).
How often does the bus leave? Where can I get a Timetable from?
We understand you want regular departures to give the flexibility and freedom you want in your pass. In other areas of the network operated by the specialist services of Adventure Tours Australia, the departures vary according to days on the timetable and seasonal demand. Get the Timetable on from this website for exact departures. You can also get a Timetable from our Oz Ex Sites.
What is a Fuel Levy?
A small fee charged to offset vast upward fluctuations in fuel prices experienced over the last year or so. The fuel levy is a one off payment. Fuel Levy amounts are:
Victa, Matey, Surf, Big Rock, Big Croc - AU$12
Bruce, Cobber, Strewth, Victa Matey - AU$17
Whipper Snapper, Fish Hook, Knobs and Bells, Dazza, Shazza - AU$20
Will I always travel with the same group?
No. You’ll end up with a couple of different guides and groups throughout your trip, but hey, you get to meet loads of great people this way! If you do make a group of mates along the way and would like to keep travelling together, you’ll all need to book well in advance. (But there are no guarantees we can fit you on the same tour.)
What do I need to bring with me?
Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), hat & sunscreen, towel & toiletries, swimming gear, warm clothing (including waterproof jacket and pants for southerly routes in winter), water bottle, torch, insect repellent, camera, film, money for some meals and optional activities.
What is the luggage limit?
15kgs. Please try and keep to this limit.
What is the "minimum recommended trip time"?
Every pass has a "minimum recommended trip time". This is the minimum amount of time we think you should allow to travel on a particular pass so you have enough time to get off the bus and stay longer at key places and do optional activities that you want to thus making the most of Oz Experience. Of course, you could travel faster than the minimum but you wont have much time off the bus. And you could take longer longer, up to 6 months.
How long is a pass valid for and can I extend it?
Your pass is valid for 6 months.
Yes, you can extend it. Contact Reservations on 1300 300 028. It will cost you AU$50 to extend the pass validity for an additional 6 months.
Can I do the itinerary in reverse?
Yes. Trips run in both directions, north and southbound. Simply switch the stops on the itinerary and you’ll be laughing. See our website for full itineraries in all directions.
Travelling between Cairns and Alice Springs and Cairns and Darwin in both directions
You’ll note that in some of the National Passes you’ll need to travel between Cairns and Alice Springs (Knobs and Bells, Whipper Snapper) and Cairns and Darwin (Fair Dinkum) at your own expense to resume your Oz Experience pass.
Flying: By logging on to www.qantas.com.au, you can book a flight between Carins and Alice Springs or Darwin. See www.virginblue.com.au also for flights between Cairns and Darwin.
Do I have to be able to swim to do the Surf lesson?
No, but it helps! You will learn to surf in water where you can always stand up. You will be accompanied by an accredited surf instructor with full first aid qualifications.
Are they small buses or coaches?
We operate mini buses (max 24 seats) and mini coaches (max 37 seats). All the new vehicles on the road have DVD players to help pass the time. The reason for the smaller vehicle size is to enable us to do guided walks and activities, which is not possible with larger group sizes. We can access National Parks because we have small numbers and get permits accordingly.
If no accommodation is included, do I have to book accommodation in advance?
Your guides will book you accommodation for overnight stops – Surf Camp, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach (southbound), Hervey Bay, (northbound), Kroombit Cattle Station, Airlie Beach, Magnetic Island and Cairns. They can book this on the day of your arrival for the first night of your stay. If you intend to stay longer it is advisable booking ahead yourself especially in busy times.
You must join the bus before 11am on the morning of the day of your arrival at the overnight stop to use this service.
Oz Experience drops off at selected backpacker hostels. These tend to be better known backpacker hostels which are popular with all travellers and are reliable suppliers of accommodation.
You can also book your own accommodation if you do not want the guide to book accommodation for you.
I’m travelling Sydney to Cairns, how long do I need? Actually, what about any pass?
See this trip planning page for more details
How far in advance should I book on and off buses?
It is a good idea to be as organised as possible so you can allow enough time to get off the bus and spend time doing the things you want. We can show you the rest with the inclusions in your pass. Book well in advance to avoid disappointment in busy times – at least 3 days.
How do I book on the bus and get off the bus?
You can book back on and off the bus by calling 1300 300 028 or by re-booking ONLINE at the Manage Your Buses page on this website . You will be sent an online username and password when you make a booking. Using the online system is the most convenient and time efficient method for re-booking. You can book individual sectors and see real time availability for each bus.
Can I take my surfboard on the vehicles with me?
Yes, so long as there is enough space. Normally the luggage limit is 15kg. We can’t guarantee the space, but we make every effort to accommodate people like you with a surfboard. The best thing to do is advise Reservations by phone that you will be bringing a surfboard before you start travelling and when you book on the bus for each sector of your travels.
How much money will I need when I am travelling?
It depends on how long and where you are travelling and also on what optional activities you might wish to do. Backpacker hostel dorm accommodation averages approx AUD$25 a night (more peak times and depending on the location). Depending on your appetite you might spend up to AUD$20 a day on food. Activities all vary in price but allow for skydiving, bungy jumping, zorbing, rafting and Fraser Island safari and Whitsunday sailing expenditure. If you did all of these it would probably cost approx AUD$1200
Are there ATMs along the way?
There are ATMs in all towns in Australia. Larger towns will have currency exchange offices.
Are the overnight stops compulsory?
The Oz Experience bus will only travel as far as one overnight stop to another in one day. This being so you will have to stay at least one night at each overnight stop. You can of course get off the bus between these overnight stops as per the Timetable.
I’ve got my own tent. Can I camp anywhere on the route?
The best thing to do is ask your guide for the best advice. Towns and overnight stops have camping space or camp grounds which you can use.
I've run out of time to complete my pass, can I get a refund?
We will not issue a refund in such circumstances. We will, however, refund the unused pay on board kitty to you. We will only refund on compassionate grounds for bereavement or ill health. If you are seeking a refund under these circumstances we will ask for supporting documentation and ask for you to put the refund application in writing.
OK, but can I give my pass to a friend to use?
One of the conditions of the pass is that it is non-transferable to another person. Equally don’t buy a half-used pass from someone else. We need this policy because people have been known to use other people’s stolen passes. If we ask for identification you need to prove the pass is yours.
Can I transfer the un-used value of my pass for use on Kiwi and Feejee Experience. You’re the same company after all, aren’t you?
It used to be the case when Oz Experience was under previous ownership that you could use the un-used value of an Oz Experience pass and exchange it for travel on Kiwi or Fiji Experience. Oz Experience is now wholly owned by Adventure Tours Australia, a company quite separate to the company that owns Kiwi and Fiji Experience. Because of the different owners, it is no longer possible to transfer un-used value of passes
How much is a route change?
$25.
What happens if I miss my bus, in the morning?
$50 will be charged for holding up a seat that could otherwise have been extended to a fellow traveler. Buses are regularly quite busy so the ‘no show’ fee is to assist the flow of all other passengers.
