Strewth Pass Cairns to Brisbane

Head south out of Cairns go barefoot bowling, stay at an Aussie cattle station, cruise through to Brisbane

Cairns to Mission Beach
East Coast, here we come. First stop is Innisfail to visit some seriously big bad crocodiles (optional). Get right up close to these amazing reptiles, but not too close because we want you around for a few more weeks. We stop in at Mission Beach, 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.

Mission Beach to Townsville (zz)
You can stay in Townsville or travel over to Magnetic Island (at own expense) with the driver. And why not: it is the sunniest spot on the Queensland coast with more than 320 sunny days a year! And our chosen hostel is right on the beach. You’ll think you’ve landed in paradise. Get out for some hikes or try and spot koalas in their natural habitat. Look out for the full-moon parties at base backpackers.

Townsville to Airlie Beach (zz)
In the early afternoon we board the bus to Airlie Beach the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands. We travel via Bowen, which is a great place to stop and earn some money picking fruit or vegetables. In Airlie you’ll probably say goodbye Oz Bus and hello sunshine and sailing boats for a few days. Sailing is one of the highlights of the east coast trip. One we hope you remember after the traditional end-of-sailing party. Don’t forget to book your bus out of Airlie before your sailing trip. Sailing is optional and at extra cost.

Airlie Beach to Sarina
We say farewell to Airlie Beach and head to the Sarina Bowling Club to play bare-foot lawn bowls, which is becoming an Aussie tradition. Your guide will show you how!

Sarina to Kroombit Cattle Station (zz)
Leaving the coast we travel into the outback and our overnight stop at Kroombit. There’s a local payment to cover bush dinner, bunk accommodation and breakfast. Don’t go to bed before cracking a whip and having a go at the mechanical bull ride!

Kroombit to Hervey Bay
We don’t leave the cattle station until we get on the horses and round up the goats (optional activity). Then be part of a real-life mini-rodeo which is loads of laughs and included in your pass. Stay behind for more of the cattle station or get back on the bus to Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Along the way you may wish to get off the bus to visit the Town of 1770 for a few days.

Hervey Bay to Rainbow Beach (zz)
Rainbow Beach has awesome coloured sands and guided walks are possible. Fraser Island is only 10-minutes from here by ferry. There’s a huge range of adventure activities on offer including hang-gliding, shark diving and sea-kayaking with dolphins. If you do decide to jump off here, you’ll get to be part of some Aboriginal cultural appreciation.

Rainbow Beach to Noosa
After a few back roads we’re onto the highway and it’s not long before we turn for the Sunshine Coast and a stop in the yuppie holiday spot of Noosa.

Noosa to Brisbane
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?


(zz) = compulsory overnight stop required