Start anywhere en-route. Experience a Blue Mountains Day trip. Take in the wicked East Coast route, learn to surf on the coast before visiting Byron Bay and cruise through Surfers Paradise to Brisbane, overnight in Hervey Bay, stay at Aussie cattle station, go barefoot bowling on the way to Cairns. Make your own way to the Northern Territory. Take off south to see the sunset at Uluru, and visit Kings Canyon and the Olgas. Keep going south to Coober Pedy, a town where people live underground, and explore the Flinders Ranges. Finish off with the Victa/Matey sector from Adelaide via Melbourne through to Sydney.
+ Blue Mountains Day Tour from Sydney
We head out of Sydney past the Sydney Olympic site to our first stop where we view wild Eastern Grey Kangaroos in native bush habitat. These 'roos are pretty big and you can get up close and personal.
We do a 2-3 hour loop walk near Wentworth Falls to see this waterfall, lookout points and surround. You will walk through changing vegetation, hanging swamps, and under rock ledges giving you an overview of the dramatic Blue Mountains environment.
Lunch is included - you'll eat a nutritious lunch, everything from fruit, sandwiches, salads & more.
After lunch, we walk down the historic Furber Stairs into Jamison Valley through lush rainforest, past picturesque Katoomba Falls and view the incredible 3 Sisters rock formations.
From the bottom of the Jamison Valley, board the Scenic Railway (fare included), the steepest railway in the world and ride up to the valley rim.
For those staying longer we’ll drop you off in Katoomba at the award-winning YHA @ 5.00pm and pick up others. The YHA is an impressive heritage building and you can experience some local nightlife in this historic town.
We cruise back into Sydney after an action packed day and drop you off at 7.00pm (approx.) at the Oz Experience office where we picked you up.
Sydney to Surf Camp
East Coast, here we come… and the first stop is your included surf lesson! On the way, there’s lots of bush, cool tunes and sometimes a bus-stop. We arrive at Mojo’s Surf School where you meet the waves for your surf lesson. Tonight we all pull up at Mojo’s cool Surf Camp. Stay longer if you reckon surfing’s your thing!
Surf Camp to Byron Bay
Get up early if you want more wave action, then it’s back on the Pacific Highway, the leg to Byron Bay just takes a few hours. We split off at Ballina, taking the coast road through Lennox Head into Byron Bay. Enjoy! Take a cheap day tour to Nimbin, town of happy hippies (optional).
Byron Bay to Gold Coast
It’s a short stage today. The Gold Coast... 40 kms of golden sands, a land of theme parks, cheap rent luxury high-rise apartments, beautiful people, tanned wrinklies, nearby Hinterlands and great sushi bars. Try it for yourself and see…
Gold Coast to Brisbane
We pull over to go zorbing (own expense). You + a big hollow plastic ball, add a hill into the mix and... The trip into Brisbane is quick. Brissie is Oz’s #3 city and end of the road for today. Get off our bus. Stay a night. Stay longer.
Brisbane to Noosa
Heading out of Brissie, stay awake for interesting information from your new driver-guide and gaze out the glass to the west for views of the Glasshouse Mountains, remnants of volcanoes from a long time ago. After a while, we turn for the Sunshine Coast and stop in the yuppie holiday spot Noosa.
Noosa to Rainbow Beach
Back on the bus, we take a few back roads to rejoin the highway north and then branch off to Rainbow Beach, which has awesome coloured sands (hence the name) and guided walks are possible. You can do Fraser Island trips from here with a 10 minute ferry onto the Island (or keep going for next stop Hervey Bay). At Rainbow Beach there’s a huge range of adventure activities on offer, from hang-gliding, shark diving to sea-kayaking with dolphins.
Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay
Not so far to get to Hervey Bay, the other point to access the amazing Fraser Island. Along the way, eyeball the grand old architecture of Maryborough.
Hervey Bay to Kroombit
Now we go inland via Childers almost into the Outback, to our cattle station overnight at Kroombit. There’s a local payment to cover bush dinner, bunk accomm and brekkie. Don’t go to bed before cracking a whip and getting bucked off the mechanical bull!
Kroombit to Sarina
We don’t leave the station until the goats are rounded up by horseback (optional extra at own expense), then be part of a real-life mini-rodeo which is loads of laughs. Stay behind for more or get back on the bus. Rock on to Rocky.
Sarina to Airlie Beach
We’re invited to play bare-foot bowls at Sarina Bowling Club. There’s more miles to overcome before our evening arrival into Airlie Beach, access point for the Whitsunday Islands and a not-to-be-missed 2 or 3 day sailing trip (optional) followed by the traditional night on the town. This is Airlie Beach after all!
Airlie Beach to Townsville
(with optional Magnetic Island)
Next stop: city of Townsville for Magnetic Island. Stay aboard or jump bus for 2 or 3 days, take the ferry and relax, try sea kayaking, go for a walk… it’s chilled out here. Magnetic Island is the sunniest spot on the QLD coast. (More than 320 sunny days a year!) You’ll think you’ve landed in paradise. Get out for some hikes or try and spot koalas in their natural habitat.
Townsville to Mission Beach
After Townsville, the mountains grow higher and move in to be closer to the coast. We detour to Mission Beach, where the rainforest meets the sea. This is one great place to stay over, relax or go skydiving or rafting (optional). If you’re lucky you’ll see a Cassowary, these are seriously big birds with attitude.
Mission Beach to Cairns
An easy afternoon section completes your Oz Ex trip. After arriving in Cairns you have many options to travel to Cape Tribulation, the world’s oldest living rainforest. Don’t forget the Great Barrier Reef!
make your own way to Alice Springs. Fly or travel overland between Cairns and Alice Springs at own expense
Alice Springs to Kings Canyon & Uluru
Journey deep into the remote Red Centre as we head towards Kings Canyon. There’s lots to explore here, and we check out the Amphitheatre, Lost City, the lush and ancient Garden of Eden, and the sheer outcrops of the North and South Walls. After a bite to eat, we’ll pass Mt Connor and Curtin Springs cattle station on the way to Uluru. Tonight, you’ll be glad to curl up in your swag after dinner as millions of stars fill the sky.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Sunrise over Uluru is magical! It’s an early start to catch it. Take a walk around Uluru’s base, or climb to the top if you choose. (Anangu traditional owners prefer it if you don’t.) Gain a further insight into the land at the Cultural Centre. After lunch, we head to fascinating Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to hike the Valley of the Winds. A sparkling glass of wine is perfect while the desert sun sets over Uluru. Dinner is a traditional camp oven cook-up back at camp.
Uluru to Coober Pedy
We get away early this morning as we cross the NT/SA border on the way to Coober Pedy. Time to go underground! Learn about this unique place with a mine tour, including an opal cutting demonstration. If we’ve got time, try your luck at ‘noodling’ for opals yourself! Tonight we sleep in an underground bunkhouse.
Coober Pedy to Rawnsley Park
We keep heading south along the Stuart Highway, past the turn-off to ‘rocket-launching’ town Woomera on the way to lunch at Port Augusta. We reach Rawnsley Park, a sheep station set against the spectacular range of Wilpena Pound, in the late afternoon, and spend the night here in bunkhouse accommodation.
Wilpena Pound to Parachilna
Challenge yourself this morning as we get an early start to tackle Mt Ohlssen-Bagge, where sweeping views spread out before you. You’ll be ready for lunch before we drive through the stunning Parachilna Gorge (weather permitting) on our way to Parachilna. Get ready for tonight’s BBQ – it doesn’t get more Aussie than this! We stay in dorm accommodation in Parachilna.
Parachilna to Adelaide
Check out some interesting Aboriginal rock art this morning with a short walk to Yourambulla Caves, before lunch in the quaint historic railway town, Quorn. Ruggedly beautiful Alligator Gorge, renowned for its distinct flora and fauna, is a great place to stretch your legs on an interpretive walk (seasonal). From here, our journey continues through the picturesque Clare Valley before arriving in Adelaide.
Adelaide to Grampians NP
Through the picturesque Adelaide Hills, we cross the mighty Murray River and pass through some little SA country towns on our way to the Grampians NP. Get your legs working this afternoon with hikes at Hollow Mountain and the amazing MacKenzie Falls. We’ll be rewarded with breathtaking sunset views from The Balconies and Reeds Lookout. We spend the night in the heart of the Grampians, Halls Gap.
Grampians NP via the Great Ocean Rd to Princetown
Hiking to the Pinnacle is a challenge, but on the way you’ll experience breathtaking views of the national park. Next we head south to the coast and Warrnambool, where you’ll have the chance to spot whales (seasonal). There’s lots to explore along the famous Great Ocean Road, renowned for its beauty. There’s lots to discover before sunset over the Twelve Apostles – gorgeous! Stay overnight in the coastal township of Princetown.
Princetown to Melbourne
Climb down the Gibson Steps to the beach to get a different angle of the Twelve Apostles, and then we’ll spend some time at the Otway Fly, a 25 metre high elevated tree top walk. Continuing on, we pass through the magnificent cool temperate rainforests of the Otway National Park. We’ll stop for lunch at the coastal town of Apollo Bay. Hugging the coastline, we pass through Lorne, before our next stop where we’ll search for koalas. Check out world famous Bells Beach before a shopping break at surfing town Torquay, home of surf labels Quiksilver and Rip Curl. With some bargains in your bags, we arrive in Melbourne in the early evening.
Melbourne to Wilsons Promontory NP
We begin our adventure early, travelling southeast of Melbourne through the pastoral landscape of South Gippsland to hike and explore the Wilsons Promontory National Park. Walk on squeaky beaches, watch the ocean of Bass Strait pound on to the Australian mainland’s most southerly point, hike along spectacular granite rock formations with fantastic views and learn about the coastal flora & native wildlife (perhaps sighting emus and wombats!) In the afternoon we travel to the coastal township of Lakes Entrance; Gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and Australia’s longest beach - Ninety Mile Beach. (D)
Wilsons Promontory NP to Snowy River Country
This morning we commence our journey into Snowy River Country, taking a break to fly down the ‘zip wire’ (optional activity at own expense). Our journey along the scenic Barry Way is spectacular as we watch the Snowy River wind below us and cross the border into NSW. In the afternoon, let the bus do all the work as we climb high into the Australian Alps (seasonal Nov-May). Enjoy a rewarding hike along an alpine track (2½ hour round-trip) absorbing stunning views of the glacial ‘Blue Lake’ 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). Stay overnight at the Lake Jindabyne Hotel where 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. (BD)
Jindabyne to Sydney via Canberra
For early risers, take the opportunity to fish in the lake for trout or hit the water, with optional activities including water skiing and/or wake boarding (summer only and at own expense). Later, we pass through Cooma, learning about Australia’s great engineering feat the ‘Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme. We then continue on to our national’s capital city of Canberra, checking out Parliament House and other highlights before travelling on to Sydney. (B)
