One Week from Sydney to Brisbane
8 Days Starting in Sydney and ending in Brisbane
Visiting: Sydney, Port Macquarie, Red Rock, Byron Bay, Lamington National Park, Gold Coast / Brisbane, Brisbane
Tour Overview
Breathe in the fresh air of the ocean and the rainforest on this week-long journey from Sydney to Brisbane. On this trip, you’ll take a walk in Crowdy Bay National Park, visit the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, enjoy a classic Aussie barbeque in Red Rock and go stand-up paddleboarding with the Gumbaynggir community. Learn about local Aboriginal culture, soak up a free day and night in every surfer’s favourite spot (Byron Bay, of course) and fit in as many swims and sunsets as you can. Hike to the Natural Bridge rock arch in Springbrook National Park on your way to Lamington National Park, where you’ll be surrounded by natural rainforest in your excellent lodge accommodation. End it all in Brisbane, where you can choose to extend your adventure and hit the city!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Sydney
Location: Sydney
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Welcome to Sydney! Or Warrane, in the language of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Sydney is now located. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, why not take a self-guided walk to the Harbour Bridge, see the Opera House, wander through the Botanical Gardens and Hyde Park or head up to the Sydney Tower Eye. After the meeting tonight, maybe join your group for a dinner along Darling Harbour and get to know each other.
Day 2: Port Macquarie
Location: Port Macquarie
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Meals Included: lunch
Today, you’ll head to Port Macquarie, known for its natural beauty, sandy beaches and abundance of wildlife. Grab lunch along the way, then soak up the picturesque drive along the coastline. You’ll make a few stops to stretch your legs and take photos, including at Crowdy Bay National Park. Here, go on a walk along the leafy Mermaid Lookout Track to a viewpoint overlooking where the ocean meets the forest below. Keep your eyes peeled for whales and dolphins off the coast – you may even encounter a mob of kangaroos on your walk! Carry on to Port Macquarie, where you’ll have a free night to relax at your accommodation or watch the sunset on the beach.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Red Rock
Location: Red Rock
Accommodation: Holiday Park (Multi-share)
Meals Included: dinner
This morning, you’ll visit the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, where you’ll meet the volunteers who work there and learn about how this organisation provides care and treatment for koalas needing rehabilitation. Then, drive to Red Rock in Coffs Harbour, stopping for lunch along the way. The northernmost village on the Coffs Coast, Red Rock sits between the beach and the Corindi River and is popular for water activities like kayaking and boating. When you arrive, you’ll enjoy a barbeque dinner with your group as the sun goes down, with all the typical Aussie fare.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Byron Bay
Location: Byron Bay
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Today you’ll head out on the harbour for a special stand-up paddleboarding experience with the Gumbaynggirr community. This social enterprise supports the local Aboriginal community by ensuring intergenerational cultural knowledge is passed on and by providing employment opportunities. A portion of the proceeds also goes to the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, which provides after-school learning centres, cultural camps and revitalisation initiatives for the Gumbaynggirr language. With your local guides, glide along the river, soaking up the ambiance. After, head to Byron Bay – one of Australia’s most iconic destinations, known for its beaches, surfing and scuba diving. Check out the Byron Lighthouse for a unique photo opportunity and the chance to spot some dolphins, whales and other marine life if you’re lucky.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Byron Bay
Location: Byron Bay
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Get up early this morning if you want to catch the sunrise (it’s a pretty cool sight from Australia's most easterly point). Today is free to explore this surfer's paradise however you like. Maybe hunt down the best cold-brew coffee from one of Byron’s local cafes, then learn how to ride the waves with a beginner’s surf lesson. You can hit the water with a guided sea kayaking tour of the Byron Bay Marine Park to see the beauty of the coastline while looking out for dolphins, turtles and whales. Or, just hang out on the beach! Tonight, why not grab a drink at one of the pubs or bars with a few of your fellow travellers.
Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Lamington National Park
Location: Lamington National Park
Accommodation: Lodge (Multi-share)
This morning, head to The Farm – a collection of micro-businesses on a working farm that focuses on growing, feeding and educating the community through farming. Maybe grab some breakfast here and pick up a few things to have for lunch later on. Continue to Springbrook National Park and take a walk to the Natural Bridge rock arch, which was formed by the force of the waterfall over the basalt cave. This afternoon, head to Lamington National Park – a Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area and home to lush rainforest, ancient trees, walking tracks and waterfalls to explore. Maybe head out on one of the tracks to see the forest, creeks and falls on foot (don’t forget to snap some lush pics!). Your lodge accommodation tonight sits right in the middle of the sub-tropical rainforest.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Gold Coast / Brisbane
Location: Gold Coast / Brisbane
Accommodation: Hostel (Multi-share)
Meals Included: lunch
If you’re game, maybe wake up early this morning and watch the sunrise over the rainforest. Today, you’ll head to The Gold Coast, famous for its long stretch of beach and surf spots. When you arrive, you'll visit Sobah - an Aboriginal-owned non-alcoholic craft beer company that aims to break the stigma of socialising sober. This afternoon, carry on to Brisbane for your last night. Your evening is free, so why not grab your group and head out to a local restaurant – your leader will always have the best recommendations for delicious eats and hang-out spots.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Brisbane
Location: Brisbane
With no activities planned today, your adventure along the coast comes to an end. It’s recommended that you spend a few extra days to explore Brisbane properly – if you need help organising extra accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hostel (Multi-share) (5 nights), Holiday Park (Multi-share) (1 night), Lodge (Multi-share) (1 night) -
Meals
2 lunches, 1 dinners -
Crowdy Bay National Park - Mermaid Lookout Track
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Port Macquarie - Koala Hospital guided tour
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Red Rock - Wajaana Yaam Stand Up Paddleboarding
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Springbrook National Park - Natural Bridge Circuit Walk
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Byron Bay - The Farm visit
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Gold Coast - Sobah Brewery Visit
Transport
- Private vehicle
Accommodation
- We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible properties in line with the Intrepid 18 to 35s style of travel. Our first accommodation choice is always as close to the main attraction of the destination as possible, however, sometimes we are not in the right centre of action, which means you may need to hop on a public transport to get to the city centre. Your accommodation will not always have private ensuite facilities or air-conditioning.
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- ROOMING ALLOCATION
- Accommodation on this trip is on a multi-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with other travellers of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our accommodation prepares rooms in time for your arrival, especially if you're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means you won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some properties. Instead, you can store your luggage and go exploring.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
- 1. A single room supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. If you are a single traveller this will give you a single room, if you are travelling as a couple a double/twin room will be allocated to you. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. Accommodation on this trip is in multi-share hostels. Multishare typically includes 4-8 beds. You may be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. People travelling together may occasionally be separated due to single gender dorms.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
This trip includes accommodation in multi-share dormitories, where you won't be staying in twin share hotels, but rather cool hangouts with shared facilities. This means travellers on the same booking may be split between rooms due to the single gender dormitories. You may also be required to share with non-Intrepid travellers outside of your group. Single room supplements are available (on request).
This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local leader and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has plenty of free time where your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in and public transport to those activities.
There are some long travel days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Real Australia. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions