The 16 Days East Coast Tour is the ultimate trip for those who want to see the best of Australia’s east coast. From Sydney’s harbour to the Daintree Rainforest, this trip combines natural wonders, cultural experiences and coastal gems into one trip.
New South Wales, Queensland and everything in between, this small group tour is for those who want comfort, authenticity and memorable encounters with nature and local culture. Whether it’s snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, wine tasting in the Hunter Valley or walking through rainforest canopies, this trip has the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure.
- Comfort Style
- Sydney, New South Wales
- 16 Days / 15 Nights
- 18:00 PM - 18:00 PM
fare options:
- $10,750 Shared Accommodation - Adult 18+ over
- $10,750 Private Double/Twin Room - Adult/Child
- $13,000 Private Single Room - Adult 18+ over
Tour Reviews
Highlights
- Boutique small-group touring – travel in comfort with a select number of guests, at a relaxed pace and a thoughtfully planned itinerary for those who like to take their time.
- Conservation Wildlife Park visit – get close to kangaroos, wombats, emus, and more.
- Hunter Valley – wine, cheese, and chocolate tastings.
- Gumbaynggirr First Nations cultural experience.
- Koala Hospital visit in Port Macquarie – learn about wildlife care and conservation.
- Byron Bay – enjoy the coastal town, get that small town feeling for the day and visit Cape Byron Lighthouse.
- K'gari (Fraser Island) 4WD off-road experience – explore the world’s largest sand island.
- Red Cat Whitsundays & Whitehaven Beach - all inclusive full-day island trip with snorkeling.
- Atherton Tablelands tour – crater lake swim, waterfalls, and chance to spot wild platypus.
- Great Barrier Reef Ocean Freedom day cruise – including drift snorkel tour and glass-bottom boat experience.
- Skyrail gondola ride – soar above the rainforest to the village of Kuranda.
- Daintree Rainforest Walk – a guided, sustainable walk through the world’s oldest rainforest, in the footsteps of Sir David Attenborough.
- Eco-friendly nature cruise – spot crocodiles, birds, and marine life in the wild
- Mossman Gorge entry – guided soft-adventure loop rainforest walk
- Kuku Yalanji First Nations guided experience
- Cape Tribulation visit – where the rainforest meets the reef
Itinerary
Your journey starts in Australia’s harbour city. After checking into your hotel, freshen up and then meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at 6 pm for a welcome briefing. This is followed by a group dinner – the perfect introduction to the trip.
Included Activities: Group meeting; shared dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Driving Distance: None
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Potts Point or similar
Leave Sydney and head into the countryside to a wildlife park where you can see native animals like kangaroos, koalas, emus and more. Then onto the Hunter Valley wine region for wine, cheese and chocolate tasting. Later, arrive in the vibrant port city of Newcastle for an orientation tour before checking in for the night.
Included Activities: Wildlife park entry and animal encounters; wine, cheese and chocolate tasting; Newcastle city orientation.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 280 km
Walking Distance: Short, easy walks
Accommodation: Lucky Hotel Newcastle or similar
Travel to Port Macquarie and meet the volunteers at the town’s Koala Hospital. Learn about the conservation work they do, from treating injuries to rehabilitation and release. Later, stroll along the foreshore, keep an eye out for dolphins, before a relaxing evening.
Included Activities: Guided visit to Koala Hospital; foreshore walk with possible dolphin sightings.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 250 km
Walking Distance: Easy strolls
Accommodation: El Paso Motor Inn or similar
Start with a First Nations experience with the Gumbaynggirr people, learning about their history, culture and connection to Country. Then onto Byron Bay, famous for its surf and laid-back vibe. Visit Cape Byron Lighthouse, the most easterly point of mainland Australia, where you may see whales in season or dolphins in the waves below.
Included Activities: Cultural session with Gumbaynggirr guides; Cape Byron Lighthouse visit.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 400 km
Walking Distance: Gentle, scenic walks and lookout points
Accommodation: Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar
Today is yours to do as you please. Chill on the beach, shop at boutiques, café hop or join optional activities like surfing lessons, kayaking tours, whale watching (seasonal), hot air ballooning or brewery visits.
Included Activities: Free day in Byron Bay; optional paid activities.
Meals: None
Driving Distance: None
Accommodation: Beachcomber Byron Bay or similar
Cross into Queensland and visit Noosa National Park, where you might spot wild koalas. Walk along Hastings Street and see Noosa Main Beach before heading to Rainbow Beach for the next two nights.
Included Activities: Noosa National Park visit; Noosa orientation walk including Main Beach and Hastings Street.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 420 km
Walking Distance: Short, easy walks and lookouts
Accommodation: Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar
Spend the day on an action-packed 4WD adventure across K’gari, the world’s largest sand island. Swim in the clear waters of Lake McKenzie, explore rainforests, visit the historic S.S Maheno shipwreck and look for dingoes on 75 Mile Beach. After returning to Rainbow Beach, there’s time to visit the Carlo Sand Blow or just relax.
Included Activities: Guided 4WD day tour of K’gari with sightseeing stops.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Driving Distance: 200 km
Walking Distance: Short, easy walks and lookouts (approx. 5 km total)
Accommodation: Rainbow Getaway Apartments or similar
Travel to Brisbane, Queensland’s river city and host of the upcoming Olympic Games. Enjoy an orientation tour to get your bearings and discover the city’s laid-back vibe, from river walks to trendy neighbourhoods.
Included Activities: Guided city orientation.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 240 km
Walking Distance: Short urban walks
Accommodation: The Point Hotel Brisbane or similar
Now it’s time to trade in the road for the skies as we fly to the Whitsunday Coast. On arrival in Airlie Beach, check into your accommodation and then enjoy a free afternoon to do as you please. Walk along the foreshore, shop and café hop, or just chill by the lagoon. As the sun sets, you might like to try one of the many restaurants or bars along the main street.
Included Activities: Flight from Brisbane to Proserpine (Whitsundays); free time in Airlie Beach.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 40 km
Domestic Flight: 1 hour 50 minutes (approx. 990 km)
Accommodation: Mantra Club Croc or similar
Today we sail for a full day speed-boat cruise to the Whitsundays. Relax on deck as we cruise through turquoise waters and stop at Whitehaven Beach and its white sands aboard the award-winning Red Cat Adventures Thundercat vessel. Walk to Hill Inlet lookout for views and snorkel the coral reefs teeming with fish – maybe even turtles if you’re lucky. Lunch on board and then back to Airlie Beach in the arvo. Your evening is free.
Included Activities: Whitsundays cruise including Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet lookout, snorkelling and lunch.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Driving Distance: Approx. 46 km by fast boat (8 hours total)
Walking Distance: Short, easy walk to Hill Inlet lookout
Accommodation: Mantra Club Croc or similar
After breakfast, we head north through coastal landscapes and sugarcane fields to Mission Beach. A laid-back seaside town with palm-lined shores. Spend the arvo unwinding – by the pool, on the beach or with a book in hand. Keep an eye out for cassowaries, the region’s rare and beautiful flightless birds.
Included Activities: Scenic drive along the Bruce Highway.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 505 km (longest drive day)
Walking Distance: Easy strolls and lookouts
Accommodation: Mission Beach Resort or similar
Today we head inland to the Atherton Tablelands. Visit a rainforest waterfall and take a swim, then Lake Eacham – a volcanic crater lake. See the Curtain Fig Tree, one of the largest in the region and then onto the vibrant tropical city of Cairns.
Included Activities: Guided tour of Atherton Tablelands including waterfalls, crater lake and wildlife spotting.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 220 km
Walking Distance: Short, easy rainforest walks
Accommodation: Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar
A real Aussie highlight – a full day to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkel the corals, see the reef through the glass-bottom boat and learn about the ecosystem from the experts onboard a 20 metre luxury catamaran. For the adventurous, optional scuba diving is available. Back in Cairns, you can join your group for dinner and share stories from the day.
Included Activities: Ocean Freedom Great Barrier Reef Cruise with snorkelling, glass bottom boat and buffet lunch.
Optional Activity: Introductory or certified scuba dive.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Driving Distance: Approx. 30 km by boat (8.5 hours total)
Accommodation: Flynn Hotel Cairns or similar
Start the day with the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding over the canopy and past Barron Falls to Kuranda. Then explore the village markets and head north to Port Douglas, where you can take a sunset stroll or join your group for dinner.
Included Activities: Skyrail cableway experience; Kuranda markets; Port Douglas orientation.
Meals: Breakfast
Driving Distance: 100 km
Walking Distance: Short, easy walks
Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort or similar
Spend a lazy morning in Port Douglas, maybe visit the Sunday markets for local crafts and produce. Then head to Mossman Gorge for a guided walk in the rainforest. Later, join a Kuku Yalanji cultural experience to learn about bush foods, medicinal plants and Dreamtime stories from the local custodians.
Included Activities: Markets; guided rainforest walk in Mossman Gorge; Kuku Yalanji cultural experience.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Driving Distance: 25 km
Walking Distance: Approx. 2.5 km / 1.5 hours in Mossman Gorge (shorter option available)
Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort or similar
Today, we go deeper into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Cross the Daintree River by ferry and take a guided walk to spot cassowaries, birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Then to Cape Tribulation, where rainforest meets reef. In the afternoon, enjoy a quiet eco-friendly cruise along the Daintree River, keeping an eye out for crocodiles and other creatures. Return to Cairns via a scenic coastal drive. The tour concludes around 6 pm.
Included Activities: Guided rainforest walk; eco-cruise on the Daintree River; scenic coastal drive.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Driving Distance: 160 km
Walking Distance: Approx. 7 km / 2 hours in the Daintree Rainforest (shorter option available)
Autopia Tours (Via Travel) reserves the right to amend the itinerary or route in response to seasonal conditions, weather events or park closures.
Inclusions
- 15 Nights’ Private or Shared Boutique Style Hotels/Resorts – all rooms with ensuite
- Includes: 14 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 1 dinner
- All National Park entry fees included
- First Nations cultural experience
- Wine, cheese, chocolate tasting
- Australian wildlife encounter and rescue center visit
- K’gari Fraser Island 4WD small-group experience
- Whitsunday Island & Whitehaven beach day trip & snorkel
- Great Barrier Reef day cruise – incl. snorkeling gear & glass bottom boat
- Kuranda Skyrail gondola ride over lush rainforest
- Guided rainforest, gorge, river cruise & lookout walks
- Hosted by an experienced driver-guide, with local tour commentary
- All transport (private small-group vehicle, transfers, domestic flight BNE>PPP & boat trips)
- Sydney meeting point / Cairns drop-offs points
Exclusions
- Meals not listed in the itinerary (plenty of opportunities to eat locally).
- Hotel transfers before or after the tour to the designated meeting/drop-off points.
- Optional tours or activities and any hire equipment (e.g. scuba diving, Byron Bay trips).
- Accommodation before or after the tour is available upon request at an extra charge.
- Personal travel insurance (highly recommended).
- Spending money on personal purchases and incidentals.
- International flights not included.
Where to meet
18:00PM – Holiday Inn Potts Point, 203 Victoria St, Potts Point, Sydney, New South Wales
What to bring
- 1L Refillable water bottle – Your guide will be monitoring hydration and encouraging water consumption at all times during your daily adventures in order to avoid health concerns arising.
- Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses & sunscreen
- Beach towel and toiletries
- Bathers or swimwear, flip-flops shoes (beach thongs)
- Comfortable sturdy walking shoes (closed-toe shoes)
- All-weather clothing (In case extreme conditions day/night)
- Overnight bag 20kg & small day pack 5kg
- Personal medicine if required, any pre-existing medical issues, please let us know at time of booking
- Flashlight or torch (optional)
- Insect repellent & camera
- Money for snack and meals
- A sense of adventure!
Room amenities
NIGHT | CONFIGURATION | FACILITIES | INCLUDES |
1-15 | Hotel / Resort Accommodation Twin Share Room | Shared Ensuite Bathroom | Sleeps 2 people, solo travellers paired with another passenger, towel, linen, tv, air-conditioning |
1-15 | Hotel / Resort Accommodation Private Double / Twin / Single | Private Ensuite Bathroom | Towel & bed linen supplied, fridge, tv, lounge, air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities |
Weather
The weather along the East Coast of Australia varies by region and season. In summer, temperatures can reach the high 30s (°C), while winter days are generally mild, especially in the north. Coastal areas can experience sudden changes, including rainfall and cooler evenings. We recommend checking the average temperatures for the time of year you’ll be travelling and packing accordingly, including sun protection, light layers, and wet weather gear. Tours will proceed in most weather conditions unless otherwise advised by the provider.
Know before you book
- Mandatory Details: Passenger details are required at the time of booking, including date of birth, food allergies, title or gender for rooming configuration, a contact phone number, passport details.
- Dietary Requirements: While we endeavour to cater to most dietary needs, passengers must inform their booking agent of any specific dietary requirements or food allergies when booking.
- Medical Conditions: The tour operator must be notified of any known medical conditions at the time of booking. This is a physically demanding tour requiring an easy level of fitness and mobility.
- Fitness Level: Travellers can expect some light physical activities. Travellers should be mobile enough to walk unaided. A doctor’s certificate is required for participants over 70 years old, submitted at least 30 days prior to travel.
- Age Restrictions: Children aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. The tour is not suitable for infants or children aged 11 and under due to the nature of the tour.
- Solo Travellers: Solo travellers who book separately in a Twin Share Accommodation (SD16-B) will be paired with another solo traveller in a twin room or with someone of the same gender.
- Fare Type Options:
– Shared Accommodation (SD16-B) is restricted to Adults only 18+ years and over, as travellers stay in a shared room with shared ensuite. Not suitable for children.
– Private Double/Twin Room (SD16-S): For Adults and Children staying in a double or twin room with ensuite and must be purchased by Qty2 people staying together.
– Private Single Room (SD16-P): Restricted to Adults only (18+ years old and over) with ensuite. - Mobility Considerations: This tour is not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, including those using wheelchairs, walking aids or mobility scooters.
- Baggage Limitations: Limited storage space is available on our vehicle. Each traveller may bring 1 x 20 kg travel bag and 1 x 5 kg day bag. Larger or multiple suitcases are by request only.
- Itinerary Variations: Itineraries may change due to seasonal weather conditions, and occasionally sites in the parks may close for cultural or safety reasons or restricted swimming access. We prioritise safety and plan accordingly to ensure the best experience for our guests.
- Reconfirmation of Details: All travellers are asked to reconfirm their tour details within 7 days prior to departure by calling 02 72291083 or 03 9393 1333 or via email.
- Private Tours: Private touring groups are available upon request at [email protected].
Book Your Adventure!
FAQ
What information do I need to provide at the time of booking?
Guests are to provide full name as on passport, date of birth, food allergies, title or gender for rooming configuration, a contact phone number, and passport details as domestic flights will need to be purchased.
How busy is the daily schedule on this tour?
This itinerary is a mix of sightseeing and relaxation. Most days involve light to moderate walking (1–7 km) with optional rest breaks and free time in key destinations. Travellers should be mobile enough to walk unaided.
Are all national park entry fees included?
Yes. All listed national park visits, wildlife parks and guided cultural experiences are included in your tour cost.
What kind of accommodation can I expect?
You’ll stay in boutique hotels or resorts with private en-suites, chosen for comfort, location and local character.
Can I cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. Most included meals can cater for dietary needs if advised at the time of booking. Local dining stops also have a variety of options.
How much luggage can I bring on tour?
Limited storage space is available on our vehicle and on domestic flights. We request that travellers may bring a maximum of 1 x 23 kg travel bag and 1 x 5 kg day bag. Larger or multiple suitcases are by request only.
How many people are in the group?
This is a small group experience, with a maximum of 16 people, so you can have a more personal pace and connect with your guide.
What is the minimum child age to travel?
Children aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult or legal guardian at all times. The tour is not suitable for infants or children aged 11 and under due to the nature of the tour.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, definitely. Solo travellers who book separately in a Twin Share (SD16-B) will be paired with another solo passenger of the same gender in a twin room with shared ensuite. Alternatively, if you are seeking more privacy we offer Private Single Rooms (SD16-P) however these are charged at a slightly higher rate.
Do I need travel insurance for this tour?
Yes, all travellers are required to have travel insurance that includes coverage for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. It’s also highly recommended that your policy covers personal liability, trip cancellations, force majeure events, and loss or theft of belongings. You’ll need to provide proof of insurance and an emergency contact number before joining the tour.
If you’re relying on credit card insurance, please ensure you can provide the insurer’s contact details, policy number, and confirmation of coverage. While travel insurance isn’t compulsory for EU, Swiss, or US citizens, it is strongly advised. Travellers opting out must sign a waiver acknowledging full responsibility for any emergency expenses.
