Itinerary:

The Destination Sectors

The Activities

Arrival

Day one – Arrival in Sydney and the start of your adventure of a lifetime

As you come in to land at Sydney Airport you can gaze in awe as you see the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the first time. Your excitement levels will go through the roof as you think about the possibilities and excitement that await you in this vibrant city! To help you get over the dreaded jetlag we have organized a fantastic four night Wake Up Arrival Pack, where you can settle in straight away at one of the coolest hostels in Sydney, right in the heart of the backpacker district – think comfy beds, a hearty Aussie breakfast each morning, wild nights out with new friends and all the essentials you need, such as internet access and mobile sim card. You don’t need to worry about a thing!

Days two, three and four– When the fun really begins!

One of the highlights of this part of the trip is the city orientation tour, followed by a big backpacker night out, so make sure that you don’t have that first hangover before then, especially when an adrenaline-fuelled jet boat ride is included! With three full days to explore the city you can take in all of the main sights and with friendly, knowledgeable guides showing you the way you’re sure to get all the best local tips. Stroll around the many colourful markets, people-watch on famous Bondi Beach and visit the gorgeous little islands scattered around Port Jackson. When it comes to the pub and club crawl, the team at Oz Party could probably set a world record for the most amount of fun to be had in one night and given that it’s highly likely to be very late and very loud the last stop is the hostel’s Side Bar, so you don’t have far to crawl to bed.

Day five to nine – Goodbye Sydney, Hello Surf

By now jetlag should be a distant memory, but after four action-packed days and nights in Sydney you’ll probably be glad to have a break from the big city lights and lie on a gorgeous beach instead. Well, tough luck because you’re going surfing! You’ll be picked up right outside the Wake Up Hostel to embark on an amazing five day “surfari”, taking in two stunning locations on the east coast, where you can learn to catch the perfect wave by day and party by night – two typical Aussie pastimes. Thanks to the all-inclusive style of the trip the only thing you need to bring is yourself – all surf equipment, accommodation and meals (except lunch on travelling days) is included. We even throw in that all important sun cream. By the time you arrive at Crescent Head, your first stop, you’ll already have got to know your new mates on the coach, but if you are a bit shy don’t worry as there is no better icebreaker than beers and BBQ’s, not to mention falling off a surfboard! Stop two on the surfari takes you to Spot X, where you can enjoy the best beach parties and improve on your surf skills from the first couple of days. The expert instructors will really look after you, so there is no need to be nervous – just get in there and make the most of this amazing opportunity. We guarantee that by the end of these five days you’ll be a surf convert and what better way to impress (and annoy) your mates back in cold Blighty? The tour ends in the cool beachside town of Byron Bay, where you can continue straight on with the next part of the tour, or take some time out to lounge on the beach, go snorkeling and explore the rainforests.

Day nine onwards – Flexbility!

A quick note here to point out that after the Surf Camp all of the sectors included in the Ultimate Australia Trip can be done at your own pace, allowing you to combine your travels with some work in-between, should you need to top up those funds. If you wish to complete the trip all in one go then you should allow for around 7 weeks, but you can take up to 6 months, which is highly likely once you get a taste of the Aussie lifestyle! The hop on-hop off style Oz Experience bus can be booked a few days in advance for each of the following sectors.

Byron Bay to Rainbow Beach Sector

Byron Bay

This section of the trip begins with some time spent in Byron Bay, chilling out and soaking up the bohemian lifestyle. However, if that sounds a little too sedate for you then you can take advantage of the skydive that’s included in your trip – it might only take a few minutes to get from 11,000 feet to the ground but the adrenaline rush will last so much longer!

Nimbin

The daytrip to Nimbin is the perfect antidote to too much excitement (is that even possible?!). After being picked up from your accommodation, the Grasshoppers bus will take you through the stunning scenery of Byron Bay to the famous town of Nimbin, Australia’s ‘alternative lifestyle’ capital. You’ll have around an hour to experience the hippie atmosphere and sample some special cakes before heading off to the explore rainforests and waterfalls, enjoy a pint in an historic Aussie pub and tuck into some food from the barbie. It’s quite possible that you’ll get to see Koalas and Kookaburras during the trip, and that’s before the beer! Surfers Paradise The next part of the bus trip takes you from Byron Bay north to Surfers Paradise – aptly named due to the 3km golden sand beach, right on the Pacific Ocean. There is something for everyone here, so if you need another shot of adrenaline there is bungy jumping and jet boating, if you’re the sporty type you can enjoy the surfing and beach volleyball, whilst those in need of some relaxation can chill out on the beach or in the cafes and parks of the Northside or West Quay districts.

Brisbane

The next stop for the bus is the city of Brisbane, capital of the ‘Sunshine State’ of Queensland (but where isn’t sunny in Oz?). So, what can you expect here? A vibrant nightlife with the abundance of bars and clubs, a bit of culture at the City Hall and Parliament House and the chance to get up close with some of Australia’s most well known natives at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. There is so much indoor and outdoor stuff to do here that you’ll never be bored and being the biggest city in Queensland it can be a good place to stop off for some work.

Noosa

On the way from Brisbane to Rainbow Beach there is a stop off at the town of Noosa, to drop off old friends and pick up new ones. There is also a chance to have a wander around Wildhorse Mountain National Park, which provides some great photo opportunities of the gorgeous Sunshine Coast area – yet something else to make those friends at home envious about!

Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island

Rainbow beach is a must-stop place to pick up the Fraser Island 4 x 4 tour. This unique site, the largest sand island in the world, will blow your mind with its beauty – pristine white sand beaches, freshwater lakes and the world’s only sand-dwelling rainforest. This is definitely one you can tick off the ‘100 places to visit before you die’ list. Not only does the trip include two nights’ accommodation at Hervey Bay Backpackers, but also two nights camping under the stars, a chance to drive across the endless sands and the opportunity to meet some dingoes (human or canine – depends on who is in your group!) Back at Rainbow Beach you can indulge in some more close encounters of the animal kind (we’re talking marine life here) with the opportunity to feed the dolphins. Plus you can meet some new trip recruits at the Hervey Bay hostel stop.

Rainbow Beach to 1770 Sector

After pick-ups and drop-offs at Hervey Bay the bus continues on to the towns of Childers and Bundaberg, which are the ideal place to stop off and replenish your dosh by doing some fruit picking. It’s pretty hard work but well worth it to make sure you’ve got enough funds for extra activities and partying. However, don’t go too mad on the Bundaberg Rum, or Bundy as it’s known, otherwise that fruit picking will be twice as hard! The next opportunity for stopping off and chilling out for a few days is the gorgeous little seaside village of 1770. If you want to spend a bit of time relaxing on golden sands and dipping your toes in the crystal clear turquoise water of the Coral Sea, then this is the place for you. There is still a ton of fun activities coming up on the trip so make sure you recharge your batteries so you can make the most of it! 1770 to Airlie Beach Sector

Kroombit

You’ll love this next section of the trip if you fancy a bit of ‘Yee Ha!’ No, not what you’re thinking ;0), this is a chance to leave behind the coast for a little while and experience the Aussie outback at Lochenbar Cattle Station. You get to see the world famous Kroombit Goat Rodeo and then see how long you can last on the mechanical bull, before jumping on horseback and cracking that whip to round up the goats (optional). After all that physical activity you’ll be glad to know that you get to stay the night and have a laugh around the camp fire. Airlie Beach There are quite a few miles to cover between Kroombit and Airlie Beach so on the way there is a stop-off at the town of Sarina for a game of barefoot lawn bowls (your guide will want to show off their skills!) before continuing onto the beachside party town of Airlie Beach and a highlight of the trip – the Whitsundays cruise. The three night package here includes two nights at the cool Nomads hostel and one night/two days sailing, giving you the chance to experience these unbelievable islands – beaches, rainforest, unusual marine life and a party-to-remember. Hello sailor!

Airlie Beach to Cairns Sector

Townsville

The beach theme continues in Townsville, where you’ll be staying at one of the best hostels, right on the gorgeous sand, or on stunning Magnetic Island just off the coast (own expense). This is the sunniest spot on the Queensland coast, so you can make the most of the outdoor activities – swimming, snorkeling, hiking, koala spotting or just chilling out with your mates. There is plenty going on at Base Backpackers and when it comes to night-time entertainment look out for the full moon parties – definitely something to remember (or not!).

Mission Beach

White sand beaches, lush rainforest and activities galore await you at the paradise hideaway of Mission Beach. A few days here can be as sedate or adrenaline filled as you choose and if you didn’t take advantage of the skydive option in Byron Bay, now’s your chance! You won’t get a better view of the area and long after you touch down on the ground your euphoria levels will still be sky high. Mission Beach is also home to the impressive Cassowary, a huge flightless bird with very big claws, a sharp beak and bad-ass attitude – you might not want to get too close, but they are certainly a sight to see.

Cairns Sector

You wouldn’t be in Oz if the last part of your ultimate adventure didn’t finish with a bang and that’s exactly what you get with the five night Adrenaline Overload tour! You’ll start by checking in to your accommodation at the Cairns hostel and getting to know your dorm mates in the bar before finding out from your guide exactly what you’ll be up to over the next few days.

Jungle Tour

You could settle in with a relaxing tour of the Daintree Rainforest, river cruise and visit to Mossman Gorge. The rainforest is unique in that it grows right down to the water’s edge and is one of the most complex ecosystems on earth, containing an abundance of Australian plant and wildlife, including the Idiot Fruit (honestly, we’re not kidding!). Ok, biology lesson over.

Tully River

If you’ve been a bit shy in getting to know your dorm mates then getting thrown around in an inflatable raft whilst being pounded with foamy water is the perfect way to break the ice! Your Tully River trip is a full day that includes hostel pick-up/drop off, BBQ lunch, highly experienced guides and up to 5 hours rafting, not to mention other activities such as rock jumping, rapid swimming and raft surfing. You won’t go home dry but you will be on a high!

Great Barrier Reef

You can’t visit Oz and not visit the world famous Great Barrier Reef, and as trips go the Passions of Paradise tour is the best on offer. Dates are flexible and there are daily sailings, so you can fit this in when you choose. You may have seen images of this amazing natural attraction in books or on TV, but nothing can prepare you for seeing it in real life – exotic marine life, colourful coral gardens and stunning views all around will take your breath away almost as much as the skydiving! If snorkeling isn’t enough for you, you could always use some of your hard earned cash (or the bank of mum and Dad!) to take a diving trip.

You can read more about these activities by seeing the Cairns Adrenaline Overload  trip.

Finally

The minimum amount of time you need to complete this trip is seven weeks, which is ideal if you only have a short amount of time before college or university, but you can take up to six months if you want to make it more of a gap year – travel a bit, work a bit, etc.

One thing to remember is that drives are very long, Australia is enormous and the bus might not go every day, so double check the schedules. However you decide to do it this really is the trip of a lifetime and one that we think is a life changer – you might leave home a nervous, first-time traveler, but you’ll return a daring adventurer with more friends than you could have imagined! 

Getting Around

There are 3 options

• Start in Sydney for 4 days then head on the surf tour to Cairns.
• Sydney arrival, stay in Sydney to work for as long as you require and then start the surf trip when you like.
• Sydney - Surf Trip returning to (so you can work in Sydney - a popular option) then Back up the east coast on a bruce pass (this is the boomerang option) This costs a little bit more as there is more distance covered.

If you are opting for the boomerang, we change your Strewth pass to a Bruce pass to get you from Sydney to Cairns.

Want to start in Cairns? Talk to us about your options.

21 Nights Accommodation Included

Thats 3 weeks of not having to find a bed for the night included in the price!

Combine with a Working Visa

Lots of Xtreme gappers combine this trip with working in Australia. Some even do the sailing course so they can work on a sailing boat on the Withsundays straight after. A job is 99% guaranteed and helps you save up for some extra cash before you continue your trip again!

The minimum amount of time you need to complete this trip is seven weeks, which is ideal if you only have a short amount of time before college or university, but you can take up to six months if you want to make it more of a gap year – travel a bit, work a bit, etc.  One thing to remember is that drives are very long, Australia is enormous and the bus might not go every day, so double check the schedules.