One Week from Sydney to Brisbane

One Week from Sydney to Brisbane

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8 Days From

$1580

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 operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PZYS

Group size:

1 - 16

Physical rating:

Low, Low

Age range:

18-35 years

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $1580

NB: Prices correct on 22-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

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

  • Support the local Gumbaynggirr community with stand-up paddleboarding in Coffs Harbour. Gliding along the river, you’ll take in the gorgeous natural scenery with an Aboriginally owned social enterprise focusing on preserving culture and language.

  • Visit the Koala Conservation Hospital in Port Macquarie to meet the volunteers and learn how they provide care and treatment for koalas in need of rehabilitation.

  • Soak up a full free day in iconic Byron Bay – why not hit the waves with an optional surfing lesson, chill out on the beach or explore the fun cafes and bars (don’t forget to pick an epic sunset spot!).

  • Pick up some breakfast at The Farm – this cool initiative houses a collection of micro-businesses on a working farm, focusing on growing organic food as well as feeding and educating the local community.

  • Breathe in the fresh air and natural landscapes at Lamington National Park – home to lush rainforest, waterfalls, creeks and mountains. Take a hike along the way and spend the night in a lodge in the middle of the forest.

Itinerary

Expand All

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:
-Crowdy Bay National Park - Mermaid Lookout Track

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:
-Port Macquarie - Koala Hospital guided tour

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:
-Red Rock - Wajaana Yaam Stand Up Paddleboarding

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:
-Byron Bay - Sea Kayak Tour
-Byron Bay - Surf Lesson

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:
-Springbrook National Park - Natural Bridge Circuit Walk
-Byron Bay - The Farm visit

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:
-Gold Coast - Sobah Brewery Visit

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

  • 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

  • Port Macquarie - Koala Hospital guided tour

  • Red Rock - Wajaana Yaam Stand Up Paddleboarding

  • Springbrook National Park - Natural Bridge Circuit Walk

  • Byron Bay - The Farm visit

  • 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

  • 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

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • 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.

  • 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

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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