7 Day Whitsundays and Fraser Island Backpacker Combo

Day 1

Depart Brisbane for Rainbow Beach: Check-in, Free Bodyboarding, Pool and BBQ

Starting in Brisbane, make your way to the Brisbane Coach Terminal to catch the bus at 2pm to Rainbow Beach, where you'll arrive at 7pm and your East Coast trip of a lifetime begins! Check-in at Pippies hostel for your overnight stay and tag-along tour, where they will give you all the info you need to prepare for your 4WD tag-along tour the following day. They also offer free car parking and luggage storage as well as a safe to lock up your valuables. With the rest of the afternoon and evening off, check out one of the cool cafes or book a sunset kayak tour and get the chance to see dolphins and sea turtles in the wild! If you’re on a budget, why not grab a complimentary bodyboard and head down to Carlo Sand Blow, relax by the pool or grab some snags for the free use of Pippie’s BBQs for a low-cost dinner?

Day 2

Fraser Island: 75 Mile Beach, Lake McKenzie and Central Station

You’ll have an early start with a free continental breakfast, before heading out on your Fraser Island tag along adventure at 7am sharp. After a short barge ride, you’ll soon be on 75 mile beach, driving on the famous sand highway! Traverse the sand dunes and dodge crashing waves, before heading inland where you’ll really experience 4 wheel sand driving at it’s finest! First stop is Lake McKenzie, and you’ll quickly see why this is one of the highlights of Fraser, with its pure white silica beaches and crystal clear cerulean blue waters. Next stop is Central Station, where you will feel like you’ve stepped back in time under the towering rainforest canopy. Head to their exclusive campsite for the evening for a camp BBQ and a cold one or two by the campfire! 

Day 3

Fraser Island: Champagne Pools, Indian Head, Maheno Shipwreck, and More!

Start early with a quick brekkie before hopping back in your 4X4. Today you’ll trek out to the famous fizzing Champagne Pools for a refreshing morning dose of vitamin sea, before heading down to Indian Head lookout where you’ll enjoy 360-degree views. Here you can spot wildlife from above including schools of fish, sea eagles and even humpback whales during migration season! You’ll have another chance to cool down at Eli Creek, where your guide will provide free blow up floaties to float downstream! Afterwards head to the historical S.S. Maheno shipwreck on 75 mile beach, where you’ll get some amazing photos of the waves crashing on the ever disappearing ship! Finish the day at the stunning sand formation that makes up the Pinnacles, before heading back to camp for their famous and filling spaghetti bolognese - Make sure you bring your appetite! 

Day 4

Fraser Island: Lake Wabby, Hammerstone Sandblow, Overnight Bus

After two days of 4WD adventuring, you’ll be sad it’s almost over! Today you will follow your lead vehicle to the start of a moderate bushwalk to Lake Wabby. The hike takes about 45 minutes before you arrive at the top of Hammerstone Sandblow, where you’ll get some stunning photos of the largest sand dune on the island, before heading down to the famously green Lake Wabby. After a refreshing dip head back to your vehicles for one last epic ride down 75 mile beach to catch your barge. Arrive back at Pippies hostel in Rainbow Beach no later than 4:30pm and collect your luggage to repack, use their shower facilities and grab some dinner before catching your overnight bus at 7pm. 

Day 5

Airlie Beach, Check-in, Explore the town, Sail into Paradise

Wake up in the Whitsundays as you arrive in Airlie Beach at 9:30am. Head to ABC Travel to pack a soft overnight bag and store your luggage for a small fee. Enjoy the quaint town of Airlie Beach, where there is plenty to do before starting your next whirlwind adventure, this time on the high seas! Enjoy shopping, a multitude of bars and restaurants, the free lagoon in the middle of town, or book on one of many short-on-time mainland activities such as stand up paddleboarding, Jetski tours, Segway tours, and even adrenaline-filled aerobatic scenic flights! Your maxi sailing yacht departs at 2pm from Coral Sea Marina, so make sure you're down there at 1pm for your safety briefing. Forget about the real world as you sail out to the 74 Whitsunday islands as your crew take you to maximum speeds on an ex-racing maxi yacht. Stop at one of the most pristine snorkelling sites and lose yourself in an underwater wonderland before heading to your anchorage for the night for social games, your freshly prepared dinner and some well deserved drinks! 

Day 6

Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet PLUS Snorkel the Reef

After a filling breakfast, you’ll head to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island. Whitehaven has to be seen to be believed, and will not disappoint with its 7 km of pure white silica sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. A short guided bushwalk up to Hill Inlet Lookout will give you the best photos of your East Coast trip, guaranteed! The swirling whites greens and blues make this spot the #3 most Instagrammed place in Australia! After plenty of time to relax and play on the beach, you’ll board your yacht to sail to some more incredible snorkel spots in the Whitsundays, right in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. After an action-packed day, enjoy another night of socialising, stargazing or simply unwinding in the serenity. 

Day 7

Whitsundays: Snorkel, Sail and After-Party

Wake up to the serene surroundings and look out for sea turtles as you have your breakfast before heading out for another day of fun in the sun sailing, snorkelling and swimming around the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Sail back to Airlie Beach by 11:00am and get ready for an epic after-party with all of your new friends - You certainly won’t want to hop on another bus after a legendary 7 days, so book an additional night in a hostel and let your hair down! 

*Please note, while all the destinations are included in the above, itineraries on tours may vary depending on tidal and weather conditions and should be used as a guideline. Sample Itinerary can be travelled in reverse order, chat to our team to find out about the difference in timings!