Travelling from Bryon Bay to Cairns and want the flexibility of a hop on, hop off bus pass but with the opportunity to meet heaps of new travel buddies and have an awesome guide help you out?
Well then the Stray Australia Kat Pass is for you!
Stray Australia (formally Loka Travel) is one of the freshest and best ways to travel the East Coast of Australia – combining all the ease and fun of an organised tour with the flexibility of a hop on, hop off bus pass.
Travelling between Byron Bay and Cairns on the Stray Australia mini buses (max 24 passengers) you’ll stop off at all the must see destinations along the East Coast – including spots like Rainbow Beach (for access to Fraser Island), Airlie Beach (for access to The Whitsunday Islands) and Magnetic Island.
Stray Australia packages in some unique stops too – like the exclusive Indigenous Camp and Barrington Tops National Park – so you get to see an alternative side to the usual backpacker trail.
Manage your travel plan with the Stray Travel app and with up to 12 months to complete your trip you can extend your stay in any stop and explore some more.
Want to party longer in Airlie Beach? No worries!
Love kicking back on Magnetic Island? Easy!
Although accommodation isn’t included in the pass¬†your Stray Australia Guide will help you organise your stay at the next stop, with a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles – they’re there to help you make the most your trip!
Make the most of the East Coast, tailor it to suit your needs and meet some new buddies – the Stray Australia Travel Passes are the way forward!
Day 1
Byron Bay (via Gold Coast & Brisbane) – Noosa or Rainbow Beach
MEET: at the main bus stop on Jonson St or Arts Factory hostel (please confirm)
We cruise up to the New South Wales/Queensland border and hop out at Danger Point to stretch our legs, and check out the view of one of Australia’s best surf spots Snapper Rock. Then drive into the Gold Coast, you may want to get off here to experience the sun, sand, tans and high-rises of Australia’s most developed beach resort. We drive through Brisbane (pick up and drop off travellers in the city centre) then travel on to the upmarket beach resort town of Noosa. Hop off here or continue onto Rainbow Beach for the night. Rainbow Beach and Noosa are both departure points for Fraser Island (a backpacker must-do). At Rainbow Beach we take a walk up to Carlo Sand Blow for either the sunset or sunrise.
SLEEP: Your choice of Noosa or Rainbow Beach accom, you can book via the Loka web app.
Day 2
Rainbow Beach (via Noosa) — Country Campout
MEET: outside Dingos/Frasers at Rainbow Beach or outside Nomads at Noosa
We hop in our bus in Rainbow Beach and head back to Noosa, pick up passengers, and then drive to Cooroy where we hop on the train. We travel to Rockhampton then get met by a local bus, which takes you to our options of a remote farm stay for the night (traditional swagman’s dinner around the campfire, sleep in swags, breakfast, morning farm tour, and dinner at Emus Beach Resort the next night – for an inclusive price of $75) or you can stay the night at Emus Beach Resort and self-cater.
SLEEP: Country Campout experience for $75 or dorm at Emus Beach resort for $30.
Day 3
Country Campout— OVERNIGHT TRAIN — Airlie Beach
MEET: At the farm or Emus Beach Resort
If you have stayed on the farm, we take a walk around the property and visit a sacred Indigenous site at the base of Mount Wheeler. We then head to the beautiful, little coastal town of Emu Park. In the afternoon you can just relax around the resort pool, go on a turtle-spotting walk (seasonal), or visit the local crocodile farm (additional cost). We catch the train in the evening and travel overnight to Airlie Beach. It is a modern train with large reclining seats, a bar and a dining carriage. We get into a town called Proserpine in the morning then take a local bus in to Airlie Beach – the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
Note: Depending which day you depart Noosa/Rainbow you may have an extra day at Emu Park.
SLEEP: Overnight train (price included), then your choice of Airlie accom.
Day 4
Airlie Beach (via Townsville) — Magnetic Island
MEET: outside Base Backpackers
We start early with a local bus to the train, a ferry out to tropical ‘Maggie Island’, and a local transfer to the accommodation. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your guide will join you on a walk around the Island; otherwise you can do more exploring or just relax by the pool. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day to spend on Magnetic Island.
SLEEP: YHA Bungalow Bay or your choice of Magnetic Island accom.
Day 5
Magnetic Island — Indigenous Camp (Special Stop) / Tully
MEET: at YHA Bungalow Bay reception or at the ferry terminal (please confirm).
We travel back to the mainland on a ferry, travel by train to Tully – getting in at around lunchtime. You have the option of staying in Tully at a historic hotel (for hostel prices) or taking part in Loka’s exclusive Indigenous Rainforest Experience for the Loka special price of $120. We get met by local Aboriginals and travel by bus into the amazing rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. Get welcomed onto their traditional lands in ‘Jirrbal’ language. We go for a swim in the scenic Tully River before having a group dinner (modern food with a traditional twist). After dark we go ‘spotlighting’ in the rainforest for native wildlife. An enchanting evening of dreamtime stories around a campfire.
SLEEP: Indigenous Camp $120 for an all inclusive package, or Mt Tyson hotel, $35 for accom only.
Day 6
Indigenous Camp – Cairns
MEET: Indigenous Camp or Tully train station (please confirm).
In the morning, enjoy a big breakfast then head off for an interpretative walk into the national park. We then travel back to Tully to catch the train north. You may like to spend more time in Tully to do the kayak trip, whitewater rafting or some of the rainforest walks. We travel to Cairns by train arriving late afternoon. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day/night to spend in Tully at the historic Mt Tyson hotel before heading to Cairns.
SLEEP: Your choice of Cairns accom, you can book via the Loka web app.
Note: Food and accommodation are not included in your Loka pass. You can break your journey at any of the stops through any of the travel days and just connect with a later Loka bus or rail departure (guided or unguided).
You can pre-book your own accommodation via our web app or your guide will book it for you, you will usually get a bed-only option (averaging $32 per person per night), or a twin/double option (averaging $100 per room).
The Mick Pass includes:
- All transport including the Loka bus between Byron Bay and Rainbow Beach/Cooroy, fast, comfortable trains between Cooroy and Cairns, and return Magnetic Island ferry,
- Guidance from fun, local guide and access to Loka web app,
- Danger Point NSW/QLD Border Crossing walk,
- Byron Bay orientation drive,
- Carlo Sand Blow Walk, Rainbow Beach
- Turtle spotting and Bluff Point walk at Emu Park,
- Forts Walk at Magnetic Island,
You have the flexibility to break your journey to do the things you want to along the way.
Our own fun, local guides travel with you on our buses and on public transport, to give you the best advice and access to the attractions over the routes.
Unique, authentic experiences hunted out by us, our customers and locals over our routes — all established and supported in a sustainable manner.
Passes are valid for 12 months.
Departs at least 2 times per week from the Jonson Street bus stop and the Arts Factory. Current departure days are Sunday, Wednesday, Friday at 8am. Please confirm your departure point when booking.
Accommodation and food are not included. We offer a range of bed options in most stops ranging from hostel shared dorm rooms at about $32 per person per night, to ensuited basic motel rooms from about $100. The exceptions are our Country Campout and Indigenous Camp stay, for which there is a set price for each activity, these need to be paid direct to the operator:
Country Campout
Farm Experience, Swagman’s dinner (vege/GF free options available), Camping in swags, Breakfast, Dinner before overnight train departure. Day guest at Emu’s Beach resort, including all facilities & Bluff Point Walk = $75.
Dorm only at Emu’s Beach resort = $30
Indigenous Camp
Indigenous Rainforest Experience, Dinner, Breakfast, Camping, Spotlighting Wildlife, Transfers and Interpretative Walk = $120.
Dorm only at Mt Tyson Hotel = $35
Passes are valid for 12 months from the date of your departure. Travel is in Loka’s 24 seat mini coaches between Byron Bay and Noosa/Rainbow Beach (Cooroy train station), and local bus and train (plus ferry to Magnetic Island) between Noosa/Rainbow Beach and Cairns. Loka’s guides travel on all routes on the set departure days – but you can travel on the train on other days without a guide.
By purchasing your Loka pass you are agreeing to Loka’s Terms & Conditions
Provider Details
Loka Pty Ltd
Phone: 0266984901
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