Travelling from Cairns to Sydney 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 Trev Pass is for you!
The Stray Australia (formerly 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 Cairns and Sydney¬†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 Byron Bay, 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 River Retreat Tipi Camp, an Indigenous Camp and Barrington Tops National Park – so you get to see an alternative side to the usual backpacker trail.
Alongside that are some awesome included activities – like Hunter Valley wine tasting, a visit to a Koala Hospital, ocean rafting and snorkelling.
Manage your travel plan with the Stray 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 surf longer in Spot X? No worries!
Found work sailing on the Whitsundays? Easy as!
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 Passes are the way forward!
Day 1
Cairns (via Tully and Townsville) — Magnetic Island
MEET: at Nomads Cairns, Gilligans or Cairns train station (please confirm prior to departure).
We travel by train south to Townsville, getting in around mid-afternoon and then take the ferry out to tropical ‘Maggie Island’. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife.
SLEEP: YHA Bungalow Bay or your choice of Magnetic Island accom.
Day 2
Magnetic Island (via Townsville) – Airlie Beach
MEET: at YHA Bungalow Bay reception or at the ferry terminal (please confirm).
In the morning your guide will join you on the Forts walk, otherwise you can do some exploring, check out the local wildlife park or just relax by the pool. In the afternoon we travel back to the mainland on the ferry, then jump on the train to Proserpine, with a transfer to Airlie Beach arriving approx. 7pm. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day to spend on Magnetic Island.
SLEEP: Your choice of Airlie accom, you can book via the Loka web app.
Day 3
Free Day in Airlie Beach
We have a full day in Airlie Beach for activities or to relax. There are great 1-3 day sailing adventure options around the Whitsunday Islands that you can do.
SLEEP: Your choice of Airlie accommodation.
Day 4
Airlie Beach – Emu Park (Special Stop)
MEET: outside Base backpackers.
We have most of the day free in Airlie and then in the early evening we transfer to the train and travel to Rockhampton. We hop off the train with a quick transfer to the cool, coastal town of Emu Park. We have organized a great package here that’s $75 for 2 nights accommodation at Emu Resort and an Aussie farm experience that includes a ‘swagman’s’ dinner (and a tour around the property). While at Emu Park you can sit around the resort pool or go on a turtle-spotting walk up to Bluff Point. Note: Depending on the day you arrive you may have an additional night to sleep in swags at the Country Campout. This is an extra $34 for camping experience and breakfast.
SLEEP: Emu Park $75 for the 2 night package or $109 for the 3 night package (no need to pre-book). These packages are $60 and $90 for no meals or Country Campout experience included.
Day 5
Emu Park – Rainbow Beach
MEET: at Emus Beach reception
We begin the day with an early morning bus transfer to the train. We travel to Gympie then jump on the Loka bus to Rainbow Beach. Rainbow Beach is a departure point for Fraser Island and has a beautiful beach to chill on, or we recommend walking up to Carlo Sand Blow with your guide for sunset or sunrise.
SLEEP: Your choice of Rainbow Beach accom. You can book this via the Loka web app.
Day 6
Rainbow Beach (via Noosa, Brisbane & Gold Coast) — Byron Bay
MEET: across the road from Frasers on Rainbow/Dingos hostels.
We travel in our own Loka bus through Noosa, Brisbane and Gold Coast, with pick-ups and drop offs. We stop for a walk at the Queensland/NSW border crossing at Danger Point to stretch our legs, and check out the view of one of Australia’s best surf spots Snapper Rock, before heading onto our night stop at Australia’s coolest surf town, Byron Bay.
SLEEP: Your choice of Byron Bay accom. You can book this via the Loka web app.
Day 7
Free Day in Byron Bay
Explore, learn to surf, party or relax and take in the laidback, hippy vibe. We recommend taking a walk to the lighthouse to view the Australian mainland’s most easterly point.
SLEEP: Your choice of Byron Bay accom.
Day 8
Byron Bay (via Spot X) – Sydney
MEET: at the main bus stop on Jonson St or Arts Factory hostel (please confirm).
We travel to Sydney via Spot X Surf Camp. Hop off if you want to learn to surf or just hang by the beach. We then express down to Sydney getting in early evening with drop offs to selected Sydney central hostels.
SLEEP: Your choice of Sydney accom. We drop off outside Wake Up (by Central Station) and Nomads.
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 Trev Pass includes:
- All transport along the route, including trains from Cairns to Cooroy and Loka bus from Cooroy/ Rainbow Beach to Sydney, return ferry to Magnetic Island and local transfers.
- Guidance from fun, local guide and Loka web app
- Forts Walk, Magnetic Island
- Bluff Point walk, Emu Park
- Carlo Sand Blow Walk, Rainbow Beach,
- Dolphin Centre entry, Tin Can Bay
- Danger Point Border Crossing walk
- Byron Bay orientation drive
- Opportunity to hop on and hop off
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 3 times per week from central Cairns. Current departure days are Monday, Thursday and Sunday at 8.30am from the Cairns train station, platform 1. Pick ups from Nomads and Gilligans available.
Accommodation and food are not included in your Loka pass. 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. You can organise your own food by yourself or with the group. The exceptions are our Indigenous Camp and Country Campout, for which there is a set price for these activities:
Country Campout
Tour the remote property; spend time with the owners learning about how they live and work in this harsh environment.
2 nights hostel accom and dinner = $75.
NOTE: If you travel to the Emu Park on a Sunday from Airlie Beach, you will spend the first and third nights at Emu Beach resort with a night in between in swags at the Country Campout. 2 nights hostel accom, Country Campout in swags and dinner = $109.
Passes are valid for 12 months from the date of your departure. Travel is in Loka’s 24 seat mini coaches between Sydney 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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