Change region 
United Kingdom
Canada
Australia Adventure
Ready for the ultimate Aussie adventure? Join us on the East Coast Explorer tour – an epic 43-day, 42-night journey from Sydney to Cairns, jam-packed with thrills, adventure, and unforgettable memories! Whether you're looking to discover breathtaking landscapes, party at iconic spots, or make lifelong friendships, this tour has it all! Explore Byron Bay, Brisbane, Magnetic Island, Cairns, and beyond, all while experiencing the very best that Australia has to offer – from the stunning Whitsunday Islands to the world-famous Fraser Island, and of course, the magical Great Barrier Reef!
Perfect for: Adventure Travel and Wildlife Conservation.
DURATION: 6 WEEKS | PRICE: FROM $4,750 | DEPARTURES: EVERY MONTH
TRAVEL STYLE: GROUP BACKPACKING ADVENTURE
Perfect for first time travellers such as Gap Year or University students looking to explore Australia with a group of like-minded people!
Day 1 | Sydney – Welcome to Oz!
The adventure begins in Sydney! Meet at your hostel for an intro session, followed by a city walking tour. We’ll hit up all the must-see spots – Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Chinatown, and more. Finish the day with a delicious Welcome Dinner!
Day 2 | Sydney – Harbour Cruise & Chill
A relaxed day, starting with a Sydney Harbour Cruise on a catamaran, including a BBQ lunch. Take a dip in the harbour coves, and let the sea breeze take your worries away.
Day 3 - 5 | Port Stephens City Escape
Leave Sydney behind for Port Stephens, where you'll spot wildlife, relax on the beach, and enjoy a BBQ under the stars. Get your adrenaline going with sandboarding and stunning hikes before finishing with a dolphin cruise and a return to Sydney for an evening of city vibes or party fun!
Day 6 – 8 | Sydney Exploration
Back to the city for some free time to discover Sydney at your leisure or join onto one of the many optional activities available - Ask your group leader for tips or just kick back and relax! Then catch the overnight bus to Byron Bay, your first stop on the East Coast adventure!
Day 9 - 12 | Byron Bay - Surf’s Up & Relax
Welcome to Byron Bay! Hit the beach for a surf lesson, go on a lighthouse walk, and unwind with a yoga session. Byron’s laid-back vibes are the perfect way to kickstart your adventure.
Day 13 – 15 | Surfers Paradise – Party Central
Next stop: Surfers Paradise! Known for its endless nightlife and long sandy beaches, Surfers is the perfect place to let loose and have a blast.
Day 16 – 18 | Brisbane – City Adventures
Head to Brisbane! Discover the cultural hub of Southbank, snap a pic with the iconic Brisbane sign, and explore all the best bits of the city.
Day 19 – 20 | Noosa – Tropical Paradise
Noosa is next – relax, enjoy the beaches, and take in the breathtaking coastal views. Optional activities like kayaking in the Everglades or hitting the local markets are available!
Day 21-24: Rainbow Beach & Fraser Island (K’gari)
It’s time to explore the world’s largest sand island – K’gari (Fraser Island)! We’ll spend two nights camping and exploring lakes, beaches, and breathtaking landscapes.
Day 25 – 28 | Airlie Beach relax and unwind
Relax in Rainbow Beach before catching the overnight bus to Airlie Beach, where paradise awaits! Spend your days unwinding by the lagoon, shopping, and preparing for the ultimate Whitsundays adventure.
Day 29 - 31| Whitsundays Sailing
Set sail on an unforgettable two-day, one-night adventure around the Whitsundays, snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and relaxing on Whitehaven Beach. After a dreamy island escape, head back to Airlie Beach to relive the magic and party in paradise!
Day 32 - 34 | Magnetic Island
Next, we head to Magnetic Island – home to koalas, wallabies, and golden sandy beaches. Explore by foot or rent a 4x4 to take in the incredible island views.
Day 35 – 36 | Mission Beach
Arrive in Mission Beach and relax in this tropical paradise, where the rainforest meets the reef. Enjoy the laid-back vibes and take a moment to soak in the stunning surroundings.
Day 37 – 42 | Cairns – Great Barrier Reef & Rainforest Adventures
Final stop on your tour is Cairns, the ultimate adventure hub, where vibrant nightlife meets laid-back lagoon vibes! Dive into the Great Barrier Reef for an unforgettable snorkel, then explore the wild beauty of the Atherton Tablelands with epic waterfalls and hidden wildlife. Finish strong with two days of freedom to relax or join one of the many optional activities on offer– before a legendary farewell dinner to wrap up your East Coast adventure!
Day 43: Time for More?
The adventure may be ending, but your journey doesn’t have to! Whether you’re staying in Cairns or heading to new destinations, your Group Leader is here to help you plan your next move.
6-weeks: $4,750
For available start dates check out the 'Dates & Availability' section below - you may need to scroll right to view the prices and book on! You can secure your place on your chosen adventure with a 10% deposit. The remainder is paid leading up to the trip departing.
What's included:
- 40 nights of accommodation + 2 nights on the overnight bus
- Expert Group Leader to guide you
- Arrival transfer from Sydney airport
- All transportation for the tour
- Sydney City Tour
- Private Sydney Harbour Catamaran Cruise
- Mt Tomaree Visit
- Stockton Sand Dunes Sandboarding
- Port Stephens Dolphin Cruise
- Byron Bay Surf Lesson & Lighthouse Walk
- Surfers Paradise Beach & City Tour
- Brisbane Southbank Exploration
- Noosa National Park & Headland Walk
- Fraser Island (K'gari) 4x4 Adventure
- Whitsundays 2-Day Sailing Trip
- Magnetic Island Adventure incl return ferry transfer & Guided Fort’s Walk
- Cairns Lagoon and Great Barrier Reef Snorkel Trip
- Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour
- 16 delicious meals included
What is not included:
- Flights to/from destination
- Travel insurance
- Visa & Vaccinations
- Tips and gratuities for local guides
- Optional activities
- Spending money (suggested approx. $80 AUD per day to cover meals not included in the itinerary, snacks, drinks, and optional activities you may want to join in on)
- Local fees ($80AUD total paid direct for EMC levy, port fuel & reef levies, and Fraser Island insurance)
Who is this program for?
This program is perfect for adventurous travellers looking to explore Australia's East Coast in a fun, social group setting. Whether you're a solo traveller, backpacker, or simply seeking an unforgettable experience, this tour is ideal for those wanting to discover iconic locations, meet new people, and enjoy a mix of outdoor activities, sightseeing, and relaxation, all while traveling with a supportive group leader. The minimum age for this trip is 18 years old.
How many others will be in my group?
The minimum group size is 6 and the maximum is 24. Group sizes vary but you can generally expect to travel with a group of approximately 10-20 people from all over the globe! Expect to meet fellow adventurers from the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and beyond. It’s the perfect chance to make new friends, share laughs, and create memories with like-minded travellers from different cultures, all while exploring Australia’s stunning East Coast together!
Where does the programme start and finish?
Your tour starts at 11.30am at the group hostel in Sydney on day 1, and ends at 10am on checkout from the hostel in Cairns on day 43. Arrival transfers from Sydney airport to the hostel are included, and on your final day, your group leader can help you plan your onward travel arrangements.
Where will I be staying?
Throughout the tour, you'll stay in a variety of shared accommodations, including hostels, campsites, and even on a sailing boat. 2 nights will be spent on a comfortable sleeper bus. Accommodations are chosen to provide a comfortable and social atmosphere, making it easy to relax and meet other travellers along the way.
What is the food like?
The food on this tour offers a mix of included meals and opportunities to explore local cuisine. You’ll enjoy a few group meals like an Australian BBQ lunch on the Sydney Harbour Cruise and meals while camping on Fraser Island. While travelling, you'll have access to a variety of food options, with meals provided at certain locations, and plenty of opportunities to try local dishes or grab your own meals when not included in the itinerary.
Who will supervise me?
You will be supervised by an experienced Group Leader throughout the tour. Your group leader is there to guide you, provide support, and ensure everything runs smoothly. They will share local knowledge, and help you get the most out of your East Coast adventure. You'll also be accompanied by other group members, creating a fun, social atmosphere throughout the trip.
What transport will I be using?
You are responsible to getting yourself to and from the start point of the tour. During the tour, you'll travel in various types of transport, including day and overnight coaches for long journeys. For some shorter trips, you'll use local transport such as ferries (e.g., to Magnetic Island), and on Fraser Island, you'll explore in 4x4 vehicles. Additionally, you'll sail around the Whitsundays on a boat, providing a unique travel experience along the coast.
How much spending money do I need?
It’s recommended to bring around $80 AUD per day for spending money. This will cover meals not included in the itinerary, snacks, drinks, and optional activities you may want to join in on. Keep in mind that some local fees are also required, such as the $80 AUD total for various levies. Always have extra funds just in case you want to participate in additional activities or experiences.
*Please download the program brochure for full details!
Fun down under
An amazing seven week trip going up the east coast of Australia. This 7 week trip allowed 12 strangers to bond and become great friends whilst doing unbelievable activities which have created lifelong memories. Personal highlights include skydiving in cairns (a must do for anyone on the trip), the overnight boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef.
Michael, 23, gap year student from the UKAustralia Adventure with GapForce
I have never traveled abroad by myself before, and needless to say I was anxious when I got off the plane. However, my fears were immediately put to rest when I met up with the GapForce group. Being a relatively small group (11), it made it easy to get to know one another and made it much easier to stay together as a group instead of splitting up. We formed strong bonds throughout the journey, and I am grateful for the friends that I made. Our trip started in Sydney and we went all the way up the coast to Cairns. Along the way, we participated in numerous activities that were simply breathtaking. I will never forget when we went kayaking in Bryon Bay and whales swam right under us. There was also the three day camping trip on Frasier Island, which was one of the best experiences of my life, aside from getting rid of the spiders for my tent mates. We also went sailing at Whitsundays and got the chance to snorkel and see tons of marine life and sleep overnight on a sailboat. Those were just a handful of all the activities we were able to participate in, and I loved every one of them. However, none of that would have been possible without our group leader Joe. He made sure that the group was organized and prepared for everything. He made sure we all got the most out of this trip and even suggested some additional activities. They were mainly nature walks, but the ones I did go on were great. He made sure I got everything I could have out of this trip and I can't thank him enough for that. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to travel abroad because this was one of the best experiences of my life.
Ben, 18, gap year student from the USAustralia Experience
The Australia adventure was the first trip with Gapforce that I have done and I would highly recommend it. There was only a small group of us (11) including our leader Joe who made this experience even better. I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing group of people to spend the 7 weeks with. I learnt a lot about the Australian culture along the way as well as involving myself in many activities at the different locations visited.[...] Joe gave us enough space and freedom for the group to get out of the trip what they wanted and enjoy the trip as much as they could, but enough structure when we needed it and asked for it for us to feel comfortable ‘alone’ on the other side of the world.I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to get away from home to travel but not wanting to do it alone as you get to meet some amazing new people, and I can easily say I’ve got friends for life who I will keep in contact with. The memories I have will last forever and I can’t wait to share it with my family.[...] Throughout this trip, just getting to know everyone you were with was brilliant. You build such a strong bond with people very quickly, which makes the trip fly by. There are times where you won’t all get along or agree, but that’s inevitable when you spend so much time together for 7 weeks. I have made some amazing memories with people I never imagined meeting. It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever done.
Lauren, 19, gap year student from the UKCrikey mate
Overall my experience was amazing. I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend 7 weeks with and I feel like this trip really helped me grow a bit. I feel like I’ve learned so much about different different people that live in different places. The activities were unbelievably cool and this country was breathtaking. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a trip across the world to leave home for a bit and meet amazing people and make many memories that will last forever.
Betse, 20, gap year student from the USAAustralia GapForce Adventure
The Australia GapForce Adventure, led by Joe Craig, was an experience of a lifetime. I made lifelong friends, discovered one of the most beautiful parts of the world, and I had fun! I felt comfortable the second I arrived at our first hostel in Sydney. Everyone was so welcoming and soon it did not feel like I was on the other side of the globe. We traveled up the coast, and each destination had something unique to offer. Some highlights include seeing the ostentatious Opera House in Sydney, kayaking with whales in Byron Bay, seeing the Australia zoo, and zip lining in Daintree Rainforest. We also did volunteer work in Cairns, which was very rewarding. Examples of the volunteer work include mulching in the Botanic Gardens and weeding in Sugar World park. I enjoyed giving back to the beautiful land through which we had been traveling for two months. Through all these adventures, we were guided by our responsible and kind leader Joe Craig. He offered a beautiful blend of leadership and familiarity. He was extremely knowledgable of the places we encountered, and he was able to answer almost every question we had with ease. It was obvious that he really cared about our group, and he worked diligently to make sure we had an incredible experience. At one point on the trip I had a stomach virus, and I remember distinctively how Joe responded. He kept asking how I felt and was very considerate of my illness. Even though I was not in the comfort of my own house, Joe made me feel comfortable. Joe also was very responsible. He made sure we were on time for everything, and if there were any setbacks along the way, Joe handled it with ease and adapted well to every situation. Not only was he an amazing leader, he was also a wonderful friend with an excellent sense of humor. It was clear that our group respected him as both a companion and a leader. I cannot thank GapForce and Joe Craig enough for this amazing expedition! The trip was amazing and something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Chris, 18, gap year student from the USAAfter submitting this form, we will try and get back to you within 24 hours
Download Brochure
Or call us on 1-917-305-5404
- Australia
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Departures: Every month
Real Reviews
Click here to read over 100 real reviews about our programs on the independant service.