Highlights
The bold and friendly Galah will take you on an 8-day tour of the East Coast starting off the weekend in chilled out Byron Bay (pick-up is available from Brisbane) and travelling down to vibrant Sydney! The Galah is the most common of the Australian native Cockatoo family and is a familiar sight (and sound) in the wild so we can almost promise you will see them on this tour, along with lush rainforests, gorgeous beaches, other wildlife and a few secret highlights that only us locals know about.
You’ll travel with a local guide (and get their insider knowledge) and a bunch of like-minded travellers (your new lifelong friends) and explore some of the amazing places Aussie has to offer!
Itinerary
BRISBANE PICK UP INFO
Pick up from the Ann Street Bus Stop 9 near King George Square, Brisbane CBD at 12pm on Friday (please arrive 10 minutes prior to the time). This bus stop is also close to Central Station.
DAY 1 FRIDAY: BRISBANE TO BYRON BAY
Today you’ll board the Stray bus in central Brisbane at 12pm, meet your new guide and travel buddies and head off towards Byron Bay, stopping along the way to check out the Gold Coast. We’ll stretch our legs in Surfers Paradise where you can explore the golden beaches and cafes before arriving ready for the weekend in the iconic Byron Bay!
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron Bay in studio rooms or similar
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Free activities: Visit Surfers Paradise, explore Byron Bay, swimming
DAY 2 : SATURDAY: FREE DAY BYRON BAY
Today you have a full day in Byron Bay to really embrace the Byron Bay motto: "cheer up, slow down, and chill out”. Start your day off with a morning swim in the ocean then spend your day exploring the laidback hippy town.
Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s most easterly point, or check out the many eclectic boutiques and cafes around town. If you’re looking for adventure, join a sea kayaking or snorkel trip and search for dolphins and other marine life, or even go for an iconic Australian activity - learning to surf.
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron in studio rooms or similar
Optional paid activities: Surf lesson, Dolphin Kayak tour, Skydive, Rail Trail
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, Cape Byron lighthouse walk, swimming
DAY 3: SUNDAY: BYRON BAY TO DARLINGTON BEACH
Enjoy a bit more of Byron Bay this morning until we make our way further south to the super scenic Coffs Coast. On the way there, we’ll stop in the picturesque seaside town of Yamba for lunch. We'll also visit the Angourie Blue Pool, an old quarry that was accidentally filled by an underground spring, meaning you can now cool off in a freshwater pool right on the beach.
For the next two nights we’re staying in villas at a beachfront holiday resort set amongst 110-acres of beachside rainforest, so it’s the best of both worlds. Jump in the pool, take a heated spa, grab a cocktail at the bar or head to the beach. Feeling active? Go for a bike ride, a spot of archery or nine holes of golf if you fancy it.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar
Optional activities: Push bike hire, golf
Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, swimming
DAY 4: MONDAY: FREE DAY DARLINGTON BEACH & COFFS HARBOUR
Today we’ll have a relaxed morning followed by a stop in Coffs Harbour for lunch and then a special Aboriginal experience learning about the First Nations people of Australia.
Your Cultural Experience takes place at an important cultural site of the Gumbaynggirr people, the stunning location of Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) within the Orara East State Forest. You’ll go for a 2-hour tour and see 360-degree views, as well as getting the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture through stories, songs, language and the uses of native plants. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience with an emphasis on authentic connection and contributing to helping a community regain their culture and identity.
Do More: By taking part in the experience, you’re making a direct contribution to the revitalisation of Gumbaynggirr language and culture with a percentage of the tour price going towards the local bilingual school to help foster cultural identity and education success.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar
Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Included activities: Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Included meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: TUESDAY: DARLINGTON BEACH TO PORT STEPHENS
Accommodation included: Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort in a hotel room or similar
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants or onsite restaurant
Included activities: Koala hospital visit, Brewery tour & tasting
Included meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY: FREE DAY PORT STEPHENS
This morning you have the choice to sleep in, go for some first-class sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes (optional expense), or join your Stray guide for an energising hike to the summit of Tomaree Head, which stands at 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance. This short 2.2km return track offers breathtaking views of the coastline and panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands- you might even be lucky enough to see some dolphins.
In the afternoon spend some time relaxing at the resort pool (one of the largest in Australia) or jump on a Dolphin discovery cruise (optional expense).
Accommodation included: Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort in a hotel room or similar
Optional paid activities: Sandboarding or Dolphin discovery cruise
Meal options: Onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery, restaurants, self cater
Free activities: Sleep in, swim, relax on the beach, Headland Walk
DAY 7: THURSDAY: PORT STEPHENS TO SYDNEY
Accommodation included: Vibe Sydney in a hotel room or similar
Meal options: Onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery, restaurants, self cater
Included activities: Hunter Valley organic winery tour with wine & cheese tasting
Included meals: Farewell Dinner
Today is the final day of your Stray adventure. Give a hug or a wave to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo - G’DAY MATES!
Included meals: Breakfast
BRISBANE PICK UP INFO
Pick up from the Ann Street Bus Stop 9 near King George Square, Brisbane CBD at 12pm on Friday (please arrive 10 minutes prior to the time). This bus stop is also close to Central Station.
DAY 1 FRIDAY: BRISBANE TO BYRON BAY
Today you’ll board the Stray bus in central Brisbane at 12pm, meet your new guide and travel buddies and head off towards Byron Bay, stopping along the way to check out the Gold Coast. We’ll stretch our legs in Surfers Paradise where you can explore the golden beaches and cafes before arriving ready for the weekend in the iconic Byron Bay!
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron Bay in studio rooms or similar
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Free activities: Visit Surfers Paradise, explore Byron Bay, swimming
DAY 2 : SATURDAY: FREE DAY BYRON BAY
Today you have a full day in Byron Bay to really embrace the Byron Bay motto: "cheer up, slow down, and chill out”. Start your day off with a morning swim in the ocean then spend your day exploring the laidback hippy town.
Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse, mainland Australia’s most easterly point, or check out the many eclectic boutiques and cafes around town. If you’re looking for adventure, join a sea kayaking or snorkel trip and search for dolphins and other marine life, or even go for an iconic Australian activity - learning to surf.
Accommodation included: Eco Beach Resort Byron in studio rooms or similar
Optional paid activities: Surf lesson, Dolphin Kayak tour, Skydive, Rail Trail
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants
Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, Cape Byron lighthouse walk, swimming
DAY 3: SUNDAY: BYRON BAY TO DARLINGTON BEACH
Enjoy a bit more of Byron Bay this morning until we make our way further south to the super scenic Coffs Coast. On the way there, we’ll stop in the picturesque seaside town of Yamba for lunch. We'll also visit the Angourie Blue Pool, an old quarry that was accidentally filled by an underground spring, meaning you can now cool off in a freshwater pool right on the beach.
For the next two nights we’re staying in villas at a beachfront holiday resort set amongst 110-acres of beachside rainforest, so it’s the best of both worlds. Jump in the pool, take a heated spa, grab a cocktail at the bar or head to the beach. Feeling active? Go for a bike ride, a spot of archery or nine holes of golf if you fancy it.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar
Optional activities: Push bike hire, golf
Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Free activities: Explore Byron Bay, relax on the beach, swimming
DAY 4: MONDAY: FREE DAY DARLINGTON BEACH & COFFS HARBOUR
Today we’ll have a relaxed morning followed by a stop in Coffs Harbour for lunch and then a special Aboriginal experience learning about the First Nations people of Australia.
Your Cultural Experience takes place at an important cultural site of the Gumbaynggirr people, the stunning location of Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) within the Orara East State Forest. You’ll go for a 2-hour tour and see 360-degree views, as well as getting the opportunity to immerse yourself in culture through stories, songs, language and the uses of native plants. This will be an unforgettable cultural experience with an emphasis on authentic connection and contributing to helping a community regain their culture and identity.
Do More: By taking part in the experience, you’re making a direct contribution to the revitalisation of Gumbaynggirr language and culture with a percentage of the tour price going towards the local bilingual school to help foster cultural identity and education success.
Accommodation included: Darlington Beach Resort in Villas or similar
Meal options: Self cater, onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery or restaurants
Included activities: Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Included meals: Breakfast
DAY 5: TUESDAY: DARLINGTON BEACH TO PORT STEPHENS
We’ll depart Darlington Beach this morning and make a stop at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital to see the amazing work being done to protect koalas from loss of habitat and injury. On the way into Port Stephens we’ll stop at Murray’s Brewery, one of Australia's leading craft beer brewers, where we’ll enjoy a tour and beer tasting. Not into beer? Not to worry, there is a spritz, ginger beer and a gin drink to try out instead.
Accommodation included: Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort in a hotel room or similar
Meal options: Local cafes, bakery, restaurants or onsite restaurant
Included activities: Koala hospital visit, Brewery tour & tasting
Included meals: Breakfast
DAY 6: WEDNESDAY: FREE DAY PORT STEPHENS
This morning you have the choice to sleep in, go for some first-class sandboarding down the Stockton Sand Dunes (optional expense), or join your Stray guide for an energising hike to the summit of Tomaree Head, which stands at 161 metres above the Port Stephens entrance. This short 2.2km return track offers breathtaking views of the coastline and panoramic views of Yacaaba Head, Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands- you might even be lucky enough to see some dolphins.
In the afternoon spend some time relaxing at the resort pool (one of the largest in Australia) or jump on a Dolphin discovery cruise (optional expense).
Accommodation included: Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort in a hotel room or similar
Optional paid activities: Sandboarding or Dolphin discovery cruise
Meal options: Onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery, restaurants, self cater
Free activities: Sleep in, swim, relax on the beach, Headland Walk
DAY 7: THURSDAY: PORT STEPHENS TO SYDNEY
Today we head to Sydney, our final destination! Along the way, we’ll stop at the popular Hunter Valley wine region for a tour of an organic vineyard. Learn about how through years of research and development, they have become one of Australia's largest producers of award-winning organic, vegan-friendly, and no added sulphur wines. Their contemporary organic philosophy aims to produce wines of terroir while limiting environmental pollution and leaving the land in the best condition possible for generations to follow. And of course, after the tour sit down to a wine tasting with cheese and crackers.
On arrival in the beautiful harbour city of Sydney, we’ll check in then head to a nearby restaurant for dinner and drinks to celebrate our last night on tour and say some emotional farewells to our group!
Accommodation included: Vibe Sydney in a hotel room or similar
Meal options: Onsite restaurant, local cafes, bakery, restaurants, self cater
Included activities: Hunter Valley organic winery tour with wine & cheese tasting
Included meals: Farewell Dinner
Today is the final day of your Stray adventure. Give a hug or a wave to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo - G’DAY MATES!
Included meals: Breakfast