Days 1-8  Sydney  
Welcome to Oz! After touching down you’ll be whizzed from the airport to sleep off your jet lag at one of Sydney’s top hostels. Meet other newly-arrived backpackers at the funky basement bar and get ready for an epic first week. Ultimate have been welcoming travellers to Australia for 30 years, and over the next 8 days they’ll introduce you to Sydney with a load of iconic activities, from a sunset harbour cruise, to sandboarding and even two nights at Bondi Beach. Meanwhile, they’ll take care of all the boring but necessary things like setting up your Australian bank account and medical insurance, so you’re ready for a year of living and working in Australia. Ultimate will also be on hand for the rest of the year if you need a hand finding the perfect job.    

Days 9-13  Sydney to Byron Bay  
Activate your East Coast Whimit Greyhound Pass and start travelling up the east coast on their extensive coach network. Make your way up to Byron Bay, a surfer’s paradise. This is the perfect place to learn how to surf as everyone is catered for, from first timers to skilled experts.    

Days 14-18  Byron Bay to K’gari  (Fraser Island)    
Pack up and head on, stopping off in the vibrant city of Brisbane before arriving on iconic K’gari (Fraser Island). Grab some friends and explore this adventurer’s paradise with its beautiful, wide open beaches, historic shipwrecks and enchanting land and marine wildlife.  

Days 19-23  K’gari (Fraser Island) to the Whitsunday Islands  
Head up to Airlie Beach and spend a couple of days exploring the wonders of the Whitsunday Islands on an overnight sailing boat, snorkelling around coral reefs, visiting the famous Whitehaven Beach for an incredible photo and enjoying drinks  on deck at sunset.  

Days 24-30  The Whitsunday Islands to Cairns    
Back on the mainland, journey on to lively Cairns and Tropical North Queensland.  Dive and snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef and perhaps explore the Daintree Rainforest’s incredible flora and fauna.

Day 31  Adventure awaits…    
The rest of the year is yours to play with and adventure beckons: iconic Uluru, vibrant Melbourne, or beautiful Perth.  Why not head over to New Zealand and live life like a Kiwi? With flexible flights and a wealth of knowledge, Trailfinders is here to help make your gap year unforgettable.