Oz Experience Cozzie Pass

The itinerary listed below includes the main highlights en route from Sydney to Cairns (Northbound); however you can also travel on this pass from Cairns to Sydney (Southbound).
 

Hunter Valley
We drive into Ku-Ring Gai Chase National Park, the second oldest National Park in Sydney, rich in Aboriginal history, admire Rock Art and carvings. Have your taste buds ready as we spend the afternoon tasting the best of the Hunter Valley region.

Sydney to Spot X Surf Camp
East Coast, here we come! It’s out of the city nice and early heading to the mid North East coast of New South Wales with a hop-off option at Coffs Harbour and Crescent Head. If you’re keen for a surf (one lesson is included in your pass) then surf away! There is a local payment to cover the cost of your overnight accommodation and meals. Stay longer if you reckon surfing’s your thing!

Surf Camp to Byron Bay (compulsory stopover)
Surfs-up this morning! It’s time for your surf lesson – this is included in your ticket and all gear is supplied: wetsuits, surfboards, professional surf instructors, water and lots of fun. Surfing can be addictive so you may wish to stay longer and enjoy the tranquil and uncrowded surf beaches. For those continuing north we leave around midday for the short drive to Byron Bay where we stay the night.

Also included is a return day trip to the weird and whacky town of Nimbin!

Byron Bay to Gold Coast
Wave good bye to beautiful Byron Bay and cross the border into Queensland. Our first pick up/drop-off point is Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast: golden sands, theme parks, and great bars and clubs. It’s a lot of high-rise buildings, but it’s a lot of fun. Try it out for a couple of days yourself and see…

Gold Coast to Brisbane
Roll into Brisbane (Queensland’s capital) just before lunch time for pickups and drop offs. It’s a laid back city, and a great place to stop and look for work if you're on a working holiday visa. 

Brisbane to Noosa
Brisbane disappears behind us as we head north to the sunny Sunshine Coast. We pass the Glasshouse Mountains, the name of which will be fully explained by your guide, before arriving in Noosa to drop-off and pick-up more Oz Experience beachgoers. On the way we take a break at Wild Horse Mountain National Park for a walk and panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast area.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach (compulsory stopover)
Rainbow Beach is the shortcut to Fraser Island so the best place to start your tag along four wheel drive island adventure. We think the really cool thing about Rainbow is that once you’re back from Fraser Island there’s more stuff to do. Rainbows got beaches, great natural attractions like the Carlo Sand Blow and the coloured cliffs, and even wild dolphin feeding (optional). Hop off the bus here for an exclusive Oz Experience cultural walk around the local area.

Fraser Island* (compulsory stopover – 2 nights)
It’s an early start today for our four-wheel-driving on the beautiful World Heritage Fraser Island. This ‘tag along’ tour means you can relax as an experienced driver takes the wheel. Fraser has shipwrecks, sandy bush tracks, smooth beaches and beautiful freshwater lakes to swim in. After an action packed 3 days we return to Rainbow Beach.

Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay
It’s an early start today for those going on the cruise to feed the dolphins; or those going for a few days four-wheel-driving on the beautiful World Heritage Fraser Island. For those who are continuing their journey north, we board the bus to Hervey Bay for hostel drop-offs and pickups.

Hervey Bay to Childers and Bundaberg
If its cash you need then the fruit-picking towns of Bundaberg or Childers may be your next stop. Its hard work, but you’ll get paid by the ‘bucket load’. Bundaberg is also famous for an Aussie brand of rum called Bundaberg Rum (or Bundy as the locals call it).

Bundaberg to Town of 1770 
If by now you’re feeling a little tired and in need of a holiday within your holiday then the Town of 1770 is the place to stop. 1770 is special: the activities don’t cost much, the beaches are great, the people are friendly, and it’s that ideal place to chill out and recharge your batteries before heading to Far North Queensland. You may wish to try the famous Scooteroo (ride an easy-rider motorbike complete with leathers)!

Town of 1770 to Rockhampton (including overnight side trip to Kroombit Cattle Station – compulsory 1 night stopover)
Leaving 1770 the bus will travel north to Rockhampton. Your pass includes the opportunity to ‘go bush’ to the dust dirt of our unique cattle station by catching the free round trip transfer from Rockhampton to Kroombit - it’s well worth a visit! You’ll arrive in Kroombit just before lunch and then get into the afternoon action; enjoy the original and world famous (in Kroombit) goat rodeo; there’s a goat muster on horseback (own expense) and don’t go to bed before cracking a whip and having a ride on the mechanical bull!

Kroombit is a great taste of life in the Australian outback not to mention the campfire cooked dinner, bush bar and the western clothes. There’s a local payment to cover the cost of dinner, bed and breakfast and we travel back to Rockhampton the following morning, with connections through to Airlie Beach. (If the ‘bush’ doesn’t interest you can simply stay on the bus in Rockhampton and continue through to Airlie Beach.)

Rockhampton to Airlie Beach* (compulsory stopover)
Next stop, the sailing and party paradise known as the Whitsunday Islands. There are a few more towns to see and miles to cover before our evening arrival into Airlie Beach. For the next 2 days most of you will say goodbye Oz Ex Bus and hello sunshine and sailing boats …a highlight of the east coast trip.

Airlie Beach to Townsville (gateway to Magnetic Island)
Today the bus will travel via Bowen, which is a great place to stop and earn some money picking fruit or vegetables. For those wanting to go over to Magnetic Island we’ll drop you off at the ferry terminal in Townsville. Magnetic Island is the sunniest spot on the Queensland coast with more than 320 sunny days a year! You’ll think you’ve landed in paradise. Get out for some hikes or try and spot koalas in their natural habitat. Look out for the full-moon parties at base backpackers.

Townsville to Mission Beach
Heading towards the lush rainforests of Far North Queensland as you leave Townsville, you'll witness the the mountains grow higher and the forests greener. We drive into Mission Beach where the rainforest meets the sea, which is one great place to stay over for a few days. The beaches are superb. Relax or go skydiving or white water rafting (optional extras). If you’re lucky you’ll see a Cassowary, these are seriously big birds with attitude to match.

Mission Beach to Cairns
An easy afternoon section completes your Oz EX trip. This place is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world; and the Daintree at Cape Tribulation, the world’s oldest living rainforest. Don’t forget to visit the legendary Woolshed Bar.

Rainforest and Waterfalls Day Tour
Explore the Atherton Tablelands; cool off in freshwater Lake Barrine, gaze up at 1000 year old pin tress, see the famous Curtain Fig Tree, visit a real cattle station homestead and taste the local produce at Mount Uncle Distillery.

compulsory stopover = compulsory 1 night stay is required at the end of these journeys, however as the pass is valid for 6 months why not stay longer or stop off one at one of the other optional stopovers on the route, including;

• Coffs Harbour
• Surfers Paradise
• Brisbane
• Noosa
• Hervey Bay
• Rockhampton
• Bowen
• Mission Beach

*You will need to pre-book your Fraser Island trip and Whitsundays Sailing Adventure during your Cozzie Pass. Your driver can assist you.

Please note: Activities are not included in the price and both itineraries and activities are subject to change.