East Coast Backpacking Trip
Brisbane Loop
Start in Brisbane, venture to the hippy beachside town of Bryon Bay before travelling up the east coast to the stunning southern Great Barrier Reef. Head inland on your way back to Brisbane for a change of scenery. Think gorges, waterfalls, and amazing mountain views!
We’re not a tour – we’re a shared rental! So that means it works a little differently to any tour or car rental you’ve done before.
The people joining the trip share the driving, camping, trip planning and experience. This way of travelling offers a more flexible and self-guided trip.
However, you get everything you could need for a camping road trip plus an awesome group of travel mates! Plus, it’s a great option if you are looking for a budget option for backpacking the east coast Brisbane to Bundaberg area.
about the
east coast brisbane loop
You’ll have 14 days to explore the beautiful beaches, mountains and hinterland of Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales as you travel up the east coast with Share Bus.
You’ll start in Brisbane, venture to the hippy town of Byron Bay and explore beachside towns like Noosa and Rainbow Beach as you travel up the east coast. There will be National Parks, and Everglades as well as the option to travel to K’Gari on a 4WD tour. You will also get the chance to see a little of the Southern Great Barrier Reef and have the option to join a snorkelling tour to Lady Musgrave Island. As you head back towards Brisbane, you’ll head inland for a change of scenery. You’ll head along the Blackall Tourist Drive between Mapleton and Maleny – a scenic route containing gorges, waterfalls, and a breathtaking mountain view. Finally return to Brisbane, explore the city, and reflect on the amazing memories you have made with your new mates!
Expect to get fit with lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise as you appreciate the natural sights. This is a no-frills adventure – you’ll be setting up your own tents, sharing the driving, cooking your own dinner and sharing your tent with other 1 or 2 travellers. The target age group is 18-35. It’s a fun and social option for backpacking the east coast.
Things to note
inclusions and exclusions
about the bus and trailer
On this trip you will travel in a 12-seater Toyota Hiace Commuter with a custom-built trailer fully equipped with everything you need. All you need to drive the bus is a regular drivers license. You will have the option to sign up as a driver or non-driver when you book, although we do recommend signing up as a driver if you can.
brisbane loop
trip dates
| START DATE | END DATE | PRICE | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
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| 20/05/2025 | 02/06/2025 | $948 |
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| 06/06/2025 | 19/06/2025 | $948 |
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| 24/06/2025 | 07/07/2025 | $948 |
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| 11/07/2025 | 24/07/2025 | $948 |
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| 29/07/2025 | 11/08/2025 | $948 |
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| 15/08/2025 | 28/08/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
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| 02/09/2025 | 15/09/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
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| 19/09/2025 | 02/10/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 07/10/2025 | 20/10/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 24/10/2025 | 06/11/2025 | $948 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
discover the
highlights of the
central east coast
byron bay
Visit the hippy beachside town of Byron Bay. Join the nightly drum circle, learn to surf, or spot dolphins at the Pass.
noosa
Spot koalas, enjoy the stunning beaches, and visit one of only two everglades' systems in the world.
southern great barrier reef
Snorkel or dive the breathtaking waters of Lady Musgrave Island - accessible via ferry or snorkel tour from Bundaberg.
scenic hinterlands
See the gorgeous hinterland mountains, gorges, and waterfalls between Montville and Maleny on the Blackall Tourist Drive.
our recommended itinerary
byron bay
Meet us and your Share Bus group in Brisbane! We recommend arriving a few days early so that you can explore the city before your trip. Start by heading south, stopping by the Gold Coast, and then ending the day in Byron Bay – a hippy coastal town, known for its beaches, surfing and diving.
sunshine coast
Head back North along the east coast, stopping by some of the more relaxed beaches in the Southern Gold Coast; before hitting the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Beach-hop as you make your way North to the town of Noosa.
noosa
Noosa has its own, amazing national park. Look up and you’ll see koalas in the trees. Take the coastal track through the park and visit the “Fairy Pools”. It is also home to the Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades’ system in the world. Kayak to the upper reaches to see the “River of Mirrors”.
rainbow beach
Again, travel north along the east coast. Visit the rainbow sand dunes at Rainbow Beach and see the incredibly large sand dune at Carlo Sandblow. Then get prepared for your trip to K’gari over the next couple days.
k'gari
We recommend joining a 4WD tour to explore K’gari (discounts available through us!). Enjoy some time on the sand island of Fraser Island, where you can also spot some dingoes. If you don’t want to do a 4WD tour, you can visit Hervey Bay and Tin Can Bay instead.
bundaberg, agnes water
Give surfing a go or see the paperbark forest nearby. Agnes Water is on the very southern tip of Great Barrier Reef – a real highlight of the east coast. You can snorkel or dive from nearby Lady Musgrave Island (tour discounts available through us!). Also, check out the town of Seventeen Seventy, the point which captain James Cook landed.
cania gorge
As you head back South, detour a little inland to see something different. Cania Gorge National Park is the closest park to the east coast where you can see the sandstone landscapes of Central Queensland. Explore caves, rockpools and aboriginal artwork.
blackall tourist drive
Travel to the sunshine coast hinterland to see some beautiful mountain scenery, waterfalls, and swimming holes! The road from Montville to Maleny is a famous scenic drive, and Kondalilla Falls is a beautiful spot to stop for a hike and swim between the two towns.
glasshouse mountains
Not too far from Brisbane you can find the Glasshouse Ranges. 11 volcanic peaks make for some interesting landscapes, lookouts and walking tracks! We recommend conquering one at sunset for the best views. We recommend visiting nearby Australia Zoo, owned by the famous Irwin family, to see the crocodile show.
brisbane
It’s the last day of your east coast backpacker road trip! Either camp at the Glasshouse mountains or detour to Lake Wivenhoe for lakeside relaxation. Then head into Brisbane – and choose what you’d like to do! Like spot lizards in Roma Street Parkland, see the botanical gardens, or explore the city. We recommend celebrating the end of your trip by going out for dinner with your new friends!
Access Our
Early Bird Deals!
Book early (over 6 weeks in advance) to automatically receive an early bird discount.
If you're booking as a group, contact our team for a special group rate.
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