How does it work?

A FUN, FLEXIBLE, GUIDED TRAVEL PASS WHICH COVERS ALL TRANSPORT OVER YOUR ROUTE — INCLUDING PICKUPS FROM PREFERRED HOSTELS,

LOCAL TRANSFERS AND FERRIES.

Our friendly guides travel on all routes on the set departure days. They’ll give you local travel advice from cheap eats, the most amazing beaches/views and of course the best nights out on the coast.

You can book your accommodation and activities through our web-app along the way. We hold spots in our preferred locations so you’re guaranteed a bed (even in peak season). You can self-cater at most stops except our special overnight stays where food is included in the set price.

There are a minimum of 3 (up to 5) departures per week over all routes. Note: If you’re short on time you can travel on the train on other days without a guide, however you won’t be able to access Loka’s unique stops/transfers.

Need to know:

Passes are valid for up to 12 months from your date of departure. You can hop on and off anywhere at any of our overnight stops and key activity stops for the total validity of the pass. You have up to 12 months from your date of purchase to start your Loka pass.

Travel is in our own 24 seat mini coaches between Sydney and Noosa/Rainbow Beach, and local bus and fast trains (with toilets, showers and a dining carriage) between Noosa/Rainbow Beach and Cairns.  The return ferry to Magnetic Island is also included in your pass.

Accommodation is not included on the actual pass. This can be pre booked.

Day 1 - 3 Byron Bay

Make your own way Byron Bay and the 3* Byron Beach Resort where you will spend 3 nights in a standard room with shared bathroom on a room only basis. Enjoy the sights of Byron Bay!

Day 4 Byron Bay (via Gold Coast & Brisbane) – Noosa or Rainbow Beach
We cruise up to the New South Wales/Queensland border and hop out at Danger Point to stretch our legs, and check out the view of one of Australia’s best surf spots Snapper Rock. Then drive into the Gold Coast, you may want to get off here to experience the sun, sand, tans and high-rises of Australia’s most developed beach resort. We drive through Brisbane (pick up and drop off travellers in the city centre) then travel on to the upmarket beach resort town of Noosa. Hop off here or continue onto Rainbow Beach for the night. Rainbow Beach and Noosa are both departure points for Fraser Island (a backpacker must-do). At Rainbow Beach we take a walk up to Carlo Sand Blow for either the sunset or sunrise.
 

Day 5 Rainbow Beach (via Noosa) — Country Campout
We hop in our bus in Rainbow Beach and head back to Noosa, pick up passengers, and then drive to Cooroy where we hop on the train. We travel to Rockhampton then get met by a local bus, which takes you to our options of a remote farm stay for the night (traditional swagman’s dinner around the campfire, sleep in swags, breakfast, morning farm tour, and dinner at Emus Beach Resort the next night – for an inclusive price of $75) or you can stay the night at Emus Beach Resort and self-cater.
 

Day 6 - 8 Country Campout— OVERNIGHT TRAIN — Airlie Beach
If you have stayed on the farm, we take a walk around the property and visit a sacred Indigenous site at the base of Mount Wheeler. We then head to the beautiful, little coastal town of Emu Park. In the afternoon you can just relax around the resort pool, go on a turtle-spotting walk (seasonal), or visit the local crocodile farm (additional cost). We catch the train in the evening and travel overnight to Airlie Beach. It is a modern train with large reclining seats, a bar and a dining carriage. We get into a town called Proserpine in the morning then take a local bus in to Airlie Beach – the gateway to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
Note: Depending which day you depart Noosa/Rainbow you may have an extra day at Emu Park.
SLEEP: Overnight train (price included)

Day 9 Airlie Beach (via Townsville) — Magnetic Island
We start early with a local bus to the train, a ferry out to tropical ‘Maggie Island’, and a local transfer to the accommodation. There is much to explore on the island, as nearly 50% of it is National Park with amazing beaches and abundant wildlife. Your guide will join you on a walk around the Island; otherwise you can do more exploring or just relax by the pool. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day to spend on Magnetic Island.
 

Day 10 Magnetic Island — Indigenous Camp (Special Stop) / Tully
We travel back to the mainland on a ferry, travel by train to Tully – getting in at around lunchtime. You have the option of staying in Tully at a historic hotel (for hostel prices) or taking part in Loka’s exclusive Indigenous Rainforest Experience for the Loka special price of $120. We get met by local Aboriginals and travel by bus into the amazing rainforest of Tully Gorge National Park. Get welcomed onto their traditional lands in ‘Jirrbal’ language. We go for a swim in the scenic Tully River before having a group dinner (modern food with a traditional twist). After dark we go ‘spotlighting’ in the rainforest for native wildlife. An enchanting evening of dreamtime stories around a campfire.
 

Day 11 Indigenous Camp – Cairns
In the morning, enjoy a big breakfast then head off for an interpretative walk into the national park. We then travel back to Tully to catch the train north. You may like to spend more time in Tully to do the kayak trip, whitewater rafting or some of the rainforest walks. We travel to Cairns by train arriving late afternoon. Note: Depending on which day you depart, you may have a free day/night to spend in Tully at the historic Mt Tyson hotel before heading to Cairns. Make your own way to the 1* Nomads hostel where you will spend 3 nights in a standard room with shared bathroom on a B&B basis

Day 12 - 13 In Cairns

Days at leisure

Day 14 Depart Cairns

Make your own way back to the airport for your return flight.

3* Byron Beach Resort

Location.

Byron Beach Resort is located near the beach in Byron Bay and close to Belongil Beach, Main Beach, and Arakwal National Park. Other points of interest near this hostel include Wategos Beach and Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Property Features.

Byron Beach Resort features a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Recreational amenities include complimentary bicycles. High-speed (wired) Internet access (surcharge) is available in public areas. The property has a shopping center shuttle, which is complimentary. Business services and tour/ticket assistance are available. Guest parking is complimentary. Additional property amenities include barbecue grills, laundry facilities, and a garden.

1* Nomads Cairns

Good quality budget backpackers accommodation with resort facilities. Great location from which to explore the sights and attractions of Cairns. 4 and half star backpacker accommodation: very well appointed hostel accommodation reflecting a high level of guest facilities and services. Self catering kitchen, Internet, bed linen provided and other entertainment facilities and travel desk. Some en suite rooms available.

Price from €1839 p.p based on 2 people sharing

Price Includes:

Flights from Cork or Dublin

Airport tax

Accommodation based on 2 people sharing in Byron Bay & Cairns

All transport including the Loka bus from Byron Bay to Noosa/Cooroy and comfortable trains from Cooroy to Cairns, including the Magnetic Island Ferry

Guidance from a local guide

Access to Loka web app to book you travel days, activities and accom.

Danger Point Border Crossing walk, NSW/Queensland border

Carlo Sand Blow Walk, Rainbow Beach

Turtle spotting and Bluff Point walk at Emu Park

Forts Walk at Magnetic Island

Price excludes:

Travel Insurance

Accommodation whilst on the Kat pass

Internal flight to Byron Bay