If you’re planning your first trip up Australia’s East Coast, chances are you’ve come across the term “hop-on hop-off bus pass” and wondered what you’re actually paying for. Is it just a bus ticket? Do you need to book everything else yourself? What does a normal day actually look like?
This guide breaks down exactly what’s included in a JOEY pass and what a typical day on the road looks like, so you know what to expect before you book.
What’s not included, so there’s no confusion: accommodation, food, and optional activities or tours at each stop. If you’re looking to include accommodation and activities make sure to check out our JOEY Packages for unforgettable 8 or 11 day trips on the East Coast.
JOEY passes are built around the route, not a fixed number of days, which is the main difference between a hop-on hop-off pass and a standard bus ticket. You buy a pass covering a set stretch of the coast (for example Noosa to Byron Bay, or the full route including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Rainbow Beach), and then you’re free to get on and off at any of the included stops using your trips for each leg. You can purchase a JOEY Pass for either one, three or six trips on the East Coast.
Travelling in Australia doesn’t mean you just show up and jump on. Each leg of your journey needs to be booked in advance through the JOEY app or website, which reserves you a seat on that specific bus. This is what keeps the buses from overbooking and means you’re guaranteed a seat once it’s confirmed. Summer in Australia gets very busy so make sure you book your buses in advance.
Joey’s tip: book your next leg as soon as you know your plans, especially in peak season (roughly September to April on the East Coast). Popular routes like Byron Bay to Brisbane can fill up a few days ahead in busy months.
Each stop has a designated pickup point, usually your hostel or a central meeting spot nearby if your accommodation isn’t a direct pickup location. You’ll get pickup details and times through the app once your seat is booked. Check all of our route maps here.
A typical morning looks like this: check your app for pickup time and location, grab your bags, and be ready at the bus stop about 10 to 15 minutes early. Drivers run to a schedule across multiple stops, so they can’t wait around for latecomers.
Journey times vary depending on the leg. Some hops are under two hours, others are half a day, depending on the distance between stops. Drivers will point out landmarks, share recommendations for your next stop, and answer questions about what to do, where to eat, and where to stay. Most drivers have done the route hundreds of times and are genuinely one of the best sources of local knowledge you’ll get.
Joey’s tip: sit near the front for the first leg or two if you want the most out of the driver commentary. It’s also just the easiest way to start conversations with other travellers doing the same route.
When you arrive, you’ll usually be dropped at or near your hostel, or at a central point with clear directions. This is where JOEY’s hostel partnerships come in: booking through a partner hostel often comes with a discount, and check-in tends to be straightforward since many partner hostels are used to JOEY arrivals.
Book one of our 8 or 11 day JOEY packages to ensure you’re staying at the best hostels on the East Coast.
This is the part that’s entirely up to you. The pass gets you there and gets you out again, but tours, activities, and day trips at each stop are booked separately, often at a discount if you book through JOEY’s partner network. Whether that’s surf lessons in Byron Bay, day trips from Noosa, or exploring Rainbow Beach’s sand dunes, you’re free to build each stop around what you actually want to do rather than a fixed group itinerary.
If you’re looking for the best day trips on the East Coast look no further than the Australia zoo day trip or the Buderim falls half day trip from Noosa.
Joey’s tip: ask your hostel or the driver what’s worth doing as soon as you arrive. Recommendations change with the seasons (surf conditions, tour availability, weather), so a real-time local tip usually beats anything you’ll find in an old blog post.
One of the main reasons people choose a hop-on hop-off pass over a fixed tour is the flexibility to change plans as you go. Met people you want to travel with a bit longer? Stay an extra two days. Heard a stop further up the coast is worth more time than you planned? Adjust your bookings. As long as you’re within your pass validity, you can rebook legs and change your route through the app.
Get your 1 trip, 3 trip or 6 trip JOEY Pass now!
The best hikes on the Australian East Coast between Byron Bay and Rainbow Beach include Twin Falls in Springbrook National Park, Mount Cooroora near Pomona, Mount Barney in the Scenic Rim, Mapleton National Park in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, and...
The top things to see on K’gari are tubing down Eli Creek, the Maheno Shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach, the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie, and sunset at Lake Wabby, the deepest lake on the island. Together they cover...
Quick answer: If you’re short on time in Noosa or coming up for a day trip from Brisbane, JOEY’s picks are coffee and breakfast at The Coffee Noosa, a morning dip and walk at Noosa Main Beach, lunch at the...
