JOEY is a small group hop-on hop-off bus built for backpackers travelling the East Coast between Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa and Rainbow Beach. Unlike the big national coach networks, JOEY runs small buses (20 seats max), drops you near the hostels instead of at coach terminals, and has drivers who share local tips at every stop. Passes start from $67.50 a trip with the 6 Trip Pass.
If you’re planning a trip up the East Coast of Australia, you’ve probably noticed there are two ways to do it by bus. You can jump on one of the big national coach companies, or you can ride with JOEY. Both get you from A to B. Only one is built specifically for the backpacker trail between Byron Bay and Rainbow Beach.
Here’s an honest breakdown of how they compare, so you can pick the ride that suits your trip.
The big coach companies run full-size coaches designed to move as many people as possible. That’s great for efficiency, but it means you’re one of dozens of passengers, most of whom aren’t backpackers and aren’t heading where you are.
JOEY buses carry a maximum of 20 people. That changes the whole feel of the trip. You’re travelling with other backpackers doing the same stretch of coast, so the people next to you are the same people you’ll bump into at the hostel bar in Noosa or on the beach in Byron. It’s also a big reason solo travellers, including a lot of solo women, choose JOEY. A small group means you’re never just a seat number.
One of the most annoying parts of coach travel is arriving at a terminal or roadside coach stop and then working out how to haul your backpack to where you’re actually staying.
JOEY stops are placed where backpackers actually stay. On the Gold Coast, for example, the JOEY stop is right in Surfers Paradise, an easy walk from every major backpackers. We’ve written a full guide on finding the JOEY bus stop if you’re staying in a Gold Coast hostel if you want the exact details. Less walking, less stress, more time at the beach.
On a big coach, the vibe is usually headphones in, eyes front, and counting down the hours. It works, but it’s not exactly the highlight of your trip.
On JOEY, the ride is part of the experience. There’s music, there’s chat, and there’s a good chance you’ll leave the bus with a few new mates and a spot in the group chat. Come for the ride, stay for the group chat. Trips end, friendships don’t.
Big coach drivers do a solid job of getting you there safely and on time. That’s the job. But they’re covering huge networks and aren’t there to tell you where the best sunset spot in Noosa is.
JOEY drivers know the coast and know their passengers, often by name. Ask them where to eat in Byron Bay, which beach to hit in Rainbow Beach or how to spend a spare afternoon in Noosa, and you’ll get a real answer from someone who lives it. For more inspiration before you arrive, check out our backpacker’s guide to the top things to do in Noosa.
The big coach companies are built to cover the whole country. That’s useful if you’re going a very long way in one hit, but it means their timetables and stops are designed around everyone, not around the backpacker trail.
JOEY runs one stretch and does it properly: a 350km East Coast route connecting Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa and Rainbow Beach, the gateway to K’gari. Buses run daily between Byron Bay and Noosa in both directions, with services to and from Rainbow Beach on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. See the full timetable and stops on our routes page.
Planning the wider trip? Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland and Destination NSW’s Byron Bay guide are all great official resources for what’s on along the coast.
JOEY keeps pricing simple. One trip gets you between any two stops on the route, no matter the distance. Byron Bay to Noosa is one trip. Noosa to Brisbane is one trip. There are no booking fees and no hidden extras.
Passes are valid for 6 months from your first trip, you can change your dates for free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can add more trips anytime in your JOEY account. Compare passes and buy yours here.
If you’d rather not organise every bed and activity yourself, JOEY’s East Coast packages bundle your JOEY pass, accommodation and the best experiences into one booking. All packages depart and return to Brisbane.
A big coach ticket gets you a seat. A JOEY package gets you the whole trip.
This is where JOEY really pulls away from the big coaches. They’ll drop you in town and leave you to it. JOEY can take you further with day trips from Noosa, booked separately from your pass:
To be fair to the big guys, if you’re travelling huge distances in one go, like Sydney to Cairns, a national coach network covers ground JOEY doesn’t. Plenty of travellers use a big coach for the long haul legs and then switch to JOEY for the Byron Bay to Rainbow Beach stretch, which is where the backpacker trail is at its best and where small group travel makes the biggest difference.
If you just want a seat from one city to the next, any bus will do. If you want small groups, drop-offs near your hostel, a driver who actually knows the coast and a busload of people you’ll want to hang out with at the next stop, JOEY is built for you.
Ready to ride? Grab your JOEY pass from $67.50 a trip, check availability for your dates or explore our 8 and 11 day packages. Already have a pass? Book your next trip here.
JOEY passes start from $67.50 a trip with the 6 Trip Pass, and one trip covers travel between any two stops on the route regardless of distance. There are no booking fees, and you can change dates for free up to 24 hours before departure. Coach fares vary by route and date, so it’s worth comparing for your exact itinerary, but JOEY includes small group travel, hostel area drop-offs and local driver tips in that price.
JOEY buses carry a maximum of 20 passengers, so you travel in a small group of fellow backpackers rather than on a full-size coach.
JOEY stops are located close to where backpackers stay. On the Gold Coast, for example, the stop is in Surfers Paradise within easy walking distance of the major hostels. Full stop details are on the JOEY routes page.
JOEY runs a 350km route on Australia’s East Coast connecting Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa and Rainbow Beach. Buses run daily between Byron Bay and Noosa in both directions, and to and from Rainbow Beach on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Yes. Solo travellers, including solo women, make up a large share of JOEY passengers. Small buses, drivers who know passengers by name and travelling with other backpackers on the same route make it an easy and social way to travel alone.
Yes. Many travellers use a national coach for long distance legs outside JOEY’s route and then use a JOEY pass for the Byron Bay to Rainbow Beach section of the East Coast.
JOEY runs daily services, so you can often book the morning of your trip if seats are available. Most travellers book 1 to 3 days ahead, and during peak season (December to February) booking a few days out is recommended.
JOEY services are for travellers aged 18 and over. Photo ID may be checked at boarding.
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