Whether you’ve just rolled into Byron Bay or you’re coming to the end of a few days at the beach, the question is always the same: where to next? Byron sits at the southern end of JOEY’s east coast route, which means heading north opens up the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Noosa and beyond. Check out all of the stops on our JOEY routes here.
JOEY Travel runs a hop-on hop-off backpacker bus service along the east coast, connecting Byron Bay north through the Gold Coast, Brisbane and all the way up to Noosa and Rainbow Beach. Here’s everything you need to know about where you can go, what’s included, and how the routes work.
From Byron Bay, JOEY Travel connects you to the following destinations heading north:
All of these are covered under a single JOEY pass, so you can hop off wherever you want and catch the next bus when you’re ready to move on. No need to rebook or stress about missing a connection. Get your JOEY pass now.
The Gold Coast is approximately 100km north of Byron Bay, roughly an hour and a half by road. It’s one of the shortest legs on the JOEY route and a natural first stop heading north.
The Gold Coast delivers beaches, theme parks and one of the best nightlife scenes on the east coast. If you’ve been living the slow Byron lifestyle for a few days, the Gold Coast is a solid change of pace before continuing north.
The drive from Byron Bay to Brisbane takes roughly 3 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via the Gold Coast, so you can break the journey up and spend time there before continuing north into the city.
Brisbane is well worth a stop. South Bank, Fortitude Valley, the CBD and the surrounding areas give you plenty to do. It’s also a great base if you want to explore the Scenic Rim or the hinterland before continuing north to Noosa.
The drive from Byron Bay to Noosa takes roughly 6 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via the Gold Coast and Brisbane, which breaks the journey into manageable legs and gives you the chance to explore each stop along the way rather than sitting on a bus all day.
Noosa is one of the highlights of the east coast. Hastings Street, the national park, Main Beach and the Noosa River make it a place that’s easy to love. It’s the kind of stop that fills up your camera roll and makes you rethink your timeline.
JOEY runs one core route along Australia’s east coast:
Byron Bay > Gold Coast > Brisbane > Noosa > Rainbow Beach
The service runs as a hop-on hop-off pass, meaning you purchase a pass that covers the full route and use it however suits your trip. You can travel the whole route end-to-end, or jump off at any stop and explore before catching the next bus.
JOEY offers three pass options designed for different types of trips:
Our shortest package, built for travellers who want a fast-paced run up the coast. Covers the core route with a curated selection of accommodation and inclusions.
More time, same great route. The 11 Day Adventure gives you the flexibility to spend an extra night or two at your favourite stops and really settle into each place rather than rushing through.
All the adventure, with upgraded experiences and stays. Designed for travellers who want a little more comfort without losing the backpacker community vibe that makes the east coast what it is.
All packages include accommodation, and a community of other travellers going the same way. It’s not just a bus. It’s a crew.
If you’re based in Byron Bay for a few days before heading north, there are some great day trips worth building into your itinerary.
The most easterly point in mainland Australia and one of the best sunrise spots on the coast. You can walk up through the national park from town or drive up early and catch the light before the crowds arrive.
About 45 minutes inland from Byron, Nimbin is one of Australia’s most famous counterculture towns. Worth a half day if you’re curious, and an easy drive or organised day trip from Byron.
A short drive south of Byron, Bangalow is a charming hinterland town with good food, independent shops and a slower pace than the main beach strip. Easy to combine with a morning at Byron before heading out.
Yes. JOEY’s hop-on hop-off pass covers the full route from Byron Bay north through the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Noosa, all the way up to Rainbow Beach.
You purchase a JOEY pass that covers the full route. At each stop, you decide how long you want to stay. When you’re ready to move on, you jump back on the next JOEY bus. There’s no fixed schedule you have to stick to.
JOEY passes include transport between all stops on the route and accommodation. Specific inclusions vary by package. Check the Packages page on joeytravel.com.au for a full breakdown of what’s included in each tier.
JOEY is built for independent travellers aged 18 to 35 who want to explore the east coast without the hassle of planning every leg themselves. If that sounds like you, JOEY is built for you.
You can book your JOEY pass here. Or head to joeytravel.com.au to see current packages and pricing, or book a call with the team if you want to talk through which pass suits your trip.
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