Whether you’ve just come back from K’gari or you’re arriving at Rainbow Beach for the first time, the question is always the same: where to next? Rainbow Beach sits at the northern end of JOEY’s east coast route, which means heading south opens up Noosa, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
JOEY Travel runs a hop-on hop-off backpacker bus service along the east coast, connecting Rainbow Beach south through Noosa, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and all the way down to Byron Bay. Here’s everything you need to know about where you can go, what’s included, and how the routes work.
From Rainbow Beach, JOEY Travel connects you to the following destinations heading south:
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.
View our 1 trip, 3 trip and 6 trip JOEY passes here.
The Rainbow Beach bus to Noosa takes less than 2 hours by road. Noosa is one of the highlights of the East Coast and deserves a few days to chillout, relax and explore the national park and beaches of this coastal gem.
The Rainbow Beach bus to Brisbane normally takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via Noosa, so you can break the journey up and spend a night there before continuing south 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 south to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.
The Rainbow Beach bus to the Gold Coast takes roughly 3 to 3.5 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via Noosa and Brisbane, which breaks the journey into manageable legs and an overnight stop in Noosa which gives you the chance to explore each stop along the way rather than sitting on a bus all day.
The Gold Coast delivers beaches, theme parks and one of the best nightlife scenes on the east coast. A natural stop before continuing south to Byron Bay.
The Rainbow Beach bus to Byron Bay takes roughly 4.5 to 5 hours by road. On JOEY, you travel via Noosa, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which means you get to break the journey up across multiple stops and really experience the coast rather than sitting in a bus for half a day.
Byron Bay is one of the most iconic stops on the east coast backpacker trail. Known for its beaches, surf culture, live music and laid-back atmosphere, it’s the kind of place that was supposed to be a two-night stop and ends up being two weeks. From Rainbow Beach, it’s the full run south and well worth every stop along the way.
Yes. Rainbow Beach is the main jumping-off point for K’gari, the largest sand island in the world. Ferries run regularly from Inskip Point, just south of Rainbow Beach township. Many JOEY travellers head to Rainbow Beach specifically to do a K’gari trip before continuing south on the JOEY route. It’s one of the most unique experiences on the entire east coast and well worth building into your itinerary.
Our JOEY packages include either a day trip or an overnight trip to K’gari. See our packages here.
JOEY runs one core route along Australia’s east coast:
Rainbow Beach > Noosa > Brisbane > Gold Coast > Byron Bay
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. See all of the stops on our JOEY route page.
JOEY offers three pasckage options designed for different types of trips:
Our shortest package, built for travellers who want a fast-paced run down the coast. Covers the core route with a curated selection of accommodation and inclusions.
Learn more about our 8 day package.
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.
See our 11 day package for more.
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.
Book our 11 day premium package now.
All packages include accommodation, and a community of other travellers going the same way. See all of our JOEY packages here. It’s not just a bus. It’s a crew.
If you’re spending a night or two in Rainbow Beach before jumping on JOEY, here are a few things worth doing while you’re there.
One of the most spectacular natural landmarks in Queensland, Carlo Sandblow is a massive sand dune sitting right above the town with sweeping views over the Coral Sea. It’s a short walk from the main street and one of those spots that genuinely stops you in your tracks.
A popular surf break and one of the best fishing spots on the Sunshine Coast, Double Island Point is accessible by 4WD along the beach from Rainbow Beach. Worth the trip if you have access to a vehicle or can tag along with a tour.
Named after the coloured sand cliffs that line the shoreline, Rainbow Beach is one of the more underrated spots on the Queensland coast. The town is small and quiet, which makes it a genuinely relaxing stop before or after the intensity of K’gari.
Yes. JOEY’s hop-on hop-off pass covers the full route from Rainbow Beach south through Noosa, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and all the way to Byron Bay.
Yes. Rainbow Beach is the northern starting point of the JOEY route. From here you can head south through all of JOEY’s stops on a single pass.
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, just hop on hop off whenever you want.
JOEY passes include transport between all stops on the route. JOEY also offer packages which include accommodation and activities, See our packages here. 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.
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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