AUSTRALIA TRAVEL

Arcadia Travel offers a range of Australia adventures:

(1) WAYWARD BUS – see Australia slow!  The return of Wayward Bus is planned for 2022, after state borders re-open, with potential to develop to a monthly service:

• 1st of the month – Noosa to Sydney in 6 days via Coast  / $480 plus choice of accommodation (costs vary)
• 8th of the month – Sydney to Melbourne in 6 days via Inland  / $480 plus choice of accommodation (costs vary)
• 15th of the month – Melbourne to Adelaide in 6 days via Coast  / $480 plus choice of accommodation (costs vary)
• 22nd of the month – Adelaide to Byron/Brisbane/Noosa in 9 days via Broken Hill and Outback NSW  / $800 plus choice of accommodation (costs vary)

Choices of accommodation include budget (YHAs, pubs, cabins), regular motels – and at many overnights, boutique options are possible.  Some of these we can arrange.  For others, we can give you recommendations and contact details.

The 4 one-way road trips create a touring circuit around S-E Australia.  Alternating between coast and inland, the trips are thought out with Australians and NZ-ders in mind (as well as internationals) – there’s more time, more walk options, more quirky stuff and more quintessential Aussie towns along the way.

The plan is for a continuous service once we’re 100% over Covid. Then the full circuit of 4 tours can be done over one month, starting and finishing anywhere – making Wayward Bus also a great holiday option for people living in country regions.  It will also be possible to take a break for one or more months if doing the full circuit.  For the full circuit the proposed rate is $2200 plus choices of accommodation (costs vary).

(2) BANDICOOT TOURS  Small group charters and tours from Noosa and Sunshine Coast in 21 passenger mini-coaches:

Example for groups of 10 plus – Toowoomba, Bunya Mtns & Granite Belt in 5 days, all nights in Oaks Toowoomba CBD hotel, from $700 including accommodation & breakfasts.

WAYWARD BUS, BANDICOOT TOURS & COVID 19:

• Wayward Bus and bandicoot Tours operate according to the Qld Health Covid 19 Checklist for Transport Operators;
• More flexible booking arrangements apply until end of Dec 2021;
• All tour payments will be refunded if a tour can not run due to Covid19 related circumstances;
• All tour payments will be refunded if a traveller can not practically join due to Covid19 related circumstances.

Australia’s original Wayward Bus ran from 1990 to the late 2000s and was a favourite with independent travellers of all ages and nations.  Wayward enjoyed a great rap from Lonely Planet guidebooks and won a bunch of trophies including the 1997 Australia Tourism Award for Tour & Transport (Major).  However, through merging in 2006 with Adventure Tours Australia and a subsequent takeover by travel industry giant TUI in 2009, the Wayward ethos was lost and the brand absorbed with others.  Over a decade has passed and ‘Wayward Bus Touring Company’ is resurrecting independently with original founder, Ralph Jackson of Arcadia Travel.  Our touring mini-coaches are provided by Bandicoot Tours and Charters and feature extra legroom, reclining coach seats and opening windows (and aircon).

Please browse the Wayward Bus itineraries through the posts below.

These trips are subject to settling in as we get them on the road – minor adjustments may be made.