travel guide east coast australia

East Coast of Australia – A Complete Travel Guide

By: Author Sunset Travellers

Posted on Last updated: December 31, 2023

Categories Australia , East Coast Of Australia

So you are planning to travel the East Coast of Australia?

Awesome! There is a lot of East Coast of Australia must do’s, and it is one of the most popular backpacker routes.

We spent a month travelling the East Coast of Australia and attempted to see everything it has to offer.

From pristine white-sand beaches, lush rainforests, natural wonders to iconic sites and cosmopolitan cities, it is one of the best road trips anyone could do in Australia.

What cities are on the East Coast of Australia?

The East Coast has a lot of larger and smaller cities worth exploring. From the famous Sydney to lesser-known places such as Seventeen Seventy. 

Here are the top 10 cities to include on your East Coast itinerary:

• Magnetic Island
• Whitsunday Islands
• Fraser Island
• Rockhampton
• Rainbow Beach
• Sunshine Coast
• Coffs Harbour

Here are the most important tips for travelling the East Coast of Australia

How long does it take driving up the east coast of australia:.

As I’m sure you know, Australia is huge so make sure you plan out how much time you have (sounds obvious but it can be a lot bigger than you think!).

So how long is Australia’s East Coast???

The distance between Cairns and Sydney on the coastal route is almost 2 600 km which is about 30 hours of solid driving time.

You could easily drive the distance in a week, but you won’t be able to explore what the coast has to offer.

Ideally, you need a month or two to travel the East Coast of Australia and truly explore it.

If you are on a budget and have less time, two-three weeks will also be sufficient enough. It will just mean that you won’t be able to spend too much time sightseeing.

Most of the popular destinations such as Cairns, Whitsundays and Sydney will require at least three+ nights to experience these places.

We highly recommend at least one month.

Best time to travel the East Coast of Australia ( Australian weather):

The most popular time to travel the East Coast of Australia is during the summer (December-February), however, it is also the hottest and rainiest season in tropical Northern Queensland.

We recommend travelling in the offseason, spring (September-November) or fall (March-May), when there are fewer crowds, prices are lower, and the weather is still good along the coast.

Make an actual plan on where are you are going to make your stops, what you want to see, and how much you wish to spend in each place.

Travelling up or down the east coast of Australia can be a nightmare if you are short on time!

Ideally, you are looking at 48-72 hrs+ at each location.

How to travel the East Coast of Australia on a budget:

Well, you can make it as cheap as you want or splash out a stay at Airbnb’s and hotels. Keep in mind Australia is expensive, so expect to pay top $ for accommodation.

The most popular cities are going to be much more expensive than you might be prepared for. 

Unless you seriously budget, you are looking at 2-3k+(depending on how long you are travelling and where you are going to sleep).

But I highly recommend you book one of these East Coast Australia tours!

Here are typical prices you will find on the East Coast road trip:

$20-40 per night in a hostel dorm booked via Hostelworld . 

$90-200 for a hotel room via Booking.com.

$4 for a long black coffee.

$10 for a pint of beer ( you might want to opt-in instead for the goon, i.e. boxed wine).

$10-20 for a main course in a restaurant.

If you are on a budget and relying on hostels, you might want to buy your own groceries and cook your own food to cut down the costs. 

Don’t worry we will talk about prices and give you more info on how much everything costs further down.

Driving the East Coast of Australia:

Here are our five best ways of getting around Australia’s East Coast:

• Greyhound or Premier busses
• Hop on Hop off with Oz Experience, Loka or Stray Travel
• Go on a fully guided tour 

The best and cheapest way to travel is in your own car or a campervan.

If you don’t own a car, hiring a campervan in Australia might be your best option.

There are a lot of budget-friendly campervan hire websites, such as :

• Wicked campers
•   Aussie campervans
• Vroom  – they compare most websites for the best price and availability.
• Holiday Autos – comparison car rental website.

If you are very flexible, you can get a relocation deal where you hire a campervan for $1 a day. Here you usually get 5-7 days to travel from point A to B.

Keep in mind that there is usually $1000 deposit required and little to no fuel allowance.

If you want to know more about relocations read this guide.

Cost of fuel on the East Coast of Australia can be high. Expect to pay $500-700 for fuel depending on the length of your journey.

To find free and low-cost campsites make sure to download CampsAustraliawideApp and check CaravanTour.com .

Greyhound buses in Australia are another great option for the east coast of Australia. They do ‘hop on hop off’ passes.

Cairns to Sydney pass, for example, costs $469 and you have three months to travel.

Keep in mind that with these passes there are few rules:

• the first day of travel must commence within 12 months of purchase date
• they are valid for one-way travel only
• valid for 90 days from the date the first sector is travelled
• the pass is non-transferrable
• once you have started travel, you cannot change direction

If you have little time, we recommend looking into flights, they, however, tend to be expensive.

We always use Skyscanner to find the cheapest deals.

Don’t forget to join as many Facebook groups as you can; people constantly post spare seats there.

Accommodation options on the East Coast of Australia road trip:

The options are limitless, but if you want to stay within a budget, then hostels are your best bet.

Hostelworld.com    and Tripadvisor are the most popular websites when it comes to finding a discounted place.

Hostel dorm prices start at $20-50 and up. Depending on the city and location, the prices may vary.

Keep in mind that Sydney is one of the most expensive places when it comes to accommodation, therefore, expect to pay $50+ for a bed in a dorm.

We usually book via  AirBnB as the accommodation is not too expensive, in great locations, and you get excellent advice from the locals.

Food cost on the East Coast of Australia road trip:

If you are staying in hostels or self-contained accommodation, then it’s easy (well besides the cooking part).

Food is expensive , and if you add parties to it, then it is easy to spend $70-150 a day!

Yes, we know that from our experience, again that’s for two people.

There is a lot of fast food places where you can get a burger for $5. When it comes to restaurants, they are more expensive, and a meal can cost anything from $10-30+ depending on what you want to order.

Here is a list of the best restaurants on the East Coast of Australia.

We recommend buying cheap drinks such as 3l of goon (boxed wine).

Connecting with other travelling the East Coast of Australia backpackers:

There is a great app called Backpackr that can help you chat with others like-minded backpackers and get good advice on where to go, what to see or where to eat.

The app helped us a lot, and you can meet cool people near you for a coffee, pint or just to hang out with.

Make sure to join Facebook groups to find travel mates.

What are the best places to visit on the East Coast?

Australia East Coast must-see places:

The perfect east coast of australia itinerary for 4 week’s holiday, cairns – 4-day itinerary.

The main reason most people travel to Cairns is to explore The Great Barrier Reef and pristine white sand beaches.

Cairns doesn’t have a beach, but there is the Cairns Lagoon where you can relax, go for a swim, have a picnic or BBQ.

It is a very lively backpacker town packed with great bars, restaurants, hotels and tour agencies.

There is a lot of travel desks offering cruises to the reef. We did a lot of research before decided on the company.

Here are the best Great Barrier Reef snorkelling or diving cruise companies:

• Silverswift ($216+ per person for cruise and snorkelling)
• Passions of Paradise ($159+ per person).

If you are thinking about a cheaper company, make sure that they are going to the outer reef as the waters are much clearer there.

Cairns also has an amazing Rainforest, and you can explore it via rail.

The Kuranda Village , located in the rainforest is accessible via the   Kuranda Scenic Railway . On the way back, we decided to take a cable car called the Skyrail .

The price is about $116.50 per person for both experiences and a return transfer to your hotel, well worth it!. In high season, book this tour in advance, as it gets fully booked.

Also, make sure to experience it in the order we did, as it’s the most amazing experience you will ever have!

While in Kuranda visit the markets, art galleries and the  Butterfly Sanctuary .

While in Cairns, make a trip to Fitzroy Island .

You can take a ferry there for the day since is close to mainland or book overnight accommodation. It’s a lied back place, great for relaxing and getting a bit of tan on the beach.

Just make sure you won’t go there to experience the reef as you will be disappointed.

Townsville and Magnetic Island – 3 day itinerary (approximately 4 hours drive from Cairns)

Magnetic Island is located within 30 minutes ferry ride from Townsville. The island is famous for hiking and exploring nature.

The main trails include The Forest Walk where you can spot koalas in their natural habitat and the Radical Bay .

The second walk goes from Horseshoe Bay and to get most of it, make sure to return back to the base before sunset as the Horseshoe Bay is famous for its stunning sunsets.

To book the ferry to the island simply go to Sealink Queensland website. The return ferry costs $30 per person.

The island has plenty of accommodation and you can find a nice Airbnb for as little as $20 per night.

Airlie Beach and The Whitsunday Islands – 4-day itinerary (approximately 3-4 hours drive from Townsville)

Airlie Beach is the getaway point to Whitsunday Islands. We stayed here for 4 days at an Airbnb .

There are other accommodation options, however, most of the centrally located hostels and hotels host parties until late at night.

The Whitsunday Islands are East Coast of Australia must do!

To explore the islands we recommend a cruise with Cruise Whitsundays.

For an all-day package including breakfast on Daydream Island, lunch on Hamilton Island and all afternoon at Whitehaven Beach we paid $200 per person.

Airlie Beach is also well known for Great Barrier Reef day cruises to Reefworld .

We highly recommend this cruise as you get to explore the most beautiful parts of the reef.

If you have more time book a sailing cruise through Whitsunday Sailing Adventure . They have amazing deals for sailing trips around the Whitsundays!

For those on a very tight budget looking to see the Whitehaven Beach, therefore we recommend checking some of these tours .

Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island – 3 day itinerary (approximately 11 hours drive from Airlie Beach)

Since there isn’t much between Airlie Beach and Rainbow Beach, you can drive this distance in a day.

We, however, don’t recommend doing so.

Instead, split this distance into two parts.

Part one: Arlie Beach to Rockhampton (approximately 6 hrs drive)

Here stay at campground, hotel or hostel and explore the Capricorn Caves .

Part two: Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach (approximately 5.5 hrs drive)

On the way to Rainbow Beach stop at the Bundaberg Distillery .

Once you reach Rainbow Beach, there are several companies available to explore Fraser Island.

East Coast of Australia tour companies worth checking out:

• Fraser explore tours
• tours to go
• cool dingo tours

Prices for the two-day tours usually start at $350 per person. It isn’t one of the cheapest experiences, but if you can afford it we highly recommend to do 2+ day trip to Fraser.

Make sure to book your tour well in advance, most of all we want you to avoid disappointment.

Fraser Island is worlds biggest sand island, therefore you simply cannot explore it in one day.

Sunshine Coast – 4 day itinerary (approximately 2 hours drive from Rainbow Beach)

Sunshine Coast has the perfect beach – mountains combination and it is a perfect stop on the East Coast of Australia trip.

Make sure to first explore the long stretches of golden sandy beaches and then wander into Glasshouse Mountains and the  Blackall Range ( download pdf map here ).

Spend a day at the Kondalilla National Park , the park has incredible mountain views and stunning waterfalls. There is usually no one around the park during the shoulder and offseasons.

You will also find here Steve Irwin’s Zoo where for $59 (adult general admission), you can explore this world-famous attraction.

The Gold Coast – 3 day itinerary (approximately 2 hours drive from Sunshine Coast)

Gold Coast is famous for Surfers Paradise, skyscrapers, number of theme parks and endless walking/cycling tracks.

Make sure to rent a bike for the day and explore the area. On day two, cycle all the way to Miami and Burleigh Heads.

Burleigh Heads is a much quieter area, where you can relax at small cafes or soak up the views of Gold Coast from the beach.

Gold Coast is packed with bars and restaurants and has a lively nightlife.

If you are here for something different and looking to relax, head to one of the World Heritage-listed parks such as:

• Tamborine Mountain
• Springbrook

Sydney – 7 day itinerary (approximately 10 hours drive from Gold Coast)

The distance between the Gold Coast and Sydney is over 800km, therefore, it might be a long journey for one day.

Instead, we recommend splitting it into two days.

Part one: Gold Coast to Coffs Harbour (approximately 4 hours drive)

Here take a detour to nearby Dorrigo National Park (one hour drive from Coffs Harbour) and explore this World Heritage-listed rainforest.

The park has a beautiful waterfall, plenty of breathtaking viewpoints and lots of rest/BBQ areas. It’s a perfect destination for all nature and bird lovers.

Part two: Coffs Harbour to Sydney (approximately 5.5 hours drive)

We spent over a week here and highly recommend 5-7 days Sydney itinerary to explore the city.

Accommodation in Sydney is very expensive (in fact, one of the most expensive so far), therefore we decided to take Airbnb as the prices were much lower in comparison at the time.

While here go to the worlds biggest IMAX Cinema  screen.

Take ‘ Sydney Hop on Hop off ‘ bus to Bondi Beach  and explore each area (about $40 per adult for a day pass).

Also, don’t miss out on checking out  Sydney Opera House and the famous  Sydney Bridge .

Make sure to visit Manly Beach reachable by ferry for about $18.20 per person/return.

If you are looking for something different and close to nature, then go to the Blue Mountains .

The Blue Mountains are only 2 hours outside of Sydney and are easily accessible via train (less than $20 one way).

If you want to take a great picture of the Opera House at sunset, go to a park by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair. You don’t have to take a boat tour to get excellent pictures.

If you are going to Manly by ferry, you will swim right by Sydney Opera House,  probably the best selfie opportunity.

See as much as you can and spend some time in each place so that you will never regret that you missed something!

Wondering what is the best month to go to australia.

Seasons in  Australia  are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere, with summer from December through February, and winter from June through August. The exact type of weather you’ll experience depends largely on the region.  

 Useful links for your East Coast of Australia road trip:

Airbnb  – We love Airbnb and use it everywhere you travel! If you are new to Airbnb follow the link for up to $76 discount of your first stay.

Booking.com  – Perfect alternative to Airbnb when you need a short place to stay.

Hostelworld  –  If you need a cheap place to stay where you can meet other travellers, Hostelworld is the best.

CurrencyFair – Our favourite money transfer company. They are 8x cheaper than banks. Follow the link for 10 free transfers with CurrencyFair.

OFX  – Another great money transfer company for larger transfers. We use them for large lump sums. Follow the link for free transfers for life over 1k.

SafetyWing and TrueTraveller  – The best travel insurance companies on the market! We personally used them both and can highly recommend them.

Sendmybag  – Best company to ship your excess luggage to and from Australia. Follow our link for 5% discount of your shipment.

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Safe Travels,

Steve and Sabina

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Thursday 13th of August 2020

Thanks for sharing detail info.

Emily Jonhson

Saturday 21st of September 2019

Great detail of putting the best routes, then it's confusing and you end up taking alternate routes not so interesting.

Thursday 22nd of August 2019

Awesome! So happy to be able to read your blog. Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge about holidays. Theapartmentscanggu.com

Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary: A Complete Guide

Australia’s East Coast is one of the most popular places in the world to travel. It spans the length of Queensland and into New South Wales, and features the larger cities of Cairns and Brisbane. With its world class beaches, ancient rainforests, endless adrenaline activities and charming towns, it’s truly a destination like no other. So the main aim of this guide is to equip you with everything you need to know to plan your own Australia East Coast road trip itinerary.

I’ve done three road trips along Australia’s East Coast (mad, I know!). The first time, I joined an organised tour from Brisbane up to Cairns. It was fast paced and more fun than I could have ever imagined. The second time, I chose to do the journey more slowly in a camper van south from Cairns to Byron Bay. For the third visit, I did an awesome but far shorter one week road trip from Byron Bay to Noosa. So I feel I’ve got really sound experience in devising an East Coast itinerary.

One of the best things about the East Coast of Australia is the sheer variety in things to do. On each East Coast trip, I’ve ended up doing completely different things and each road trip has been equally incredible.

If you’re trying to decide which direction to travel the East Coast, there aren’t really any overarching reasons to go one way and not the other. The biggest factors will be around your plans before and after the East Coast, plus the time you have available. If you are planning to take 6+ weeks, I would suggest perhaps starting in Cairns. Then you could carry on driving south past Brisbane and on towards Sydney and Melbourne.

For the purpose of this blog post, I will share an Australian East Coast road trip itinerary starting in the tropical city of Cairns in the north. From here, the itinerary will weave south past pristine beaches, rugged mountains ranges, waterfalls, tropical rainforest, charming surf towns, some of the world’s best diving spots, as well as the epic K’gari island (also known as Fraser Island).

This guide is aimed at all travellers, with suggestions for both backpackers and those on a slightly bigger budget throughout. It can be used for anyone travelling in Australia as it covers all the best things to do along the East Coast.

Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary: Essential things to know

Wow, so where to start! Some of the most important things to consider for an Australia East Coast road trip itinerary are time of year to visit, vehicle type and budget. So let’s get stuck in!

When is the best time to travel the East Coast of Australia?

First things first – when is the best time of year to plan a road trip for Australia’s East Coast?

As you can see below, Australia is a huge country. You can fit about two thirds of Europe into its land mass. And therefore, the weather across the whole of Australia does vary, especially more so in the Australian winter months (May to September). I’ve summarised this below, but do make sure to check out my detailed Australia climate guide too.

Cairns, in Tropical North Queensland, is the largest northernmost town on the East Coast and has hot weather year-round. However, this is divided into two distinct seasons – wet and dry.

During the Australian winter ( May to September ), Cairns experiences warm, dry weather and low crowds .

During the Australian summer ( November to April ), Cairns is hot and humid, with plenty of rain . This tropical monsoonal starts building up in December and by January, the rains are mostly daily and can be torrential.

Although the days can still be hot and sunny, the tropical rains can make diving conditions more challenging, and visibility worse for seeing underwater life. And as Cairns is popular for diving, it could be a real shame to visit and not be able to enjoy this fully.

Another key factor with Cairns and the surrounding area is stinger season. This refers to the presence of tiny stinging box jellyfish in the water. The sting can be extremely painful, and can be fatal in some cases. If you do visit in the months when this is at its worse (Jan to March), you will have to wear stinger suits in the water.

So, where possible, visiting Cairns in the Australian winter means long, sunny days, with minimal rain and no stingers in the water. As mentioned above, conditions for diving in the Great Barrier Reef are optimal with perfect water temperatures and visibility in excess of 50m. It’s also an excellent time to see the magnificent Daintree Rainforest at its best and full of life. Furthermore, the water levels are ideal so white water rafting is an awesome activity to during this time, but can often be too dangerous during the months from January to March.

From personal experience, I found the weather in Cairns during August/September to be perfect. We were able to experience every activity and as this is the start of spring, there was plenty of colour and life in the plants and trees. On my second road trip, we were in Cairns in the month of December which was still quite good, although noticeably hotter and humid. It was early December and we experienced no rainfall, but prices for accommodation were higher. I also got stung by a rogue stinger who had made an early arrival into the waters in the Great Barrier Reef. It was very painful for about 30 minutes, and then the sting subsided.

So to summarise, it depends on the activities you plan to do in Cairns as to when is the best time to visit, but generally the months from May to September are best.

Then, at the southern end of Queensland is Brisbane. It receives some of the most enjoyable and reliable weather in Australia throughout the year. It has a warm-temperate climate, meaning there are few days you’d need a jumper.

As with Cairns, the Australian summer from January to March bring the hottest and most humid weather . During this period is the highest chance of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, although they are mostly in the late afternoon.

The best time to visit Brisbane is April to May and September to November , when temperatures are comfortable and humidity and rainfall are low. However, June through to August is also a great time to go to Brisbane, but the temperatures are slightly cooler.

I found Brisbane in the months of September and December to be really lovely, with long hot, sunny days. However, visiting Brisbane and the surrounding area in February did bring a lot of rain.

So when should I plan my East Coast road trip?

Overall, visiting Queensland, which spans from Tropical North Queensland to just south of Brisbane, is best avoided from January to March in order to have the best experience for most activities. If you’re embarking on a longer Australia trip, then it might be best to spend these months in New South Wales (Sydney and surrounds) and Victoria (for Melbourne and surrounds), as the weather here is at its peak from January to March. The same goes for visiting the Outback, which is generally best visited from April to October/November.

If your Australia trip is focused purely on the East Coast, with the Cairns to Brisbane road trip being the primary focus, then a trip from May to August would be the best time. This also avoids stinger season completely. It would be slightly cooler in Brisbane, but you would still unlikely need a jumper or a jacket.

If you’re on a longer trip in Australia, then as just mentioned, you could spend December – March exploring Victoria and New South Wales, before then heading to the East Coast from April onwards. Alternatively, you could do the Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary during August, September and/or October, before heading down to Victoria and New South Wales onwards for the better weather during the Australian summer.

How long does it take to travel East Coast Australia?

If you’re short on time, then it can be done in two weeks. This would cover the highlights. If you can spare longer, perhaps 4-6 weeks you’ll have enough time to see and do just about everything, and have some time to relax!

If you have two months or so, then an awesome adventure would be to drive from Cairns to Melbourne which would easily take in some of the very best parts of Australia. You’d traverse through some seriously different climates and experience both the tiniest beach towns as well as the huge, cosmopolitan cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

Should I go for a car or a camper van for my East Coast road trip?

Any road trip in Australia is best with a camper van. The freedom is unparalleled and you can truly travel at your own pace.

With a camper van, you can adjust your itinerary more easily and generally, it offers better value as the camper van doubles up as your accommodation each night. However, a camper van isn’t for everyone as space can be challenging.

The main camper van companies in Australia are:

• Spaceships Rentals
• Wicked Campers

Pros and cons of a camper van

• Can save costs on more expensive hotel or lodging accommodation
• It can save money on food costs as you have your own stove/kitchen area in the van which is great for easy breakfasts and some dinners
• Is a good way to split fuel costs between friends if there’s a few of you
• You can easily stay longer somewhere you like if you don’t need to look for accommodation
• There are many free campsites, motorway rest stops or areas to park and sleep overnight (check Wikicamping and the state parks’ app/websites )
• You can sleep and wake up so much closer to nature
• You don’t need to carry suitcases or bags in and out of hotels
• In the busiest months, the cost of a camper van can be steep
• You will spend more on fuel as the vehicle is heavier
• Making the bed each night can get a little tiring and sand from the beaches gets everywhere
• You can’t really keep the air-con on overnight without draining the battery, so it gets hot!
• Also, it’s likely you will lose stuff within the van all the time. There are just way too many cubby holes and spaces for things to fall down
• There may be some days you go without a shower
• Can be moments where it’s difficult to park, especially if you visit cities like Brisbane
• There are many ways to lose money from your deposit with a camper van as there are so many more parts to it to break!

If you really fancy resting your head somewhere a little more comfortable each night, then a car is a great option. You still have a huge amount of freedom, but just slightly less freedom as you do need to find somewhere to sleep each night.

Pros and cons of hiring a car

• Lower initial cost for renting a vehicle
• Also lower petrol costs
• Easier to park in general
• You have a boot to keep your suitcase in, and act as an on-the-go wardrobe space
• Less risk of losing things as the vehicle is way smaller
• No need to go without showers and guaranteed a slightly more comfortable and cooler sleep every night
• May save money if hotels, lodges etc include breakfast in the rate
• Need to find a place to stay each night, which can be expensive and time consuming/stressful in peak season
• In my option, there’s a slight less feel of ‘adventure’ with a normal hire car, as opposed to a camper van

Joining an organised tour or using bus services

I joined an organised tour one year with Topdeck (read all about the trip here ). Generally, I don’t tend to join multi-week tours but it was aimed at students and more than 40 of my friends booked on. So as you can imagine, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I enjoyed some awesome adventures each day, with nearly all meals and activities included, it was excellent value. Except for skydiving, all other activities were already paid for, including bungee jumping, white water rafting and admission to the Australia Zoo.

Organised tours along the East Coast of Australia are very popular, but naturally, they don’t allow for any freedom or adjusting the itinerary at all. However, it can be a great way to meet people and have all logistics taken care of.

Some great companies include: Contiki , G Adventures , the Oz Experience, Intrepid

Stray also has a great value Cairns to Sydney bus pass, which you can book online here .

Another alternative is to use bus services such as Greyhound or Premier. Both of these companies offer dozens of buses stopping at hundreds of convenient stops across the East Coast every day. Plus, you can book the tickets just the day before and sometimes on the day, which can be really handy. If you don’t fancy driving the East Coast yourself, this is a great way to travel. They also offer hop-on hop-off bus passes which can be great value – for example, Greyhound has a bus pass that covers you for 90 days and starts at around $349.

Greyhound offers the slightly more expensive bus tickets of the two, but the buses are comfortable and offer on board Wi-Fi.

Finally, I wouldn’t recommend planning to do this trip by hitchhiking. It’s not as common as movies might suggest!

Eating on the East Coast

Three meals a day, plus snacks and coffees/drinks can add up quickly when travelling in Australia.

Fortunately, BBQ-ing in Australia is every bit as popular as you might imagine. There are gas BBQs all over Australia in parks, by beaches, in national parks and next to boardwalks. They are free to use and really easy to operate, most having utensils to use too. There’s always plenty of table space nearby and it’s one of the most easy ways to assimilate into Australian life, as these are equally popular with locals and tourists.

Supermarkets are really geared up to this, and their meat section sells all kinds of meats in different marinades, making it really easy. Furthermore, they always have a delicatessen section with choose-your-own salad bowls and side dishes. It couldn’t be more simple to pull together an amazing BBQ spread in Australia.

The big supermarket chains are Woolworths and Coles, which have the most competitive pricing and a huge range. In some smaller locations, you might find an IGA or a SPAR which can be a tad more expensive.

When you don’t feel like cooking or don’t have the chance to do a food shop, there are popular fast food chains such as Hungry Jacks and Pie Face, or smoothie chains like Boost. I personally prefer to sample the local food in cafes in town, or a family-owned fish and chip shop instead. There are also plenty of pubs in Australia, which are pretty cheap but the quality can be a bit iffy (like Wetherspoons in the UK).

A popular place for a pub-like meal on a Sunday is the local Surf Life Saving Club, and you’ll see these dotted all along the coastline – particularly in the Gold Coast. Mostly aimed at local members, they nearly all welcome in tourists (with sign-in at the door). It’s a very Australian experience if you like beer, local live musicians and ridiculously big portions of chips, nachos and battered fish!

Then of course there are excellent restaurants all across the East Coast.

Deciding where to stay on the East Coast – hotels, lodges, hostels or camping

Even if you do the road trip along the East Coast in a camper van, there will be some nights where you’ll need to opt for a campsite for its shower facilities.

And there are hundreds of campsites along the East Coast. Some are your traditional pitch and stay camping grounds, and some are huge, expansive holiday resorts. Whilst these are typically aimed at domestic travellers, everyone is welcome and you may be blown away by the facilities.

The best resources for campsites on the East Coast of Australia are:

• Pitchup (can book directly on this site too)
• Tourism Australia
• Camping in Queensland
• Camping in NSW

The East Coast is also home to hundreds and hundreds of hostels. There are also some hostel chains in Australia, and nearly always one where you’re travelling. The two biggest chains are Nomads and Base. Staying in one of these means a fairly reliable and comfortable experience. The dorms are clean and secure, and the social areas are often amazing. Staying in hostels add to a quintessential Australia experience. I’ve had some brilliant stays and met some awesome people.

However, I prefer now to travel and stay in hotels where possible. On my most recent visit to Australia, we had a hire car and spent our nights in various Airbnbs and hotels along the East Coast. We stayed in some amazing Airbnbs, including a treehouse in the Gold Coast and a Balinese style villa in Noosa.

However, throughout this itinerary I will suggest a couple of options for each destination that cover campsites, hostels and hotels. I’ve managed to stay in all three types nearly everywhere along the East Coast now, so I’ve got some good experience!

Money and Budget

The currency in Australia is the dollar (AUD). Generally across Australia card payments are widely accepted, and contactless is very popular as the limit is $200.

For slightly more remote locations or for any really small villages you visit, I would recommend keeping cash on hand.

In terms of budgeting, prices are approximately the below:

Accommodation:

• Camping site (tent) – $10-20 per night
• Camper van spot at campsite – $20 – $50 per night, depending on size and facilities of the campground/holiday resort
• Double room in a value hotel or holiday resort: $100-140
• Double room in a 4 or 5 star hotel: $200 – $300 depending on time of year you visit

Food (based on two people):

• On-the-go coffees: $9
• Fast food or take away meal: approx $20
• Local cafe or pub meal: $60
• 3 Course meal in a good restaurant: $140-200

In terms of alcohol, it’s not sold at supermarkets but instead at bottle shops such as Dan Murphy’s. Prices are a little more than in the UK and the US, but they do sell boxed wine, affectionally called ‘goon’ in Australia. Boxed wine doesn’t taste the best BUT it’s cheap and lasts longer than a bottle!

Excursions and activities are likely to be your greatest expenditure. There are so many bucket list activities on the East Coast of Australia vthat I highly recommend putting budget aside so you can make the most of these. As an indication, here are the approximate prices of several activities:

• Animal sanctuary entrance fee: approx $40 per adult
• 15,000 ft sky dive in Cairns: $359 per person (not including video or photos)
• Entry to Daintree National Park and canopy walk: $35 per adult

As an approximate guide, the AUD to GBP conversion is roughly half. So animal sanctuary entrance is around £20 ($40).

The AUD to USD conversion is about 1.5, so animal sanctuary entrance is around USD $25 (AUD $40).

Finally, fuel in Australia is similar in price to the UK, but more expensive than the USA. Fuel for the whole route could cost around AUD$600-800, or more depending on detours you might take.

Deciding where to go on your Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

So you’ve decided when to embark on your epic road trip, and you’ve got your vehicles or bus pass sorted. Now the fun part – deciding where to go!

If you can’t already tell, I love the East Coast of Australia. It has everything AND warm weather year round.

As mentioned above, I have driven the route in both directions but my favourite was probably the Cairns to Brisbane drive. This would also be considered the most iconic road trip for the East Coast of Australia too. It spans world class beaches, dozens of stunning national parks as well as incredible Great Barrier Reef and the twinkly Whitsunday Islands.

So for the purpose of this blog post, we’ll be starting in Cairns but this itinerary can be modified in any way, and of course started in Sydney, Byron Bay or Brisbane. I also list the minimum to maximum number of days needed in each place to help you plan and decide where to visit.

The most important thing to remember is that Australia is BIG . The Cairns to Brisbane road trip spans 1,682km (or 1,045 miles), and that’s taking the most direct route without any detours. It’s around 19 hours of driving if you were to go straight through. There are also some seriously long stretches of driving without any major towns or stops too.

One thing you must remember is to fill your car or van with fuel whenever you can. Never leave a town with less than a full tank – I speak from experience!

So without further ado, let’s jump in with our first stop, Cairns!

Suggested time for Cairns: 3-5 days

This tropical city is one of my favourite places in Australia. Although the town is somewhat unassuming, the adventures to be had in and around Cairns are epic!

The relaxed tropical lifestyle in Cairns will ease you in to an Australia road trip, but could also make a relaxing end point too to your road trip.

Cairns could easily be one of the places where you choose to spend longer, but only if your budget allows. There are countless awesome sights to see and places to visit in Cairns , but the tours can add up and makes Cairns quite an expensive stop. That being said, one of the best things to do in Cairns is free – and that’s spending the day at the incredible Esplanade Lagoon in the heart of town.

Best things to do and see in Cairns

Free or low cost:

• Cool off and relax in the magnificent Cairns Lagoon
• Take a road trip to the Daintree Rainforest at Cape Tribulation via Port Douglas
• Spend the day in the Behana Canyon, a swimming hole surrounded by dense rainforest. Why not join this tour .
• Eat and drink your way around some of the beautiful waterside restaurant and bars
• Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Centre

More expensive but bucket list activities:

• Join a boat trip to the incredible Great Barrier Reef where you can snorkel or learn to dive
• Take a boat out to the stunning Fitzroy Island
• Brave the ultimate leap of faith at the AJ Hackett bungee jump centre
• Go ATV riding in the rainforest
• Take the train to spend the day at the Kuranda Rainforest Skyway , an awesome journey across the rainforest finishing at the epic Mossman Falls
• Enjoy a hop on hop off beer and drinks tour of Cairns
• Join a tour of the Atherton Tablelands , and visit beautiful waterfalls and scenic lakes (including the famous Milla Milla Falls)
• Enjoy a foodie tour and wine tasting in the Atherton Tablelands
• Visit the Daintree Rainforest and enjoy Cape Tribulation .

Blow-the-budget fun:

• Book a super special day on the Sunlover Reef pontoon , where you enjoy all the activities at this mini village floating on the Great Barrier Reef
• Organise a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef, a true once in a lifetime experience, or even a scenic flight !
• Enjoy an epic skydive over Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

Where to stay in Cairns

In Cairns, there are no free camping options in the city centre, but there are some paid campsites on the edge of town. Make sure to check this guide on camping near Cairns .

And here are my best picks for accommodation in Cairns:

Best luxury stay: Shangri-La at The Marina (£90pn) or the Pullman Reef Casino (from £97pn)

Great value mid-range stay: Pacific Hotel Cairns (from £63pn)

Best hostel: Gilligans Backpacker Resort (dorm from £17pn, private room from £70) has some of the best facilities I have experienced anywhere. It’s a lively party place but does also offer great value if you book out a 4 or 6 bed dorm for your group.

Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest

• Suggested time for the Daintree Rainforest: 1-2 days
• Driving distance from Cairns to Port Douglas: 68km (1hour) along the Captain Cook Highway
• Driving distance from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation: 75km (1h30)

This beautiful corner of Australia is home to the Daintree Rainforest, which is the world’s oldest! It is also unique as it the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

Cape Tribulation however is considered one of the most dangerous beaches in the world. This is due to the huge population of crocodiles that reside here, as well as the often-fatal stings from Box Jellyfish in the water.

Whilst driving to Cape Tribulation can easily be done as a full day trip , it’s well worth an overnight stay if you have the time. I would perhaps recommend opting for a small hire car for the day, instead of taking a camper van however. The roads can be narrow and difficult to drive, especially as you get deeper into the rainforest. Note that driving further north from Cape Tribulation towards Cooktown and the Cape York Village requires a 4WD and some previous experience essential as the tracks here are very challenging.

Port Douglas on route is also a beautiful upscale resort town which is definitely worth a stop for a few hours. The beach is beautiful and over four miles long, and its main street is packed with quirky shops and independent cafes and restaurants. If you visit on a Sunday, make sure to check out the beachside markets too.

In terms of activities in the Daintree forest, there are plenty:

• Soar above the rainforest on a zipline adventure
• Explore the rainforest from the elevated walkways
• Take on some of the best hikes, including the Mount Sorrow hike
• Spot crocodiles on a river cruise on the Daintree River
• River drift snorkelling near Port Douglas
• Explore the deserted and untouched beaches, and see where the rainforest meets the reef
• Visit the Daintree tea plantation
• Swim in the Mossman Gorge

The Cairns to Port Douglas drive is spectacular, with the road weaving between the rainforest and the azure ocean. The views are stunning. From Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation, the road is often surrounded by the dense, lush rainforest and you have to take a small ferry to cross the Daintree River. I’ve written a complete itinerary guide to driving from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, so make sure to check this out.

In terms of places to stay in Port Douglas or Cape Tribulation, there are some wonderful eco-stays including:

• Niramaya Villas & Spa (around £450pn)
• Noah Creek Eco Huts (around £157pn)
• Thala Beach Nature Resort (around £220pn)

In Port Douglas, there is also the beautiful Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort (from £129 pn) too or the stunning Shantara Resort (from £229 pn).

Alternatively, you can of course join a day trip, such as this one which is a full day exploring the Daintree rainforest, the Mossman Falls and Cape Tribulation . Or this day trip, which includes a stop at Port Douglas and Wildlife Habitat .

Mission Beach

• Suggested time for Mission Beach: 1-2 days
• Driving distance from Cairns to Mission Beach: 139km (1h50)

Next stop, Mission Beach. In my opinion, the drive from Cairns south is stunning with the Bruce Highway bordered on both sides by sugar cane plantations, followed by banana trees. The first moderate sized town is Innisfail, which I personally don’t think is worth a stop. So I recommend heading straight to Mission Beach. Make sure to look out for cassowaries at the side of the road!

Mission Beach is popular with backpackers for its laidback vibes and excellent beaches. What it lacks in obvious activities and sightseeing opportunities, it makes up for in huge stretches of glorious sandy beaches and walking tracks in the rainforest. I’ve only ever stopped at Mission Beach in October and December which is stinger season, so we could not enter the water.

I would recommend a night in Mission Beach, especially as it provides a decent break in the long drive between Cairns and Townsville, which is the next large town (347km, 4hrs). Mission Beach is also right next to Tully’s River, which is home to some of the best white water rafting in Australia.

Book your white water rafting trip to Tully’s River here!

Where to stay in Mission Beach

• Best luxury stay: Castaways Resort & Spa Mission Beach (from £100pn)
• Good value mid-range stay: Mission Reef Resort (from £54 pn)
• Best hostel: Jackaroo Treehouse (from £30pn)

Townsville & Magnetic Island

• Suggested time for Townsville: half day (but longer if visiting Magnetic Island)
• Driving distance from Mission Beach to Townsville: 235km (2h40)

This large town is largely residential and also home to a big Australian military and naval base. I personally don’t think there’s a huge amount to see in Townsville but it is home to my absolute favourite wildlife sanctuary in Australia, which is the Billabong Sanctuary .

I cannot recommend stopping at this amazing wildlife sanctuary more! It’s the perfect place to meet a whole host of the most iconic Australian animals, such as the echidna, wombat, koala and kangaroo. Billabong Sanctuary is a really well-run wildlife centre, with lots of opportunities for animal interaction, plus the location itself is beautiful. It’s located 17km south of Townsville, so you could spend the afternoon there as you continue on your road trip south.

Townsville is the starting point for the ferry to Magnetic Island. This slice of paradise is popular with backpackers but a little less frequented by other types of tourists. I haven’t been to Magnetic Island, so I cannot comment from personal experience but I understand it’s super-laidback and full of beautiful, scenic spots. Make sure to book your ferry tickets from Townsville to Magnetic Island in advance here.

If you do choose to spend a night in Townsville, the Oaks Gateway Suites offer great rooms at a good price (£67 pn). Alternatively, there is a BIG4 Holiday Park at Rowes Bay with beachside cabins from £50.

Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays

• Suggested time for Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays: 2-5 days
• Driving distance from Townsville to Airlie Beach: 273km (3h10)

Airlie Beach is the gateway to The Whitsundays, and this stop is a must-do on any East Coast road trip itinerary. Make sure to read my detailed guide to visiting the Whitsunday Islands here .

The town itself is popular with backpackers, although there are few luxury hotels. Those on a slightly smaller budget or tighter time frame can visit The Whitsundays on a full day boat trip.

But if you have time, then I highly recommend splurging on a sailing trip around the Whitsundays. You can spend around 2-3 days on living onboard a sailing boat, where you can snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and visit Whitehaven, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Alternatively, you could stay on one of the Whitsunday Islands for a couple of nights, for the ultimate barefoot paradise experience.

There are some amazing resort hotels in The Whitsunday Islands, with the InterContinental Hayman Island being one of the very best stays.

I’ve done both a sailing trip and a 3 night stay on the islands, and I honestly couldn’t say which I preferred. Both were incredible.

For day sailing trips, you could wait to book this in Airlie Beach, but you risk the boats being full, so I recommend booking a tour in advance. Here are a few excellent suggestions:

• Whitsundays Full-Day Catamaran Sailing Adventure from Airlie  (£108pp)
• Half Day Whitsunday & Whitehaven 6-Hour Cruise  £63pp)
• Whitsundays Ocean Rafting Tour: Snorkel, Walk & Whitehaven  (£85pp)

For 1 or 2 night sailing trips, you could check the below companies:

• OzSailWhitsunday s (2 day, 2 night trips) – starts at £208pp
• Whitsundays Sailing Adventures  (offer a 1 night sailing trip) – starts at £216pp
• The same company also offers an awesome  3-day, 2-night sailing and diving trip  – starts at £390pp
• Red Cat Adventures  (2 nights) – starts at £260pp
• Wings Whitsundays Adventure  (2 nights) – starts at £260pp
• ProSail offer 2 or 3 night sailing adventures – starting at £398pp

Back on Airlie Beach, there isn’t a huge amount to do, so if you choose to visit the islands as a day trip, you could spend a relaxing day at the Airlie Beach Lagoon.

But this could be a place to splurge and explore the Whitsundays from a difference perspective entirely. For example, this  1-hour scenic flight over the Whitsundays Island archipelago  looks incredible, or what about a  tandem skydive over the Whitsundays ?

Or you could go all out with a  helicopter trip to the Whitsunday Islands . It even lands on Whitehaven beach – possibly the most incredible day imaginable.

Slightly further inland from Airlie Beach (and slightly more affordable), there are some great hiking routes in the Conway National Park and waterfall swimming at the beautiful Cedar Creek Falls.

Where to stay in Airlie Beach

There’s a huge number of places to stay in Airlie Beach, covering every budget. In fact, you can find some seriously nice stays at very good value. Here’s my pick:

• Base Airlie Beach (dorm from £16 per night, double from £53)
• Big4 at Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort (camping from £19 per night)
• Magnums Airlie Beach (from £31 per night)
• Mantra Club Croc Airlie Beach (from £57 per night)
• Airlie Beach Hotel (from £82 per night)
• Mirage Whitsundays (from £117 per night)
• Coral Sea Resort Hotel (from £139 per night)

Where to stay on the Whitsundays

I’ve written about all the various options in the Whitsundays in more detail, which I recommend you check out.

Fortunately, there’s a good range of tropical island resorts to stay on, with Daydream Island offering excellent value. Rates here start from £150 per night.

One of the most luxurious resorts to stay in in the Whitsunday islands is the InterContinental Hayman Island  (formerly the One&Only). Rates start from around £450 per night.

Alternatively, some other ultra-lux options include:

• Beach Club , an opulent hotel on Hamilton Island . Rates start from £397 per night
• Elysian Retreat  can only host 20 people at any time, and is the ultimate in barefoot luxury with all stays on all-inclusive basis. Rates start at £630 per night.
• Or, the exceptional Paradise Cove Resort. I recommend this excellent boat tour and 2 nights all inclusive in a secluded villa  at the island resort. (£311 per person)

Capricorn Caves

• Suggested time for the Capricorn Caves: 1/2 day
• Driving distance from Airlie Beach to the Capricorn Caves: 460km (5hrs)

The stretch south from Airlie Beach is a long one – I think the second longest stretch of driving on this road trip. Optional stops before the Capricorn Caves include Mackay, a small quiet town with some lovely cycling and hiking, but no essential bucket list adventures. After Mackay, the next potential stop point would be Rockhampton, where (without exaggerating) there is nothing to do.

I recommend breaking up the long drive from Airlie Beach to the next key stop (Hervey Bay/K’gari Island) with a visit to the Capricorn Caves. These are fairly near to Rockhampton, so depending on the time you arrive in this area, you may want to consider an overnight stay near Rockhampton or a little further south at Gladstone (137km/1hr41).

The Capricorn Caves are called this because they are located on the Tropic of Capricorn. They are an awesome complex of caves, with over 1.5km of passages to explore. They only way to visit is on a tour, often called the ‘Cathedral Tour’ as they all take in the incredible largest cave, which often holds wedding and special events. The acoustics are incredible and it was like nowhere I’d seen before.

Book a tour to the Capricorn Caves here!

Taking around one hour in total, it’s well worth a visit and is often missed off travellers’ East Coast itineraries.

Suggestions for affordable places to stay around this area:

• Mackay: Central Tourist Park (£41 per night)
• Rockhampton: Denison Boutique Hote l (£54 per night)
• Capricorn Caves: Capricorn Motel (£65 per night)
• Gladstone: Barney Beach Accommodation (£50 per night)

Rainbow Beach

• Suggested time for Rainbow Beach and K’gari Island: ideally 3-4 days
• Driving distance from Rockhampton/theCapricorn Caves to Rainbow Beach: 601km (6hrs40)

From the Rockhampton area onwards, there are a few stops to consider including Agnes Water/1770 and Bundaberg. The latter is famous for its rum, and visiting the Bundaberg Distillery makes for a brilliant stop. Make sure to book a tour to the local brewery too!

The town of 1770, sometimes written as Seventeen Seventy, is the second spot in Australia that James Cook and his crew landed in the year 1770. We did stop here and I was fairly disappointed with the lack of things to do and see, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend visiting.

So unless you make a brief stop at Bundaberg, I recommend driving straight through to the Rainbow Beach area. It’s a long old drive, that’s for sure! Looking back, that was why we stopped at 1770 – to break it up!

Rainbow Beach is located in the Great Sandy National Park and is a tiny backpacker town, surrounded by huge, towering sand dunes. The town is mostly a starting point for Fraser Island tours, but you can definitely spend a relaxing day here too.

One of my favourite things to do in Rainbow Beach is climb the huge Carlo Sand Blow and admire the spectacular views across the ocean. The Great Sandy National Park is well worth exploring too – you can even do this on horseback !

Where to stay in Rainbow Beach

There are quite a few places to stay in Rainbow Beach, many of which offer great value stays. Here are my suggestions:

• Freedom Hostels (formerly Dingos) – from £26 per night
• Pippie’s Beach House – from £77 per night
• Rainbow Ocean Palms Resort – from £110 per night

K’gari Island

K’gari Island, previously referred to as Fraser Island, is one of the most popular things to do in Australia. Most tours here are typically aimed at a young backpacking crowd and last 2 days/1night or 3 days/2 nights. There are several other options, including day trips too but as the world’s largest sand island, there’s something special about staying overnight if you can. Unless you have a 4WD drive and significant experience driving on sand, you won’t be able to take your own car to K’gari Island. Several tours however let tourists drive the company’s 4WD vehicles though on what they call a ‘tag along’ basis .

If you book an overnight K’gari Island tour you will have a briefing the evening before departure at 6pm, so you’ll always need to stay the night before in Rainbow Beach. You may also want another night in the town once you come back from K’gari so you don’t have to rush straight off. However it’s worth nothing that you can also start a K’gari Island from trip from Noosa or Hervey, if you prefer.

K’gari Island is a bucket list activity in Australia and for good reason. For many people, K’gari Island is the highlight of their Australia trip!

You definitely should book your K’gari Island tour in advance. Do not leave it for on arrival in Rainbow Beach/Hervey Bay/Noosa, unless you’re arriving several days in advance (at least).

These are the best K’gari Island tours:

• Full day Fraser Island tour from Rainbow Beach (£125pp)
• 2 day/1 night tour from Rainbow Beach (£218pp)

Best things to do on Fraser Island

• If you’re over 21 and on a tag-along tour, you’ll have the opportunity to drive the 4WD along the sand, which is epic
• Swim in the crystal clear freshwater Lake Mackenzie
• Bathe in the beautiful Champagne Pools
• Drift along the natural lazy river at Ely Creek
• Explore the tropical rainforest
• Spot dingos (wild dogs) from afar
• If on an overnight tour, spend the evenings around the campfire drinking and relaxing with new friends
• Drive along 75 Mile Beach
• Hike up to Indian Head to spot sharks and stingrays
• Explore the Maheno shipwreck
• Hike to Lake Wobby

If you visit Fraser Island on a one day tour from the mainland, you’ll be able to do most of the above, but at a quicker pace.

• Suggested time for Noosa: 2-4 days (or as long as possible..)
• Driving distance from Rainbow Beach to Noosa: 117km (1hr37)

Noosa is an absolute must-visit on any East Coast road itinerary and is hands down my favourite place in Australia. Whether you’re a backpacker, on honeymoon, a group of friends or a family, Noosa is the perfect place. The town centre is charming with some brilliant shopping, the beaches are phenomenal and the surrounding scenery is just breathtaking. It’s also the place in Australia where I’ve seen the most koalas in the wild.

Best things to do in Noosa

• Explore the magnificent Noosa National Park, which is easily accessed whether on foot from the town centre or if you drive to its entrance and park
• Beach hopping from Noosa Main Beach to the dog-friendly waters at the Noosa Spit and over in Noosaville too
• Get surfing or take part in a surf lesson
• Go on a dolphin-watching safari by kayak , where your chances of seeing dolphins are super high
• Bar hopping along Main Street
• Tucking into some of the town’s best food, including the phenomenal Spanish set menu at 10 Hastings Street
• Kayak through the Noosa Everglades
• Hike nearby Mt Coolumb
• Get stuck into the craft beer scene in Noosa
• Drive to nearby Emundi to go to the popular Farmer’s Market, running Wednesday to Saturday until 1pm or so
• Go hiking in the magnificent Glasshouse Mountains

Most of Noosa’s main attractions revolve around the beautiful beaches, the National park, the surf and the food. It’s pretty easy to see why I love it so much.

Where to stay in Noosa

There are some beautiful places to stay in Noosa, covering all budgets and preferences.

Best luxury hotels: There are some amazing hotels in Noosa. Some of top luxury stays would be Noosa Shores (£350), Netanya or the beautiful Sofitel Pacific Resort (from £158 per night). However, there’s also the more affordable Peppers Resort on the beach (from £92 per night) and Tingirana .

Good value stays: My favourite good value spot is 10 Hastings Street Boutique Motel . It also has one of the best restaurants town downstairs! Rates start from about £60 per night.

Best hostels: Nomads Backpackers is the best spot in town. Dorm rooms start at £37, or a double is £44.

• Suggested time for Brisbane: 1-2 days
• Driving distance from Noosa to Brisbane: 141km (1hr44)

Queensland’s big city! Brisbane is a modern metropolis, with year-round warm weather and unique city beaches. I like Brisbane, but not even half as much as Melbourne and Sydney.

It’s probably a great city to live in, but visiting for a couple of days at a time, I have never fallen for Brisbane. However, it does have a fantastic manmade city beach at South Bank where I have spent many hours catching the rays.

I also have to recommend my favourite restaurant in Brisbane, which is New Shanghai located in the Myer Centre on Queen Street. There’s a few of these dotted across Australia, but for me, the Brisbane one is just amazing.

Things to do in Brisbane

Brisbane as a city may not be quite as cosmopolitan and lively as Melbourne and Sydney, but it does happen to make a fantastic base to visit other nearby areas. The winter months are an especially lovely time to visit the city, so make sure to check out this guide to the top things to do in Brisbane in the winter .

For example, if diving is your thing, then there are some impressive shipwrecks at Moreton Island.

You can also visit the famous Australia Zoo near Brisbane , which is of course known for being founded by Steve Irwin himself.

• Take a boat ride along the river onboard a Kookaburra River Queens Cruise, which are old style paddlewheel vessels
• Hike a bike to explore the city or join a guided segway tour
• Spend some time in the city’s magnificent Botanical Gardens
• Join a guided kayak tour along the river
• Visit the city’s impressive collection of museums and art galleries
• Take the river boat to the popular Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this excellent city tour
• Go shipwreck diving at Moreton Island or visit on snorkelling day tour
• Take a day trip to the beautiful Stradbroke or Bribie Islands

Where to stay in Brisbane

Best luxury hotel: W Brisbane is the coolest place to stay, with rooms starting from £127 per night. Another great luxury hotel would be The Westin (from £155 per night).

Great value stay: Royal on the Park is a beautiful hotel, and a steal with rooms starting from £53 per night

Best hostel: Bunk Hostel (dorms from £21) or Base Brisbane (dorms from £11)

Cairns to Brisbane road trip itinerary

So there’s my Australia East Coast road itinerary, covering the Cairns to Brisbane drive. As you can see, this route takes in countless iconic Australian experiences. I would say this is easily one of the best road trips in the world.

For international travellers coming to the end of the trip, Brisbane makes a wise finishing point as it has an international airport.

However, for those flying onto Australian domestic destinations or with more time, then I highly recommend continuing your journey. For example, onto the Gold Coast and Byron Bay where there are domestic airports in both destinations. If you have plenty of extra time, you could do the Brisbane to Sydney drive. Although this is another 1000km and 10hrs driving, the beaches are fantastic. However, as mentioned before, the drive from Byron Bay to Sydney would be quite cool if done in the Australia winter (May to August).

Brisbane to the Gold Coast and Byron Bay

• Driving distance from Brisbane to the Gold Coast: 99km (1hr10)
• Suggested time for the Gold Coast: 1-4 days
• Driving distance from Brisbane to Byron Bay: 166km (1hr50)
• Suggested time for the Byron Bay: 1-4 days
• Driving distance between Gold Coast and Byron Bay: 93km (1hr)

Both Gold Coast and Byron Bay are popular holiday destinations with Australians as well as international travellers. And as mentioned, with domestic airports near both locations, you could potentially also finish your road trip itinerary further south of Brisbane. For example, we finished our road trip from Cairns at Ballina Airport, which is just near Byron Bay. This was really convenient as there were rental companies to return you car or camper van.

Gold Coast and Surfer’s Paradise

Gold Coast is a city made up a dozens of smaller beach areas, with expansive stretches of white sand and some of the best surfing in Australia. This whole area is the most popular tourist place in Australia. It’s like visiting a beach resort town in Florida, USA or a resort in Spain. Gold Coast is where young Australians flock to party and have fun every summer, and there are a lot of bars and activities geared towards this. Surfer’s Paradise is at the heart of all the action but I wouldn’t recommend spending long here, unless partying is something you’re keen to do.

The other beach areas surrounding Surfer’s Paradise are amazing, and a great spot to recoup for a couple of days. In fact, the challenge can be deciding which beach to spend the day at.

Alternatively, Gold Coast is packed with all kinds of tourist attractions, including theme parks like Wet’n’Wild and Dreamworld . My personal favourite thing to do in Gold Coast is to visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary . This is a brilliant place to spend a full day. Plus, they have their own wildlife hospital with huge glass windows so you can see all kinds of animals being operated on. On the day we went, I saw birds, tortoises and koalas being treated!

Best things to do in Gold Coast

• Go hiking in nearby Tamborine Mountain or get your adrenaline pumping at the high ropes course
• Or why not visit Mt Tamborine and stop by the beautiful wineries and distilleries on this tour with lunch
• Explore Springbrook National Park and swim in the refreshing waterfalls
• Meet some of Australia’s most unique wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
• Head to the farmer’s markets at different beaches – my favourite is at Burleigh
• Rent bikes and cycle from one point to another, for example Burleigh Heads to Mermaid Beach
• Explore the stunning waterways of Coolangatta
• Join a surf lesson in Surfer’s Paradise
• Visit the World-Heritage Listed Lamington National Park and explore the beautiful waterfalls and landscape
• Check out the incredible views from the Sky Point Observation Deck

Where to stay in the Gold Coast

There is a seriously huge amount of places to stay in the Gold Coast. It’s hard to even know where to start.

If you are looking to get stuck into the nightlife, then you could stay right in the heart of Surfer’s Paradise .

Otherwise, I recommend picking a beachside community for a couple of days such as Burleigh or Coolangatta . Due to the sheer number of hotels and places to stay in the Gold Coast, you can definitely find some good value stays!

Check rates for all hotels, lodges and holiday parks in the Gold Coast here.

I’ve stayed in several areas around the Gold Coast, and I particularly love the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort . This resort is beyond stunning, with a huge lagoon beach swimming pool, and access to an amazing health club with golf and tennis.

I could have stayed here for weeks, so I’d say, if there was once place to splurge en route, it would be this resort!

Book your stay at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort here.

There’s a certain magic in the air in Byron Bay that makes so many fall in love with the town. So many travellers arrive for a couple of days, but end up staying for weeks.

The main thing Byron Bay is known for is surfing, but there’s so much going on away from the away from the waves. The town is particularly popular with backpackers who get quickly drawn into Byron Bay’s hippy, bohemian, anything-goes lifestyle. But there’s increasing appeal for honeymooners, families and even those looking for a spot of luxury.

Best things to do in Byron Bay

• Hit the waves, or take the chance to learn to surf
• Beach hop – as well as the main beach, visit Clarks Beach, Tallow Beach, Belongil Beach and The Pass
• Go dolphin-spotting from your kayak
• Hike to the Cape Byron lighthouse, the most eastern point in Australia
• Visit one of the many local markets, for example the Byron Bay Artisan Market (every Saturday evening from October to March)
• Enjoy live music at one of the awesome bars
• Shop at some the wonderful unique boutique stores
• Stop for happy hour at some of the excellent cafes
• Explore the craft beer scene in Byron Bay
• Experience a scenic hot air balloon journey over Byron Bay
• Get up and close personal with the elusive platypus a nature walk with a local guide
• Take a day trip to nearby Nimbin, a small hippie town stuck in the 60s which is famous for its very liberal attitude towards marijuana. There’s an iconic bus tour which you can book onto.
• Dance the night away with local musicians performing on Main Beach
• Explore the beautiful Nightcap National Park with waterfalls and great hiking routes
• Go hiking along the trails in the Arakwal National Park, followed by a swim in the ocean
• Have a delicious dinner at The Roadhouse , just on the edge of town
• Drive to Byron Bay Farm for day surrounded by farm animals, and for some seriously delicious food

Where to stay in Byron Bay

Best luxury hotel: Far and away, the most opulent hotel is Elements of Byron Resort & Spa . It’s perfect for couples, groups of friends and honeymooners. Rates start from around £245 per night, per villa.

Other great upscale stays include Atlantic Byron Bay (from £130 per night), Azur Villas (from £142 per night), The Bower Byron Bay (from £151 per night).

Great value stays: Bayhaven Lodge (from £71 per night) or Byron Palms (from £70 per night)

Best hostels: There are plenty of hostels in Byron Bay, as it’s so popular with backpackers and Australians visiting for ‘schoolies week’. There is the Byron Bay YHA , Nomads and Wake Up! all with similar rates for double rooms and dorm rooms (around £33 per night).

Finally, I couldn’t not mention the iconic Arts Factory Lodge . Located just outside of town in a beautiful forested area, this a mammoth campground, lodge and artsy bohemian stay all in one.

We chose to stay here with our camper van which was great – it has a pool, on-site cafes and bars, and even things like didgeridoo lessons! A dorm bed here is around £14 per night, and a double room around £68 per night.

Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

So that rounds out my super long and very detailed itinerary guide for an East Coast Australia road trip.

I really hope this is useful for you if you’re planning a trip to the beautiful East Coast of Australia. As you can see, there is literally so much to do, particularly on the Cairns to Brisbane stretch. And as I said, you can do the highlights in two weeks, but the longer you have, the more you’ll be able to take in and soak up. Ideally, a month to 6 weeks would be the best for an Australia East Coast road trip itinerary.

If you enjoyed my Australia East Coast road trip itinerary guide, then please do consider sharing through one of the below links, that would be amazing. Also, if there’s anything else I can share or answer for you, please do let me know in the comments below.

For further Australia guides, please do check out my other guides:

• Visiting the Whitsunday Islands
• Noosa Travel Guide
• Best day trips from Cairns
• Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip
• Taking the Ghan train from Darwin to Alice Springs

Wanna see more? Check my Instagram  here , my Facebook  here  or my Twitter  here !

Disclaimer: This Australia East Coast road trip itinerary guide is based on multiple visits to Australi a . There was no involvement from any local companies or the tourist board . However icelolly.com arranged two local tours on the East Coast: dolphin watching in Noosa and entry to Currumbin Wildlife Park.

Enjoyed my guide to an Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary? Pin it!

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Cairns to cape tribulation & the daintree …, exploring the australian outback: darwin to …, best day trips from cairns: 10 activities …, new zealand travel guide: best places ….

What an incredible resource! Thank you so much! Do you have something similar for New South Wales and Victoria?

Thank you! Unfortunately no! Although I lived in Victoria, I didn’t travel the state as extensively as Queensland 🙁

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A Complete Guide: Travelling the East Coast of Australia

The East Coast of Australia is up there with the most popular backpacking trails in the world. The Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island, the Great Ocean Road, Sydney’s Opera House… the entire coastline has many ‘must sees’ that continue to attract travellers from across the globe. Here at Nomads, we have traveled the East Coast numerous times and we can tell you now – it never gets old! So here it is… our complete guide to travelling the East Coast of Australia.

Where is the East Coast of Australia?

The ‘East Coast Trail’ refers to the long stretch of road that follows the eastern coastline between Cairns and Melbourne. Traditionally, the East Coast began in Sydney, however as Melbourne’s alternative and cultural persona has attracted much international acclaim over the years, the southern city has now become a popular starting or ending point for many East Coast voyagers. For those short on time, the majority of the East Coast can be explored between Brisbane and Cairns.

Quick Facts:

• The total distance along the coastline between Melbourne and Cairns is around 4000km
• It would take about 50 hours of non stop driving to travel along the coastline between Melbourne and Cairns
• The major highway connecting Brisbane and Cairns is called the “Bruce Highway” – can’t get more Aussie than that!
• The East Coast is nothing like the Outback of Australia (or Wolf Creek). Although there will at times be long drives between each major tourist destination, you will find petrol stations and little towns at least every 30 mins apart
• Aussie locals are very laid back and friendly. You will be including Aussie Lingo such as No Worries Mate, No Dramas, Heaps Good, Thongs and Barbie in no time! Check out our guide to Aussie Slang
• Australia is an Eftpos nation – you will be able to pay by credit or eftpos card in most cafes, service stations, hostels, bars and supermarkets. However it is handy to have a little bit of cash when passing through smaller towns

Australian Weather:

• Many backpackers assume that Australia is warm and sunny all year round! Because of the country’s size, it could be snowing in one state and 35 Degrees in the next!
• Melbourne and Sydney can be quite cool during Winter (June to August) so make sure you pack a warm jacket, pants and closed shoe
• Byron Bay to Bundaberg attracts mostly sunny weather all year round. As you head north of Bundaberg and into Tropical North Queensland you may need to prepare for wet season. Wet Season is within Australia’s summer season and usually hits the tropics between November and March. Expect tropical rain, high humidity and A LOT of sweat! We suggest packing a very light, waterproof jacket with a hood

How much time will you need to travel the East Coast?

• Like every country, it depends on how you like to travel. If you have just 2 to 3 weeks, the major sites between Sydney and Cairns can ‘be done.’ However you will spend a lot of time getting to and from each destination and little time to relax and really explore what each destination has to offer. If you have 3 weeks or more, then you will be able to travel the coast between Melbourne and Cairns more comfortably. We usually suggest 4 to 6 weeks!

Cost (AUD):

• A dorm room in a hostel will range between $25 – $40 per night
• Coffee is around $3.50
• Breakfast – most hostels offer all you can eat brekkies for around $5 per day. Eggs on Toast or Cereal will cost around $7 from a cafe.
• Lunch & Dinner – Most major cities will have many restaurants and cafes available. Aussies love their international cuisine so you can usually find anything from Cheap Pizza places, Kebabs, Fish & Chips, Indian, Thai, etc. Main Meals will usually cost you around $10 – $20
• Use the hostel kitchen and buy cheap food from supermarkets or the many great markets around Australia
• Pint of Beer $7 – $10

Getting Around Australia’s East Coast:

• Campervan Hire  can be a great way of exploring the East Coast of Australia if you have more than 3 – 4 weeks of travel. Most campervan companies in Australia offer one way rentals between Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane and Cairns. There are many hostels along the coast north of Brisbane that allow you to park up for the night at a small cost and use the hostel facilities. You will also find many free camping zones outside of the major cities.
• Greyhound and Premier are both public bus lines that tend to be the most popular form of travel for backpackers. Although these bus lines are open to the public, due to the popularity all services are usually jam packed with travellers. Both Greyhound and Premier offer flexible hop on and hop off passes between Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane and Cairns and they stop at all tourist destinations along the coast!
• Hop on Hop Off Busses. The busses mentioned above both have hop on hop off options but you can also travel with Oz Experience, Stray Travel or Loka where you get a tour guide and are taken to some key locations asa well as being able to hop off and explore somewhere in a little more depth.
• Fully Guided Tours are a great means of exploring the East Coast if you are a little nervous about travelling on your own, or only have a short amount of time. Tour companies such as  Wayoutback  and  Topdeck  offer fully inclusive tours along the coast

Accommodation on the East Coast

• There are many budget accommodation options available along the East Coast of Australia. Nomads Hostels have properties in Sydney , Brisbane ,  Byron Bay ,  Noosa and  Airlie Beach .
• To save $$ or keep your travels completely flexible, we suggest buying a  multi-night accommodation pass that allows you to book as you venture along the coast. Most hostels along the East Coast are located in central areas and close to public transport

The Must Sees on Australia’s East Coast

Whether you are travelling along the coast by Bus, Campervan or Tour, here is our guide on where to go and what to see.

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural and artistic city with loads going on from film festivals, markets, live music, live theatre and rooftop bars. We suggest exploring Melbourne’s graffiti and coffee lined laneways (you can view our  Top 5 laneways  here) and taking a trip up to the top of  Eureka Skydeck  for 360 degree views of the city. A great way to explore the city for free is by hopping on the red city circle tram which provides commentary as you pass by the city’s iconic and historic landmarks.

St Kilda Beach  is also well worth a day trip. The colourful beach side suburb is just a 15 minute tram ride from the city centre and is oozing with cafes, cake shops, bars and of course, the iconic Luna Park! If you have a few days in Melbourne, taking a tour along the  Great Ocean Road  and to the Twelve Apostles is also a must!

• Read our tips on the Best Things to do in Melbourne
• On a budget? Check out some Free or Cheap Things To Do in Melbourne
• Visit the excellent Queen Victoria Market
• Stay at Base Melbourne , in the stunning suburb of St Kilda

There’s no doubt that Sydney is one of the most photogenic cities in the world! You will need at least 3 to 4 days to explore the city and its surrounds. One of our favourite ways to get some great photo opportunities of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House is by purchasing a Ferry Ticket (around $5 – $10 for the day) and cruising around the CBD. The ferry also runs return transfers to Manly Beach – a great day out!

A day tour (or overnight for the hiking enthusiasts) to the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park is also a must! And of course – the Coastal Walk between Bondi and Coogee Beaches should also be on the top of your Sydney Bucket List. Public buses operate from the CBD to Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach all day. A walk down to Darling Harbour is also worth your while, as well as checking out Chinatown for a cheap bite to eat and Paddy’s Markets for a spot of souvenir shopping.

• Read our tips for  Top 10 things to do in Sydney
• On a budget? Check out some Free or Cheap Things To Do in Sydney
• Visit some  Sydney Markets
• Stay at Nomads Sydney

If learning to Surf (or if you consider yourself a pro), a stop by Mojosurf’s Spot X Surf Camp on your way to Byron Bay is a must. Located on a private beach front property 3 hours south of Byron Bay, both Greyhound and Premier Bus companies stop here. You can book everything from an overnight, 2 night or week long stay here. Packages include accommodation overlooking the coast, surf lessons, board and kayak hire, a bonfire and the ultimate chilled out atmosphere. Alternatively, Mojosurf also offer day lessons from Byron Bay.

• Mojo Surf Packages  at Spot X.
• Stay at Spot X Surf Camp .

The most easterly point in Australia never fails to capture the hearts of travellers passing through. The vibe is chilled, the people are relaxed and the beaches and surrounding waterfalls and rainforest of the  Byron Hinterland  is amazing. If travelling to Byron Bay from Sydney (or in the other direction), we suggest getting an overnight Greyhound or Premier bus.

When in Byron Bay, a day trip to the historical and colourful hippie village of  Nimbin  should also be on your Byron Bucket List. The day trip is by far one of the weirdest and wackiest experiences we have ever had in Australia, rolling through the hinterland in a rainbow bus with the Bob Marley tunes a-blaring! Walking to Byron Bay  Lighthouse  for sunrise is an unforgettable experience and don’t forget to check out the markets.

• Read our tips on the best Things to do in Byron Bay
• Check out some  Fun and Free things to do in Byron Bay
• Visit the Byron Bay Markets
• Stay at the famous Arts Factory Lodge in Byron Bay

Travelling 1 hour north from Byron Bay, you will arrive in Surfer’s Paradise (in the Gold Coast). Surfer’s Paradise is commonly compared to England’s Blackpool – and we love it! The nightlife is great, the beaches are amazing and there are 4 of Australia’s biggest theme parks all within a short drive away. We suggest 2 or 3 nights here, but if on a short time frame, you could probably scoot right through to Brisbane. If you are planning on heading to the theme parks you will need to allocate an entire day!

If you have a car, be sure to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Gold Coast hinterland – there are loads of natural waterholes, walking trails, waterfalls and amazing lookouts to explore. Jupiter’s Casino is worth a cheeky visit and a spot of shopping at Pacific Fair never goes astray.

• Read our tips on the best Things To Do in Surfers Paradise

A 1 hour bus journey north of Surfer’s Paradise will land you in Brisbane. Don’t be fooled – Brisbane has a lot to offer. One of our favourite (and FREE) things to do in Brisbane is jumping on the Red City Hopper Ferry from Southbank and cruising along Brisbane River. You will get some great sights of the city, Storey Bridge and the Botanic Gardens. Jump off in Eagle Farm and head to Fortitude Valley for a few cheeky beers and a spot of shopping.

Brisbane’s night market scene is definitely on point (maybe because of the fantastic year round weather) and Westend is an alternative suburb with loads of cool bars and cafes worth visiting. XXXX Brewery offer tours for the beer enthusiasts and a trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will have you getting up close and personal with the furry mammals. If you are looking for a little bit of island love, a day trip to Moreton Island is a must – a great place for snorkeling, spotting for dolphins and sand boarding!

• Read about the Best Things to Do in Brisbane .
• Check out our Top Ten Reasons to Visit Brisbane .
• On a budget? Check out some Free Things To Do in Brisbane
• Stay at Nomads Brisbane Hostel

Mmm… Noosa. Noosa is located in Australia’s Sunshine Coast and is just a short 2 hour bus journey north of Brisbane. Not only is it a popular gateway to Fraser Island, but it’s also the ultimate place to check out  Australia Zoo.  Make sure you explore the secluded beaches through  Noosa National Park  and see what wildlife you can spot. Not to be missed are the fantastic  Eumundi Markets . We highly recommend trying surfing in Noosa or going on a kayak tour through the  Everglades . We suggest a minimum of 2 to 3 days in Noosa to RELAX!

• Read our Top 9 Awesome things to do in Noosa .
• On a Budget? Check out 20 Things to Do for under $20 in Noosa
• Stay at Nomads Noosa Youth Resort

Fraser Island

Ok EVERYBODY who visits Australia wants to visits the world’s largest sand island! And there’s no surprises why.  Fraser Island  is home to some of the most stunning white sandy lakes and Eucalyptus Rainforests in the entire country. The island is BIG and the only way to get around is by a 4X4 vehicle. There are a number of tour options available including Tag Along and Guided options departing from Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay.

Most budget travellers will opt for the Tag Along option as it is a lot more affordable. If you have a license, you can actually drive the 4WD on the Fraser Coast ‘highway.’ Most Tag Along tours will have you joining a convoy with other travellers led by a professional driver in a lead car. You can camp or stay in a hostel on the island – and don’t forget to spot for Dingoes! Nomads Fraser Island offer 3 and 2 day Tag Along tours from Noosa.

• 2 day 1 night Fraser Island tour from Noosa
• 3 day 2 night Fraser Island tour from Noosa
• 3 day 2 night Fraser Island Camping Tour from Noosa

Town of 1770 / Agnes Water

From Noosa or Rainbow Beach you will have a 15 hour, overnight bus journey to Airlie Beach – Whitsundays. Yep – we weren’t joking when we said Australia is HUGE! To break up the journey, many travellers tend to stop by a little, coastal town by the name of  1770 . Located 6 hours north of Rainbow Beach, this is the place on the East Coast where the Great Barrier Reef meets the surf coast. It’s really chilled with a small town feel and the infamous Scooteroo Tour (where you drive around in a leather jacket on a Harley Davidson spotting for Kangaroos) tends to attract many backpackers to the region.

• Stay at 1770 Southern Cross Backpackers

Airlie Beach – the Whitsundays

As you arrive into Airlie Beach you will really begin to feel the sense of being in the Tropics! As you cruise along the old Bruce Highway you will begin to notice Sugar Cane and Banana Plantations, towering green mountains and rainforest. To put it simply – you can get by day by day in flip flops, tees and shorts. As you arrive into the tiny yet bustling town of Airlie Beach, prepare to be blown away by the views!

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays. There are loads of different tours and activities available – from fast paced day trips, overnight sailing tours, relaxed catamaran cruises and party tours on ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ style schooners! Most travellers will opt for a 2 day / 2 night sailing trip, but if you are short on time, we recommend a day tour with  Ocean Rafting  or a 2 day / 1 night trip on a maxi racing yacht.

The 3 day / 2 night sailing trips include onboard accommodation, food, most are BYO alcohol and snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef. All tours will guide you to Whitehaven Beach – where the sand is so white and pure that you can actually clean your jewellery with it! If you have some more time in Airlie Beach, be sure to check out the surrounding walking trails. Or if you prefer to relax then chill by Airlie Lagoon and bask away your hangover at Airlie Beach’s man made beach. Or take a short drive to Cedar Creek Falls , a stunning ‘secret’ location.

• Read our tips on what to do if you have 7 Days in Airlie Beach
• Stay at Nomads Airlie Beach Hostel

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is becoming more and more popular over the years as word of this tropical island paradise continues to spread. Greyhound and Premier bus offer pick ups and drop offs at the Magnetic Island ferry terminal in Townsville (located 4 hours north of Airlie Beach). Overnight island packages at Base Magnetic Island are available and include beach front accommodation, ferry transfers and a few extra goodies. It is the ultimate place to chill by the beach front pool, snorkel, check out the surrounding look outs and party the night away. Also – don’t forget to plan your trip around the Island Life Beach Party – it is EPIC!

• Read  10 Reasons Why Magnetic Island should be on your bucket list
• Stay at Base Backpackers Magnetic island

Travelling a further 4 – 6 hours north of Townsville – Magnetic Island you will reach the end of the East Coast Backpacker trail. Cairns is the adventure capital of Australia and there is pretty much any adrenaline activity on offer here – Bungy Jumping, Skydiving, Cable Ski, White Water Rafting, Jungle Surfing – you name it!

A trip to  Atherton Tablelands  is a must if swimming in natural waterholes, beautiful lakes and visiting the famous waterfalls as featured in Peter Andre’s “Mysterious Girl” is up your alley. Taking the scenic railway and cable car to the hidden rainforest village of Kuranda should be on your to do list. As well as a visit to nearby  Fitzroy  and Green Islands. The Great Barrier Reef is an absolute must do in Cairns. There is everything from day tours to 5 Day Open Water PADI Courses on offer. Have a chat to one of our MAD Travel staff to choose your best option.

You will be surprised by the vast differences between the small and humid town of Cairns vs the bustling streets of Sydney’s CBD. ‘Queenslanders’ are a lot more relaxed than their southern neighbours!

• Read our tips on the Best Things to Do in Cairns
• On a Budget? Check out some Free or Cheap Things to Do in Cairns
• Visit the Cairns Markets

For those with enough time, we suggest a little stop by Mission Beach, a stunning rainforest town located just one hour south of Cairns. It is the best location to try White Water Rafting through Tully River and a popular spot to Skydive (imagine views of the Great Barrier Reef and a beach landing).

We also highly recommend an overnight tour to  Cape Tribulation  (with a one night stop over in Port Douglas). It’s located 2 hours north of Cairns and is where the Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.

Travelling the West Coast as well? Check out our Guide to Western Australia

On a tight budget? Read these  Tips to Help You Travel Australia on a Budget  or this for more budget Australia travel ideas

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17 thoughts on “ A Complete Guide: Travelling the East Coast of Australia ”

Hi myself and 3 friends are hoping to do a trip fro Cairns to Sydney, Just wanted to enquire how much a 23- 25 day trip would cost Thanks a mill Julie

Hi Julie, contact [email protected] who can pass your enquiry onto someone who can help you. Give them approximate dates for your travel and any activities you’d like to do. If you include your phone number within the email they’ll be able to give you a call to discuss all the options. Alternatively you can pop into one of our travel shops (located at our hostels) and speak to a travel agent face to face.

Looking for help planning an itinerary for my wife and myself. I’m competing in a regatta in Hervey Bay November 15-23. From there we will have 10 days, with a car, to see what we can. We imagine we would travel north from there, ending up in Cairnes where we would fly out. We live at the beach, so we don’t want to spend all our time focusing on beaches. We are healthy/active 50ish year olds, who love wildlife and nature. It would seem that we would start with an overnight trip on Fraser Island. We prefer local flare and flavor over posh accommodations. Any suggestions on where we could turn for help making arrangements? We have so little time and there is so much to see and do. Thanks, Tracy and Kim

Hi Tracy – email your basic itinerary to [email protected] – including all the info above and your phone number and someone can get back to you with a suggested itinerary 🙂

Hi there, I’m mayo, I want to travel from Melbourne to Cains, unfortunately we only have 7-8 days. Can you guys please provide guideline

Hi Mayo if you email [email protected] with your budget, dates and what you want to do they’ll be able to provide you some guidance

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hii me and my friends was thinking to trip Cairns to Sydney so please tell me what is the cost

Hi Rahul, the cost depends on many things… the dates you want to travel, how many of you there are, if you want to travel by bus, plane, hire car, how many trips / tours you want to do on the way etc etc. If you know what you want to do on your trip and how long you have to do it then email [email protected] and they’ll be able to give you more of an idea of potential costs.

hey wonderful posts

Hi, I’m make and sixty in October so in November to celebrate I would like to do Cairns ending up in Melbourne for xmas and New Year as my son will be there. I will be traveling on my own, can you give me some advice as to the best way to do this journey on my own. I was going to bring a small backpack, what should I bring? and when going site seeing what do lone travellers do with there valuables if going in the sea? any other advice will be much appreciated regard Ian

Alright Ian No offence but If I was you I’d try a trip a bit less ambitious mate. Cheers

Australia is very nice place to travel.. A perfect plan for summer bring your family and love one because of the beautiful view i am pretty sure you will enjoy it. I’m planning to go there. See you Australia. I’m gonna road trip with my girlfriend there.

Australia is beautiful i wish i had the funds and confidence to travel places like this..

i love the site thanks for the information

useful information

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How to Plan the Perfect East Coast Australia Itinerary on a Budget

By: Author Taylor Lorenz

Posted on Last updated: 10/25/2023

The East Coast of Australia is a must-do for every backpacker in the country. It is the most popular route for travellers and easily has the most things to see in Australia. There is a very beaten backpacker trail as you as either go north or south so you’ll most likely run into people along your trip.

The East Coast is a very long route as you will be travelling most of the country. The first mistake people make is thinking it can be done quickly. Australia is about the size of the USA so driving the entire strech of the East Coast will take days. So even through there are so many things to do in Australia along this trip they will still take time to get to so be prepared to buckle up and plan to spend some time in Australia to really see it all.

The best part of an East Coast trip is that most places to visit in Australia are natural. From stunning beaches to gorgeous islands and even the oldest rainforest in the world, you’ll find them all and what to do in Australia in this sample itinerary.

Table of Contents

East Coast Australia Itinerary

Recommended australia tours.

• Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns
• Australian Highlights
• Uluru & Kings Canyon Adventures (I personally did this tour and highly recommend it!)

Daily Breakdown of My Australia Trip Itinerary

How this itinerary works:  In order to accommodate itineraries varying from 2-6 weeks I list the minimum amount of days to the maximum amount of days to spend in each spot to give you a rough idea of how much there is to do in each stop along the coast. I list typical activities to do in each stop, day trips and then link to further resources to help you create the perfect itinerary for each destination.

This East Coast Australia guide is made specifically for backpacking Australia but it can also be used for anyone travelling the East Coast as it covers what to see in Australia and the best places to visit in Australia.

Suggested Time: 2-5 days

There are so many things to do in Melbourne that you could easily spend a week here. Spend a day roaming around the CBD (central business district), exploring the hidden bars and street art in the alleyways. Grab a bite to eat at one of the fabulous restaurants along the Yarra River and find a rooftop bar to hangout for the evening.

Hit up St Kilda beach for an afternoon, wander through the Botanical Gardens and don’t miss out on trying a freakshake! Melbourne is a foodies paradise so the chances are that there will be some kind of food festival going on while you’re visiting. Most of the museums are also free and you can find out tourist info in Fed Square.

There are also a number of days trips from Melbourne that are totally worth it:

• Great Ocean Road :  A stunning 2-day road trip or day tour, if you do any day trips from Melbourne make it this one
• Philip Island : See the fairy penguins, famous because they’re so small and adorable
• Yarra Valley : Wine lovers head here to one of Australia’s biggest and best wine regions for a day of tastings
• Peninsula Hot Springs :  Take a day to relax in the cave pool, hot springs, sauna and bath house

READ MORE: 51 Things to do in Melbourne (21 of Them are Free!)

Suggested Time: 3-4 days

A stop in Sydney is a no-brainer. You simply must day a take to wander through the CBD, making your way over to the Sydney Opera House where you can stop for a drink and take in views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From there walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens for even better views. Roam around The Rocks and find yourself at Darling Harbour for the evening for dinner and drinks.

A second day should be spent at one of the many beaches such as Bondi Beach, the most famous. Don’t skip the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for breathtaking views of the water and beaches. And if you’re feeling adventurous try climbing the Harbour Bridge for an epic photo opp.

A third day can be spent on another beach, Manly Beach, cruising around the water or visiting the zoo .

Sydney also has a number of really great day trips:

• Blue Mountains : This national park is famous for the Three Sisters. You can get here by public transport, hike around the stunning area and be back in Sydney for dinner
• Hunter Valley : Another treat for wine lovers, Hunter Valley is another one of Australia’s best wine regions
• Royal National Park : If want Insta pictures in those cool figure eight pools, this is where you find them
• READ MORE: 5 Easy Trips from Sydney

Suggested Time: 2-3 days

With so many places to go in Australia the smaller spots are often overlooked or unherd of. Yamba is a small town that is off the beaten track but it is quickly becoming popular. It’s the perfect place to chill out for a few days on one of the 12 beaches with its laid back vibe. And if you’re Canadian you’ll find the most folks from home in Australia in this spot!

Surfers must stop here as it is home to the best surfing in Australia, is where a number of pro surfers live and the creator of Billabong. Surf lessons here are extremely cheap, I’m talking under $20 so if you want to give it a go you won’t find any cheaper.

There’s only one hostel where you can sign up for surf lessons and you must do Shane’s Yamba tour, for $15 it’s probably the cheapest tour in Australia.

Suggested Time: 2-4 days

So many people fall in love with Byron Bay and end up staying here longer than planned. I don’t blame them and you’ll see why too. This is another top spot for surfers but has more action for those who don’t like spending so much time in the water.

Here you can still get outdoors by hiking up to the Cape Byron lighthouse and visiting the most easternly point in Australia close by. Or spend your days chilling out on one of the many beaches such as Main Beach, Clarks Beach, The Pass and more. Byron Bay is also known for its dolphins which you have a very high chance of spotting. So jump in a kayak and have a leader take you to the best lookout spots.

Byron Bay is a popular hangout for backpackers, it is also quite touristy but still has a very laid back vibe. So shop your heart out at the chain and local stores or at some of the top markets such as the Byron Bay Artisan Market (Saturday nights, October-March) and   Byron Bay Markets (first Sunday of every month). And spend your evenings partying at the local bars.

There is one popular day tour from Byron Bay:

• Nimbin :  This small hippie town is completely stuck in the 60s and is known for its “special” treats. Many tours include waterfalls and cliff jumping too

If you love to party you’ll love Gold Coast. Gold Coast is not actually an area like the Sunshine Coast is but a city in itself. It is the most touristy city in Australia. Despite its most popular area’s name, Surfers Paradie, the surfing is only okay. The beach itself is fine but my best advice is to only spend a few days as there are much better beaches along the coast.

You can spend a lot of time shopping and partying here. All the main tourist attractions are here and day trips can be taken to amusement parks such as Sea World, Dreamworld and many more. Plus there’s spectaular natural scenery on the city’s doorstep like these waterfalls .

In all honesty I found Brisbane to be the most boring city in Australia. However a stop here will break up your trip between Gold Coast and Noosa and it will be the last city you see until the end of the this trip!

Spend a day roaming around the CBD where there are lots of shops and make your way over to Southbank. It’s here that you’ll find the famous Brisbane sign along the river. Walk a little further and there are a ton of restaurants, a pool and a manmade beach in the middle of the city.

A trip to the city’s West End will show you the quirkier side of Brisbane with some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. The city’s best collection of art can be found at GOMA. And don’t miss the chance to hop on the free ferry for a ride down the river where you can jump off to explore more of the city. As for nightlife the trendy hot spot is Fortitude Valley.

The most popular day trip from Brisbane is:

• Australia Zoo :  Made famous by Steve Irwin himself, this is the biggest zoo in Australia

I’m a little obsessed with Noosa. It is hands down my favourite place in Australia, but I won’t hype it up too much. People always prefer one or the other: Noosa or Byron Bay. Noosa has an even more chill vibe, there is less partying and more beach time with sunsets.

Spend some time on the Main Beach, watch sunset from that beach or walk along it to where the river meets the ocean for even better views. Surfing here is also quite good.

But the best part about Noosa is the national park that has an amazing coastal walk. Get up early and watch the sunrise from Hell’s Gate or walk it during the day, seriously it could be a daily activity. Stop by the fairy pools for a dip in the natural pools in the rocks during low tide. Stop and just take in the stunning views and watch the surfers along the way.

Shop along the main street, Hastings Street, but bring your credit card. Window browsing is all you’ll be able to do if you’re on a budget. Though you can find cheaper places for coffee and gelato here too. Lastly take a 30 minute bus ride to the Emundi Markers which are every Wednesday and Saturday until about 1PM. There is everything here from local crafts, food, jewelry, photography and so much more.

Noosa also has popular day trips:

• Noosa Everglades :  There’s only two in the world, so if you love nature jump in a boat and tour to see the River of Mirrors where you can canoe or kayak, a self-guided tour is always a cheaper option
• Australia Zoo : You can also do a day trip to the Australia Zoo from here as it’s about half way between Brisbane and Noosa

READ MORE: 14 Things to do in Noosa

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world. It is a must-do trip so you can drive along the beach, star gaze, learn about the history and culture of the island and see local wildlife such as dingoes. You can do a trip to Fraser Island from one of 3 jumping off points: Noosa, Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. There are also options to start in Noosa and then finish in Rainbow Beach which is more north so you can continue your East Coast trip up.

I will warn you that a Fraser Island tour is not cheap but it is well worth the splurge to see this incredible place. A 2-3 day tour is recommended, but one-day tours are available if you’re limited on time.

READ MORE: The Australian Island You Can’t Miss: Fraser Island Tours with Drop Bear Adventures

Agnes Water and Town of 1770

Suggested Time: 1-2 days

A stop here breaks up the long trip between Noosa or Rainbow Beach and Airlie Beach as bus journeys are about 9 hours between Noosa and Agnes Water and Agnes Water and Airlie Beach (be sure to get night buses!).

Agnes Water is really just a small tourist town so you don’t need long here. Stop by for some surfing (lessons here are also very cheap) or hire a bike to get to some areas for hiking such as the scenic trail to the Captain Cook monument. You could also do a Larc tour, a boat that drives on land as well as in the water.

What you absolutely can not miss is the Scooteroo tour. They’ll be given a leather jacket and will drive around Agnes Water and 1770 in a group to see the area and then watch sunset. Even if you don’t do Scooteroo a sunset is in order as the Town of 1770 is one of the best spots along the East Coast to watch.

Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Islands

In Airlie Beach itself there is not a whole lot to do. It mainly acts as a jumping-off point for the Whitsunday Islands. However you will most likely have some time to kill before of after your tour so you can chill out at the Airlie Beach lagoon, visit the beaches such as Boathaven Beach or do the coastal walk to Cannonvale Beach.

This is most certainly not a budget option but I highly recommend it. I swear a scenic flight over the Whitsunday Islands and the outer Great Barrier Reef was the best splurge I had on my trip along the coast. I paid $179 but I’ve heard you can find them for as cheap as $99! This is where you can see the famous Heart Reef.

And while you’re here don’t miss a sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands. This is what everyone comes here to do! Spend 2-3 days on a sailboat where you can visit one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, Whitehaven Beach, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and soak up the sun on the deck. Prices range significantly on tours and some boats are known to be party boats. I recommend using BookMe where you can find tours with big discounts or Get Your Guide because they have an awesome selection that shows you majority of the tours available.

Townsville is another stop to help break up long trips and is also the jumping-off point for Magnetic Island. There’s no need to spend long here, you can explore the entire coastal city in just 2 days. One of the most popular things to do in Townsville is a hike to the top of Castle Hill for views of the city and Magnetic Island.

Spend some time along The Strand where you’ll find beaches, restaurants and parks. The Reef HQ is awesome for those who don’t like diving or snorkelling as you can see a ton of underwater life as it’s the largest living coral reef aquarium. Then there’s the Billabong Sanctuary where you can experience Australian wildlife and interact with the animals.

Magnetic Island

Magnetic Island is a quick half an hour ferry ride from Townsvile and one of my favourite places in Australia. The locals often refer to it as Maggie, since Australian’s shorten everything. What’s so special about this island is its unique formation of rocks that jut out to create a different landscape.

Activities on the island include lots of hiking. Some of the best trails are The Forts Walk where you can spot wild koalas and the hike to Radical Bay from Horseshoe Bay. Be sure to time getting back to Horseshoe Bay for sunset as it’s stunning with islands in the background.

If you haven’t already you can get your picture with a koala or have breakfast with koalas at Bungalow Bay which is also the hostel I recommend staying at. By far the coolest thing to do is rent one of the famous Barbie cars to cruise around to different hiking spots. It isn’t cheap but if split 4 ways it is affordable. And you must visit the rock wallabies, they are tiny wallabies that live in the rocks that are just too cute!

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is Queensland’s little secret. This small town of only 3000 people is most known for being the best spot to sky dive in Australia . My best advice is to wait until you get here to do it as you’ll fall through the sky over the Great Barrier Reef and it is the only spot in Australia to guarantee a beach landing.

If sky diving isn’t for you then you can walk along the beach, it’s perfect to because of its packed sand. Or try a day trip of white water rafting in nearby Tully. There are also hikes throughout the area in the tropical rainforest. However if you don’t have a car exploring Mission Beach is a challenge.

Suggested Time: 3-5 days

Cairns is the most popular for one of the top Australia attractions: diving and snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. There are so many options available from multi-day dives to half day snorkelling tours . The city itself is a bit of a party town as it’s the biggest city since Brisbane and people tend to get a little wild.

But being back in a city means art galleries are around but luckily it still have a small-town feel. You can explore the markets such as the Cairns Night Market and The Esplanade Market. And during the day you can hangout at The Lagoon, a manmade spot by the water with a swimming pool and beach that’s a favourite among locals and tourists.

There are also the Botanical Gardens which has a few hikes. But what Cairns has the most of is days trips.

• Snorkelling and Diving Tours : The most popular islands to visit off the coast are Fitzroy Island and Green Island
• Cape Tribulation : An area known for its ecotourism in the Daintree Rainforest, people visit here for the wildlife and jungle surfing (zipling through the trees)
• Atherton Tablelands : A part of the UNESCO World Heritage site that also inclues the Daintree Rainforest, the Atherton Tablelands are an area with ancient rainforest and contain the popular waterfall route that will take you to stunning waterfalls in the region

When you visit Australia you’ll quickly notice how expensive things are but if you’re smart, plan ahead and know what to look out for you will be able to do all of the pricey activities and not miss any of the best sights in Australia.

Best Time to Travel East Coast Australia

If you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach or in the water the best time to visit Australia’s East Coast is during the summer (December-February) however it will be wildly hot and rainy season in tropical Northern Queensland. This is also peak tourist season. My recommendation is to travel in the off seasons, spring (September-November) or fall (March-May) when prices are lower, there are less crowds and the weather is decent on all parts of the coast.

That being said, there really is no bad time to travel Australia’s East Coast as it will be warm throughout the year in Queensland but prepare for the cool weather in New South Wales and Victoria! By cool I mean it can snow in Melbourne in the winter (December-February).

How Long Does it Take to Travel East Coast Australia?

If you don’t have a lot of time it can be done it two weeks. This just covers the highlights. If you want the full East Coast experience plan to spend 4-6 weeks. With this timeframe you will be able to see and do everything plus have time to relax.

Backpacking Australia on a Budget

A budget in Australia is like splurging in places like Southeast Asia, but a budget trip can be done if you’re smart, know what to budget for and plan.

Food and Drinks

The easiest way to save money is on food and drinks. It can be difficult because drinking is a huge part of travel down the East Coast but save your money for some of the more expensive experiences instead.

Eating about can cost you anywhere from $5 at fast food restaurants to $15 at sit down restaurants with a lunch special to $20+ for dinner. When buying your food from grocery stores and cooking you can spend as little as $6 a day! I’m proof, I did this while living in Melbourne.

For drinks pre-drink before going out by picking up booze at bottleshops such as Dan Murphy’s where you can stock up on Goon, boxed wine for around $15. But expect a hangover and I can’t claim that it tastes delicious. When going out use an app like Happiest Hour to help you find the closest drink deals around.

READ MORE: Australian Cuisine

Travelling Around Australia

Australia road trip.

The most budget-friendly option is to road trip Australia and it is also a very popular option. Some people even buy a car at the start and then sell it at the end. Finding used cars is very easy and common in Australia. But as a solo traveller (like me) you may not want to drive alone, you may not want to drive or camping isn’t your thing.

Travel in Australia is the easiest with the next best option, getting a bus pass. The most popular companies are Greyhound and Premier that travel not just along the East Coast but across the entire country. There are passes available based on kilometres travelled and hop on hop off passes. The main difference is that with a kilometres pass you can back track, with a hop on hop off pass you can’t. I personally recommend the hop on hop off as it works out cheaper and gives you 90 days of use between point A to B. A Sydney to Cairns pass will start at $410 with Greyhound but that is all of your travel covered!

You can also book buses pretty last minute as well so you can be flexible with your travel and change bookings for each stretch of your journey.

If you are short on time flying is the best option for you as it will be the quickest. Australia is huge and you don’t want to waste precious time spending days (yes driving can take that long!) getting between destinations. Luckily Australia has budget airlines and if you book in advance you can score awesome prices. You can also watch out for sales by signing up for budget airlines newsletters such as Tigerair and Jetstar.

Australia Accommodation

Camping on the Australia East Coast is the cheapest option. Some campsites will be free, others can be pricey. You can use books like Camps Australia Wide to find free campsites along the coast. If you have a campervan you can also pay to park in some hostels parking lots and use the bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Hostels in Australia

Personally I stayed in hostels because camping is not my thing and they’re a great place to meet people as a solo traveller. Hostels cost anywhere from $20-50 a night in a dorm room. Prices vary depending on where you are. Sydney is the most expensive so expect to pay $50 a night when there. Breakfast is often included and is typically cereal, toast and condiments, coffee and tea. Sometimes you’ll get pancakes! Be sure to check out Booking.com for an excellent selection of hostels with reviews from previous travellers and great deals.

Travel Insurance Australia

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Ultimate East Coast Australia Itinerary: Best Stops from Melbourne to Cairns

East Coast Australia is a classic road trip destination, but making the drive all the way from Melbourne in the south to Cairns in the far north is an epic overland journey!

There are vast distances to cover, and hundreds of potential stops on the way. Stop off in Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, and many more destinations before seeing the best sites in Queensland .

Here’s our guide to planning the ultimate East Coast Australia road trip. Strap in, watch out for kangaroos, and enjoy the ride!

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Australia (Travel Guide)

Ultimate East Coast Australia Guide

Table of Contents

How Long is the Melbourne to Cairns Road Trip?

Before you start planning an epic Australia road trip along the East Coast, it’s important to know how far you could be driving. Australia is vast, and the distance along East Coast Australia is enormous.

If you’re sticking to the coastal roads, you’ll be driving a minimum of 2200 miles through East Coast Australia to reach Cairns from Melbourne. There will be long days of driving because the cities are incredibly far apart.

As a minimum, you’re going to want at least 3 weeks to make the drive enjoyable, with leisurely stops en route. Even that will mean just a few days, or less in most places.

The more time you do have, the more fun your Australia road trip is going to be! We spent 6 weeks driving this route and truth be told, still didn’t see everything on offer.

Quick Info:

• Melbourne to Cairns: 4,800 km – 2983 miles
• How long is a Melbourne to Cairns road trip: 55-hour drive.
• How many days should a road trip from Melbourne to Cairns take? It takes 3 days but we recommend at least 2-3 weeks or more depending on how many stops you want to make.
• What is the halfway point between Melbourne to Cairns? Riversleigh, Australia.

Renting a car? We use  Discover Cars  to compare car prices, find deals and book rentals.

Road Trip Vs Bus Vs Tour

Making your way up and down the East Coast of Australia can be done in one of three ways. By independent vehicle, coach bus or tour.

Doing this route by road trip, as we did, offers the most flexibility and allows you to stop off in places that both the bus and tours miss.

The best way is by campervan, allowing you to camp and save on accommodation costs. It is also possible to use a plain rental car too. This way of seeing Australia is wildly popular and a fantastic adventure.

You’ll see a lot of advice in this guide that is catering to doing this route by road trip.

The most popular way of navigating this route is by using the coach bus system that operates the entire East Coast.

Acting like a hop on hop off bus, you can purchase a ticket with the start and end destination and then get off anywhere the bus stops along the way. We met so many people doing this and they saw plenty of the highlights.

Lastly, you could just as easily book a tour that will hop you up along the coast to hit the highlights. This will be your most expensive option but you will be able to see more in a shorter time period.

Best Stops Along the East Coast of Australia

Our East Coast Australia road trip itinerary will take you to all the major cities and tourist destinations, but remember that there are so many more places to visit.

You can take the ferry across to Tasmania if you have an extra week to spare, or you can go off-grid and drive through Outback Queensland if you need a change from the coastal scenery!

Start your journey in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, and Australia’s most cultural city.

Often listed as one of the best places to live in the world, you might not even want to leave Melbourne on your epic Australia road trip!

Enjoy the coffee culture in the city, visit Philip Island to see the Penguin Parade, or chill out on the beaches of St Kilda. Oh, and don’t forget to visit the set of the iconic TV show Neighbours while you’re in the city!

There is so much to see that figuring out what to do in Melbourne is best done in advance to ensure you hit at least the highlights.

Top 5 things in Melbourne that you simply must do :

• Melbourne Complete Walking Tour
• Yarra Valley Wine Tasting Tours
• Premium Phillip Island Penguin Express Tour from Melbourne
• Melbourne Balloon Flight at Sunrise
• Melbourne City Sights Kayak Tour

Top 3 places to stay in Melbourne:

• The Hotel Windsor
• Atlantis Hotel Melbourne
• Stamford Plaza Melbourne

Drive the Great Ocean Road

If you have the time, you could consider starting your itinerary by driving west along the Great Ocean Road before heading east.

This starts just outside of Melbourne in Torquay, and it’s often named one of the best road trips in the world!

This is one of the most iconic and scenic drives in all of Oceania , so if you have the time you do not want to miss it.

Wilson’s Promontory

Your first stop out of Melbourne isn’t too far away; we recommend calling into Wilson’s Promontory as you head out on your Australia road trip.

This beautiful area of wilderness is home to some lovely hiking trails and plenty of wildlife, as well as spectacular views out over the ocean.

Top tours that includes Wilson’s Promontory :

• Wilsons Promontory Day Trip from Melbourne
• 2-Day Phillip Island and Wilsons Promontory Tour from Melbourne

Top 3 places to stay in or near Wilson’s Promontory:

• Wilsons Promontory Wilderness Retreat
• Tidal River Cabins Wilsons Promontory
• Prom Gate Getaway

From Wilsons Promontory, you now need to drive north, because your next stop is the aptly named town of Eden. This is the most southerly town in New South Wales, so after this, you’ll be driving into the state of Victoria.

Visit the local museum, where you can learn about the town’s whaling history, before heading to the beach to admire the spectacular coastline.

In the right season, you can join a whale-watching trip to see how the locals transitioned from whaling to whale watching!

Stay awhile and truly feel the Eden area:

• Coast Resort Merimbula – Luxury
• Seahorse Inn – Midrange
• Eden Gateway Holiday Park – Budget

Next up, it’s a long drive to the nation’s under-visited capital city, Canberra. This purpose-built city is often overlooked by travelers, but it’s well worth a stop, especially as it’s halfway between Melbourne and Sydney.

Visit Australia’s national museums and take a Parliament building tour before getting on the road again. 

Top 5 things to do in Canberra that you simply must do!

• Cockington Green Gardens General Entry Ticket
• Skip the Line: Telstra Tower Observation Deck Ticket
• The best of Canberra Walking Tour
• Twilight Animal Tour
• Batemans Bay Overnight Kayak Camping Tour from Canberra – All Inclusive

Top 3 places to stay in Canberra:

• Novotel Canberra
• Pavilion On Northbourne
• Capital Executive Apartment Hotel

Take the highway south from Sydney, and your first stop on the road trip will be Jervis Bay . This beautiful seaside community is home to what the locals claim is one of Australia’s best beaches.

That’s a huge claim, but when you see the beach for the first time, you might just agree. Spend your day relaxing on the soft sands or get active and enjoy the snorkeling because the water here is crystal clear.

Stay awhile and truly feel the Jervis Bay area:

• Dolphin Sands – Luxury
• Dolphin Shores – Midrange
• Huskisson Beach Bed and Breakfast – Budget

Top 5 things to do in Jervis Bay:

• Jervis Bay Whale Watching Cruise
• Jervis Bay Dolphin Watch Cruise
• Hiking The Castle in the spectacular Budawang Mountain Range
• Jervis Bay Passage Cruise
• Fishermans Paradise Eco-walk

One of the best stops on any Australia road trip is Sydney, the East Coast’s most iconic destination.

Sydney is well worth spending a few days exploring because there are great museums, iconic sights such as the Opera House and Harbor Bridge, and legendary beaches at Bondi and Manly.

Top 5 things to do in Sydney that you simply must do!

• The Rocks Walking Tour: the Original Guided Walking Tour of The Rocks
• Chef-Led Hunter Valley Gourmet Food and Wine Day Trip from Sydney
• Sydney Opera House Guided Backstage Tour
• Sydney Harbour Unique Cruise Including Lunch
• Sydney City Highlights Small-Group Electric Bike Guided Tour

Top 3 places to stay in Sydney:

• Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney
• Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
• Grace Hotel Sydney

Blue Mountains

On your way out of Sydney, detour inland to visit the Blue Mountains National Park . This epic area is where you’ll find the Three Sisters, a unique rock formation hanging over a deep gorge. 

You can take the scenic cable car across the gorge, or venture along the hiking routes that stretch through this beautiful national park.

Top 5 things to do in the Blue Mountains:

• Blue Mountains Day Adventure | BBQ Lunch | Small Group | Chilled & Unique 🙂
• Blue Mountains Hop-on Hop-off Tour with Optional Scenic World Rides
• Blue Mountains Hanging Rock Self-Guided Mountain Bike Tour
• Blue Mountain 4WD Tour Including the Lost City and Capertee Valley
• Canyoning at Stunning Empress Canyon

Top 3 places to stay in the Blue Mountains:

• Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – MGallery
• Nesuto Leura Gardens Hotel
• Carrington Hotel

Port Macquarie

Head north from the Blue Mountains and your next stop will be the popular coastal town of Port Macquarie, one of New South Wales’ premier tourist destinations.

As well as great beaches and lookouts over the Pacific Ocean, Port Macquarie is famous for the local koala hospital, which has been rehabilitating injured koalas for years.

You can join a tour of the koala hospital to see these furry little animals as they are being cared for and learn more about the dangers they face in the wild (many of which are directly related to human activity in Australia).

It’s a fascinating place where you can learn about the fragile yet unique ecosystem of Australia.

Stay awhile and truly feel the Port Macquarie area:

• Rydges Port Macquarie – Luxury
• Macquarie Barracks Motor Inn – Midrange
• Excelsior Motor Inn – Budget

Coffs Harbor

Now, your drive north really begins, as you head from Sydney up towards Coffs Harbor.

This small coastal town is a great place to break up the journey. You can explore the Muttonbird Nature Reserve, visit the unusually themed Big Banana Amusement Park, and enjoy the great ocean walks.

Don’t forget to stop off at The Big Banana for a photo op and signature banana split ice cream!

Top 5 things to do in Coffs Harbor:

• Coffs Harbor Coastal Adventure
• Coffs Harbor Rainforest & Waterfall Experience
• Coffs Harbour Ground Rush or Max Freefall Tandem Skydive on the Beach
• Coffs Harbour – Jetty by Bike Tour
• Private Full-Day Trip to Dorrigo National Park and Coffs Harbour

Top 3 places to stay in Coffs Harbor:

• BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort
• Aqualuna Beach Resort
• Absolute Beachfront Opal Cove Resort

Keep driving north, and you’ll reach Byron Bay , a coastal town that’s pretty legendary among backpackers and travelers.

Byron Bay has a fantastic beach. While the rough waves aren’t great for swimming, they are excellent for surfing. In fact, the number one thing to do here is surf.

You can also visit the iconic Bryon Bay Lighthouse, enjoy beautiful sunrises over the Pacific Ocean, and make the most of the quirky cafes and bars in town.

Top 5 things to do in Bryon Bay:

• Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise
• Byron Bay Wildlife Safari
• Afternoon session Brewery and Distillery tour in Byron Bay
• 3-Hour Sea Turtle Snorkeling Experience in Byron Bay
• Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay

Top 3 places to stay in Bryon Bay:

• Arts Factory Lodge
• Glen Villa Resort
• The Lord Byron

Cross the state border from New South Wales to Queensland, and one of the first stops will be the Gold Coast.

This is an excellent addition to any East Coast Australia road trip. The Gold Coast is where you’ll find some of the best beaches in the country.

This is where the city meets the sand, as tall skyscrapers rise alongside the Gold Coast’s broad, golden beaches. Enjoy the long promenades and boardwalks, surf the epic waves, and enjoy the sunshine!

Stay awhile and truly feel the Gold Coast area:

• Palazzo Versace – Luxury
• QT Gold Coast – Midrange
• Nobby Beach Holiday Village – Budget

Top things to do in the Gold Coast:

• Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride from Main Beach
• Small group Gold Coast Mountain Tour: Springbrook National Park and Mt Tamborine
• Gold Coast Parasailing – Solo, Tandem, Triple
• Gold Coast Brewery Tour Including Balter, Burleigh and Black Hops
• Small Boat Whale Watching Tour with Sea the Gold Coast

From the Gold Coast, it’s not a long drive to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. This is another must-visit destination on East Coast Australia, and you’ll quickly fall for Brisbane’s laid back lifestyle.

Visit the Museum of Queensland to learn more about local history, see the Koalas at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and enjoy meandering walks in the sunshine along the Southbank.

Top 5 things to do in Brisbane:

• Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest Tour Incl Natural Bridge and Glow Worm Cave
• O’Reilly’s Lamington National Park and Treetop Canopy Tour
• North Stradbroke Island Day Trip from Brisbane
• Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb
• Brisbane River Sightseeing Cruise

Top 3 places to stay in Brisbane:

• Riverside Hotel Southbank
• Oaks Brisbane Casino Tower Suites
• Meriton Suites Herschel Street

Noosa and the Sunshine Coast

Drive north from Brisbane, and you’ll soon reach Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. This is one of the most laid back areas along the East Coast of Australia.

This sunny part of Queensland is best known for its beaches and its surfing, and the town of Noosa is often the location for surf competitions throughout the year.

We loved the atmosphere of Noosa, with many shops, cafes and cute streets. There is also some great hiking trails accessible from right in town. It’s also a great place to camp out and enjoy nature on the edge of town.

Hit the waves or lounge on the beach and enjoy a relaxed stop on your long journey north to Cairns!

Stay awhile and truly feel the Noosa area:

• Netanya Noosa – Luxury
• Noosa International Resort – Midrange
• Nomads Noosa Backpackers – Budget

Top 5 things to do in Noosa & Sunshine Coast:

• Merrick’s Noosa Learn to Surf: 2 Hour group surfing lesson
• Seaplane Adventure Flight over Maroochydore for 2
• Full-Day Guided Noosa Everglades Kayak Tour
• The Great Beach Drive: 4WD Tour Between Noosa and Rainbow Beach
• Noosa Whale Watching Tour

Fraser Island

One of the best places to visit on your Australia road trip is Fraser Island , the largest sand island in the world. The entire island is formed from sand, and you’ll need to join a 4 by 4 tour to get around.

There are beautiful lagoons, wild dingoes, and a famous shipwreck on the beach itself. You can camp out overnight or multiple nights like we did to really experience the best of this sandy wilderness.

Top Fraser Island tours:

• All-Inclusive Fraser Island Day Tour
• All-Inclusive 2-Day Fraser Island Tour
• 3 Day 4wd Tagalong Tour – Fraser Island
• 3-Day Fraser Island Resort Package

Agnes Water and 1770

Keep driving north until you reach Agnes Water and 1770, two small towns that make a wonderful stop on your east coast journey from Melbourne to Cairns.

By now, you’ll realize how vast the distances are, so take a break here and enjoy the fantastic coastline.

From here, you can visit several islands in the Great Barrier Reef if you can’t wait to start exploring the underwater marine world that Queensland is famous for!

Stay awhile and truly feel the Agnes Water area:

• The Edge On Beaches – Luxury
• Captain Cook Holiday Village 1770 – Midrange
• Beachside 1770 YHA – Budget

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays

The next epic spot can be just as sandy because the Whitsunday Islands are known for their incredible beaches.

Base yourself in Airlie Beach , where you can join multi-day sailing trips on yachts or speedy day trips on catamarans to explore the islands.

You can snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy the spectacular lagoon at Hamilton Island, and experience one of Australia’s truly magnificent areas of natural scenery.

Top Airline Beach and the Whitsundays tours:

• Whitehaven Beach Half-Day Cruises
• ZigZag Whitsundays Day Tour – Whitehaven Beach – Snorkel – Island Resort
• Airlie Beach Tandem Skydive
• Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet | Aussie Style | Awesome Beach BBQ | Iced Esky
• 2 night Whitsunday Islands Cruise on New Horizon from Airlie Beach

Top 3 places to stay in Airline Beach:

• Club Wyndham Airlie Beach
• Coral Sea Resort Airlie Beach
• Magnums Backpackers

Townsville and Magnetic Island

Townsville is the largest city along the northern stretches of East Coast Australia, and it makes for a great stop on your way up to Cairns.

Townsville itself is very residential, but take a ferry over to Magnetic Island to find unspoiled nature and beautiful beaches.

Book your Aquascene Magnetic Island Discovery Tour today!

Top 3 places to stay in Townsville:

• Madison Plaza Townsville
• Grand Hotel and Apartments Townsville
• Mercure Townsville

Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a small coastal town on the way up to Cairns. It makes for a great place to relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings without the tourist crowds that you’ll soon be encountering.

Mission Beach is known for its beach, but the surrounding areas are also home to the fabled Cassowary, a large, flightless bird that has been around since prehistoric times.

Drive carefully, and you might spot one if you’re lucky.

Top 5 things to do in Mission Beach:

• Great Barrier Reef Dive and Snorkel Cruise from Mission Beach
• Tully River White Water Rafting from Mission Beach or Self Drive Cairns
• Fozzy’s 3 Hour, 3 Island Tour
• Beach Skydive from up to 15000ft over Mission Beach
• Dunk Island Round-Trip Water Taxi Transfer from Mission Beach

Top 3 places to stay in Mission Beach:

• Eco Village Mission Beach
• Mission Beach Resort
• Castaways Resort & Spa On Mission Beach

After over 2000 miles of driving, you’ll have made it to Cairns , the tourist hub of Far North Queensland. The weather here is very different to Melbourne. You’re in the tropics now.

Using Cairns as a base, you can scuba dive and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef , take the scenic train to Kuranda, visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest , and head up to Cape Tribulation .

If you’re looking to escape the heat, take a road trip up into the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns.

This high plateau has a very different climate to the tropical coastline below and is known for its farm shops and volcanic crater lakes!

Top 5 things to do in Cairns:

• Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour from Cairns
• Seastar Luxury Outer Great Barrier Reef Island and Reef Tour from Cairns
• Bungy Jump or Giant Jungle Swing or Bungy & Swing Combo
• Cairns ATV Adventure Tour
• Green Island & Great Barrier Reef Sailing Cruise from Cairns – only 25 guests

Top 3 places to stay in Cairns:

• Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
• Pacific Hotel Cairns
• Mantra Esplanade Cairns

Short on Time? Alternate Itineraries

We get it, not everyone has the luxury of being able to spend multiple weeks or months exploring the East Coast of Australia. But that doesn’t mean you should scrap the idea all together.

We’ve broken this massive trip down into three popular routes. These itineraries offer more manageable distances for shorter trips and plenty of Australia’s highlights.

• Ultimate Melbourne to Sydney Itinerary
• Ultimate Sydney to Brisbane Itinerary
• Ultimate Brisbane to Cairns Itinerary

Each one of these itineraries can be done in two to three weeks. If it’s your first time to Australia, we’d recommend the Brisbane to Cairns route, if you can only pick one.

Road Safety in Australia

Remember to keep on the left-hand side of the road in Australia, but more importantly, watch out for kangaroos and other wildlife.

In rural areas, kangaroos are a real problem on the roads, and they can cause serious damage. Kangaroos are most active at dawn and dusk, so avoid driving at these times.

You won’t need a four by four for an East Coast Australia trip, as you’ll be on paved roads the whole time. It’s good practice to make sure you have breakdown cover, though, as you don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere!

Don’t forget your travel insurance! Protect your investment and yourself. Read  Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

Supplies and Accommodation on the Road

If you’re sticking to the coastal roads and main highways, you won’t need to worry too much about supplies or filling up on gas.

East Coast Australia is well populated, and there are lots of supermarkets and gas stations within easy reach.

The further north you get, however, the longer the driving days will be. Try to keep your gas tank filled up when you have the chance.

Always keep some spare water and a bit of food in the car in case you get stuck somewhere.

One of the best ways to road trip Australia is in a campervan , or failing this, by camping out along the way. There are many great campsites or caravan parks where you can spend the night or even a few days.

More on Australia:

• 25 Top Things to Do in Australia (On Your First Visit!)
• Backpacking in Australia: 8 Week Recap & Travel Tips
• 11 BEST Things to Do in Darwin, Australia
• Oceania Travel Guide

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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12 best places to see on Australia's east coast

Mar 2, 2021 • 6 min read

Bondi Beach is one of the highlights of the east coast of Australia ©Getty Images

The ultimate Aussie road trip, East Coast Australia connects the Great Ocean Road with the Great Barrier Reef , with picture-perfect beaches, hip cities, charismatic wildlife and rainforests all along the way. There are many reasons to come here, and to linger, but none more impressive than the sheer natural drama of East Coast Australia.

Strung out for nearly 10,000km end to end, Australia’s east coast is, on land, a stirring succession of beaches, vast rainforests and alluring wildlife. Offshore, the Great Barrier Reef is a 2000km-long hyper-coloured haven for astonishing tropical marine life. There’s a lot to look at, but there’s even more to do. It could take a lifetime or, with just 10 days and a handful of airline tickets, you could taste a few of the east coast’s highlights from Melbourne to Cairns . The hardest part is deciding what to try first. To make it easier, here's 12 of the best places to see.

Editor's note: during COVID-19 there are restrictions on travel and opening hours may vary. Check the latest guidance in Australia before planning a trip, and always follow local health advice.

1. The Great Barrier Reef & the Daintree - Queensland

Best for ecotourism and astonishing marine life

The Great Barrier Reef and its 900 coral-fringed islands unfurl over 2000km along the Queensland coastline. This vivid undersea kingdom is an unforgettable world waiting to be discovered. And in Queensland’s far north, the Daintree Rainforest , one of the earth’s oldest, reaches right down to the shores of the sea.

Read more: How to have a sustainable visit to the Great Barrier Reef

2. Sydney - New South Wales

Best for iconic sights

Sydney is all about big-ticket sights – the Sydney Opera House , the Rocks and Sydney Harbour Bridge top most people’s lists. But to really catch Sydney’s vibe, spend a day at the beach. Stake out a patch of sand at Bondi Beach , slather yourself in sunscreen and plunge into the surf, or hop on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for a swim, surf or walk along the seasprayed promenade to Shelly Beach.

3. Great Ocean Road - Victoria

Best for scenic coastal drives and quaint towns

The Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road rank among Victoria ’s defining sights, but it’s the getting-there road trip that doubles their impact. Take it slow along roads that curl beside Bass Strait beaches, then whip inland through wildlife-rich rainforest and quaint towns. Further west are pretty Port Fairy and hidden Cape Bridgewater. For the ultimate in slow travel, hike the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Apostles.

4. Byron Bay - New South Wales

Best for surfing, glamping and celebrity-spotting

Australia’s most easterly point, Byron Bay or Byron to its mates, is one of the enduring icons of Australian culture. Families on school holidays, surfers and sunseekers from around the globe, and those seeking to escape the rat race gather here, drawn by fabulous restaurants, a laid-back ethos, surf beaches and an astonishing range of activities. It also inhabits one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the country.

5. The Whitsundays - Queensland

Best for sailing and turquoise seas

You could spend a lifetime exploring tropical islands and never find anywhere with the sheer magnificence of the Whitsundays . Travellers of all monetary persuasions launch yachts from party town Airlie Beach and elsewhere to drift between these lush green isles in a slow search for paradise (you’ll probably find it in more than one place). Sheltered palm-fringed coves, some of the world’s most stunning beaches, turquoise seas – what more could you wish for?

6. Melbourne - Victoria

Best for music, art, cafe culture and food

Whether it’s the arts, cafe culture, the restaurant scene or big international sports events, Melbourne is a happening place. The next best restaurant, chef, cafe, barista or hidden bar may be the talk of the town, but some things endure: the gritty street-art laneways; galleries and dynamic cultural life; the leafy parks and gardens in the inner city; the trams to sea-breezy beaches; and the passionate allegiances that living in such a sports-mad city brings.

7. The Sunshine Coast - Queensland

Best for pretty villages and glamorous resorts

They don’t call it the Sunshine Coast for nothing. Sun-soaked beaches, the glamorous resort town of Noosa , Noosa National Park , Australia Zoo ... Few regions pack so many attractions into such a small space. Surfers come here for the long, rolling waves and, in the national park, lovely hiking trails criss-cross the park and take you within sight of sleepy koalas in the trees and dolphins swimming off rocky headlands.

8. Fraser Island - Queensland

Best place to see dingoes, sand dunes and shipwrecks

Fraser Island is an ecological wonderland created by drifting sand, where wild dingoes roam free and lush rainforest grows on sand. It’s a primal island utopia, home to a profusion of wildlife, including the purest strain of dingo in Australia. Explore in a 4WD, cruising along the seemingly endless Seventy-Five Mile Beach. Elsewhere, tropical rainforest, pristine freshwater pools and beach camping under the stars will bring you back to nature.

Read more: A first-timer’s guide to visiting Australia’s Fraser Island

9. South Coast New South Wales

Best for families, white-sand beaches and whale-spotting

If the glamour of Sydney is making you dizzy, or the road trip to Melbourne feels a little drab, then seek out the New South Wales South Coast , a gorgeous stretch of sandy coves, sea pools and often empty national parks oft overlooked in favour of the more direct Hume Highway route. From June to November, watch for whales from the coast at Eden and elsewhere, with other iconic wildlife never far away.

10. Brisbane - Queensland

Best for emerging cultural scenes and waterfront vistas

Once considered a provincial sidekick to Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane has reinvented itself as one of Asia Pacific’s hippest hubs. No longer happy to settle for 261 days of sunshine a year, Queensland’s capital is smashing it on the cultural front, with an ever-expanding collection of ambitious street art and galleries, boutique bookshops, secret cocktail bars and award-winning microbreweries.

12. Wilsons Promontory & Gippsland - Victoria

Best for wildlife, hiking and wildly beautiful beaches

Mainland Australia’s southernmost tip and finest coastal national park, Wilsons Promontory, is heaven for bushwalkers, wildlife watchers, surfers and photographers. The scenery here is out of this world: even a short detour from the park base at Tidal River will access swathes of white-sand beaches and bays.

12. Canberra - Australian Capital Territory

Best for museums, galleries and history

Canberra has always been preoccupied with the nation’s history – the major draws here are lavishly endowed museums and galleries. The National Gallery of Australia , National Museum of Australia , National Portrait Gallery and Australian War Memorial all offer visitors a fascinating insight into the country’s history and culture. An emerging culinary scene, small-town feel and beautiful natural surrounds only add to the appeal.

You might also like:

Top 15 beaches in Australia Top 20 free things to do in Sydney Unforgettable road trips on Australia’s East Coast

This article was first published April 2010 and updated March 2021

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PLAN your EPIC EAST COAST AUSTRALIA Road TRip Itinerary

Planning the perfect East Coast Australia road trip Itinerary is worth a little of research, knowing the towns you don’t want to miss and getting a feel for how long you need to cover the route is a great place to start. Consider this a primer to help you on your way to creating your own great trip!

There’s a lot more to the east coast of Australia than Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef . This is a vast area, filled with small towns, amazing beaches , and lots of opportunities for adventure sports and activities. If you’re trying to plan an East Coast Australia Itinerary, then you will have your pick of places to go and things to see. To make that process a little easier, here’s some advice for seeing the best this region has to offer.

The best time to travel Australia’s East Coast

Where to begin your east coast australia road trip, how long does it take to drive the east coast, east coast australia travel map – suggested stops, hire a campervan, join a tour, the whitsundays, fraser island, choose an east coast tour.

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The east coast of Australia is extraordinarily diverse.

• The far north is tropical, which means it’s hot and humid pretty much year-round.
• The south end of the coast has the standard four seasons, and you will even need your winter woollies.

When you’re planning your East Coast Australia road trip, you’ll need to take this considerable variation into account.

How you choose to travel will probably determine when you visit.

• If you plan to camp and sleep outdoors, avoid winter (June-August) as it will be too cold to sleep outdoors in the south.
• If you like to swim or just want good weather, then don’t travel in the middle of summer. This is the wet season in the far north of Queensland, which means lots of rain. It’s also box jellyfish season, so swimming at the beaches can be dangerous – if not deadly.
• If you want to avoid these issues, try travelling in spring (September – November) or autumn (March-May).

When planning your East Coast Australia itinerary, you’ll have to choose whether to start in Cairns in the north of Melbourne in the south or if time is limited then Sydney or Brisbane . There isn’t a lot of difference between these choices. All four cities have an international airport, offer lots of places to stay and things to do, as well as places to hire everything you’ll need for your trip. The deciding factors are weather and time.

However, if you’re planning an East Coast Australia itinerary for autumn, it might be better to start in Melbourne. That means you’ll be in warm, sunny Queensland by the time the cold sets in.

Most people don’t realise just how big Australia is. You can’t drive from Cairns to Melbourne, or the other way around, in a day or even in a few days. These cities are over 3,700 km apart. It would take you at least 40 hours to get from one city to the other without stopping, slowing for traffic, or encountering hold-ups. Obviously, your East Coast Australia itinerary will have to take these kinds of distances into account.

You could drive this distance in a week if you push it, but longer is better. Around four weeks is good if you want to see all the highlights along the way. But if you want to take your time and spend a few days in all the good spots, you should probably plan for 6-8 weeks.

How should you travel the East Coast of Australia ?

This is probably the first choice you need to make when you’re planning your East Coast Australia itinerary. You can fly between cities and popular spots, but you will miss a lot along the way. Flights within Australia can be costly, so this is the more expensive option.  

The best way to see everything is to drive. Here are your choices for a driving trip:

This is the easiest way. You can hire a car in Cairns or Melbourne and drop it off at the end of the trip. This works if you’re travelling on your own or with a friend and don’t mind staying in hotels, hostels, and campsites along the way.

If you’re travelling with a family or just want your own accommodation, you can hire a campervan or motorhome for your trip. There are lots of choices of camper vans, from budget Jucy to luxury offerings from Britz. We rented from Let’s Go Motorhomes and explored the NSW section of the coast in 2020. Whatever your travel style and budget, you can find a campervan to match.

If you can’t drive, take the trusty Greyhound bus . Their routes are extensive, and you can get hop-on-hop-off passes that are fairly cost-effective. This is also one of the most comfortable ways to travel, as you can sleep while you’re on the move.

Sometimes if you are short of planning time or would rather someone else sorted out all the logistic a multi day tour makes sense. These can be loads of fun, particularly if you are travelling alone and while they are certainly more expensive than doing it yourself they offer you a quality carefree experience where you just have to enjoy yourself and let someone else do the daily worrying!

This 8 day tour covers the stretch from Cairns to Brisbane and can be a good choice if you don’t have a lot of time. You could do this tour and then do the next stretch in a rental campervan. The best of both worlds, really.

If you are not a local, we suggest you read our guide on Driving in Australia before you get behind the wheel.

The Best Places to Stop on your East Coast road Trip

And now the best part of your East Coast Australia itinerary – deciding where to go. Whether you like beaches, cities, weird little towns, international cities, or stunning landscapes, you’ll have the opportunity to see everything during your road trip in Australia.

Here are the most popular places to visit:

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and all its wonders, so it’s a not-to-be-missed stop on your trip. Located in tropical Far North Queensland, it’s a small town that’s mostly known for its reef access, so don’t expect to do a lot in the town itself. You might like to base yourself a little further north, we have written a guide to the towns near Cairns so you can decide which is right for you.

While you’re in Cairns, make sure you see:

• Cape Tribulation
• The ancient Daintree Rainforest
• The Atherton Tablelands

While you’re in the far north, you have to see the Whitsundays. Often called one of the most beautiful places on earth, the Whitsundays are a series of islands that can be accessed from Arlie Beach.

They offer unparalleled access to the Great Barrier Reef and beautiful, pristine beach experiences. Why not stop for a few days, book a one day Whitsunday’s sailing tour or find out how to charter a yacht and become an ocean explorer? For a really special experience, we recommend a night on Reefsleep.

If you enjoy the beach, then Fraser Island needs to be part of your East Coast Australia itinerary. It’s the largest sand island in the world and a World Heritage Listed site that offers untouched rainforest, animal experiences, and the chance to get lost in rugged natural surroundings.

Fraser Island is located further down the coast near Hervey Bay; if you want to see whales during your trip, then this is where to go.

If you’ve made it from Cairns to Brisbane, you probably need to stay in a big city and shake the sand from your shoes. Brisbane is the perfect place to do that.

Young and vibrant, with great weather nearly year-round, Brisbane offers lots of attractions such as:

• Shopping on Edwards Street
• Interesting local markets
• South Bank Beach
• Top restaurants
• Great hikes
• Numerous breweries and small bars
• Museums and Art Galleries

If you stop for a few days, you might like to check out our favourite day trips from Brisbane that will help you discover some of the nearby gems.

Just over the border of New South Wales Kingscliff and beauty of Kingscliff and the entire Tweed region is a surprise to most travellers. If you are not one for big cities you could skip Brisbane and head straight here.

• Discover the small communities in the Tweed Valley
• Visit Cabarita Beach – named Australia’s best beach back in 2020 and still one of our favourites
• Snorkel the rocky shore of Hastings Point
• Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillery and sample the amazing rum

Camp at Hosanna Farm – with camping spots, farm animals to meet and espresso coffee it’s a fantstic spot to call home for a couple of nights.

Byron Bay, a small town that has become a mecca for alternative living, healing and wellness, is a well established stop on any east coast road trip. Once a sleepy beach town, it’s now filled with yoga and healthy living centres. But this doesn’t detract from its beauty. Byron Bay’s beaches are simply stunning, and the natural surroundings are green, lush – just what you need to heal your soul.

While you’re in Byron Bay, take the famous Cape Byron Lighthouse walk , go surfing, swimming, skydiving, or just hang out and enjoy the vibes.

Located just south of Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo is the gateway to the ancient rainforest and dramatic waterfalls of the World Heritage-listed Dorrigo National Park. If you have time for a detour explore the Waterfall Way.

The park is just north of the town and offers:

• Walking trails
• Exhibitions on some of the local flora and fauna
• Incredible lookouts
• Accommodation to suit every budget
• Delicious local produce
• Aboriginal cultural experiences
• Lots of charming small towns

We have written about of favourite National Parks in Australia if you want to explore more

Everyone’s heard of Sydney because of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. But this city has a lot more to offer – from a fun beach vibe to easy access to the Blue Mountains .

Whether you’re visiting for the concrete jungle or want to be out in nature, Sydney should be an essential stop on your trip. Our tips for a weekend in Sydney is a good read before you hit the town.

Three hours’ drive south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is said to have some of the whitest sand in the world. It’s one of Australia’s most popular seaside destinations because of its peaceful, aqua coloured waters and summery charm.

While you’re there, go scuba diving, camping, or take a whale and dolphin watching cruise and enjoy the outdoors before you hit Melbourne’s concrete walls.

And then we have Melbourne, one of the busiest and most international cities in Australia. This is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in the country, our sporting capital, and some fantastic shopping.

Whether you’re starting or ending your East Coast Australia itinerary in Melbourne, it’s a great place to spend a couple of days. There are heaps of free things to do in Melbourne and you must explore the city’s street art , it’s world-class.

While you are in Melbourne, try to do at least a couple of these walks

How to Travel in Australia on a Budget

You don’t plan a trip to Australia if you’re on a tight budget. The fact is that Australia is fairly expensive to travel and live in, and you won’t find any areas that offer huge discounts. But if you’re looking to save as much money as you can, here are some suggestions for your East Coast Australia itinerary:

• Travel in winter to take advantage of low season prices.
• Use DriveNow to make sure you’re getting the best prices for transport. 
• Stay in local hostels or camp out whenever possible.
• Check out the bus passes if taking the Greyhound bus is part of your East Coast Australia itinerary.
• Check out relocation deals for cheap campervan rentals.

If you are travelling alone and want some company or prefer not to drive there are a number of tours that cover Australia’s east coast

• 3 Week East Coast Surf Road Trip : Melbourne to Brisbane – learn to surf every day!
• Boutique Brisbane to Cairns Australian east coast tour – 7 Day small group 4 star accommodation
• Stray Australia: Sydney to Cairns – Freestyle Pass – travel the coast over 2 weeks – valid for 12 months
• Stray Australia: Brisbane to Cairns – Freestyle Pass – allow a week to see this magical part of the coast

The best thing about an East Coast Australia trip is the freedom. You can choose where you go and when, take advantage of interesting side trips, and move on when you feel the need. This is the kind of trip that’s all about you, so get planning and enjoy the feeling of a holiday that’s literally an open road.

Got a question? Head over to our Australia Travel Tips Facebook Group and ask a local.

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The Ultimate East Coast of Australia Road Trip Itinerary

So many people dream of undertaking an east coast of Australia road trip — an epic tour along Australia’s Pacific coast from Sydney to Cairns. From pristine beaches, ancient rainforests, cosmopolitan cities, incredible national parks, islands and wildlife — this coastline really does offer a bit of everything, and has enough activities to satisfy even the biggest adrenaline junkie.

This itinerary aims to show you the very best of Australia’s east coast — from scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, to driving a 4×4 along the world’s largest sand island, to hiking in the national parks and so much more.

I spent 6 weeks touring the east coast of Australia; here’s a low down of my route and itinerary up the coast from Sydney to Cairns!

EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA ROAD TRIP OVERVIEW

Sydney Byron Bay Gold Coast Brisbane Noosa Heads Fraser Island Whitsunday Islands Magnetic Island Cairns

An epic east coast of Australia road trip itinerary

Following the classic route from Sydney to Cairns, here is my recommended route for your east coast of Australia road trip. This itinerary will take about 6 weeks, but feel free to chop and change it as you like to fit in with your time budget.

Where to stay in Sydney: Wake Up! Sydney Central

Start your east coast of Australia road trip in Sydney – the country’s most iconic city. I recommend spending at least 2 days here, but more if you can! It’s an effortless blend of both urban and beach lifestyles, where world-renowned landmarks meet world-class beaches.

Obviously, you’ll want to check out the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Head to Circular Quay, where you’ll be able to spend some time photographing these iconic landmarks. Just a few minutes walk away from Circular Quay, you’ll find the Royal Botanic Garden. A verdant oasis in the heart of Sydney, spend some time exploring the garden and perhaps bring a picnic to enjoy.

No visit to Sydney would be complete without hiking the iconic Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk — a beautifully scenic 6km route which will take you to some of the best beaches along the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

I also recommend you take the ferry across to Manly Beach for a day, a suburb known for its scenic coastal walks and excellent snorkelling. The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach takes just 30 minutes, so it’s well worth the trip.

Things to do in Sydney

• Visit the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge
• Stroll around the Royal Botanic Gardens
• Complete the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
• Visit Manly Beach

Where to stay in Byron Bay: Byron Bay YHA

Ah, Byron. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular spots on the east coast of Australia. I’ve not met anyone who didn’t fall in love with Byron’s charm – the vibe is chilled, the people friendly, and the beaches blessed with astonishing beauty.

There are plenty of beaches, bars, and restaurants to enjoy in Byron, and I highly recommend an afternoon of relaxation at Wategos beach, where it’s not uncommon to see dolphins at play.

One of the most popular activities in Byron Bay is walking to the Byron Bay Lighthouse at sunrise. Start your walk from the Beach Hotel, a famous pub on Bay Street. From here, simply follow the path parallel to the beach. The view from the lighthouse is awe-inspiring, and I promise the early morning wake-up call will be worth it!

While you’re in Byron, I also recommend taking a day trip to Nimbin – the alternative lifestyle capital of Australia. Nimbin is an interesting place to explore, adorned with shops selling psychedelic clothing, spiritual wares, and cafes where you can * ahem* relax. My trip to Nimbin was the wackiest day I had in Australia – we were driven through the hinterland in a rainbow-coloured bus, driven by an outlandish Bob Marley enthusiast called Jimmy.

Things to do in Byron Bay

• Walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse
• Take a surfing lesson
• Spot dolphins at Wategos beach
• Visit Nimbin
• Relax on the beach

The Gold Coast

Where to stay on the Gold Coast: BUNK Surfers Paradise

For transparency, I want to state that I personally didn’t like the Gold Coast. However, lots of people  do  love it, so I’ve included it in this itinerary so that you can make your own decision about whether or not it’s somewhere you’d like to visit.

I found the Gold Coast to be somewhat tacky, but perhaps that’s part of the fun. It’s a huge entertainment city, full of shopping, theme parks and lively nightlife. If you love this kind of thing, then the Gold Coast may be perfect for you!

After feeling a little annoyed with the city, we took a tram to nearby Burleigh Heads National Park. It was really beautiful there, and we spent some time walking through the National Park, before arriving at Tallebudgera Creek. Tallebudgera Creek was beautiful; the sun was shining, and people were swimming, paddle boarding and jumping into the creek. If you want to visit Burleigh Heads National Park, too, you can get tram no. 700 going towards Tweed Heads . The journey is about 40 minutes.

Things to do on The Gold Coast

• Chill out at Surfers Paradise Beach
• Visit Q1’s Sky Deck for views over the city and coast
• Go hiking in Burleigh Heads National Park
• Hit up a theme park
• Shop, drink and party!

Where to stay in Brisbane: Selina Brisbane

Brisbane, or Brissie, as the locals call it, is a pleasant, modern city away from the coast.

Brisbane’s South Bank is the place to be; sprawling lawns and gardens, nice restaurants, bars and cafes, the Brisbane Ferris Wheel, and best of all, the lagoon. As Brisbane is not actually on the coast, a man-made lagoon has been   placed in the city centre instead! It’s actually really nice, and we spent a couple of days here enjoying the sun and water.

Queen Street is the main street in Brisbane and is home to a mall, plaza and a plethora of restaurants and bars. We went out for dinner here one night (a rare event given our backpacker budget) and could easily have spent more time shopping and exploring around the area.

One of the most popular Brisbane attractions is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. It’s the oldest koala sanctuary in the world and home to 130 of these critters! To get there, you can take a bus directly from Queen Street.

Things to do in Brisbane

• Chill out at South Bank
• Visit Roma Street Parkland
• Eat and shop at Queen Street
• Visit the Botanical Gardens
• Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Where to stay in Noosa: Halse Lodge Guest House

For fans of the great outdoors, Noosa is the perfect stop. It’s home to the Noosa Heads National Park, one of the Sunshine Coast’s top natural treasures. Noosa was without a doubt one of my favourite places along the east coast of Australia.

The national park comprises of over 9,800 acres of rainforest and heathland, and there are 5 designated walking tracks for you to choose from. The park is highly accessible, too; simply walk up the hill from Noosa Main Beach towards the Noosa National Park car park, from where 15 kilometres of hiking trails thread through the wilderness.

I personally completed both the Tanglewood Track — where I saw some wild koalas — and the Coastal Track, which is probably the most popular. I definitely recommend the Coastal Track if you like a good hike, but be sure to bring plenty of water as the majority of the track is unshaded. It starts at Noosa Heads and ends at Sunshine Beach, passing by lots of stunning bays, the so-called Fairy Pools and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities.

Noosa town itself is also a nice place to look around. Be sure to check out Hastings Street, the heart of Noosa Heads, which is home to lots of restaurants, cafes, art galleries, boutiques and designer stores.

The town is fringed by Noosa Main Beach, a gorgeous crescent of golden sand, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views. There was a surf festival on while I was there so the beach was pretty buzzing! Sunshine Beach, on the opposite side of Noosa Heads, is also spectacular.

Not only this, but Noosa is also home to one of only two Everglade systems in the world (the other being in Florida) and kayaking down them is a popular activity. I highly recommend a day trip, or even an overnight trip, to go kayaking on the Everglades. It’s simply beautiful.

Things to do in Noosa

• Go hiking in Noosa Heads National Park
• Go kayaking in the Noosa Everglades
• Relax at Noosa Main Beach and Sunshine Beach
• Shop and eat at Hastings Street

Fraser Island

Book your Fraser Island trip with Cool Dingoes

Fraser Island is up there as one of the highlights from my time in Australia, and if you can only afford one big-ticket attraction on your east coast of Australia road trip, make sure it’s this! Stretching 122km, and abundant in rainforests, sand dunes and freshwater lakes, Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world.

Fraser Island can be accessed from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach , both of which have ferry crossings to the island. We chose to spend the night before and the night after our time on Fraser Island at Rainbow Beach.

You can rent a 4×4 and drive yourself around the island, or you can join a guided tour. We personally chose to join a guided tour and signed up for a multi-day camping and 4×4 adventure package, which was one of the best things we did in Australia. We drove a 4X4 along the beach, swam in secluded lakes, discovered shipwrecks, and camped beneath the stars.

On Fraser, you’ll discover The Maheno Shipwreck — a 5000-tonne ocean liner that traversed Australia and New Zealand in the 1900s. In 1935, she was washed ashore after a raging cyclone and has been left abandoned on Fraser Island ever since.

Other highlights include Eli Creek, a meandering stream where you can sit on an inflatable tube and flow gently along its waters. Climb up to Indian Head Lookout, where you’ll be graced with a sensational view of the island. Or, take a dip in the Champagne Pools, a beautiful swimming hole known for its pools of bubbling water.

The ultimate highlight, though, is Lake McKenzie. Probably the most visited site on the island, its waters consist of pure rainwater and its shore of pure silica sand. It’s said that the sand is so pure, you can wash your jewellery with it. Spend a couple of hours swimming in Lake McKenzie’s perfect waters, and enjoy the impossible natural beauty of Fraser Island.

Things to do on Fraser Island

• Drive along Fraser’s “highway” in a 4×4
• Swim in Lake Mackenzie
• Visit the Maheno shipwreck
• Go tubing in Eli Creek
• See the spectacular view from Indian Head Lookout

Whitsunday Islands

Book your Whitsunday Islands trip with True Blue Sailing aboard New Horizons

From Rainbow Beach, head south towards Airlie Beach — the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. The Whitsundays are a spectacular group of 74 islands, characterised by dense rainforest and snow-white beaches. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular sailing destinations in the world.

There are all kinds of sailing trips to choose from — fast-paced day trips, crazy party tours, adventure cruises, family cruises, and everything in between. Make sure to book one suited to you!

The Atlantic Clipper is by far the most famous; an exciting 2-night party tour featuring scuba diving, bush walks and merry, goon-fuelled evenings. You’ll be able to sunbathe on deck in giant bean bags, relax in the onboard Jacuzzi, and mingle with 52 other like-minded backpackers. Oh, and let’s not forget the huge inflatable water slide!

If you’re looking for a more chilled-out vibe, opt for a Whitsundays cruise with New Horizon instead. New Horizon is still social, but with a little more adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to go paddle boarding, scuba diving, bushwalking, and swimming.

Your sailing adventure will likely take you to Whitehaven Beach; an impossibly white stretch of sand that’s so soft, it’ll squeak beneath your feet. Be sure to walk up to the Hill Inlet viewpoint, where you’ll be graced with a mesmerising landscape consisting of blue and white swirls, where the shifting tide causes the sand and ocean to twist together.

Things to do in Whitsunday Islands

• Visit Whitehaven Beach
• See the spectacular view from Hill Inlet viewpoint
• Go snorkelling or scuba diving
• Sunbathe on the deck of your yacht

Magnetic Island

Where to stay on Magnetic Island: Nomads Magnetic Island

Another of my East Coast of Australia highlights, Magnetic Island — or Maggie, as the locals call her — is a beautiful, chilled-out little island 18km off the coast from Townsville.  SeaLink  offers 18 daily ferries from Townsville to Magnetic Island, so you’ll have no problem booking yourself onto one!

Once you arrive, I recommend you hire a barbie car . Magnetic Island is well known for these fun, brightly-coloured, topless cars that tourists hire and cruise all over the island. They’re fun, quirky and a novelty that you should absolutely buy into.

Magnetic Island is home to 23 little bays, and we had a lot of fun driving around to visit as many as we could. My favourite was Horseshoe Bay, as it was the most picturesque and a great place to watch the sunset.

Horseshoe Bay, Alma Bay/Arcadia, Nelly Bay and Picnic Bay are the main residential bays, but there are many quieter ones and you may just find one all to yourself. 

As dusk approaches, pull up into Geoffrey Bay and you’ll see dozens of rock wallabies hanging out. They’re pretty inquisitive and will have no qualms about coming up to you to investigate. You can also buy wallaby pellets from the store in Arcadia if you want to feed them.

I also recommend you take on the Forts Walk, which is a scenic 4km walk that takes you to the ruins of an old WWII Forts complex, as well as to lookouts providing stunning views across the ocean. Not only this, but Magnetic Island has the highest number of wild koalas in Australia and the Forts Walk is known as the best place on the island to spot them. We were lucky enough to see two! Early morning or late afternoon will give you the best chance of seeing them.

Things to do in Magnetic Island

• Hire a novelty car to drive around in
• Spot wild koalas on the Forts Walk
• Hop between the bays
• Feed the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay
• Watch the sunset at Horseshoe Bay

Where to stay in Cairns: Travellers Oasis

Thought of as the adventure capital of Australia, Cairns is the perfect place to end your east coast road trip. Sandwiched between the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef , you won’t be short of things to do in Cairns. It’s a lively backpacker town, with a range of adrenaline activities on offer — including bungee jumping, skydiving, and white water rafting.

While Cairns itself doesn’t really have a beach, it does have a beautiful man-made lagoon in the centre of town. Here, you can swim, relax, have a picnic, and escape from the stifling heat of tropical north Queensland.

Be sure to make a trip to the Daintree Rainforest, too; it’s the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, where you’ll discover spectacular waterfalls, beaches, and wildlife.

Now, it simply would not be a trip to Australia without visiting the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Luckily, Cairns is the gateway to the reef, and there is no shortage of companies ready to take you scuba diving or snorkelling. Opt for a day trip with SeaQuest, where you’ll be whisked away to the outer reef for a day of sun, sea, snorkelling and scuba. Expect to see colourful coral, rainbow fish, and perhaps even a sea turtle.

If you’re looking for a party-orientated place to stay in Cairns, I recommend Gilligan’s . Popular with both locals and travellers, Gillie’s is cheap and sociable, with a wild nightclub attached to the premises. If you’re hoping to catch up on your beauty sleep, you’ll probably want to skip a stay at Gilligan’s, but it’s worth visiting for an evening of partying.

Top things to do in Cairns

• Go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef
• Relax at Cairns Lagoon
• Visit the Daintree Rainforest
• Go bungee jumping, skydiving, or white-water rafting
• Party at Gilligans

Planning your east coast of Australia road trip

From the best time to visit to what kind of vehicle you need, here is everything you need to know about the logistics of planning your east coast of Australia road trip.

Best time to travel the east coast of Australia

As Australia is such a huge country, the weather in the north and south can vary massively.

In North Queensland, where the climate is tropical, the summers (December – February) are hot and humid, and the winters (June – August) are dry and mild. The summer months can bring strong monsoon rains, which you’ll likely want to avoid.

While the weather may be perfect in the north of Australia during the winter months, it may be a bit cold in Australia’s south – temperatures can drop to 7 Celsius in Sydney during this time.

This means that if you want good weather throughout your trip, you’ll likely need to strike a balance.

I travelled the east coast from south to north from February to April. This meant I was in the south of Australia during the end of summer and by the time I hit the north, it was autumn. The weather was pretty perfect the whole way and we had only a few days of rain.

If you travel from north to south, i.e. from Cairns to Sydney, travelling from the end of winter into spring may be ideal. This way, you’ll avoid scorching temperatures in the north and be in the south by the time spring hits.

How long does it take to road trip the east coast of Australia?

Many people just don’t seem to realise how huge Australia is. The distance between Sydney and Cairns is over 2,800km, which is about 36 hours of solid driving time. Given how vast the distances are, you’ll want to give yourself ample time to see and do things along the way – without feeling like you did nothing but travel! Travel between destinations often takes longer than it may seem on the map, so be sure to allow yourself enough time.

I would recommend an absolute minimum of 2 weeks if you’re strapped for time, but 4 – 6 weeks is ideal . You could tick off the main sights in 2 weeks, but travelling more slowly and taking the time to explore places properly will allow you to have a much better experience.

What kind of car do I need?

In my opinion, any Australian road trip is best with a camper van. The freedom is unparalleled and you can travel at your own pace. However, driving a campervan isn’t for everyone and travelling the east coast of Australia by car is also a great option. It entirely depends on your comfort level, and whether you’ll want to stay in hostels/hotels or are happy to spend nights in your campervan.

Can I travel the east coast of Australia without a car?

Absolutely! The famous Greyhound services Australia’s east coast very extensively, meaning you can go everywhere on this itinerary and more by bus. Greyhound’s Whimit Travel Passes are Hop On Hop Off tickets, offering unlimited and flexible travel along the east coast. This means you can travel from A to B at your convenience!

I hope this post has helped you to plan your east coast of Australia road trip!

Where to next?

• Take on an unforgettable Western Australia road trip itinerary
• See the best places to spot wildlife in Australia
• Learn how to be a sustainable tourist at the Great Barrier Reef

About The Author

Lauren Pears is a freelance travel writer and blogger based in London. She writes about active adventure travel, aiming to encourage and inspire travellers to make the most of the great outdoors.

Thank you for reading! If you found this post useful, I’d be grateful if you would consider using the affiliate links below when planning your travels. I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This will help me to keep this blog running. Thanks for your support – Lauren. Hotels –  Booking.com Hostels –  Hostelworld Cheap flights –  Skyscanner Travel insurance –  World Nomads Outdoor gear –  Decathlon  /  GO Outdoors Cycling gear –  Chain Reaction Cycles Alternatively, you could buy me a coffee to say thanks!

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13 comments.

I hope to visit Australia one day and of course the East Coast will be high on the to visit list of Australia. Very complete guide of the places that should appear on this to visit list 🙂

I hope you get to visit soon; it was an amazing trip!

Your photos are amazing!! I can’t wait to explore Australia one day and the side of the World!

Thank you! Hopefully you’ll get to see Australia soon 🙂

This looks so exciting! I can’t wait to roadtrip Australia! Thankd for the tips x

You’ll have an amazing time! When are you going? 🙂

End of October is the plan 🙂 I’ll definitely use this post as reference 🙂 x

Ah nice! Have the best time 🙂

Nice blog and great pictures!

Awesome photos!!! Australia is on my bucket-list and you pretty covered a lot on this post. Thank you for sharing!

God bless! JM Kayne | #InMyHeart♥

You’re welcome! I hope you do visit one day, it was an amazing couple of months 🙂

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All Destinations , Australasia , Australia , Overland Itineraries

East coast australia road trip itinerary and ultimate guide.

Show-stopping beaches, charismatic little towns, eden-like national parks and unforgettable adrenalin filled activities mean it’s no wonder why the east coast of Australia is one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

And it’s all relatively easy to explore; you just need a vehicle or a coach pass, a chunk of time (I’d recommend 6-8 weeks if you really want to see everything, or 4 weeks if you’re just after the highlights), sufficient funds and a sense of adventure!

This east coast Australia road trip itinerary will take you from just above the tropical city of Cairns, to hidden gems such as Mission Beach and Innisfail, through world famous sites like Magnetic Island and the Whitsundays, down through little surf towns and some of the best diving sites on the east coast to the bucket-list destination of Fraser Island, through south Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and its capital, Brisbane.

It will then traverse the Brisbane to Sydney drive, through the backpacker haven of the Gold Coast, then to northern New South Wales, an area that includes Byron Bay (one of my favorite places in the world) and its surrounding quirky towns and beautiful hinterland.

The route then follows the Pacific Coast Highway and travels through various beautiful New South Wales coastal towns before arriving at Sydney.

From Sydney, the east coast Australia road trip is directed to Melbourne via the coastal route, where the road calls at various other New South Wales and Victorian towns, national parks, and even an island before finishing in the state capital of Victoria; the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne.

It’s a long way, it will take you through a range of different climates and cultures, through tiny in-the-middle-of-nowhere towns to backpacker hubs and bustling cities, and will span some of the most gorgeous beaches on the planet as well as breathtaking inland natural scenery nearly every step of the way.

Are you ready for the ultimate east coast Australia road trip itinerary? This route is completely customisable to your wishes and needs. It could be done in reverse, or in chunks – if you’re flying into a different city, you might want to start elsewhere.

There are international airports in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and the Gold Coast on this route – check out this Gold Coast airport review to learn about this point of entry to the east coast of Australia.

If you’re not doing the whole Cairns to Melbourne drive, use this nifty table of contents to take you to just the part of the road trip that you want to go on.

Organise your vehicle for your East Coast Australia Road Trip

I traveled all over Australia in my trusty Subaru Forester, and I’d highly recommend to anyone to make this odyssey in your own (or rented) vehicle.

Not only does your own car or van give you the freedom to travel at your own pace, editing your itinerary if you want to stay longer or shorter somewhere, it often works out cheaper, because you can split fuel costs with friends and stay at free campsites.

I had my own car for this trip and all of my Aussie road trips, and if you are planning on traveling more than just the east coast (which you should, as the rest of the country is spectacular) then I’d recommend you buy a car of your own.

But if this road trip is a one-off or you don’t want the hassle and commitment of buying a car, renting is also an option.

I haven’t used any of these myself, but some popular companies are:

• Jucy campers
• Wicked Campers

If you’re planning on drinking 24/7 or just don’t fancy driving all of that way then taking the coach is probably the best bet for you.

Greyhound and Premier both plough the east coast daily – Greyhound is known for having better facilities, offering free (temperamental) wifi, power sockets, and comfier seats – but Premier is slightly cheaper.

Greyhound’s southern service from Sydney goes inland and pretty much straight to Melbourne via Canberra, but Premier follows closely to the Sydney to Melbourne coastal drive I have suggested.

Once you get to Eden, which is right near the New South Wales/ Victoria border, V Line will get you through eastern Victoria and into Melbourne.

Once you’ve sorted your car, van or coach pass out, you’re ready to hit the road!

Do you want some more information about transport in Australia, where to stay, and what to eat in the land down under? Check out this Australia travel guide for some really helpful information.

When to Go On the East Coast Australia Road Trip

This East Coast Australia road trip itinerary begins in Cairns and travels south to Melbourne.

This is a great way to do your trip if you’re traveling in Australia’s autumn, as Victoria takes a while to heat up!

The reverse is true if you’re journeying in the spring.

If you’re road tripping in winter, brace yourself for cold temperatures in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Queensland but look forward to near-perfect weather in Central and North Queensland.

In the summer, you’ll be sweltering everywhere – but watch out for tropical storms and seriously hot temperatures in the North, and make sure you wear stinger suits everywhere that they’re recommended.

Where to stay on the East Coast of Australia – hostels or camping?

Nowhere quite does hostels like the East Coast of Australia – and I’m pretty sure that no hostels are quite as expensive as the East Coast of Australia.

You’ll make some great friends in the East Coast’s hostels and it would be a shame to miss them out completely, as they are a part of the coast’s backpacking experience.

But you may have to declare bankruptcy if you stay at all of them.

That’s why I’ve recommended selected hostels in some of the tourist hotspots, that I’ve either stayed at personally or that have come highly recommended by fellow travelers.

In all the gaps where hostels haven’t been mentioned, there are plenty of free camping options – which are perfect if you have your own vehicle.

If you’re intrigued about free camping in Australia and want to find out more, click on the below link.

If not, there are plenty of hostels, Airbnbs, and hotels in most of the tourist spots on your East Coast Australia road trip.

Cairns to Brisbane Drive Itinerary

Perhaps the most iconic road trip in all of Australia, the Cairns to Brisbane drive odyssey spans over 1700 kilometres, through countless national parks, beside hundreds of postcard-perfect beaches and a huge reef and takes you from the tropics to the subtropics.

There are so many reasons why the Cairns to Brisbane road trip is a world-famous travel journey; and this itinerary takes you through all of the best!

Suggested time frame – 3-4 days

Cairns is a backpacker hotspot, with many travellers to Australia beginning their trips here – which makes it the perfect place to start your Cairns to Brisbane drive.

The tropical city is a great place to accustom to Australian lifestyle and a few days can easily be passed chilling by the lagoon, dining at the many cafes and restaurants of the city and enjoying its nightlife scene.

However, amidst all of this hardcore relaxing, do save some time to venture to the outstandingly beautiful areas around the city.

Things to do in Cairns

• Cool down with a dip in the lagoon
• Dine and drink at the many establishments in the city
• Do a free fitness class on the esplanade
• Go on a tour of the Atherton Tablelands This area is a fantastic day trip from Cairns (although longer can be easily spent in the region) and includes gorgeous waterfalls , scenic lakes, outstanding lookouts and quirky towns. Take a self-drive trip or book a day tour.
• Do a Great Barrier Reef tour I went with Ocean Freedom, who are fantastic for first time divers. People who are not certified (I was one of the only two on my boat who were!) have the chance to dive with an instructor after a safety briefing. It’s a great chance for anyone who’s thinking about learning to dive but is unsure if it’s for them. If you are certified, you’ll likely get the chance to go an a semi-private dive – I got whisked away on a speedboat for my second dive which was just me and the instructor.

Great Barrier Reef Tours

Where to stay in cairns.

Which hostel to pick in Cairns largely depends on how much you want to party. Cairns City Backpackers is pretty chilled out, with a BYO alcohol policy and quiet time late at night. It’s set in tranquil, rainforest-like setting and is a bargain price for a smaller dorm room. Click here for more information and to book .

If you do want to party, then there’s only one real option; the infamous Gilligans. Some people love it, some people hate it, but it’s without a doubt one of the busiest, loudest and most raucous hostel in Cairns.

It’s spread out over four levels, with amazing facilities such as free airport pick up, free WiFi and a lagoon swimming pool, and has an entertainment venue with bars and clubs within the hostel. They also offer cheap dorm rates and $5 dinners with free drinks. Click here for more information and to book .

There aren’t any free camping options within the city itself, but some in the local area. There are also a few paid campsites in and around the city. Drive north to Daintree National Park – 1 hour OR take a tour from Cairns

The Daintree Rainforest

Suggested time – 1-2 days

The Daintree can be done in a day trip from Cairns, but I think it’s worthy of a section all of its own. It’s a huge national park north of the city, with a tarmac road driving straight through the thick of the rainforest; and every so often, you’ll get a glimpse of the sea, which the road runs directly parallel to.

This is exactly why the ‘rainforest meets reef’ slogan of Far North Queensland was invented. There are short walks, cultural experiences, croc spotting cruises and four wheel drive tracks to be enjoyed within the breathtaking national park.

Things to do in the Daintree National Park

• Hike through the rainforest and around the beautiful Mossman Gorge
• Explore the Daintree tea plantation
• Have a picnic overlooking the beautiful Cow Bay
• Walk through the jungle at the Jindalba Boardwalk, Dubuji Boardwalk and Kulki Boardwalk
• Take on the challenging Mount Sorrow hike
• Enjoy the ‘reef meets rainforest’ vistas of Cape Tribulation beach
• Go croc spotting at Daintree River
• Check out the gorgeous Emmagen Creek at the start of the Bloomfield Track
• If you have a 4WD vehicle, drive the Bloomfield Track; an unsealed road heading north to Cooktown

Daintree National Park Tours

Don’t have your own vehicle? There’s plenty of tours from Cairns to the Daintree National Park.

From Daintree National Park, drive 23 minutes/ 23.5 km south to Port Douglas. If you are on a tour, some also stop in Port Douglas.

Port Douglas

Between Cairns and Daintree National Park is Port Douglas, a hip town which has luxury restaurants, quirky cafes and a busy backpacker scene.

It’s a fun place to pop in for an afternoon or spend a couple of days in; depending on how much time you have! I know a few people who have lived and worked in the town as well.

Things to do in Port Douglas

• Browse the beachside Sunday markets for tasty food and arty souvenirs
• Drive or hike up to the top of Flagstaff Hill for a spectacular lookout over the town and four mile beach
• Sample coffee at the various cafes of the town
• Laze back on the gorgeous four mile beach

Where to stay in Port Douglas

If you’re after a bustling backpacker scene, Dougies is located just 300 metres from the beach and is fully equipped with everything you could want in a hostel in the tropics; an outdoor pool and barbecue, a bar and free parking. Choose from a 4 or 7 bed dorm or a private room and bathroom.

For rates and to book, click here . From Port Douglas, drive south back through Cairns, which takes 1 hour 5 minutes. Or return to Cairns on your tour!

The Port Douglas to Cairns drive is known as ‘Far North Queensland’s Great Ocean Road’ and the views of vibrant green rainforest bordering onto turquoise blue ocean are nothing short of spectacular. It’s one of my favourite drives in Australia (and I’ve drove around nearly all of it!) so take your time and stop off at as many viewpoints as possible. Either stay another night in Cairns, or begin your journey south to Innisfail and Mission Beach

Drive or catch a coach from Cairns to Innisfail, which is a distance of 88 kilometres and takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. 

Suggested time – 1 day

Known by many to be ‘the place where everyone does farm work’, many road trippers whizz past Innisfail. But there’s lots to do in and around the town to pass a day or more; so if you have time on your East Coast Australia itinerary, be sure to check this beautiful town out!

Things to do in Innisfail

• Check out Josephine Falls, located between Cairns and Innisfail
• Stroll around the town and enjoy the art deco architecture, which has bene in place since 1918
• Sunbathe on the gorgeous sands of Etty Bay – and watch out for cassowaries!
• Explore the rainforest from the Mamu Tropical Skywalk

Drive or take the coach from Innisfail to Mission Beach, which takes 40 minutes and is 52 kilometres in distance.

Mission Beach

Suggested time – 2-3 days

Mission Beach isn’t on every Tropical North Queensland itinerary, but it damn well should be – it’s one of my favourite parts of the east coast. The beaches here are absolutely mesmerising – when I walked down to my first I actually let out a little yelp of joy.

There’s a variety of walking trails through the rainforest region, opportunities to spot cassowaries (we didn’t see any, boo), some absolutely delightful cafes and restaurants, and, as the name suggests, kilometre after kilometre of gorgeous beachfront.

If I could get an ‘I HEART MISSION BEACH’ t-shirt, I would.

Things to do in Mission Beach

• Hike up to Bicton Hill for a stunning view
• Laze on 14 kilometres of beaches – but remember to use the stinger nets from October to May!
• Eat at the quirky Bingil Bay Café
• Take a water taxi to Dunk Island and do some of the walk tracks and marvel at the beaches there
• Go scuba diving – the Great Barrier Reef stretches along most of Tropical North Queensland including all of Mission Beach

Accommodation in Mission Beach

If you’re looking for accomodation to relax and unwind in for a few days, Jackaroo Hostel is just the place. The treehouse-style hostel is set in beautiful grounds with a spectacular view, and just being there basically screams zen. Choose from a 6 bed dorm room or a private double room, all which come with included breakfast. For rates and to book, click here . Drive south 2 hours 48 minutes, which is 235 kilometres, or take the coach to Townsville.

On the Bruce Highway, I’d recommend taking a pit stop at the Frosty Mango restaurant, an eatery that serves all things mango, including delicious dairy-free ice cream. There’s also a huge mango outside (if you don’t know already, Australia loves its huge things) to snap a picture with!

Suggested time – 2 days

Townsville, ‘the capital of Northern Queensland’ is the gateway to Magnetic Island.

But there’s plenty within Townsville to occupy a day or two too, so before you hop over to the paradise that is Maggie Island, take some time to explore what Tropical North Queensland’s largest city has to offer.

Things to do in Townsville

• Learn about wildlife in Tropical North Queensland, the history of scuba diving, ancient shipwrecks and more at the Museum of North Queensland
• Learn about the region’s history at the Herbert River Museum
• Visit the historic Old Brandon Church
• Enjoy the bars and restaurants of the city
• Walk around the picturesque marina

Accommodation in Townsville

Rambutan YHA is a popular backpacker hangout, located in the centre of the city. It doesn’t cut any corners, with facilties such as a rooftop pool, outdoor bar and restaurant and $10 dinner specials. Choose from a 5, 6 or 8 bed dorm or private rooms in different sizes.

Click here for rates and to book .

Take the ferry over to Magnetic Island, which is a 20 minute journey, costing around $19 per person.

Magnetic Island

A pure slice of paradise, Magnetic Island is worlds away from the city of Townsville.

The entire island seems to run at its own time, with a chilled-out pace that it seems you could only find within a certain number of degrees to the equator.

On Magnetic Island, there are historical walks, climbs to hidden beaches, snorkelling, safe swimming spots, and amazing sunset viewing areas… or there’s the chance to get very merry on cocktails and general island life and spend the day lazing in a hammock. The choice is yours.

Things to do on Magnetic Island

• Take the forts walk to learn about the wartime history of the island and spot koalas
• Go snorkelling at Geoffery Bay – you can pick up a self guided snorkelling tour from the visitors centre for $5
• Hike to Balding Bay (which is Maggie’s unofficial nudist beach, FYI) or Radical Bay, both beautiful spots that are much quieter than the main beach!
• Go for a dip in Nelly Bay’s stinger net
• Discover more of the island’s history at the Magnetic Island History and Crafts Centre
• Catch an amazing sunset at one of the many spots around the island

Where to stay on Magnetic Island

The home of Australia’s only full moon party, Base Backpackers is set in stunning surroundings and enjoys a bar, BBQ facilities and a swimming pool. The bar hosts themed nights and activities.

For rates and to book, click here .

From Magnetic Island, take the ferry back over to Townsville and start heading south. Drive from Townsville to Bowen, which is around 2 hour 20 minutes and 202 kilometres, or take a southbound bus.

Suggested time – stopover/ half a day

Although some people stop to do their farm work in Bowen, for many it’s not really much more than a quick pit stop. But the laid back town vibes, beautiful beaches and hikes to impressive lookouts do make it a worthwhile stopover on a southern drive!

Things to do in Bowen

• Check out some of the eight amazing beaches that make up the area around Bowen
• Learn about the tropical town at the Bowen Historical Musuem
• Take a ferry over to Stone Island
• Check out Horseshoe Bay from the Rotary Lookout
• Snap a photo with yet another big mango!

Drive from Bowen to Airlie Beach, which is about 77 kilometres and takes around 58 minutes, or hop on a coach. 

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is somewhere you’ll constantly hear about as you’re travelling down the East Coast of Australia – and it is definitely a backpacker hub.

The town is catered for tourists, but if you’re looking for somewhere for a cheap dinner, a couple (dozen, maybe) beers and to meet some new travel mates, Airlie is your go to. Most people who are at Airlie Beach are coming off a Whitsundays tour, or about to get onto a boat. But there are a few things to do in the town itself.

Things to do in Airlie Beach

• Take a dip in the refreshing Airlie Beach Lagoon
• Browse the markets, which are held every Saturday
• Check out the gorgeous Cedar Creek Falls, located en route to Proserpine
• Visit the rainforest Conway National Park and go hiking

Where to stay in Airlie Beach

Nomads pretty much dominates the backpacker accommodation in Airlie Beach, and it’s easy to see why. The establishment is half hostel half campsite, with options for any type of backpacker.

The entire hostel is al-fresco based and as well as the standard amenities (kitchen, laundry, chill out area etc), it enjoys two bars, a swimming pool and free wifi. For rates and to book, click here .

The Whitsunday Islands

Suggested time – 3 days

The Whitsunday Islands are one of the ‘must see’ Australian odysseys that make the east coast famous. It’s vital to include visiting the islands in your east coast Australia road trip itinerary, and I’d advise doing the full 3 day 2 night tour to get the full experience.

I went with Wings , who offer a chilled out, sociable atmosphere with stop offs to all of the most beautiful spots of the islands. Also included was:

• SO MUCH FOOD including buffet-style meals, snacks every time any of us got a twinge of hunger, and tea and coffee. They catered for dietary preferences really well and even let the special diets have first choice, which gave me yet another reason to love vegetarianism!
• A shared cabin-style dorm – I slept in a little cubby hole, but it was pretty cosy!
• All the snorkelling gear and four stops to see some of the best marine life in the area
• A guided walk to Whitehaven Beach and to a look out
• Slideshows of photos in the evening
• Friendly, knowledgeable staff

Alcohol was brought on a BYO term. The boat isn’t an in-your-face party kind of boat, but a few of us got very merry on beer/ goon in the evenings.

If you want an in-your-face party style boat, I’d go with Clipper .

This isn’t the boat to choose if you want a good night’s sleep – but it’s hugely popular with travellers on the east coast! (it does also have a huge inflatable slide which looks awesome).

And if you’re looking for a bit more luxury, Ride to Paradise offers the same style tour, but instead of the boat, stays in luxury accommodation. There are dozens more Whitsundays tours, so if none of those take your fancy don’t fret – you’ll almost certainly find a great tour for you.

Whitsundays Tours

Your Whitsundays boat tour will take you back to Airlie Beach. Spend another night there, if you wish (there will most likely be an after party!), or head straight back to the road. Coaches leave Airlie Beach to Mackay, or drive the distance – just under 2 hours and 150 kilometres. 

I had a fantastic time in Mackay, although I didn’t do much other than get a subway (a sandwich, not an underground train). I’ve never felt so immediately welcomed into a city – at first, I thought everyone knew each other, but when they all greeted me with equal cordiality, I realised that people in Mackay are actually just that friendly.

Mackay is a launching point for the southern Great Barrier Reef and is home to some fantastic parks to the north and the west.

Within the town, there are lookouts, great food, lagoons and cycling trails. It’s a tropical city that’s worth a spot on your East Coast Australia itinerary.

Things to do in Mackay

• Cycle on the Bluewater Trail
• Take a dip in the Bluewater Lagoon
• Visit Lambert’s Lookout for a Pacific view
• Explore a sugar cane mill
• Camp with kangaroos at Cape Hillsborough
• Go hiking and platypus spotting at rainforest-based Eungella National Park

Take a coach or drive the distance to Rockhampton, which is 3 hours 40 minutes and 336 kilometres. 

Rockhampton

Suggested time – 1 day When I told a few people I was adding Rockhampton to my east coast Australia road trip itinerary, they laughed and said there was nothing there. I then looked up the best things to do in Rockhampton – and discovered that 5/9 revolved around the beef industry – not exactly a vegetarian’s dream. But, dig a little deeper and there’s some great things to do in Rocky that don’t involve meat of any kind.

Things to do in Rockhampton

• Visit the Dreamtime Cultural Centre which tells significant stories of the state and country’s Aboriginal population and their Dreamtime stories which is the basis for their culture
• Catch the sunset over Mount Archer
• Cross over the tropics at the Tropic of Capricorn Spire
• Explore Quay Street and marvel at the historic, opulent buildings
• Admire the works at the Rockhampton Art Gallery

Take a coach to Agnes Water, or drive the 2 hour 30 minutes, 225 kilometre journey.

Agnes Water/ 1770

A lot of people just stop in Agnes Water for a break up between the long bus between Airlie Beach and Rainbow Beach (although hopefully I’ve convinced you to make a few extra stops along the way too!).

But the surf town is a cool place to hang out for a few days. If you aren’t pushed for time on your Cairns to Melbourne road trip itinerary, take the chance to kick back on the beach for a few.

Things to do in Agnes Water/ 1770

• Take a surf lesson for either $17.70 or $25 (I chose the $25 option, which is allegedly better – saying that, I chose it because it was the only one running in the afternoon. But I definitely felt like I got more than my money’s worth).
• Do the Scooteroo tour – the tour takes you around the twin towns on scooters that are made out to look like huge badass motorbikes. I didn’t do it, but it looks like a lot of fun!
• Check out some of the local national parks, such as Eurimbula, which has breathtaking coastline, 4WD tracks and scenic sunset spots.

Tours Around Agnes Water

Where to stay in agnes water/ 1770.

Southern Cross Backpackers is a super chilled out hostel with a variety of accommodation options – there’s a campsite that you can drive onto, or dorms.

Set in beautiful subtropical grounds, the hostel has a pool and a great chill out/ bar area. But the best thing about this hostel is that it has a really nice community feel, with staff who take the time to get to know and help you out and encourage guests to socialise. It’s not a mad party hostel, but rather one where you can enjoy a few beers of an evening with like minded travellers.

For rates and to book, click here . Journey to Rainbow Beach by driving 3 hours 40 minutes and 322 kilometres, or taking a coach.

Rainbow Beach

Suggested time – 1 day Rainbow Beach is a tiny little town (if you can call it a town!) nestled between Agnes Water and the Sunshine Coast. It’s an ever popular backpacker destination because… here is where you go on your Fraser Island tour. But Rainbow Beach is lots of fun too – kick back here for a couple of days if you have the chance.

Things to do in Rainbow Beach

• Sandboarding at Carlo Sand Blow
• Surfing and sunbathing at Double Island Point
• Driving around the gorgeous Great Sandy National Park

If you’re booking on a Fraser Island tour, you’ll need to be at the safety briefing for 6pm the day before. This means staying at least one night in Rainbow Beach – and it’s a good idea to book for the day after too, so you’re not rushing after your tour and have some time for drinks with your group!

Where to stay in Rainbow Beach

Dingos is one of the only hostels in Rainbow Beach, but it’s ran so well that there’s really no need for any competition. It’s outside-based, with two fun bars often featuring live music, $7 dinners every night and free vegan pancakes for breakfast each morning.

Choose from a hostel dorm room or sleep in your car or campervan for just $10.

Fraser Island

For Fraser Island you have two options. If you have a four wheel drive vehicle with a large clearance, 4WD knowledge, are sure that your car won’t break down on the island, good car knowledge in general and a sense of adventure then go ahead, do a self-guided tour of the island.

If you don’t (the only criteria of these I really met was a sense of adventure – unless I can count hair-raisingly navigating down the Gibb River Road in Western Australia as 4WD knowledge?) then the best thing is to book a tour.

I went with Dingos – who are ran by the same people as Dingos hostel – and highly recommend them. The tour involves four 4WD vehicles drove on a ‘tag along’ basis – so everyone who has a licence and is 21+ gets a chance to drive the cars.

The tour definitely burns the candle at both ends – so if you want to drive first thing in the morning you really have to limit the drinking the night before. There’s video footage of me on night two, dancing around a gazebo with a bag of goon. Needless to say I was not on the list of designated drivers the following morning.

Dingos Tours: What Do They Include?

• Knowledgeable and friendly guides
• Three meals a day – if you have any dietary requirements just state at the time of booking and they will provide an altered meal plan
• Use of the 4WD vehicle for three days
• Ferry crossing to Fraser Island
• Campsite accommodation

Now, I’m never really a huge fan of tours – I much prefer hitting the open road with my own car and stopping wherever I want to, for however long I desire. But for Fraser it is kind of a necessity, and it’s a great place to meet new people.

Highlights of Fraser Island

• The brilliantly blue Lake Mackenzie
• 4WD – ing through the subtropical rainforest
• Being drifted away in Eli Creek, a natural lazy river
• The spectacular Champagne Pools
• Gazing over the island from Indian Head lookout
• Drinking (and dancing with) goon back at the campsite. Backpackers eh…

Other Fraser Island Tours

Return back to Rainbow Beach with the tour – you’ll probably want to stay another night at Dingos.  The next day, drive 1 hour 40 minutes, 134 kilometres to Noosa Heads or jump on a coach.

Noosa and the Sunshine Coast

Noosa is a charming town nestled in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It’s loved by backpackers and locals alike, because of its beautiful surroundings and bustling atmosphere.

Things to do in Noosa

• Exploring the coastal and inland tracks of Noosa National Park – which is very easily accessible from the town, even if you don’t have a car
• Lazing, BBQing or swimming on one of the town’s many beaches
• Café hopping and seeing who really does the best soy cappuccino in Noosa
• Similarly, check out every breakfast spot in town (warning: you’ll need a huge appetite or a few days)
• Climb up Mount Tinbeerwah for amazing panoramic views of the whole coastline
• Go on a kayak tour of Noosa Everglades
• Go stand up paddleboarding in Little Cove

Where to stay in Noosa

Nomads Noosa is located right in the heart of town, making all of Noosa’s main attractions easily accessible. There’s options to play beach volleyball or pool and drink at the on site bar. Choose from 8, 10 and 16 bed dorms and click here for rates and to book today . Trav el 141 kilometres, 1 hour 45 minutes, to Brisbane.

You’ve reached the big city!! I was most excited to get to Brisbane because it meant I could go to LUSH and stock up on shampoo bars, but there are lots of other things to do in Brissy too.

The city has a certain air of glitz and glamour about it, and within Brisbane, there are some great museums, fantastic restaurants and bars, a bridge climb and city beaches.

Things to do in Brisbane

• Visit the museum of Queensland and learn all about the state you’ve just been exploring
• Explore the world of contemporary art at Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
• Rent a bike and ride around the city and its ‘burbs
• Take a Kookaburra River Queens cruise – which use old style paddlewheel vessels – around Brisbane’s river, taking in the city’s attractions.
• Go shipwreck diving at Moreton Island
• Climb the city’s Story Bridge and get impressive views of the entire cityscape
• Enjoy all sorts of artwork at Queensland Art Gallery
• Visit South Bank Parklands and laze away a hot Brissy day at one of the city beaches
• Go on a whale watching tour (seasonal) to see humpback whales travel from the Antarctic to Queensland’s more mild waters

Note – one of the most popular Brisbane attractions is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

I’ve omitted it off this list because I don’t think that any institution, sanctuary or not, is ethical if it allows you to hold a wild animal who normally likes its space. If you can hold it, it has likely been unnaturally domesticized. If you want to see koalas, head to Magnetic Island or the Great Ocean Road where there are plenty in their natural habitat.

Where to stay in Brisbane

Brisbane City Backpackers is a friendly, well-equipped hostel with a bar and a roof terrace that boasts a fantastic view of the city’s skyline. Many people choose to stay in the hostel while working, but it’s equally welcoming to short-term visitors.

The on-site bar stands out for its $10 dinner options every night and fantastic drink deals. The atmosphere here encourages a party mood, but if you’re seeking a more relaxed experience or recovering from dancing with a bag of goon on Fraser Island (like me), getting a good night’s sleep is easy. The staff are always ready to offer helpful daytime activity recommendations.

One notable perk is the availability of free parking, a rare find in the heart of Brisbane.

Brisbane to Sydney Drive Itinerary

  You still with me? The Cairns to Brisbane drive itinerary was the longest chunk of your trip – but that’s not to say that the next two segments aren’t just as epic. If you’re venturing south of Brisbane, let me show you the very best spots to visit on this Brisbane to Sydney drive! Drive 1 hour, 78 kilometres, to reach Surfers Paradise. You can also jump on a Greyhound to do the distance, or take local buses and trains.

  If Australia was a cupboard of condiments, Gold Coast would definitely be marmite – you either love it or you hate it. (it wouldn’t be Vegemite, Australia’s answer to Marmite, because every Aussie young or old loves it).

Gold Coast is home to lots of beaches, plenty of good surf, parties until 6am and high rise buildings. The centre of the Gold Coast is Surfers Paradise, which is where most of the backpacker hangouts are.

Things to do in Surfers Paradise

• Go out – it’s what the city built its popularity on. Surfers Paradise has all night parties, day sessions, boozy BBQs – you name it
• Believe it or not, it’s a popular destination for surfing – although the waves definitely seem for the more advanced, there’s some spots that are great for beginners too
• Go to the all-vegan Lord of the Fries. These burger stalls are all over Melbourne and Sydney, but I think the Surfers Paradise joint was the first to be completely vegan. It mainly serves mock meat, which was a bit strange to eat – but it’s tasty comfort food and it saves animals and the world
• Check out views of the city from the Sky Point Observation Deck
• Head to Infinity, which is a house of optical illusions and a fantastic place to spend a rainy day!
• Browse the beachfront markets on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night
• Check out some more free things to do on the Gold Coast here .

Pssst… I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you’re after a lively backpacker scene and crazy parties, stick to Surfers. BUT there’s lots of quieter beaches in the Gold Coast that are amazing for a more chilled out holiday; make sure you visit some of these hidden gems on your Brisbane to Sydney drive!

Other beaches on the Gold Coast

• Burleigh Heads
• Coolangatta
• Kirra Point
• Mermaid Beach

Check out this Gold Coast Beaches Guide for some more information about alternative beaches.

Where to stay in Surfers Paradise

A well-facilitated hostel that’s perfect for both chill and party, BUNK is centrally located, with an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. The hostel offers free breakfast, and each dorm has ‘privacy pods’ with individual lights and power sockets. However, if you want to socialise, there’s plenty of areas perfect for meeting new travel mates.

Drive 1 hour 2 minutes and 78 kilometres from Surfers Paradise to Mullumbimby. If you are taking the coaches down the east coast, you’ll need to fast track straight to Byron Bay.

Queensland/ New South Wales Border

Crossing over into New South Wales from Queensland is pretty uneventful – if you’ve ever crossed into Western Australia, you’ll know how painful border crossings can be!

You’re not too far from Byron Bay, one of the best places on the planet in my humble opinion , but there are a few gorgeous spots that are worth visiting before you reach the hippy town.

Mullimbimby

Suggested time – stopover Slightly inland is the charming town of Mullimbimby – which many regard to be ‘Byron Bay 20 years ago’. It’s one of those towns where great pleasure can be had just by strolling around.

Things to do in Mullimbimby

• Stroll around the Mullimbimby Community Garden
• Check out the local Rainforest Walk
• Enjoy the markets – Mullum Community Market runs on the 3 rd Saturday of every month and the Mullum Farmers Market is every Friday 7-11am
• Check out some of the charismatic cafes
• Stroll around the murals painted by local artists
• Attend a yoga or pilates class or unwind at the day spa

Drive 10 minutes or 7.7 kilometres (yes, that’s it!) to Brunswick Heads

Brunswick Heads

Suggested time – stopover

Photo via Flickr by Richard Rydge Heading out to the coast from Mullimbimby is the tranquil Brunswick Heads, home to bushland opening out onto serene beaches.

Things to do in Brunswick Heads

• Canoe, birdwatch or hike in the Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve
• Catch a surf on the local beach
• Jump from the old wooden bridge into the clear river (at high tide!)
• Enjoy the vistas of the bush opening out to beach
• Go stand up paddleboarding at Torakina Beach

Drive 18 minutes or 18 kilometres to Byron Bay

Suggested time – 3-4 days

Ahhh… Byron Bay. My second home and the only place in 18 months of travelling that could persuade me to stay longer than a month. I actually lived in Byron Bay, in a tent, for five beautiful months and I would go back in a heartbeat. There’s lots of reasons why so many people fall in love with beautiful Byron Bay, and it will no doubt be a highlight on your Brisbane to Sydney drive.

Here’s why it changed my life . I’d recommend staying in Byron Bay for as long as possible – but if you only have a few days, here’s the highlights.

Things to do in Byron Bay

• Walk up to the lighthouse
• Catch a wave at The Pass
• Go scuba diving at Julian Rocks
• Catch some live music at The Rails or the Northern
• Watch the sunset while dancing away at the drum circle
• Watch some of the amazing entertainers (often fire spinners or buskers) at Main Beach
• Catch the Arts Factory’s talent show

I genuinely feel a pang in my heart while writing about Byron Bay – I miss it every day.

Byron Bay Tours

Where to stay in byron bay.

There’s no better place to stay at in Byron Bay than The Arts Factory.

Spreading out over 5 acres of gorgeous grounds, The Arts Factory is less of a hostel and more of an experience.

It’s got a name as a bit of a hippie hangout, and it definitely attracts the free-spirited and artistic – but really, there’s something for everyone at the Arts Factory.

Enjoy didgeridoo lessons, yoga classes, bush walks, the weekly talent show, and more at the Arts Factory, while staying in one of their dorms, private rooms, or even on the attached campsite, which is affectionately known as ‘The Jungle’.

I lived here for five months and couldn’t get enough of it.

The Hinterland of Byron Bay

Byron Bay’s famous for its beaches, but don’t forget to check out its amazing hinterland too. Home to waterfalls, national parks, forests and quirky towns, there’s something kind of magical about the Byron Bay hinterland.

Things to do in Byron Bay’s Hinterland

• Eat locally sourced food in Newrybar’s Harvest restaurant
• Head to Nimbin, which is possibly the hippiest town in Australia. Enjoy the laidback, organic lifestyle of the town and stock up on some erm… treats… if you’re into that kind of thing!
• Hike to the top of Mount Warning to be the first in mainland Australia to see the sun rise
• Walk to the base of the spectacular Minyon Falls
• Stroll through rainforest of the Nightcap National Park to the gorgeous Protestor Falls
• Have a swim in the plunge pool of Killen Falls

Drive 1 hour 40 minutes, 126 kilometres from Byron Bay to Yamba, or catch a coach heading south

Yamba is a sleepy little coastal town with lots of natural beauty and attractions. While it’s not the most visited town on the east coast by any means, it’s gaining popularity with backpackers and travellers doing the Brisbane to Sydney drive.

Things to do in Yamba

• Go surfing at the many beaches
• Bask in the stunning natural beauty of the Angourie Blue and Green Pools
• Take the Angourie Walking Track along the stunning coastline
• Enjoy the vista with a picnic at the Yamba Lighthouse
• Do ‘Shane’s 10 buck tour’ which takes you around the town, telling you its stories in the tour operator’s own wicked humour

Where to stay in Yamba

Yamba YHA Backpacker Beach Resort is located right in the centre of town, and has the option of dorms or private rooms with en suite bathrooms. There’s an on site café and bar, BBQ facilities and free parking, and the hostel is where the famous ‘Shane’s Tour’ begins. For rates and to book, click here .

Catch a coach heading toward Coffs Harbour, or drive the 1 hour 38 minutes, 138 kilometre distance

Coffs Harbour

Photo by Andrea Schaffer via Flickr   Famed mainly for ‘The Big Banana’, there are some other attractions in Coffs Harbour that aren’t big fruit. Some of the best attractions are coastal, but my favourite bit of Coffs is its hinterland.

Things to do in Coffs Harbour and the surroundings

• The gorgeous waterfalls of Dorrigo National Park
• The Big Banana’s waterslides and activities
• Koala spotting in Bongil Bongil National Park
• Visit the rugged Muttonbird Island
• Admire the boats at the marina and jetty

Drive 27 minutes, 34 kilometres, sout-eastwards from Coffs Harbour to Bellingen. If you are taking the coaches down the east coast, you’ll need to skip this part and head straight to Port Macquarie. 

Bellingen is a wonderful little country town; I was there just after same-sex marriage was passed in Australia, and was uplifted by all the banners and signs throughout the town expressing their joy at equality.

Pair this with stunning buildings and fantastic cafes set in the most picturesque setting, and you’ve got yourself a perfect little town.

Drive westwards from Bellingen toward Armidale. It’s 155 kilometres, and would take around 2 hours with no stops – but let’s face it, you’ll be stopping a lot. 

The Waterfall Way

The Waterfall Way has some of the most scenic falls in the country. It’s a 185 kilometre road traversing no less than five national parks.

Waterfalls along the way

• Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and Skywalk Lookout
• Crystal Shower Falls
• Tristina Falls
• Dangar Falls
• Wollombi Falls
• Chandler Falls
• Red Cedar Falls (which a difficult 8km hike is necessary to reach – but definitely head there if you have the time!)  

From Armidale, travel down the Oxley Highway to reach Port Macquarie. At a distance of 250 kilometres, it’s just over 3 hours of driving.

Port Macquarie

Whether you head back out to the coast via the Waterfall Way return route or head south in the hinterland, you’ll eventually find your way to the Central NSW town of Port Macquarie. Famed for its stunning beaches, this town has a lovely laid back atmosphere and plenty to pass a few days.

Things to do in Port Macquarie

• Check out the artistically painted rocks along the breakwall
• Check out a sunrise or sunset on the many beaches
• Grab a beer and watch the waves at the Beach House
• Walk the 9km coastal walk which traverses most of the town’s beaches
• Visit the ‘brothers’ and drive to the summit of the North Brother mountain, which offers spectacular views of the local area

Head 244 kilometres south to Newcastle, which should take you about 2 hours 10 minutes. Or hop on a coach heading in the same direction.

Suggested time – 1 day Just two hours north of Sydney, Newcastle is a buzzing town basking in scenic surroundings. Head to Newcastle to check out the coastal national parks and the charming atmosphere of the city itself.

Things to do in Newcastle

• Glenrock State Conservation Area
• Minmi Cemetary Walk, which tells some of the tales of the coal mining boom
• Enjoy the vistas of Nobbys Beach and the city’s lighthouse
• Visit the Newcastle Museum to learn more about the surrounding area’s history
• See some local art at the Newcastle Art Gallery  
• Go to the nearby Port Stephens and do the Tomaree Head Summit Walk .

From Newcastle, head to Palm Beach, which is a 173 kilometre or 2 hour 16 minute drive. If you are taking the coaches, you’ll need to head straight to Sydney.

Photo by Suzanne via Flickr You’re technically in Sydney’s northern beaches now! Palm Beach was made famous for being the setting of Home and Away, but there’s plenty to enjoy within the vicinity for not-so-big fans of the Aussie soap.

Things to do in Palm Beach

• Take in a great view from Barrenjoey Lighthouse
• Go paddleboarding from the beach
• Walk around the Home and Away set
• Dine at some of New South Wales’ classiest eateries  

Drive 43 minutes, 30 kilometres, along the side of the Pacific Ocean towards Manly, one of Sydney’s northern suburbs.

Manly  

I’m really dragging out this entrance to Sydney, aren’t I? You’re almost there – well, you’re technically there – Manly is and isn’t part of Sydney. It’s only a ferry ride to Darling Harbour, but the beaches and community atmosphere of the suburb make it an entity of its own. Many backpackers choose to stay, work and live in Manly over Sydney ‘proper’, and there’s plenty of draws to this part of the city.

Things to do in Manly

• Visit the resident penguins at Collins Beach
• Have a BBQ and catch the sunset at Shelley Beach
• Do the 9km North Head Sanctuary loop walk from Shelley Beach, which will give you fantastic views of Sydney Harbour and wildlife spotting opportunities
• Walk along the northern beaches via the Manly to Split walk
• Check out the bustling markets of the town

Where to stay in Manly

If you don’t fancy staying in Sydney proper, check out Manly Bunkhouse, which boasts en suite dorms and rooms, communal areas, central location and outdoor spaces. Click here to find out more . Take the ferry over to Sydney Central, which costs $15 – or $2.60 if you are going on a Sunday! Or drive the 18 kilometre distance, which should take about 30 minutes (traffic dependent). 

Suggested time – 4 days You made it! Congratulations on reaching Australia’s largest city. Sydney’s definitely a bucket list city that every keen traveller should visit at least once in their lifetime. Although it’s not my favourite place in Australia, it was the first part of Australia I ever went to and that makes it very special for me.

Things to do in Sydney

• Walk around the iconic Opera House
• Stroll through the beautiful botanic gardens, right by the harbour
• Walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Seat and snap a great picture of the Opera House
• Head to the Australian Museum to learn all about this weird and wonderful country
• Explore the funky suburbs such as Newtown
• Brunch in the upmarket Surry Hills
• Head to the Eastern Beaches; admire the outdoor pool at Bondi and complete the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
• Go to the NSW Royal National Park to check out sights like the Figure 8 Pools and Wedding Cake Rock
• Check out this local’s guide to Sydney for more ideas

Sydney Tours

Where to stay in sydney.

Where you decide to stay in Sydney largely depends on what kind of scene you’re after; whether you want to enjoy the fast-paced life of the CBD, one of its quirky suburbs or chill out on Bondi Beach.

If you’re after a stay in Central Sydney, Railway Square YHA is a hostel with a difference – half of it is located in disused railway cabins! It also offers cheap breakfasts, excellent facilities and great events. For more information and to book, click here .

Sydney to Melbourne Drive Itinerary

So many people fast track from Sydney straight to Melbourne, and I think it’s such a shame. This area of the country is spectacular, with amazing coastline, unique national parks and quirky townships. Take some time for your Sydney to Melbourne drive; to explore a little of southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, and I promise you won’t regret it!

The Blue Mountains

Suggested time – 2-3 days To reach the Blue Mountains, drive 55 minutes or 62 kilometres from Sydney to reach the edge of the National Park. It’s an extra 30 minutes/ 40 kilometres to reach the three sisters, the most prominent landmark in the park. Alternatively, you can take the train to the national park from Sydney Central.

I’m sending you on a little detour here, but it’s well worth it. The Blue Mountains are located 62 kilometres west of Sydney, and they are nothing short of spectacular. If you’re taking the Greyhound down the coast, I’d really recommend renting a car, taking the train or taking a tour to this national park – it’s definitely an Australia must-see. Covered in eucalypt forests, the Blue Mountains are named so because of how the oil from the trees mixes with water vapour. They span over  11,400 km2 and encompasses hills, waterfalls, lookouts and spectacular panoramic vistas.

Things to do in the Blue Mountains

• Three Sisters Lookout, the most popular and iconic spot in the Blue Mountains
• Evans Lookout, my personal favourite
• Traverse some of the many tracks of the mountains
• Visit the Waradah Aboriginal Centre

Psstt.. If you’re visiting the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney, head there on a Sunday, when the train fare is just $2.60

Blue Mountain Tours

From Bathurst, which is located at the other end of the Blue Mountains National Park, drive 253 kilometres to Canberra, which should take you around 3 hours 13 minutes.  Alternatively you can reach Canberra by bus or train from Sydney Central.

Tell anyone you’re planning on a trip to Canberra on your east coast Australia road trip and their response will be ‘why’? Famed for its dullness, the capital of Australia isn’t the top spot on anyone’s itinerary. Why am I recommending you go there then? Well, for all my history and politics fans, there’s lots to do in Canberra if you’re interested in getting to know how Australia works and has worked in the past. And I think if you’re travelling in a country, these are things you have a duty to know. Canberra can be done in a day trip from Sydney – it’s a three hour drive to the city (just down the road, you know), or you can take a coach or train between cities. There is enough to keep you occupied for longer though – check out this post for some ideas of what to do in 2-3 days in Canberra . If you’re self driving down the east coast, you can head south-east from Canberra and then continue your Sydney to Melbourne drive via the coast.

Things to do in Canberra

• Visit the Parliament House and sit in on a question time (which is 2pm when the parliament is running)
• Walk around the Old Parliament House, home of the Museum of Australian Democracy
• See the Australian War Memorial
• Enjoy a sunset over Lake Burley Griffin
• See artwork at the National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery
• Look out over the city from the top of Mount Ainslie

Check out this guide to Canberra for more ideas.

Where to stay in Canberra

A spacious hostel in the city centre, Canberra City YHA offers a swimming pool, sauna, rooftop terrace and an onsite bar and café. Choose from double, twin or dorm rooms and check here for rates and to book . From Canberra, drive 2 hours 55 minutes/ 222 kilometres eastwards to Jervis Bay. If you are taking public transport, taking a bus to Wollongong and then local transport south to Jervis Bay is an option.

Bladdy magical. That’s what Jervis Bay is. Three hours south of Sydney, it’s a spectacular beach with white-as-it-gets sand and the bluest of blue waters. If it’s hot on your visit, it’s a great place to have a beach day – or there are hiking trails and swimming spots to enjoy. Whatever the weather, it will no doubt be a highlight on your Sydney to Melbourne drive!

Things to do in Jervis Bay

• Have picnic at Greenfield Beach and enjoy the beautiful rockpools
• Take the White Sands Walk from Greenfield Beach along the bay
• Go on one of the walking tracks of Booderee National Park
• Walk the Abrahams Bosom Reserve which leads to some of the most secluded beaches in the area

From Jervis Bay, travel 1 hour 12 minutes or 87 kilometres to Ulladulla. If you are taking the coaches down the east coast of Australia, Premier serve this area of the country.

  Ulladulla

Suggested time – half a day

On your drive south, Ulladulla is worth a stop over on your Melbourne to Sydney coastal drive, mainly for the ‘one track for all’ walk which describes Aboriginal culture of the area, describing what happened when Europeans invaded and settled.   From Ulladulla, drive 50 minutes or 63 kilometres south to Mogo, or hop back on the Premier coach service.

Mogo is a quirky village that is really no more than a cluster of buildings on the side of the road, but it’s worth checking out to see some of the eccentric and arty shops, and admiring the treasures within each! From Mogo, drive 2 hours 20 minutes, 189 kilometres, to Eden, stopping in at some of the New South Wales state forests (many of which are also free campsites!) along the way.

New South Wales State Forests  

Suggested time – stopover or overnight stop

Away from the beach, New South Wales is home to some spectacular state forests. There are lots of free camping spots within these forests, each which contains walking trails and makes for a great leg stretch en route south. Look for signs to rest areas between Mogo and Eden; you’ll find information about local walking trails along this route.

Eden  

It’s scenic beaches all the way down now, and Eden is no exception. If you fancy lazing back on a beach, there’s plenty of those; or seek some adventure at one of the surrounding national parks.

Things to do in Eden

• Visit Woboyn Beaches – located on the shores of Disaster Bay! – to enjoy the spectacular oceanic vistas
• See the Ben Boyd National Park for 4WD tracks and short walks
• Enjoy the heritage of the town through the Heritage Walk or Heritage Drive

From Eden, head toward the New South Wales/ Victoria border and then drive to Lakes Entrance. Total driving time 2 hours 46 minutes distance 242 kilometres. If you’re taking public transport, transfer to a V Line coach to reach Lakes Entrance.

New South Wales/ Victoria Border

Just south of Eden is the New South Wales/ Victoria border, another unassuming crossing that only involves passing a sign.

Lakes Entrance  

A somewhat sizable town under 200kms from the NSW/ Victorian border, Lakes Entrance is a perfect mix of idyllic water, beautiful beaches and fascinating history. It’s a laid back kind of town which is perfect for holidaying, camping and unwinding. It’s also one of the most beautiful spots of the south coast, in my humble opinion!

Things to do in Lakes Entrance

• The Entrance to the Lakes walk which showcases some of the best natural scenery of the area
• Hire bikes and explore the town with two wheels
• Take an eco cruise to see some local marine life
• Explore the limestone formations of Buchan Caves Reserve  

From Lakes Entrance, drive 3 hours 34 minutes or 273 kilometres westwards towards Wilson’s Promontory. If you are taking public transport, it is easiest to travel from Lakes Entrance straight to Melbourne and organise day trips to Wilson’s Promontory and Phillip Island from there.

Wilson’s Promontory  

A national park bordering the beach, and the southernmost point of Australia, Wilson’s Promontory is a fantastic place to stop on a Victoria road trip.

The park is free to enter and explore, and includes hikes and beaches. Its   natural beauty makes it an essential stop on your Sydney to Melbourne drive.

Things to do in Wilson’s Promontory

• Walk to Sealers Cove, which is a 19 kilometre day walk
• Stay at Wilsons Promontory Lightstation
• See the world’s most southern mangroves
• Hike to the top of Mount Oberon
• Squeak around on the sands of Squeaky Beach  

Day Tour to Wilson’s Promontory

Drive just under 2 hours, 134 kilometres, to reach Phillip Island. The island is connected to Australian mainland by a 26 kilometre long bridge, so you don’t need to worry about ferry crossings!

Phillip Island

Located off the coast just 90 minutes from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a great pit stop.

Famed for its wildlife, water sports and motor sports, there’s plenty of great reasons to visit Phillip Island if you’re not quite ready for big city life and the end of your east coast road trip.

Things to do on Phillip Island

• Surf from one of the many beaches
• See some of the spectacular wildlife, including penguins, seals and koalas
• Go go-karting and learn about the history of motor spots at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Visitor Centre
• Check out the crashing waves of Cape Woolami along the rugged coastline of the island

Phillip Island Tours

Drive 1 hour 50 minutes, which is 141 kilometres, from Phillip Island to Melbourne

Melbourne  

Suggested time – 4 days or more!

Bet you thought you’d never get there, right?

Nearly 3000 kms from Cairns – although if you’ve taken all of my suggested detours, you’ll have racked up a good few more kilometres – your arrival in Melbourne is a long time coming.

Melbourne is a vivacious, ever-changing city with a great community feel and upbeat spirit. It reminds me a lot of Bristol, my adopted hometown, and it has tons of amazing things to see and do.

Things to do in Melbourne

• Visit some of the amazing museums or galleries throughout the city
• Café hopping in funky Fitzroy or other suburbs
• Discover some literature gems at the State Library of Victoria (and of course snapping a photo of )
• Support  Melbourne’s most sustainable restaurant, Lentil as Anything
• Enjoy seaside vibes at St Kilda
• Watch the penguins at St Kilda
• Get lost in the other endless suburbs
• Catch a live music event at one of the many venues around the city
• Eat at some of the best restaurants in Melbourne
• Get out and exploring some of the surrounding towns and natural wonders. These include: the Grampians National Park, the Great Ocean Road, the city of Ballarat, the quirky town of Daylesford.
• If you’re not quite road tripped out yet, check out this Victoria road trip itinerary to see the best of the west of the state.

Where to stay in Melbourne  

For well-equipped accommodation at budget rates, there’s nowhere better than Urban Central. This busy hostel has lots going on, with cheap dinners, an on site bar and complimentary bike hire, rice, pasta, tea and coffee. The dorms are great for a good night’s shut eye; each bunk has its own light, a comfy mattress and a large locker with a power point inside each. For rates and to book, click here.

There are so many more things to do in Melbourne, and it’s a great place to set some roots down and live for some time. If you’re looking to find a job after your Cairns to Melbourne road trip, working a while in Victoria’s capital could be the answer!

East Coast Australia Tour

If you don’t fancy doing the whole trip by car or coach, guided tours from G Adventures travel the popular East Coast route. They’re a great company who have a sustainable influence with their tours. Click here to find out more.

Your ultimate Cairns to Melbourne road trip guide

If you’ve managed to read this Cairns to Melbourne road trip itinerary from beginning to end, I salute you – it’s one long post! But please do save it for later and check back – this is just the beginning of a series of posts on the East Coast of Australia. Expect destination specific hostel guides, packing lists, driving tips and example budgets online over the course of the next few weeks! Subscribe to never miss a post, or come and say hello over on Facebook !

Hey! I’m on YouTube too!

I’m currently travelling from Bali to London without taking a single flight! I’m documenting my journey on YouTube and would love it if you could follow me there! Here is a video detailing the journey a bit more:

Click here to go to my channel – I’d love it if you subscribed and joined the community! Thinking of exploring the rest of Australia? Please do, it’s awesome! I’ve written a few more handy guides like this one, which are perfect to put your wanderlust into action!

Related Posts

• Tasmania Road Trip Itinerary
• Melbourne to Perth Drive Itinerary
• Perth to Broome Drive Itinerary
• Broome to Darwin Drive Itinerary (via the Gibb River Road)
• Darwin to Adelaide Drive Itinerary
• Adelaide to Cairns Drive Itinerary (via the Inland Way)

If you’re yet to head to Australia, check out my packing list to make sure you’ve got everything and send your friends and relatives this Australia gift guide so they can get you a little something before you head off!

Finally, if you have a lot of questions, I now offer travel coaching! Here’s some more information about this service .

Disclosure: some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This is just one of the ways I keep this blog running!

Pin me baby, one more time

5 thoughts on “ East Coast Australia Road Trip Itinerary and Ultimate Guide ”

Nice blog and great places to visit

Brilliant guide Claire, love the format and all the information you provide. Can I ask if you remember where the spot was from the photo you have of Eden in NSW? Looks amazing! (Not planning on visiting just yet thought due to the bushfires)

Hi Jake, thanks so much for your comment. the photo would have been from the Main Beach in the centre of town. Hopefully the bushfires get better soon there!

Hey, brilliant road trip Itinerary! We are halfway between our Cairns to Brisbane road trip and your post has been really helpful so thank you!

We will be going to Agnes water in a couple of days, can you tell me the company you did your afternoon surf lesson with please?

Thanks! Amber

Thanks for sharing the itinerary. Definitely gonna use this itinerary for my upcoming trip to East Coast Australia.

Comments are closed.

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3 Weeks on East Coast of Australia

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The East Coast of Australia is a dream destination for many. With its stunning beaches, famous cities like Sydney and Brisbane, and the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re an adventure seekers, you can enjoy surfing and snorkelling , while those who love culture can explore vibrant city life and rich history. Plus, with its friendly locals and diverse wildlife , it’s a place where unforgettable memories are made, making it a must-visit spot for foreign visitors.

Australia’s beautiful East Coast has been drawing travellers from all over the world for decades. The postcard white sand beaches, shimmering water, world-class surf, and laid-back Australian island ambience – this is an exciting way to spend 3 weeks on East Coast of Australia.

We also have this massive 3 weeks across Australia itinerary where you could include a visit to the West Coast.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA

Before you go book anything, there are a few things you should be aware of about visiting Australia, specifically the East Coast. In this part of the itinerary, I will help you decide when to visit, how much to budget, how to get around, and other travel tips:

When is the best time to go to the East Coast of Australia

The best time to visit the East Coast of Australia is generally during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) . These seasons offer pleasant weather with moderate temperatures, ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the coast.

The peak tourist season is during the Australian summer, from December to February . This period sees the warmest weather, perfect for beach activities, but it also brings larger crowds and higher prices.

Winter, from June to August, is cooler and less crowded . While it’s winter, the climate remains relatively mild, making it a good time for those who prefer a quieter experience.

The rainy season varies along the coast but is typically during the summer months, especially in the tropical regions of Queensland, where you might experience tropical showers and occasional cyclones.

Are 3 weeks enough for East Coast of Australia

If you put together a list of cities properly, 20 days on East Coast of Australia is plenty of time. You can easily visit 4-5 cities. Planning what mode of transportation to use will also play a big role in ensuring that you can maximise your time without wasting it on airport and transport terminals.

What to pack

This depends on which season you plan to visit and the activities you want to do. If you’re an experienced surfer, you probably want to bring your own board, but you can also rent at many places along the Sunshine Coast.

If you plan to hike, don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes . I also recommend you bring at least one jumper/pullover because the wind at night, especially along the coast, can still be chilly, even in summertime.

How to get around

Getting around the East Coast of Australia offers various options. The most affordable is often buses, providing extensive coverage at low costs . But they can be the slowest choice.

For speed and convenience, flying is ideal , especially for covering long distances quickly. Trains offer a scenic and comfortable journey, though they might not be the fastest.

Renting a car is ideal for flexibilit y and exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. It allows you to travel at your own pace and access areas not served by public transport, making it a great choice for a comprehensive and personalized travel experience.

However, Australia is massive, even with just visiting the East Coast. This means that you must craft your travel itinerary carefully to avoid spending more time driving than exploring.

This 3 weeks on East Coast of Australia itinerary is perfect for renting a car though . You can pick up the vehicle in Melbourne and then take it all the way to Sydney (it’s a 9-hour drive, but you can also take a break in Canberra for a night and explore the capital city.

From Sydney, you can take the car to the Blue Mountains, and finally, your last leg of the trip, from Sydney all the way to The Whitsunday Islands. You can then drop it off there and fly from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Cairns.

Language and currency

The main language spoken in Australia is English . While English is predominant, the country’s multicultural population also means that languages like Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese, and Greek are widely spoken within various communities.

The main currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD) . Tourists generally cannot pay with other currencies directly. Card payments are widely accepted and often more convenient than cash, especially in cities and tourist areas. Using cards also provide better exchange rates and security for international travelers, but don’t forget to have some local cash in hand for emergencies.

Average travel cost for East Coast of Australia

The cost of a vacation in Australia can really vary depending on your style and level of comfort. Visiting during the summer season, the prices skyrocket. On the other hand, the shoulder seasons can save you a great amount of money.

• Affordable : B udget travellers can expect to spend around AUD 1,500-2,500 . This includes hostel stays, public transport, and mostly self-catered meals.
• Midrange : For a more comfortable trip with midrange hotels, some dining out, and domestic flights or car rental, the cost can range from AUD 3,500-6,000 .
• Luxury : Luxury travellers might spend AUD 8,000-15,000 or more . This includes staying in high-end hotels or resorts, dining at upscale restaurants, private tours, and possibly internal flights in business class.

These estimates cover accommodation, transport, meals, and some activities. Prices can vary based on the specific destinations within the East Coast, the season, and personal spending habits. Activities like diving, guided tours, and special experiences will add to the overall cost.

If you plan to do extreme activities such as sky diving, diving, surfing, and others, you should really make sure that you have travel insurance valid for Australia .

Australia has a strict visa policy. There are a limited number of countries that could visit Australia without a needed visa.

If your passport is from the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, you can enter and travel around Australia for up to 6 months, depending on what passport you hold.

However, all visa-free countries are still required to get an eVisitor permit , which you can obtain online. Make sure to get this at least one or two weeks prior to your departure date to Australia.

New Zealand citizens have a freedom of movement in Australia.

Other foreign visitors not mentioned above must apply for a visitor visa from the nearest Australian embassy or consulate in your location.

You must also remember that Australia has a strict import law . There are many foods that you cannot bring here (e.g. dried fruit, homemade food, etc), which were put in place to protect its sensitive ecosystem.

Other travel tips

You can start arranging some travel items, such as booking your accommodation and tours, once you have the dates picked. It’s the hotel that you want to book as soon as possible, especially if you plan to visit during the peak season.

The travel sites below are what we highly recommend on our blog because many of them are super flexible with cancellations and offer a wide range of choices.

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES ON THE EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA

Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google

TRIP COST CALCULATOR

Trip cost calculator, 3 weeks on east coast of australia itinerary.

Starting in Melbourne, Victoria, and ending in Cairns , Queensland, this detailed itinerary takes you through 3 Australian states . This means that if you follow this itinerary, you want to book your flight into Australia to Melbourne and then fly out of Cairns.

From mountainous bushland and rainforests to the whitest sand beach in the world to small surf towns, iconic sprawling cities, and pristine islands, this itinerary has it all.

For extra local tips and tricks to help you have the best time possible, I also reached out to my friend Luca Saunders. Luca is an 18-year-old traveller and creator of the travel blog Hello World, Here I Come . She’s also an Australian local who’s spent a large amount of time travelling up and down the East Coast. 

So what are you waiting for? Here is the top 3-week itinerary that’s guaranteed to give the best, authentic, and memorable experience of Australia’s beautiful coastline.

Melbourne for 4 days

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most popular and iconic cities, known for its art and music scenes, lively young crowds, and delicious food.

Melbourne is one of Australia’s most accessible cities by plane, making it a good starting point to access the greater East Coast . You can also take plenty of day trips to famous landmarks like the Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles, and more.

From here, you can pick up a car rental, or you can do that once you reach Sydney instead.

Things to do in Melbourne

• Melbourne Cricket Ground – a tour that you can join
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Day trip to Phillip Island – see the penguins and Moonlit Sanctuary or the one with Penguin and Koala tour
• Shrine of Remembrance
• Melbourne Skydeck – check the updated price
• Federation Square
• Great Ocean and 12 Apostles – book a day tour from Melbourne
• South Wharf Area
• Polly Woodside – the country’s last surviving 19th-century ships
• Garden and Sporting Precinct River Cruise
• Ride Hot Air Baloon – check the tour price and reviews
• City Circle Tram
• Skydive Melbourne
• Luna Park in Melbourne
• Yarra River Cruise – enjoy a dinner cruise or balloon flight at sunrise or a bottomless brunch cruise
• Visit Yarra Valley and go on a Winery Tour
• National Tennis Centre (Rod Laver Arena)
• Williamstown Ferry Cruise – read the reviews and see the tour price
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Day trip to Healesville Sanctuary – ride Puffing Billy and see the rescued wild animals
• Go to an art gallery

You wouldn’t have really visited Melbourne if you didn’t check out the city’s famous art scene. Visit the famed Australian Museum of Modern Art, then head to the Linden New Art Gallery to see some of Australia’s upcoming contemporary artists’ work.

• Go to an underground concert

Melbourne’s music scene is renowned, but not for large artists in stadium tours. Melbourne has a thriving underground music scene, with tiny packed bars showcasing local bands and artists. These shows aren’t often publicly promoted, so head to a Melbourne music Facebook page to see what you can find.

• Do a day trip along the Great Ocean Road and Visit the 12 Apostles

The best day trip from Melbourne has to be a drive along the Great Ocean Road. You can even stop along the way to see the iconic 12 Apostles. ( suggested tour ). So book a tour or rent a car and head out for a full day of exploring some of the country’s most dramatic coastal scenery.

• Take a food tour

Melbourne has some of Australia’s most diverse and delicious cuisine. Grab a tour or simply walk through the streets of some of Melbourne’s hip districts and find an unbelievable range of cuisines to taste. I recommend visiting A1 Bakery and Very Good Falafel.

• Try a delicious Australian coffee

Australia is famous for its coffee, and for good reason. Just walking around, you’ll find thousands of little coffee shops dotting the streets. The best coffee usually comes from small businesses, and for the full experience, get yourself the quintessential Aussie drink, the flat white.

• Take a walk through Fitzroy and Northcote

Fitzroy and Northcote are two of the city’s trendiest suburbs. Take a walk through the graffitied back allies to see street art, vintage shops, tiny galleries, record stores, and hip restaurants. 

Accommodations in Melbourne

• Affordable: Space Hotel or Flinders Backpackers
• Mid-range: The Victoria Hotel or Atlantis Hotel
• Luxury: The Langham or Crown Towers

Sydney and The Blue Mountains for 6 days

Sydney and its nearby Blue Mountains are two of the most famous spots to visit in Australia. S ydney is famous for its iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbor Bridge , while the Blue Mountains are famous for their stunning viewpoints and diverse native Australian forests. 

To get there from Melbourne, you can either take a short 1-hour flight, a 10-hour train or drive for roughly 8 hours. From the airport, the centre of Sydney is easily accessible due to the city’s amazing public transport system.

Things to do in Sydney and The Blue Mountains

• Sydney Opera House – book your tour in advance or watch La Boheme
• Chinese Garden of Friendship
• Explore the city and Bondi Beach – get your bus ticket or join a half-day tour or join a crime tour
• Darling Harbour
• Sydney Tower- look at the tour price and reviews and enjoy a buffet feast at the tower
• Luna Park Sydney
• Blue Mountains – book a day trip with a cruise
• Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Day trip to Katoomba Scenic World – get your hop-on, hop-off bus and park pas or bushwalk and lunch
• Cruise at Circular Quay
• Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park
• Madame Tussauds – skip the line and get a ticket in advance
• Queen Victoria Building
• Sydney Harbour – enjoy a sunset cruise or an all-inclusive dinner cruise
• BridgeClimb Sydney
• Art Gallery of New South Wales
• Day trip to Hunter Valley for wine, cheese, and chocolate tour
• King Street Wharf Darling Harbour
• Visit the iconic Australian landmarks

You can’t visit Sydney without visiting its iconic Australian landmarks. The Opera House, Luna Park, and the Harbor Bridge are the two most notable.

 For the cheapest experience, I recommend taking the Ferry from Circular Quay to Luna Park, which takes you right under the harbour bridge. From there you can take the train back over the bridge to see views of the Harbour and Opera House. 

Then take a picnic lunch and relax next to the Opera House in the beautiful Botanical Gardens.

• Relax at Manly Beach

Next, you have to visit the city’s iconic beaches. The best by far for overall experience is Manly. The beach has beautiful bright green ocean pools to swim and relax in, plus a surf break and hundreds of beautiful cafes, stores, and restaurants lining the beachfront. 

But make sure to put on sunscreen, and the Australian sun is relentless!

• Spend 2 days in the Blue Mountains National Park

A visit to Sydney is incomplete without heading to the Blue Mountains National Park, which is also where Luca grew up. The Blue Mountains are one of Australia’s natural wonders, with mountains that are actually… blue to the eye. 

The Mountains are the perfect place to go if you’re looking for peace, beautiful scenery, bushwalks, and adventure experiences. Relax under a waterfall, head for a walk, and enjoy the beautiful ambience. 

The Mountains are also one place in Australia where you can see snow! Read more in Luca’s expert guide on seeing snow in Australia . 

Read more about what to do and see in Luca’s Guide about why the Blue Mountains are worth visiting !

• Go rock climbing or canyoning 

One thing you must do in the Blue Mountains is experience Its world-class adventure. The Mountains are considered to be a mecca of Australian rock climbing, and with towering cliffs as far as the eye can see, that’s no surprise. Similarly, if you aren’t comfortable with heights, a canyon might be the way to go. 

If you aren’t experienced, make sure to book a tour instead. Try to book only tours with local guides from local companies, as private tourism has hurt the Blue Mountains over the last 10 years.

Accommodations in Sydney

• Affordable: Wake Up! Sydney Central or Sydney Harbour YHA
• Mid-range: Mariner’s Court Hotel or Meriton Suites
• Luxury: Sofitel Darling Harbour or Radisson Blue Plaza or Shangri-La

Noosa, Fraser Island, and The Whitsunday Islands for 9 days

Next, rent a car for the road trip of your life. Starting in Sydney, drive 11 hours up to the Sunshine Coast, stopping along the way if need be. You can take a night off at Rockhampton City, which is about 6 hours from Noosa, and then 5 hours to The Whitsunday Islands.

Spend 2 days exploring the beautiful beach town of Noosa , which has an unbelievable balance of facilities, rainforest, and beautiful beaches. There’s also a boat trip to Noosa Heads that you can book.

Then, drive just 4 hours from Noosa to K’gari (meaning paradise) , also known as Fraser Island. Spend 2 days there to soak up the unbelievable wildlife and natural scenery. You can see dolphins while doing sea kayaking as well.

From there, drive up to Airlie Beach , where you can access the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. The Islands are famed for being the whitest sand in the world and are an incredible place to explore Australia’s beautiful beaches and marine life. You need at least 3 days to experience this slice of paradise. 

Things to do in Noosa, The Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island

• Noosa- Explore the hidden beaches

Noosa is famous for its beautiful boardwalk that spans from the town centre, along the main beach, and along the coast through the surrounding national park. Take a walk along the boardwalk to see some of Queensland’s most beautiful scenery, and hop off to spend some time at one of the pristine hidden beaches!

• Noosa- Do a surf lesson

Noosa has been a hub for surfers for decades. Take an afternoon to hop on a board and enjoy one of Australia’s world-class surf breaks. If you’re a pro, you can rent a board along the beach. If not, grab a surf lesson and experience a big part of Australia’s beach culture.

• K’gari- Drive a 75-mile beach

Taking a drive along a 75-mile beach is one of the best things to do on Fraser Island. Cars are allowed on the sand, so many locals can be found on nice days parked on the beach with a picnic and some beers to watch the sunset.

Driving along the beach is one of the best ways to experience the beautiful coastline to the fullest!

• K’gari- Explore the natural wonders

K’gari/ Fraser Island has some of Queensland’s most incredible natural sites. Find teaming Australian wildlife like quokkas and kangaroos, dunes as tall as the Opera house, crystal clear water, and native Australian bushland as far as the eye can see.

Spend a day simply hopping between the famous Champagne pools, the Pinnacles, and Lake Mckenzie, or take a drive along the sandy 4WD tracks from Eurong Beach to Kingfisher Bay to see the sub-tropical rainforest. From Noosa, you can book a cruise through Noosa Everglades .

• Whitsunday Islands- Relax on the whitest beach on earth

Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands has been named the whitest beach on earth multiple times, and you can’t visit the area without seeing it at least once. Boats to the beach depart from the Port of Airlie Marina or the Coral Sea Marina daily. 

• Whitsunday Islands- Take a snorkelling tour

And you can’t miss a stay near the great barrier reef without going snorkelling. Here you can see vibrant coral, schools of colourful fish, turtles, manta rays, and much more. Dives and snorkelling expeditions can be expensive, but they’re well worth the experience and exposure to marine life you can’t find in many other places on Earth.

• Airlie Beach – Go Skydiving

For the adrenaline junkies among us, Airlie Beach is one of the best places on earth to go skydiving. Jump from 15,000ft and fall over some of the bluest water and lushest rainforests on the planet. The air is also warmer, making skydiving an even more enjoyable experience!

Accommodations in Noosa

• Affordable: Noosa Flashpackers or Ingenia Holidays or Robyn’s Nest BnB
• Mid-range: South Pacific Resort & Spa or At The Sound Motel or River Retreat Apartments
• Luxury: Sofitel Pacific Resort or Noosa Place Resort or Caribbean Noosa

Accommodations in Rockhampton City

• Affordable: The Heritage Hotel or Palms Motor Inn or The Q Motel
• Mid-range: Quest Rockhampton or Coffee House Apartment Motel or Denison Boutique Hotel
• Luxury: Korte’s Resort or CocoBew Boutique Apartments or The Stirling Motel

Cairns for 2 days

And finally, fly or drive from Airlie Beach to Cairns at the northeast tip of Australia. The city has one of Australia’s biggest airports, making it a great place to finish up your East Coast trip. But spend 1 to 2 days exploring the city before heading off. If you’re interested in the native tribes, join an Aboriginal cultural tour.

Here, you can also reach The Great Barrier Reef, which is definitely a must-see during your 3 weeks on East Coast of Australia. Plus, the fact that you can simply lie on the beach and enjoy the sun and water, is a great way to wrap up your trip.

Things to do in Cairns

• Head to Crystal Cascades

Head to Crystal Cascades for a nice afternoon relaxing by the natural freshwater pools and waterfalls. Drive through the rainforest to find this secluded spot, if you rent a car in Sydney, make sure to keep it to make these waterfalls more accessible.

• Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway

The Kuranda Scenic Railway is a train service that has been running since 1891 over the great dividing range, from Cairns to the town of Kuranda. The railway runs over raised tracks around the rainforest, towering mountains, and beautiful waterfalls. 

Make sure to bring your camera! This is one of the most beautiful scenic train rides in Australia. There’s a day trip to Kuranda to make your visit more convenient.

• Grab a bite to eat at the Cairns Night Markets

Finally, you can’t miss grabbing some delicious food at Cairns Night Markets. The markets have over 70 stalls and vendors, with countless choices for a delicious dinner experience in the city. 

• See the Great Barrier Reef

There are a few ways to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef, the most popular and easiest is taking a scenic flight over the reef . For those who want to get in the water, there’s a snorkelling or dive tour that you can sign up for. For an easier snorkelling day, you can skip the Barrier Reef, and book a full-day Green Island cruise .

Accommodations in Cairns

• Affordable: Cairns City Backpackers Hostel or YHA Cairns Central or Mad Monkey Central
• Mid-range: Nightcap at Balaclava Hotel or Estilo Bed & Breakfast or Coral Tree Inn
• Luxury: Crystalbrook Riley or The Abbott Boutique Hotel or Crystalbrook Flynn or Shangri-La The Marina or Crystalbrook Bailey

MUST-TRY AUSTRALIAN DISHES AND DRINKS

Australia might not be known for their food, but you have to try at least a few dishes and see which ones you like. Plus, it’s a diverse country offering fusions from cuisines of India, East Asia, and Europe. Don’t forget to try the local coffee as well as visiting breweries.

• Barramundi Fish – A popular Australian fish often grilled or fried.
• Moreton Bay Bugs – A type of lobster native to Queensland, usually grilled or barbecued.
• Lamingtons – A classic Australian cake, dipped in chocolate and coated in coconut.
• Meat Pie – A staple snack, often filled with minced meat and gravy.
• Chicken Parmigiana – A pub favourite, featuring breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce and cheese.
• Damper – A traditional Australian bread, typically baked in a campfire.
• Pavlova – A meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, topped with fruit and whipped cream.
• Vegemite on Toast – A quintessential Australian spread made from yeast extract, commonly eaten on toast.
• Tim Tams – Iconic Australian chocolate biscuits.
• Anzac Biscuits – Oatmeal coconut cookies, originally made for soldiers during WWI.
• Fairy Bread – Bread spread with butter and covered in sprinkles, a children’s party favourite.
• Golden Syrup Dumplings – Sweet dumplings made with golden syrup, a classic comfort food.
• Flat White – A popular coffee drink, similar to a latte but with a higher coffee-to-milk ratio.
• Bundaberg Ginger Beer – A famous non-alcoholic ginger beer from Queensland.
• Lemon, Lime and Bitters – A refreshing drink made with lemonade, lime cordial, and Angostura bitters.

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS ON EAST COAST OF AUSTRALIA ITINERARY

This East Coast of Australia Itinerary has everything, spanning 3 states and all kinds of experiences. From white sand beaches to sprawling mountains to iconic cities and towns, you’ll be able to experience everything the East Coast has to offer.

With Luca’s extra local knowledge, you’ll be able to visit undiscovered gems, have fun, adventurous experiences, and explore only the best the East Coast has to offer.

I hope that you found this itinerary for 3 weeks on East Coast of Australia helpful in planning your upcoming trip.

SAVE THIS TRAVEL ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

A Travel Guide to the East Coast Australia

Travel distances of the east coast.

The Australia East Coast refers to the long, beautiful stretch of road between Sydney and Cairns. It is peppered with some of the most popular backpacking trails in the world. The spectacular East Coast of Australia trail is jam-packed with tourist destinations and iconic sights you can’t get enough of. On the Australia East Coast Map, you will see that the coastal stretch spans over 4000km. It would take four weeks to cover the entire route from Melbourne to Cairns.

Check out our Australia’s South East Coast Guide , which runs from Sydney to Melbourne for 1000 km. You could spend 3-7 days on this journey visiting the pristine beaches, ancient national parks and covering the route well.

Tips for Travelling the East Coast

Drive a car or a campervan.

Driving up the East Coast is best done by renting a motorhome or campervan. There are many places to see between Sydney and Brisbane and between Brisbane and Cairns. You can start in Sydney and spend a few days at its free campsites. When you reach Byron Bay, you will find the Yelgun Rest Area, which is excellent for campervan parking. In Brisbane, you will find camping spots on its outskirts easier.

The Capricorn Caves of Rockhampton and Townsville have camping spots you can enjoy. You must look out for paid campsites at Arlie Beach, Whitsundays, and Magnetic Island. Whether you start your journey from Sydney or in reverse order, you can make many drives stops along your East Coast route.

Check the latest Car and Campervan Rentals from the East Coast

Fly On Down To The East Coast

Taking one or more flights will save you a lot of time and allow you to see more sights of the coast. My tip is to fly and drive to cover long distances. The main airports along the East Coast include Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Airlie Beach, Rockhampton, Townsville, and Cairns.

From Sydney, take a flight to any of the destinations on the East Coast. There are many airports, and flights are plentiful. You can take a trip from Brisbane or another major airport and drive the rest of the way.

Find all Flight Deals on the East Coast of Australia

Hop-On And Off A Greyhound Bus

Try the Hop On Hop Off Passes if you want to travel by bus. They are handy for travellers who wish to spend less time planning and more time enjoying their holiday on the East Coast. You can pick the Sydney to Cairns trip pass and travel on any Greyhound Coaches between the two cities. This pass can be purchased for 90 days, allowing you to go one way between destinations. If you want to explore specific areas for longer, many pass upgrades are available.

Journey By Train

There is no direct train running from Sydney Station to Cairns. The journey by train will take you approximately 40 hours. Your train journey will start in the afternoon at Sydney Central Station and end at Brisbane Station early next morning. From Brisbane, you have to switch coaches on your way to Cairns. The Brisbane-Cairns train operates on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—more info about all trains in Queensland .

Enjoy The Adventure Of A Guided Trip

The East Coast of Australia has so many breathtaking destinations that it is tough to see each of them quickly. Therefore, many action-packed organised East Coast Tours of Australia will help you thoroughly explore it.

Browse through all Multi-Day Tours of the East Coast

Best Places To Visit on Australia’s East Coast + Things To Do

The gorgeous East Coast has many spectacular things to do and see. You will have your pick of beaches, national parks, shopping centres, and art galleries. Here are my picks with some of the best places to visit along the east coast of Australia.

 Sydney And The Blue Mountains

 brisbane and the gold coast.

Byron Bay is a coastal town located in East Coast NSW. It is full of vibrant beaches, unique shopping opportunities, and many festivals. Look over the spectacular mountains of Byron Bay in a hot-air balloon or even go sky-diving.

Sunshine Coast

Fraser island, whitsunday islands, the capricorn coast, magnetic island, cairns and port douglas, cape tribulation and the daintree forest, east coast australia road trip itinerary.

Your East Coast travel explorations are not complete without a road trip. Here are some of the fabulous, fun-packed road trip itineraries.

East Coast Australia Itinerary 2 weeks

If you are thinking of spending two weeks on the East Coast , you must take a trip through big cities, the best beaches in the world, bushlands, and rainforests. Starting from Sydney, go to Nelson’s Bay, a pretty little town and an ideal base to explore New South Wales’s remarkable region.

Go dolphin spotting and make a stop at the Nelson Bay heritage lighthouse. Next on your list is Port Macquarie, situated just near Hastings River. You can visit the beautiful St. Thomas Church, one of Australia’s oldest.

Located nearby is Coffs Harbour , where you can spend a day at the beautiful marine conservation park. The surrounding green hills and the rocky Cape Byron will make you feel at home. Next on your list is Queensland’s Gold Coast . Home to the fabulous Surfers Paradise, it is the place where you will have the most fun picnicking and learning how to surf.

With so much travelling, you will need time to unwind and be at peace. Brisbane is a lush city with spectacular gardens and beautiful beaches, an excellent place for a break. After a relaxing day, go to the fabulous Sunshine Coast with its lush green rainforest and gorgeous beaches. If you are tired of spending time at the beach, visit Fraser Island, where you can see some of its designated camping regions and even whale watching.

From Fraser Island , continue with your road trip to Rockhampton, which lies over 500km away and is Australia’s capital of beef farming. You will have a lot of fun visiting some of its rodeos and sitting on the banks of the Fitzroy River. Make your way to the beach once more when you visit Airlie Beach. It has a wide range of aquatic activities for you to pursue, including snorkelling, sailing, and scuba diving.

Your second last stop on your 2-week itinerary is Townsville with its famous Magnetic Island attraction. Townsville has many fantastic places to stay before you make your way through the final stretch of the East Coast on your way to Cairns. This bustling town has a lot to see, including Mission Beach , Daintree Rainforest, and Cape Tribulation.

East Coast Australia Itinerary 3 weeks

Start your three-week trip from Sydney. You can spend days hitting the beaches like Coogee, Narrabeen, and the famous Bondi. Nearby you will find the lovely Blue Mountains. Do visit Coffs Harbour, where you must see the lovely Sealy Lookout. It has incredible views of the city that you must see! Don’t forget to visit Byron Bay , one of the most amazing places to hang out.

Take the East Coast wildlife by cuddling a cute Koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary . The City Hall’s bell tower is also nearby and a great place to finish the day. You can spend a day at Noosa Heads . It is one of the most beautiful places on the east coast, with waterways and beaches everywhere you turn.

If you are looking for an island getaway, visit the impressive Fraser Island. It is an excellent place to spend a few nights and participate in some of its tours. Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays are two more places to spend a few days. Here you can take marvellous boat trips, unwind at all the pristine white beaches, and, lastly on your great East Coast adventure in Cairns. From the Daintree forest to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns has a lot in store for you.

Book your Car and Campervan for your East Coast Road Trip

East Coast Australia Itinerary 4 Weeks

If you decide to take a 4-week East Coast Trip, there is a lot for you to explore and enjoy. You can follow the three-week itinerary while giving yourself more time to enjoy different activities and sights. Here are the things you can do:

1. Rainforests

Why not take a trip to the Daintree Forest, home to thousands of rare species? Located nearby is Cape Tribulation, where you can end the day by taking a relaxing walk along the rainforest’s boardwalks. You must not miss the Kuranda National Park when visiting some of the great East Coast rainforests. You can be adventurous and even explore the rainforest on a quad bike.

Palm Cove is great for soaking up the sun and enjoying the calming waves; later in the day head on down to Port Douglas, where you will be fascinated by the stunning aquatic biodiversity and the colourful coral reefs. When taking up the beautiful East Coast beaches’ sights and sounds, make the most of your time and go on boat tours to the Great Barrier Reef . It offers travellers and adventure enthusiasts the best range of scuba diving experiences.

3. Waterfalls

It would be best to take the waterfall circuit in the Atherton Tablelands. It has seventeen waterfalls that are dazzling in the wet season. These photogenic waterfalls are magnificent for a refreshing swim and relaxing outdoor day. A road trip through the Atherton Tablelands to see more of the wetlands and mountain region.

4. Scenic flights

You will also take a scenic flight to explore the Great Barrier Reef’s views and the Whitsunday Islands. It is a marvellous unparalleled experience that you won’t get anywhere else.

Visit the East Coast of Australia on Tours

Explore the East Coast of Australia on tour , going from Sydney to Cairns. You can choose from a diverse range of trips that fit your time and your budget. There are 3-day trips that will help you visit all of the most iconic destinations along the coast. You could also select a 10-15 days package to visit more places and stay longer. There are different selections of tours for backpackers, those who want more luxury and comfort, and those packages where you can customize the places you want to visit.

Browse through all Multi-Day Tours of the East Coast Check all Day Tours in Queensland and the East Coast

With the best East Coast Australia tours , you will get to explore the coastal regions, have fun at beaches, see some of the most iconic historical destinations, or even stop at some of the more popular spots. Whether you love going on adventures, finding new places, or just meeting new people, there is something for everyone on these East Coast tours.

You can also check out All Australia Travel Destination Guides.

First published in Oct 2019, last updated in July 20213 If you find this article helpful for your trip, I’d appreciate it if you could support Rocky Travel and book tours, accommodation, rental car, or purchase my book using the links below. Thank you!

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Privacy Overview

Welcome to the glorious country of Australia! We were lucky enough to live and travel around Australia (in particular Melbourne, the Outback and all up the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns) for over 8 weeks. This extended length of time here allowed us to really slow travel and fully explore the majority of key destinations in-depth, plus finding plenty of hidden gems along the way!

From bustling cities, aboriginal culture, an abundance of incredible and whacky wildlife, the rich red Outback, dense lush rainforest, miles and miles of sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef bursting with marine life – Australia really is a destination of infinite wonder that everyone must visit in their lifetime.

From our travels here, we’ve perfected the exact 2 month itinerary we followed, explaining in-depth on all the key experiences we recommend, as seen below:

A 2 Month Itinerary for Backpacking East Coast Australia:

Stop 1: Melbourne (5 to 6 days)

• Melbourne Itinerary: The Ultimate 5 Day Guide & Best Things To Do!
• 8 Epic Mornington Peninsula Tours: The Ultimate Guide!

Stop 2: The Outback & Alice Springs (3 to 4 days)

• Uluru Tour from Alice Springs: The Best 3 To 4 Day Options!
• Why The Kangaroo Sanctuary In Alice Springs Should Be On YOUR Bucket List! (Full Review)

Stop 3: Sydney (7 days)

• 7 Days In Sydney: The Ultimate Itinerary & Best Things To Do!

Stop 4: Byron Bay (3 to 4 days)

• Byron Bay Itinerary: The Ultimate 3 Day Guide & Best Things To Do!

Stop 5: Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast (3 to 4 days)

• 21 Epic Things To Do In Surfers Paradise: The Ultimate Guide!

Stop 6: Brisbane & Moreton Island (3 to 4 days)

• How Many Days In Brisbane Is Enough? 1 To 3 Days In Brisbane Itinerary Options!

Stop 7: Noosa Heads & Noosaville (3 days)

• Noosa Itinerary: The Ultimate 3 Day Guide & Best Things To Do!

Stop 8: Fraser Island & Hervey Bay (3 to 4 days)

• The Best Fraser Island 2 Day Tour From Hervey Bay: The Ultimate Guide!
• The Best Whale Watching Tour From Hervey Bay: Our In-Depth Review & How To Book!

Stop 9: Whitsunday Islands & Airlie Beach (3 to 4 days)

• 11 Epic Whitsunday Day Trips From Airlie Beach: Half Day, Full Day & Multi Day Options!

Stop 10: Magnetic Island (4 days)

• Magnetic Island Itinerary: The Ultimate 4 Day Guide & Best Things To Do!

Stop 11: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef (7 days)

• Cairns Itinerary: The Ultimate 7 Day Guide & Best Things To Do!

Useful Backpacking Guides

• Your First Backpacking Trip: The Ultimate Beginners Guide & Checklist!

Australia Facts

Despite its incredulous size, 90% of Australia’s population live on the coast. The majority of the inner land is vast, uninhabitable desert. Australia is home to one of the seven wonders of the world: The Great Barrier Reef. It is the largest eco-system in the world (it is visible from space!) and made up of over 2,500 individual reefs. Australia is the only continent in the world without an active volcano! Australia is home to the world’s only two mammals that lay eggs: the Platypus and the Echidna! We spotted a wild Echidna on Magnetic Island ! The Aboriginal people have lived here for approx 50,000+ years, however now only make up 1.5% of the entire population. The Box Jellyfish (found in warmer Queensland waters of the Great Barrier reef) kills more people than sharks, snakes and saltwater crocodiles combined! 80% of the animals here are endemic, and only found in Australia! Australia’s ‘Dingo Fence’, built to keep dingoes from venturing into sheep grazing land in south-east Australia, is the world’s longest fence – stretching over 3000+ miles! There is more than 10,000 different beaches across the country! If you visited a new beach everyday, it would take you approximately 29 years!

Australia Top Temperatures:

Hottest Temperature 50.7°c, recorded in January 1960, in a remote town in the Outback. Lowest Temperature -8°c, recorded in July 1976, in Yongala, a town near Airlie Beach.

Australia Weather and Seasons

Summer Australia’s Summer months are between  December-February . It brings warm, sun-filled days on the most part. The Outback and North Australia will be almost unbearably hot, for the best and most comfortable weather, head South. It also is jellyfish season on the Great Barrier Reef. On average, the hottest month is January.

Autumn Australia’s Autumn months are between  March-May . Temperatures begin to cool, presenting brilliant autumnal hues of orange and golds. Best weather is mid-East Coast (Byron Bay, Gold Coast or Brisbane).

Winter Australia’s Winter months are between  June-August . North Australia experiences lush warm weather, cooling considerably as you head South. Comfortable weather in the Outback. It is also Humpback whale watching season, see them best at Hervey Bay. On average, the coolest month is July.

Spring Australia’s Spring months are between  September-November . The perfect combination of sunny days, cool nights and beautiful new blooms. It is the last few months of the North’s dry season

Australia’s Wet and Dry Seasons

May – October (Dry Season) The perfect months to visit North of Australia, including Darwin, Broome, Cairns and the Whitsundays (Airlie Beach). Sunnier days, cool nights and virtually jelly-fish free waters.

December – April (Wet Season) Despite the warm weather, the Summer also brings the ‘wet season’ for the tropical North of Australia, bringing heavy ‘monsoon’ rainstorms to areas such as Darwin, Broome, Cairns and the Whitsundays (Airlie Beach).

Australia Wildlife

The Kangaroo Australia’s most well-known animal! There are four types species: red, eastern grey, western grey and antilopine kangaroos. Find out where to have a baby red kangaroo cuddle at  Alice Springs .

The Koala Found in Eucalyptus trees, these fluffy marsupials are native to Australia, sleeping almost 20 hours a day! We spotted them in the wild along the Great Ocean Road in outside of  Melbourne  and many can be found on Magnetic Island .

The Wombat These podgy, short-legged ‘teddy bear like’ marsupials grace Australia with three species: the common, northern and southern hairy-nosed wombats. We saw a few at Featherdale Wildlife Park, Sydney .

The Echidna These intriguing, slow moving creatures are only one of two living egg-laying mammal species. We spotted a few wild ones on  Magnetic Island  outside our accommodation!

The Cockatoo These cheeky (and very noisy!) birds roam freely all across Australia, 14 species to be exact! We spotted  sulphur-crested cockatoo on the Great Ocean Road just outside of Melbourne , and  Airlie Beach . We spotted a yellow-tailed black cockatoo along the  Sydney  Bondi – Coogee walk.

The Duck-Billed Platypus The duck-billed Platypus, a seemingly cute and docile mammal endemic to Australia, has a hidden secret – It is venomous! That’s right, it is one of very few mammals that produces venom, strong enough to kill a small dog or inflict a lot of pain to a human!

The Kookaburra An Infamous Australian icon, known for its unique and noisy call (that sounds like laughter), spot many of these birds on  Magnetic Island . 

The Humpback Whale During April – November, the East Coast of Australia is full of migrating Humpback whales. Don’t miss your opportunity to see them up close and personal at  Hervey Bay . 

The Dugong These docile, slow-moving creatures graze on sea grass in the shallow coastal waters, especially on  Moreton Island , just outside of Brisbane.

The Sea Turtle Six species of sea turtle around Australia: Flatback, Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Loggerhead and Olive Ridley. We spotted many on  Moreton Island  and also  Green Island  (off Cairns coast).

The Dingo Introduced to Australia approx. 5,000 years ago, the Dingo is a wild, medium-sized canine and Australia’s largest land predator. Spot them roaming freely in The Outback and Fraser Island .

Camels Yes, you read that right, camels in Australia – Over 1 million wild camels roam the Australian Outback ! They were originally introduced to aid with the railway construction. They are of such pure heritage and breed, that Saudi Arabia actually import in camels from Australia!

Australia’s Capital City

CANBERRA The small city of Canberra was officially made Australia’s Capital in 1913. Sat halfway between Melbourne and Sydney, it was the perfect resolution to Sydney and Melbourne’s disagreements who was the true Capital city.  Fun Fact: In Aborigine, Canberra translates to “woman’s cleavage” – aptly named as the city is cradled between two mountains!

© THE FLAINS TRAVEL · 2024

Ultimate 3 Week Australia East Coast Road Trip Itinerary

Last Updated on March 1, 2024 by Natalia

Australia’s East Coast is known for being an incredible road trip destination, with a mix of stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife, idyllic beaches, and more! There are some unforgettable bucket list experiences to enjoy on the east coast of Australia, from seeing the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns to the famous Opera House in Sydney. With an array of well-known spots and off-the-beaten-path hidden gems, there are a variety of attractions that cater to all types of travellers. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-fuelled adventures, relaxing beach days, or unforgettable wildlife experiences, this region has it all. Having spent around 3 months travelling the country’s east coast, we’ve been fortunate enough to explore the area well.  This comprehensive three week East Coast Australia itinerary fits all of the highlights and some hidden gems into one epic road trip from Cairns to Sydney!

Need more help planning your trip? We can do the hard work for you with our custom travel itinerary service! We also recommend checking out this list of the 20 best apps for travelling Australia to make your trip as easy as possible!

Table of Contents

Ultimate 3 week East Coast of Australia Road Trip Itinerary

The best way to travel the East Coast of Australia is in either a camper van or motorhome, giving you the freedom and comfort of a home on wheels. There are plenty of campsites along the east coast ready to welcome you for the night, with both powered and unpowered sites available.

It may feel a little daunting driving a campervan or motorhome, but it’s much easier than it may seem. Although they are big vehicles, they’re very easy to drive – so don’t let the size put you off.

One of the huge benefits of a camper van or motorhome is that it’s your personal kitchen, with a fridge and cooking facilities – helping to keep costs low and save your budget for unique experiences on your trip! Some models even come equipped with air conditioning, so you can stay cool as you sleep!

You can find the best campervan or motorhome rental days for your Australian road trip on the Motorhome Republic website. They compare a variety of options and campervans/motorhomes to ensure you get the best price for your trip!

Click here to find the best deals for your road trip on the Motorhome Republic website!

Of course, it is possible to follow this incredible three week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary by car too,  but you will need to book accommodation in each stop along the way. If you’re looking to rent a car then make sure to visit the Tripadvisor website to compare the best deals between a number of operators!

Click here to see the best deals on the Tripadvisor website!

Alternatively, VRBO have some fantastic accommodation options if you want to rent a property instead of staying at a hotel! Click here to see the amazing options on the VRBO website!

Cairns (Days 1-4)

Start your amazing three week East Coast Australia itinerary in Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Get your bearings which a quick walk through the CBD, which is home to numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and more.

Following this, head for the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon . This free, public saltwater lagoon is a safe swimming haven, unlike the beaches in the area which are inhabited by stingers and crocodiles.

Lay out your belongings on the grass or sand by the lagoon and take a refreshing dip. After cooling off in the water, meander along the Cairns Esplanade Boardwalk and take in the ocean views.

Next drive north for around 25 minutes to Palm Cove, a peaceful coastal village with towering palm trees lining the long sandy beach. Take a stroll along the sea to enjoy this picturesque spot, and maybe grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the nearby restaurants or bars.

From Palm Cove head to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which will take you on an incredible gondola ride up to Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands. Along the way you will enjoy views of the Barron Gorge National Park, the impressive Barron Falls, and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest.

Tickets cost $157 AUD per person, which includes the gondola up to Kuranda and then a trip back to Cairns via the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Click here to book your skysail and scenic railway tickets on the Get Your Guide website!

Once you arrive in Kuranda, take time to wander around the town – and if you’re visiting between Wednesday and Sunday then you might want to check out the Heritage Markets.

One thing you definitely don’t want to miss is the Kuranda Riverboat – a 45-minute guided nature cruise along the Barron River, with the possibility of spotting crocodiles, cassowaries, turtles, and more! At just $25 AUD per person, this trip is incredible value for what will be a highlight of your road trip along the East Coast of Australia. Book your trip now via the Kuranda Riverboat website.

If you’re taking the midday skyrail, then it’s best to take the 2.30pm riverboat trip as you should be in Kuranda in plenty of time before this trip, and it finishes just before your departure on the scenic railway back to Cairns.

On the second day of your three week East Coast Australia itinerary, you will explore more of the beautiful Atherton Tablelands, with its wonderful waterfalls and amazing wildlife. First up is the drive from Cairns to Millaa Millaa Falls, which should take around 90 minutes.

Millaa Milla Falls is a stunning 18-metre waterfall, nestled in the middle of lush rainforest. Take the chance to swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls, which is a great way to cool off from the tropical heat!

After drying off, take a 10-minute drive to the nearby Zillie Falls. Standing at 30-metres tall, the waterfall isn’t as easily accessible as Millaa Millaa, but thankfully a viewing platform does give a reasonable view. 

The path to the bottom of the Zillie Falls is steep at times, although is reasonably manageable for most of the way if you want to get a view of the falls from nearer the bottom. Either way, this lovely waterfall is a sight to behold!

Next up, head for the final waterfall of the day – the small but picturesque Eliinjaa Falls. With a height of 15 metres it’s still a lovely sight, and is another nice spot for a swim if you need to cool off! The falls are easily accessible via a paved path and stairs, and make sure to keep an eye out for turtles in the area!

Make sure to read our guide to the Cairns waterfall circuit in the Atherton Tablelands for more information on visiting these three beautiful waterfalls!

After you’ve visited all three waterfalls, it’s time to drive on to Peterson’s Creek in Yungaburra. The drive should take around 35 minutes, and once you arrive take a stroll along the creek.

This spot is a haven for wildlife, and you have the chance to see a number of rare species including tree kangaroos, platypuses, pademelons, and more! Platypus sightings are most common by the suspension bridge over the creek, so make sure to spend some time looking around there.

Wrap up your day at the Platypus Viewing Platform in Yungaburra, just a 2-minute drive from Peterson’s Creek. Sightings of these elusive creatures are fairly common here, but you will still need a bit of luck and patience.

If you don’t manage to spot one from the viewing platform, then head under the nearby bridge – as there are plenty of sightings there! After you’ve hopefully seen a platypus or two, make your way back to Cairns and unwind after another busy day!

Your final day in Cairns takes you on a thrilling adventure to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders. Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef – so you can’t miss this opportunity to snorkel or dive into its vibrant underwater world.

When it comes to booking a day trip to the reef, there are a few things to consider – like whether you want to snorkel or dive, and where exactly you want to visit. In terms of the latter, it’s best to visit some of the more remote parts of the reef – as it will be more secluded from other tour groups.

Get Your Guide offer a brilliant day trip that includes visits to three different sites on the outer reef. Both snorkelling and diving is available on this tour, and you will have plenty of time in the water to discover the incredible reef!

We took this tour and had an amazing day, and the reef sites were very impressive – with lots of incredible coral and marine life. We managed to see several turtles, a blue spotted stingray, a green humphead parrotfish, and much more!

Prices for a snorkelling tour start from just $270 AUD per person, but expect to pay more if you want to try an introductory dive at the reef. Certified dives are also available if you are a certified diver.

Click here to book your amazing Great Barrier Reef day trip on the Get Your Guide website!

Tours last up to 8 hours, and so you will spend much of the day exploring the reef. When you finally get back to Cairns you will be fairly worn out, as snorkelling and diving can be quite tiring – but it’s certainly worth it to see this natural wonder!

Make sure to read our three day Cairns itinerary for more detail of how to spend the first three days of your East Coast Australia itinerary, as they both cover the same spots!

Click here to find the best accommodation options in Cairns on Booking.com!

Mission Beach (Days 4-5)

Now it’s time to properly begin your 3 week Australian East Coast road trip itinerary, as you begin your journey down the coast from Cairns. Your first stop is Mission Beach, around a 2 hour drive south.

Mission Beach is a prime location for spotting one of Australia’s most unique birds – the cassowary. This endangered species is only found in the rainforests of North-East Queensland, as well as Papua New Guinea and some surrounding islands.

Growing up to 6 feet tall, cassowaries are one of the world’s largest birds, and they have a unique horn-like casque on top of their head. Mission Beach is one of the best places to spot a wild cassowary, so it’s a great place to walk through the rainforest to try and spot one!

Two of the best routes if you want to see a cassowary are the Lacey Creek Walk and the Dreaming Trail, with both paths leading through lush rainforest. Click here for more information on the best places to see cassowaries in Mission Beach!

If you are lucky enough to spot a cassowary, please keep in mind that they are wild animals and can potentially be dangerous. Always keep a safe distance, never feed them, and respect their natural habitat.

Of course you can’t visit the town of Mission Beach without actually visiting the beach. The beach stretches for 14 kilometres, and has some unique curved palm trees that make for a nice photo opportunity!

If you’re a thrill-seeker or looking for an unforgettable experience, then you can also skydive at Mission Beach. Freefall for up to 60 seconds from 15,000 feet, whilst taking in a unique birds eye perspective of Australia’s stunning east coast.

Weather permitting, you will land on Mission Beach itself after one of the most thrilling experiences of your life! Get Your Guide offer skydives from just $359 AUD per person, but make sure to book ahead to guarantee your preferred time!

Click here to book an amazing skydive on the Get Your Guide website!

It’s up to you whether you want to spend the night at Mission Beach, or continue on to Townsville. There are caravan parks and campsites suitable for campervans in both locations, and both have options if you’re looking to book accommodation too.

The advantage of continuing on to Townsville is that you will have a shorter drive the following day, but we suggest spending the night at Mission Beach and then just allowing plenty of time for the drive tomorrow.

Click here to find the best accommodation in Mission Beach on Booking.com!

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (Days 5-7)

Continue your epic East Coast Australia road trip itinerary down to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. Airlie Beach is approximately a 6 hour drive from Mission Beach, or a 3 hour 15 minute drive from Townsville if you decided to travel further the previous day.

Along the drive, make sure to stop at the scenic Hinchinbrook Lookout which provides an incredible view of a river meandering through the rainforest, as well as mountains and Hinchinbrook Island in the background. A free car park is located just off the Bruce Highway, so it’s easily accessible – and there is space to park larger vehicles like campervans and RVs.

It’s just a short walk from the car park to the lookout point, and if you have time you can also visit the Panjoo lookout, which offers similarly wonderful views. As well as offering brilliant views, it’s a convenient place to stop to break up the drive – and you can rustle up some lunch while you’re stopped here too.

When you’re ready, continue the remainder of the way to Airlie Beach and spend the rest of the day settling in. If you have time then wander through the town and head to the Airlie Beach Lagoon for a swim. This impressive man-made lagoon is located in the centre of town and is free to use, so it’s a great place to relax and cool off from the tropical heat!

It’s time to set sail for an unforgettable day trip to the Whitsundays. This day will undoubtedly be a highlight of your Australian East Coast road trip itinerary, as you visit stunning viewpoints and one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia.

Most boats depart for the Whitsundays at around 8am, so it’s a fairly early start. Thankfully there is plenty of time to relax on deck as you take in lovely oceans view whilst you sail towards the islands.

Prepare to be mesmerised by the the view from the Hill Inlet Lookout, known for its swirling sands and stunning blue waters. Then head down to the famous Whitehaven Beach, with pure white silica sands and crystal-clear waters that will tempt you in! Without a doubt, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever visited.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to spot some stingrays and lemon sharks in the waters to the right of the main beach. The stingrays and sharks come right up to shore, and thankfully the sharks aren’t considered dangerous to humans – so it’s safe to be in the water with them! We were fortunate to see a number of sharks and stingrays here, and this unexpected encounter turned out to be one of the highlights of our East Coast Australia itinerary!

The easiest way to book a day trip to the Whitsundays is through Cruise Whitsundays on the Get Your Guide website, with prices starting at just $229 AUD per person. We took this exact tour and had an amazing trip, and the trip includes visits to the iconic Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout, as well as snorkelling stop.

To top if off, this all-inclusive tour includes morning and afternoon tea, a lunch buffet and barbecue, as well as unlimited alcoholic and soft drinks during your trip! Click here to book this amazing day trip to the Whitsundays on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find the best places to stay in Airlie Beach on the Booking.com website!

Clairview (Days 7-8)

Your next stop is Clairview, a tiny coastal town around a 3 hour drive from Airlie Beach. Before you leave Airlie Beach though, don’t miss the chance to take an incredible scenic flight of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef.

Flights last 60 minutes and give you a unique chance to get a birds eye view of the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The views are simply breathtaking, and for us this was a highlight of not only our 3 week East Coast itinerary, but our entire 6 month trip in Australia!

Try to time your flight for low tide if you can by searching tide times in advance online , as both the swirling sands of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef are best viewed during low tide. One of the many highlights of these flights is the chance to see the famous Heart Reef, a stunning piece of coral that naturally formed into the shape of a heart in the pristine Hardy Reef.

Flights are surprisingly affordable, with prices starting from just $308 AUD per person. Considering you get a 60-minute flight filled with stunning natural beauty, it’s completely worth the price in our opinion – and we cannot recommend it enough!

Click here to book an amazing scenic flight on the Get Your Guide website!

After your exhilarating flight, it’s time to hit the road again to continue your East Coast road trip as you journey from Airlie Beach to Clairview. In Clairview you will need to stay in the Barracrab Caravan Park – which gives you the chance to stay right by the beach.

If you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome then you can book an unpowered or powered site on their website, but if you’re travelling by car you will need to book one of the bungalows. Make sure to book in advance to ensure you have somewhere to stay, as there aren’t any other places to stay nearby! Click here to visit the Barracrab Caravan Park website!

The caravan park has a beachfront bar that serves food, so you can enjoy a drink or two with dinner. Make sure to take a stroll along the beach before you leave, and keep an eye out for turtles or dugongs which can sometimes be spotted from shore – and we managed to spot a number of turtles on our visit.

Try to time your walk for high tide, as during low tide the water is a long way from the beachfront. As you walk along the beach you will also see a number of mangrove trees just off shore, which help make this a picturesque spot to stay.

Hervey Bay and K’gari (Days 8-10)

After a night in Clairview it’s time to hit the road again, as you journey on to Hervey Bay. It takes around 7 hours to drive from Clairview to Hervey Bay, so make sure to split the driving if you’re travelling with others or stop every few hours if you’re driving solo.

It’s worth having a reasonably early start so that you don’t arrive to Hervey Bay too late in the day. Once you do arrive, take the chance to stretch your legs and take a wander around the town.

An interesting spot to visit is the Urangan Pier, which stretches for 868 metres out to sea. It’s nice to walk along the pier out to sea, and you can spot fishes, stingrays, and if you’re really lucky maybe even a dugong!

After a walk, it’s best to have a relatively chilled evening after a long drive and ahead of a trip to K’gari Island the following day.

Day nine of your three week East Coast Australia itinerary is a day trip from Hervey Bay to the island of K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. K’gari is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to being the largest sand island in the world, and is home to tropical rainforest, shifting sand dunes, stunning lakes, and more!

The easiest option for your day trip is to book onto a tour, which will take you to the main attractions on the island. It is possible to hire a 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) and drive around the island yourself, but we suggest only doing this if you’re experienced in driving a 4WD. Driving on the island can be tricky and dangerous, so we suggest booking a tour so that you have an experienced driver doing the hard work for you!

Different operators may offer slightly different itineraries for your trip to K’gari, but most will include the beautiful Lake McKenzie, the SS Maheno Shipwreck, 75 Mile Beach, and Eli Creek.

One of the highlights of any trip to K’gari is a visit to Lake Mckenzie, a pristine freshwater lake with unbelievably clear turquoise waters and white silica sand. Swimming in the lake’s crystal-clear water is the perfect way to cool off from the heat!

Your trip to the island will involve a drive along a stretch of 75 Mile Beach – which is used as a highway for 4 Wheel Drives to get between some of the island’s main attractions. Along the beach you will have the chance to stop for a swim in the clear waters of Eli Creek, as well as being able to visit the impressive yet eerie SS Maheno Shipwreck – the rusting remains of a ship beached during a cyclone in 1935.

As you journey around the island you will learn about what makes it so unique as the largest sand island in the world, as well as having the chance to spot wild dingoes if you’re lucky! K’gari is one of the best places to see dingoes in the wild, so fingers crossed you’ll manage to see one or two. We were fortunate enough to see four on our visit (from the safety of the bus), so you have a reasonable chance if you keep your eyes peeled!

Get Your Guide offer a brilliant 4 Wheel Drive coach tour of K’gari, which includes visits to Lake McKenzie, Eli Creek, 75 Mile Beach, the Maheno Shipwreck, and more! The cost of this tour is $259 AUD per person, with lunch and return ferry transport included in the price. Click here to book an amazing day trip to K’gari on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find amazing accommodation options in Hervey Bay on Booking.com!

Optional Extra Day

If you have time to add an extra day to your trip, then you may want to consider a multi-day trip to K’gari/Fraser Island. This way you get to spend the night on K’gari, and it gives you two days to explore its natural beauty and the different attractions around the island.

Viator offer a 2 day guided tour to K’gari, which includes overnight accommodation, 4 Wheel Drive coach transport, return ferries, and most of your meals from $639 AUD per person. Opting for this tour means you will get to see more of K’gari, including Lake Wabby, Indian Head, and the Champagne Pools.

Click here to book a 2-day tour to K’gari on the Viator website!

Noosa Heads (Days 10-12)

The next stop on your road trip is Noosa Heads, a small coastal town around a two hour drive south of Hervey Bay. As it’s only a short drive, you don’t need to set off too early – and if you happen to be visiting between June and October then you can take a whale watching tour from Hervey Bay before continuing your road trip.

These boat tours start at 8.30am and give you the chance to see migrating humpback whales, which are truly incredible to see in person. Tours last for four hours and cost just $135 AUD per person, which is great value for a rare chance to see these majestic animals up close and in the wild!

Click here to book an unforgettable whale watching trip from Hervey Bay on the Get Your Guide website!

Unfortunately we visited Hervey Bay in May, just before the whale watching season had started so we didn’t have chance to take a tour. Thankfully we’ve been fortunate enough to see humpback whales whilst whale watching in Akureyri, Iceland – and we can safely say it’s an amazing experience that you won’t want to miss!

After a thrilling morning of whale watching, it’s time to hit the road again and undertake the two hour drive to Noosa Heads. Once you get to the town, head for a stroll down Hastings Street. This street is the heart of the town with a variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, cafes, and more!

If low tide falls during mid to late afternoon, then head to the amazing Fairy Pools in Noosa National Park. These natural rock pools are only accessible during low tide, and are one of the most beautiful spots to visit in the area. Click here to check tide times in Noosa.

Take the chance to swim in these picturesque pools, which have lovely views overlooking the ocean. It takes around 30-45 minutes to walk to the Fairy Pools along the Noosa National Park coastal walk, and you get some lovely views along the way!

With some luck you may even spot some dolphins, migrating whales (between June and October), or koalas as you walk through the park. Find out everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful spot with our guide to the Noosa Fairy Pools!

If low tide doesn’t happen to be in the afternoon, then it should hopefully be low tide at some point the following morning – so plan to visit the pools then instead!

Day 11 of your East Coast Australia road trip itinerary varies depending on whether you managed to visit the Fairy Pools the previous day. If you didn’t visit them already, hopefully low tide will allow you to visit on the morning of day 11.

Alternatively, if you’ve already been to the Fairy Pools then there are two options of what to do. The first option is to have a relaxing morning on the Noosa Heads beach, where you can soak up some sun and go for a swim.

Option two is to visit Mount Coolum , which is around a 25-minute drive south of Noosa. Climb to the summit for some incredible views of the Sunshine Coast, with the walk taking around 30-45 minutes one-way.

In the afternoon you will have the chance to see some more of the area’s natural beauty, as you take a cruise through the Noosa Everglades. With only two everglade systems in the world, the other being the famous Florida Everglades, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

The Noosa Everglades are home to a variety of wildlife and birdlife, and with some luck you will have some interesting sightings during your cruise. Enjoy commentary throughout your trip, and you even get a beer or glass of sparkling wine included in the price!

Tickets can be booked through Get Your Guide for just $84 AUD per person, with trips departing at 2pm and lasting for approximately 3 hours. Click here to book a unique cruise through the Noosa Everglades on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find great accommodation options in Noosa on the Booking.com website!

Sunshine Coast (Days 12-13)

Noosa is actually part of the Sunshine Coast, so you don’t need to drive too far before your next stop. There are a couple of options for how you want to spend your day discovering the Sunshine Coast – either enjoying the beautiful beaches or venturing into the hinterland.

If you fancy a more relaxing day, head to one of the beaches in Mooloolaba , Caloundra, or Currimundi. These spots are home to some of the nicest beaches in the Sunshine Coast, so you can spend your day sunbathing and having a swim in the sea.

Alternatively, if you’re up for doing something a bit more active then head into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to visit the quaint towns of Montville and Maleny, and enjoy a hike in the Kondalilla National Park.

Head to Montville first and wander through the town, visiting the various artisan shops, art gallery, and cafes. Make sure to check out our guide to the best things to do in Montville to help you decide what to do while you’re there!

Next up, head to the nearby Kondalilla National Park and hike to Kondalilla Falls. It’s not too strenuous of a hike, but it does involve ascending and descending a fair distance by stairs – which can be a bit of work in the heat! Check out our guide to the Kondalilla Falls circuit hike for more information!

After a few hours of hiking it’s time to take it easier for the rest of the day, so head to Maleny to visit more independent shops and wander through this pleasant town. Don’t miss the nearby McCarthy’s Lookout, which offers some stunning views of the Glass House Mountains! Read our guide to the best things to do in Maleny for more ideas of what to do in the town!

Where you end up spending the night depends on how you’ve spent your day, but assuming you’re travelling by campervan there will be a few different options in terms of campsites. Alternatively, there are plenty of great hotels and places to stay in the area too.

Click here to see the best accommodation options in the Sunshine Coast on the Booking.com website!

Brisbane (Days 13-14)

It should only take around 1-2 hours to drive to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast, giving you almost a full day to explore the city. We recommend having an early start so that you can maximise your time in Brisbane.

Start your day with a visit to City Hall – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a fine work or architecture .The highlight here is the chance to visit the Clock Tower, which offers great views of the city from above! Clock Tower tours last just 15 minutes but require advance booking – so click here to book your tour now!

Your next stop is the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, which you can walk to from City Hall in around 10 minutes. Take a walk through the gardens and enjoy this lovely green space, which is a tranquil escape from the busy city streets.

When you’ve finished up in the gardens, walk across the Goodwill Bridge into Southbank. Wander along the South Bank Grand Arbour – a kilometre long pathway with a purple bougainvillea canopy growing on steel arches. Head in the direction of the Streets Beach – a man-made beach that is free to use, and is a great place to cool off in the heat!

Next, head to the Wilson Outlook Reserve for a stunning view of the city skyline and famous Story Bridge. It’s a wonderful place to enjoy sunset if you can time it right, but it’s still a wonderful view at any time of day.

Your final stop for the day should be the vibrant Fortitude Valley. Grab some dinner at one of the many trendy restaurants, and make sure to check out the wide variety of nightlife in this inner-suburb. With everything from cocktails bars to dive bars to nightclubs, there are a plenty of great places for a drink or two!

For more detail of how to spend your time in the city, make sure to read our one day in Brisbane itinerary! There are also some great nighttime activities in the city – so check out our guide to the best things to do in Brisbane at night if you fancy some different activities to fill your evening.

If you’re travelling by campervan then stay at one of the campsites outside of the city, but if you’re looking for accommodation then make sure to read our guide to the best hotels and places to stay in Brisbane!

Bryon Bay (Days 14-16)

The first two weeks of your East Coast Australia road trip itinerary are spent in Queensland, but on day 14 you will reach the state of New South Wales. It’s approximately a 2 hour drive from Brisbane to the famous coastal town of Byron Bay, located in the north of New South Wales. Known for its beaches, good surfing, and hippie culture, the town is one of the most popular stops on the East Coast of Australia.

Aim to arrive in the late morning or early afternoon, which gives you time to enjoy the Byron Bay lighthouse walk before sunset. This popular walk along the Cape Byron walking track begins in the town centre, and leads through rainforest and along clifftops up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Along the way you will get some beautiful ocean and beach views, and if you’re lucky you might even spot dolphins! If you’re visiting between June and October then you may even spot migrating humpback whales.

This 4 kilometre scenic loop is well worth the time, and is not a particularly strenuous walk – despite being steep at points. It’s well worth the effort for the lovely views, and is an ideal spot to enjoy a stunning sunset in Byron Bay.

Spend the remainder of your day taking it relatively easy, and enjoying some of the famous Byron Bay nightlife!

Dive into the day with a breathtaking two and a half hour sea kayaking tour on the pristine waters of Byron Bay. Offering the chance to see wild dolphins and turtles, this tour is another highlight of your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary.

Enjoy beautiful views of the famous Byron Bay Lighthouse from your kayak as you paddle through the Cape Byron Marine Park. As you paddle, your guide will tell you about local history, and help to spot any wildlife nearby.

Dolphins and turtles are seen regularly on these tours, and in the whale watching season it’s even possible to see migrating humpback whales from your kayak! Of course it’s impossible to guarantee sightings of these animals, but if you don’t see any dolphins, turtles, or whales, you do have the option of another tour free of charge – which you should be able to squeeze in the following morning if need be!

Tours are easy to book online through Get Your Guide, and cost just $89 AUD per person. This price includes all the equipment, instructions from an experienced guide, wet suit hire, and free photos from your trip!

Click here to book an unforgettable sea kayaking tour on the Get Your Guide website!

Take it easy for the remainder of the day, as the kayaking can be quite tiring – but it’s worth the effort to see some incredible marine life up close! Spend the rest of the day having a wander around the town, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars to enjoy – so take your pick for a relaxing afternoon and evening.

Click here to find the best hotels and places to stay in Byron Bay on Booking.com!

Coffs Harbour (Days 16-17)

It’s time to hit the road again for the penultimate time on your Cairns to Sydney East Coast Australia road trip. Your destination for the day is Coffs Harbour, which is around a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Byron Bay.

Around 15 minutes before you reach Coffs Harbour, make a stop at the Moonee Beach Nature Reserve – one of the hidden gems on Australia’s East Coast. The reserve is home to the Look At Me Now Headland walk, a lovely trail by the ocean with scenic coastal views.

While the views are impressive, it’s the native wildlife that steals the show here. Get ready to meet the charismatic resident kangaroos, often found grazing or lazing in the sun, or hopping around the headland.

Seeing wild kangaroos in this beautiful setting is special, and for us was a highlight of our Australian East Coast road trip. If you’re lucky you may see the kangaroos on one of the beaches too – similar to the kangaroos at Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park in Western Australia.

Spend around an hour wandering along the headland walk and enjoying seeing kangaroos up close. If you want to make the walk a bit longer you can always head down to Moonee Beach itself and take a stroll along this long stretch of sandy beach.

Once you’ve finished your walk, continue driving for around 15 minutes and you will reach Coffs Harbour. Take it relatively easy for the remainder of the day as the following day involves around 6 hours of driving.

Click here to find some great accommodation options in Coffs Harbour on the Booking.com website!

Sydney (Days 17-21)

The final drive of your three week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary is from Coffs Harbour to Sydney. It’s around a 5 and a half hour drive along the east coast, so make sure to take a few breaks to stretch your legs!

Just over half an hour into the drive you will pass Nambucca Heads, and it’s worth stopping here for a couple of wonderful lookout points. Rotary Lookout and Captain Cook Lookout provide beautiful views of swirling sands similar to that of the Whitsundays! Although it’s not long into the drive, it’s definitely a nice enough spot to justify an early break.

After visiting the lookouts, hit the road again and continue on your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary. When you do get to Sydney it may be worth returning your campervan on this day as it’s easier to explore the city and surroundings using public transport.

If you would prefer to stay at a campsite you can of course do so for the remaining days, but after a few weeks on the road it’s nice to get back to a proper bed and stay in a hotel for the last few nights of your trip.

Spend your first full day in Sydney visiting some of the main attractions in Australia’s capital city. Prepare yourself for plenty of walking, as you discover some of the city’s most iconic spots – and from now on you will be following our four day Sydney itinerary.

Start your day with a stroll through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens , home to 30 hectares of beautiful gardens. There are several paths to walk along, but make sure to head up to the waterfront by Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to get amazing views of Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

Continue along the path by the waterfront, and eventually you will arrive at the Opera House. No visit to Sydney is complete without seeing the iconic Opera House up close, so take this opportunity to walk around the outside and admire this unique work of architecture. If you need to give your legs a break then grab a drink or bite to eat at the Opera Bar before continuing your day.

Next up, take a wander through the CBD to discover more of the city. The CBD is home to a mix of towering skyscrapers, malls, shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, and more! Whether you are shopping at the high-end designer stores or grabbing a cup of coffee, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.

After you’ve explored the CBD, head to The Rocks – a charming neighbourhood with historic cobblestone laneways and a famous weekend market. Situated in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the neighbourhood has plenty to see as you wander around – including some great bars and restaurants with views of the Sydney Harbour.

Your next stop is Darling Harbour, a waterfront precinct home to museums, restaurants, bars, and more! It’s a great spot to enjoy a few drinks on a sunny day, as well as being a pleasant place for a stroll – if you’re not too tired out by this point!

If you still have the energy then head back to the Sydney Opera House to finish the day with drinks at the Opera Bar. The outside bar area is a lovely place to be at night, thanks to the lively atmosphere and stunning views of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour!

Start your day by heading for the world-famous Bondi Beach, known for its golden sand, blue sea, and great surf. If you fancy an early morning dip then head straight into the water, but there will be plenty of time for that later too!

When you’re ready, it’s time for the renowned Bondi to Coogee walk. Stretching for 6 kilometres, the walk offers stunning ocean views and is one of the essential things to do in Sydney!

The walk takes around 2-3 hours to complete, and involves sections along clifftops as well as via a number of brilliant beaches including Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, and Coogee Beach. There are stairs and some steep sections along the route, but it’s not too strenuous and is undoubtedly worth the effort for the brilliant views.

If you’re lucky you may even catch a glimpse of dolphins in the sea, and between May and November you can even see migrating whales from this coastal walk! Once you reach Coogee you can either retrace your steps back to Bondi, but at that point you may prefer to give your feet a rest and take a taxi instead.

Spend the remainder of the day in Bondi, where you can pass the hours relaxing and swimming at the beach. Make sure to explore the neighbourhood too, as there are plenty of great cafes, restaurants, and bars in the area.

If you fancy a drink with a view then it’s worth heading to the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club, which you will have passed on your walk earlier. Home to a large seafront pool, there is also a bar at the Bondi Icebergs which has a wonderful view of Bondi Beach – making it the ideal place for a drink or two!

Prepare to be amazed at the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Mountains, an easy day trip from Sydney. It’s a two hour train journey from Sydney Central Station to the charming small town of Katoomba, which acts as a gateway to this majestic mountainous region.

On arrival in Katoomba, walk through the town and head for the Echo Point Lookout – offering panoramic views of rocky cliffs, eucalyptus forests, and the famous Three Sisters rock formation. It’s only a half an hour walk from Katoomba station to Echo Point, and the view is one of the best in the Blue Mountains National Park.

After you’ve soaked in this incredible view, it’s time to embark on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk. This winding path leads to breathtaking viewpoints, and leads in both directions from Echo Point – so it’s up to you how much walking you want to do!

In total the Prince Henry Cliff Walk covers 7 kilometres, but if you don’t want to walk so much then simply follow the trail from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls. With a total height of 244 metres over three vertical drops, this waterfall is a truly spectacular sight!

Ideally you will be able to walk along the Prince Henry Cliff Walk, although sometimes path closures do happen. Make sure to check the New South Wales national parks website for up to date information on any closures.

If you don’t fancy doing so much walking then you have the option for a hop-on-hop-off bus, which can be booked via Get Your Guide. Costing just $49 AUD per person, this bus takes you to some of the best spots around Katoomba for seeing the incredible Blue Mountains! Click here to book your hop-on-hop-off bus tickets on the Get Your Guide website!

There are various other walking trails, lookouts, and waterfalls to visit if you want to fill more time, but when you’re ready head back into Katoomba itself. Round off your deal with a meal and a drink in one of the town’s many restaurants, before boarding a train back to Sydney.

After three weeks you have reached the final day of your 3 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary. Spend your last day visiting the popular seaside suburb of Manly, a relaxing way to end your East Coast trip.

Begin by taking the iconic Manly Ferry from Circular Quay, an enjoyable boat journey that offers incredible views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge. Try to get a seat outside so that you can get some great pictures and soak in the wonderful views.

Once you reach Manly, walk along the Corso – a pedestrian friendly street that runs from nearby the ferry wharf to the impressive Manly Beach. There are a number of shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants along the Corso, so either pop in or make a note of anywhere you may want to visit later!

Manly Beach is known for its fantastic surf – and was actually home to the world’s first surfing competition in 1964. Thankfully it’s also a great beach for sunbathing and going for a swim, so take advantage of this lovely spot. The beach stretches for quite some distance, so it’s also nice to take a stroll along the beachfront promenade.

At the far end of the beach, nearby to the Queenscliff Rockpool, is the Manly Wormhole. Climb on the rocks here and you can get some lovely views of Manly Beach, and there is an opening that leads through the rocks to a small area with some lovely sea views.

Next up, take the coastal path in the direction of Shelly Beach. Once there follow the Shelly Beach walking track for some wonderful lookouts over the area, offering some picturesque spots for some final photos of your East Australia trip.

It’s up to you how you spend the last few hours of your day – either find a nice restaurant or bar in Manly, or catch the ferry back to Sydney a bit earlier and potentially back to the Opera Bar for another night drinking by the famous Opera House!

If you’re looking for more activities and things to do in Sydney, then make sure to check out the wide variety of options through Get Your Guide. Click here to find more amazing things to do in Sydney on the Get Your Guide website!

Click here to find some incredible places to stay in Sydney on the Booking.com website!

Looking to visit other places in Australia? Check out our 2 day Great Ocean Road itinerary and our day trip itinerary to Rottnest Island!

Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!

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Experience the best of what the east coast has to offer.

The East Coast is the most popular travel route in Australia, and with good reason. It’s perfect for road trippers, adrenaline lovers, waterfall chasers and wildlife admirers.

It’s full of adventures waiting for you.

So, we’ll share with you our favorite places to go and things to do so you can start that dream trip you’ve been thinking about.

We’re Australia Travel Specialists who have truly fallen for the magic of the East Coast, and we’re here to show you why it’s absolutely incredible!

Want to see it all? Download this FREE East Coast Guidebook

Spectacular Sights

Rainforests, reefs, waterfalls, beaches, mountains. So much natural beauty on one stretch of coastline.

Road to Adventure

From skydiving to surfing, the East Coast will sure get your heart pumping.

Making Friends

Whether it’s on tours, whilst partying or at incredible sunset spots, it’s so easy to meet like-minded travellers on the East Coast.

Diverse Landscapes

From rainforest to reef to city, travelling the East Coast gives you the chance to experience such contrasting places.

TOP DESTINATIONS

With its beautiful beaches, epic surf, great food and good vibes, every traveller has Byron Bay on their bucket list.

It’s a great destination for surfing but there are a variety of other activities you can do like yoga, chilling by the beach, or exploring the local pubs in the town.

Noosa is everyone’s favorite town. It’s a popular holiday destination not only for travellers, but also Aussies. To be honest, Noosa is as perfect as life gets.

Like Byron Bay, it has beaches to die for and a great food scene, but it also has a National Park that’s just 500m from town. This National Park is home to the famous Fairy Pools.

K'Gari (Fraser Island)

K’Gari (meaning paradise) is the traditional name for a place you may know as Fraser Island. The world’s largest sand island is one of the East Coast’s most popular places for travellers like you.

Top activities include exploring the rainforest, swimming in freshwater lakes, and going on a 4WD tour to see the sand blows

Magnetic Island

You may not have heard of Magnetic Island, but this is one of our favourites.

There’s no better place to chill than ‘Maggy’ home to so many wild koala bears and wallabies. While on Magnetic Island you’ll be able to do the famous Forts Walk, hire kayaks, snorkels or wait for it… Barbie Cars.

Whitsundays

Great Barrier Reef & Cairns

Who hasn’t heard of the Great Barrier Reef? Home to the world’s largest and most splendid coral reef system, it’s the perfect spot to go snorkelling or scuba diving.

In parallel, Cairns is THE place for backpackers. From white water rafting, to rainforest trips, to bungy jumps – you wouldn’t run out of things to do here.

Want To Know More About The East Coast?

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Global Gallivanting

How to plan an epic east coast australia road trip.

The East Coast of Australia is the most popular route for traveling Oz and for good reason – it offers so much to see and do and best way to see it all is with the freedom of your set of wheels on a road trip!

An East Coast Australia road trip will give you a great taste of the best scenery and experiences that Australia has to offer;  from cosmopolitan cities and iconic sites to world class natural wonders, pristine beaches, reefs and ancient rainforests.

Australia is just perfect for road trips – get immersed in the stunning scenery, take off beat diversions whenever you want, feel the thrill of the open road and have the freedom to go at your own pace.

That said, Australia is a huge country, so you should plan your route or a rough itinerary for your East Coast Australia road trip in advance.

I’ve driven this route a couple of times now so this post contains all my top tips for planning an epic East Coast Australia road trip itinerary. As well as some of the most beautiful and best places to visit in Australia, I’ll also give you plenty of suggestions for discovering off beat places and hidden gems.

How to Plan your East Coast Australia Road Trip

Best time to travel East Coast Australia

Anytime is good but if it’s winter (June – August) then it may be a bit cold sleeping in a campervan in Southern Australia but perfect weather in QLD. In Summer watch out for stingers and monsoon rains in North Queensland.

How long do you need for an East Coast Australia road trip?

Many people don’t realise just how huge Australia is and underestimate how long they need for an East Coast Australia road trip.

The distance between Cairns and Melbourne on the coastal route is over 3,500km   which is about 40 hours of solid driving time , you could drive it in a week but that wouldn’t leave hardly any time at all to see or do anything on the way.

I would recommend a minimum of 2 weeks for this road trip but a month is much better. You could tick off the highlights of Australia’s East Coast in 2 weeks, but traveling slow and taking the time to discover those off the beaten track hidden gems, meet people and really soak up the place always leads to be better travel experience. If you have more time a month or even more is much better.

Hiring a campervan for an Australia road trip

I’ve travelled East Coast Australia by Greyhound bus and by campervan, and the best way to do a road trip in Australia is undoubtedly by campervan!

If your planning on doing an epic East Coast Australia road trip like this its handy to rent the campervan in one city and arrange to drop it off in a different city (usually for extra cost) to avoid traveling back on yourself.

To find the best campervan hire deals I use Motorhome Republic.  Being the largest campervan and motorhome rental site in the world you should be able to find the best deal by comparing all the leading campervan rental companies. You can also read real reviews from previous customers.

If the dates you want to take your eastcoast Australia road trip are flexible then also check out how you can  rent a campervan for only $1 per day by scoring a relocation deal. But usually you only get a week so you have to rush a bit (I’ve done it but you won’t get to see everything)

I spent at least $500 on fuel each time I’ve done an East Coast Australia road trip, but a campervan is still the most affordable way to travel Australia as it also saves you money on accommodation, tours and food as well as giving you ultimate freedom.

You could also rent a car and stay in hotels along the way, there are plenty of them, but it will cost alot more than camping!

If you plan on traveling Australia for longer (perhaps on a  working holiday visa ) then buying a campervan offers the ultimate freedom and flexibility and can be a really cost effective way to explore Oz if you can sell it at the end of your trip.

If you can’t afford a campervan then cheaper options are a station wagon – chuck a mattress in the back or hire a car and take a tent. If you can’t drive you can get the Greyhound bus to the major destinations or take a tour.

For more tips check out my post on backpacking East Coast Australia and see my Australia money saving tips and  tips for traveling Australia by campervan.

Accommodation, hostels and campsites

A campervan is the way to go for an epic East Coast Australia road trip, however, contrary to popular belief you can’t just camp up and sleep anywhere.

I used the   Camps Australia Wide book  to find free campsites all down the East Coast. It lists the facilities you can find at each campsite and rest stop and also lists low cost campsites as well as more expensive camping resorts with swimming pools and loads of facilities.

I’m not going to list all the campsite because you’ll need to maps to find them. The Camps book is really useful as it’s also a map and contains points of interest and as there can be limited mobile internet reception outside of the towns the book is a really value resource for road tripping Australia on a budget. You can buy it here on Amazon. 

I also used the Lonely Planet East Coast Australia Guide Book to help me plan my Australia road trips- its packed with loads of useful maps, tips, info and things to do.

There are also many hotels and motels and backpacker hostels if you are on a budget. Some hostels will let you park up for the night and use the facilities for a small fee.

Visas: You get can an ETA or E Visa online for trips up to 3 months.  Get more info and apply here.  If you are under 31 and want to work and travel in Australia you may be eligible for a years  working holiday visa

An Epic Cairns to Melbourne East Coast Australia Road Trip Itinerary

So starting from the North of Australia in Cairns, here are some essential stops and things to see on the perfect East Coast Australia road trip down to Melbourne. You can also reverse the route if you prefer.

I’ve listed the minimum amount of days to spend here, what to do and approximate driving times between the major stops for a 2 week East Coast Australia road trip itinerary.

If you can, also allow time for extra stops, to venture of the beaten track and just explore – take a road that looks interesting and just see what surprises you discover. Spontaneity is part of what makes a road trip around Australia so much fun.

Cairns –  4 days

Cairns  is most famous for being the gateway to the  Great Barrier Reef  and snorkelling or diving the reef is a must visit on any East Coast Australia road trip.

Cairns doesn’t really have a beach but the Cairns Lagoon  and esplanade and is a great place to swim, relax, BBQ and play sports. The city has become a bit of a backpacker party town and there are also many things to do and see in the beautiful scenery around Cairns too.

You can’t visit Cairns without taking a  trip snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef . You can take a day trip or a live aboard multi day trip where you can go further out on the reef and maybe even do some night diving.

Be aware that sadly some of the inner reef areas nearer to Cairns are damaged, often cheaper companies are licensed only to visit the inner reef so it pays to be selective for which tour you take – both to get the best out of your experience and to help preserve the reef for the future.

The eco friendly, multi award winning Passions of Paradise is one of the best reef day trips from Cairns and the one I went on. They take you to 2 unique outer reef locations for diving and snorkelling on their sleek sailing catamaran and the staff are fun and friendly too. Check out the trip advisor reviews.

Before you head South its well worthwhile going North to visit UNESCO listed the  Daintree Rainforest  and  Cape Tribulation  and see where two world heritage sites meet. You can go as far as Cape Tribulation but after that the road ends and you’ll need a 4WD.

As a day trip from Cairns you can head inland to explore the alternative town of  Kuranda  nestled in the rainforest only 20 mins drive from Cairns. Take the scenic railway or cable car to get there and visit the markets and art galleries. The  AJ Hackett Bungjy jump and Minjin swing  is also a thrilling way to enjoy the rainforest!

As you drive South you could drive the scenic route through the  Atherton Tablelands  and the waterfall circuit. (More info on where to go for the waterfalls here.) The  AJ Hackett Bunjy jump and Minjin swing  is also a thrilling way to enjoy the rainforest!

Cairns to Mission Beach  – 2 hours direct drive

The Cassowary Coast: Mission Beach, Tully and Innisfail

A big  Cassowary  welcomes you to  Mission Beach , these huge, unique birds are only found in this area, around the Daintree Rainforest and parts of Papua New Guinea although it is not common to spot them this area is still worth a stop.

Chilled out  Mission Beach  is quite an underrated spot with a string of nice beaches and small communities and loads of activities like  skydiving  and also don’t miss  white water rafting nearby in Tully.

Mission Beach to Townsville – 3 hours drive

On the way to  Townsville , known as the Great Green Way, you pass through national parks, rainforest and miles of fields of sugar cane and banana plantations while tropical islands lie just out to sea.

It’s one of the most scenic parts of an East Coast Australia road trip so its worth taking the time to head inland from Ingham   to visit   Wallaman Falls , Australia’s highest single drop waterfall.

Townsville and Magnetic Island – 3 days

Townsville is a pleasant town but the real draw is just across the water at  Magnetic Island .  There are many walks you can do around the island and it’s a great place to get close to the animals – we saw kangaroos, wallabies, and even rode horses on the beach and in the sea. There’s also full moon parties.

If you want to get a taste of the Outback on your East Coast Australia road trip just take a detour about an hour ½ inland from Townsville to the tiny gold mining village of Ravenswood and the living museum of gold rush town  Charters Towers.

There are quite a few free camping spots around Townsville listed in the Camps book. On Magnetic Island the Bungalow Bay Koala Village YHA is a lovely resort style hostel near the beach at Horseshoe Bay that offers camping, cabins, dorms, a swimming pool and even has its own wildlife park!

Townsville to Airlie Beach – 3 1/2 hours

Airlie Beach and The Whitsunday Islands – 3 days

Airlie Beach  is the jumping off point for exploring the beautiful  Whitsunday Islands and a bit of a party town and backpacker hangout. Don’t miss the Whitsunday Islands, one of the most stunning sights in the whole of Australia and an essential stop on any East Coast Australia road trip.

Seeing the view from the famous  Hill Inlet  and spending time on  Whitehaven Beach  is a must – this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Multi day  Live aboard trips  cruising and sailing and diving the Whitsunday Islands are popular (and pricey) but you can also  take a day trip with Ocean Rafting   like I did for a really fun and cheaper option.

You can also do  a skydive  here, in what must be one of the most beautiful locations in the world!

Free or cheap campsites are rare around popular Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays. Nomads and Base hostels are spacious resort style hostels that will also let you park your camper overnight and use the facilities for a reasonable fee. You can also camp on some islands for a little as $5.95 per person per night ( get a permit first here )

Extra offbeat tip: Fancy seeing a platypus in the wild? You can with just a short diversion from your east coast Australia road trip route. Just after leaving Airlie Beach head about 1 hour inland to Eungella National Park  – one of the best places in the world to see a platypus in the wild. On the way stop at the Pinnacle Pub for an amazing pie!

Airlie Beach to Agnes Water – 8 hours drive

After Airlie Beach it’s a long stretch of at least 5 hours driving with not that much of interest to see between the big country towns of  Mackay  and  Rockhampton apart from the funny signs along the highways to try and keep drivers awake.

If you want to break up the journey stop by the  Capricorn Caves , spectacular above-ground caves in a limestone ridge. You could also get a cattle station experience at Myella Farm  where you can learn to be a cowboy and try farm experiences like riding horses and motorbikes, milking cows, lassoing and even whip cracking.

This is the longest stretch of not much of interest on the East Coast Australia road trip route. If you’re tired of driving, you could stay the night around Rockhampton (Capricorn Caves offers camping spots or you can find free campsites along the route in Camps Australia Wide book ) or push on another 2 and a half hours to Agnes Water.

If you have more time (its about 6 hours driving one way) Carnavon Gorge is a beautiful place to explore with great walks and ancient aboriginal art. Camp at Takarakka Bush Resort.

Town of 1770, Agnes Water and Bundaberg

The  Town of 1770  was the first western settlement in Australia, named after the year it was discovered by Captain Cook and has some cute surf beaches to break up the journey.

Agnes Water  nearby is also a nice beach town to take a break, it’s the first surf beach you’ll reach coming this way and has probably the cheapest surf school in Australia – the Reef to Beach Surf School charges only $17 for a 3 hour lesson with all gear included.

You can explore explore nearby Eurimbula and Deepwater National Parks.

Agnes Water to Bundaberg – 1 1/2 hours driving

Along this East Coast Australia road trip route you will drive through miles and miles of fields of sugar cane. If you want to see how they make it into rum stop at the famous Bundaberg distillery, home to the famous Bundaberg (Bundie) Rum.  Stop here for a tour of the rum distillery and stock up on discounted bottles for essential Queensland tipple!

Bundaberg to Rainbow Beach – 2 1/2 hours drive

Fraser Island – 3 days

Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach are both quaint coastal towns that offer a jumping off point for the amazing  Fraser Island which shouldn’t be missed off any East Coast Australia itinerary.

Don’t miss visiting the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. It’s the largest sand island in the world, it’s a unique and  essential Australian experience  with miles of beaches, rainforests and sparkling lakes, rusting shipwrecks and wild dingoes.

You can take a  day tour of Fraser Island  but it’s better to spend at least a few days and nights exploring Fraser Island trekking, swimming and camping out on the sand dunes under the stars.

There are a few ways to do it but you won’t be able to take your 2WD campervan or car onto the sandbar! You’ll need to hire a 4WD and get the ferry across then you can explore yourself ( just don’t get stuck in the sand!)

You could also go with a group as part of  a self drive ‘tag along’ tour or take a tour like Cool Dingo that are affordable, fun and popular with backpackers.

In the winter Hervey Bay is also one of the best places in the world to  see humpback whales  on their migration ( This is the whale watching tour  I took, it was awesome how close they got!)

Rainbow Beach to Sunshine Coast – 2 hours driving

Next you will drive through Maryborough , Queensland’s oldest provincial city and see a larger-then-life Ned Kelly and some nice historic buildings before hitting the coast again.

Sunshine Coast – 3 days

The Sunshine Coast is less developed and more sophisticated than the Gold Coast, if you prefer nature over bars and theme parks and only have time to stop at one on your East Coast Australia road trip then I’d recommend the Sunshine Coast.

Spend sun drenched days exploring the long, golden beaches, surf or just chill out in chic and charming, stylish  Noosa ,  explore the Noosa everglades, enjoy the watersports and also check out the markets in new age Eumundi .

When on the Sunshine Coast also visit famous  Australia Zoo and the ethereal volcanic crags of the Glasshouse Mountains national park . 

Sunshine Coast to Brisbane  – 2 hours drive

Brisbane – 2 days

Queensland’s capital is no longer just a big country town – it’s increasingly cultured and cool centered city worth including in your East Coast Australia road trip itinerary.

The city is centered around the winding river and has a great array of museums and a urban beach on the lovely southbank. For more see my Backpacker’s Guide to Brisbane. 

You can also use Brisbane as a base to do many  day trips and tours  around the nearby area. Explore Morten, Stradbroke or Bribie Island or escape into the hinterland of lush rainforests and waterfalls.

As you’d expect with a large city there’s not many places to camp near the center. Brisbane Holiday Village I think is the closest. But there’s loads of good campsites not far from Brisbane .  There are also lots of cheap hostels you can stay in or look for a motel on the outskirts with parking.

Brisbane to the Gold Coast – 1 hour drive

The Gold Coast – 2 days

South of Brisbane is the Gold Coast. Home to  Surfers   Paradise , skyscrapers and theme parks. The Gold Coast is a bit tacky but can be fun.

Surf, shop, visit the theme parks and sample the lively night life. If you want to do lots of theme parks and attractions  save money with a Gold Coast flexi attractions pass.

If it sounds a bit like Vegas on the beach then head inland and discover three World Heritage-listed national parks:  Tamborine Mountain, Springbrook  and  Lamington  and as you head South a detour to climb Mount Warning at sunrise  is worthwhile for the amazing views.

Gold Coast to Bryon Bay – 1 hour drive

Byron Bay – 3 days

Bryon Bay is one of the most popular stops on an East Coast Australia road trip with it’s amazing sunsets and surf, beach lifestyle and cool, bohemian, alternative vibe.

Walk along Cape Byron to the  Byron Bay lighthouse  on Australia’s most easterly point, enjoy the beaches, try surfing, diving, kayaking with dolphins, take a yoga class or indulge in some alternative therapies, check out the towns many excellent eateries or shop for organic food at a farmers market.

You can also take a side trip to nearby  Nimbin  and hang out with the hippies or check out the creative and cultural arty scene in  Lismore .

I loved the unique, quirky Arts Factory   it’s a super cool, hippiesh resort set in a private subtropical forest with a pond about 10 minutes walk from the town center. There’s a swimming pool and hot tub, spa, restaurant, kitchen, beer garden, cinema, yoga classes, workshops and even a recording studio. You can stay in your camper outside and use the facilities and feel the vibe.

There are also many free parking spots where you can camp, for example the Yelgun rest area, if you head north of  Byron Bay  along the Pacific highway.

Byron Bay to Sydney – 9 hours drive

If you’re short on time (for instance doing a campervan relocation deal ) you could steam down this section from Bryon to Sydney in about 9 hours, but if you’ve got the time for a longer East Coast Australia road trip then here’s where you should check out:

Yamba about 1.5 hrs South from Bryon is a nice, laid back place with great beaches and surf and worth a stop. Ulmarra, a nice heritage town on the river   makes a nice lunch stop.

Heading further South, look out for the Big Banana near Coffs Harbour which has been stopping traffic and the feature of many silly photos since 1964. A little further on the artsy, alternative hill town of Bellingen  and Dorrigo National Park makes a nice quick detour.

Further South  Nambucca Heads and Port Macquarie  are pleasant enough coastal towns worth a lunch stop or overnight rest but compared to the show stoppers further up the coast shouldn’t keep you too long.

The Lakes Way  which starts from Taree and winds through the Myall Lakes and Booti Booti National Parks is a scenic alternative to the Pacific Highway.

Newcastle, New South Wales easy going 2 nd  city has nice surf beaches and heritage architecture. Nearby Nelsons Bay (the dolphin capital of Australia) Port Stephens and the Tomaree Peninsula  are home to some extraordinary sand dunes (that you can sand board on) deserted beaches, national park, the Worimi Conservation Lands.

Heading inland from Newcastle you can check out the wineries of the scenic  Hunter Valley  Australia’s oldest wine region. Most wineries offer free tastings and there is also gourmet cheeses, chocolates and other foods to try.

You might want to leave the car or camper behind for this one! You can take a day trip from Newcastle or Sydney  This Hunter Valley trip  includes tasting not only wine but also chocolates, cheeses and includes a gourmet lunch.

There’s also many national parks in the region including Barrington Tops, Yengo and Wollemi if you want to add them to your East Coast Australia road trip.

Sydney – 4 days

Sydney! Australia’s most iconic city is a must see and an important stop on any East Coast Australia road trip! Sydney is blessed with a stunning harbour and beaches that make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world and home to one of the most iconic views.

Learning to surf on famous Bondi Beach and explore the beautiful harbour and nature by taking the spectacular cliff top walk from Bondi to Coogee and catch a ferry to Manly and do the scenic Manly to Spit walk. See more things to do in Sydney and tips in my Backpacker’s Guide to Sydney.

If you want to stay in the centre of Sydney and enjoy amazing iconic views from the rooftop whilst not breaking the bank look no further than award wining  Sydney Harbour YHA . They also have a heated pool, sauna, bar, cafe, cinema and lots of free activities and run one of Sydney’s best pub crawls.

Also don’t miss the UNESCO listed Blue Mountains National Park. You can visit the Blue Mountains on a day trip from Sydney, but if you have more time it’s well worth spending a few days here. As the area is so huge do some research into where to stay in the Blue Mountains first.

Sydney to Melbourne –  9 hours drive inland or 13 hours via coastal route

So after Sydney you can choose – do you take the quickest route to Melbourne, take time out and see Australia’s often overlooked capital Canberra , a purpose built city with many great museums, o r take a bit more time and carry on along the coastal route to Melbourne – called the Sapphire Coast.

The highlights along the coastal route from Sydney to Melbourne include Jervis Bay  and stunning  Hyams Beach only about 3 hours south of Sydney. There’s also Croajingalong   national park and the Gippsland Lakes– Australia’s biggest inland waterway.

If you have time, take a detour to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula or the Wilson’s Promontory before hitting Melbourne.

Melbourne – 3 days

Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital of cool and Australia’s most European city. Explore the laneways, art and culture, markets and food and sporting scene of this lively, trendy cosmopolitan city.

The jury’s out about which city is cooler – Melbourne or Sydney so you will just have to visit both and decide for yourself… See more in my Backpacker’s Guide to Melbourne.

The Great Ocean Road – 2 days

What better way to finish of an epic East Coast Australia road trip (or get off to a amazing start if you want to reverse the route) than with one of the best coastal drives in the world – The Great Ocean Road  , just outside Melbourne.

The Great Ocean Road trip is famous for the magnificent Twelve Apostles, a constantly changing coast line and famous surf beaches.

But there is a lot more to see on a Great Ocean Road trip so don’t rush it – take your time and soak up the scenery and discover all the other secrets it  holds along the way. Here’s my tips for the perfect  3 day Great Ocean Road Tri[p itinerary. 

Where next after your East Coast Australia road trip?

Now you’ve seen all the highlights of East Coast Australia you could return to Melbourne or carry on driving to Adelaide and then head straight up through Australia’s Red Center, the Outback, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and all the way up to the Top End and Darwin.  

Don’t forget to go into the Outback at some point on your Australia road trip – the Outback is where the uniqueness and magical of the land down under really shines!…But that’s another trip for another post!

But don’t forget to leave the well trodden route of the guide book behind sometimes because often the best things are the off beat surprises and hidden gems that you discover when you get lost or take a wrong turn!

I hope this post helps you to plan your own amazing East Coast Australia road trip!

If you want to stay longer and immerse yourself in Aussie culutre and earn some money for further travels then maybe consider a years  working holiday visa  then download my free backpacker’s guide to see if you are eligible for a working holiday visa 

Want to work and travel in Australia?

Subscribe and get a FREE Complete Guide to a Working Holiday in Australia

More Australia blog posts:

• The Ultimate Backpacker’s Guide to Buying a Campervan in Australia
• Campervan Relocation Deals – How to hire a campervan in Australia for $1 a day
• Things to do in Australia – 30 Epic Australian Experiences
• A Backpacker’s Guide to a Working Holiday in Australia
• The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Australia on a Budget
• Our Off beat Outback Australia Road Trip

Have you traveled Australia? What do you think of my perfect East Coast Australia Road Trip itinerary anywhere you loved that I missed out, or any awesome free campsites you want to share?

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I am going on a 5 week journey to Australia and I found your guide extremely helpful! I have already pinned it for later planning 🙂 Do you think that Melbourne and Great Ocean Road would still be okay to visit in May?

Hi Lena. Glad that you found the guide helpful and excited to hear that you are going to Australia. The weather in Melbourne can be very unpredictable especially in winter you have have wind, rain, cold and warm sun all in one day. May isn’t the best time but you might get lucky but take some warm clothes as it can really cold in a campervan in winter in the South of Australia!

Perfect itinerary for an east coast trip. Magnetic Island and Fraser Island were my favourite places along the coast. It was definitely an expensive few weeks. Well worth it though!

Hey Nathan, Glad you liked the post! The East Coast of Oz is sure an amazing trip! Glad you had a good one too 🙂

Wow… what a trip! So jealous. Always wanted to do the East Coast of Australia and you’ve made that goal more real and intense. Awesome photos too!

Thanks! It really is an epic trip! 🙂

Beautiful photos. This looks like the kind of trip the whole family would enjoy. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, yes its a really popular route – I’m sure kids would love it too 🙂

Hi, just reading your blog….we have just returned from 20 months travel with our two kids to start school…but I’m wondering whether we needed to!! W are finding it hard to settle in, after so much family time together…and. Work, school etc taking so much of the precious family time! W hope we can get ourselves financially independent again to start the travels again!

Thanks Sherman, glad you liked it, great that you travelled so much with your kids and hope that you get back on the road soon. Happy Travels 🙂

Port Stephens is actually a stunning area with 26 beaches of its own, lots of activities and it’s the self-proclaimed dolphin capital of Australia. It is here that you can participate in the only permitted wild dolphin swim in New South Wales with Dolphin Swim Australia😀! Come and check us out!!

Sounds awesome! 🙂 Hopefully I’ll make it there next time

Hi Anna. Great article and wonderful pictures! I travelled from Sydney to Brisbane by train, and I have to say it was an awful experience! The trains there are as slow as they were in 1900, so it took me 14 hours to reach Brisbane. But then at the same time, I got to meet interesting people during this long journey so it wasn’t so bad after all:)

Thanks Alice, glad you liked the article. Shame you didn’t have a good experience traveling Australia by train, I never tried it as I heard it was slow and the network was limited. Better to take the greyhound or if you can drive rent a car or campervan for the ultimate road trip!

Very informative post. Me my partner and near 2 year old will be traveling the east coast Brisbane to Melbourne over 14 days. (From england ) If love to hear your must sees as out time is precious. A lot of people have said Noosa . We are collecting van FROM Brisbane though. So struggling in making the itinery eeeeeekkk!

Hi Anna! So glad I run into your article! I have always wanted to do the roadtrip from melbourne to cairns so this is very helpful for me. Im with my work and holiday visa and my sister is comming next year and this is something that we always wanted to do together. I just wonder how much money did you spend? I know it can be relative depending on the things you do, etc but just want to have an estimate so I can arrange my savings here haha. Thanks!!

Hi Pia. It’s an amazing trip – you should def do it! I did the trip twice once in a camper that we rented for only $7 for a week with a relocation deal https://www.global-gallivanting.com/campervan-relocation-australia-deals/ and the other time in my own campervan and stayed mostly at free campsites so didn’t have to spend money on accommodation. We spent $500 on gas each time and some money on food from the supermarket for meals which we cooked ourselves so I did it very cheaply. I can’t remember how much we spend on sightseeing but mainly we did free things.

Wow, what a long itinerary. Good thing is, Cairns lagoon and GBR are at the start. Great job!

Hey Anna! Currently as far as Hervey Bay on our east coast road trip to Melbourne and I’ve referred to your guide numerous times for tips… fantastic! Thankyou very much 😊

Hi Kate! Wow so nice to hear my post has been useful. Glad to hear you’re having a great time in Oz! I miss it so much! 🙂

Hi Anna, My wife and I just found your guide. We found it to be extremely detailed and helpful. I’ve already bookmarked many of the resources you recommend. We are visiting NSW and QLD on a six month trip beginning in September 2018 and are very excited. I sincerely wish it could be longer, but that is all the time they will let us stay. We will be house sitting most of the time–there are lost of opportunities in Australia. Thanks very much for your help.

Hi Neil. Glad you found it helpful and hope you have an amazing trip. House sitting sounds like a great way to save money on accommodation!

Great artical and you have included some hidden gems Warrabungles which is inland from northern NSW Is a volcanic plain beautiful scenery and a lovely drive So many awesome places inland from the East Coast Lake Nuga Nuba inland from central Queensland There are so many places not mentioned in the tourists brochures eg Hat Head National Park with beautiful beaches and Smokey Bay lighthouse

Thanks for the tips and glad you liked the article 🙂

Hi Anna. seems great experience! .i am also looking to visit there at the end of year

Nice experiences traveling at Australia !

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The Ultimate Travel Itinerary: 3 Weeks on Australia’s East Coast

Australia’s East Coast is the most popular backpacking route in the world, and there’s little wonder why it’s earned a place in your itinerary! Travellers from all walks of life come to experience the spectrum of landscapes, glorious nature and cosmopolitan cities that line the coast of one of the most fascinating countries in the world.

Choosing to travel to Australia is easy, the real question is, how long should your trip be and where should you go? To ensure you get the absolute most out of your adventure, let me show you your perfect 3 week East Coast itinerary!

The article may contain affiliate links which I may be compensated for at no extra cost to you dear readers!

Table of Contents

The reason the East Coast is such a popular trail in the first place is because of the sheer variety along it! Between Melbourne and Cairns , you have everything from big cities and white sandy beaches to thick rainforests and desert islands! Each stop is like a different world!

To get the absolute most out of your East Coast adventure, your itinerary should be for at least 3 weeks! You could definitely stay longer, but Australia isn’t exactly cheap, and any less will barely give you enough time to enjoy everything.

The beautiful thing about this route is that it’s so easily interchangeable! If you wanted, you could easily spend an extra day somewhere or just move on earlier. You could also start the journey from either direction! Either way, you’ll still be following the same route!

Day 1-2: Melbourne

Where better to start off your Australian adventure than in the nation’s first capital city! The international melting pot of Melbourne has a uniquely European feel, no doubt influenced by the city’s original settlers hundreds of years ago! It’s even reflected in a few of the attractions such as Flinders Street or the home of Captain James Cook , the man who first claimed Australia for the British empire (sorry about that!)

The city also has a plethora of museums such as the National Gallery of Victoria and Melbourne Museum which gives a little more detail about the city’s history. There’s also a particularly beautiful memorial to Australia’s fallen men and women at the Shrine of Remembrance , which overlooks the rest of the city .

At least one of your days should be spent exploring the incredible nature on the outskirts of Melbourne. At Phillip Island , you’ll be able to visit some of Australia’s most iconic critters, including koalas, kangaroos and even penguins, that’s right, PENGUINS!

Each night hundreds of these cute little fuzz balls emerge from the sea and waddle their way to their homes for the evening. If you don’t want to go all that way, or pay to get into the island, then you can also spot these little waddlers under the decks of St. Kilda Pier , another of Melbourne’s must-see spots!

Day 3: Canberra

Sydney ’s the capital of Australia, right? WRONG, it’s this place! Though Canberra doesn’t have much of a reputation and doesn’t have that much for a curious traveller to see, it’s still worthy of a place on your East Coast itinerary!

Known affectionately as the Bush Capital , Canberra is one of those rare cities that was purposefully built to become the nation’s new capital! As such, the city is home to many of Australia’s important sites, such as the Parliament House and the High Court . Though if politics doesn’t take your fancy, you can spend your day exploring Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and enjoy the views from Gibraltar Peak .

The East Coast of Australia is the world’s most popular tourist route which has some fantastic tours along it, but which are the best?

Click here!

Day 4-5: Sydney

Sydney will always have the top spot on any East Coast itinerary! Australia’s most famous city has plenty to offer every type of traveller, from the glories of the city to the wildlife that surrounds it.

Not only is the Sydney Opera House the most iconic image in all of Australia, but the entire city seems to gravitate around it! On one side you have the peaceful expanses of the botanical gardens and on the other, you have the modern skyline of Sydney Harbour , another attraction all in itself. Nearby is the neighbourhood known as the Rocks , the site of the city’s first settlement, which leads to yet another iconic site, the Harbour Bridge . From here you can get an amazing perspective of the city by scaling to its top as part of a tour!

Sydney’s other main highlight happens to be one of the most famous beaches in the world! Bondi Beach is the perfect spot to soak in a few rays and enjoy the splendour of the deep blue! If you’re not one for sitting still, then you can spend the time walking across the coast from Bondi to Coogee Beach , one of the most picturesque trails in Australia!

Day 6-7: Byron Bay

Oz may be known for its laid-back attitude, but there’s one area of the country which is the chillest of all. Byron Bay is renowned as the camper van driving, dreds swinging, guitar playing, hacky-sack kicking, weed-smoking paradise! The ultimate hippie haven.

You could spend your time visiting Cape Byron Lighthouse , the most easterly point in Australia, or just spend your day on the beach. Most simply come to enjoy the vibe of Byron Bay under a haze of questionable fog and mind-altering psychedelics.

You could also spend a day visiting the country’s alternative lifestyle capital, Nimbin . Two tour companies run regularly from Byron Bay and pass several spectacular natural wonders and iconic landmarks along the way, including Nightcap National Park  and Minyon Falls. It’s a chance to experience some of the incredible natural beauties surrounding Byron Bay, so you don’t just spend your time getting high as balls.

Day 8: Surfer’s Paradise

The next stop on your itinerary is the pinnacle of sun, surf and sex along the East Coast! There aren’t actually a whole lot of things to do in town, but it does throw one hell of a party! It’s a favourite amongst locals as the go-to party destination and has its fair share of clubs and bars across the beachfront.

If you’re not the party type, then the area has much more to offer! As the name suggests, the nearby ocean has some of the best surfing opportunities across the country! If you rather avoid shark bites, then you could also spend your day exploring the thick jungles of the Hinterland Regional Park .

People have many fears that keep them from backpacking, but one country is easier than any other, Australia. This article explains why.

Day 9-10: Brisbane

Though it’s one of the few big cities that line the East Coast, it’s the area’s nature that truly puts this place on the map! The outskirts of the city have some of the most iconic animal experiences in all of Oz!

The most famous landmark of all has to be Australia Zoo , which belonged to the one and only national treasure, Steve Irwin. Or would you prefer the opportunity to hold a real-life koala and hand-feed kangaroos at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ? If you’re not an animal lover, you could spend the day scaling Mount Coot-tha for some incredible views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Within the city itself, you can spend your time exploring the Brisbane River , either by following the promenade or even paddleboarding along it! Also, be sure to track down the all-important Brisbane sign, how else will people know you were there? On the way, you can also check out Brisbane CBD to see daily life in the city.

Day 11-15: Rainbow Beach & Fraser Island

There are a ridiculous number of amazing tours you can be a part of in Australia, but none are as mind-blowing as this one! Fraser Island is an enormous sand island standing in the middle of shark-infested waters off the coast of Queensland, and it’s the venue for one hell of an adventure!

You’ll live for a few days in the wilderness while you explore the island in monstrous 4x4s searching for some of Fraser Island’s best hotspots. They include the stunning white sands of Lake Mckenzie, or Lake Wabby, an oasis that is filled with tiny fish that gently nibble away at your dead skin!

After a long day of exploring shipwrecks and spectacular rock formations, the convoy will return to base camp to prepare dinner over barbeques and finish the limited amount of booze you brought with you. Oh, and did I forget to mention that the island is home to wild dingoes!! If you’re very lucky, you might be able to spot one scuttering by.

Back on Rainbow Beach itself, you can spend your time kayaking with dolphins or exploring the multicoloured sand dunes, hence the name. Truly an adventurer’s paradise!

Day 16-19: Airlie Beach & Whitsundays

If spending your time on a desert island doesn’t take your fancy, how about living out at sea? Spending a few days sailing amongst the Whitsunday Islands has become a rite of passage for most travellers in Oz. The views of Whitehaven Beach at low tide have to be one of the most awe-inspiring places in the entire country.

You’ll also have your first opportunity to experience the Great Barrier Reef! Each tour includes a stop-off at some of the best snorkelling spots amongst the islands, where you might be lucky enough to spot some dolphins, sharks and maybe a few turtles! As the sun begins to set, you’ll get to spend your evenings enjoying your limited supply of booze while the boat’s crew prepare your dinner. If you ever wanted a slice of luxury, this is it!

Many people come to Gili Trawangan in search of sun, surf and tranquillity, while others come for a much darker reason, drugs.

Day 20-21: Cairns

That brings us to our last stop on your East Coast itinerary, and time to finish with a bang! Cairns is the ultimate nature paradise, the highlight of which is of course the Great Barrier Reef! As it’s the best place to visit it, there are endless amounts of tours available which will take you to swim with some reef sharks, enormous sea turtles and eerie barracudas!

Back on land, Cairns also has other incredible natural wonders, such as the UNESCO-listed tropical rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands . Tours leave from Cairns daily and take you deep into the thick jungles to see some of the area’s highlights such as the Lake Barrine crater lake  and Paronella Park.  For most, the star attraction is being able to swim beneath Millaa Millaa Falls ! A natural paradise!

Thank You for Reading! Check Out These Other Helpful Links!

Thank you so much for reading The Ultimate Travel Itinerary: 3 Weeks on Australia’s East Coast ! Now check out these other helpful articles!

• The Ultimate Travel Plan: Fraser Island (K’gari)
• The 20 Best Highlights to See in Sydney
• The 20 Best Highlights to See in Melbourne
• 8 Best Tours on Australia’s East Coast

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Australia: Backpacking For Beginners

Wow nice post and so helpful info. Really enjoyed your blog as I learned so much about 3 weeks tour in Australia. Thanks for sharing!

TravellingWelshman

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your support!

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Travel The East Coast Of Australia: 2024 Complete Guide

We are Warren and Natasha from The Nomad Hive . Welcome to our guest post on Travelling The East Coast Of Australia! I, Warren, hail from Far North Queensland, the very top of the East Coast. Together, we embarked on an incredible journey, purchasing a van and spending seven months travelling down this spectacular coastline.

Our mission was to explore as many places as possible, immersing ourselves in the diverse beauty of the East Coast. From pristine beaches to cities, and lush rainforests to charming small towns, our journey was a mixture of experiences. In this guide, we’ll share with you what we discovered, offering tips, insights, and highlights to help you plan your own adventure along the stunning East Coast of Australia.

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see our disclosure for more information.

Join our Australian Travel Planning – Staycation Australia private Facebook group here to get the latest on travel around Australia.

Table of Contents

Different Ways To Travel The East Coast Of Australia

Travelling along the East Coast of Australia is a dream come true for many. From bustling cities to serene beaches and lush rainforests, this iconic route offers endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With a myriad of ways to explore this breathtaking landscape, each one comes with its own set of pros and cons, depending on your preferences and travel style. Here’s an insight into some popular ways to explore this magnificent coastline:

What Is The Best Way To Travel The East Coast Of Australia?

In my opinion, the best way to explore the East Coast of Australia is with an off-road vehicle. This provides a perfect balance, allowing you to access the many unforgettable remote camping spots along the way while still being able to visit the beautiful coastal cities. Whether you opt for a 4×4 loaded with camping gear or an off-road caravan towed by a 4×4, you’ll be well-equipped to discover the many hidden gems of the East Coast.

Different Options For Travelling The East Coast Of Australia

Travelling in a campervan combines comfort with the convenience of mobility. Ideal for those who love the idea of a mobile home, it allows for stealth camping in urban areas, saving on accommodation costs. While it’s not a 4×4 and might not access some remote areas, there are still numerous beautiful camping spots accessible. Additionally, navigating cities is more manageable in a campervan compared to larger vehicles or caravans.

Caravans are synonymous with comfort. They offer the flexibility of detaching your car for explorations, meaning you don’t have to pack up your entire setup each time you want to venture out. Many caravans come with 4×4 capabilities, allowing access to more secluded camping spots. However, in city settings, caravans can be cumbersome and usually require staying at designated campgrounds.

4×4 Vehicle

A 4×4 vehicle is the key to unlocking the most remote locations along the East Coast. It is practical for both city and off-road exploration, offering a balance between adventure and convenience. While not as comfortable as a campervan or caravan, a 4×4 is cost-efficient, allowing for free camping options and affordable stays in campgrounds while you are in the cities and towns. Just be sure to be prepared for the mozzies while you are staying on the coast. Check out our picks for The 6 Best Portable Mosquito Netting to use while you are camping.

Working While Travelling

Working while travelling along the East Coast is a popular option for backpackers, offering a unique perspective on local life, especially in towns and cities. This option is great for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture and community. Jobs are often available in farming and hospitality industries, with many employers providing accommodation or offering it at a discounted rate. This is a much slower way of travelling compared to the other options.

Staying in Hotels/Air Bnbs

For those seeking maximum comfort, hotels , and Air Bnbs are the go-to options. This choice, while more expensive due to the daily costs of accommodation and meals, offers a hassle-free and comfortable travel experience. It’s perfect for travellers who prefer having a stable base from which to explore the surrounding areas and are not on a tight budget.

Best Time To Travel The East Coast Of Australia

Choosing the best time to travel the East Coast of Australia is key to making the most of your trip. This region, stretching from the hot and humid tropical north in Queensland to the cooler southern areas of New South Wales, offers a diverse range of experiences.

Your ideal travel time will depend on the activities you’re interested in, whether it’s surfing, hiking, city exploring, or diving. Each season brings its own unique set of attractions and activities, making the East Coast a year-round destination.

Australian East Coast Weather

Understanding the varied climate patterns along the East Coast is essential for planning your journey to align with your interests.

Wet Season (November to April) : In Far North Queensland, the wet season is characterized by a noticeable increase in both temperatures and humidity. It is also marked by substantial rainfall, which often leads to the closure of roads. Such closures can result in you being temporarily confined to specific locations. This season, while lush and vibrant in FNQ, requires careful planning for travel and daily activities due to its unpredictable and sometimes challenging weather conditions. It would be better to enjoy this season in NSW and you will experience better weather!

Dry Season (May to October): The dry season, from May to October, is often considered the best time to visit North Queensland. The weather during these months is cooler and less humid, making outdoor activities much more enjoyable. This season is particularly ideal for visiting the Great Barrier Reef , as the ocean water is clearer, and there is minimal stinger activity. The dry season’s comfortable climate makes it perfect for a wide range of pursuits, from beach lounging to exploring national parks. Southern NSW can be very cold during this time of year so I would recommend enjoying time in the north.

Shoulder Seasons (April-May and October-November) : The shoulder seasons, encompassing April-May and October-November, provide a mild and pleasant climate. These months are an excellent choice for those looking to avoid the more extreme conditions of the wet and dry seasons. Travel during the shoulder seasons often comes with the added benefit of fewer tourists and more affordable prices. I would aim to travel in the Mid-Coast (South Queensland/North New South Whales) during these months.

How Long Is The East Coast Of Australia?

The East Coast of Australia is a magnificent stretch of coastline renowned for its breathtaking beauty, diverse ecosystems, and vibrant cultural hubs. Spanning approximately 3,200 kilometres (about 1,990 miles), it runs from the tropical north in Queensland, down through the stunning New South Wales coastline, and reaches as far south as Victoria. This extensive coastline encompasses a range of landscapes, including world-famous beaches, lush rainforests, and lively coastal cities.

How Long Does It Take To Travel The East Coast Of Australia?

The time it takes to travel the entire East Coast of Australia varies greatly depending on the mode of travel, the itinerary, and the pace of the journey. If you were to drive non-stop, it would take around 40 hours, depending on traffic and exact start and end points. This estimate is purely for driving time and doesn’t account for breaks, meals, or sleep.

As a whole journey, here are a few considerations:

Fast-Paced Travel (2 weeks) : For those on a tight schedule, it’s possible to cover the major highlights of the East Coast in about two weeks. This would require only stopping at key attractions and cities for 1 day at a time.

Moderate Pace (1-3 months) : A more leisurely trip, allowing for exploration and relaxation at each stop, could take anywhere from 1-3 months. This pace is ideal for those wanting to spend more time relaxing and immersing themselves in the local culture and environment.

Slow Travel (up to a year): For travellers who prefer a deeply immersive experience, taking time to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations and engage with local communities, the journey could extend up to a year. Slow travel allows for a flexible itinerary and the opportunity to discover hidden gems along the coast.

How Much Will It Cost To Travel The East Coast Of Australia

Travelling the East Coast of Australia can vary significantly in cost, depending on your travel style, the duration of your trip, and the choices you make regarding accommodation, transport, and activities. Whether you’re planning a quick tour or a prolonged adventure, understanding the potential expenses is key to planning a successful trip.

Slow Travel Costs (3+ months)

Slow travelling the East Coast over two months or more allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations. The costs for this type of travel can be relatively lower on a day-to-day basis, but it adds up over time if you’re budgeting for the trip as a whole.

• Accommodation : Longer term stays (weekly) at caravan parks and campgrounds come with cheaper prices which will vary. Expect to pay from $15 to $50 per night depending on the location. You can also take advantage of free camping.
• Food : Cooking your own meals and occasional dining out can average around $15 to
• $30 per day.
• Fuel: This will be significantly cheaper to travel slowly. Expect to pay $10 – $20 per day.
• Activities: Free and low-cost activities, like hiking and beach visits, can help keep
• entertainment costs low, with occasional splurges on tours or special experiences.

Fast Travel Costs (Under 1 month)

Travelling the East Coast in under a month usually means a more condensed itinerary with much higher daily costs.

• Accommodation: As you would most likely only be visiting key destinations, expect to pay a premium price from these locations. Campgrounds will be $40-50 per night.
• Food : Will be similar to previously mentioned, at around $15 to $30 per day.
• Fuel: Will be significantly higher covering large areas. Expect to pay $50+ per day.
• Activities: Regular participation in paid tours and attractions can add around $30 to $50 per day

When we travelled the East Coast of Australia, we embraced the van life and took our journey at a leisurely pace. Living in a van allowed us a unique and intimate way to explore, and it took us around 7 months to complete the entire East Coast very leisurely. This slow-travel approach gave us the flexibility to truly immerse ourselves in each location and experience the local lifestyle.

Our weekly budget for two people was carefully planned and included the following expenses:

• Food : We spent about $300 per week on food. This included groceries for meals we
• prepared ourselves and eating out a couple of times a week to enjoy the local cuisine.
• Accommodation : Our accommodation costs, which mainly consisted of campground
• fees, averaged around $200 per week. Staying in campgrounds provided us with the
• necessary amenities while keeping us close to nature.
• Leisure Activities : We allocated about $200 per week for leisure activities. This
• included going on tours to explore the local area and occasionally enjoying drinks at a
• bar, which allowed us to socialize and enjoy the local nightlife.
• Fuel : Given our slow pace and efficient route planning, our fuel costs were relatively low, averaging around $50 per week. This was a significant advantage of travelling in a van and taking our time to explore.

This totaled about $3000 per month between 2 people.

Things To See On The East Coast of Australia

The East Coast of Australia is a diverse and stunning region, offering a wealth of experiences for travellers. From the tropical beauty of Queensland to the varied landscapes of New South Wales, every destination has its own unique appeal.

14 Must-See Places On The Queensland Coast

Daintree Rainforest, Queensland

The Daintree Rainfores t, a World Heritage site, is a place of remarkable biodiversity and beauty. It’s not just about the ancient flora; the rainforest is teeming with wildlife, from vividly coloured butterflies to the elusive cassowary. Explore the area through guided walks, canopy tours, and river cruises.

Cairns, Queensland

Cairns is a lively city that serves as the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Known for its relaxed tropical atmosphere, Cairns offers a variety of activities, including the famous Cairns Esplanade with its public swimming lagoon and vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Palm Cove, Queensland

Palm Cove , with its picturesque beach lined with ancient paperbark trees, is a haven of relaxation. It’s renowned for its spa resorts, fine dining, and as a peaceful base for exploring the Cairns region. The jetty here is popular for fishing and sunset strolls.

Mission Beach, Queensland

Mission Beach is a natural paradise, boasting a long stretch of golden sand backed by rainforest. It’s a hotspot for skydiving, white-water rafting, and exploring nearby tropical islands. The laid-back village vibe makes it a perfect retreat.

Townsville, Queensland

Townsville offers a mix of rainforest, reef, and outback experiences. Visit Magnetic Island for its pristine beaches and wildlife, explore the historic castle hill in the city centre, and experience the vibrant local culture and festivals.

Magnetic Island, Queensland

Magnetic Island, with over half of its area covered in the national park, is a nature lover’s paradise. It’s known for its fabulous walking trails, abundant wildlife, and picturesque bays. The island has a unique charm, with a blend of untouched natural beauty and small-town feel.

Airlie Beach, Queensland

Airlie Beach , the vibrant heart of the Whitsundays, is buzzing with a lively atmosphere. It’s the perfect launchpad for adventures into the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The town itself, with its lagoon and lively nightlife, is a destination in its own right.

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

The Whitsundays are synonymous with paradise. These islands offer some of the world’s best sailing, crystal-clear waters for snorkelling and diving, and luxurious island resorts. Whitehaven Beach is a highlight with its stunning white silica sand.

Hervey Bay, Queensland

Hervey Bay is not just the whale-watching capital of the world; it’s also your gateway to Fraser Island. Enjoy the tranquil beaches, the charming esplanade, and the unique Pier, which is great for fishing and sunset views.

Fraser Island, Queensland

Fraser Island is a unique ecological wonder with its rainforests, sand dunes, and freshwater lakes like Lake McKenzie. Drive along the beach highway, and explore the island’s history, including the Maheno shipwreck, and spot dingoes in their natural habitat.

Noosa, Queensland

Noosa is the jewel of the Sunshine Coast, offering a blend of luxury and nature. Its national park boasts beautiful coastal trails, and Noosa Heads has some of the best surf breaks. The Noosa River is perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, while Hastings Street is a hub for shopping and dining.

The Sunshine Coast, Queensland

The Sunshine Coast is a diverse region, offering everything from pristine beaches at Caloundra and Mooloolaba to the lush hinterland of the Glass House Mountains and Montville. It’s less commercialized, offering a peaceful and more authentic beach holiday experience.

The Gold Coast, Queensland

The Gold Coast is a hub of excitement and entertainment. From the famous surf breaks at Snapper Rocks to the family-friendly theme parks like Dreamworld and Sea World, there’s something for everyone. The hinterland offers rainforest walks and waterfall hikes.

11 Must-See Places On The New South Wales Coast

Byron Bay, New South Wales

Byron Bay is not just a beach town; it’s a lifestyle. Famous for its surfing culture, alternative philosophies, and stunning hinterland, it’s a place where you can relax on the beach, enjoy organic produce, and immerse in the local arts and music scene.

The Tweed Valley, New South Wales

The Tweed Valley offers a blend of cultural and natural experiences, from the World Heritage-listed Wollumbin National Park to creative communities like Murwillumbah. The valley is also a food lover’s paradise, with farm-to-table experiences and local food markets.

Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

Coffs Harbour, with its family-friendly atmosphere, offers a blend of beaches, nature reserves, and adventure activities. The Coffs Coast Regional Park and the nearby Dorrigo National Park provide excellent opportunities for bushwalking and bird-watching.

Port Macquarie, New South Wales

Port Macquarie combines stunning coastal scenery with rich history and wildlife. Apart from its beautiful beaches and the koala hospital, the town offers a vibrant food scene, with waterfront dining and local wineries.

Newcastle, New South Wales

Newcastle is a city that surprises you with its blend of beach life and cultural depth. Its historic architecture, burgeoning food scene, and coastal walks make it a unique destination.

Hunter Valley, New South Wales

Hunter Valley is not just about wine; it’s a region of cultural richness. Apart from the vineyard experiences, it offers gourmet dining, boutique accommodations, and beautiful gardens, making it a perfect romantic getaway or a gourmet escape.

Central Coast, New South Wales

The Central Coast is a haven for those seeking a quieter beach experience. It’s known for its natural beauty, with spots like Bouddi National Park and the tranquil Brisbane Water. The region is also rich in Aboriginal history.

Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney, a city that needs no introduction, is a mix of iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cultural scenes. Explore the historic Rocks area, relax at Bondi Beach, and enjoy the culinary delights at the city’s many world-class restaurants.

The Blue Mountains, New South Wales

The Blue Mountains offer dramatic landscapes and charming towns. Enjoy scenic walks, explore caves and waterfalls, and experience the rich art and cultural scene in towns like Katoomba and Leura.

Jervis Bay, New South Wales

Jervis Bay is known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches. It’s an ideal spot for water sports, and the Booderee National Park offers stunning natural scenery and indigenous heritage.

Tips: The Cheapest Way To Travel The East Coast Of Australia

Travelling the East Coast of Australia on a budget can be both feasible and enjoyable. By being savvy with your planning and choices, you can experience the best of this stunning region without overspending. Here are some practical tips for economical travel:

• Plan, Check Prices, and Book in Advance : Early planning and booking can lead to significant savings. Compare prices for campgrounds, accommodations, and activities. Booking in advance often results in better deals and discounts.
• Stay Longer in Each Location : By spending more time in each place, you can reduce your overall travel costs. Longer stays often mean lower daily rates for accommodation, and less frequent travel reduces fuel costs.
• Travel Off-Peak to Touristy Locations : Avoid the high season in popular tourist destinations. Prices for accommodation and activities are generally lower during off-peak times, and you’ll encounter fewer crowds.
• Use Public Transportation in Cities : In urban areas like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, take advantage of the extensive public transport networks. It’s much cheaper than renting a car and often more convenient for city exploration.
• Utilize Wiki Camps for Affordable Stays : Wiki Camps is an excellent resource for finding free or cheap camping spots and caravan parks. This app can help you locate budget-friendly accommodation options all along the East Coast.
• Cook Your Own Meals: Eating out frequently can quickly add up. Most campgrounds offer kitchen facilities, or you can bring your own cooking gear. Preparing your own meals is a cost-effective way to enjoy local produce.
• Stealth Camping in a Van : If you’re travelling in a van, stealth camping can be a free accommodation option. Just be sure to check for ‘no camping’ signs and follow local regulations to avoid fines.
• Enjoy Free Tourist Attractions : The East Coast is packed with free or low-cost attractions, including beaches, hiking trails, and public parks. Research free tourist spots along your route for enjoyable and affordable experiences.
• Seek Out Backpacker Deals and Discounts : Many tourist attractions and businesses offer special deals for backpackers. Keep an eye out for these, as they can provide substantial savings on activities and dining.
• Be Flexible with Your Travel Dates : Flexibility can lead to savings, especially if you’re willing to travel during less popular times. Keep an eye out for last-minute deals and be open to changing your plans to take advantage of discounts.

FAQs: Travel The East Coast Of Australia

How can you find cheap campgrounds and caravan parks.

Finding cheap campgrounds or caravan parks along the East Coast of Australia is quite straightforward with the right tools and knowledge. Resources like Wiki Camps and Camps Australia-Wide offer comprehensive listings and reviews of budget-friendly options.

Additionally, many national parks offer affordable camping spots, often in picturesque locations. These can be found on their official websites. Local tourist information centres are also a valuable resource, providing up-to-date information on the best camping deals in the area.

Can You Travel The East Coast of Australia Without A Car?

Travelling the East Coast of Australia without a car is entirely feasible. The major cities and towns along the coast are well-connected by public transport systems, including buses, trains, and ferries, making it easy to move from one destination to another. For longer distances, companies like Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service offer comprehensive long-distance bus services.

What Animals Can You See On The Way?

The East Coast of Australia is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. As you travel, you’re likely to see a variety of marine life like dolphins and whales, especially during migration season. In the lush rainforests of Queensland, you might spot unique birds such as the cassowary, as well as koalas and various reptile species. Inland and bushland areas are great for seeing kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and a diverse range of bird species.

Additionally, the Great Barrier Reef, a world unto itself, is home to an astounding array of marine life including turtles, sharks, and a kaleidoscope of coral species.

What Is The Best Time To Visit The Great Barrier Reef?

The optimal time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is during the Australian winter and spring months, from June to October. During these months, the weather is more temperate, and there’s less rainfall, leading to clearer waters and better conditions for snorkelling and diving. This period also avoids the stinger season, making swimming safer. Moreover, the winter and spring months coincide with the whale migration, offering an added bonus of potentially sighting these majestic creatures during your reef visit.

How To Stay Connected While Travelling the East Coast?

The easiest way to ensure connectivity is by purchasing an Australian SIM card from local providers like Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone, which offer a variety of data packages suitable for travellers. Free Wi-Fi hotspots are commonly available in all of your campgrounds and accommodations. For a more reliable connection, consider a portable Wi-Fi device, which offers internet access in areas with mobile coverage. It’s also a good idea to download essential apps and offline maps before your trip to aid in navigation and local information.

If you’re using an international phone, your best option would be to purchase an ESIM when arriving in Australia to avoid roaming charges.

Can You Make Money While Travelling Australia?

Certainly! Travelling in Australia while earning money is entirely possible with various options. One popular method is engaging in local jobs like fruit picking or hospitality roles. Australia’s vast agricultural sector frequently requires additional labour during harvest seasons, making fruit picking an ideal job for travellers seeking short-term employment. Alternatively, pursuing remote work online presents another viable option. This approach offers the flexibility to work from anywhere, allowing travellers to earn while enjoying the diverse landscapes and experiences Australia offers. As digital nomads ourselves, check out our Ultimate Digital Nomad Packing List for remote workers.

Conclusion: Travel The East Coast Of Australia

Travelling the East Coast of Australia is an unforgettable experience, offering a blend of natural wonders, unique wildlife, and vibrant cities. Whether you’re cruising through Queensland’s rainforests, enjoying the laid-back beaches of New South Wales, or exploring the bustling cities, there’s something for everyone.

The journey is a mix of adventure and relaxation, filled with moments that will stay with you long after you return home. Embracing the diversity of this stunning coastline, from the Great Barrier Reef to the cultural hubs of Sydney and The Gold Coast, ensures a trip full of enriching experiences.

Travel insurance  offers protection when things go wrong before or during your travels, that is why we highly recommend that you take out travel insurance.

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A Detailed Guide to Planning an East Coast Australia Road Trip

March 11, 2018

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Are you comfortable in your seat? Do you have a cup of tea and a snack ready? Sit tight, because it will be a long post about everything you need to know for an East Coast Australia road trip.

Let me start by saying that we did this trip in May 2017 and spent a month doing an ultimate Australian road trip from Cairns to Melbourne. It is a popular East Coast road trip itinerary and it is perfect if you are visiting Australia for the first time.

Let’s get down to basics.

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Australia east coast road trip itinerary – where to start, how much time do i need for an east coast australia road trip, to buy or to rent, how to buy a car in australia, where did we hire our station wagon, what can you expect to come with a station wagon in australia, things to keep in mind when renting a car in australia, can i sleep in the car in australia, safety on the road, what you need to pack, how much does it cost to do a road trip in australia for a month, mobile phone and internet.

This is a tough question since it’s basically asking about when is the best time to visit an entire continent. Australia is HUGE! I cannot stress it hard enough. Australian government defines eight major climate zones in the country , so I would say it depends on where you are going.

Queensland itself has a few climate zones, but it is generally warm all year round, with peaks of heat during summertime. While Southern territories, including New South Wales, where Sydney is located have warm summers and cooler winters.

One more important factor to point out, since Australia is in the Southern hemisphere, winters here are starting in June and last through August, while summers are December through February. A bit confusing, right? But great for escaping winter in the Northern hemisphere.

Spring and Autumn are lovely times to visit with an average pleasant temperature throughout the coast, while summers might be too hot, with temperatures rising up to +35C and a probability of bushfires along the coast arises. Winters might be a bit cool (still, not cold).

That’s another complicated question we faced when we started planning road trip around Australia. Where to start? Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide? And where to finish?

But don’t stress about it too much, it will depend on where you’re landing and where you are departing from. So, the first thing to do is: buy the ticket and use it as a guideline to decide your starting and finishing point.

If the ticket price doesn’t impact your route options, you can look at it from two sides:

If you are coming in autumn, I’d suggest you start South (Melbourne or Sydney) and move up North. This way you’ll still get pleasant warm weather in the Southern states and will get to Queensland just in time for the heat to go down. And vice versa, if you are arriving in spring, start with Queensland, where it is still not too hot and move down to spend summer in the cooler states.

2. Car hire cost

Depending on your car hire option (which I will describe below), you’ll be able to decide which route is better and cheaper. You’ll find that some rentals offer great one-way car hire deals, just because they need cars to be returned back to their location. You can look at as much as 50% reduction in price if you drive from Cairns to Melbourne rather than vice versa. This was what we’ve done, it was cheaper for us to hire a car on the route Cairns to Melbourne so that’s what we did.

What to see?

• Great barrier Reef in Cairns, Queensland. You’ll most likely end up in Cairns anyways, so I suggest you book one of the tour boats to take you snorkeling or diving on the great barrier reef. To be honest, we weren’t that impressed with the snorkel, maybe because the weather wasn’t suitable. In fact, I’ve seen better underwater life snorkeling off the coast in Malaysia . This might be due to the bleaching of corals which causes threat to the entire ecosystem.
• Mission beach or Bingil Bay, Queensland. I liked this place because it is a great spot to enjoy pristine Australian nature in solitude.

Sunset at the Bingil Bay beach, QLD

• Magnetic Island is another great place for wildlife experience mixed with sunny days by the swimming pool.
• Whitehaven beach . Unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit the beach because of a cyclon which caused a lot of damage . But Whitehaven beach in Whitsundays is known for the purest silica white sand in the world and crystal clear turquoise water.
• Cape Hillsborough could be one of my favorite places for wildlife in Australia. This is where you can easily spot kangaroos and maybe even spot whales passing by from the lookout points.
• Fraser Island is another must-do since it is the biggest sand island in the world and it has a great aboriginal culture to explore.

Fraser Island is known to be the only place in the world where rainforest grows on sand

• Byron Bay . You cannot skip the classic surfer town. Although too commercial for my taste, this is a great example of a chilled beach town where all you do it surf, drink, and tan by the beach. It is also the most Eastern point of Australia, so you should definitely take a hike to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

The most Eastern point of Australia, Cape Byron

• The Blue Mountains in New South Wales. At some point, you will be driving through Sydney , and the Blue Mountains are right next to the city. It is one of the most scenic mountain views I have ever seen, so I highly recommending spending a day hiking there.

• Phillip Island is the island in Victoria where tourists go to see the penguins daily coming out of the sea in the afternoon and maybe even spot some seals. Worth driving to.
• Great Ocean Road. This scenic drive should be on everyone’s East Coast Australia road trip must-do list.

Dramatic views from Great Ocean Road

Since your itinerary starting points might be different, you can visit these places in a different order. One thing you have to be mindful of is that some of these places will require you to leave your car behind while you are doing the tour (this is true of Fraser Island, Magnetic Island and Whitehaven beach). Check the rules of your rental to be sure.

Again, Australia is huge, it is an entire continent after all! When you think of its size, imagine the size of the United States. It will take a long time to cover the entire coast.

We did our E ast Cost Australia road trip in exactly one month or 31 days, excluding three days we spent in Sydney and two days in Melbourne without a car. In total, we covered 5,000+ km of distance. And I still feel like we rushed through a lot of places. We barely stayed in any place for more than two nights, and spent a lot of time on the road, driving.

Everyone we met on the road was taking about 3 to 6 months to do their trip! And even though most of them were students or people on working holiday visa, after the first week of driving, we started saying that we are in Australia ONLY for a month, even though I thought that getting a whole month off from work to travel was a great deal.

So, I would advise you to plan for no less than one month if you do Melbourne – Cairns or three weeks if you do Sydney – Cairns. If you are working remotely or simply have the luxury of more time, then I suggest you take six weeks to cover the East Coast in a relaxed manner.

Car Rental Australia

Now, do you have the tickets already? Time for the next big step in planning your road trip around Australia: finding a car.

Let’s get one question out of the way right away: should you buy a car for a road trip in Australia or should you just rent one?

While having your own car is great because you don’t have to follow the rental rules and can be more flexible, you have to realize that buying and selling would take time. If you only have one month for a road trip (like us), I wouldn’t suggest you buying. But if you have, let’s say, three months or more – you can go for it!

With buying a car in Australia comes a matter of finding a car to buy, registration and, subsequently, selling the car when you have to leave.

• To buy a car in Australia from private owners for under $1,000 you can use the websites like Gumtree Cars. Getting your own car allows you to resell the vehicle at the end of the trip, so you end up not losing money. Be sure to get a mechanical check on any vehicle prior to purchasing. Other options to buy a car are: Cars4backpackers and Carsales .
• For vehicle registration use these sites for New South Wales car registration and Queensland vehicle registration

How to rent a Car in Australia?

When it comes to finding a car for hire in Australia, the choices are plenty! This is because backpacker road trips are so popular here that competition has really pushed the prices down.

Here are some of the most popular car hire companies that we saw on the roads of Australia:

• Travellers Autobarn

There are websites that offer car rental prices starting from $1 per day for the one-way car relocations . This means that you will be less flexible with time and location where you can go, but it is a great money saver if you are on a budget.

In our case, we went with the Travellers Autobarn and were pretty happy with their service. They are one of the budget options and they have awesome discounts for special routes, which basically let us rent a station wagon for 10$ a day +insurance!

The station wagon is a great option for two people. The back seats unfold, so you can sleep at the back. It also turned out to be the perfect size for people of 165-175 cm tall 🙂 And a bonus is that you can actually sit up in the car without hitting your head, which was great during evenings when it is already dark and there is nothing to do.

Our Travellers Autobarn Station Wagon

Why I loved it? I think that campervan would have been too big for us, as we don’t have extensive driving experience, so it was perfect for first-timers. With the station wagon, we were still quite agile and didn’t have to pay the campervan prices at the campsites.

Our car came with a set of dishes, including plates, cutlery, cups, pots, etc. They also gave us a portable gas stove with two gas bottles (we had to buy extra), two chairs, a table, an esky (a small cooler) and a tent.

Everything you see to the left of the car was included in the car rental price

⚠ Attention, no sheets, pillows, covers, mattresses or sleeping bags were included! We got the yoga mats and bought our own plaids to keep ourselves warmer and softer. We also brought our own sleeping bags, without which it would be too cold to sleep in a car during autumn period. Some nights were really cold in May in New South Wales, so we had to sleep fully dressed as well.

• First of all, find the company you want to rent from . Carefully read the reviews! Some companies, though offering great prices, might not leave you very happy. Think of it this way: this car is going to be your home for the entire trip. You want to make sure it is comfortable for the number of people you are, it has amenities you need, like cutlery, dishes, portable stove and maybe even chairs, bed, sheets, etc. Think of that when you make your choice. Do you want to buy all that stuff or will it be easier if it is already there?
• Decide on a car type . Do you want a campervan, a station wagon, or a caravan? It will depend on how many people you are. I would say don’t get a station wagon if you are more than two.

Campervan of our neighbors at the Bingil Bay

• Transmission . Do you want the automatic transmission or are you comfortable with a manual? It was an important one for us since it was our first time not only driving on a left side of the road but driving a rented car in general. So we really wanted to get a car with automatic transmission to make driving easier. Usually, campervans have a manual transmission, so make sure you are paying attention to this detail before renting.
• Choose suitable insurance . The costs you see on the rental car price rarely include full insurance coverage, so you have to read more into what types of extra insurance they provide. Usually, the rental company would have a basic one, which requires you to leave your credit card info and you’ll be deducted up to $2500 if any damage is found, then the middle one which covers just wheels and windscreen for additional daily payment and offers a lower deduction rate, and the premium one which covers everything and you don’t have to leave your credit card details. Since we were the nervous newbies to the road trip business, we opted for the full coverage and paid extra. We never had any incident on the road, though.
• Read your insurance rules carefully. Important to note that if you breach the contract, your insurance might be waived completely. For example, our rental company said we cannot drive during the night, cannot drive on gravel roads, and cannot take our car to certain islands (like a Kangaroo Island), so if we were caught in trouble visiting those places, the insurance would not cover us.
• Check the car condition . Take photos of the car when you rent it and use the time to carefully evaluate its state. They’ll give you a paper to mark all scratches and dents in the car and I suggest you do that and list everything. You’ll go through the same procedure at the end of the route and check if no new marks appeared. Though they never really checked us at the end (we even forgot to leave the esky back in the car), I think they might deduct money from your card if they find issues later on.

❗ If you are driving with an overseas license, you might need to obtain International license papers to accompany your driver’s license. It depends on which states you are planning to visit since some of them have different requirements. Check which states require to have an International driver’s license . But don’t worry, the papers are not hard to get. In Denmark, it took me a visit to a local library and $4 to get an international license paper.

Staying Overnight in Your Car

The whole point of renting a campervan or a station wagon is to be able to sleep in your car in Australia. Before our trip, I heard about this amazing app called WikiCamps that lists all the campsites around Australia with users’ reviews and pictures. This is by far the best app I have ever purchased! It saved us so many nights when we were late to get to the next city. The app basically lists all the places where you can stop over for the night, whether it is a proper campsite ground or just a parking spot with a toilet. It will also mention whether it is a paid or free one, whether it has a bathroom, shower or a charging site.

Yes, in most of the states, it is allowed to stay overnight in your vehicle. Most of the time, you’ll be stating in the campsite, but if you need to stay off the campsite, as long as the owners of the land don’t mind, it is okay.

First of all, you have to realize that you are driving in a new country so you have to be careful at all times.

General rules for safety on the road:

• Avoid driving at night. Though it might seem like a great way to cut in some distance, it can be dangerous. Animals are becoming active at night and there is a chance you can hit someone. We almost hit a kangaroo that was casually jumping across the motorway. And if a dead kangaroo doesn’t bother you, think about this: if you see it crossing, you’ll have to hit the break or tilt, which might cause a car behind you to hit you and cause an accident. Lose-lose for you and the kangaroo.
• Rest when you get tired. A lot of signs in Australia (especially in Victoria) will tell you exactly that.
• Beware of other tourists . Remember, that many people you’ll share the road with are tourists as well and they might not have a clue about some of the local traffic rules or be experienced drivers in Australia. So just be extra cautious when you see another campervan.
• Read up local traffic rules. Brush up your knowledge of the local traffic rules and take a look at how Australia is different.

I won’t go into too much detail here, but will mention the most important items that you need to pack for a trip to Australia.

• Money. Have some Australia cash, not all places (especially campsites) accept cards

• Download Google maps on your phone

• It is good to have some tea or coffee with you, always
• Make sure to pack sleeping bags if you are traveling in the off-season, it might get chilly at nights

• Buy a sunscreen. The Australian sun is pretty strong, you will notice it right away. Sunscreen is essential for any type of skin.

Let me tell you this, Aussiland is not a cheap country to visit, but there are ways to save. In total, we spent around $5,000 for both of us doing the E ast Coast Australia road trip for a month. That is not bad at all, considering what an average living cost in Australian could be, including rental costs and food.

We are those people who need our internet connection all the time! And not just because we were using GPS quite extensively, but also because we needed to look up places to stay overnight, places to eat and well, hello, blog!

As soon as we landed, we got ourselves Australia phone cards to have cellular reception and mobile internet. We went with Optus, among other choices, because they have good coverage, and they are cheap! ($30 per month). Here is a list of Australian mobile providers for you to choose from. We just picked our up at the nearest 7eleven.

Once our phone Internet ran out (it was based on usage), we used Skyroam to stay online. However, the reception was not that great. Basically, it has the reception the same places where your phone does. The advantage is that you can also use it as a hotspot, charger, and you do pay based on a day of unlimited use.

The wifi in Australia generally is really bad, so don’t blame it on the tool or the mobile carrier. It is just bad.

Heading out for your East Coast Australia road trip might seem overwhelming at first, but once you break it down into small bits of things to take care of, the rest falls into place by itself. After all, you have to leave some room for the unexpected adventure.

Anything else? Tell me what else you’d like to know about when preparing for your East Coast Australia road trip and I will include it in the article.

Like It? Pin It!

A great post Lena 🙂 I did the East Coast using Greyhound so it’s nice to read about it from a road trip perspective and all the tips are super useful. I hope to do a road trip one day from Melbourne to Perth and take in the south.

There’s still so much of the country to cover! I think East Coast is a good place to start for the first-timers.

Hi Lena, love the itinerary! I would totally do the same in renting something similar, but my partner is 196cm so something bigger would be needed for a good nights sleep haha.

Haha, totally agree that campervan would probably not be the best choice for your guys.

Such a detailed post! I really love your photography. Reading this post just made me want to book the next flight out to Australia! Bookmarking this post for future reference 🙂

Yazhini | http://offbeatdiaries.com/

Beautiful photographs – this has made me miss Oz so much! We need pretty much the same road trip but it took us well over 2 months, you fitted in so much 🙂 thanks for sharing

This is perfect!! We are thinking to either go to Australia or South Africa in December. I am saving this for the weekend. Will read it in depth tonight and show it to hubby on Saturday when he gets home. You made me so happy ??

Choose Australia! Just kidding, your choice of course, I am sure both would be great.

Thanks for this very extensive post! Appreciated the map and timeline. Pinning for later.

I think you covered everything that we need to know about road tripping in the East Coast of Australia. Great! And it’s cool that the rental provided the basic necessities for camping though I thought I won’t find rental car with a manual transmission over there.

Oh no, plenty of cars, especially caravans, have manual transmission. We actually had to ask for automatic specifically, so be careful there 🙂

This is such a thorough guide! It is so nicely organized as well! Australia looks beautiful and is definitely on my list of destinations to travel too. 😀

Really good tips. I really want to go back now – we did it in a Jucy last time. Such a good trip!

I love the east coast of Australia! This is such a great guide, I wish I’d done a road trip now there’s so many extra places to see! Hope I can return and tick it all off sometime, I’ll definitely be using your tips!

Thank you so much for this, it’s great! Thank you for the details, the map, answering questions. I really appreciate a truly useful resource. <3

? thank you

amazing article girl! I am also in love with the content and your photos are amazing. Keep up the good work!

wow, thanks for your kind words… ?

I just found your blog and I am loving it! This guide is amazing. I was in Australia a few years ago and did a mini road trip to the 12 Apostles but would love to drive so much more of Australia. Thanks for this! Can’t wait to read more of your content – I’m loving it!

https://teaspoonofadventure.com/

The Great Ocean Road is an awesome road trip, isn’t it? Glad you loved the post.

Nice post! It’s my dream to do a road trip across Australia and I would probably to do it during the winter, since I know how hot Australia can be in summer… Thank you for sharing your experience and so many tips! Already dreaming of my next road trip…

hi wonderful site and thanks for the post

Happy to hear that, you are welcome!

It is really good post. I loved it.

Great post. thanks for sharing these insights

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Ultimate East Coast Australia Travel Guide

Australia is one of the best countries to travel in the world and there are hundreds of amazing places to see.

Not many places though compare to the spectacular East Coast where you can find cities, beaches, islands and so much more.

The east East Coast of Australia is one of the most popular tourism destinations and there are lots of places you can visit and things to do.

To help you plan the most amazing trip of your life we have put together some recommendations for where to go, what to do, how to travel and also tips for the perfect itinerary.

How Long Do You Need to Travel East Coast Australia?

There are lots of places on the East Coast of Australia and some of the distances can be long.

If you are limited on time, don’t worry, you can see some of the main highlights within a short period for example two weeks. Although a trip in just 14 days can be slightly rushed and you are guaranteed to not see everywhere.

If you want to enjoy the East Coast to the maximum, we recommend plan to spend at least 4 weeks which allows you to see most of the essential stop offs. If you are lucky enough to have even more time like 6 weeks you really can discover most of the highlights at a very relaxed pace.

We have put together suggested itineraries suggestions below with essential places not to miss. Start planning your East Coast adventure today.

Best Ways to Travel

There are several options when it comes to travelling the east coast, both independently or via tour. The most popular ways to get around include:

• Car – flexible, go where you want when you want • Bus – one of the cheapest ways to travel • Campervan – view our tips for travelling Australia by campervan • Tours – new people, lots of fun, get guided to the best locations, hassle free

Must Visit Places on the East Coast of Australia

There are so many highlights and places not to miss on your East Coast Australia itinerary. Check out our list of essential locations to see, and have starting south travelling north, although you can also do the same trip starting north and heading south.

Sydney is one of the most famous cities in the world and it really is an essential stop off for any trip to Australia.

The chances are if you are flying from overseas, whether for tourism or working holidays in Australia , Sydney will be the first city you land in. Stopping in Sydney for a least three nights is recommended, especially if you are arrived after a long flight so you can recover from any jetlag.

You could spend weeks exploring Sydney as there is so much to do here including Siân the world-famous Opera house and harbour bridge, exploring the popular rocks neighbourhood, riding a ferry to visit different places and also visiting the local beaches like a manly and Byron Bay.

Sydney is one of the most expensive places to visit in Australia as a tourist and accommodation here is sky high. There are great transport links with other locations in Australia and up the east coast, you can rent a car, rent a campervan, take a bus service or even catch an internal flight.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is on of the most stunning off the beaten track destinations in Australia and a great excursion to take on the East Coast. There are trips for backpackers families and luxury travellers are like. A popular option is to rent a 4×4 and then camp out on Fraser Island. This can be a really amazing adventure where you got to see beautiful places have a beaches to yourself and even visit lakes which are out of this world in terms of beauty. You will have to watch out for the local dingoes a type of dog who might try and steal your food.

Byron Bay is one of our top rated places but you must stop off on the stairs to Australia. Byron Bay isn’t a huge city it’s more like a small town in the next to the beach with a really relaxed atmosphere. There are usually lots of backpackers and surfers here and the atmosphere is very relaxed.

Brisbane is an underrated city to visit, well it gets minimum attention compared to Melbourne and Sydney for example. There are lots of affordable accommodation including with prices are generally much cheaper than other cities in the country.

If you visit Brisbane in summer there is a great outdoor beach and park in the city centre and there are also lots of other tourist attractions including the local casino. Brisbane is affectionately known by locals as Bris Vegas and although it isn’t located directly on the beach, the coast isn’t that far away.

WhitSunday Islands

The Whitsudnay Islands are one of the most spectacular places you can visit in the world and if you are lucky enough to visit when it is sunny you will get some spectacular photos. To explore the Whitsunday islands most people book sailing tours which take you around the islands and also to pristine white sandy beaches. Whitehaven beach is often voted the best beach in the world and is a must visit location with a beautiful white sand blue turquoise ocean and nature.

Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and it is also one of the hottest places on Earth. Cairns is one of the most northern places to visit on the East Coast of Australia and it is usually the first or the last place most people visit.

Cairns is a very enjoyable place to visit and there are so many amazing day trips and places to see nearby. You do have to be careful with the sun all year round because the ozone layer is very thin so be sure to wear lots of sunscreen and appropriate clothing.

You can’t visit Cairns and not go see the Great Barrier Reef, this is one of the most amazing natural wonders of the world and something you really must see in person. There are lots of boat trips and also options to go snorkelling and scuba diving.

If you’re planning a trip to Australia would like to do the ultimate road trip on the East Coast of Australia really is one of the best destinations in the world. If you ever get the chance to go, you really need to take the opportunity. You will fall in love with Australia and the spectacular places along this legendary route.

East Coast Australia Itinerary Suggestion

Whether you have 2, 3, 4 or 6 weeks to travel the East Coast of Australia, these are some ideas for where to go and how much time to spend in each location.

Australia’s East Coast 2 Week Itinerary Days 1-3: Sydney. Days 4-6: Byron Bay. Days 7-9: Gold Coast, Brisbane. Days 10-12: Fraser Island. 13-15: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef.

Australia’s East Coast 4 Week Itinerary Days 1-5: Sydney & Blue Mountains. Days 6-12: Port Macquarie & Byron Bay. Days 13-19: Gold Coast, Brisbane & Noosa. Days 20-25: Hervey Bay, Fraser Island & Cairns. Days 26-30: Mission Beach, Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach & Whitsundays.

Our 2 week itinerary can easily be adapted for 3 weeks, spending a little more time in each location. and also seeing other places nearby. The same with our 4 week itinerary suggestion, you can do this in 6 weeks and just spend more time enjoying the surroundings.

Are you wondering how much does it cost to travel the East Coast of Australia? The average cost really depends on where you go, what transport you use and how many touristy activities you want to do.

A full trip including accommodation, sightseeing trips and food/drink can be done on around AU$2,500-$3,000. But you can end up spending AU$3,000 – $5,000 if you eat and drink out everyday and try to do everything.

There are lots of ways to keep costs down, including travelling on public transport by bus, shopping for food and drink at supermarkets rather than eating at restaurants, avoiding drinking too much alcohol and cutting back on activities. Sometimes though it is worthwhile spending a bit more to absolutely maximise your trip, this region really is amazing.

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East Coast Australia Travel Guide

A 4 week backpacker’s itinerary, 17 minute read.

If you’re researching a trip to the east coast of Australia but don’t know where to go, don’t worry, I’ve created this list to help. Using this Australia travel guide, you should be able to take these tips and piece together an itinerary that suits you! This route seems to be on the bucket list of every backpacker and it’s easy to see why. It has the perfect mix of surfing beaches, atmospheric hostels, sunny weather, vibrant bars, and unforgettable activities.

Just to clarify, I’m only going to cover locations between Sydney and Cairns as I consider this to be the “main” route that most people do. However – farther south – places like Melbourne , Jervis Bay , Canberra , the Great Ocean Road , Tasmania , and Victoria , are all fantastic locations too. But that’s for another post. For now, here’s what’s included in this 4 week east coast Australia travel guide:

• How to Get Around
• Food & Drink Advice
• If You Have 4 Weeks
• If You Have 5-6 Weeks

1. How to Get Around

As just mentioned, the most common route is to start in Sydney and then head north, up the coast, before flying back from Cairns. Don’t underestimate the size of Australia, this is no small distance. In fact, it’s the equivalent of driving from London to Casablanca . To conquer this enormous route, there are three main travel options I’d recommend:

• The easiest option is the hop on hop off Greyhound bus . Some of the passes might seem expensive, but it’s incredibly convenient and gives you a lot of flexibility. Also, when considering the distance you cover it’s really not so bad!
• The second option, if there are a few of you, is to rent a camper van. You save money on hostels, and it’s the most incredible freedom being in complete control of your itinerary. But – and this is a big but – it’s a hefty task to drive all that way, so don’t take it too lightly. Hippie Camper is a popular choice for rental. You could also look into buying one from Gumtree (but there’s less security in that)!
• The third option is to post adverts on rideshare groups on Facebook or online websites like coseats . I haven’t done this myself but I have experience with hitchhiking and ridesharing in other countries. As always: stay vigilant, go in pairs, keep your valuables close, and let others know where you’re going! I’ve never had any problems and it’s usually a cheap and fun way of getting around but there’s no harm in being cautious! The downside of ridesharing is that there are no guarantees of a lift so don’t rely on this if you’re short for time.

2. Food & Drink Advice

If you’re going to Aus, you’re going to have BBQs, and lots of them. The Australian’s are mad for their BBQs and love nothing more than grilling meat or fish sat by the sea with an esky * full of beers. Plenty of the beaches have permanent grills by the waterfront that the public can use for free as long as you bring your own food. Definitely take advantage of this!

*An esky is what the Australian’s call a drinks cooler.

Want some groceries to cook in the hostel or snacks for a day-trip? Coles and Woolworths (or Wollys as the Aussie’s call it) have an amazing selection of food and drink choices for good value. If you want to try some “classic” Aussie snacks then get the following: Tim Tams (biscuits), pies (often found in a hot section), beef jerky (they eat a lot of beef in Australia), Vegemite (a jar goes a long way on bread/crackers). Fast food is also common in Aus and you won’t struggle to find a McDonalds , Subway , or Dominoes somewhere if you’re feeling particularly gluttonous.

If your budget is less restricted then you should try some of the ample fresh seafood available at bar/grills, fish & chip shops, and restaurants all along the coast. Outside of Sydney however, these backpacker destinations won’t have quite the same range of culinary opportunities so get your fill at the start while you can.

For drinks, get prepared for the sack of wine found up the whole east coast called goon . It’s equally revered and feared by many a traveller. The quality ranges from mediocre to poor, but you’ll pay so little for it you won’t care. Other common beers you’ll come across are XXXX , Tooheys and Victoria Bitter (aka VB ) – which I think is the best of the three.

Be prepared as alcohol prices are very high in Australia, hence why most people opt for goon . To buy alcohol you need to find certain liquor stores such as Liquorland and Bottle-o (saying that name in an over-exaggerated Aussie accent always makes me laugh). They are often tucked away inside large supermarkets, or in their own separate stores. Maddeningly, and in the last place you would ever expect to find selling alcohol, some can be found at a drive-thru. Yep, you read that right. A drive-thru liquor store. Only in Australia.

If you want to treat yourself One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale is one of my favourite beers and you can only find it in Australia (that I’m aware of). It’s amazing on tap so keep an eye out for the draft label when you’re at a bar.

3. If You Have 4 Weeks

The most famous Australian city that most people mistakenly assume to be the capital (it’s not, Canberra is). An incredible city and a great place to start your east coast trip. There’s an amazing combo of iconic sites, world-renown beaches, delicious seafood restaurants, and cool bars.

In terms of things to do, the list is pretty extensive. To get you started, below are a few of the main ones that I recommend! But I’m only going to cover this area briefly so if you want a more extensive guide on Sydney and further info on the places listed, then check out my full Sydney Travel guide here:

• Sydney Opera House
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Taronga Zoo
• Circular Quay
• Watson’s Bay & Hornby Lighthouse
• Coogee to Bondi walk

IF YOU HAVE TIME

• Sydney Sea Life Aquarium
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• Sydney Fish Market
• Barrenjoey Lighthouse & Palm beach

Passionately loved by many a backpacker, it’s the east coast’s most popular hippy paradise. A really cool area with loads of chilled hostels and bars. You could easily spend a week here drinking schooners * at the incredible Stone & Wood Brewery , lounging in hammocks, surfing, and having beach BBQs. It’s that sort of place. If you want to do a surf camp then this is one of the best places on the east coast to do it (you’ll find multiple surf shops along the streets by the beachfront or lots of hostels offer lessons directly).

* a very common measurement for beer glasses (450ml) you find on the east coast, and indeed throughout all of Australia.

One of the main highlights in Byron is the lighthouse walk. The views along the coastline are outstanding and on a clear day, you might even get to see sharks and whales (depending on the time of year) swimming in the shallows below.

SIDE TRIP – to the curious town of Nimbin . Lots of companies offer day tours from Byron including stopping off at a waterfall on the way, but it’s hard to really tell why you would want to go there. It’s only a small area and consists of not more than a few souvenir shops and some Aboriginal art galleries. Other than that there isn’t too much to see. But there is another reason traveller’s go… there’s a common myth floating amongst backpackers on the east coast about this curious little town. So I’m going to be completely transparent and say it: the only reason people go to Nimbin is to buy Cannabis/Marijuana/Weed/Bud/Dank whatever you want to call it. For some reason – that I haven’t quite figured out – it appears to be semi-legal to sell in this town. So if that’s what you’re looking for, now you know.

I do have to follow this up with a warning. Marijuana is still illegal throughout Australia, so if you do want to go there then do so at your own risk. I am also not advocating the use of drugs I just want to give you my honest view on what’s available to let you decide for yourself!

Other than the big names of Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef, and Byron Bay, Noosa often ranks very high on traveller’s lists of their favourite east coast destinations and it’s easy to see why. There’s a stunning national park packed with amazing coastal walks and a set of beautiful views from Noosa headland. Not to mention, more incredible surfing on a great range of beaches and a scenic lagoon.

You’ll be wanting to spend a few days here at least. Make sure you explore the coastline for its hidden beaches, the Fairy Pools , and the multitude of coastal lookouts. It’s a great place to relax, swim, surf and soak up the sun.

Fraser Island

The world’s largest sand island stretching over 120km and my favourite spot on the whole of the east coast. Where the water is so brimming with sharks and rays that you’re not actually allowed to swim in the sea. Where wild dingos * skitter along the bleached beaches in the moonlight. A place filled with adventure, nature, and a fascinating cultural history (and unfortunately, a devastating colonial one)!

*They’re actually considered to be such a nuisance that you’re repeatedly told to keep your tents shut to prevent them from rummaging through your belongings for food.

The only way to really see the island is on a 3-day 2-night tour. The most common route is to get picked up at Rainbow Beach and dropped off at Hervey Bay . Some routes go from Noosa depending on the company you book with. I went with Drop Bear , who I highly recommend. Their tour guides were excellent, everything was well organised and I had an awesome experience overall. Don’t try and be one of those people who thinks they can rent a car and drive it by yourself. I know multiple people who tried this and found it tiring/stressful, or didn’t have a proper off-road vehicle and got stuck in the sand wrecking their cars. It’s not worth the risk, and in any case, the tours are a big part of the overall journey for a backpacker.

The top highlights include swimming in the crystal clear Eli Creek , jumping into the aptly named Champagne Pools (for their foaming bubbling waves), and floating in the stunning sapphire waters of Lake Mckenzie . Not to mention the endless goon parties around the campfire, driving a 4×4 along the beach, and all the wildlife you will see in this outdoor paradise. It’s such a special place and will undoubtedly be one of your east coast highlights.

Whitsundays

Home to Whitehaven Beach : a beach so pure that NASA uses its sands to make the glass in their telescopes. This is made possible due to the extremely high silica content that makes glass of extraordinary quality. You’re told that it’s illegal for you to take any. Which always confused me because why the hell would anyone want to take sand from a beach. The only reason I now want to take it is because you’ve told me not to.

To get the best out of the Whitsundays you need to go on a boat tour, usually 2-day 2-night, starting from Airlie Beach . There are a range of boats you can go on with different atmospheres depending on whether you’re looking more to party (hot tubs and drinking games etc) or more hoping for a relaxing time (star-gazing, swimming with turtles, etc). Atlantic Clipper is a common name as it’s one of the biggest party boats. But the sizes and types vary with some of them offering a bit of both so you can choose what suits you!

The main highlight of the trip as mentioned is Whitehaven beach, where you spend a day walking to the viewpoint and along the stunning white beaches. I was lucky enough to swim with turtles in the seagrass on my trip, but I know people who didn’t see any or they were too hungover to wake up and missed out. It’s all pretty variable but once you get to the hostels you can see what everyone else is up to and book the same as them. It’s always easier to figure things out on the ground, and that’s what travelling’s about!

Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

Since your school days, I’m sure you’ve been dreaming of the Great Barrier Reef . It’s a magical world-renown wonder of nature that seems to be on everyone’s “To See Before You Die” list. And it doesn’t disappoint. If you want to do a diving or snorkelling trip anywhere on the east coast, this is the place. But if you’re looking to do your Open Water qualification, be warned, the prices are eye-wateringly high compared to other areas in South East Asia or Indonesia. But I believe what you see in those waters you’ll likely remember for the rest of your life. And when you think about it like that I reckon it’s more than worth the money.

I did mine with Pro Dive Cairns and that was a 5 day PADI Open Water qualification that included a 3-day 2-night live onboard boat where you do 9 dives including a night dive. It was unbelievable, but it smashed my budget to pieces. I managed to get a discount as I booked a package with my Fraser Island and Whitsundays tours at a YHA in Byron Bay. Having said that, I always knew I wanted to go diving and I’d allocated money for this big expense. This could be something to bear in mind if you are desperate to go too!

A nice compromise is to do a snorkelling trip for a much cheaper price. However, these are usually on big boats and they don’t go as far out into the reef so it won’t be as pristine. Unfortunately, due to Climate Change and mass bleaching events the reef is in critical condition. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to any rules when on the boats (no touching or taking coral, no littering, etc) and expect to pay a premium for the entry fee to help protect the park!

The easiest place to access the reef is through Cairns. This is convenient as Cairns also has a sizeable airport for you to fly back from, marking it a good point to end your trip. As for the city itself, Cairns doesn’t have too much else on offer and unfortunately, it’s struggled for years with a neglected and impoverished Aborigine population. So sadly, you should expect to see quite a few homeless Aborigines on the streets.

If you’re looking for a night out then the huge party hostel Gilligan’s will more than fulfil your hedonistic desires. During the days most people hang out by the Esplanade Lagoon having picnics and soaking up the sun. Other than that almost all the backpackers are on snorkelling or diving trips!

4. If You Have 5-6 Weeks

Coffs harbour.

I don’t want to oversell this place because it’s one of those areas that some people like and others don’t. But I had a great time there and I thought it was worth mentioning. That’s just how travelling goes; sometimes you have an amazing time in one spot due to some specific set of reasons and then another person going to the same place doesn’t have the same experience. It’s not always easy to predict!

Coff’s Harbour doesn’t have the most beautiful beach on the east coast, but it’s a great place to chill out for a few days. Rent a paddleboard and head up the lagoon, go harbour jumping from the pontoon, or take a walk to the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve . You can even rent a car and go see wild kangaroos roaming in the valleys nearby!

Magnetic Island

If you’re planning on stopping at Townsville , then you should seriously consider a trip to Magnetic Island. It’s a chance to stay in jungle-style lodges on the beach, to drive “barbie cars” along palm-fringed coast roads, and to spend your days snorkelling, lounging in hammocks, and searching for wild koalas.

To get there, hop on a Sealink Queensland passenger ferry or book with Magnetic Island Ferries if you have a vehicle. Find your way to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal, and in 20 minutes you’ll be on Magnetic Island!

Cape Tribulation & Daintree

By the time you get up past Cairns, you’re so far north that things begin to turn tropical. Resulting in the stunning Daintree Rainforest! Most people come up here for bird watching, nature walks, and the general experience of being in a jungle ecosystem. It just goes to show the immense range of habitats Australia has on offer.

Most people head north from Cairns and spend a few days in Cape Tribulation and/or Daintree National Park before heading back to Cairns and flying on to your next destination from there!

Blue Mountains National Park

A surprisingly overlooked area considering how beautiful it is. You can hop on a train at Central Station in Sydney and be in Katoomba in under 2 hours. All hikes and walks into the National Park start in Katoomba, which is the hub for hostels and bars ( Station Bar does great pizza and beers – a good selection of classic rock music too). I recommend you do 2 separate day hikes to get the most out of the area.

The main site is the incredible view from Echo Point of the Three Sisters . Which is upon a cliff-top looking down into the forested valleys below. Most people only go to this and have a short walk around the main viewpoint, which I think is a huge waste of an opportunity! My advice is to do a full loop walk down into the canyon via the Giant Stairway . You then follow the Scenic Walkway along the forest floor before trudging up a large set of steps to reach the top again. There are multiple routes to take depending on how long you want to walk for ( Golden Stairs and Furber Steps ). Alternatively, if your legs are too tired, you can hop on the Scenic World funicular to race you back up!

5. Overrated

Surfer’s paradise.

Here we have one of the most successful urban rebranding projects I think I’ve ever come across. Every person I’ve ever met who is planning their east coast trip stops off here. Despite the fact that it is neither otherworldly for surfing nor a paradise. Not when compared to the other locations in Australia anyway. The area is essentially a cluster of skyscrapers with a long concrete esplanade pushed up onto an artificial-looking beach. It has a Miami-esque feel to it and when you come across the other incredible beaches Australia is famous for, you’ll agree it’s hardly worth a visit.

Surfer’s does, however, have a good night out. So if you’re adamant on seeing it for yourself then you’ll likely have a fun couple of nights on the town. But otherwise, skip this spot and spend the rest of your trip at the other locations mentioned.

Did you come to Australia to go to the cities? No, of course you didn’t. Other than Sydney I really wouldn’t advise you to spend any time in the big urban settlements. As Brisbane is about a third of the way up the coast it seems like a logical place to stop. But in all honesty, there isn’t that much interesting going on there for backpackers. The city itself is nice enough and I don’t mean to slander it. I just think considering most traveller’s are short on time, it’s not a spot you need to stop off at!

Before You Go!

Thanks for reading my Australia travel guide, I hope you’ve found the tips and advice useful 😄! If you have any other questions or want to know more, please feel free to comment below.

Another big thank you to my family for helping with photos and extra tips. Between us, we have years of knowledge gathered from all over the country and it’s been a joy sharing that experience together.

For those of you who are unaware and want to get involved in the online backpacking network, I’ve opened a new twitter account where I post a lot of book reviews and links to some of these blogs. It’s also a good opportunity for you to engage with everything related to travelling as I’ll be sharing and retweeting exciting updates from all areas of this community 👌🏼. Check out the link below!

As always, happy travels!

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Ultimate Australian East Coast Road Trip

Visiting Australia had been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, I remember dreaming of learning to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef and in 2010 I got to do just that as part of an Australian east coast road trip with a friend from university.

We spent one month travelling from Sydney to Cairns on a hop-on-hop-off bus. Then, back in 2016, I visited Sydney again with Thom and we spent a week exploring some of New South Wales.

Australia’s east coast is popular with backpackers for good reason; it’s full of beautiful beaches and cool cities. If you’re dreaming of a trip to Australia, then check out this Australia east coast road trip itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Australian east coast road trip itinerary

This Australia east coast road trip itinerary goes from Sydney to Cairns with many of the stops I made in 2010.

I’ve also added extra things to do in Sydney and elsewhere that I missed.

A road trip on Australia’s east coast has got to be one of the best road trips in Australia as you’ll tick off so many Australia must-sees!

It’s one of the best options for young travellers too. With budget-friendly hotels and bars, it’s pretty much the ultimate backpacking Australia route.

How to plan your Australian road trip

When I visited Australia for the first time my friend and I did a hop-on-hop-off bus all the way up the coast. This worked great for us as it was a fun way to meet other similar travellers.

When I returned to Australia, Thom and I booked a campervan for one week in New South Wales and I’d definitely do this again if we went back.

Alternatively, you could hire a car and stay in a hotel. There’s more information about road-tripping in Australia below.

If I was to go back to travel eastern Australia again I’d definitely do it in a campervan. I love the freedom you get from travelling this way. It’s great having everything you need on you all the time and not having to make concrete plans to reach a certain hotel every night.

We hired a Jucy campervan for a week and it came with everything we needed including bedding and kitchen supplies.

We ended up camping at a couple of cheap campsites near the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley. There are plenty of campsites all along the east coast or you can look into camping for free too.

This post has my top tips for finding free campsites, it’s focused on North America, but many of these tips will work for everywhere.

We booked with Oz Experience who went out of business part-way through our trip but seem to be back now. You can use Greyhound buses to get around.

Taking one of these options is like a cheap version of an east coast Australia tour as you’ll likely see the same people over and over again.

The downside to using a bus is you’re limited to only stopping off wherever they stop, but it’s a great option if you don’t want to hire a campervan or car.

Check out Omio to book your bus tickets along the east coast. Alternatively, you can book a hop-on hop-off bus with Greyhound that covers you for 90 days.

Driving around Australia is pretty easy (especially if you’re from the UK and used to driving on the left!). Just remember to keep your tank full so you’re not caught out (like we almost were!).

If you’re more of a hotel person than a campsite person, then renting a car for your road trip on Australia’s east coast is the way to go. You’ll have the freedom of going where you want and when you want, but car rentals tend to cost less than campervan rentals.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Best time to visit the east coast of Australia

I honestly don’t think there’s a bad time to visit Australia. Sure the summer months (North America and Europe’s winter months) are warmer and more reliable in terms of sunshine, but even in the winter, Australia isn’t super cold.

Both times I’ve visited Australia I’ve visited from mid-August to September, so their winter. This meant that in Sydney, we did get some rain and it wasn’t exactly beach weather. However, there were plenty of days on both trips that it was warm enough to be wandering around without a sweater.

Cairns is in the north of Australia and receives more tropical weather than in Sydney. Overall its a lot warmer but they do have distinct wet and dry seasons.

May to September in Cairns sees warm, dry weather and fewer people. During these months you can expect hotels and excursions to be a little cheaper.

November to April (Australian summer) is hot and humid and there is a lot of rain. This can make diving difficult as visibility is worse.

So, if you’re planning to go scuba diving or snorkelling in Cairns that’s something to bear in mind.

For what it’s worth, I was in Cairns in September and it was hot but not too hot and the diving was awesome.

How long does it take to road trip the east coast of Australia?

This really depends on how long you have to spend doing an Australia east coast road trip. My trip from Sydney to Cairns took 3 weeks, with a week spent doing a liveaboard scuba diving trip.

Three weeks gave us plenty of time to ticket off bucket list Australia items like visiting the Whitsundays and Fraser Island, but you could easily spend a lot longer.

Below is a pretty good Australia itinerary for 3 weeks, but ideally I’d recommend at least a month to make your way up the east coast. This way you can enjoy a few days in Sydney, Brisbane and other places like Byron Bay as you travel.

Where to visit on an Australia east coast road trip

Here are my top recommendations of what to do on east coast Australia and where to stop during your road trip. This Australia road trip itinerary packs a lot of fun adventures in!

Flights to Sydney are more affordable than they can be to other cities so I’d recommend starting your trip here.

Sydney is a great city famous for its Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as well as the beautiful beaches including Bondi Beach.

See my 1-week itinerary for New South Wales

Check out these palces to visit in Sydney Australia:

• Do the Coogee – Bondi walk
• Getting brunch (the city is famous for it after all)
• Visiting the Opera House
• Walking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and possibly climbing it!
• Get a photo of the Opera House from Mrs Macquarie’s seat as you walk around the parks and gardens
• Catch the ferry to Manly
• Go for a swim at Bondi Icebergs, or at least watch others swim at this iconic outdoor pool

Where to stay in Sydney

• Sydney Harbour YHA
• Tiger Hostel, Sydney
• Branksome Hotel & Residences (5*)

Explore more of New South Wales with side-trips from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley

While many people will stop at Sydney on their east coast road trip and then just continue up the coast, I highly recommend spending more time in New South Wales and heading out of the city towards the west as you road trip around Australia.

The Blue Mountains near Sydney and the Hunter Valley are excellent places to spend a few days. The former is full of beautiful natural scenery and the latter is ideal for food and drink lovers.

I’ve got a full one-week Australia itinerary for New South Wales here .

• The Hunter Valley
• Blue Mountains

If you’re not planning on renting a car or campervan in Australia, you can try out these tours to the Hunter Valley and the Blue Mountains from Sydney.

• Blue Mountains tours
• Hunter Valley full day tour

Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is on the ‘banana coast’ and is home to a huuuge statue of a banana just to prove it. You’ll quickly learn that Australia loves making great big statues of things that the area of town is famous for.

Coffs Harbour is popular with backpackers looking to relax and enjoy the sun and surf. It has some great coastal walks to explore and the one that takes you above the harbour is definitely a must-do!

Things to do in Coffs Harbour

• Go Koala spotting in Bongil Bongil National Park
• Try surfing!
• Visit Muttonbird Island
• Enjoy the waterfalls of Dorrigo National Park

Where to stay in Coffs Harbour

• Surf Beach Motel
• BreakFree Aanuka Resort Hotel

Byron Bay is pretty well known across the world as having a hippy, arty vibe and as a surfers’ paradise.

It’s a must-see as you travel east coast Australia and pretty much everyone making the journey from Sydney to Cairns will stop off at Bryon Bay for a while.

With the town’s motto being ‘cheer up, slow down, chill out, it’d be hard not to fall in love with a place like this!

Some of the best things to do in Bryon Bay

• Learn to surf in Byron Bay
• Go hiking in Arakwal National Park and to the Cape Byron lighthouse; the most eastern point in mainland Australia.
• Enjoy happy hour at Byron Bay’s cafes.
• Chase waterfalls in Nightcap National Park
• Go beach hopping
• Explore the  craft beer scene in Byron Bay
• Spend the day shopping and explore Byron’s boutiques
• Explore the Byron Bay Hinterland

Where to stay in Byron Bay

• The Surf House, Bryon
• Wake Up! Byron
• Arts Factory Lodge

Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise

Gold Coast is a city made up of several smaller beach areas and some of the best surfing in Australia. If you’re looking for somewhere to party while on your Australian east coast road trip, then make a stop here.

The area is kinda like a beach resort town in southern Spain or Florida. It’s often full of young backpackers and Australians enjoying a drink and the beaches and the town of Surfer’s Paradise is right at the heart of the action.

Surfers Paradise is full of theme parks including Wet n Wild and Dreamworld, as well as clubs aplenty.

If you want to make a stop in the area but don’t quite fancy the noise and partying in Surfer’s Paradise, then check out Coolangatta.

Known as Coolie to the locals, it’s a much more chilled-out version of Surfers with great waves, food and views.

Things to do near Surfers Paradise:

• Party! That’s what the city is all about. All-day parties and plenty of booze
• Enjoy views of the city from the Sky Point Observation Deck
• Stroll through the beachfront markets on a Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night. One of the best is at Burleigh.
• Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary , a wildlife hospital with koalas, birds, tortoises and more
• Go hiking in nearby Tamborine Mountain. Try the high ropes course or just visit the wineries …
• Visit the World-Heritage Listed Lamington National Park and explore the beautiful waterfalls and landscape

Where to stay around the Gold Coast

• Bunk Surfers Paradise
• Budds in Surfers Backpackers

Brisbane is Queensland’s big city and there are plenty of things to do in Brisbane. It’s your last big city before reaching Cairns and it’s a great place to spend a couple of days.

Brisbane has a great craft beer scene in Westend and nightlife around the Fortitude Valley. When we stopped here we visited a super cool art gallery ina. warehouse and enjoying the artificial beach area in the city centre.

Things to do in Brisbane

• Go shipwreck diving at nearby Moreton Island (this kayak tour looks fun!)
• Browse some of the city’s galleries and museums
• Check out this huge post of more of the best things to do in Brisbane

Where to stay in Brisbane

• The Calile Hotel
• Breeze Lodge Hostel
• Brisbane City YHA

Noosa is a must-visit on the east coast of Australia. It’s perfect for backpackers, families and anyone in between. The town centre has some great shopping and the beaches are beautiful. The town of Noosa is on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and the highlight is perhaps the opportunity to spot koalas in the wild!

Things to do in Noosa

• Wander through Noosa National Park which is stunning and easy to get to from the town centre
• Sample the bars, cafes and brunch spots in Noosa
• Cruise the Noosa Everglades with their pristine water
• Hike nearby Mt Coolumb

Where to stay in Noosa

• Noosa Heads Motel
• Netanya Noosa
• The Sebel Noosa

Fraser Island

Fraser Island should be on everyone’s list of things to do on Australia’s east coast. There are numerous tours you can take where you’ll head out to this road-free island and explore shipwrecks, sand dunes and more.

It tends to draw more of a backpacking crowd, but if you’re over 21 and have experience driving on sand, you can hire your own 4×4 and explore the island in your own time.

Most Fraser Island tours start from Rainbow Beach, and you’ll need to get there the night before it starts. However, you can also get to Fraser Island from Noosa or Hervey too.

Best things to do on Fraser Island

• Take a tour of Fraser Island , if you’re over 21 give driving on the sand a go!
• Keep your eyes open for dingos!
• Explore the Maheno shipwreck
• Enjoy evenings by the campfire on an overnight tour on Fraser Island
• Drive along 75 Mile Beach
• Hike up to Indian Head to spot sharks and stingrays in the water below

Here’s how to plan a trip to Fraser Island.

The farming town of Bundaberg is best known for its rum, but the soft drinks made at the Bundaberg Distillery are better.

It’s not so much of a complete stop, as a fun place to pass through on your way heading north.

1770/Agnes Water

Unlike Bundaberg, 1770/Agnes Water is worth spending at least one night at. This town is known for being one of the first places in Australia where James Cook and his crew landed in 1770 and there are some fun little activities to try.

It’s also a great place to just relax for a few days if you’re feeling a little burnt out from all the fun so far!

In 1770 you can get cheap surf lessons (around $17), and enjoy a tour on a modified chopper motorcycle to spot kangaroos.

Both of these activities we did while visiting 1770. While I wasn’t any good at surfing, I was good at getting dressed up in a leather jacket and spotting kangaroos!

Things to do in Agnes Water /1770

• Take a cheap surf lesson
• Make a trip out to Eurimbula National Park with its beautiful coastline
• Do the Scooteroo tour ! (This was one of my favourite things on our east coast Australia itinerary)
• Try Castaways – similar to the show survivor, you’ll be dropped on a deserted island and learn how to fish, build shelters and more for 2-3 days.

Where to stay in Agnes Water/1770

• Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort
• Mango Tree Motel
• Backpackers at 1770
• 1770 Lagoons Central Apartment Resort

Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays

It’s not an Australia travel itinerary without seeing the Whitsundays!

Airlie Beach is the gateway to The Whitsundays a collection of 74 tropical islands and a bucket list Australia activity.

The beaches of The Whitsundays have white sand and crystal clear waters full of life.

While it can be expensive, I highly recommend booking an overnight trip to The Whitsundays, ideally a 2-night 3 day Whitsundays sailing trip where you can really experience the beauty of this part of Australia.

The trips usually include all food and snorkelling equipment as well as a guide who’ll take control of the sailing and excursions on land.

Check out this post on visiting the Whitsundays for more information.

Whitsundays tours

• Ocean rafting tour to Whitehaven Beach
• Whitsundays & Whitehaven Beach 6 hour cruise
• 1-hour scenic flight

Townsville and Magnetic Island

Townsville itself doesn’t have a huge amount to offer but it’s the way to access Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is home to koalas, beaches and hikes and is the perfect place to relax for a couple of days.

Previously, Magnetic Island was home to Australia’s full moon parties (it still was when I was there) and they still happen but only a couple of times a year rather than every month. 

You can book your ferry in advance here.

Best things to do on Magnetic Island

• Walk along the forts and see if you can spot koalas
• Watch the sunset from the beach
• Party at Base Hostel
• Go snorkelling at Geoffrey Bay

Where to stay on Magnetic Island

We stayed at Base Hostel which has a party atmosphere and is right on the beach. Bungalow Bay Koala Village YHA is another good option.

The last city stop on your east coast road trip in Australia, the tropical city of Cairns is a great place to spend a week or two.

There are so many things to do in and around Cairns!

Best things to do and see in Cairns

• Relax in the magnificent Cairns Lagoon for free
• Take a road trip to the Daintree Rainforest at Cape Tribulation (more info below!)
• Learn how to scuba dive and take a liveaboard trip on the Great Barrier Reef, or a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef with snorkelling
• Visit Josephine Falls, and spend the day in and out of the cascading pools
• Go bungee jumping at the AJ Hackett bungee jump centre (ideally not on a hangover like I did…)
• Take a whitewater rafting tour

Where to stay in Cairns

• Rydges Esplanade Resort Cairns
• Global Backpackers Cairns
• Gilligan’s Backpacker Hotel & Resort
• Southern Cross Atrium Apartments

Cape Tribulation, Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest

This part of Australia is the only place in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet: the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

This isn’t the place to go if you want to swim in the waters as Cape Tribulation is considered to be one of the most dangerous beaches in the world due to the crocodile population and the Box Jellyfish.

However, it’s a beautiful area that’s rugged and wild. You can enjoy rainforest sounds from your bed, chase waterfalls running down from mountains, and swim in natural rock pools. It’s full of fun adventures!

Things to do in Cape Tribulation

• Fly above the rainforest with a zipline adventure
• Hike Mount Sorrow
• Take a river cruise to spot crocs
• Explore the rainforest and the reef

Where to stay in Cape Tribulation

• Wildwood Cabin Farm Stay – beautiful rainforest to explore
• Safari Lodge

Last Updated on April 19, 2023 by Hannah

Hannah started That Adventurer after graduating back in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to city breaks in Europe , a 3 month road trip across the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years living in Canada , you’ll find posts on all of this.

Hannah specialises in active travel and on That Adventurer you’ll find hiking, walking, biking, skiing and all sorts of active travel guides to allow you to see a destination in an adventurous way.

Now back in Europe, you’ll find new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the next year ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and places in between.

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Home » Oceania » Australia » Backpacking Travel Guide

Backpacking East Coast Australia Travel Guide (2024)

G’day Mate! I hear you’re packing a bag and heading to the East Coast of Australia – you lucky thing. You’re in for an absolute CRACKER.

Packed with adventure; the East Coast of Australia has got it all for us backpackers. With endless coastlines, pumping nightlife, fascinating wildlife (yes, I’m talkin’ kangaroos!) and so much more. 

If sailing the Whitsundays, camping among the dingoes on Fraser Island and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef sounds up your alley – you better get booking! 

As one of the top backpacker spots in the world, you won’t be alone when you embark on your adventure down under. Many travellers traverse the East Coast of Australia every year. The people you meet along the way are one of the best parts of travel and they will forever hold a special place in your soul. 

Whether you’re up for bumping around the hostels, splashing out somewhere a bit boujee or packing up a van and hitting the open roads – there are loads of different ways to explore the East Coast. 

To make the most of your time backpacking the East Coast of Australia , it’s important to be prepared. You’ll want to decide what your travel budget and style is, as well as some of the top places you want to see.

That’s where I come in! In this guide, I’ve got everything you need to know before you set off on your trip of a lifetime to the big ol’ land at the bottom of the world. From the best itineraries and things to do to the boring stuff like travel insurance – I’ve got it all covered. 

So, let’s dive into the good stuff and get you fully equipped for your East Coast adventure.

Why Go Backpacking in East Coast Australia

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Australia’s East Coast is an expansive land of never-ending, picturesque beaches stretching 3,150 kilometres, all the way from Sydney to Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest. And these sandy stretches are the biggest reason the East Coast has become such an iconic backpacker destination.

Sure, the surf is epic, but in addition, you can snorkel and scuba dive on the world’s most famous reef, sail among the most beautiful islands in Australia, or just lounge in a hammock with your Kindle.

But the East Coast is so much more than just its beaches. Venture out to the bush and spot koalas, kangaroos and cassowary in the best national parks in Australia ; or get your fill of big city culture in the metropolises of Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

The best way to experience this stunning and varied land is by hitting the road on an East Coast Australian road trip . The long, beautiful highway is made for road-tripping!

East Coast Australia is chock-full of some of the most iconic vistas in the country. That’s why, if you’re in Australia for the first time, taking on the East Coast is a great way to meet the land down under. It’s also the best route to take if you’ve only got a few weeks to travel Australia.

So, now that you know that you must absolutely experience backpacking East Coast Australia, what should you see and do while there? Let’s take a look at the main backpacker hangouts!

I have compiled the following East Coast Australia itineraries to help you plan your trip. It’s ideal if you can spend at least 3-4 weeks on the East Coast but honestly, when it comes to Australia, the more time you have the better!

However, feel free to tweak these itineraries depending on your time and budget constraints. However much or little time you spend backpacking the East Coast Australia, you’re sure to have an epic time.

7 Days Travel Itinerary for East Coast Australia: Sydney & Surroundings

So you’re only spending one week on the East Coast? Maybe you prefer spending more time in other parts of Australia but still wanna check out what the famed Eastern part has to offer. In that case, you can easily spend a whole week in Sydney and its surrounding areas.

Sydney , the faux-capital of Australia (the one people always think is the capital, when the real one is Canberra), can easily keep a backpacker entertained for a few days.

You can go pub crawling at night, then spend the days hanging out in the city’s green areas and world-famous harbours. Or make a trip to the famed Bondi Beach and walk along the coastline, if you feel like it.

From Sydney, you can take a day trip to Hunter Valley which is said to be the best wine region in Australia.

Then take a train to the hills and do an overnight trip to the gorgeous Blue Mountains.

Return to Sydney for at least one more day which you should spend on the super-cool Manly Beach .

2-Week Travel Itinerary for East Coast Australia: All the Classics

Got two weeks? Great! That gives you enough time to check out the most happening backpacker spots on the East Coast.

Start in Sydney , of course! After a couple of days of rapid sightseeing, head up the coast to Byron Bay. This chill surfer town is a great place to hang out for two days, especially if you also wanna check out the ultra-hippie hangout Nimbin.

Next stop: Gold Coast . (Alternatively, Noosa and Sunshine Coast.) Backpacking Gold Coast is your time to experience prime parties and surfing, before heading out for more parties in the backpacker hostels in Brisbane .

The last stop on this 2-week East Coast Australia itinerary is Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach, where you can arrange a trip to Fraser Island , one of the best wildlife areas in the great Oz.

1+ Months Travel Itinerary for East Coast Australia: The Whole Thing!

This is the best itinerary for tackling an East Coast Australia trip! After all, you’ve come all the way down under – why not try out as many of Australia’s best adventures as you can?

Follow along the second itinerary: Sydney – Byron Bay – Gold Coast – Brisbane – Fraser Island. Make sure to stop by in Noosa , too!

Then it’s time to add some new waters. Literally – travel to Airlie Beach , where you can arrange a sailing trip around the stunning Whitsunday Islands for a few days.

Once back on dry land, head to Townsville where you can catch a ferry to Magnetic Island.

Make a quick stop in Mission Beach before staying in Cairns . From there, you can continue to Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest.

There are a few places where travellers love to visit while backpacking East Coast Australia. Here are the best places to visit on your East Coast Australia budget trip, from the ultra-popular to more off-beat.

Get ready for some surf, sun, and adventure!

Backpacking Sydney

Backpacking Sydney, the capital of New South Wales and the largest city in Australia, is a great experience since the city has so much to offer.

You can explore the district of The Rocks , full of historical streets near the harbour, or cross the bridge for great city views and visit the Luna Park amusement park.

Circular Quay is likely your first stop in the city since it’s home to Sydney’s most iconic attractions : the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge . You can enjoy an exceptional view of the steel bridge and the harbour while having a drink at the Opera Bar.

If you’re feeling brave, you can climb the Harbour Bridge . It’s well worth doing because you’ll get to see the whole of Sydney Harbour as it was meant to be seen. They’ll even give you a certificate of achievement at the end and the option to propose to your significant other at the top (as long as you mention it beforehand).

Check out Darling Harbour for Paddy’s Market, Aboriginal Centre, the casino, Sydney Aquarium, and just a lovely space to stroll around.

Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens are some of the best green spaces in the city, and the best parties happen in King’s Cross. There are tons of backpacker hostels in Sydney to choose from – just pick your vibe.

And even though you’re in a big city, this wouldn’t be Australia if you didn’t clock in some beach time. Bondi Beach is one of the most visited tourist sites in Australia. Take a dip at the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club or take the beautiful coastal walk to Coogee.

However, the locals’ favourite beach is located a 30-minute ferry ride from Circular Quay. Manly Beach has a lovely promenade, many restaurants, shops, nightlife, and more.

Need help deciding between Sydney or Melbourne ? Check out our helpful guide.

Backpacking Brisbane

Whether you’re staying for a bit or just passing through Brisbane for the weekend, there is plenty to experience. Brisbane, or Brissy as Australians call it, is the capital of Queensland.

Brissy is defined by the Brisbane River winding through the city centre, which divides the city into a north and south side.

South Bank is the cultural precinct and home to the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, and several museums like the Queensland Maritime Museum.

Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find lots of places to stay in Brisbane on a budget!

Visit Streets Beach , a man-made, beach-style lagoon in the heart of the city. Make time for a stroll along the Rainforest Walk in the South Bank Parklands. Be sure to snap a shot of the giant BRISBANE sign while you are here or check out some live music on Saturday nights at City Sounds.

If you’re up for a party and want something more memorable, you can even charter your own yacht and have one helluva boat party.

Enjoy the Riverwalk , a permanent pathway extending from the CBD to New Farm Park. Take a ride across the Brisbane River with CityHopper, a free transportation vessel.

Shop at the Queen Street Mall or grab a bite at Eat Street Markets in the Portside Wharf. Restaurants here have been reconfigured out of old shipping containers — cool! Oh, and there are craft stores and live music in the evenings.

Backpacking Byron Bay

Oh yes, Byron Bay. Known for its laid-back, chill vibe worldwide. Shoes are optional, weed is plentiful, and the surf culture is huge. Come early, and stay late. No matter what time of day, backpacking Byron Bay does not disappoint.

At Byron Bay, you can check out local markets, dance in a sunset drum circle, or most importantly, catch some rays at the beach – all free of charge.

Many backpackers like to camp on the beach but there are loads of epic hostels in Byron Bay , too.

The Cape Byron Lighthouse stands on the most easterly point of mainland Australia. The lighthouse walk is one of the prettiest in the Byron Bay area.

This walk takes about 2.5 hours but it is well worth the exercise. Swim along the walk and try to spot some whales or catch a spectacular sunrise at the lighthouse.

If you have ever wanted to surf, Byron Bay is a great place to learn. Take a lesson at Main Beach or rent a longboard and head to Wategos .

For adventure, check out the experienced surfers at The Wreck or Tallows. Rent a kayak to be among the sea turtles and dolphins, go horseback riding along the beach, or snorkel in the turquoise waters.

When you’re staying in Byron Bay , allow an extra day for a trip to Nimbin . Nimbin is a small, quirky town known as the Amsterdam of Australia.

This is a tiny hippie town. Marijuana is illegal here, but absolutely everyone is going to try and sell you “special” cookies. Enjoy yourself (just know how very potent these cookies can be), and have a wander around the local shops and art galleries.

Backpacking Gold Coast

Just as you cross the border into the sunshine state of Queensland, about an hour outside of Byron Bay, you arrive at Australia’s Gold Coast. With tons of stuff to do in Gold Coast , most backpackers make a stop here!

Known for its surfing beaches, like Surfers Paradise , Gold Coast has a completely different vibe than most of Australia’s East Coast. Often called “Australia’s Hollywood”, this is the core of the nation’s entertainment industry. High-rise buildings are sprawled along the coast.

The Gold Coast embraces its touristy image, and the local culture has been impacted greatly by the “sun, sand, surf, and sex” marketing tactics.

Make sure to include a visit to Tamborine Mountain in your Gold Coast itinerary . There you can explore some rainforests, stare at some gorgeous views, and meet some animals.

Go surfing, then grab a bite at one of the many oceanfront restaurants or do some shopping. Stay as little or long as you want, the weather stays great all year round, anyway!

Backpackers will love the vibrant nightlife. Pub crawls hosted by hostels in Gold Coast are a great way to socialize and meet other travellers, and party the night away.

Backpacking Noosa and the Sunshine Coast

Just up the road north of Brissy is the Sunshine Coast. Backpacking Sunshine Coast is a must while backpacking East Coast Australia, and Noosa, its most well-known area, is my personal favourite spot on the coast!

Noosa is a vibrant area that maintains a small, beach town feel. Hastings Street, conveniently located near the beach, has lovely cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Noosa is most noted for the Noose National Park, which is an easy place to spot a koala resting in a tree. UNESCO has classified Noosa as an official Biosphere Reserve.

There are a few great hostels in Noosa that won’t break the bank if you decide to stay in the area for a couple of nights.

The best way to enjoy Noosa is to rent a surfboard or soak up the sun at one of the best beaches in Australia.

Also make sure to allow an additional day to explore the Noosa Everglades , one of only two everglades systems in the world and an Australian best-kept secret. It’s best to go with a tour company since all parts won’t be accessible for just a casual wanderer.

But Noosa is just one point of interest in the awesome Sunshine Coast Area. You’ll also find other backpackers hanging out in Mooloolaba and Gympie . For nature-lovers The Hinterland – home to the famous Glass House Mountains – is an awesome place to check out.

Backpacking Rainbow Beach, Hervey Bay and Fraser Island

Fraser Island is one of the top attractions on this East Coast Australia budget trip. But first, let’s take a look at the two towns that are the gateways to this unique island!

Rainbow Beach is a beauty in its own right. The town’s name derives from the rainbow-coloured sand dunes that surround the area.

Carlo Sand Blow is an impressive stretch of land with a moon-like appearance and is an amazing place to view the sunrise or sunset. Here you can slide down the colourful dunes or try paragliding.

Visit Double Island Point Lighthouse , and try to spot marine life like dugongs and sharks. This is also the longest wave break in all of Australia.

Hervey Bay doesn’t have quite as much going on for it but there is some affordable backpacker accommodation in Hervey Bay in case you want to visit Fraser Island on a day trip.

Then, to the crown jewel – Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world. It’s best visited on a tour that you can book from either in Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay. If you do have the time to experience Fraser Island on your own, shop for groceries and gas on the mainland, and remember to arrange park and camping permits.

Fraser Island is a true wonder of the world. You can take a dip in Lake Mackenzie or Lake Wabby with sparkling clean waters, or the Champagne Pool , the island’s natural jacuzzi.

The main “road” on Fraser Island is the Seventy-Five Mile Beach where you can drive to some of the island’s best attractions like the incredible Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek .

Indian Head , a coastal headland and the most easterly point of the island, offers spectacular views of the ocean. Here you can climb the rocky outcrop and search for rays, sea turtles, and sharks down below.

The most special treat of Fraser Island is the dingoes. These are some of the last remaining pure dingoes in Eastern Australia.

Backpacking Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays

Airlie Beach is a smaller town that comes to life at night. This is a destination with many bars, backpackers, and clubs, and you will not have a dull night during your layover here. Stay in one of Airlie Beach’s epic hostels to get in on a true backpacker pub crawl.

To be honest, there isn’t much to see in the town. You can take an afternoon dip in Airlie Beach Lagoon, a man-made lagoon in the heart of the city. Or, embark on the most picturesque boat ride of your life from the Port of Arlie at 8 a.m. for a full day of adventure. There’s an included all-you-can-eat BBQ, morning and afternoon tea, unlimited drinks, and Whitsunday island beach exploration.

Airlie Beach is mostly known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands !

Ahh, the Whitsunday Islands. They are what dreams are made of with their indescribable beauty. These islands form part of the Great Barrier Reef.

Due to its stunning beauty, The Whitsunday Islands are made up of luxury resorts – no hostels. However, camping is possible on some of the islands if you have a boat to reach the sites and bring your own food.

The truest way to experience the 74 Whitsunday Islands is with a sailing trip. Embark on the most picturesque boat ride of your life from the Port of Arlie at 8 a.m. for a full day of adventure. There’s an included all-you-can-eat BBQ, morning and afternoon tea, unlimited drinks, and Whitsunday island beach exploration. Or, if you’ve got more than a day available for a boat ride, I highly recommend taking a three-day cruise that includes scuba diving, beach-hopping, and epic onboard parties.

Who would have thought, a broke backpacker like you would have the opportunity to experience the sweet, sweet sailing life ?

Backpacking Townsville and Magnetic Island

Townsville is often just a pit stop for most backpackers but if you wanna make a proper stop, there are some epic hostels in Townsville . Rumour has it that Townsville has some awesome parties to offer, too.

Top recommendations for places to visit include the Reef HQ Aquarium with hundreds of coral, fish, and other sea species, as well as a turtle hospital. Just south of the city is The Billabong Sanctuary. Considered “Australia’s best interactive wildlife sanctuary”, there are over 100 species of Australian animals on site.

SeaLink, Townsville’s Ferry, will get you to and from Magnetic Island, which is no doubt The Reason you came here.

Magnetic Island is a mountainous island some 8 km off the coast. Named after its mysterious magnetic effect, Magnetic Island has a lot of curious characteristics to be discovered. Fun fact: Magnetic Island is also the sunniest place in Australia with more sunny days in a year than anywhere else in Australia.

Another World Heritage-listed site, Magnetic Island is rich in forests and boasts 23 secluded beaches and bays. You can rent out a snorkel, a kayak, or jet skis and water skis to explore the waters around the island.

Magnetic Island also has some great trails waiting to be hiked. With so many spectacular views, cover more distance by renting a bike or scooter.

There’s also the Bungalow Bay Koala Village where you can hold a koala in your arms, among other Aussie wildlife staples. I’m not sure I would recommend it, though… The animals seemed well taken care of but always be on extra alert when you’re participating in animal tourism.

Oh, and Magnetic Island is home to Australia’s premier full moon beach party! Keep that in mind, party people.

Backpacking Cairns

Backpacking Cairns is not to be missed. The city is known for its tropical climate and is the gateway to the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef . There isn’t all that much to do in the city itself – but I absolutely love it.

Cairns esplanade has a large swimming lagoon, which is not unusual for most Australian cities, but at this lagoon, you can sunbathe topless. Hey, it is extra humid here!

Cairns is also home to Australia’s only bungee jump, with the option to jump as many times as you would like, for those real daredevils.

There are plenty of affordable hostels in Cairns as well as options for food, drinks, and shopping on a backpacker’s budget.

Cairns’ crown jewel, one of the 7 wonders of the natural world and the largest living organism on Earth, is the Great Barrier Reef. The best way to explore the colourful corals is on a scuba diving expedition. This will put a dent in your budget but trust me, it’s worth it!

The perfect way to end your time in Cairns is at the Insta-famous waterfalls at  Atherton Tablelands.

Herbal Essence filmed their rainforest commercial here, and for good reason. Girls, or long-haired lads, let those locks down and get an awesome hair flip shot in front of Millaa Millaa Falls:  a cool reminder of your ultimate backpack journey to the land down under.

Backpacking the Daintree Rainforest and Port Douglas

The Daintree Rainforest , an ancient landscape, is the oldest rainforest in the world. The forest can be explored from Cairns, or even better, stay closer to the rainforest.

Head to Cape Tribulation to learn about the indigenous peoples of Australia.

View the fascinating Cassowary bird, spot crocodiles, swim, and of course stop at the rainforest’s best scenic locations.

Cape Tribulation is one of the finest beaches in Australia. There is a huge stretch of bleached sand, the likes of which are juxtaposed wonderfully by the verdant jungles of the Daintree.

Do be careful of the crocs as they like to hang out in the estuaries around the cape. Also, know that this is about as far north as you can go without having a powerful 4×4 vehicle.

If you want an alternative base to Cairns, try staying in Port Douglas on the edge of the Daintree – it’s more resorty but has a great beach and some down-tempo hostels as well. You can participate in many of the same activities as Cairns and at comparable rates.

The Great Barrier Reef is actually closer to Port Douglas as well so the boat trip out is shorter.

Off the Beaten Path on the East Coast of Australia

The East Coast of Australia isn’t just made up of the ultra-popular backpacker hangs – there are tons more to discover. Take some time out of your East Coast Backpacking trip and visit one of these spectacular destinations.

Mission Beach is another holiday gem known for its natural beauty and adventure. I recommend you arrange a trip to the nearby Dunk Island , which is blessed with amazing trails with panoramic views and excellent snorkelling waters .

Mission Beach is also a fav for adrenaline junkies: go white-water rafting down the Tully River or head out mountain biking, fishing or sailing. For the ultimate thrill, go skydiving with an incredible beach landing.

Another off-the-beaten-path town is Agnes Water and the Town of 1770. This is one of the last places you will find surf on the East Coast before hitting the reef region, and the lessons here are some of the cheapest.

The historical Town of 1770 is home to mini “Harley-style” chopper tours, which are its main attraction.

Closer to Sydney, The Blue Mountains offer some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Australia. You should view them either by one of the many drive-up viewpoints, from the trail, or even by canyoneering. The Blue Mountains are a feast for the eyes.

The best place to stay in the Blue Mountains is its main town Katoomba . Other settlements include Springwood , Leura , and Blackheath .

Katoomba is the best though. It’s a very artsy commune and has a reputation for being full of hippies, but it also offers a lot of Blue Mountain’s best hostels .

From just about any town you can arrange a walk and go hiking on one of many trails. Popular trails in the area include the Giant Stairway, the Grand Canyon, and National Pass Trail. If you’re the really adventurous type, try canyoneering!

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

If you read through all the little snippets about the best places to visit in East Coast Australia on a budget, you probably already have a pretty good idea of all the awesome things you can do during your trip!

But a bit of concise repetition is always good, right? Here are some of the absolute most fun, most epic, best things to do in East Coast Australia.

Spoiler alert: most of them are not very budget-friendly, but all of them are worth the spend.

1. Surf in Noosa

Noosa, the backpackers’ most beloved stop on the Sunshine Coast, is known for chill vibes, rich nature, and awesome waves. Surfing in Noosa is not just about learning to stand on the board – it’s also about diving into the local surfer culture. You’ll also find plenty of yoga retreats in this area.

2. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest coral reef is one of the top things to do in the whole of Australia, and it’s an incredible experience whether you’re underwater in scuba gear or snorkelling along. The reef has unfortunately experienced a lot of bleaching and damage in recent years but it is still worth the visit.

3. Sail the Whitsundays

Ever dream of a pirate’s life? In the Whitsundays, you can experience what it’s like to sail between some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world.

Add in a sprinkle of underwater exploration, on-board parties, and lounging on the whitest sand you’ve ever seen, it’s easy to see why sailing the Whitsundays is one of the top things to do in East Coast Australia.

4. Celebrate New Year in Sydney

Sure, there are a few time zones before Australia, but as one of the first places where the year changes, Sydney is easily one of the best places to spend the New Year’s in the world. The fireworks over the Harbour Bridge are usually televised all over the planet.

5. Hunt Down Oversized Fruit

East Coast Australia is super backpacker-friendly not just because of its many attractions but its great farm work opportunities.

Many towns on the coast lean heavily into their status as the fruit-picking capital of the country, and have erected statues of giant fruit. One of the most famous ones is the Big Banana in Coff’s Harbour.

6. Chill out at Nimbin

If Byron Bay is the capital of hippies in Australia, then Nimbin is their administrative centre. This small town near Byron has got more and more touristy, but it still has plenty of chill vibes and good smokes to offer (although, if you’re gonna partake in drugs on the road, you should know they are illegal in Australia).

7. Party Like There’s No Tomorrow

The East Coast is without a doubt the most popular spot for solo backpackers in Australia – which means that this is where you’ll find the wildest, most debauched travellers to the land down under. Australian backpacker parties are truly something to experience – and so are the hangovers.

8. Road Trip the Coast

The long, well-kept roads of the coast are calling… There is no better way to travel the East Coast than on a road trip! Hire or buy a campervan or find other backpackers with a car to experience Australia from Sydney to Cairns in the best possible way. Plus, you’ll be getting a real taste of the awesome van life.

My highest praise for rental companies goes to JUCY Rentals . Reasonable prices. Great customer service. And bloody comfy vans. They are the ideal home on four wheels for your trip around the coast!

9. Hang out with the Dingos

Fraser Island is the world’s biggest sand island and definitely one of the most unique things to add to your budget trip on East Coast Australia. It’s also the best place to see dingoes, Australia’s indigenous wild dogs. But don’t try to pet them – these wild dogs are for watching only.

10. Explore the World’s Oldest Rainforest

Daintree Rainforest in Northern Queensland is a little off the beaten path and unfortunately skipped by many backpackers. You might not stumble on too many epic parties down here but you’ll definitely find awesome natural peace and great snorkelling opportunities.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Backpacking East Coast Australia is all about the hostel experience. Airbnb and Couchsurfing are always an option if you’re craving some peace and quiet but they can get quite expensive in Australia .

So, to keep your East Coast Australia travel costs low, always pick hostels! There are some absolutely epic hostels in Australia and each destination has a plethora of accommodation choices.

From my humble personal experience, Australia is one of the best places in the world to live da sweet, sweet hostel life .

Well, at least if you’re young, broke, and relatively new to travelling. (These days I would definitely pick camping over the rowdy hostel rooms.) Cause yo, Australian hostels are FUN. There’s always some sort of a pub crawl, snorkel trip, movie night, or quiz going on, and meeting other travellers is super easy.

There are as many hostel experiences as there are hostels in Australia. Read reviews beforehand. Some hostels are total shitholes, and some are fancy boutique-style, offering even women-only accommodation and other rare extras.

Your average 8-12 bed mixed dorm is going to run at about 20 AUD per night, depending on your location.

 The Best Places to Stay in East Coast Australia

With so many places to choose from, let me get you started on picking an affordable hostel or cheap hotel for your East Coast Australia budget trip. Here are some of the best cities to hit, and the top accommodation options in them.

If you’re not looking to share dorms in a hostel, you can find some affordable beach houses in Australia . Just book well in advance!

Let me be honest, Australia is not cheap , but the price to travel there is worth every cent.

Your costs are going to depend on where you stay, how you travel, what you eat, the activities you choose, and your alcohol intake. The following are a few guidelines to keep your travel costs down.

Activities, like a surf lesson, a snorkel trip or a skydive are easily gonna cut $80-100 USD out of your budget.

A bus pass can seriously save you on travel and sometimes include deals for activities as well. However, the absolute cheapest way to travel is to find a friend with a car and chip in for the gas!

Stay in large mixed-bed dorms at hostels that offer freebies like breakfast, tea, coffee, and surfboard rentals. Staying within budget sometimes means staying in the shabbier hostels but this rarely stops the stay from being a good time 🙂

Try to grocery shop, pack snacks, and cook dinner with your friends because the food will be one of the biggest costs in Australia. Buy all alcohol from the bottle shop to avoid paying high prices at the bar.

A Daily Budget in East Coast Australia

With some savvy spending, you can keep hold of the travel costs in East Coast Australia. Here are some example budgets for different style spenders.

Money in Australia

Australia’s currency is the Australian Dollar. In May 2022, the exchange rate is 1 AUD: 0.70 USD / 0.66 Euro.

Major credit and debit cards are accepted throughout Australia. Being a first-world nation, you will find many banks, currency exchange locations, and ATMs.

The process for opening a bank account is fairly easy even for those on a working holiday visa, and it is a good idea for smart travel banking to steer clear of international transaction fees.

For all matters of finance and accounting on the road, The Broke Backpacker strongly recommends Wise – The Artist Formerly Known as Transferwise!

Our favourite online platform for holding funds, transferring money, and even paying for goods, Wise is a 100% FREE platform with considerably lower fees than Paypal or traditional banks. But the real question is… is it better than Western Union? Yes, it most certainly is.

Travel Tips – East Coast Australia on a Budget

To keep your spending to an absolute minimum whilst backpacking East Coast Australia, I recommend sticking to the basic rules of budget adventuring. Here are some travel tips to keep your budget in check.

• Camp:  You cannot get much cheaper than free when it comes to accommodation. Grab an  awesome backpacking tent to take with you, or if you’re wanting to go super light-weight, a  camping hammock .
• Couchsurfing: If roughing it in nature is not your thing, try to see if you could meet some laid-back locals and crash a couch for some nights.
• Eat supermarket food:  Oh yes, the local supermarkets where you can purchase every backpacker’s favourite meal: instant noodles. If you are camping on a tight budget or your hostel doesn’t have a kitchen, it’s worth taking a portable stove .
• Hitchhike: If you have the time, save significant amounts of money on transportation by hitchhiking.’
• Pack a travel water bottle  and save money every day!

Why Should You Travel to East Coast Australia with a Water Bottle?

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful!

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem.

And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller.

STOP USING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC! If you’d like some more tips on how to save the world .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

The Australian continent is in the Southern Hemisphere, so it celebrates its summer from December to March and winter from June to September. On this East Coast itinerary, you’ll be travelling through two states: New South Wales and Queensland.

New South Wales is in a subtropical zone with hot summers and cool winters. Queensland, on the other hand, is in a tropical region with warm temperatures year-round which means it has both the wet and the dry season.

In Queensland, the wet season – summer – is said to be a poor time to drive north due to serious rainfalls and the threat of cyclones. The early dry season (April to May) is when the land begins to rejuvenate itself.

Accordingly, you may want to consider your arrival in Sydney during late Australian summer when the weather is sunny and warm.

Then continue up the coast during the early dry season to avoid natural disasters. However, I travelled East Coast Australia through January and caught amazing weather, little rain, and serious sunburn. I took a risk, but I am also not bothered by hot temperatures.

If you get to Sydney in the European summer, bring a good jacket – it gets seriously cold.

What to Pack for East Coast Australia

On every adventure, there are a few things I always add to my  backpacking packing list. These things will definitely also come in handy on your budget trip to East Coast Australia!

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

Australia is a safe country with a low crime rate. In order to stay safe, follow this advice: “Don’t be stupid!”

People who’ve never been to Australia love to think that everything there is out to kill them. The venomous snakes and spiders start to seem like the tip of the iceberg when you hear stories about baby-eating dingos, highway murderers, and plants that can paralyse you.

While Australia does have its fair share of “WTF is that” level nature and animals, you’ll likely be perfectly safe wherever you go, as long as you follow the usual backpacker safety tips .

The Australian sun is really hard on poor pale-skinned travellers, and can be a real safety threat. Wear sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and light clothing when going out in the Australian sun.

Drink water and always carry fluids with you. A surefire way to destroy your trip is by ending up in the hospital with dehydration or sunstroke.

The ocean is another potential point of danger. Swim between the flags on the beach – although seeing a shark on a beach is very rare, the marked areas are safe for swimmers. Similarly, if there are signs telling you not to swim there, obey them! Out there be crocodiles.

The sea itself also hides many secret riptides and currents which is exactly why you should only swim in the marked areas. Unless you REALLY want to end up on TV on Bondi Rescue.

Although it may not be common, there is the risk of being bitten by a snake or spider while backpacking East Coast Australia. Always tell someone the areas you are exploring, and try to find a buddy to join if you are headed into the bush.

I was stung by a bluebottle jellyfish after accidentally sitting on it at the beach! Thankfully, the lifeguard knew exactly what to do and there were showers nearby to rinse off. I would have been frightened had I been all alone.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Australia

Backpackers and Australians alike are down to party. Every stop you make will have places to drink and, generally, several choices: clubs, bars, pubs, music venues, strip clubs, hostels. You name it; Australia’s East Coast has it.

Be sure to pre-game to stay on budget. Set an alarm before you go out. You do not want to miss your bus or be charged an extra night for failing to check out of your hostel on time.

Partying is all fun and games but it’s such an easy hole to fall into that you really should keep your alcohol use in check – drinking too much is one of the biggest backpacker mistakes you could make.

Party drugs should be easy to come by especially in places like Gold Coast and Sydney.

If you are looking to get high, the people of Nimbin or Byron Bay are sure to offer up advice. As backpackers, we are all in this together, and your fellow travellers are likely to invite you to join them while smoking.

One of the best parts about travelling is meeting new people, drinking, smoking, and sharing stories.

Do note that drugs are illegal in Australia – yep, even in Nimbin. Blaze at your own risk.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting East Coast Australia

Stung by a jellyfish or dropped your new iPhone in the toilet after one too many pub crawls? You never think you need insurance – until you do.

Travelling without insurance could be risky so do consider getting good backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

The best way to fly to the east coast internationally is through Sydney. there are also airports in other bigger cities along the coast, and especially if you’re flying domestically, it could make sense to fly to Brisbane or Cairns.

Purchase your visa prior to your flight and have a valid passport. Declare any items necessary on your Incoming Passenger Card. Most importantly, do not do anything stupid and respect Australia! This means no import/export of any illegal items or substances.

Australia Entry Requirements

There are several different types of tourist visas available to those who want to go backpacking in Australia. The three primary tourist visa types are:

• Visitor visa (subclass 600)
• Electronic Travel Authority Visa (ETA) (subclass 601)
• eVisitor (subclass 651)

The 601 and 651 visas essentially function in the same way albeit with different application processes. The 600 is for those who want to stay in Australia for longer than 3 months at a time and for those who don’t qualify for either a 601 or 651. The grand majority of nationalities can apply for all of these visas online.

The ETA (601) and eVisitors (651) are the simplest and easiest visas to acquire. Both enable unlimited entries into Australia within the span of a year – the duration of stay cannot exceed 3 months at a time.

The biggest difference between these two types of visas is that they are only available to specific countries. Americans and Canadians, in addition to several other nations, must apply for an ETA. British, as well as most European citizens, must apply for an eVisitors visa.

The Visitor visa (600) is the most expensive of Australian visas but can grant the most time. Applicants can apply for a 3, 6, or 12-month duration at rates that vary from AUD140 to AUD1020. For any nation that doesn’t qualify for a 601 or 651, the 600 visa is the only means of entering Australia.

The best way to enter Australia, though? The famed working holiday visa. This is essentially a one-year visa (extendable to 2 years under certain conditions).

This is the only tourist visa that also legally allows you to work while in the Oz, and if you’re planning to stay in the country for longer than a couple of months, it’s your absolute best visa option.

If you’re over the age of 30, you might need to look at other options. This visa is designed to help those travellers on their gap year in Australia , and apparently, if you’re over 30 you can’t get away with being on a gap year and so you can’t apply for this visa …hey, I don’t make the rules, but I don’t have to agree with them either. Sorry 30+ year olds!

Get 15% OFF when you book through our link — and support the site you love so dearly 😉

Booking.com is quickly becoming our go-to for accommodation. From cheap hostels to stylish homestays and nice hotels, they’ve got it all!

You can hire a car, camper van, or take the greyhound bus — these are the most popular options.

Bad news: bus travel can get hella expensive. Good news: bus passes can offer some serious savings.

The Greyhound hop on, hop off pass is one of the best options to give you the most bang for your buck.

The OZ Experience includes bundle packages to places like Fraser Island, which saves you hassle and money. The Premier bus system  is a cheaper option than Greyhound, but timetables and stops are a bit limited; therefore, this pass requires more precise planning.

Road tripping is the BEST way to travel the Australian east coast! If you plan your trip well and share the vehicle with a few friends, it can also be the cheapest option while giving you the most freedom and flexibility.

There are many epic stops on NSW or Queensland road trips.

Renting a car or a campervan is pretty easy since there are lots of places offering rentals. Check out my top pick: JUCY Rentals .

It’s also popular for longer-time backpackers to buy a used car and sell it again at the end of their trip.

The bigger initial investment is not ideal fro the brokest of backpackers but you’re likely to get most of your money back in the end when you sell your trusty steed.

Train travel in Australia is a rarer way of getting around as a backpacker. Travel times are long and trips are expensive, plus limited stations can make your trip a little inflexible.

However, watching the beautiful Aussie landscapes roll past as you sit in your comfy train seat… Now that’s an experience! Going by rail can show you some of the best train trips in the world .

As I’ve already said, distances in Australia are long! Which makes for great road-tripping if you’re not in a rush  – and a nightmare if you only have limited time.

There are airports in most major cities on the East Coast and with some luck, domestic flights can be cheaper than trains or busses, especially if you’re travelling light.

Don’t want to buy or rent a car – maybe you’re not a confident driver, or just don’t have the money? Well, finding a rideshare in the East Coast is not all that difficult!

Keep an eye on the information board at your hostel or post a note yourself and you’re sure to find other backpackers going the same way.

Many backpackers also use websites like Gumtree to find rideshares.

Just a note for young solo female travellers: I met some seedy characters through Gumtree (essentially the Aussie Craigslist) so I’d advise keeping your guard up and maybe meeting your rideshare before the trip, especially if they’re Australian.

Hitchhiking is always a fun option to get around and completely for free!

Note that distances are HUGE and it will take time to get from place to place. You will need far more water than you anticipate, and then you will need even more than that .

Dehydration is very serious and a real threat in the land down under.

Hitching also obviously comes with its own risks, re: who’s picking you up. Australia is generally a very safe country but thanks to the infamous backpacker killer Ivan Milat and the loosely-inspired movie  Wolf Creek , you won’t find lots of Aussies recommending hitchhiking.

Is it actually dangerous, though? Probably not. But there are long stretches of absolutely nothing out there, and very little hope of getting help if you need it.

Onward Travel From East Coast Australia

Australia, being in Oceania, may not share borders with another country, but that should not deter you from travelling onward. Backpacking Oceania is a pretty epic adventure!

Popular travel destinations for Australians include Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Fiji. Bali and Thailand are also huge backpacker favourites. These countries can be reached at fairly reasonable prices from OZ.

You came all of this way, though. Why leave now? While the country as a whole could take years to fully travel, Australia has so many regions for backpackers to discover.

Head to the Red Centre to discover the Outback. Go north to see the crocodiles in Darwin. Ride Camels on the beach in Broome.

Travel up the West Coast and compare the Ningaloo Reef to the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy wineries in Adelaide. Cruise the Great Ocean Road and wind up in Melbourne. Catch a ferry or flight to Tasmania, under down under.

Australia is a magical land so take the time to discover all of its wonders.

• Backpacking Oceania
• Backpacking Australia Travel Guide
• Backpacking Tasmania Travel Guide
• Backpacking Bali Travel Guide
• Backpacking New Zealand Travel Guide
• Backpacking Japan Travel Guide

If you want to work in Australia, it’s actually pretty easy!

Australia offers something called the working holiday visa which is a tourist visa that allows 18-30-year-old travellers to stay in Australia for up to one year and work at the same time.

Australia might be an expensive place to travel but the salaries are on par with the standard of living. Meaning that even a minimum wage job is going to contribute massively to your travel budget!

On the East Coast, fruit picking jobs are especially plentiful, but you can also find jobs in cafés, restaurants, hostels, and many other places.

The one-year working holiday visa can in some cases be extended to two years if you’ve done a few months of farm work.

One popular means for emigrating to Australia is with a work sponsorship. Your chance of receiving a sponsorship is going to increase exponentially if you are already living and working in the country. It’s not necessarily easy to find a work sponsor unless you’ve got skills that Australia is looking for – for example, in the trades or in nursing.

You can also find farm work as an unpaid volunteer in Australia relatively easily. WWOOFing is popular and even though it doesn’t pay, it goes towards earning your second-year working holiday visa.

Here at The Broke Backpacker we absolutely love Worldpackers! They’re community-driven, responsible and just an awesome platform all around.

When you’re looking for a volunteering opportunity, it’s a good idea to use a reputable website like Workaway or one of its alternatives .

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Australia is a Western culture, but that does not mean that Aussies subscribe to the same values as other Westerners. Religion and politics are not often discussed in everyday conversations. As a multicultural society, consisting of many ethnic groups, Australia is optimistic and welcoming.

Aussies are known for their laid-back attitudes, love for sports and the beach, drinking and BBQs, friendliness, and most importantly their adventurous personalities.

Australians also love to mess with tourists. One thing you should never do in Australia is believe everything you’re told. Aussies are the masters of spewing the most outrageous fiction with a poker face, and there’s nothing they love more than getting a poor little tourist to fall for one of their jokes.

Take everything Australians say with a grain of salt… Except for drop bears. Drop bears are definitely real.

Aboriginal Australians are considered to be the oldest known civilization on Earth. You won’t find many of them on the East Coast due to injustices committed by white people over two centuries of colonization. In 2008, the Prime Minister delivered a historic apology for the mistreatment of Aboriginal Australians.

Today, Australia has made it a national commitment to close the gap in employment, education, and health between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

You will often find that most white Australians share the same sentiment that Aboriginal Australians were horribly mistreated and misunderstood. Many try their best to show respect for the native people’s culture, and feel remorse for the choices of many of their ancestors.

Useful Travel Phrases for East Coast Australia  

English is the spoken language of Australia, but the Aussie vernacular may leave even a native English speaker perplexed. Slang is so commonly used that you may question if Australians are speaking English at all. No one has time to use full words in Straya!

I have compiled some of the most popular phrases, so you are not left dumbfounded while having a chat with the locals.

Arvo  – afternoon

Barbie  – barbeque

Bottle-O  – liquor store

Esky  – cooler

Mozzie  – mosquito

Fair dinkum  – true, genuine

Grog  – liquor, beer

Roo  – kangaroo

Sheila  – woman

Thong  – flip-flops

Tinny  – can of beer

Stubby  – can of beer

Dunny  – toilet

Bush  – the Outback or anywhere outside of town

What to Eat in Australia

You can find any cuisine you desire in Australia’s major cities.

If you would like to eat like a local does then your diet is going to consist heavily upon meat. Common meals include meat pies, fish and chips, roast dinners, lamb, and Australian bush food.

Native fruit is always a great snack or breakfast idea.

Australians love to stop for ice cream — hey, it is hot!

For an authentic Australian experience be sure to try: Kangaroo, Emu, Vegemite, Tim Tams, and Lamingtons.

Wine is a huge export for Australia with many wine regions throughout the continent. Be sure to try local wine during your visit. Goon— boxed wine — is huge for budget travellers. Beer always remains a popular Aussie staple. Common names in beer include XXXX, VB, Tooheys New, and Carlton Draught.

A Brief History of Australia

Aboriginal Australians arrived on the Australia mainland between 40,000 and 70,000 years ago. Their traditions relating to music, art, and spirituality are among the longest surviving in human history. Before the arrival of the British, the number of Aboriginal people living in Australia was between 300,000 and 1 million.

In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook claimed the land for Great Britain, after the Dutch first sighted Australia in 1606. In 1788, a fleet of 11 boats arrived in Botany Bay to establish New South Wales as a Penal Colony.

Furthermore, convicts were sent to all states, but South Australia became a free colony in 1836. More than 162,000 convicts were transported to Australia from Great Britain.

Australia began to look like a desirable location after the discovery of gold and the kickstart to its economy. The Eureka Stockade at Ballarat, in 1854, was a rebellion against taxation. Some see this as a crucial event in the evolution of Australia’s democracy.

Chinese immigration began during this period with 50,000 Chinese establishing roots in Australia.

In 1901, a federation of all of the states, the Commonwealth of Australia was created. The creation of Canberra marked it as the capital of New South Wales, with a temporary parliament in Melbourne.

The Australian and New Zealand Anzac Corps took part in the World War I Gallipoli Campaign, in 1915. April 25, ANZAC Day, was the same date as the first landing at Gallipoli. Australians remember and pay their respects to the sacrifices of their armed forces on this day.

After World War II and the Vietnam War, an influx of migrants moved to Australia. Between 1949-1974, The Snowy Mountains Scheme employed 100,000 people.

70% of these people were migrants from 30 different nations. Today, people from all over the world call Australia home. The continent has become known for its equality and lack of clear class distinctions.

East Coast Australia is maybe the best region in the country for backpackers thanks to its huge array of fun things to do! These activities do come with a bit of a price tag but if you’ve taken them into account already in your East Coast Australia budget, they’re totally worth the splurge.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Surfing in East Coast Australia

Surfing is basically a national sport. If you’ve never been on a board before, Australia is a good place to start! You’ll find waves for all skill levels, and even better – you’ll get a taste of the laid-back surfer culture in the small, chill towns on the coast.

There are so many amazing surfing spots in East Coast Australia that it would seem more logical to note where you  couldn’t  actually surf.

Everywhere you go there seems to be good breaks and swells. Of course, you won’t be surfing in the Sydney Harbour but travel less than an hour and, boom, you’ll be right in the middle of some prime waves.

Some of the best spots for surfing on the east coast are Byron Bay, Gold Coast (especially Surfer’s Paradise! ), and Noosa.

Most of the towns on the East Coast are a good find for surfers. Going further north, surf waters end around Agnes Waters. The Great Barrier Reef stops the formation of really good waves, and up north, you’ll also have to worry about jellyfish and crocodiles.

Scuba Diving and Snorkelling in East Coast Australia

You can dive nearly everywhere in Australia, so naturally, there is no shortage of dive centres.

Obviously, on the East Coast you’ll find the Holy Grail of diving sites: The Great barrier reef. It’s not quite as glorious as it used to be since climate change and tourism have caused it to erode and bleach quite a bit, but it’s still a fantastic sight with lots of varied, colourful ocean life.

Some of the best places to find excursions to the reef are Cairns and Port Douglas.

Getting underwater is also very accessible for snorkelers so if scuba diving is out of your budget, you still get to enjoy the company of cool fishies.

If a diving certificate is something you would like to pursue, you can easily schedule a course to become PADI Open Water Certified . Prices do vary depending on the course you choose and location. The total cost of scuba diving certification will likely run at about $350-$450.

Festivals in Australia

Australia’s gorgeous weather allows festival-goers the opportunity to celebrate all year round.

Luckily, a tour up the East Coast will offer many options for events and festivals in Sydney and Brisbane, entertainment capital Gold Coast, and super hip Byron Bay. During any given month you can search event pages for all local festivals, concerts, and shows.

Splendour in the Grass, Stereosonic, and Vivid Sydney are all awesome music festivals featured at East Coast venues.

Got questions about backpacking East Coast Australia on a budget? I’ve got answers! Here are some things that many other backpackers have also wondered about.

How much does it cost to backpack around East Coast Australia?

I’d budget $50 a day. The trade-off to being the Land of the High Minimum Wage is that Australia is also the home of pricey everything . With a dorm bed costing around $15 USD per night and food is so expensive you might consider dumpster diving. Luckily, you can work your way around Australia and make some of that cashback.

Where is the best destination for backpackers on East Coast Australia?

Well, everyone goes to Sydney, Byron Bay, and Brisbane. The coast in general is prized backpacking territory but I’d recommend also going inland. The outback is less crowded and beautiful!

Can I travel alone to East Coast Australia?

Helllll yeah! Especially if you stick to backpacking the East Coast, you can always find travel buddies and you won’t feel like you’re travelling alone. However, if you get your own car and head to the outback, Australia is the perfect place to seek solitude as a solo traveller.

What should I drink on East Coast Australia?

Goon and Australian beer are the cheapest options but I don’t know if I can recommend them in good conscience since they’re pretty terrible. My tip is to befriend a local Aussie or an Irish backpacker – the kind of party type that would be sad to see your glass empty.

Are drop bears real? 😉

100% mate, you better watch it.

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East Coast Australia is a backpacker dreamland. An endless coast of pristine beaches makes it the ideal journey for relaxation or adventure.

By the way – tipping in Australia is not expected and can sometimes be considered rude. I once told a cute bartender in Byron Bay to, “keep the change” and he looked at me like I was a huge bitch.

You can use that line on taxi drivers, though, and it will be okay. Restaurants will accept tips if the service was exceptionally good.

The opportunity to discover new wildlife, rainforests and islands is a daily treat. Sailing, surfing, and scuba diving are all worth doing, and you can party in some of the most famous cities in the world.

It does not matter if you are a first-time backpacker or experienced and well versed, East Coast Australia is a land of wonders ready to be explored by anyone!

• Backpacking Fiji
• How to Find Cheap Flights
• Wilderness Cooking 101
• The Best Travel Fishing Rods

Updated in May 2022 by Elina Mattila.

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Alexandria Zboyovski

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My best memories are the three months I spent diving and sailing along the east coast of Australia. Your article hits many of the highlights – Coogee Coastal Walk, the Great Barrier reef, and the Blue Mountains in Katoomba.

This is an excellent article. Many people do not realise the extent of Australia and how it has so many different climates and cultures. I have not visited yet but hope to do so in the next year or so and top of my list will be snorkeling, followed closely by surfing, and perhaps some bush walking!

Very insightful.. Thanks Much!

Excellent article written by a true explorer.

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