East Coast of Australia - Our Recommended Itinerary & Secret Gems
- My Adventure Project
- Dec 21, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 17, 2021
The East Coast of Australia is the most popular tourist destination for backpackers. From soaking up the sun on the world's largest sand island - home to the most pristine and crystal clear lakes. Sunbathing on the #1 voted beach in Australia surrounded by the most immaculate islands. Scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef amongst the most majestic marine life and beautiful, coloured coral, to trekking through the oldest rainforest in the world surrounded by some of the most prehistoric wild animals in the world. There are plenty of things to do.
First things first, make sure you do some research. As much as it is fun to travel spontaneous, make sure you have a plan or a schedule you keep to.
Extra unnecessary days = a more expensive trip
We recommend spending any time between 3 and 6 weeks to get the best from travelling the whole East Coast of Australia.
If you're wondering which mode of transport to go for, we'll make it easier for you. The most popular is the Greyhound bus. Other options are campervans or car hire.
However, it completely depends on what is best for you. We will make a blog covering this soon so keep an eye out!
The 3 absolute must-dos are:
Fraser Island
Whitsundays
Great Barrier Reef
In the section beneath, we will be covering the places we definitely recommended and we'll chuck in some free gems of what to do in each spot. Enjoy!
Melbourne (recommended time needed - 4 days):
Make the most of your Great Ocean Road experience, it’s one of the most beautiful coastal drives in the world! Take plenty of pics! The 12 Apostles and The Grampians is a must!
Head to St Kilda for a day, one of the most popular spots for backpackers.
Try out the famous Melbourne coffee! Be careful though, you’ll be hooked after your first!
Hop on a train at the beautiful, Victorian Flinders Street Station. Be aware, it is the busiest suburban railway street in the southern hemisphere!
FREE GEM: Check out St Kilda Pier after sunset and keep an eye out for the cutest wild penguins coming home after a long day of fishing.
Sydney (recommended time needed – 4 days):
Things to do in Sydney include a sensational coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach. Don’t forget to tuck into some delicious fish and chips during the walk!
Tick off the visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House shortly before taking a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Take a short ferry trip to Manly where you can soak up the sun on one of Sydney’s stunning beaches, watch buskers on The Corso and try out some of the mouth-watering food the harbour has to offer.
Spend a day visiting the Blue Mountains and make sure you grab that million-dollar shot! Mother nature at its finest.
Experience the wonderful nightlife that the largest city in the country as to offer.
Spot X Surf Camp (recommended time needed - 2 days):
Whether you’re a pro surfer or you’ve never surfed in your life this is what Australia is all about. The beach is at your doorstep.
'Eat, sleep, surf, rave, repeat' is basically the motto here.
Byron Bay (recommended time needed - 3 days):
First things first, set that alarm early and head up to Cape Byron lighthouse, just of the most easterly point in Australia, and be the first in the country to see the sunrise from a mesmerising lookout point overlooking a pod of dolphins.
With a pod of roughly 100 dolphins, kayaking with these majestic, wild mammals is an unforgettable experience.
This surfer's town is always described as a pretty chilled and hippy spot but that’s one of the reasons it’s a backpacker's favourite town.
Get on a boat and snorkel around Julian Rocks which is the same spot as where Nemo was swimming down that easterly current with the turtles!
Surfer’s Paradise (recommended time needed – 2 days):
If you want views then get to the Skypoint observation deck of the Q1 building, the tallest building in Australia, and grab that panoramic outlook of the whole city.
Surfers Paradise is also known for its wild nightlife. Get involved with your hostel mates and sink a few pints or cocktails at the different bars.
FREE GEM: drive up to Springbrook National Park and check out the secret glow worm cave.
Brisbane (recommended time needed - 2 days)
Did you know Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city?
Jump on the free CityHopper ferry service and explore the whole city.
Feel free to check out Steve Irwin’s famous Australia Zoo or we prefer the Lone Pine Sanctuary. You get to cuddle one of the cutest protected koala bears!
Noosa (recommended time needed - 2 days):
Kayak one of the two everglades in the world. The difference in everglades being Noosa’s one surprisingly has no crocodiles.
Be at one with nature and tackle the walking trails through the Noosa’s national park while also having a dip in the heavenly fairy pools.
Head to Noosa River during dusk and take advantage of the beautiful pink and orange sunsets.
Fraser Island (recommended time needed - 3 days):
Spend two nights camping on the world’s largest sand island driving on the beach with your 4x4 vehicles.
Go for a swim in the crystal-clear Lake McKenzie and a green tea tree lake.
Grab an inflatable tube and float down the famous Eli Creek.
Spot some tiger sharks from the Indian Head Lookout Point.
Have a few drinks and dance your way through the night at your campsite with your new mates.
1770/Agnes Water (recommended time needed – 1 day):
Did you know it was the first place discovered in Queensland by Captain Cook? Take a guess what year he founded it!
Chilled, relaxing surf town
Just below the line of the Tropics of Capricorn so after this point, it is no longer recommended to swim in the sea without a stinger suit.
Good rest point between two of the three must-dos ‘Fraser Island’ and ‘Whitsundays’ when travelling up the East Coast. The drive from Noosa to Airlie Beach is about 12 hours!
Airlie Beach/Whitsundays (recommended time needed – 3 days):
Home of the ‘Whitsundays’ which are 74 beautiful tropical islands on the coast of Queensland.
Spend two nights on the boat, snorkelling on the fringing reef, catching some rays and eating delicious food.
Check out the famous Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout and snorkelling pristine locations on the fringing Great Barrier Reef.
Scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean were filmed on this white, silica-sanded beach.
Option to sleep under the stars.
Alcohol is permitted, feel free to bring a few beers (or more) to savour as the sun sets into the distance and get your dancing shoes on as the night approaches.
Popular skydiving spot overlooking all the tropical Whitsunday Islands.
Magnetic Island (recommended time needed): 2 days
Catch the ferry from Townsville and relax on paradise for the next couple of days.
For those snorkel/diver lovers, make sure you check out the SS Yongala Wreck from Townsville.
Cuddle a cute koala bear at the Bungalow Bay Koala Village.
Feed and pet some wild wallabies!
Do other cool activities such as horse riding on the beach, jet ski tours and plenty of snorkelling.
If you’re a party-goer, a full moon party occurs once a month here!
FREE GEM: Make sure you take the Forts Walk Trail which includes World War II forts and incredible views. Look up at the trees while doing the walk and you’ll see wild koala bears!
Mission Beach (recommended time needed – 2 days)
If you feel you need a couple of days of chilled and relaxation then this is your spot.
Small beach town full of beautiful beaches
Skydiving with a guaranteed beach landing
Atherton Tablelands (recommended time needed - 1 day):
Go sliding down the waterfalls on the impressive Josephine Falls.
Re-enact the famous Herbal Essence hair flick advert at Milla Milla Falls. Also, the same waterfall where Peter Andre made his music video ‘Mysterious Girl’.
Have a proper Aussie BBQ at Lake Eacham, a volcanic crater lake, and watch the sunset beautifully.
Cairns (recommended time needed 4 days):
Home of the Great Barrier Outer Reef.
Spend a day diving for the first time on the Great Barrier Reef or stick to snorkelling. The amount of colourful coral and marine life is incredible!
Learn about the indigenous culture and aboriginal artwork!
If you love to party, Cairns is home to the biggest party hostel on the East Coast.
Amazing skydiving spot overlooking the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
FREE GEM: make your way to Atherton Tablelands and Cape Tribulation from here. One day is sufficient.
Cape Tribulation (recommended time needed (2 days):
Explore the oldest rainforest in the world.
Get on a boat cruise and scout out some of the biggest saltwater crocodiles in the world.
Camp and stay overnight in this exotic rainforest.
Swim in pristine rainforest creeks.
The rainforest comes alive at night, go on a night walk with a tour guide and check out what lies behind the darkness of the forest.
Take a trip to the edge of the outback and feed wild wallabies while also checking out fascinating termite mounds.
Swim at the famous 4-mile beach at Port Douglas!
Hopefully, you've now got a better understanding of the East Coast of Australia. We really hope this helped. If you have any questions at all. Reach out to us either via email or Insta direct message. After having worked in the travel industry for years, we specialise in helping backpackers plan their trips to Australia and New Zealand.
Have a great day!
Email: info@myadventureproject.com
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