16 Greatest Issues to Do on the East Coast of Australia

My first ever solo journey was to Australia and it turned out to be such a life altering expertise with so many nice moments I’ll always remember. I used to be feeling a bit nervous on the flight however as quickly as I landed, all my fears melted away. 

Australia could be very effectively arrange for backpacking with loads of superior hostels, low cost backpacker bars and hop on hop off buses that make it simple to get round. For the reason that nation has an awesome Working Vacation Visa program, it’s particularly in style with Hole Yr vacationers and younger individuals who simply wish to journey straight out of uni.  

The most well-liked route in Australia for first time guests is the east coast route from Sydney to Cairns. The east coast is extra densely populated than different elements of Australia and subsequently has so much to see.

Flights to Sydney are often the most cost effective, so it’s finest to fly into Sydney after which work your method as much as Cairns both by automobile or by bus. To provide you some inspiration and allow you to plan what to do, right here’s an inventory of a number of the finest issues to do on the east coast of Australia.

East Coast Australia: Issues to Do

Spend a Few Days in Sydney

Your first cease on the east coast shall be Sydney, which is essentially the most populous metropolis in Australia. 

Sydney is thought for its iconic Opera Home, which price $102 million and took 14 years to construct. The spectacular constructing was designed by Jørn Utzon from Denmark and options greater than 1 million roof tiles. Among the best methods to expertise it’s by grabbing a sundown cocktail on the Opera Bar, which has a view of Harbour Bridge and Opera Home.

Different main Sydney points of interest you’ll wish to go to embody the Royal Botanic Backyard, Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, which is house to an open-air market plus a lot of eating places, pubs and retailers. If you wish to take a break from sightseeing, take in the solar on Bondi Seashore, which is Sydney’s most well-known seashore.

Take the Ferry to Manly

No journey to Sydney could be full with out taking the ferry over to the seashore city of Manly. Departing from Round Quay, the ferry takes half-hour and is less expensive than taking a Sydney Harbour cruise. If you wish to get there a bit faster, you may as well purchase a ticket for the Quick Ferry, which prices $10.20 every method. 

Manly has a good looking tree-lined seashore and a relaxed vibe, so ensure you pack your towel and swimwear so you may spend your day enjoyable on the sand. Afterwards, take a stroll alongside The Corso, a pedestrian road lined with eateries, bars and pubs. 

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Stroll

The Bondi to Coogee Coastal Stroll is a clifftop stroll that stretches 6km and takes round 2-3 hours to finish. It’s a good looking stroll with a lot of rock swimming pools, seashores and cafes to find alongside the way in which. 

The stroll begins at Bondi Seashore and can take you previous the well-known Bondi Icebergs – a swimming membership that’s proper on the ocean and a preferred spot for images. Different highlights alongside the way in which embody Tamarama Seashore, Bronte Seashore and the Waverly Cemetery, which is the ultimate resting place for a lot of distinguished Australians. 

Go to Blue Mountains Nationwide Park

The Blue Mountains Nationwide Park is situated west of Sydney and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Web site. One of many predominant highlights of the park is the Three Sisters rock formation, which might be seen from Echo Level Lookout. 

With over 140 kilometers (87 miles) of monitor, the Blue Mountains is a well-liked place for climbing and bushwalking. There are additionally tons of actions you may strive, together with scaling canyons, trying to find glow worms and exploring the world’s oldest underground cave system.  

When you’re finished being adventurous, you may go to one of many area’s quiet mountain cities the place you may discover the retailers, artwork galleries, museums and cafes. And should you actually wish to deal with your self, think about staying in a single day on the Emirates One&Solely Wolgan Valley, which is an expensive retreat constructed on a big expanse of wilderness conservancy. 

Skydive Over Byron Bay

Skydiving must be a kind of issues on each backpacker’s should do listing, and Byron Bay gives spectacular views of the seashores and shoreline as you leap out of that aircraft. 

I booked a tandem Skydive from 15,000 ft with Skydive Byron Bay and had such a enjoyable expertise. I used to be completely terrified but it surely was such an exhilarating factor to do and I felt like I’d completed one thing afterwards! The skydive instructors additionally seize the entire thing on digicam too, so you may have some reminiscences of your whole expertise. 

Discover Your Interior Hippie Little one in Nimbin

The hippy city of Nimbin simply exterior Byron Bay is each stoner’s heaven. Although hashish is unlawful in Australia, it’s no secret that the hippies in Nimbin like to smoke a joint. 

Should you don’t have your personal automobile, you may go to Nimbin with a tour firm, akin to Completely satisfied Coach Byron. I visited with Jim’s Different Excursions, which is unfortunately not in operation. We boarded a brightly coloured bus which took us to the hemp museum and the weird house of Paul Recher, which is in the midst of a jungle. 

Nimbin was as soon as a sleepy dairying village however was reworked into Australia’s “different way of life” capital after the Aquarius Pageant in 1973. At the moment the constructing facades are painted in brightly coloured murals and the city has an excellent quirky, psychedelic vibe.

If you wish to do some buying, there are many artwork galleries and boutiques promoting jewellery and crafts made by native artisans. There’s additionally a weekly farmer’s market that takes place each Wednesday afternoon. 

For one of the best locations to eat in Nimbin, try Armonica Cafe, Nimbin Bakery, The Mended Drum or Nimbin Oasis Music Hub & Cafe. 

Social gathering on the Gold Coast

Surfer’s Paradise is Queensland’s nightlife capital and is the the #1 vacation spot for partygoers. If you wish to go clubbing or bar hopping, that is the place to do it. Common golf equipment embody Misplaced Kingdom Nightclub, The Avenue, elsewhere, SinCity Nightclub and Cocktails Nightclub. 

Should you choose one thing a bit extra laid again, head to the Island Rooftop at sundown so you may take pleasure in some cocktails as the town lights up.

Supplied you’re not too hungover from the night time earlier than, you possibly can join a surf lesson on some of the well-known surf seashores on this planet or strive rise up paddleboarding to discover Chevron Island and Macintosh Island Park.

Uncover Brisbane

As the most important metropolis in Queensland, Brisbane is effectively price a go to and has tons to see and do. Town has a reasonably laid-back vibe and because it has a tropical local weather, it’s excellent for al fresco eating.  

A well-liked adrenaline-pumping exercise in Brisbane is climbing the Story Bridge, which lets you soak in panoramic views of the town. Flowing via the town is the Brisbane River, which is finest skilled by taking a sundown cruise or renting an electrical picnic boat. 

Town might not have a seashore, but it surely does have a small man-made seashore referred to as Streets Seashore, which is lined with sub-tropical vegetation and has a blue lagoon for bathing. The seashore is situated inside South Financial institution, which boasts eating places, biking tracks, picnic spots and BBQs. 

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Subsequent on this listing of the highest issues to do on the east coast of Australia is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which was opened in 1927 to assist defend one in every of Australia’s most iconic species. The sanctuary is situated in Fig Tree Pocket, which is round 12km from Brisbane CBD. 

Let’s face it, koalas are extremely lovable and cute, and at this sanctuary you may truly maintain one and have your picture taken with it. You’ll additionally get to go to the leaf sorting space to learn the way employees cater for these choosy eaters. 

In addition to koalas, the sanctuary can also be house to owls, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and an entire host of different Australian wildlife. 

4×4 On Fraser Island

Fraser Island by far essentially the most enjoyable factor to do on the East Coast so it’s best to undoubtedly ensure you add this to your Australia itinerary. Whereas there are day excursions to Fraser Island, essentially the most enjoyable option to do it’s by driving your self! 

Rainbow Seashore or Hervey Bay are two in style beginning factors for Fraser Island experiences.

I stayed in a hostel in Hervey Bay and visited Fraser Island on a bunch self-drive tour. We have been organized into teams and despatched on an alcohol run the night time earlier than in order that we may have a boozy time by the campfire whereas on the island. The next day we have been proven a security video explaining what-to-do and what-not-to-do on Fraser Island, earlier than embarking on a meals store to Woolworth’s to fill up on meals. 

Subsequent we have been taken to a storage to select up the 4×4, study some driving guidelines and at last hop on the ferry over to the island. Offroading is a lot enjoyable and it feels extremely liberating to drive on the sand with no visitors lights! 

Fraser Island is sensible, not simply due to the beautiful lakes and surroundings, however since you get to drive on the seashore, cook dinner your personal camp meals, arrange tents, play ingesting video games and sleep beneath the celebrities.

A significant spotlight is Lake McKenzie, which boasts powdery white sands and turquoise waters with pure tea tree oil. The island’s main freeway is Seventy-5 Mile Seashore, which is house to champagne rock swimming pools, a historic shipwreck and sea life akin to whales and dolphins.

Study to Surf in Noosa 

The East Coast of Australia is the pefect place to study to surf and plenty of hostels have free surf boards and physique boards so to observe by your self. Nonetheless should you’re new to browsing it’s at all times price taking a couple of classes so you will get the cling of the fundamentals. 

Noosa is thought for its surf and has quite a few surf colleges, together with Surfdancer Academy of Surf, Go Experience a Wave, Epic Surf Classes, Noosa Surf Classes and Merrick’s Noosa Study to Surf.

This coastal city is a well-liked resort vacation spot and many Australians go to to benefit from the sandy seashores, sunny climate, boutique resorts and stylish resort vibes. A lot of the motion facilities round Hasting Road, which is crammed with boutiques, eating places, cafes, galleries, day spas and present retailers. 

Chill Out in Agnes Water/City of 1770

Once I heard concerning the City of 1770 I pictured a city the place everybody wears interval costume however that turned out to not be the case. Positioned north of Fraser Island and south of the Whitsundays, City of 1770 is a coastal city that’s in style for browsing and serves as an entry level to the southern Nice Barrier Reef. It has lovely sandy seashores and experiences over 300 days of sunshine per yr!  

The city was the second place the place Captain James Prepare dinner and his crew stepped onto Australian soil and their first touchdown in what’s now the state of Queensland. I stayed a couple of days in a hostel there and liked how enjoyable it was! 

Cool Bananas is certainly one of many coolest hostels I’ve stayed in with a Caribbean kind vibe- assume hammocks, lanterns and palm timber.

Sail the Whitsundays

Backpackers travelling up and down the East Coast often have two actions they know they wish to do – one is doing a 4×4 drive of Fraser Island, and the opposite is crusing the Whitsundays.  

There are quite a few tour firms which supply crusing packages to the Whitsundays from Airlie Seashore, and it’s price buying round to seek out the proper boat and package deal deal. 

The tropical Whitsunday Islands lie about half method up the Queensland coast and are bordered by the Nice Barrier Reef. There are 74 of them, however solely 8 are inhabited. 

Vacationers enterprise to the islands to stroll on the powder white, picture-postcard sands of Whitehaven Seashore, snorkel or scuba dive on the Nice Barrier Reef or just calm down on a crusing boat as they cruise across the islands.

Lease a Topless Automobile on Magnetic Island

Lots of people I spoke to had by no means heard of Magnetic Island, regardless that it has a resident inhabitants of round 2,500 folks. The tropical island lies off the coast of Townsville and has a daily passenger ferry service. 

The perfect time to go to the island is round a full moon so to go to the total moon get together at BASE Backpackers hostel. While it’s not a patch on Thailand’s full moon get together, it’s an awesome excuse to get together anyway. 

Lease one in every of these Topless Vehicles for the day and also you’ll really feel a bit like Barbie- it’s an effective way to get round! 

If you wish to see some koalas within the wild, I like to recommend doing the Forts Stroll climbing path. The hike is about 3 to five kilometres lengthy relying on which route you’re taking and also you’ll get to see some breathtaking views alongside the way in which.

Snorkel Over the Nice Barrier Reef

Considered one of Australia’s most well-known points of interest is after all the Nice Barrier Reef, which is among the seven pure wonders of the world and the one residing factor seen from house. 

The reef is definitely composed of two,900 particular person reefs and 900 islands that cowl an space of roughly 344,400 sq. kilometres.

If you wish to discover the reef you may have a lot of choices, together with scuba diving, snorkelling, helicopter excursions, glass-bottomed boat excursions, semi-submersibles and cruise ship excursions. 

Queensland has a number of cities that make nice bases for exploring the Nice Barrier Reef, together with Cairns, Port Douglas, Rockhampton, Townsville, Airlie Seashore and Mission Seashore. 

Among the reef’s islands are additionally house to beautiful resorts the place you may spend a day or two enjoyable. With powdery white sands, turquoise blue waters and phrase class diving, you’ll really feel such as you’re in heaven! 

Go to the Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

When visiting Cairns you’ll see a lot of excursions marketed to the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. GetYourGuide has a lot of nice excursions you may e-book on-line:

Listed here are a few concepts:

• Cairns: Daintree & Cape Tribulation Guided 4WD Tour
• Cairns: Daintree and Mossman Gorge Tour with Cruise Choice

The Daintree Rainforest is the world’s oldest rainforest and has been rising for over 180 million years! Begin your journey on the Daintree Discovery Centre, the place you may see the cover from an aerial walkway and study loads of information concerning the rainforest with the assistance of interactive shows. 

Throughout the rainforest you may hike on quite a lot of climbing trails, expertise rafting on the Mossman River, uncover hunt for bush tucker or take a crocodile cruise to get a view of the saltwater crocs that dwell there. 

If you wish to be totally immersed in nature, think about staying an evening on the Silky Oaks luxurious lodge, the place you may sleep in treehouses and dine outside within the rainforest.

On the sting of Daintree Nationwide Park you’ll discover Cape Tribulation, which is a gateway to the Nice Barrier Reef. This lovely coastal area is situated on a headland and gives a novel panorama the place rainforest meets reef. 

Right here you may take a ship tour onto the reef, swim within the rainforest swimming holes or sign-up for a 4WD journey to discover the rugged terrain of the Bloomfield Observe. The realm is actually beautiful, with remoted seashores and a wealthy range of wildlife. 

Getting Across the East Coast of Australia

Essentially the most handy option to get across the east of Australia is by driving. You may lease a automobile or lease a campervan so you may sleep in your automobile and lower your expenses on lodging.

Common van rental firms in Australia embody Depraved Campers, Britz, VroomVroomVroom, Apollo Camper and Jucy Leases.

Australia is large, so driving distances between cities and cities might be very lengthy. Should you drove the east coast of Australia with out stopping it might take 27 hours in whole! You additionally must keep in mind that they drive on the left in Australia, which can take some getting used to should you come from the USA or Europe.

Should you don’t wish to drive, the best choice is to journey by Greyhound bus. Greyhound gives East Coast Whimmit Passes, which let you journey up (or down) the east coast at your personal tempo and hop off wherever you want. Coaches have free WiFi and in-seat USB chargers, and you’ll simply reserve your seat on-line. 

A 3-day Whimmit Cross prices $249, a 15-day cross prices $319 and a 30-day cross prices $389. As soon as you buy a cross you may have 12 months to start your journey and also you’re granted limitless journey in any course for as many days as your time permits.

Flight costs are typically cheaper flying into Sydney, so I’d recommend beginning in Sydney then ending in Cairns, which is the route I took. I then flew to Alice Springs to do a tour to Uluru and flew to Melbourne to drive the Nice Ocean Highway. From Melbourne I flew again to Sydney to finish my journey. 

A Closing Phrase…

There are such a lot of superior issues to do on the east coast of Australia that it’s best to permit loads of time to see all the pieces. 2 weeks is absolutely the minimal period of time you’ll want to journey the east coast however I’d say give your self round 3-4 weeks to do all the pieces at a extra leisurely tempo. 

I had a lot enjoyable backpacking Australia and it was such a life altering expertise. I made lifelong associates on that journey and had so many unimaginable experiences simply on that one journey. Should you’re contemplating a visit to Oz however haven’t pulled the set off but, I can let you know it’s completely price it.

One of many greatest obstacles to beat when planning a visit to the Land Down Below is the steep flight costs, so if you wish to lower your expenses in your ticket, try my helpful information to getting low cost flights to Australia.