The East Coast is an appealing part of #Australia for many travelers. A road trip along the East Coast will give you a taste of the best Australia has to offer from cosmopolitan cities, iconic sites, world class natural wonders, show stopping #beaches and ancient #rainforests. Having a self-driving itinerary, will allow yourself to get more immersed in what the East Coast offers whilst taking in the hidden gems where tourist buses do not venture. 

The best part of an East Coast trip is that most places to visit in Australia are #natural. From stunning beaches to beautiful islands and even the oldest rainforest in the world, you'll find everything Australia has to offer in this itinerary.

If you’re staying in Australia for a longer period of time, travelling other parts of Australia or spending more than a month on the East Coast then we would highly recommend buying a car or camper-van. If you’re on a tight budget a Ford Falcon or similar are popular cars for #backpackers which can also fit a bed in the boot. Otherwise if you’re sticking to paved roads a camper-van is probably your best option. 

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. Our recommendation is to travel in the off seasons, spring (September-November) or fall (March-May) when prices are lower, the weather is decent on all parts of the coast and there are less crowds. 

Our highlights

Jervis Bay

With many saying it has the whitest sand in the world, #Jervis Bay is one of Australia’s most #popular seaside destinations. With spectacular, crystal clear waters, perfect for #snorkelling and safe for the whole family, and hiking trails throughout the area, the bay is the perfect place to relax for a few days.

Sydney

A stop in #Sydney is a no-brainer. It’s one of Australia’s largest cities and is very well known for its beautiful #Opera House. You simply must take a day 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. 

Make sure to spend some time at one of the many beaches such as Bondi Beach, the most famous. Take 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.

Fraser Island

Fraser Island is another #spot on the East Coast of Australia you don’t want to miss. It is the largest sand island in the world. We recommend a 2-3 day tour, you simply can’t see it all in one day! 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. On Fraser, you’ll be stunned by the pure water lake, the incredible ship wreck of SS Maheno, the white sand beach of Lake McKenzie and the spring-fed Lake Wabby.

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.

Great Barrier Reef

The #greatbarrierreef is located off the coast of #Queensland in the northeast of Australia. The spectacular world #heritage sight and the world’s largest coral reef is probably the main reason most visitors head to the east coast of Australia. The 2,300 km long ecosystem includes thousands of #reefs and hundreds of islands consisting of over 600 different stone and soft corals. It can even be seen from space. In addition to countless species of colourful fish, molluscs and starfish, the Great Barrier Reef is also home to #turtles, #dolphins and #sharks.