Author: Matt and Danielle
22 March 2023
A road trip along Australia's East Coast is by far the most popular trip you can do Down Under - but why? The entire country is full of every incredible thing that you can think of. There are beautiful beaches, rainforests, unique wildlife, reefs, surf and national parks all over the country. Why is it the East Coast that gets the most tourism?
What draws people to the East Coast of Australia?
Having driven an entire lap of Australia (37,000 km), we think we have the answer. It's the easiest way to see a bunch of incredible things. Nothing could have prepared us for how big Australia is. Anyone who would like to travel to Australia will always have to cram a lot in. If you only have time for a 3-week itinerary then this is the trip for you, because you can definitely travel the East Coast during that time.
I would start thinking about how you ask your boss for a three-week holiday so you can go and see what all the fuss is about. Here is our ideal itinerary that will help you plan your trip to perfection.
The best way to travel East Coast Australia, and see all the best places, is by driving. That could be in a 4WD, camper van or car. If you're tight on time then there are other options, but driving gives you the most freedom by far. Sure, you may have to look out for the odd kangaroo hopping down a stretch of road, but that's part of the Aussie experience. In case you need alternatives, here are the best options for any trip around Australia.
Camper van: Hands down, the winner for us. It puts you right in the driver's seat of your own adventure. Nothing beats the freedom that comes from going wherever you want. You can stay longer if you fall in love with somewhere, or leave early if it doesn't quite hit the spot. If you're visiting for 3 weeks then renting a camper van is the best option. It's a little expensive, but it's your travel, accommodation and kitchen for the duration of the trip. Some of the more popular rental companies we saw a lot are Travellers Autobarn, Spaceships Rental, Maui and Jucy.
4-wheel drive: In a 4-wheel drive there is no end to where you can go. That added freedom comes at a cost because you will forgo some luxury. You have to sleep in a tent rather than in a cosy camper van, but it's a small price to pay. In truth, it would be a bit of a waste along the East Coast because there isn't much you can't do in a camper van anyway. Why not live in a little more luxury? If your mind is made up then a 4-wheel drive adventure in Australia would be awesome!
Greyhound Whimit Pass: Beloved by backpackers as they travel the East Coast! It's a hop-on, hop-off bus service that gets you to all the most popular destinations. If you're looking at anything remote then this won't take you there. It only gets you to the area, so you still have to book accommodation and tours, and even rent a car to see the sights. It also doesn't cover every part of Australia. It goes up and down the East Coast, between Darwin and Adelaide and only to Broome in Western Australia. It's a valid option but depends on what route your Australia itinerary will take. Check out the Greyhound Whimit Pass here.
Fly: If you're tight on time in Australia then this is the fastest way of getting around. It is the most expensive option, and you are limited to getting to places with airports. You'd still need a car, van or Greyhound to get to what you want to see. It's a great option if you want to fly to one place and spend a week or two there. Somewhere like Hamilton Island in the Whitsunday Islands would be perfect.
Due to its size, there are different climates across Australia. In the South, it follows 4 seasons throughout the year. In the north, it's a tropical climate with Wet and Dry seasons. The best time to travel the Australian East Coast is between August and December. That way it won't be too cold in the South, or too hot in the North. It's still going to be very warm in Cairns in December, but it can get way hotter. This part of Australia is also prone to floods, monsoons and cyclones during the Wet season. You'll want to steer clear of any of that for your holiday.
There are tonnes of free campsites in Australia and plenty along the East Coast. This is where a camper van helps because it can keep costs down while living the van life of your dreams. Free campsites don't usually come with showers and kitchen areas etc. so be prepared for a cold shower or to cook in your van if needs be. Cooking in the dark can sometimes be tough so get there when it's still bright to get all set up for a cosy night.
Staying in the occasional hostel can be good for shaking things up if you want a break from van life. When you live in a van even the cheapest of hostels will seem more luxurious than before. They're also a great way to meet people.
Here it is! our ultimate 3-week itinerary to see the best of East Coast Australia. 3 weeks in Australia isn't a whole lot of time to see such a large coastline, so you will want to focus on the very best things. This travel itinerary will be going from Sydney to Cairns and will have stops at all the most amazing places in Australia as you cruise along the coast. It may seem hectic, but each day is guaranteed to be full of adventure.
let's get to it.
Our 3 week Australia itinerary starts in Sydney, the unofficial capital of Australia. You can see Sydney in a day if you want to get going to see all the natural beauty Australia offers. If you're happy to hang around for a few days then you'll have an amazing time soaking up the city life. This is the largest of the must-see cities in Australia, so there is a lot to do. You have all the usual touristy stuff: Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Manly Beach, Bondi Beach...you know the spots. Once you've had your fill it's time to leave Sydney behind and start working your way up towards Brisbane and Cairns. Like any great coastal cruise, there will be a bunch of stops at all the most awesome sights on our 3-week itinerary.
The Blue Mountains are a short drive inland from Sydney, which is Australia's answer to The Grand Canyon. It's a beautiful place to spend a few days seeing the huge mountains, giant canyons and lush rainforests.
On your way up North, Coffs Harbour is a gorgeous seaside town for a day tour. Don't spend too much time here because you do not want to miss Byron Bay. This is where you'll find chilled vibes, stunning beaches and some of the best surf in Australia. Byron is one of our favourite places in Australia and somewhere you must stop on your East Coast adventure. You could even run into Chris Hemsworth if you're lucky! You can walk to the most eastern point in Australia here. Once there you'll be greeted by amazing coastal views and waves crashing against the towering cliffs. From there you can enjoy a nice coastal walk up to the Cape Byron Lighthouse for more views from the top of the cliffs.
Top Tip: Make sure to visit The Balcony Bar on a Wednesday for half-price oysters served on a bed of ice if you love seafood.
Say a sad goodbye to Byron Bay, but a warm hello to another vibey city in Australia...The Gold Coast! It's a brilliant city where skyscrapers line the main beach and surfers reign supreme. They literally have an area called Surfers Paradise after all, so if you're not a surfer yet then this is the place to try surf lessons. Burleigh Heads is another part of the Gold Coast that you will want to swing by to see more incredible beaches.
Brisbane is the next stop, and there are a few things you can do here. The famous Australia Zoo is about an hour's drive out of the city. We would recommend jumping on a whale-watching tour in Brisbane. It was one of the best things we did here and we must have seen over 10 pods of humpback whales! Moreton Island is another popular tour from Brisbane and a very fun day out. It depends on what you are visiting Australia for, but our recommendation would be to keep your time in cities short. There are so many incredible natural wonders to see, and you don't want to miss out on any. When you leave Brisbane start making your way a few hours North towards the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Heads. Noosa National Park is a breathtaking area where you can enjoy coastal walks and more awesome beaches.
Okay, now it's time for one of our favourite places in all Australia. We're going to be spending a few days on the world's largest sand island...Fraser Island. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles can get there so if you're in a camper van you will need to book a Fraser Island tour. Cruising along the beaches and through the rainforests is EPIC! If you can budget the time then 3 nights here would be perfect. If you have less time available then you can look at day trips too. Either way, it's a must on your Australia East Coast road trip!
Now it's time for one of the main attractions in any Australia trip. Head straight to The Whitsundays Islands in The Great Barrier Reef and sail to the world-famous Whitehaven Beach. The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for good reason. It's full of unique and diverse wildlife, and incredible islands packed with white-sand beaches. With its beautiful coral reefs, The Great Barrier Reef is the perfect place to enjoy some outstanding snorkelling. Cruise Whitsundays put on a fantastic full-day trip with all-you-can-eat and drink (beer, cider & wine included). You'll have some phenomenal views as you sail to the various beautiful sandy beaches. Around here you also have Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island and Magnetic Magnetic Island. Airlie Beach is a backpacker's paradise. It's a great place where you can relax, and it is known as the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef. Magnetic Island is where you can spot wild koalas, snorkel beautiful coral reefs and enjoy some amazing snorkelling. You can see more information on what to do in all these places in our Ultimate Guide To The Whitsundays.
One of our top tips - If you're planning on doing any diving trips then make sure you have great travel insurance as a precaution.
Next up is Mission Beach and Babinda Boulders, which are quick but worthwhile stops. Mission Beach is a popular skydiving spot which tourists flock to in their droves. Who wouldn't want to fall towards a coconut tree-lined beach and take in the best views of the tropical paradise? Babinda Boulders is an awesome opportunity to cool off and splash around in some incredible crystal-clear waters. There's a great free campsite nearby too.
It's time to arrive at our last stop - Cairns. Why not make your way towards the iconic Gilligans for a wild night? You have definitely earned a few drinks by this point! While in Cairns you can still take trips over to The Great Barrier Reef, so if you haven't had your fill, now is the time. Look at trips such as a scenic helicopter flight for some of the most amazing views of the reef.
That is the perfect 3 week East Coast Australia road trip! It's guaranteed to leave you with the fondest memories that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. It's by far one of the best trips we've ever done.
You've had a taste of life down under and you want to get even more out of your trip to Australia? I'm not surprised at all! By this point you will have seen some incredible sights, pristine beaches and be craving even more. There's no doubt you'll be ready and raring to keep travelling East Coast Australia in a camper van. If you have an extra week then you can keep going further up north towards Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland. This is where you can find the oldest tropical rainforest in the world, the Dainetree Rainforest. It is at least 135 million years old! Cape Tribulation is the place where the rainforest meets the reef, and it's packed with even more beautiful beaches. Alternatively, make your way into the Northern Territory. Driving from Alice Springs to Darwin may be a less popular option, but why not take the road less travelled? Any road trip in Australia is epic because it's such a spectacular country.
Still not ready to give up the van? If you want to look at how you can live this life for even longer then check out our blog on how to buy a camper van in Australia. Van life has its challenges, but it also comes with a freedom that is unlike anything else. Being able to stay or leave, go north, south, east or west on a whim or stay right where you are for as long as you like. It is the ultimate freedom.
If it's your first time in Australia then you may not want to leave any stone unturned. A 3-week road trip along the East Coast can seem a little rushed. If you have longer then here are some more stops you may want to consider.
Springbrook National Park - A beautiful area full of amazing nature walks, mountains and rainforests. You can get to some outstanding viewpoints here, and a few very nice waterfalls. Perlingbrook Falls and Morans Falls are both worth your time.
Rainbow Beach & Carlo Sandblow - We loved it here, and it's a short stop on your trip. Carlo Sandblow sits high on the cliffs that overlook Rainbow Beach. There are tall sand dunes here, and a couple of sandboards around so it's a fun spot for families. Rainbow Beach is a popular 4WD beach, and you can stand on the clifftop looking out as the trucks cruise the long stretch of beach. It gets its name from the colourful cliffs that line the beach, and it's a very beautiful sight. If you have a 4WD then take on the epic beach drive yourself.
Bowen - This small town is a very nice place for a brief stop. Horseshoe Bay is a beautiful beach lined with soft white sand and rock formations that are perfect for exploring.
Lake Proserpine - One of our favourite campsites in Australia. The road to get here is epic! You can cruise along the road with a green mountain on one side and a beautiful pristine lake on the other. If you enjoy paddleboarding or fishing then you will want to book here for a few nights. Why wouldn't you at $8 per night?!
Atherton Tablelands - The beautiful and scenic part of Australia is a little more inland than most stops. You can find Milla Milla Falls here, which is part of a waterfall circuit you can easily drive around. It's also the waterfall from Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl music video, just so you know. You can find Josephine Falls here too, which is a fun waterfall where you can slide down a natural waterslide and swim in clear waters at the bottom.
Wallaman Falls - This is the tallest waterfall in Australia, standing at 256 meters tall. You can easily drive up to the viewpoint at the top and the walk down is easy enough. It takes about 30 minutes and it is a relatively steep incline, which means the walk back up is the hard part. It really is worth it though, the views at the bottom are awesome.
Finding other trips for a 3-week Australia itinerary is pretty tough, because of how massive the country is. Driving between Sydney and Melbourne is another popular trip. You can do it with a much smaller deadline if you're pressed for time. This would be a great trip between two popular cosmopolitan cities in Australia. You can actually drive between the two quite quickly, so you could take a 3-week road trip at a nice steady pace. In Melbourne, there are a bunch of quirky cafes, restaurants and amazing street art all throughout the city centre. You can also see penguins swimming and jumping into the ocean at sunset in St Kilda Beach. Leaving here you can make your way South towards Wilsons Promontory, one of our favourite national parks in all of Australia. Let's not forget the Great Ocean Road too, one of Australia's most iconic drives and the best road. It's a scenic route that takes you along a fantastic coastal road, and it's only around an hour's drive from Melbourne.
If you don't want to make your way to Sydney then Keep going along the Great Ocean Road to The Grampians and eventually into South Australia. You have the famous Barossa Valley wine region here and The Florio Peninsula.
Having 3 weeks to travel around Western Australia just isn't enough time. The distances between things are a lot greater, and each drive takes a lot of planning. In WA, it's not uncommon to have 500 km between petrol stations. Unlike the East Coast which has plenty of stops, stations and places with phone data. You could do part of the state, such as from Perth down towards Esperance. This part of WA is full of the most epic beaches with bright blue water.
Driving around Australia is an incredible adventure. A full lap is still one of the hardest, but most incredible experiences of our lives. If you have dreams of visiting Australia then do it, you will have the best time! We hope this itinerary helps you plan your dream trip Down Under.
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