Are you travelling to Australia and need an Australia East Coast Itinerary? This post will highlight all the destinations you have to explore!
Travelling to Australia is the trip of a lifetime and if you’re anything like me you’re trying to research the best destinations to make sure you don’t miss anything out.
Having travelled the East Coast myself, I am giving you this simple and comprehensive Australia East Coast itinerary so you can explore the best parts of this coast without worrying!
You are going to learn about all the best places on the East Coast, travelling East Coast Australia solo, East Coast Australia itinerary 2 weeks up to East Coast Australia itinerary 6 weeks!
After learning about all of these East Coast highlights you will be prepared for your travels to Australia!
This post is all about the ultimate Australia East Coast Itinerary
Australia East Coast Itinerary 6 Weeks
This itinerary follows a rough and relaxed 6-week schedule. Six weeks is the perfect amount of time to travel the East Coast and allows for some flexibility and relaxation.
It is possible to do this coast in 3 weeks but you would have to skip some gorgeous destinations and move at a fast pace.
Sydney Itinerary 7 Days
Day 1: Arrive and explore!
After arriving in Sydney, spend the day settling into the new environment by wandering through the botanical gardens up to Sydney Harbour.
From Sydney Harbour, you will be able to goggle at the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour bridge.
I would recommend grabbing lunch, dinner or drinks in a restaurant or bar by the harbour to sink into the Sydney lifestyle.
Day 2: Boat ride around Sydney Harbour
Take a boat ride around Sydney Harbour to take in the sights from the harbour itself.
Whether you are looking for a party boat with music pumping and drinks flowing, or a more relaxed sightseeing boat to slowly capture the chilled lifestyle of Australia, there is a boat trip out there perfect for everyone!
After your boat trip, take the train to Chinatown to explore a different side of Sydney.
I would also recommend taking a look around the Sydney Westfield centre to see the gorgeous fashion of Australia (Ghanda was one of my favourite shops over there although I couldn’t afford much…).
Day 3: Manly Beach
Going to a beach on Australia’s East Coast is a must in Sydney! After breakfast in a cafe in Sydney’s centre, take the ferry to Manly which is a short journey across the harbour!
Not only is the ferry journey gorgeous (be careful if you stand outside in a dress or skirt because it gets VERY windy!!!), but you will end up at Manly Beach, my favourite beach in Sydney.
You can sunbathe on the sand, paddle in the sea or look in some independent shops on the high street. Whatever you choose, you will have a chilled day exploring a gorgeous part of Sydney.
If you go to Manly, check out Manly Longboards, a small surf shop with incredible merchandise and grab yourself a Butterboy cookie! There is ALWAYS a queue out the door but the line moves fast and it’s so worth it!
Day 4-5: Explore Bondi; Bondi to Coogee walk
If you’re visiting Sydney, you have to go to Bondi!
It is another gorgeous beach famous for its Bondi Rescue TV programme so look out for cameras!
When visiting Bondi, take the coastal path to Coogee for the incredibly popular Bondi to Coogee walk. You will be taken through small but gorgeous beaches and have incredible panoramic views throughout.
Once you arrive at Coogee, grab a bite for lunch and you can either walk back to Bondi or take the bus for a few dollars.
Day 6: Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are a MUST when visiting Sydney. Either book a tour, grab a bus or hire a car and explore these gorgeous paths through mountains that felt like a dream.
You can swim in waterfalls, walk amongst incredible trees and fully immerse yourself in nature for the whole day.
Bring some lunch if you’re not doing a tour – you will get hungry. Please remember to take your trash with you when you leave!
It was one of my favourite places in all of Australia’s East Coast!
Day 7: Sydney to Byron Bay
After a week of taking in just a fraction of what Sydney has to offer, spend the morning wandering around the harbour and exploring different markets (Glebe market is a MUST if you are visiting on a Saturday) before hopping on a long bus journey to Byron Bay.
Byron Bay Things To Do: 5 Days
Day 8: Relax and explore Byron Bay!
After a long journey from Sydney to Byron Bay, take some time to unwind and explore all that this town has to offer. From cute independent shops to breathtaking beaches, wander around Byron Bay before the next few days of exploring.
Day 9: Behind the Bay Tour
The Behind the Bay tour is the best tour of Byron! You will explore waterfalls, secluded beaches and even a tea tree lake.
This tour is the best in Byron and one of my favourites throughout the East Coast!
It is the best way to discover Bryon’s hidden gems.
Day 10: Byron Bay Piano Bar
Head down to the beach on your second day in Byron Bay for a surf lesson! The waves are great for beginners and the surf feel of the town will make you feel like you’re living the Aussie dream.
After a morning of surfing, have a stroll around town, grab some lunch and then it’s time to get ready for a night to remember!
The Piano Bar is a small bar in Byron Bay that is like no other. With two live pianists in the centre of the room playing your song requests, the evening will be filled with live music, good drinks and a room full of strangers belting their hearts out.
After the night begins to end, head over to the patisserie opposite Piano Bar to get yourself a late night (or, at that point, early morning) pastry!
Day 11: Jewellery making
Spend the morning relaxing on the beach and grabbing an açai bowl from just about anywhere in town to recover from the Piano Bar.
After your brunch, head to Trinkets The Bead Shop, a store in Byron Bay that sells loose beads and elastic so you can make your own jewellery!
This was one of my favourite activities in Byron Bay as it is budget-friendly, relaxing and great to do either alone or with friends.
Day 12: Byron Bay to the Gold Coast
After an incredible few days, it is time to say goodbye to Byron Bay. Hop on a Greyhound bus and make your way to the Gold Coast!
Surfers Paradise East Coast Itinerary: 3 Days
The Gold Coast is a beautiful stretch along the East Coast of Australia, with Surfers Paradise being a popular destination among backpackers.
Surfers Paradise is the only destination I visited on the Gold Coast, so it is all I can recommend. However, if you have more time to travel the East Coast or are looking for more of a nature-focused few days, you might want to give Surfers a miss.
Day 13: Explore Surfers Paradise
Whether you want to chill out on the beach, go shopping or venture up to the SkyPoint Observation Deck, spend the day exploring Surfer’s Paradise your way!
Day 14: Visit Coombabah Lake Conservation Park or Movie World
Coombabah National Park is an incredible way to see some iconic Australian animals in the wild! Travel to the park via taxi/Uber and spend the day roaming the park.
You are guaranteed to encounter lots of kangaroos and keep an eye out for koalas! I was lucky enough to spot five koalas and a baby on my walk which was incredible.
If you’re looking for a more adrenaline filled day then take yourself down to Movie World, a theme park a short journey from Surfers Paradise!
It is a small park with a variety of different rollercoasters. Be sure to research what rides are closed at the time of your visit as there were so many shut when I went which was slightly frustrating.
Day 16: Surfers Paradise to Brisbane
Another Greyhound bus later, you will arrive in Brisbane!
Brisbane Points of Interest: 4 Days
Day 17: Australia Zoo
An iconic attraction of Australia is the famous Australia Zoo. Founded by the parents of Steve Irwin, the zoo is now run by his family and is dedicated to their mission of helping animals every day.
The famous crocodile show is a thrilling performance, but for me the day was a slight let down.
Australia Zoo made me realise that I no longer enjoy zoos as I once did. However, if you enjoy zoos, then Australia Zoo will be a dream!
Day 18-19: Relax and explore Brisbane
Take some time to explore Brisbane! Head down to Streets Beach, a manmade lagoon in the centre of Brisbane for a paddle or a dip.
Make sure you visit Felons, a restaurant in Brisbane with incredible views overlooking the city. Grab a beanbag outside and watch the sunset with a glass of wine before heading to Ciao Papi, an Italian restaurant close by with amazing views, great food and kind staff.
If you’re not sure of where to stay in Brisbane, check out my guide to backpacker hostels in Australia!
Day 20: Brisbane to Noosa
After a short bus journey, you will arrive in the gorgeous town of Noosa.
Noosa Things To Do: 3 Days
Day 21: Explore Noosa
Noosa is such a cute and tiny town on Australia’s East Coast, so spend the day exploring the independent shops, cute cafes and extraordinary beaches.
Make sure you don’t go too heavy on this night as you’ll want to watch a Noosa sunrise in the morning!
Day 22: Sunrise and Fairy Rock Pools
Get up early and head down to Sunshine Beach for a breathtaking sunrise.
I decided to watch the sunrise with a friend and it was one of the most incredible sunrises we had ever seen. I did some yoga on the beach after we spontaneously jumped in the sea. This is one of my favourite memories of my Australian travels. It felt like a movie and I couldn’t recommend it more.
After watching the sunrise, grab some breakfast at a local cafe before heading to the fairy pools for a dip. Be sure to check the weather and tides; if it is too rough the pools can be quite dangerous to swim in.
Day 23: Noosa to Rainbow Beach
It’s time to head to Rainbow Beach to prepare for your K’Gari adventure!
Rainbow Beach Guide: 1 Day
Day 24: Explore Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is a quiet town on the coast. I wouldn’t recommend more than a day here; think of it as a place to stay before K’Gari, so if you’re missing that out then skip Rainbow too.
Having said that, there is a lovely beach with the iconic rainbow stairs (they are slightly underwhelming I warn you) and an adorable cafe called Little Parliament. It was one of my favourite cafes in Australia so I recommend you pay it a little visit.
K’Gari: 3 Days
Day 25-27: Exploring K’Gari and K’Gari Camping
These few days will be an adventure to remember!
From seeing wild snakes, spiders and dingos to driving a jeep on the beach, K’Gari is not a location to miss.
You will spend the nights chatting under the stars with strangers, singing at the top of your lungs and unwinding without technology. It truly is a highlight of the East Coast.
Day 28: Rainbow Beach to Airlie Beach
From one adventure to the next, spend the bus ride reflecting on your K’Gari experience whilst getting excited over what is to come (Whitsundays!!!).
Things To Do In Airlie Beach : 2 Days
Day 29: Explore Airlie Beach
The vibe of Airlie Beach is one of my favourites in this Australia East Coast Itinerary. From the shops on the high street to the restaurants overlooking the sea, it is a really cute town to explore.
Day 30: Scenic Flight!
A HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITY ON THE EAST COAST
The scenic flight is an incredible activity if it falls within your budget. You will step into a tiny aircraft around two seats wide and fly above sights including the great barrier reef.
Seeing the world’s largest coral reef system from above was incredible and an experience I will never forget.
Whitsunday Islands Tour: 3 Days
Day 31-33: Explore the incredible Whitsundays!
The Whitsundays Cruise will be an absolute highlight of your Australia East Coast Itinerary!
You will snorkel in areas of the Great Barrier reef, swim in crystal clear oceans, explore the beautiful Whitehaven Beach and possibly even see some sharks.
Staying overnight on a boat is an unforgettable experience. Strangers quickly turn to friends and you will spend both your days and nights making lifelong memories and connections.
Day 34: Airlie Beach to Magnetic Island
Start the day by relaxing in Airlie Beach after your Whitsunday cruise before travelling to Magnetic Island
Things To Do On Magnetic Island: 3 Days
Day 35-37: Hire a car and explore the island
If you are spending time on Magnetic Island I highly suggest you hire a car. There are jeeps you can rent with open roofs (this was an adventure to say the least when it was raining very heavily) that will take you all around the island. You will need a car to get around as things are quite far apart!
You can visit rock wallabies, barbecue on the beach, explore beaches and walk to the forts. There are lots of free things to do on this island so the car rental is balanced out nicely.
If you are short of time, consider spending less time at Magnetic Island or skipping it altogether. Although I had a lovely time, solo travelling the island would have been difficult, and there isn’t too much to do.
Day 38: Magnetic Island to Mission Beach
Get ready for an adrenaline filled couple of days at Mission Beach!
If you aren’t interested in white water rafting or skydiving, I would recommend skipping Mission Beach and heading straight to Cairns.
Mission Beach Skydive: 1 day
Day 39: White Water Rafting on Tully River
To begin your adrenaline adventure, go whitewater rafting on Tully River. You can have some crazy flips so be prepared but it is an incredible river to raft down.
Day 40: Skydive before travelling to Cairns
Mission Beach’s famous 15,000ft skydive is a MUST for any adrenaline junkie! Falling out of a plane over the Great Barrier Reef is an experience like no other.
Things To Do In Cairns On A Budget: 3 Days
Day 41: Great Barrier Reef cruise
Join a cruise around the Great Barrier Reef. You can snorkel at different locations (even learn to dive at an extra cost) and observe the gorgeous reef from the deck. It can be quite a long day, so take it easy in the evening.
Day 42: Explore Cairns
Take a chilled day wandering around Cairns exploring different markets and shops.
In the evening, get ready for a wild night out! Cairns is known for its party culture so grab some drinks before heading to a club of your choice.
Day 43: Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest is the perfect way to end the Australia East Coast Itinerary.
You will see where a preserved rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, go on a boat trip down small rivers and see extraordinary wildlife.
If you have a little more time and room in your budget, I recommend spending the night in the rainforest to get immersed in the surroundings.
And that is it! The Ultimate Australia East Coast Itinerary, aimed at 6 weeks but can be lengthened or shortened depending on your time frame.
If you are tight on time, I’d suggest skipping Surfers Paradise, Magnetic Island and Rainbow Beach (unless you want to do the skydive).
And if you made it this far, thank you for making it this far! I really appreciate you taking the time to read this itinerary, and I hope it helped you feel more comfortable with your travel plans!
This post was all about the ultimate Australia East Coast Itinerary