How to see Australia’s East Coast in 2 weeks – what to see, where to go? Follow this road trip itinerary to see the best spots on the Aussie East Coast! For adventurers on the cheap.
Road trip vibes on the East Coast – an 18 days itinerary
In practice – road trip info
Start from Brisbane / Arrival in Cairns
18 days for 1680 km
Estimated budget of 1500$ per person (including tours)
By car or campervan
Sleeping mostly on free camp spots and sometimes hostels
Photos and extra travel tips on a road trip on the East Coast over here!
Road trip map – the East Coast day by day
Days 1 – 3 Brisbane
Your bucket list in Brisbane:
- Australian zoo
- Kangaroo point
- Free museums
- South bank
- Ferry loop on the river by night
- Fortitude Valley to go out
Day 4 Noosa and Hervey Bay
Things to see:
- Noosa national park and beaches
- Wales spotting in Hervey Bay if between june-november
Day 5 – 7 Fraser island and Rainbow beach
Travel tips:
- Enjoy driving on the beach. Accessible only by 4×4.
- Lake McKenzie
- Champagne pools
- Dingo spotting
- Fishing
Day 8 Agnes Water and 1770
What to do?
- The beaches of the same names
- Promenades through the national park
- 1770 is a famous surf spot in Northern Queensland
- Yeppoon beach
Days 9 – 11 Airlie beach, Whitsundays if time and budget, Bowen (skydive)
My travel tips:
- Book a skydive in Bowen to jump above the Whitsundays islands. Through Adrenaline.com.au: one of the cheapest on the East Coast
- Partying in the clubs in Airlie Beach
- Tour on the Whitsundays: half day or sailing trip (2-3 days). If you are on the cheap, I would recommend to save the money to go to Magnetic island – less touristic and wildlife
- Book your tours through bookme.com.au. Interesting discounts on tours.
Days 12 – 14 Townsville, Magnetic island
Take the ferry from Townsville to the koalas island. Magnetic island is a preserved and beautiful place with plenty of wildlife.
Day 15 Mission beach and Atherton Tablelands
Things to see:
- Tully Gorge National park
- Wallaman falls
- Waterfall circuit around the Atherton Tablelands (Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Josephine falls)
Days 16 – 18 Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef
Travel tips:
- Chill out at the Lagoon in Cairns and go out by night
- Book a tour to do snorkeling and diving at the Great Barrier Reef (prefer companies offering small groups excursions)
- Drive to Kuranda to see (and swim on top of) the Barrin falls
- If you like electronic music and bush partys (open air partys) you will find some around Cairns… in the bush of course. At your hostel or on Facebook make contacts and you will find out the locations. Enjoy!
If the East Coast is known for its tourists, you will find beautiful quiet places and a still preserved nature. Australia is a surprising country with changing landscapes. The East Coast doesn’t contradict that. Made for backpackers and campers on a road trip, it’s easy to find free camp spots… and it’s the best way to travel the East Coast.
Another road trip in Australia?
Australia rimes for a lot of travelers with desert, dream beaches… and immensity! The East Coast is only a part of the nature gems that you can see in Australia. To get even more ideas and trip itineraries, check the website voyages a la carte. A website which gathers travel itineraries across Australia and a lot more countries on the Globe. In French but really good to get trip ideas and photos!
Les photos sont superbes et donnent l’envie de voyager… sous le soleil!!, voyage dans l’espace et dans le temps!!!
Merci! Je ne me lasse pas de partager mes photos et mes petits conseils de voyageuse… heureuse que cela touche si loin d’ici!