Travel Itinerary: Australian East Coast

The easiest and most popular backpacker route in Australia follows the eastern coast from Sydney to Cairns or Cairns to Sydney. I am not one for very specific itineraries – especially because I did not follow a set route or timeline during my year in Australia – so this will be more of an informational guideline!

1. Transportation Options
2. When to Go
3. Sydney
4. Port Macquarie
5. Byron Bay
6. Surfers Paradise
7. Brisbane
8. Rainbow Beach
9. Airlie Beach/Whitsundays
10. Townsville/Magnetic Island
11. Cairns
12. Other Tips

When to Go

Southern Australia can get pretty cold in the winter months (June-August) while Northern Australia can be grossly humid and rainy in the summer months (December-February). So, I recommend heading south as it turns to summer or heading north as it turns to winter.

• Sydney

  

  A majority of people start in Sydney since the international airport is there. It is just as good to start up north in Cairns so whichever direction works in your favor, do it!

  NOTE: If you are on a Working Holiday Visa, both Sydney and Cairns are great places to work. So whether you want to save money before this excursion, or finish it and realize “sh*t I have no money left!”, either route will work for you.

  Things to do: Sydney is a massive city with some extremely iconic things to see. Definitely get to the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour, and Bondi Beach, but don’t end your sight seeing there. Explore surrounding neighborhoods like The Rocks or Darling Harbour, take a ferry across the harbour to the zoo or Manly Beach, or experience some of this amazing city’s nightlife. If you have extra time on your hands, take a trip out to Royal National Park or Blue Mountains National Park.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about Sydney HERE

  Getting Around: Sydney’s public transportation system is extensive and very easy. The trains are only $1 per ride and you can use Apple Pay (this was my preferred method of transport). If you’d rather try out the buses, you’ll need to purchase a Go Card at select stations or use cash as they do not take Apple Pay. Ubers are widely available too.

  Recommended Length: 3-5 days

  Recommended Budget: $70 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay (prices go up during holidays):

  • Wake Up! Sydney Central or Bondi Beach – $45 USD
  • Mad Monkey Potts Point or Kings Cross – $33 USD
  • The Maze Backpackers – $29 USD
• In between Sydney and Port Macquarie:

  • Newcastle
• Port Macquarie

  

  This is 100% an optional stop. If you are willing to ride all through the night to get to Byron Bay, then I honestly recommend you do that. When bussing along the east coast, the busses will drop off/pick up in Port Macquarie at 3am – a pretty annoying time. Trains come at a much better time of day.

  NOTE: If you do decide to bus to Port Macquarie, be sure to contact your hostel ahead of time so they can set up a late check-in for you. There is also a good chance they will charge you a luggage storage fee the night you leave at 3 am as well.

  Things to do: Port Macquarie is a very small coastal town with some adorable activities to enjoy. The buses don’t come around often so it’s usually easier to walk wherever you want to go. The Coastal Hike is the most popular activity right in town, otherwise the koala hospital is a can’t miss spot as well. The town itself has tons of cute restaurants to check out too.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about Port Macquarie HERE

  Getting Around: Port Macquarie’s public transport system is far from great. The busses show up once an hour and you have to wave them down – otherwise they will NOT stop for you. They also just don’t show up sometimes. I recommend only using the bus to get back to your hostel after completing the coastal walk. The buses take cash or card but not Apple Pay.

  Recommended Length: 2 days

  Recommended Budget: $35 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Beachside Backpackers – $29 USD
  • Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers – $29 USD
  • Port Macquarie Backpackers – $29 USD
• In between Port Macquarie and Byron Bay:

  • Nambucca Heads
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Nimbin
• Byron Bay

  

  Byron Bay is a fan favorite and a required stop along the east coast. Its hippy, surf-town vibes are unmatched and you are bound to find something you enjoy in this town. Plenty of backpackers settle down and make Byron Bay their home for a while, although it has recently become quite touristy and expensive.

  Things to do: Similar to Port Macquarie, the main scenes here are the beaches and coastal walk. With such great surf, it’s no wonder people stay in this town for ages – And if you’ve never surfed before, don’t hesitate to take a lesson or two! Picnics, sunset, and buskers are all iconic pieces of Byron Bay life.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about Byron Bay HERE

  Getting Around: Byron Bay is so walkable, I never needed to take public transportation. Buses are similar to Port Macquarie if you want to try them out, but it is honestly not a necessity at all.

  Recommended Length: 3-5 days

  Recommended Budget: $50-60 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Arts Factory Lodge – $25 USD
  • Aquarius Backpackers – $38 USD
  • Byron Bay YHA – $47 USD
• Surfers Paradise

  

  Surfers Paradise is widely debated upon. Some people love it while others hate it. It is more of a city compared to the smaller beach towns people tend to enjoy, but the city runs right up to the beach, balancing out the full on city vibe.

  Things to do: There are tons of things to do in Surfers Paradise. Stroll along the Esplanade that runs between the city and the beach – it often has markets and various adorable restaurants to check out. Between the Skypoint observation deck, Crazy Cat cafe, the HOTA museum, mini golf, a giant slingshot ride, and the iconic Condom Kingdom store, there’s honestly so much to find. Once it’s nighttime, head to Orchid and Cavill crossing for the night to really get started.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about Surfers HERE

  Getting Around: Surfers Paradise itself is extremely walkable, however, if you want to explore more of the Gold Coast area, that is extremely easy too! There is a tram that runs the length of the Gold Coast from Surfers Paradise down to Broadbeach. They are cheap and take card or Apple Pay – you can test your luck with not paying, but police do ticket checks randomly.

  Recommended Length: 4-5 days

  Recommended Budget: $50 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Budds In Surfers – $38 USD
  • BUNK Surfers Paradise – $40 USD
  • Tequila Sunrise Hostel – $52 USD
• Brisbane

  

  Brisbane is a city-lover’s city. There are no beaches and it is a fast-paced area compared to most other Australian destinations. I loved working and living here, but it isn’t very beautiful or crazy fun for travelers passing through. I still 100% recommend a stop in this major city as there are both fun things to do and amazing daytrips to take.

  Things to do: My favorite area of Brisbane is Southbank. This has a manmade lagoon, picnic areas, museums, and tons of cute restaurants. Shop in the Queen Street Mall, explore the beauty of Roma Street Parklands, rock climb at Kangaroo Point, or take a tour of the XXXX Brewery. Brisbane has a good nightlife so if you’re looking to party, head to Fortitude Valley where all the clubs are walking distance from one another! Casual drinks are nearby as well down on the Howard Smith Wharves.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about Brisbane HERE

  Getting Around: Brisbane is an annoying city to get around. It is pretty hilly and not very walkable. I liked the train system which allows you to pay by card while the buses only allow the use of a Go Card. You can buy Go Cards at certain stations and at most 7/11s. Uber as well as Neuron electric scooters are also widely available.

  Recommended Length: 2-4 days

  Recommended Budget: $40 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • All Nations Brisbane – $27 USD
  • Brisbane City YHA – $42 USD
• In between Brisbane and Rainbow Beach:

  • Sunshine Coast
  • Noosa
• Rainbow Beach

  

  Rainbow Beach is a teeny-tiny coastal town and the only reason to make this stop is to experience K’Gari Island, also known as Fraser Island. There aren’t many things to do in the town itself, but there’s definitely enough to fill the time surrounding your Island adventure.

  Things to do: Other than taking day trips or going camping on K’Gari, Rainbow Beach has some cute sights to see. Whether going to the beach and seeing the iconic rainbow stairs, eating brunch in town, or catching sunset at Carlo’s Sandblow, you’ll be able to have a nice time in Rainbow.

  Learn More about the K’Gari Island experience HERE

  Getting Around: Rainbow Beach is so small and you probably won’t be staying for very long, so walking will do the trick. If you want to go to K’Gari on your own, you will need a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

  Recommended Length: 4 days (including 3 days on K’Gari)

  Recommended Budget: $30 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Freedom Hostels – $23 USD
  • Pippies Beach House – $21 USD
• In between Rainbow Beach and Airlie Beach

  • Agnes Water
  • Rockhampton
  • Mackay
  • Cape Hillsborough
• Airlie Beach/Whitsundays

  

  Airlie Beach is backpacker central as it is the hub for various Whitsunday Island tours. Otherwise it is not very large with not a lot to do.

  Things to do: I recommend a 2 day sailing tour of the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. This will help you meet new people and see all the beauty the area has to offer. You can stay the night on other islands but Airlie Beach is going to be much more budget friendly. Other than a Whitsunday cruise, the nightlife in Airlie is fun and there are plenty of cute restaurants to explore. You can head to the beach but make sure you stay within netted areas during jellyfish season.

  Find more things to do in my blog post about the Whitsundays HERE

  Getting Around: Similar to Rainbow Beach, you most likely won’t stay here long and it is very small so walking around Airlie Beach is perfectly manageable. You will probably spend more time on boats than any other kind of transportation in the Whitsundays!

  Recommended Length: 2-4 days (including Whitsundays tours)

  Recommended Budget: $40 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Nomads Airlie Beach – $49 USD
  • Airlie Beach Backpackers – $35 USD
• Townsville/Magnetic Island

  Townsville is yet another small coastal town that provides easy access to a fun-filled island. I actually didn’t get to Magnetic Island at all but it’s part of this east coast itinerary because I wish I had! My biggest recommendation is that if you’re short on time, just skip out on Townsville and stay on Magnetic Island. Otherwise, feel free to explore the quirky small town but from what I’ve heard, it’s a bit boring.

  Things to do: On Magnetic Island there are plenty of nature walks and wildlife to spot. The island is home to tons of Rock Wallabies and you’re bound to spot them at some point. There are various bays and snorkel spots around the island to check out as well.

  Getting Around: Ferries run regularly between Townsville and Magnetic Island. While on Magnetic, you can rent what’s sometimes called a “Barbie Car,” aka a pink jeep that will get you all around the island!

  Recommended Length: 3 days

  Recommended Budget: $60 per day (not including accommodation)

  Where to Stay:

  • Nomads Magnetic Island – $40 USD
  • Selina Magnetic Island – $70 USD
  • Arcadia Beach Guest House – $46 USD
• In between Townsville and Cairns

  • Mission beach
  • Atherton
• Cairns

  

  Cairns is the largest city in Tropical North Queensland although it definitely doesn’t feel very big. As either the first or last stop along the east coast, there tends to be a lot of people staying long term in Cairns.

  Things to do: There are SO many things to do in and around Cairns. The city lies right between rainforested mountains and the Great Barrier Reef so there are tours and daytrips galore. Waterfalls, Kuranda, the Daintree, Fitzroy Island, and more: there’s never a reason to be bored. Within Cairns itself are yummy restaurants, markets, beach volleyball courts, a manmade lagoon, and plenty of clubs!

  Find more things to do in my blog posts about Cairns HERE

  Getting Around: The Cairns CBD (Central Business District) is extremely walkable and pedestrian friendly. If you’re looking to check out other areas, there are plenty of buses. It is easiest to just use cash for these. If you want to get way outside of Cairns it is best to either take a tour or rent a car.

  Recommended Length: 7-8 days

  Recommended Budget: $50-60 per day (not including accommodation or tours)

  Where to Stay:

  • Gilligan’s – $28 USD
  • Global Backpackers Cairns – $24 USD
  • Bounce Cairns – $28 USD
  • Mad Monkey Central or Waterfront – $28 USD

Other Tips

• Book in Advance! Australia isn’t the best place to be 100% spontaneous. Definitely meet new people, travel with them, and have random fun but if there’s a tour or specific activity you REALLY want to do, make sure to book it at least a week in advance. K’Gari Island and Whitsundays tours specifically tend to sell out.
• Contact your hostel if you’re arriving late. Lots of hostels close around 9pm or 10pm and sometimes buses arrive after that so be sure to call ahead and make sure you’re all set for a late arrival.
• Have Fun!