Best of Australia’s East Coast

3 Nights – Sydney
3 Nights – Brisbane
2 Nights – Noosa
2 Nights – Hervey Bay/Fraser Island
1 Night – Rockhampton
1 Night – Mackay
2 Nights – Airlie Beach/Whitsundays
1 Night – Townsville
1 Night – Mission Beach
3 Nights –Cairns/Port Douglas

✈️ UK – Sydney (3 nights): Starting off in Sydney, you can take your time to get accustomed to the time difference as you have 3 nights in this vibrant, multi-cultural city. See the iconic sights of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, hit the surf at Bondi Beach, and visit the historic Rocks District with its narrow lanes, old pubs and markets. There’s also the Botanic Gardens, the seaside town of Manly, Sydney Tower and the famous Queen Victoria Building to visit too. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, why not see Sydney from a different angle? Take the “Climb of Your Life” and walk over the top of the Harbour Bridge!

✈️ Sydney – Brisbane (3 nights): After your initial 4 days, you’ll fly from Sydney to Brisbane where you’ll collect your hire car. The capital of Queensland is home to an edgy arts scene, great nightlife and excellent restaurants, so there’s plenty to keep you busy. Head to Brisbane City Hall and climb its clock tower for wonderful views over the surrounding area, or visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where you can come face-to-face with Australia’s cuddliest resident. Be sure to check out the South Bank Parklands too, with their markets, bars, restaurants and inner-city beach. You could also head south for a day trip to the Gold Coast to enjoy the theme parks, rides and attractions.

🚗 Brisbane – Noosa (2 nights): Now it’s time for Noosa, your first stop on your road trip north, where you’ll find Australian beach culture in spades. With warm water, perfect white sand and far fewer crowds than Bondi Beach, Noosa Main Beach is the ideal place to learn to surf. Lessons are available for beginners and with the gentle waves, you’ll be standing up in no time during your 2-night stay here.

🚗 Noosa – Hervey Bay / Fraser Island (2 nights): Heading up the coast to Hervey Bay, you’ll find calm waters ideal for a variety of water sports. If you’re travelling between July and November, you’re in for a treat, as humpback whales stop in the bay to breed and nurse their young during migration. You might also see dolphins, dugongs, and turtles. Hervey Bay is also the gateway to nearby Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a 4×4 along Seventy-Five Mile Beach to see the rusted Maheno shipwreck, admire the sandstone cliffs of The Cathedrals, and cool off in the bubbling Champagne Pools.

🚗 Hervey Bay / Fraser Island – Rockhampton (1 night): Continuing your adventure, your next stop is Rockhampton, known as the “Beef Capital” of Australia due to the three million cattle that graze throughout the region. Head to the Riverside Precinct for views of the Fitzroy River and to enjoy the local café and restaurant scene. If you’re a meat lover, don’t forget to sample the succulent local steak or take a selfie with one of the six bull statues that represent the area’s main cattle breeds.

🚗 Rockhampton – Mackay (1 night): Further up the coast, your next stop is Mackay, where you’ll spend one night. On leaving Rockhampton, make a stop at the stunning Capricorn Caves complex, just 30 minutes north of town. These limestone caves, formed from coral reef deposits 390 million years ago, are home to fascinating wildlife, including a thriving bat population. Mackay itself is a lively coastal town with a welcoming atmosphere. You can take a boat trip along the Pioneer River, splash about at the Bluewater Lagoon waterpark, or simply unwind on the beach.

🚗 Mackay – Airlie Beach / Whitsundays (2 nights): Next stop along your coastal route is Airlie Beach, a relaxed and picturesque town with a man-made lagoon offering safe, stinger-free swimming. The town is also the main departure point for visiting the Whitsundays, a chain of postcard-perfect islands covered in lush rainforest and fringed with white sand beaches. With 2 nights here, you’ll have time to take a day cruise around the islands, go snorkelling or diving, and visit the breathtaking Whitehaven Beach. At Hill Inlet, the swirling turquoise waters and white silica sands create a picture-perfect natural masterpiece.

🚗 Airlie Beach – Townsville (1 night): Your next stop is Townsville, Queensland’s second-largest city. If you’re feeling energetic, visit a waterpark or simply relax with a stroll along the waterfront promenade and enjoy one of the town’s famous sunsets.

🚗 Townsville – Mission Beach (1 night): Midway between Townsville and Cairns, you’ll come to the laid-back resort town of Mission Beach with its nine miles of sandy beaches backed by rainforest. Spend a night here and choose between adventure or relaxation, from white-water rafting on the Tully River to crocodile spotting on a river cruise, or simply lazing on the sand. Just offshore, you can even visit Dunk Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef.

🚗 Mission Beach – Cairns / Port Douglas (3 nights): Cairns, at the far north of Queensland’s coast, is the main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Stay here for 3 nights to explore this natural wonder of the world, stretching over 1,800 miles and home to more than 2,000 species of fish. It’s a diver’s and snorkeller’s paradise, with reef sharks, rays, and vibrant coral gardens. Back on land, Cairns has a lively esplanade lined with restaurants and cafés, and a buzzing lagoon-side market every weekend.

Alternatively, you could stay in Port Douglas, a charming coastal village with a relaxed, tropical feel. It’s the perfect base for exploring both the reef and the Daintree Rainforest, where you’ll find Cape Tribulation, one of the few places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet.

✈️ Cairns – UK: On your final day, we’ll take you back to Cairns Airport for your flight home to the UK, marking the end of an unforgettable Australian adventure.