A road trip in the land Down Under is on many people’s bucket list, and with good reason. East Coast Australia has so much to offer and seeing the country on four wheels is the best way. This post will guide you through dos and don’ts when planning your dream East Coast Australia road trip, must-see places and the best activities for different budgets. And you can find a complete itinerary in the bottom of the post.
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East Coast Australia road trip: one month
This guide is for a month-long road trip starting in Cairns, but you can easily adjust it. If you have more or less time, you can adapt the plan or write me in the comments, and I will try to help you out.
You can find the complete East Coast Australia road trip itinerary and in the bottom of the post. Interested in more posts about Australia? Click here. For more road trip content, click here.
Where to sleep on your road trip?
There are a few options when it comes to how you want to spend the night on your East Coast Australia road trip: renting a car and sleeping in hostels, hotels or in a tent or renting a campervan where you have transportation, kitchen, and bedroom all in one.
There are many hostels and hotels along the entire route down the east coast. But it will sometimes require more planning and limit your ability to be spontaneous in popular areas where you have to make a reservation in advance.
If you’re staying in a tent, most campgrounds will have room for you without a reservation. But during the summer (and all year round in the North), sleeping in a tent will be HOT!
Most campgrounds have cabins for rent but prices and availability vary. Staying in cabins can become a costly affair – especially in popular areas like Byron Bay, Sydney, and Melbourne.
In my opinion, the best option is clear: renting a campervan. And after thorough research, we went with Travellers Autobarn (not sponsored or affiliated).
The entire process was a good experience. We got a discount for picking up the van in Cairns, and found a campervan that fit our budget. The rental was for 34 days we and paid 4,000 AUD (2,660 USD) including the Protection Plus, two chairs and living equipment. We originally booked the Budgie Campervan but were upgraded to the Chubby for free which gave us some more space.
If you’re looking for more luxury, there are companies, that can accommodate that as well.
How much does an East Coast Australia road trip cost?
Now, one of the biggest questions we had before planning our road trip was how expensive it would be. So, for complete disclosure I’ll share the exact price for our trip below. Keep in mind, that It’s definitely possible to save money on campgrounds as there are free or cheaper options available. We just like to be comfortable, have a good kitchen and nice showers and toilets.
For 34 days on the road, sleeping in campgrounds, the total cost ended up looking like this for two people:
Chubby Camper from Travellers Autobarn (34 days): 2,660 USD
Gasoline: 1,000 USD
Campgrounds: 1,100 USD
Activities and trips: 3,211 USD
Should you drive North or South – and what difference does it make?
Australia is very large. Even just sticking to the East Coast, it’s over 4,000 km from Cairns to Great Ocean Road. And that’s without any detours which you will make either due to traffic or changing plans.
Travelling large distances, the weather can change quite a bit. So it’s important to consider where you start and end your East Coast Australia road trip. Northern Australia mainly has dry and wet season while Southern Australia gets fall and winter with colder temperatures.
We started in Cairns in the beginning of March with temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius every day. At that time, it was early fall in Sydney with temperatures in the high 20’s – Melbourne was a bit colder.
By the time we made it to Melbourne, it was around 15 degrees. Phillip Island was barely in the 10’s. We knew this before coming to Australia, so we had packed for both extreme heat and colder temperatures.
With that being said, there is no right or wrong direction. You simply should consider what fits your needs best. We got a good discount on our campervan for picking it up in Cairns and dropping it off in Sydney. Other things such as public holidays, availability of specific trips and activities that you want to do, and your flights can also affect which direction is best for you.
Complete road trip itinerary for one month in East Coast Australia
The complete itinerary for the ultimate East Coast Australia road trip, including the recommended number of days in each place. You can easily adjust the itinerary according to you preferences and needs.
Cairns and Daintree (3 days)
Cairns in the Northern part of Australia is surrounded by mountains, lush rainforest and of course the Great Barrier Reef. The tropical climate makes the area great for diving, swimming in waterfalls and relaxing by the public outdoor swimming pool.
The best part about Cairns is its surroundings. If you want a fun day trip, drive to the Waterfall Circuit. Here, you can swim in Millaa Millaa and the other waterfalls on the route.
Daintree Rainforest by Port Douglas a bit north of Cairns is a must visit. Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world, and you can see crocodiles and other wildlife, visit indigenous reserves like Mossman Gorge and take in the wonderful scenery of Cape Tribulation. There are plenty of day trips, but if you have extra time, having more time to explore is worth it!
Cairns isn’t the most interesting, and you can easily see what there is to see in a day. The marina and the night market are good spots for hanging out and eating good food. And if you’re in the mood for shopping there are many great stores and high-end boutiques in the central Cairns.
Scuba diving Great Barrier Reef (3 days)
Whether you’re a certified or aspiring diver, or an avid snorkeler, Great Barrier Reef should be on your itinerary for your Australia East Coast road trip. Great Barrier Reef is abundant in underwater life. You can spot sharks, rays, turtles, boxfish, pufferfish, clown fish and more more among the stunning, colourful corals.
We booked a dive trip for 3 days and 2 nights on a liveaboard with Pro Dive Cairns. We had a great experience and I can really recommend Pro Dive (not sponsored or affiliated, this is just a genuine recommendation).
The total price for two certified PADI Advanced Open Water divers was 1,025 AUD (690 USD) including taxes. This included 11 dives, all dive gear, all meals, and transpot.
If you’re not already a diver, you can get Open Water certified during the trip, or you can snorkel.
Chillagoe (1 day)
Since the typical East Coast Australia road trip won’t take you through the Outback, we decided to add a detour to our trip. We drove to Chillagoe from Cairns to explore the caves and the famous Balancing Rock.
The drive though the Outback was amazing and almost completely paved, with only a small stretch of gravel road. During the drive there is plenty of opportunities to spot wallabies and kangaroos and other wildlife. Due to the remote location, you have the road to yourself most of the time.
One day in Chillagoe is enough to see all the sights. But you need to spend the night as the drive out is between 3 to 4 hours. If you’re in a van like us, you’re not exactly fast and driving in the Outback at night can be dangerous.
Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (3 days)
Airlie Beach itself is mostly a party town for young travellers staying in one of the hostels. There are some nice restaurants, cafés and bars, and the public swimming pool by the ocean is very nice.
But the primary draw of Airlie Beach is what you can reach not far from there: The Whitsundays. I would recommend spending as much of your time as possible exploring the Whitsundays instead of Airlie Beach. There are plenty of companies offering trips of different lengths and price ranges. You can choose to see the main sights such as a few snorkel spots and Whitehaven Beach during a one-day trip. Or you can spend several days on a boat cruising on the emerald blue water between the scenic islands.
Cape Hillsborough (3 days)
Hillsborough’s main attraction are the kangaroos and wallabies that come to feed on the beach at sunrise. You can see kangaroos and wallabies many places in Australia, but nothing is quite as idyllic and special as this.
Picture this: You find a spot in the sand under the dark starry sky. As the sun starts to rise, you see some silhouettes walking around on the beach. When the sky turns orange, and it’s light enough, the silhouettes from before become clear. They are kangaroos and wallabies walking around peacefully on the beach.
Besides the sunrise session, Cape Hillsborough is a beautiful national park with amazing hikes and splendid nature. If you have time, I recommend spending two nights here – that way you can see the sunrise twice.
If you camp at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park (not sponsored or affiliated), you’re camping almost on the beach. You only need to walk a few steps in the morning to find a spot to wait for the sunrise. By staying on the official campgrounds, you also support the area. As a bonus you’ll have frequent visits from the kangaroos and wallabies during the day when the roam around.
IMPORTANT: There is a ranger present while the animals feed to make sure they aren’t bothered. You can take pictures, but under no circumstance can you use flash, and drones are not allowed. You are also not allowed to chase or touch the animals (this should be self-explanatory, but you’d be surprised…). If the animals come to you, it’s ok, but still, don’t touch them as they are wild animals.
Hervey Bay and Fraser Island (3 days)
Fraser Island is the World’s largest sand island and the home of the purest breed of dingo’s. The dingo’s live freely on the island and you can be lucky to see them.
The nature varies greatly throughout the island. Cruising down the beach, swimming in lake McKenzie and floating down a natural lazy river, and seeing the old shipwreck are some of the amazing things to experience.
We paid around 370 USD for a full-day trip including lunch and all transportation.
To take it to the next level (literally), you can see Fraser from above with Air Fraser Island (not sponsored). We did this, and it was a unique experience that we will never forget. You fly over the shipwreck and shore and over the island to see the butterfly lake. You fly for about 15-20 minutes, and it costs 100 AUD (66 USD).
Brisbane (3 days)
Brisbane is lovely to visit for a few days to stroll by the river and visit a Koala Sanctuary. I recommend Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (not sponsored or affiliated) where you can hold a koala if you want to. Don’t worry, the rangers know what koalas don’t mind being held. There are also other animals such as kangaroos and wallabies, emu’s, plenty of different birds, dingo’s, platypuses, and crocodiles.
At bit north of Brisbane you can find Sunshine Coast, Noosa Heads and Australia Zoo. South of Brisbane is the Gold Coast, where Surfers Paradise is located.
Byron Bay (4 days)
Byron Bay is good cozy vibes, nature, surfing, and outdoor parties. When visiting Byron Bay, take some time to learn to surf in one of the many surf camps. You can also hike or drive to the lighthouse at Cape Byron and take in the views. Or you can go diving and see leopard sharks (if you’re lucky) and just hang out in town.
Byron Bay has plenty of good cafés, restaurants, and bars. I recommend breakfast at Combi, dinner at Costa Taco, a bear and live music at Beach House.
For camping I recommend staying at First Sun Holiday Park (not affiliated or sponsored). They have unpowered and powered spots and cabins if you’re not in a campervan. The facilities are nice and you’re only a few steps from the beach where you can enjoy some beautiful sunsets and watch the surfers do their thing. Since it’s in central Byron Bay, you can walk everywhere.
Blue Mountains National Park (2 days)
If you want to see the main attraction of Blue Mountains, Three Sisters, I recommend staying in Katoomba. The town itself is cute and moody with a Twin Peaks-vibe. You have plenty of options for a nice dinner or lunch if you need a break from campervan-cooked meals.
I recommend staying in Katoomba Falls Tourist Park (they don’t have a website). The campground is located next to a walking route to Three Sisters. It’s an easy walk most people should be able to do. Katoomba Falls Tourist Park is a paid campground but the walk and the Three Sisters are free of charge.
You can get to Katoomba from Sydney by train, so it’s also a great trip if you’re only visiting Sydney. If you just want to see the Three Sisters, one day is enough. Keep in mind, that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. If it’s foggy you might not be able to see the sisters, so schedule some extra time if possible.
PRO TIP: Dress well and bring waterproof clothing, good shoes, and warm layers. It gets cold in the mountains at night and during the winter.
Phillip Island (2 days)
Phillip Island is home to the World’s smallest penguin species, Little Penguins. They come to shore every night, and you can see hundreds of wild penguins running to shore at sunset.
You need to buy a ticket to see the penguin parade and you are not allowed to take pictures. But the experience is still worth it – after all, it’s for the wellbeing of the penguins. Rangers stand on the beach to make sure that the penguins aren’t disturbed.
They offer different experiences at different price ranges. We chose the cheapest option and that was perfect for us. Once you’ve finished watching on the beach, you walk on a board walk. Here, you have the opportunity to see the penguins up close so paying for the more expensive spots wasn’t a priority for us.
Melbourne (2 days)
Melbourne is street art, huge food markets, amazing coffee, and so much more. It’s possible to see all the main attractions in Melbourne in one day if you’re in a rush. But you will walk A LOT.
Must-sees for a Melbourne itinerary are Queen Victoria Market, street art on Hosier Lane, Elisabeth Street, seeing the skyline from the river, and the Alexandra Gardens.
There are plenty of great street food options in Melbourne from all World kitchens. If you’re a foodie and want and extra unique experience and have some money to spend, see if you can secure a table at Attica (not affiliated or sponsored). Go for their full set menu for the best experience.
Great Ocean Road (2 days)
Every East Coast Australia road trip must include Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road is the World’s largest war memorial. It stretches over 240 kilometers during which you will pass through the stunning main attraction Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, beautiful memorials, and cozy coastal towns full of surfers and the best seafood.
We cut the drive in two by spending one night in a campground. It gave us time to really enjoy the surf vibes and stop whenever we wanted. I recommend doing this so you’re not rushing and can enjoy the time on the road more.
Canberra (1 day)
Canberra is the capitol of Australia and mainly a hub for government. We stopped in Canberra for one day on our otherwise extremely long drive from Great Ocean Road to Sydney. If you’re interested in seeing the capitol, you can add it to your list, but honestly there isn’t much to see or do in Canberra.
Sydney (7 days)
When you visit Sydney during your East Coast Australia road trip, do it in the beginning or the end. That way you can do it before you pick up your camper, or as we did, after you’ve dropped it off, and stay in a central hotel so you can walk everywhere.
There aren’t any campgrounds in central Sydney. So you’ll have to spend a lot of time on public transport to go back and forth between your campground and central Sydney if you want to camp.
You can easily spend a week in Sydney because there are so many things to do. You can go on a bridgewalk on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, see the Sydney Opera House, watch open air opera by the Botanic Gardens, sail to Manly Island for beach and surf vibes, visit Bondi Beach and see Sydney from above in the Sydney Tower eye… I could go on.
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