East Coast Australia is the perfect place for backpackers looking for adventure, beaches and beers. Explore everything Sydney has to offer and work your way along the coast taking in the sights along the way.
Recommend time to do this would be 6 weeks
This goes from Sydney to Cairns so obviously if you're starting in Cairns work bottom to top.
Wanting to visit Melbourne too? Check out the Victoria Page
Expected spending £400 per week
Sydney | Coffs Harbour | Byron Bay | Surfer Paradise | Brisbane | Noosa | Fraser Island | Seventeen Seventy | Airlie Beach/Whitsundays | Mission Beach | Magnetic Island | Cairns | Daintree Rainforest
Entry: Apply for a 3 month visa through the Australian visa website free (usually comes within 24 hours) or pay around £20 to get your visa quickly through a 3rd party
Accommodation: Starting from £20 a night, check out the accommodation page for suggestions
Getting round: Recommended by bus (Greyhound/Premier), you can also take trains certain places or rent a campervan/car.
Food: All your standard food, to stick to a budget cook for yourself as much as possible.
TOP TIP: If you want to drink on a budget get on the goon but be care that stuff is rough.
Sydney
Sydney is the biggest and busiest city in Australia, from here you can work your way all the way up to Cairns. While in Sydney you go enjoy the views around the Opera house and the Harbour bridge as well as walking round the gardens. You can also take a walk round Darling Harbour which is a new place to spend an evening. Getting outside of Sydney you can trip to the Blue Mountains which look pretty cool.
Coffs Harbour
Up from Sydney is Coffs Harbour I have never visited here and haven't heard anything special about it. It seems to be a nice place to go and chill out by the beach and do a bit of hiking. Although if you are sticking to a budget or pushed from time this is definitely one of the places to miss out.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is a cool little surf town at the top of New South Wales. Byron has a really chilled vibe and is a great place to relax and spend a few days at the beach. Just a short distance from Byron Bay is Nimbin, here place is known for being full or drugs and it really is with people all over the tiny town selling weed and other drugs. If you buy some just don't overdo it.
Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise is the first stop in Queensland on the way up the East Coast. This is a great place for bar crawl, drinking and tanning on the beach. Personally I didn't really enjoy it, I thought it was a bit grotty but if drinking and clubbing is what you want this is a decent place to be. I didn't actually take any pictures while I was here because I spent most of the time just out drinking
Brisbane
Personally found found Brisbane the post relaxed of all the cities in Australia. They have a great beach style lagoon where you can go and relax in the sunshine. You can also take a walk around the botanic gardens. If you are looking for something to do in the evenings you can go down to the valley which is full of bars and restaurants or if you want a club there is a few in the city.
Noosa
One of the nicest places I went to on the East coast you can go on amazing coastal walks and spend time hanging out on the beautiful beaches. You can also pay to take a boat trip down the everglades which is something I didn't get the chance to do but have only ever heard great things about and would recommend.
Seventeen Seventy
The home to Whitsundays, every backpacker should take a boat trip and go and see the Whitsundays islands and Whitehaven beach. Coming here and seeing Whitsundays is expensive but it is also one of the best things you will do on the whole east coast. As well as taking a boat trip you can also enjoy a plane ride of the Great Barrier Reef which is an absolutely amazing experience. The actually town is fairly small and there isn't so much to do but it does still have decent night life.
Seventeen Seventy also known as Agnes Water is a tiny little town. There isn't much to do here except go surfing and do the funny little bike tour. I found it really fun and had a good time and glad I came here but if you're pushed for time or money I would skip this place out.
Airlie Beach/Whitsundays
Magnetic Island
Another destination I unfortunately didn't make it to. I have heard there is a very chill feel about the place and it's good for hanging out on the beach and relaxing.
Mission beach
Another destination I unfortunately didn't make it to. I have heard there is a very chill feel about the place and it's good for hanging out on the beach and relaxing.
Cairns
The best destination to get out a see the Great Barrier Reef from there are 100's of boat trips to choose from. Pick from a selection of snorkelling and scuba diving trips, half day trips to multiple day live a boards. I definitely recommend getting out on the reef just find the trip that's right for you. In Cairns you can hang out by the Lagoon and sunbathe or walk down the esplanade. Cairns also has some really good night life so if you want to go out drinking you can find a good night somewhere.
Daintree Rainforest/Cape Tribulation
The Rainforst was one of my favourite things I did on the East coast. You have to pay extra to go up there but it is incredible. You can explore around cape tribulation and if you spend a bit of time walking round or are likely to see some interesting wildlife. You can also take a walk down to Masons creek and Emmagen creek, Emmagen creek is one of the most amazing places I have been to. If you want to pay a bit extra you can go on a couple of different I tried to book the Ocean Safari while I was there but it was full but it is supposed to be one of the most amazing and untouched parts of the reef that people go to.
Hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on East Coast Australia. I am currently in the process on getting the other areas of Australia online. If you have an questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Rainbow Beach/Fraser Island
Rainbow beach is the best place to take a tour or go to Fraser Island from. Fraser Island is a cool little island known for 4x4 tours where you drive along the beach. You can choose to camp out for a day or two, personally I do the 3 day, 2 night tour.