Australia east coast

~ marks an estimate. Budgets are per day in US dollars. Check services and fares before setting out.

1. 01

   

   Sydney

   Australia

   Brimming with history, nature, culture, art, fashion, cuisine and design, Sydney is set next to miles of ocean coastline and sandy surf beaches. The city is home to the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, two of the most iconic structures on the planet, and is surrounded by nature and national parks.

   Sydney →to Melbourne

   Train~1 h~$45

2. 02

   

   Melbourne

   Australia

   Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital and second-largest city with 5.2 million residents, known for Victorian-era architecture, extensive museums, galleries, theatres, and large parks and gardens. The city consistently ranks among the world's most livable cities and attracts migrants from around the globe.

   Melbourne →to Brisbane

   Transport details are not recorded.

3. 03

   

   Brisbane

   Australia

   Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city, is a garden metropolis famous for its leafy open spaces, warm climate, and friendly locals. It offers a cosmopolitan yet accessible atmosphere, with world-class facilities and a youthful enthusiasm.

   Brisbane →to Cairns

   Transport details are not recorded.

4. 04

   

   Cairns

   Australia

   Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, and the Daintree Rainforest. The city itself has a laid-back vibe with tour agencies, restaurants, cafes, and backpacker bars lining the Esplanade.

   Cairns →to Byron Bay

   Transport details are not recorded.

5. 05

   

   Byron Bay

   Australia

   Byron Bay is a coastal town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, famous for its surfing beaches, scuba diving, whale watching, and laid-back lifestyle. It attracts over 1.7 million visitors per year and is known for its wellness movement, celebrities, and alternative culture.

   Byron Bay →to Airlie Beach

   Transport details are not recorded.

6. 06

   

   Airlie Beach

   Australia

   Airlie Beach is the main gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and Outer Great Barrier Reef, serving as a launchpad for sailing, snorkeling, and diving trips. The town has evolved from a backpacker haven into a commercialized tourist hub while retaining plenty of affordable hostels and a lively social scene.

   Airlie Beach →to Townsville

   Transport details are not recorded.

7. 07

   Townsville

   Australia

   Townsville is a relaxed coastal city of over 173,724 people (2021) in North Central Queensland, self-styled as the unofficial capital of North Queensland. It offers a quiet cosmopolitan feel with good restaurants and bars while maintaining a siesta-style pace during the hottest parts of summer days.

   Townsville →to Magnetic Island

   Ferry~25 min~$6.09

8. 08

   

   Magnetic Island

   Australia

   Magnetic Island is a 7 km by 5 km island directly off Townsville in Central Queensland, with over half its land area protected as National Park. About 2000 residents spread across four small villages—Picnic Bay, Nelly Bay, Arcadia, and Horseshoe Bay—along the east coast.

   Magnetic Island →to Mission Beach

   Transport details are not recorded.

9. 09

   

   Mission Beach

   Australia

   Mission Beach sits on the Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland as a relaxed midpoint between Townsville and Cairns. Four beach villages are linked by 14 km of wide golden beach, with sophisticated eateries, boutiques, and art galleries nestled against lush tropical rainforest.

   Mission Beach →to Port Douglas

   Transport details are not recorded.

10. 10

    

    Port Douglas

    Australia

    Port Douglas is a small coastal resort town with a year-round population around 3,500 that serves as an ideal base for visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The town maintains a village feel with palm trees taller than buildings, offering a relaxed atmosphere with cafes, pubs, restaurants, and bars along Macrossan Street.

    Port Douglas →to Hervey Bay

    Transport details are not recorded.

11. 11

    

    Hervey Bay

    Australia

    Hervey Bay is a string of beachside towns (Urangan, Torquay, Scarness, Pialba, and Point Vernon) in south east Queensland, roughly 3.5 hours drive north of Brisbane. The town of approximately 50,000 residents draws sea-changers, retirees, and backpackers seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle.

    Hervey Bay →to Rainbow Beach, Queensland

    Transport details are not recorded.

12. 12

    

    Rainbow Beach, Queensland

    Australia

    Rainbow Beach is a small coastal village on Queensland's Fraser Coast that serves as the gateway to K'gari (Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island. The town is famous for its distinctive colored sand cliffs—90 unique tints ranging from rust red to chocolate brown—which are best seen at Coloured Sands.

    Rainbow Beach, Queensland →to Bundaberg

    Transport details are not recorded.

13. 13

    

    Bundaberg

    Australia

    Bundaberg is closely linked to the sugar cane industry and is the home of Bundaberg Rum and ginger beer. The town is 10 km from ocean beaches like Bargara and Mon Repos, where turtles return each year to lay eggs.

    Bundaberg →to Town of 1770

    Drive~2 h~$19

14. 14

    

    Town of 1770

    Australia

    Adjacent twin visitor base on the same coastal stop; retained under the actual Town of 1770 identity.

    Town of 1770 →to Gold Coast

    Transport details are not recorded.

15. 15

    

    Gold Coast

    Australia

    The Gold Coast delivers 720,000 residents and Australia's biggest non-state capital sprawl, combining endless beaches with world-class theme parks. Surfers Paradise serves as the glitzy hub with high-rise hotels, while the region stretches inland to the Scenic Rim hills.

    Gold Coast →to Newcastle, New South Wales

    Transport details are not recorded.

16. 16

    

    Newcastle, New South Wales

    Australia

    Newcastle is Australia's oldest seaport and the world's largest coal exporting port, with a rich industrial history now intertwined with surf culture and wine country. The city offers uncrowded beaches (Bar Beach, Nobbys Beach, Merewether Ocean Baths), proximity to Hunter Valley wineries, and access to Barrington Tops National Park wilderness.

    Newcastle, New South Wales →to Port Macquarie

    Transport details are not recorded.

17. 17

    

    Port Macquarie

    Australia

    Port Macquarie is a coastal beachside city on the New South Wales Mid-North Coast, approximately 400 km north of Sydney and 550 km south of Brisbane. As the first English convict settlement outside Sydney, it offers a mix of historic heritage and beachside relaxation.

    Port Macquarie →to Coffs Harbour

    Transport details are not recorded.

18. 18

    

    Coffs Harbour

    Australia

    Coffs Harbour is a classic family holiday destination on the Australian east coast, attracting parents revisiting childhood memories and backpackers staying a week or so. Less trendy than Byron Bay or Noosa, it offers great beaches, diverse accommodation, a well-developed tourist industry, and a laid-back atmosphere.

    Coffs Harbour →to Katoomba

    Transport details are not recorded.

19. 19

    

    Katoomba

    Australia

    Katoomba is the largest and most convenient base for exploring the Blue Mountains, sitting 1,017 m above sea level with sweeping views of the Jamison Valley. The town preserves numerous art deco shopfronts from its interwar heyday along the main street, giving it a distinctive architectural character.