What To Expect When Travelling The East Coast of Australia

After spending three months in Melbourne, we decided it was time to travel more of Australia. Like every Brit who visits, we opted for the classic East Coast Australia route. I mean, you simply can’t miss the chance to see the incredible beaches and stunning nature along the East Coast while you’re here. Some people travel all the way from Sydney, but we chose to do it from Brisbane to Cairns and flew directly into Brisbane to keep things simple.

We spread our trip over three weeks and then decided to stay in Cairns to work — a stay that eventually stretched to six months because we loved it so much. Of course, some people do it in shorter or longer periods, but I personally felt that three weeks was just enough time to experience everything Brisbane to Cairns has to offer. 

We travelled in April, which meant it was a bit quieter than the peak season from December to March. The weather was a bit hit and miss, so we did have the odd spell of rain here and there. 

Travelling East Coast Australia 

In this blog, I’m going to share my experience of travelling the East Coast of Australia, what I would do differently, and what you can expect. 

Transport for East Coast 

We decided to travel along the East Coast using the Greyhound bus, as neither of us fancied the long drives. We bought a pass that allowed us unlimited travel over a set period, which worked out much cheaper than booking individual tickets. Greyhound has stops at all the popular places like Airlie Beach and Noosa, making it super easy to follow the famous East Coast route. Booking seats online and checking times and stops was straightforward, which meant we didn't need to stress when booking transport. 

Two things I wish I’d known beforehand: you can select your seat, which is obviously important if you’re travelling with a partner, but this isn’t very intuitive on their website. Also, some stretches between stops are very long, so you need to prepare for that. For example, Noosa to Airlie Beach is a 17-hour trip — an overnight bus journey that’s not as luxurious as it sounds. Unlike buses in Asia, there are no lie-flat seats, so you’re upright all night (my worst nightmare!). However, the bus does have WiFi, charging points, and makes regular stops at service stations for food and toilet breaks, which helps make the journey more bearable. 

If we were to do it again, we’d consider hiring a campervan, though we’d just returned from New Zealand where we had one and weren’t keen on doing a lot more driving. A campervan would allow you to visit more hidden spots like Mackay and Agnes Water, which Greyhound serves but less frequently. Plus, it means shorter travel stretches with breaks whenever you want. If you are planning on travelling the East Coast, I would seriously consider booking a campervan. 

Accommodation for East Coast 

We booked all our accommodation through either Hostelworld or Booking.com, as having all bookings in one place made everything much more convenient. Wherever possible, we chose options with free cancellation, so we could change plans if last-minute deals came up. 

Mostly, we stayed in hostels, but as a couple we often opted for private rooms since they usually cost about the same as two beds in a dorm. Hostels are a great way to meet other backpackers, especially if you’re travelling solo. They have kitchens, so you can cook if you’re on a budget, and often run social activities throughout the week. I mean who doesn't love a free BBQ night or a game of volleyball?

One of the most popular hostel chains on the East Coast is Nomads, which owns hostels in many of the key spots. Their quality can be hit and miss, but we stayed in a great one in Noosa, which had a pool, beach volleyball and even ‘dirty bingo’. Our favourite hostel was Selina on Magnetic Island (now rebranded as Bounce). We stayed in little cabins, which were super cute. The place was really hipster! I love wildlife, so it made my trip seeing wallabies roaming around and feeding the rainbow lorikeets. 

That said, staying in a hostel can be a bit of a shock to the system if it’s your first time, especially if you end up in a party hostel! Expect some mess, noise and the odd person being sick, so it’s something to be prepared for if you’re not used to it. I wouldn’t worry too much about theft, food disappearing and things like that don’t happen often but it is worth keeping in mind. Hostels are part of the culture of travelling Australia, so I do recommend embracing it whilst you are there! 

Our East Coast Australia Route 

This was the route we chose for travelling the East Coast of Australia. We pretty much covered all the main highlights, so it might help when planning your own trip. 

We flew from New Zealand to Brisbane and then caught the train to Surfers Paradise. In all honesty, it wasn’t my favourite stop along the East Coast. That might have been because the weather wasn’t great, so we couldn’t fully enjoy the beaches. But to be honest, it just felt like I was back in Blackpool, a bit tacky and over the top. I mean, there was even a shop called Condom Kingdom... that says it all! 

We skipped Byron Bay, as it would’ve meant heading further south and we didn’t want to waste time. But that was actually my biggest regret, I really wish we’d made the effort. I’ve heard so many amazing things about Byron: it’s got a chilled, hipster vibe, stunning coastal walks, and just a much more relaxed atmosphere. Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast), on the other hand, is more about nightlife and shopping. Which is great if that’s your scene but it isn't really my vibe! 

After Surfers, we took the train back up to Brisbane, it is a quick and easy journey. We spent five days there to break up the trip, but in hindsight, three days would’ve been plenty to see the highlights. Brisbane felt like a budget version of Melbourne or Sydney. We visited Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which we preferred over Australia Zoo because the animals there are rescues, it felt more heartfelt. We also went to Eat Street in Northshore, a buzzing food market with loads of international food stalls. Ideal for a foodie like me! Another highlight was the XXXX Brewery tour. It was interesting seeing how Queensland’s iconic beer is made, and we had the most bogan tour guide imaginable. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a stronger Aussie accent! 

Next up was the Sunshine Coast, starting with Noosa. One of my absolute favourite stops on the whole trip. It’s a gorgeous beach town with a relaxed vibe, full of independent cafés and hipster shops. The coastal walks are stunning and super calming, you can even dip in natural rock pools along the way. If you're lucky, you’ll spot dolphins playing in the waves or whales in winter. As you’ve probably gathered by now, I’m a big fan of wildlife! 

The must-do trip from Noosa is to K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island). We did a day trip, but I really wish we’d chosen the overnight camping tour instead. A day just isn’t long enough to see everything, and you spend a lot of time in transit. That said, K’Gari is absolutely incredible and feels like the ultimate Aussie experience. We even saw wild dingoes! Driving a 4x4 across the sand was such a buzz. You’ll visit amazing spots like Lake Mackenzie with crystal-clear water and Eli Creek a natural lazy river. It’s an experience you can’t miss. 

From Noosa, we took the overnight Greyhound bus to Airlie Beach. The longest journey of the trip, so definitely bring snacks and download a few movies. On the plus side, you save on a night’s accommodation! Airlie Beach is a small town with just a few bars and restaurants, but the real highlight is the overnight sailing trip to the Whitsundays and Whitehaven Beach. Honestly, just Google it and you’ll be sold. The bluest water, the whitest sand. It’s pure magic. We did a 2-day, 1-night sailing trip on the Siska, but there are shorter and longer options. Our skipper was a character, he even climbed a tree to get us coconuts… with a scarf and a knife! We went snorkelling, did some actual sailing, and drank beers under the stars. It was unforgettable. You can also go skydiving or take a scenic flight to see the Whitsundays from above. Absolutely breathtaking! 

Then came my all-time favourite stop — Magnetic Island. You take the bus to Townsville, then hop on a ferry across to the island. The Greyhound drops you right outside the terminal, and the ferry runs every hour, taking just 30 minutes. The island has such a tropical vibe, it felt like being in Thailand. Think beaches, rainforests, and total relaxation. 

One of the best things we did there was the Forts Walk, where we saw wild koalas. We spotted five, just snoozing in the trees. It was amazing seeing them in their natural habitat. The views from the top are equally impressive; sweeping landscapes of forest, mountains, and sea. There’s also a local bus that loops around all the main spots for just a few dollars a day, making it super easy to get around. Don’t miss watching the sunset on the beach with fish and chips. It’s pure magic. 

Our final stop was Cairns, getting the Greyhound from Townsville. We actually ended up living in Cairns for six months, but if you’re short on time, I’d recommend saving your big snorkelling trip on the Great Barrier Reef for here. There’s nothing like snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef. The visibility was unreal, some of the best I’ve ever experienced (and I’ve snorkelled all over Asia). 

If you have time, definitely hire a car to explore the surrounding area. The Tablelands waterfall circuit is a must, you can see multiple waterfalls all nestled in rainforest. And don’t miss the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. It's a proper bucket-list destination. You might even spot a crocodile or cassowary if you're lucky. An absolute dream for wildlife lovers! Those are the three main must-dos when visiting Cairns, but if you’ve got more time, check out my other blog on Things to Do in Cairns for even more tips.

Spots We Missed on the East Coast 

Even though we covered loads of the East Coast, there were still a few places we didn’t get to. If you’ve got the time, I’d definitely recommend adding some of these to your itinerary. Here are a few spots we missed that are well worth checking out: 

Byron Bay 

As I mentioned earlier, skipping Byron Bay is one of my biggest regrets. It’s just south of the Gold Coast and has such a cool, laid-back vibe. It’s known for its hipster energy, chilled beaches, and artsy spots. Think coastal walks up to the lighthouse, live music at The Piano Bar, and that classic barefoot Aussie lifestyle. I’ve only heard amazing things — if you can, don’t miss it! 

Rainbow Beach 

Just above Noosa, Rainbow Beach is another great jumping-off point for K’Gari (Fraser Island) and it’s actually a bit closer than Noosa. One thing I really wish we saw was Carlo Sand Blow, they are huge sand dunes that overlook the ocean. It’s apparently an epic spot for sunset and looks unreal in photos! 

Agnes Water 

This tiny town sits between the Sunshine Coast and Airlie Beach. There’s not loads going on, but it’s a solid spot if you fancy a bit of surfing or just need a break from a long drive. It’s perfect if you’re travelling by campervan and want somewhere peaceful to rest up. 

Mackay 

Just before you get to Airlie Beach, Mackay is home to Cape Hillsborough. Where you can see kangaroos on the beach at sunrise. An absolute Aussie dream! It looks absolutely magical and I’m gutted we missed it. Definitely one for the bucket list if you’re in that area. 

Mission Beach 

Technically, we did make it here while we were based in Cairns, but I still think it deserves a shoutout. It’s a gorgeous little spot just south of Cairns where the rainforest meets the beach. You can go for sunset strolls, explore lush forest tracks, and there’s even a chance of spotting wild cassowaries — which is so cool if you’re into wildlife like I am! 

Conclusion  

It might seem like the typical backpacker route and yeah, loads of people do it, but honestly, it’s so worth it. There are so many beautiful places to see along the East Coast of Australia, and it’s amazing all year round. Summer’s perfect if you’re after sunny weather and want to meet loads of people, but winter has its perks too, it’s a bit quieter (which you might actually prefer), and there’s a good chance you’ll spot whales! 

There are so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences to be had, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, skydiving over the Whitsundays, sailing, and even rainforest hikes. And there’s a way to do it that suits everyone, whether you’re into campervans, hopping on buses, or staying in hostels. No matter how you do it, you’ll meet some lovely people and make memories you’ll never forget. 

You can definitely do it on a budget if you need to, but speaking from experience, don’t stress too much about the money. I tried to do it cheaply and ended up missing out on a few things I really wish I’d done. In the end, the money sorts itself out and the memories are what count. 

So don’t let anything hold you back. Just go for it. It’s one of those trips that will stay with you forever. I hope this blog helps a bit with planning your own East Coast Australia adventure!