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A journey along the length of Australia’s east coast from Melbourne to Cairns (or vice versa) is the dream of many overseas visitors — and an epic undertaking in anyone’s language.
You’ll cover a distance of roughly 4,000 kilometres and traverse three states in the process. And yes, doing it by air will get you from A to B much faster. But the rewards for those travellers who keep their feet on the ground for the entire journey are many and varied. You’ll have the opportunity to visit some truly remarkable regional cities and towns, and see a list as long as your arm of wondrous natural attractions. And we guarantee that the people you meet along the way will be a whole lot friendlier than those squashed in next to you on yet another flight.
So, if you have the holiday time available, start planning how to get around Australia with this suggested east coast travel itinerary.
Melbourne (VIC)
For most international guests, Melbourne comes in a close second behind Sydney on the leaderboard of must-visit destinations in Australia — and kicking off your east coast trip in the Victorian capital necessitates a stay of at least three or four days. There are so many great things to do in and around Melbourne. Get lost in the maze of CBD laneways and arcades plastered with street art, sit and sip arguably the best coffee in the world, dive into any of the city’s multitude of museums and galleries, and wiggle your toes in the sand on blustery St Kilda Beach. Melbourne is also the departure point for some big-ticket Aussie day trips. The Great Ocean Road to the world-famous 12 Apostles limestone sea stacks, and the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island are two standouts.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Melbourne:
Top 10 Things to Do in MELBOURNE, Australia in 2025 (Cheap to Chic!) | Ultimate Travel Guide
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Lakes Entrance (320 kilometres)
The idyllic holiday haven of Lakes Entrance, four hours’ drive east from Melbourne, is the gateway to the shimmering waterways of the Gippsland Lakes and sweeping Ninety Mile Beach. Switch over to relaxation mode and head out to explore. The Entrance Walk will take you along the edge of Lake Cunningham to the actual Entrance that links Bass Strait and the lakes network, and you may spot seals and dolphins cavorting near the shoreline. You must do a sightseeing cruise while you’re here — and there are lots of options. Lonsdale Eco Cruises offers a daily departure that takes in all the key sights, and a delicious Devonshire tea is included in the ticket price!
Sapphire Coast/Merimbula (267 kilometres)
Located on the New South Wales south coast, roughly halfway along the coastal route between Melbourne and Sydney, the stunning Sapphire Coast is a walking enthusiast’s dream destination. Enjoy spectacular coastal scenes dotted with intricate rock formations, as sea eagles take wing on the breeze high above you. You’re also likely to spot migrating humpbacks, which make their way up the east coast during winter and back down again in spring. The town of Merimbula makes a great base to explore this gem of an area — and walking aside, water sports are the go here. Go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, surfing, swimming, snorkelling, and the list goes on. Mitchies Jetty will kit you out with the necessary gear.
Sydney (454 kilometres)
Welcome to the fabulous Harbour City! Sydney pulls in the lion’s share of international travellers, and it will come as no surprise to learn that the Sydney Opera House consistently ranks as one of the top things to see in Australia. So, let’s focus on that. Even we Aussies love to get an eyeful of those glittering sails. But don’t just admire ‘the House’ from afar; head inside and have a really good look around. The Opera House offers a superb one-hour guided walking tour, which covers the history of the building, the controversy that surrounded its construction, anecdotes about its defining moments and performances, and so much more. You’ll also get to see some areas that are not accessible to the general public.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Sydney:
10 Top Things to Do in SYDNEY, Australia in 2024 | Ultimate Travel Guide & To-Do List
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Newcastle (170 kilometres)
Situated an easy two hours’ drive north of Sydney, Newcastle is Australia’s eighth-largest city and historically a hub for heavy industry. Today it has largely reinvented itself and offers plenty to keep culture vultures and outdoor enthusiasts entertained. The city boasts some of NSW’s best beaches; check out Nobby and Merewether for starters. You can also enjoy a salty swim at Mereweather Ocean Baths — the largest ocean bathing complex in the Southern Hemisphere. Combine culture and exercise by following the outdoor sculpture trail between Eleebana and Warners Bay or doing a street art walking tour. Round off your stay with a visit to Newcastle Art Gallery, which houses a superb collection of colonial-era works.
Coffs Harbour (385 kilometres)
The northern New South Wales town of Coffs Harbour is probably best known as the home of Australia’s flagbearer of ‘big things’ — the iconic Big Banana, but it also boasts some of the best weather in the country. So, get out and enjoy it! Go surfing and bodyboarding, or just hit the sand at Park Beach. Swimming is a given here, but it becomes all the more noteworthy when you’re doing it with humpback whales! Whale swims are offered by Jetty Dive during August and September, and this is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. Save a Sunday for browsing at the Habourside Markets, where you’ll pick up some locally crafted mementoes of your stay.
Brisbane (384 kilometres)
Cross the New South Wales border with Queensland and swing past the glittering Gold Coast, before heading into the Queensland capital. Coating the banks of its mighty namesake river, Brisbane boasts one of the most dynamic cultural scenes in the country. Spend a day exploring the collections of classic, contemporary, and fine art at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, before catching an evening performance by the Queensland Ballet or Queensland Theatre at QPAC (the Queensland Performing Arts Centre). It’s also well worth checking out quirkier arts spaces like the Brisbane Powerhouse (a repurposed riverfront power station at New Farm) and Metro Arts. If you happen to be in town from August through to November, see the finalists of the prestigious annual Brisbane Portrait Prize on display at the State Library of Queensland. Each sitter must have a connection to the city.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Brisbane:
10 Amazing Things to Do in BRISBANE, Queensland, Australia, 2024 | Ultimate Brisbane Travel Guide
Support our channel and save on travel by joining our new Top Traveller Club! 😄 Member benefits include a branded travel water bottle delivered to your door, and 10% off day and multi-day tour bookings worldwide! Browse day tours: https://topoztours.partner.viator.com Browse multi-day tours: https://topoztours.trips.tourradar.com Join the Club: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIWPeSl1aL72F1NCuS4ePTQ/join ************************** Brisbane basks in glorious sunshine for most of the year.
Sunshine Coast (113 kilometres)
Hightail it up the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast, which well and truly lives up to its moniker. Sun-drenched seashores and bright blue skies are the hallmarks of any visit to this sublime part of South-East Queensland. Get amongst it on any of the region’s superb beaches (if you’re averse to crowds, try the Point Arkwright end of Yaroomba Beach, Mudjimba Beach, and Alexandria Bay in Noosa National Park). One of our favourite off-sand activities on the Sunny Coast is the seafood lunch and canal cruise from Mooloolaba Wharf. At $65pp with a meal of fresh fish and chips included, it’s great value. A meander through the Hinterland towns of Montville and Maleny is also highly recommended.
Hervey Bay (199 kilometres)
Hervey Bay on the tranquil Fraser Coast is hugely popular as a holiday destination, but somehow it manages to maintain a very boutique feel. It could have something to do with the fact that Hervey is actually a string of small beachside villages, rather than one big place. From July to October, humpback whales rest in the bay on their migratory journey. For that reason, whale-spotting cruises are one of this area’s most popular activities (and whales often interact with cruise boats!). Anglers of all abilities will love casting a line off the 800-metre-long Urangan Pier. K’gari Fraser Island — the world’s largest sand island — lies just off the coast and offers incredible beach drives.
Rockhampton (382 kilometres)
Further north and just a smidge inland from the Central Queensland coast, Rockhampton is best known as the capital of the state’s cattle industry. The city was established in the 1850s as pastoralists rushed to take advantage of the grazing opportunities offered by the Fitzroy River delta plains, and today ‘Rocky’ is packed with historical attractions that hark back to the pioneering era. Rockhampton Heritage Village brings the period to life through restored cottages, vintage vehicles, and immersive displays, while Archer Park Rail Museum has what is believed to be the world’s only still-operating Purrey Steam Tram. You should also check out the magnificently restored period buildings and warehouses that line the riverfront, including the sandstone beauty that is Customs House.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Rockhampton:
10 Top Things to Do in ROCKHAMPTON, Queensland, Australia | Ultimate Rockhampton Travel Guide
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Mackay (336 kilometres)
Mackay is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and offers yet more memorable hiking opportunities. You’ve likely seen them in tourism campaigns — and once you’ve met the rock star roos on Cape Hillsborough Beach at dawn, stick around to do some of the walks that crisscross this verdant wonderland. There’s a great option that leads off from the southern end of the beach and takes you up to the headland for terrific views of the beach and wider Cape Hillsborough National Park. Next, head for the highlands and Eungella National Park, where there are endless walking trails to choose from. Try the Granite Bend Circuit, which departs from Broken River (where you’ll almost certainly see platypuses!). If you still have some energy left, head back down the range towards Mackay and take the turn off to Finch Hatton Gorge. Again, there are a variety of walks on offer (some of which require a good level of fitness).
Townsville (386 Kilometres)
From Mackay, it’s a relatively short drive to effervescent Airlie Beach — the jumping off spot for day trips out to the captivating Whitsunday Islands. Consider doing a cruise to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island (the largest island in the group) for the chance to lay eyes on what is often said to be the finest vista in Australia — that of Hill Inlet. #nofilterrequired
Watch our video of top things to do in Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays:
Ten Great Things to Do in AIRLIE BEACH and the WHITSUNDAYS, Australia | Ultimate Travel Guide
Queensland’s Airlie Beach has long been a popular stop on the east coast backpacker trail, but today it’s a holiday hot spot for anyone wanting to experience the extraordinary beauty of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef. Think turquoise waters, amazing beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and incredible snorkelling and diving.
While tropical paradises like Fiji, Hawaii, and Tahiti lie well beyond the eastern horizon, there’s a bit of them all to be found further north in Townsville. Stroll along the palm-fringed Strand with views out towards magical Magnetic Island, then enjoy cocktails and a relaxed coastal vibe at Longboard Bar and Grill. Make your second day in the region all about ‘Maggie’. It’s a short 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland across to the island — but once you get there, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles from anywhere. This is ‘paradise’ in the truest sense, and the toughest part will be saying goodbye at the end of your visit.
Cairns (346 kilometres)
Some like it hot, even in winter. And if that sounds like you, you’ll love Cairns — the final stop on this all-points tour of the east coast. And you have not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural attractions to see: the Daintree rainforest (part of the Queensland Wet Tropics) and the Great Barrier Reef. The Daintree is best explored under the guidance of an expert and Billy Tea Safaris offers an eco-accredited experience in a custom-built 4WD vehicle. It includes a cruise on the crocodile-inhabited Daintree River, a visit to Cape Tribulation, and a drive along the short-but-scenically-sweet 4WD-only Bloomfield Track.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Cairns:
Ten Amazing Things to Do in Cairns, QLD | City Guide – The Big Bus
Welcome to The Big Bus tour and travel guide’s YouTube Channel. Sitting pretty in Tropical North Queensland, the city of Cairns has undergone an extraordinar…
There are various outer reef tours and cruises that depart from Cairns, but it’s a long trip there and back. A day trip to Fitzroy Island, just 45-minutes from the city by high-speed ferry, minimises the travel time and maximises time spent in the water. Snorkel, cruise in a glass-bottom boat, or simply bliss out on the crushed coral beaches.
This post was published thanks to Bookaway.
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About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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