Put collectively an superior playlist, top off on snacks, and hit the nice open highway in your approach to a few of Australia’s most beloved locations.
The east coast of Australia is a traveller’s paradise with its internationally famend seashores, centuries-old rainforests, and vibrant cities. Spanning 3,000km down the east facet of Australia, a coastal highway journey guarantees loads of breathtaking landscapes and actions that may get your coronary heart racing.
So you don’t miss out on a single must-stop-at vacation spot, we’ve put collectively a whole listing of the most well-liked locations to journey by means of, from the bustling metropolis of Melbourne to the stylish neighbourhood of Byron Bay and the tropical Port Douglas. Whether you go to all of them or simply pick your favourites, you’re sure to create an entire heap of recollections you’ll cherish eternally. Happy road-trippin’!
1. Melbourne
While most east coast Australia highway journeys don’t begin in Melbourne, we thought it greatest to incorporate it on this listing as a result of it’s one of the iconic cities in Australia and it’s undoubtedly price a go to.
From its graffiti-ridden laneways, addictive café tradition (Melbourne’s often called the espresso capital of the nation), historic procuring arcades, and world-class eating places, this multi-cultural melting pot will delight your senses and ignite your creativeness, proving to be the most effective spot to kick off your east coast journey.
Whether you wish to catch a recreation of footy on the iconic MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), stroll beside the water alongside St Kilda Beach, view town skyline from above on the Eureka Tower, or check out one of many lots of of rooftop bars scattered all through town, Melbourne is sure to get you excited for what’s to return.
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2. Sydney
Another day, one other famed Australian metropolis to discover. Perhaps essentially the most recognizable metropolis because of its spectacular Harbour Bridge and architecturally designed Opera House, Sydney will enchant you from the second you set foot in its energy-filled metropolis centre.
Whether you’re a thrill seeker searching for an adrenaline hit (you could find it on the centrally situated amusement park, Luna Park) or a foodie salivating on the considered their subsequent meal in one among Sydney’s trendiest eating places, a few days right here is simply what your east coast highway journey wants.
If you’ve had sufficient of the swarming crowds and energetic ambiance and wish to expertise one thing just a little lowkey, all you must do is head to one of many metropolis’s many beautiful seashores. From the tremendous common Bondi Beach and Manly Beach to the lesser visited however nonetheless insanely lovely space of Cronulla, town of Sydney affords travellers a various vary of pure landscapes simply ready to be explored.
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3. Byron Bay
If you assume you’ve been to the prettiest place in Australia, however you haven’t stepped foot in Byron Bay then put together to have your thoughts blown and your digital camera roll stuffed up. Known for its bohemian and relaxed vibe, this seashore city stays firmly on travellers’ bucket lists because of its abundance of spas, yoga retreats, plant-based cafes, and eating places bursting with freshly caught seafood.
From hitting the surf within the early morning – try one among Byron’s quirky cafes for a scrumptious chilly brew to correctly wake you up – to mountaineering your approach to the Cape Byron Lighthouse for an epic sundown you’re assured to be transfixed by, Byron Bay is a kind of particular locations you merely have to go to. If not for the endlessly charming panorama, then for the solace and leisure you’re certain to seek out strolling its streets and sitting on its seashores.
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The metropolis of Brisbane could typically get missed for its extra laidback and tropical neighbours (similar to Surfers Paradise and Noosa), nevertheless it’s greater than nonetheless price a go to and has a distinct vibe to that of both Sydney or Melbourne.
There’s a lot to do in Brisbane from basking in Queensland’s good climate by taking a ferry over the light waters of the Brisbane River to establishing a picnic and marvelling on the colors that dance their manner throughout the sky at sundown from some iconic Brisbane spots.
Whether you wish to spend as a lot time as you possibly can outside, like the concept of strolling by means of a gallery or two within the metropolis centre or wish to delight your tastebuds by eating on recent produce at one among Brisbane’s greatest eating places, this pleasant and excitement-filled metropolis will set you up completely for the following leg of your east coast Australia highway journey.
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5. Noosa
You could have visited a number of trendy seashore cities in your travels, however you haven’t stepped foot in a single fairly so charming as Noosa. Often described as having as a lot star high quality as any Hollywood A-lister or TikTok influencer, this tropical paradise isn’t afraid to flaunt its naturally beauty and when you set sail alongside its beautiful shoreline or take a look at out a number of trails in Noosa National Park, you’ll perceive why it deserves a spot on this listing.
However, Noosa isn’t all pure magnificence and no substance with the seaside city boasting a lot to do together with procuring in trendsetting boutiques, consuming out at traditional Noosa eating places, and ingesting it up at a number of bars heavy with electrical atmospheres – all whereas having fun with the fantastically heat and sunny climate this memorable area is understood for.
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6. Rockhampton
While Rockhampton could not immediately leap out at you as a must-travel-to vacation spot, this unassuming but naturally lovely city provides the variety your east coast journey wants – in spite of everything, it may possibly’t be beautiful seaside spots and classy cities on a regular basis, can it?
Packed stuffed with cultural historical past and a welcoming surroundings you’ll really feel proper at residence in, Rockhampton affords enjoyable exercise after enjoyable exercise from wandering round its spectacular artwork gallery and Heritage Village (a copy of the city within the 1850s-Nineteen Fifties) to enjoyable on Great Keppel Island, this city’s best-kept secret.
7. Townsville
You’d be forgiven for considering your east coast Australia highway journey can’t get any higher, however Townsville will shortly show you incorrect and have enjoyable whereas doing it. Not solely does this tropical city boast 320 sunny days yearly (sure, you learn that proper), however its laidback vibe and relaxed really feel, in addition to its mesmerising pure landscapes, guarantees to be the proper subsequent cease in your journey.
Nestled on the base of luscious mountains and surrounded by crystal-clear water you might simply get misplaced in; Townsville is without doubt one of the greatest spots to take pleasure in all that Mother Nature has to supply. Proving that she did her greatest work on this tropical vacation spot, Townsville is stuffed with secluded watering holes, cascading waterfalls, and easy-to-challenging mountaineering trails assured to reward you with essentially the most epic of views to maintain you busy.
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If there’s a vacation spot alongside the coast that is aware of how you can have a very good time, it’s Airlie Beach. The lovely Whitsunday Islands (the place Airlie Beach is situated) are breathtaking in themselves however this common tropical spot is on one other degree.
Whether you’re feeling like hopping on a jet ski and skimming alongside the crystal-clear water’s floor, taking within the Coral Sea from above on a scenic flight, or embarking on a day tour to the Great Barrier Reef, Airlie Beach affords sufficient actions to maintain you occupied for days.
If these choices don’t tickle your adventure-loving fancy, then you can too strive your hand at sea kayaking, segway using, or sail boating, and in the event you’d fairly use your ft for exploring then strolling alongside the city’s quaint and charming major road is one other nice approach to cross the times in paradise.
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9. Cairns
The subsequent cease in your east coast Australia highway journey is Cairns, a spot the place the climate’s sizzling and the landscapes are even hotter. You’d be forgiven for considering Cairns is only a jumping-off level for adventures to the Great Barrier Reef, however this tropical far north Queensland city has much more going for it with Fitzroy Island, Cape Tribulation and Mossman Gorge all spectacular highlights.
Definitely a bucket listing vacation spot you wish to cross off, Cairns guarantees a plethora of pure wonders to discover and loads of native animals to ooh and ahh over from the sleepy koala bear lazing within the area’s eucalyptus timber to the colorful cassowary making its over manner over the rainforest flooring. Consider taking a trip on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway or on the Kuranda Scenic Railway to marvel on the metropolis from a distinct perspective.
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10. Port Douglas
While this tropical vacation spot affords quick access to a few of the world’s most beloved pure wonders – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef – it additionally makes for an ideal remaining highway journey vacation spot in its personal proper due to its simple magnificence. Not solely is Port Douglas recognized to have among the finest seashores in Australia (Four Mile Beach we’re you) nevertheless it’s additionally full of fashionable eating places all providing scrumptious meals that includes recent, Queensland produce.
If that’s not sufficient to persuade you to finish your journey on this laidback city, you can too head out on a mountaineering tour by means of the rainforest, take a cruise alongside the river, catch sight of an enormous crocodile (in a superbly secure and supervised setting), or swim amongst brightly colored fish and over uniquely formed coral on a snorkelling journey you’re going to recollect eternally.
What on earth are you ready for?
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