Australia’s east coast is a dream for backpackers: vibrant cities, tropical islands, stunning beaches, and national parks. I spent seven weeks travelling from Melbourne up to Cairns, down through Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, and finishing in Sydney, and this is my full east coast Australia itinerary — complete with tips, transport advice, personal stories, and highlights from each stop. Just make sure you bring a big chunk of savings with you because this country is expensive!

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Melbourne – Cafés, culture & the Great Ocean Road

Duration: 1 week

If you’re flying in to Australia, especially long haul, the likelihood is you will be landing in Melbourne or Sydney first. I started in Melbourne purely because I had a bit of an issue with flight cancellations, but that’s a story for another time. On reflection, Melbourne is the perfect place to start your Aussie adventure. I stayed at Bounce Melbourne, which had a great facilities and a perfect location. I joined the walking tour on my first day, which allowed me to really get a feel for the city. Over the week, I explored Fitzroy Market, Albert Park, the Botanical Gardens, and Queen Vic Market, soaking up the city’s creative, vibrant energy.

I also did a day trip to the Great Ocean Road (check out my full Great Ocean Road blog here), tried to see the penguins at St Kilda (unsuccessful but fun), and spent plenty of time wandering Melbourne’s cafés — amazing, but definitely pricey for backpackers.

In general, you definitely don’t need a week in Melbourne unless you plan on doing a few days on the Great Ocean Road (which I would recommend). I chose a week to allow myself time to get over jet lag – which trust me definitely hit hard.

Tips:

• Join hostel walking tours and a bar crawl — a great way to meet other travellers.
• Melbourne’s tram network is efficient; buy the Myki card to explore widely.
• Allow a day (if not longer) for the Great Ocean Road — it’s worth it.

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Cairns – Gateway to adventure

Duration: 4 nights

From Melbourne I flew to town of Cairns. Cairns itself is small, but it’s the hub for tropical adventures. I stayed at Little Drifter Cairns, which was beautifully decorated. You can view my full review here.

Top experiences:

• Great Barrier Reef snorkelling – surreal swimming alongside colourful fish and corals. Although it is definitely better snorkelling in Airlie Beach.
• Daintree rainforest tour – a must-do to see the oldest rainforest in the world, wildlife, and incredible scenery.
• Kuranda Scenic Railway – the most beautiful train journey in all of Australia.

Tips:

• Book tours in advance during peak season.
• Cairns is very budget-friendly for hostels and meals.

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Magnetic Island – Perfect island vibes

Duration: 3 nights

I took a Greyhound bus to Townsville from Cairns and then the ferry to Magnetic Island. One day two other girls and I rented a car for the day and generally it’s a great place to embrace the slow island life. It’s quiet with not much to do, but that’s the charm. I stayed at Bounce, but if you’re after a more social experience, Nomads is better.

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Airlie Beach & Whitsundays – Adventure central

Duration: 3 nights + 2 nights on a sailing trip

Again the ferry and Greyhound bus combo got me from Magnetic Island to Airlie Beach. Airlie Beach is famous for Whitsundays sailing trips. My highlight was actually scenic flight over the islands (check out my Whitsundays flight blog), and while I planned to sail with True Blue Sailing on the Atlantic Clipper, the boat had major engine failure. We only spent two hours onboard before being taken back to shore by tender and having to book another night’s accommodation at the hostel we had just left. It also left us scrambling to find another vessel as we didn’t want to miss out. We ended up getting the only boat which was available – the SV Summer Jo – which ended up creating some of my best memories. I stayed at both Bounce Airlie Beach and Magnums (Magnums is a great opportunity to have a night or two in a private room rather than a dorm for a decent price).

Tips:

• Book tours early; check cancellation policies.
• Expect the unexpected — sometimes mishaps make the best memories!

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Noosa & K’gari (Fraser Island) – At One With Nature

Duration: 2 night in Noosa, 2 nights on K’gari tour & 2 nights back in Noosa

Noosa was more laid-back for me — I was a bit ill so took it easy. Highlights included:

• Exploring Noosa’s town and beaches
• National Park walk to the Fairy Pools
• Staying at Bounce Noosa — my favourite hostel on the east coast

For K’gari, I joined a Drop Bear Adventures tour. The island is magical, with pristine beaches and forests. The accommodation and food were excellent, though there weren’t many solo travellers. I made the most of it despite being unwell.

Tips:

• K’gari tours often include meals; bring sunscreen, water, and insect repellent.
• Noosa’s beaches are easy to explore by public bus.

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Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast – Road trip highlights

Duration: 1 night Brisbane, 3 nights Sunshine Coast, 3 nights Gold Coast

In Brisbane, I explored South Bank, then picked up a car to drive along the coast:

• Glass House Mountains viewpoint
• Sunshine Coast day trips
• Australia Zoo — amazing day out!
• Best vegan pizza at an Italian in Mooloolaba

Gold Coast highlights:

• Springbrook National Park day trip
• H2O filming locations visit
• Burleigh Heads and Tamborine Mountain day trips

Tips:

• Driving gives flexibility to explore smaller towns and national parks.
• Factor in parking and petrol costs – we picked up the car in Brisbane and dropped it off at the airport in Gold Coast, then got the bus back to Miami on Gold Coast.

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Byron Bay – Surf, sunsets & Shopping

Duration: 6 nights

Byron Bay is a backpacker haven. It is definitely a must stop on the itinerary. Highlights included:

• Surf lessons (must-do!)
• Beach days and sunset lighthouse walks
• Great food and shopping
• Piano Bar for a fun night out

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Sydney – City adventures & coastal walks

Duration: 4 nights

Time split between:

• CBD – Harbour Bridge, Opera House, city walks, and a day trip to Manly
• Bondi – Bondi to Coogee walk, beaches, Bondi Junction, and coastal vibes

Tips:

• Public transport makes city navigation easy.
• Coastal walks are a must; go early for fewer crowds and to beat the heat.

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Transport & Planning Tips

• Flights: Melbourne → Cairns, Airlie → Brisbane
• Greyhound buses: Reliable, long travel times — bring snacks & chargers
• Car rental: Sunshine Coast → Gold Coast
• Ferries: Magnetic Island, K’gari (included in the tour)

Budget: AUD 100–150/day (hostels, meals, tours) – Australia is expensive!

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Reflections on my East Coast Australia Itinerary

Australia was everything I wanted it to be and more. From reconnecting with friends in Melbourne to snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, sailing mishaps in the Whitsundays, and relaxing in Byron Bay, every moment was memorable. I was lucky to make a great friend to travel the east coast with and meet so many amazing people along the way.

It’s easy to see why so many people emigrate here — it’s a place I can definitely see myself living one day.

Enjoy your Travels!

Em x

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