11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia

Tripoto
1st Jun 2014
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 1/11 by Jeremy
Brisbane
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 2/11 by Jeremy
Byron Bay
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 3/11 by Jeremy
Cairns
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 4/11 by Jeremy
Frazer Island
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 5/11 by Jeremy
Magnetic Island
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 6/11 by Jeremy
Mission Beach
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 7/11 by Jeremy
Noosa
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 8/11 by Jeremy
Surfer's Paradise
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 9/11 by Jeremy
Sydney
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 10/11 by Jeremy
Whitsunday Islands
Photo of 11 Best Places on the East Coast of Australia 11/11 by Jeremy
Yamba

I’ve been almost everywhere along the east coast of Australia. This includes every place you should visit and every place nobody ever should. Over nine weeks I backpacked my way through 22 cities and towns from Sydney, NSW to Cairns, QLD. This means I only got to spend a few days in each place when, in fact, I could have spent more time in fewer places. The guide books I read had a way of making me feel like every stop on the east coast was worth a visit but, as it turns out, that’s not entirely true. Don’t get me wrong–I love Australia, but if you’ve got a limited amount of time, stick to the following cities!

1) Sydney

2) Yamba

3) Byron Bay

4) Surfer’s Paradise

5) Brisbane

6) Noosa

7) Fraser Island

8) Whitsunday Islands

9) Magnetic Island

10) Mission Beach

11) Cairns

But prepare to party hard!

Originally published on Travel Freak.

Of course, Sydney, the most famous of all Australian cities, is a must visit. It spans multiple boroughs, each one offering something entirely different.

Photo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia by Jeremy

A small, lesser-known town on the east coast with an immense amount of charm. The beaches are breathtaking and the views I was lucky enough to witness were some of the best I’ve evern seen. Yamba is also known, within the right crowds, to provide some of the best surf on the east coast. Most other people just haven’t heard that yet. Be sure to sign up for ‘Shanes Ten-Buck Tour’ at the local YHA hostel.

Photo of Yamba, New South Wales, Australia by Jeremy

A party town and a beautiful beach make this a great stop for backpackers. Be prepared to spend some money on a few blurry nights!

Photo of Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia by Jeremy

Very touristy but it’s a must visit. Lots of shopping and beach bodies everywhere. Despite its name, there are better places along the coast to surf.

Photo of Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Great nights out in Fortitude Valley, and enjoy a ride up the river. Culture abounds in Brisbane, too, making it a must-see destination in Australia.

Photo of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

A small, quaint town offering magnificent views, some really nice hikes and loads of boutiques along the esplanade. The beach here was one of my favorites.

Photo of Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Be sure to do a 4WD tour of Fraser Island. Spend three days and two nights driving along the beach, through the water and over obstacles with a group of seven others in your vehicle. The tour companies provide you with menus, food, tents and every other necessity. Definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

Photo of Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Whitehaven Beach is a beach unlike any you’ve ever seen before. A cruise through the islands will take you there and possibly elsewhere, depending on the vessel. You can dive or snorkel along the way, creating a fulfilling experience. I’d recommend a smaller boat with fewer people–larger boats become more commercialized and a bit less personal.

Photo of Whitsunday Island, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

A tiny little island (seven minutes from end-to-end on a scooter) off the coast of Townsville. Some fantastic hiking and walks, remnants of World War II barracks and a beautiful beach made this one of my favorite stops along the way!

Photo of Magnetic Island, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Stop by Mission Beach if you’re interested in skydiving. It’s one of the only places you can land on the beach and the views from 14,000 feet in the air are spectacular!

Photo of Mission Beach, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Backpacker central! There’s lots to do from Cairns but not much to do in Cairns. It’s the jump-off point for diving on the Great Barrier Reef as well as other day trips to surrounding areas like Kuranda and the Atherton Tablelands.

Photo of Cairns, Queensland, Australia by Jeremy

Frequent Searches Leading To This Page:-

top australia tour package with price, cheapest australia tour package, australia tour packages from india, australia tour packages from ahmedabad, cost for 7 day trip to australia