Top 10 things to do on Australia's east coast

#1

Discover wildlife at Kangaroo Island

A wildlife-rich rural island off South Australia, Kangaroo Island is one of the best places in the country to see Australia's animals genuinely in their natural habitat rather than behind glass. You'll spot kangaroos, of course, but also sea lions and fur seals along the shore, koalas dozing in the trees, and wombats moving across the ground. After dark, penguins stir, bats take to the sky, and possums slip through the bush. There's excellent outdoor recreation too – wildlife tours, quad biking, surfing, and exploring the dramatic Flinders Chase National Park, home to the Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch.

#2

Quaff wine at Hunter Valley

For wine lovers – or the wine-curious – Hunter Valley is hard to beat. It sits around three hours' drive north of Sydney, making it a natural stop on a road trip, and it's one of Australia's oldest wine regions, home to over 150 wineries and best known for Semillon and Shiraz. Many offer free tastings, and you'll find everything from small boutique producers to larger commercial operations. There's also an olive centre and a chocolate company here, so it's not all about the wine. My tip: stay a couple of nights and hire a bike to cycle between cellar doors rather than trying to drive it all in an afternoon.

Our guide to day trips from Sydney covers Hunter Valley in more detail, including specific wineries worth seeking out.

#3

Surf at Byron Bay

Surfing is close to essential while you're in Australia, and Byron Bay's laid-back, sun-soaked energy makes it the place to do it. There's a beach for every level here, and plenty of places in town to rent a board or book a lesson. Clarkes Beach suits beginners well, The Pass works for surfers of most abilities, and Wategos is the pick for longboarders. If Byron's buzz gets a bit much, Tallow Beach stretches 7km south of Cape Byron and offers a much quieter alternative.

Explore our Byron Bay & The North Coast holidays for more.

#4

Drive the Great Ocean Road

If you're self-driving or touring by campervan, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world's truly great drives – officially a 243km (150-mile) stretch of National Heritage-listed road running between Torquay and Warrnambool, hugging the Victorian coastline the whole way. The single biggest mistake I see people make is rushing it. Give it proper time.

Start at Apollo Bay, a great spot to learn to surf with a lovely seaside feel, then drive through Great Otway National Park beneath towering old eucalypts – there are countless hikes here if you want to stretch your legs further. Everyone talks about the full 150-mile stretch, but it's really only about a 20-mile section leading up to Port Campbell where the iconic photos happen – the Twelve Apostles, those imposing limestone stacks rising out of the sea. Koalas are genuinely easy to spot in the gum trees along the way, especially near Kennett River. Stop off at Port Fairy, full of quaint 19th-century cottages, and don't miss Cape Otway Lighthouse, Australia's oldest. If you want to slow right down, the Great Ocean Walk runs 64 miles from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles. No car? Plenty of organised day tours cover the road there and back.

See our Great Ocean Road holidays or read my full drive guide for more detail.

#5

See street art and markets in Melbourne

Melbourne is a brilliant city for wandering without much of a plan. Take a walking tour to see the famous laneway street art, kayak the Yarra River, ride a tram out to St Kilda beach, or simply settle into one of the city's countless coffee shops or rooftop bars. The Queen Victoria Market is a must – local produce, a fish hall, a deli, and a fast food area, plus Wednesday night markets with food stalls, bars and live music from November through February.

For something different, Phillip Island makes a great day trip, home to the famous penguin parade, a seal colony, and some decent surf beaches too.

See our Melbourne holidays for ideas on building this into your trip.

#6

Go whale watching

Humpback whales migrate along this coast from around late July to early November each year, resting in Hervey Bay with their newborn calves on the way south to Antarctica. Whale watching was genuinely one of my favourite experiences in Australia – watching a mother and calf breach at the same moment is not something I've forgotten. Hervey Bay is the best base for booking a trip, with plenty of reputable operators to choose from; the company I went out with was involved in whale research themselves, which made a real difference to how much we learned along the way. Expect tail slapping, fin slapping and breaching, often surprisingly close to the boat.

#7

Get lost on K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island)

The world's largest sand island, K'Gari is only accessible by 4WD, and I'd genuinely recommend staying at least one night if you can – there's simply too much to fit into a day trip. Drive along Seventy-Five Mile Beach, swim in the startlingly clear waters of Lake McKenzie, visit the rusting Maheno shipwreck, and walk through rainforest to Lake Wabby, the island's deepest lake. Climb Indian Head for sweeping coastal views, or trek the towering dunes at Hammerstone Sandblow. Keep an eye out for dingoes too – K'Gari is home to what's considered Australia's purest wild dingo population.

Full details on our K'Gari holidays page.

#8

Sail the Whitsunday Islands

The Whitsundays are a collection of 74 islands scattered through the turquoise waters of the Coral Sea, fringing the Great Barrier Reef. You can visit on anything from a single day trip with multiple stops to a multi-day sail, depending on your time. I did a day trip myself, taking in Whitsunday Island with a stop at Whitehaven Beach and a guided walk up to the lookout – the dazzling white silica sand against that blue water is something photos genuinely don't do justice.

My trip also stopped at Langford Island, where a narrow sand spit appears out of the sea at low tide – a great spot for photos and a bit of snorkelling before moving on.

Explore our Great Barrier Reef & Whitsundays holidays or read more in our guide to exploring the Whitsunday Islands.

#9

Explore Cairns

Cairns is your best base for reaching the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches over 2,300km (roughly 1,400 miles) along the Queensland coast – there's an enormous amount to discover. Boats leave the harbour daily, whether you want to dive, snorkel, or simply sail out and sunbathe. My honest tip: book a full day trip out to the outer reef rather than an inshore option – the water clarity and coral colour out there are on another level.

If you want the reef and rainforest from a totally different angle, a tandem skydive over Cairns is extraordinary – 60 seconds of freefall from 14,000 feet is genuinely one of the best adrenaline hits I've had anywhere in the world.

Back on land, the Kuranda Scenic Railway climbs the Macalister Range to the rainforest village of Kuranda, crossing bridges and cutting through tunnels with views over waterfalls and mountains along the way. Kuranda itself has good markets and a koala sanctuary worth a couple of hours. If you push further north to the Daintree Rainforest, you can zipline through the canopy, visit a working fruit farm, or take a 4WD tour into the forest.

Browse our Cairns & Port Douglas holidays to build the reef into your own itinerary.

#10

See the sights of Sydney

Sydney lives up to every expectation and then some. I still remember standing in front of the Opera House for the first time, genuinely struggling to believe I was actually there, with the Harbour Bridge looming beside it. Start with a stroll around Circular Quay – the Opera Bar next door to the Opera House is my go-to for a drink with unbeatable harbour views. From there, head to The Rocks, where markets run every Saturday and Sunday, plus a foodies' market on Fridays.

The best way to see the harbour itself is from the water: hop on the Manly ferry from Circular Quay with your camera ready. Manly rewards a wander too, with its shaded promenade and easy people-watching over an ice cream.

For something more adrenaline-fuelled, the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb is the perfect choice – nicknamed "The Coathanger," the summit sits 134 metres above the harbour and it takes 1,332 steps to get there, with dawn and twilight climb options available. It's not cheap, but the chance to stand atop one of the world's most recognisable bridges isn't something you get to do every day.

Round it off with some proper bronzing at Bondi Beach, just 15 minutes from the city centre, or tackle the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk for one of Sydney's best free experiences.

We build Sydney into nearly every east coast itinerary we design – see our full range of Sydney holidays to start planning your own.

Plan Your Own East Coast Adventure

Whichever combination of these you choose, my genuine recommendation is not to try to do it all in one trip – build in time to properly enjoy each stop rather than racing between them. My team and I put together itineraries covering the full route or just the highlights that matter most to you. Call us on 01342 310 580, browse our self-drive tours, our Ultimate Pacific Coast Sydney to Cairns itinerary, or current Australia deals, or request your free Australia travel guide to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive Sydney to Cairns?
Driving the full route takes around two to three weeks if you want to properly explore along the way rather than just passing through. I did it myself in just over two weeks and still didn't manage everything on this list – if your time is limited, flying between key hubs and driving shorter, scenic sections (like the Great Ocean Road) is a great compromise.

What's the best time of year for whale watching in Hervey Bay?
Humpback whales pass through Hervey Bay roughly from late July to early November each year as they migrate to and from Antarctica, often with newborn calves in tow. This window offers the most reliable sightings.

Do I need a 4WD to visit K'Gari (Fraser Island)?
Yes. There are no sealed roads on the island, so a 4WD is essential, whether you're self-driving or joining a guided tour. Most travellers join an organised tour with an experienced driver, particularly for beach driving, which has its own tidal timing considerations.

How long is the Great Ocean Road and how long does it take to drive?
The Great Ocean Road officially runs 243km (150 miles) between Torquay and Warrnambool. While it's technically possible to drive it in around four to five hours, we'd strongly recommend against rushing it – allow at least a full day, or two if you want to properly stop at the Twelve Apostles, Otway National Park and the coastal towns along the way.

Is it better to see the east coast by self-drive, coach, or flying between stops?
It depends on your time and appetite for driving. Self-driving gives you total flexibility to stop wherever catches your eye, but suits travellers with two weeks or more. Flying between hub cities lets you cover more distance in less time, while coach and rail options (or a mix of everything) work well for those who'd rather not drive at all. Many of our clients combine two or three of these across a single trip.