A 4 Week Backpacker’s Itinerary
17 Minute Read
If you’re researching a trip to the east coast of Australia but don’t know where to go, don’t worry, I’ve created this list to help. Using this Australia travel guide, you should be able to take these tips and piece together an itinerary that suits you! This route seems to be on the bucket list of every backpacker and it’s easy to see why. It has the perfect mix of surfing beaches, atmospheric hostels, sunny weather, vibrant bars, and unforgettable activities.
Just to clarify, I’m only going to cover locations between Sydney and Cairns as I consider this to be the “main” route that most people do. However – farther south – places like Melbourne, Jervis Bay, Canberra, the Great Ocean Road, Tasmania, and Victoria, are all fantastic locations too. But that’s for another post. For now, here’s what’s included in this 4 week east coast Australia travel guide:
- How to Get Around
- Food & Drink Advice
- If You Have 4 Weeks
- If You Have 5-6 Weeks
- Overrated
1. How to Get Around
As just mentioned, the most common route is to start in Sydney and then head north, up the coast, before flying back from Cairns. Don’t underestimate the size of Australia, this is no small distance. In fact, it’s the equivalent of driving from London to Casablanca. To conquer this enormous route, there are three main travel options I’d recommend:
- The easiest option is the hop on hop off Greyhound bus. Some of the passes might seem expensive, but it’s incredibly convenient and gives you a lot of flexibility. Also, when considering the distance you cover it’s really not so bad!
- The second option, if there are a few of you, is to rent a camper van. You save money on hostels, and it’s the most incredible freedom being in complete control of your itinerary. But – and this is a big but – it’s a hefty task to drive all that way, so don’t take it too lightly. Hippie Camper is a popular choice for rental. You could also look into buying one from Gumtree (but there’s less security in that)!
- The third option is to post adverts on rideshare groups on Facebook or online websites like coseats. I haven’t done this myself but I have experience with hitchhiking and ridesharing in other countries. As always: stay vigilant, go in pairs, keep your valuables close, and let others know where you’re going! I’ve never had any problems and it’s usually a cheap and fun way of getting around but there’s no harm in being cautious! The downside of ridesharing is that there are no guarantees of a lift so don’t rely on this if you’re short for time.
2. Food & Drink Advice
If you’re going to Aus, you’re going to have BBQs, and lots of them. The Australian’s are mad for their BBQs and love nothing more than grilling meat or fish sat by the sea with an esky* full of beers. Plenty of the beaches have permanent grills by the waterfront that the public can use for free as long as you bring your own food. Definitely take advantage of this!
*An esky is what the Australian’s call a drinks cooler.
Want some groceries to cook in the hostel or snacks for a day-trip? Coles and Woolworths (or Wollys as the Aussie’s call it) have an amazing selection of food and drink choices for good value. If you want to try some “classic” Aussie snacks then get the following: Tim Tams (biscuits), pies (often found in a hot section), beef jerky (they eat a lot of beef in Australia), Vegemite (a jar goes a long way on bread/crackers). Fast food is also common in Aus and you won’t struggle to find a McDonalds, Subway, or Dominoes somewhere if you’re feeling particularly gluttonous.
If your budget is less restricted then you should try some of the ample fresh seafood available at bar/grills, fish & chip shops, and restaurants all along the coast. Outside of Sydney however, these backpacker destinations won’t have quite the same range of culinary opportunities so get your fill at the start while you can.
For drinks, get prepared for the sack of wine found up the whole east coast called goon. It’s equally revered and feared by many a traveller. The quality ranges from mediocre to poor, but you’ll pay so little for it you won’t care. Other common beers you’ll come across are XXXX, Tooheys and Victoria Bitter (aka VB) – which I think is the best of the three.
Be prepared as alcohol prices are very high in Australia, hence why most people opt for goon. To buy alcohol you need to find certain liquor stores such as Liquorland and Bottle-o (saying that name in an over-exaggerated Aussie accent always makes me laugh). They are often tucked away inside large supermarkets, or in their own separate stores. Maddeningly, and in the last place you would ever expect to find selling alcohol, some can be found at a drive-thru. Yep, you read that right. A drive-thru liquor store. Only in Australia.
If you want to treat yourself One Fifty Lashes Pale Ale is one of my favourite beers and you can only find it in Australia (that I’m aware of). It’s amazing on tap so keep an eye out for the draft label when you’re at a bar.
3. If You Have 4 Weeks
Sydney
The most famous Australian city that most people mistakenly assume to be the capital (it’s not, Canberra is). An incredible city and a great place to start your east coast trip. There’s an amazing combo of iconic sites, world-renown beaches, delicious seafood restaurants, and cool bars.
In terms of things to do, the list is pretty extensive. To get you started, below are a few of the main ones that I recommend! But I’m only going to cover this area briefly so if you want a more extensive guide on Sydney and further info on the places listed, then check out my full Sydney Travel guide here:
TOP SITES
- Sydney Opera House
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Taronga Zoo
- Circular Quay
- Manly
- Watson’s Bay & Hornby Lighthouse
- Coogee to Bondi walk
IF YOU HAVE TIME
- Sydney Sea Life Aquarium
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- North Head
- Sydney Fish Market
- Barrenjoey Lighthouse & Palm beach
Byron Bay
Passionately loved by many a backpacker, it’s the east coast’s most popular hippy paradise. A really cool area with loads of chilled hostels and bars. You could easily spend a week here drinking schooners* at the incredible Stone & Wood Brewery, lounging in hammocks, surfing, and having beach BBQs. It’s that sort of place. If you want to do a surf camp then this is one of the best places on the east coast to do it (you’ll find multiple surf shops along the streets by the beachfront or lots of hostels offer lessons directly).
* a very common measurement for beer glasses (450ml) you find on the east coast, and indeed throughout all of Australia.
One of the main highlights in Byron is the lighthouse walk. The views along the coastline are outstanding and on a clear day, you might even get to see sharks and whales (depending on the time of year) swimming in the shallows below.
SIDE TRIP – to the curious town of Nimbin. Lots of companies offer day tours from Byron including stopping off at a waterfall on the way, but it’s hard to really tell why you would want to go there. It’s only a small area and consists of not more than a few souvenir shops and some Aboriginal art galleries. Other than that there isn’t too much to see. But there is another reason traveller’s go… there’s a common myth floating amongst backpackers on the east coast about this curious little town. So I’m going to be completely transparent and say it: the only reason people go to Nimbin is to buy Cannabis/Marijuana/Weed/Bud/Dank whatever you want to call it. For some reason – that I haven’t quite figured out – it appears to be semi-legal to sell in this town. So if that’s what you’re looking for, now you know.
I do have to follow this up with a warning. Marijuana is still illegal throughout Australia, so if you do want to go there then do so at your own risk. I am also not advocating the use of drugs I just want to give you my honest view on what’s available to let you decide for yourself!
Noosa
Other than the big names of Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef, and Byron Bay, Noosa often ranks very high on traveller’s lists of their favourite east coast destinations and it’s easy to see why. There’s a stunning national park packed with amazing coastal walks and a set of beautiful views from Noosa headland. Not to mention, more incredible surfing on a great range of beaches and a scenic lagoon.
You’ll be wanting to spend a few days here at least. Make sure you explore the coastline for its hidden beaches, the Fairy Pools, and the multitude of coastal lookouts. It’s a great place to relax, swim, surf and soak up the sun.
Fraser Island
The world’s largest sand island stretching over 120km and my favourite spot on the whole of the east coast. Where the water is so brimming with sharks and rays that you’re not actually allowed to swim in the sea. Where wild dingos* skitter along the bleached beaches in the moonlight. A place filled with adventure, nature, and a fascinating cultural history (and unfortunately, a devastating colonial one)!
*They’re actually considered to be such a nuisance that you’re repeatedly told to keep your tents shut to prevent them from rummaging through your belongings for food.
The only way to really see the island is on a 3-day 2-night tour. The most common route is to get picked up at Rainbow Beach and dropped off at Hervey Bay. Some routes go from Noosa depending on the company you book with. I went with Drop Bear, who I highly recommend. Their tour guides were excellent, everything was well organised and I had an awesome experience overall. Don’t try and be one of those people who thinks they can rent a car and drive it by yourself. I know multiple people who tried this and found it tiring/stressful, or didn’t have a proper off-road vehicle and got stuck in the sand wrecking their cars. It’s not worth the risk, and in any case, the tours are a big part of the overall journey for a backpacker.
The top highlights include swimming in the crystal clear Eli Creek, jumping into the aptly named Champagne Pools (for their foaming bubbling waves), and floating in the stunning sapphire waters of Lake Mckenzie. Not to mention the endless goon parties around the campfire, driving a 4×4 along the beach, and all the wildlife you will see in this outdoor paradise. It’s such a special place and will undoubtedly be one of your east coast highlights.
Whitsundays
Home to Whitehaven Beach: a beach so pure that NASA uses its sands to make the glass in their telescopes. This is made possible due to the extremely high silica content that makes glass of extraordinary quality. You’re told that it’s illegal for you to take any. Which always confused me because why the hell would anyone want to take sand from a beach. The only reason I now want to take it is because you’ve told me not to.
To get the best out of the Whitsundays you need to go on a boat tour, usually 2-day 2-night, starting from Airlie Beach. There are a range of boats you can go on with different atmospheres depending on whether you’re looking more to party (hot tubs and drinking games etc) or more hoping for a relaxing time (star-gazing, swimming with turtles, etc). Atlantic Clipper is a common name as it’s one of the biggest party boats. But the sizes and types vary with some of them offering a bit of both so you can choose what suits you!
The main highlight of the trip as mentioned is Whitehaven beach, where you spend a day walking to the viewpoint and along the stunning white beaches. I was lucky enough to swim with turtles in the seagrass on my trip, but I know people who didn’t see any or they were too hungover to wake up and missed out. It’s all pretty variable but once you get to the hostels you can see what everyone else is up to and book the same as them. It’s always easier to figure things out on the ground, and that’s what travelling’s about!
Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef
Since your school days, I’m sure you’ve been dreaming of the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a magical world-renown wonder of nature that seems to be on everyone’s “To See Before You Die” list. And it doesn’t disappoint. If you want to do a diving or snorkelling trip anywhere on the east coast, this is the place. But if you’re looking to do your Open Water qualification, be warned, the prices are eye-wateringly high compared to other areas in South East Asia or Indonesia. But I believe what you see in those waters you’ll likely remember for the rest of your life. And when you think about it like that I reckon it’s more than worth the money.
I did mine with Pro Dive Cairns and that was a 5 day PADI Open Water qualification that included a 3-day 2-night live onboard boat where you do 9 dives including a night dive. It was unbelievable, but it smashed my budget to pieces. I managed to get a discount as I booked a package with my Fraser Island and Whitsundays tours at a YHA in Byron Bay. Having said that, I always knew I wanted to go diving and I’d allocated money for this big expense. This could be something to bear in mind if you are desperate to go too!
A nice compromise is to do a snorkelling trip for a much cheaper price. However, these are usually on big boats and they don’t go as far out into the reef so it won’t be as pristine. Unfortunately, due to Climate Change and mass bleaching events the reef is in critical condition. Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to any rules when on the boats (no touching or taking coral, no littering, etc) and expect to pay a premium for the entry fee to help protect the park!
The easiest place to access the reef is through Cairns. This is convenient as Cairns also has a sizeable airport for you to fly back from, marking it a good point to end your trip. As for the city itself, Cairns doesn’t have too much else on offer and unfortunately, it’s struggled for years with a neglected and impoverished Aborigine population. So sadly, you should expect to see quite a few homeless Aborigines on the streets.
If you’re looking for a night out then the huge party hostel Gilligan’s will more than fulfil your hedonistic desires. During the days most people hang out by the Esplanade Lagoon having picnics and soaking up the sun. Other than that almost all the backpackers are on snorkelling or diving trips!
4. If You Have 5-6 Weeks
Coffs Harbour
I don’t want to oversell this place because it’s one of those areas that some people like and others don’t. But I had a great time there and I thought it was worth mentioning. That’s just how travelling goes; sometimes you have an amazing time in one spot due to some specific set of reasons and then another person going to the same place doesn’t have the same experience. It’s not always easy to predict!
Coff’s Harbour doesn’t have the most beautiful beach on the east coast, but it’s a great place to chill out for a few days. Rent a paddleboard and head up the lagoon, go harbour jumping from the pontoon, or take a walk to the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve. You can even rent a car and go see wild kangaroos roaming in the valleys nearby!
Magnetic Island
If you’re planning on stopping at Townsville, then you should seriously consider a trip to Magnetic Island. It’s a chance to stay in jungle-style lodges on the beach, to drive “barbie cars” along palm-fringed coast roads, and to spend your days snorkelling, lounging in hammocks, and searching for wild koalas.
To get there, hop on a Sealink Queensland passenger ferry or book with Magnetic Island Ferries if you have a vehicle. Find your way to the Breakwater Ferry Terminal, and in 20 minutes you’ll be on Magnetic Island!
Cape Tribulation & Daintree
By the time you get up past Cairns, you’re so far north that things begin to turn tropical. Resulting in the stunning Daintree Rainforest! Most people come up here for bird watching, nature walks, and the general experience of being in a jungle ecosystem. It just goes to show the immense range of habitats Australia has on offer.
Most people head north from Cairns and spend a few days in Cape Tribulation and/or Daintree National Park before heading back to Cairns and flying on to your next destination from there!
Blue Mountains National Park
A surprisingly overlooked area considering how beautiful it is. You can hop on a train at Central Station in Sydney and be in Katoomba in under 2 hours. All hikes and walks into the National Park start in Katoomba, which is the hub for hostels and bars (Station Bar does great pizza and beers – a good selection of classic rock music too). I recommend you do 2 separate day hikes to get the most out of the area.
The main site is the incredible view from Echo Point of the Three Sisters. Which is upon a cliff-top looking down into the forested valleys below. Most people only go to this and have a short walk around the main viewpoint, which I think is a huge waste of an opportunity! My advice is to do a full loop walk down into the canyon via the Giant Stairway. You then follow the Scenic Walkway along the forest floor before trudging up a large set of steps to reach the top again. There are multiple routes to take depending on how long you want to walk for (Golden Stairs and Furber Steps). Alternatively, if your legs are too tired, you can hop on the Scenic World funicular to race you back up!
5. Overrated
Surfer’s Paradise
Here we have one of the most successful urban rebranding projects I think I’ve ever come across. Every person I’ve ever met who is planning their east coast trip stops off here. Despite the fact that it is neither otherworldly for surfing nor a paradise. Not when compared to the other locations in Australia anyway. The area is essentially a cluster of skyscrapers with a long concrete esplanade pushed up onto an artificial-looking beach. It has a Miami-esque feel to it and when you come across the other incredible beaches Australia is famous for, you’ll agree it’s hardly worth a visit.
Surfer’s does, however, have a good night out. So if you’re adamant on seeing it for yourself then you’ll likely have a fun couple of nights on the town. But otherwise, skip this spot and spend the rest of your trip at the other locations mentioned.
Brisbane
Did you come to Australia to go to the cities? No, of course you didn’t. Other than Sydney I really wouldn’t advise you to spend any time in the big urban settlements. As Brisbane is about a third of the way up the coast it seems like a logical place to stop. But in all honesty, there isn’t that much interesting going on there for backpackers. The city itself is nice enough and I don’t mean to slander it. I just think considering most traveller’s are short on time, it’s not a spot you need to stop off at!
Before You Go!
Thanks for reading my Australia travel guide, I hope you’ve found the tips and advice useful 😄! If you have any other questions or want to know more, please feel free to comment below.
Another big thank you to my family for helping with photos and extra tips. Between us, we have years of knowledge gathered from all over the country and it’s been a joy sharing that experience together.
For those of you who are unaware and want to get involved in the online backpacking network, I’ve opened a new twitter account where I post a lot of book reviews and links to some of these blogs. It’s also a good opportunity for you to engage with everything related to travelling as I’ll be sharing and retweeting exciting updates from all areas of this community 👌🏼. Check out the link below!
As always, happy travels!
