A backpacking journey alongside Australia’s east coast is an unforgettable, breathtaking expertise, however how are you aware what to see and do in such an unlimited space? Nicely, listed below are 10 superb issues it’s essential to do in your East Coast tour.
Should you tour the east coast of Australia, you will note many seashores. It’s about 3,000 km from Sydney to Cairns, and alongside the Pacific Freeway you could have stunning white sand seashores and clear blue water. However there’s rather more to the East Coast than simply fabulous seashores. We have picked out 10 superb issues to do in your East Coast tour.
1. Strive a brand new exercise
Aussies love the outside and spend their free time having enjoyable. A tour of Stray’s east coast is the proper method to attempt a brand new sport or exercise.
You’ll be able to’t go to Australia with out browsing. We have hit nice browsing locations reminiscent of Sydney, Byron Bay (the place we keep at The Surf Home, with free surfboard rent) and the enduring Surfer’s Paradise. There are seashores with massive waves for knowledgeable surfers, and seashores like Bargara Seashore which have excellent situations for inexperienced persons.
Wager you’ve got by no means tried sandboarding? You’ll be able to in your east coast tour. Go to Stockton Sand Dunes close to Port Macquarie, the biggest sand dunes within the southern hemisphere. Earlier than you already know it you may be whizzing by means of the dunes on a chunk of wooden! Again on the water you’ll be able to snorkel – the Woman Musgrave Island tour is nice – or kayak. Our excursions provide the likelihood to kayak within the everglades at Noosa and on lakes in Atherton Tablelands simply south of Cairns. And with all that ocean on the east coast, there’s the chance to go crusing – however extra on that later.
For thrill seekers, there’s the possibility to go skydiving over Noosa, or throw your self off a 50m tower strapped to a rubber band! The bungee soar and big swing at AJ Hackett’s Skypark Cairns is the place for adrenaline junkies.
For many who favor to maintain their toes on the bottom, there are heaps of nice strolling and mountaineering trails alongside the East Coast. The lookouts at Tomaree Head, Noosa Heads and Niigi Niigi (Sealy Level) are highlights.
2. Get a style of the East Coast throughout your tour
Australia’s east coast is a foodie’s paradise. With a diversified number of bars and eating places, there are many alfresco eateries alongside the coast, contemporary seafood and a variety of vegetarian and vegan choices. Try our information to vegan eating places in Byron Bay.
Additionally attempt some wine and cheese tasting on the planet well-known Hunter Valley. Should you solely attempt one wine, make it a dry, refreshing Semillon. Do not miss the well-known Bundaberg rum and ginger ale and take a look at Brisbane’s vibrant espresso tradition. Lastly, Queensland’s craft beer scene can be price sampling (or two) in your east coast tour.
3. Metropolis life
In addition to touring alongside the coast, you will even have the possibility to discover three of Australia’s largest cities. No go to to Australia is full with out a go to to Sydney, one of many largest cities on the planet. Two of our East Coast excursions begin in Sydney, so do not miss the Opera Home, Harbor Bridge and Darling Harbour, in addition to the enduring Bondi Seashore. Try 30 free issues to do in Sydney.
Brisbane is a metropolis of artwork and tradition with a vibrant meals scene. The Brisbane River meanders by means of the town, however may be reached on foot or by boat or ferry. Do not miss the museums and botanical gardens throughout your go to.
Cairns, with its tropical local weather, dwelling to an enormous saltwater lagoon and with its vibrant nightlife, is the gateway to exploring the Nice Barrier Reef.
4. Occasion, social gathering!
Should you’re searching for nice nightlife, you will not solely discover it within the cities. There are many bars and golf equipment in your east coast tour, particularly in Noosa and Airlie Seashore. We even have our personal events: pizza nights and barbies in Port Stephens, Bundaberg and Yungaburra. A number of the locations we keep are excellent for a celebration: there is a pool bar at Bounce Noosa and dwell music and a nightclub at Gilligan’s Cairns. So let’s get this social gathering began!
5. Loosen up with a small city vibe
Along with the three main cities above, there are a variety of fascinating smaller cities that it is best to positively go to in your east coast tour. The previous arty, hippie city of Bellingen is price a go to. Do you know that the church was the inspiration for a Booker Prize-winning novel? Mullumbingy promotes itself as ‘The Largest Little City in Australia’ and has a way of cool calm in its sub-tropical setting within the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales. It is also dwelling to the Mullumbingy Chocolate Store – one other good cause to go to.
Shut by is Surfer’s Paradise, well-known for its high-rise skyline and pristine 2 miles of seaside. There are at all times surfers, swimmers and joggers round, so get entangled. After visiting Okay’gari (Fraser Island) a brief cease at Rainbow Seashore is worth it. The southern finish of this stunning 23 km lengthy seaside has sand in numerous colours, therefore the identify.
6. Study concerning the native tradition
Touring will not be solely a good time, but additionally studying, broadening your horizons and gaining experiences. Your tour of the East Coast gives you the chance to study extra concerning the indigenous tradition. Uncover historical customs of the “oral custom”, the place historical past, tradition and folklore are handed down from technology to technology by means of tales. Share the native respect for land and nature, perceive “Dreamtime”, an expression of creativity and using native crops.
A few of our Stray Excursions embody an Aboriginal cultural expertise at an necessary place of the Gumbaynggirr individuals, the place you not solely study extra about their tradition and historical past, but additionally play an element in holding their heritage alive.
7. Camp below the celebrities
One of many traditions of backpacking is tenting, positively one thing it is best to positively mix together with your hostels, inns and lodges. Three of our Stray Excursions embody a go to to Okay’gari or Fraser Island, the biggest sand island within the Southern Hemisphere. We keep 2 nights in a seaside camp and sleep below a starry sky near the seaside and the ocean. The camp additionally has its personal kitchen and terrace with views over the coast. Within the night it’s cozy across the campfire for an actual tenting expertise.
8. Set sail for an island
With loads of shoreline to discover, now’s the proper time to go crusing. Now we have unimaginable crusing expertise on a few of our East Coast Stray Excursions. Solid off on a 22-metre ocean crusing yacht to the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands.
You aren’t solely a sailor for a number of days, hoist the sails and switch the helm, you additionally actually dwell on board, swimming, snorkeling and crusing by means of the 74 islands. And when the solar goes over the backyard arm, it is time to watch the sundown with a sundowner in hand…
9. Get again to nature
Australia is a big nation with various microclimates and pure landscapes. Your east coast tour means you see extra than simply the seashores. Do not miss the Nationwide Park at Noosa, with rainforest and coast, and simply accessible from the town. Simply north you could have the possibility to go to one in every of solely two everglades on the planet – nice for exploring in a kayak.
Head inland from the east coast to absorb the Atherton Tableland area. See spectacular waterfalls with pure swimming pools for swimming and extinct volcanic crater lakes. A number of the Stray Excursions even embody a moonlit canoe experience on Lake Tinaroo to see probably the most unimaginable darkish skies and stargaze throughout the night time sky with no mild air pollution.
Lastly, it goes with out saying, however you additionally should expertise The Nice Barrier Reef. With greater than 3,000 particular person reef programs overlaying practically 345,000 sq. kilometers. It’s taller than the Nice Wall of China and the one residing factor on Earth seen from house. On a Stray Tour we keep in Bundaberg on the southern Nice Barrier Reef, and in Cairns with its snorkeling and crusing journeys to the reef.
10. Get to know the locals
Aussies are pleasant and enjoyable, and you may make a great deal of new pals in your East Coast Stray Tour. However it’s not simply concerning the individuals… one other factor it is best to do is get to know the native animals too!
At Port Stephens we keep in a hostel on 6 hectares of bushland with kangaroos and wallabies roaming freely. From Tomaree Head and Noosa Heads you is likely to be fortunate sufficient to see bottlenose dolphins, and even migrating humpback whales between Could and September.
You could see the koalas on the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie and learn the way they protect and rehabilitate Australia’s most beloved creature. At Bundaberg, not solely will you get the possibility to satisfy Bundy R. Bear (you will “bearly” imagine it!), however you will additionally meet the turtles at Mon Repos and possibly see these unimaginable creatures hatch.
A four-wheel drive safari on Okay’gari or Fraser Island means you’ll be able to spot quite a lot of wildlife, together with wild dingoes on the seaside. Beware although. Bear in mind these are wild animals, not cute canines that wish to have tickled ears.
Lastly, while you’re snorkeling or diving off Australia’s east coast, you notice the previous adage is true. There actually are so many fish within the sea!
Wherever you go in your tour of Australia, you’ll go to superb locations and luxuriate in unforgettable actions. You will additionally make pals for all times on a Stray Tour, and we hope you will expertise a few of our ten must-do issues collectively in your tour of the East Coast. You are certain to see and do extra on a Stray Tour than you’ll when driving by yourself by renting a automobile or RV. Try this comparability of a bus tour versus a self-driving street journey.
For extra inspiration, see our Best places to visit and destination guides.
As soon as you’ve got determined what you really want to do, try our decide of east coast Stray Tours. We’re certain there can be a number of that meet all of your wants and we hope to share these experiences with you quickly.
