This east coast Australia road trip guide will include 14 amazing places to stop and some general travel tips!
Australia’s east coast is the perfect place for beach-lovers to complete an epic road trip.
Silky white sand and clear blue waters line pretty much the entire east coast, with dense forests and hills framing the charming surf towns that lie beside the ocean.
An east coast Australia road trip is easy to do on a budget! Especially if you save money on accommodation by camping or sleeping in the car.
Because Australia’s east coast is packed with beautiful beaches and hiking trails, most of the landscape can be enjoyed for free.
If you try and prepare most of your own meals using cheap ingredients from budget grocery stores like Aldi, petrol will be the biggest expense.
I recently completed this road trip with my boyfriend and it took about two weeks.
Shout-out to him for driving the entire way and showing me all these sick spots, he’s the best. Also shout-out to our friend Ryde for letting us use his van for this amazing trip.
So here is a brief outline of this east coast Australia road trip.
I’ll list all the places we stopped and highlight the best activities we did.
Since this article only stretches from Noosa to Sydney, I’ll link to some other articles about traveling in Australia.
For adventures further north, check out:
For things to do south of Sydney, check out:
For anyone interested in living and working in Australia, check out:
East Coast Australia Road Trip Guide (Noosa to Sydney)
This east coast Australia road trip guide will begin in Noosa and end in Sydney.
We slept in our van, so I don’t have too many recommendations for accommodation in the area.
So if you’re not sleeping in your car, check Hostelworld for the cheapest hostels along Australia’s east coast!
If you want to treat yourself, you can find a nice Airbnb as well.
Stop 1: Noosa
Noosa is crowded, but with good reason.
The rugged headland known as Noosa Heads juts out into the turquoise ocean, curving in and out to create enclosed beaches with perfectly shaped waves.
The town center exudes a feeling of luxury, with expensive restaurants and golden tea lights filling the vibrant streets.
Little lagoons twist through the city, all framed with modern mansions that reflect the wealth of the people who live here.
Favorite activities in Noosa:
- Hiking the Coastal Walk that snakes around Noosa Heads National Park
- Surfing on a longboard at Tea Tree Bay
- Enjoying the view from the Laguna Lookout
Travel Tip for Noosa:
If you want to learn how to surf in Australia, Noosa is a great place to learn.
The waves are clean, smooth, and small.
You can book a 2-hour surf lesson for $75 AUD (pretty cheap for Australia). Book your lesson here!
Stop 2: Kondalilla National Park
We found this gem of Southeast Queensland after driving from Noosa down to the Sunshine Coast, then venturing inland for some hiking.
Located in the Blackall Mountain Range, this rich forest is overflowing with some of the tallest, most majestic trees I’ve ever seen.
Favorite activity in Kondalilla:
Hike the 4.7km long Kondalilla Falls Circuit Track, which loops around a giant waterfall.
You can view the falls from afar and eventually get right up next to it at the bottom of the circuit.
Stop 3: Montville
The drive back from Kondalilla Falls towards Brisbane took us through the Gold Coast Hinterland, a hilly area of lush forest and charming villages.
Here we stumbled across Montville, one of the most adorable towns I’ve ever seen.
Sitting at 400m above sea level, the main street of Montville is packed to the brim with interesting shops, rustic architecture, and artistic cafes.
Favorite Activity in Montville:
- Browsing through the handmade crafts and unique gifts sold in the shops
- Stopping at a cafe for a fresh pie afterward
Stop 4: Brisbane
We only stopped in Brisbane briefly to catch up with a friend.
But I’ve been here before and wanted to mention it due to its central location on this road trip.
This thriving city is the capital of Queensland, and its large size means it’s full of sightseeing and nightlife.
Read my article “22 Fun Things To Do In Brisbane” for more inspiration!
Favorite Activity in Brisbane:
- Exploring the Riverside Markets on Sunday, open from 7am – 3pm
- Strolling along the South Bank for lovely views and nice places to eat
- Visiting the Epicurious Gardens for local produce
Travel Tip for Brisbane:
Stradbroke Island is supposed to be amazing and I wish we had the chance to go there. The same goes for Moreton Island.
If you have time, I recommend taking a day trip to one of Brisbane’s surrounding islands. Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island are both beautiful!
Stop 5: Burleigh Heads
After driving through the Gold Coast, we felt a bit overwhelmed by the crowds and lights of the big city.
We decided to camp a bit further south in the suburb known as Burleigh Heads.
We spent three days here because we loved it so much!
Right next to the main beach is a long stretch of running/walking track and plenty of grassy space for fitness and picnics.
The waves are fun and the small national park on the headland has an easy, enjoyable walking trail.
Right next to the beach is a big park and campground with instant hot water and barbecues.
Favorite Activity in Burleigh Heads:
At the northern end of the running track, there is a small, steep hill that leads to a wonderful lookout.
You can see Burleigh Heads to the south, and the skyscrapers of the Gold Coast to the north.
Stop 6: Rainbow Bay
Just a quick 20-minute drive south of Burleigh Heads lies Rainbow Bay, a gorgeous collection of beaches boasting great waves and picturesque scenery.
We only hung out here for an afternoon. But it’s a great spot for anyone who wants to surf, swim, or soak in the sun.
Favorite Activity in Rainbow Bay:
Hike the short coastal walk from Snapper Rocks to the grassy hill that overlooks Duranbah Beach.
Then chill out here and watch all the good surfers ride the pumping waves.
Stop 7: Lamington National Park
Located about an hour inland from the Gold Coast, the landscape here is truly incredible.
Steep winding roads allow you to climb higher and higher over the sprawling greenery below.
I have to thank my friend from Brisbane for taking us here. Our van would have struggled on those uphill hairpin turns.
Favorite Activity in Lamington National Park:
Hiking to Moran Falls and watching the sunset over the valley from the top of the waterfall.
Stop 8: Byron Bay
This trendy hipster town is crowded with cool shops, great food, and stunning beaches.
The coastal walk to the Lighthouse is perfect for viewing all the natural beauty that thrives on the outskirts of the busy town center.
On this walk, I noticed the effort that the community here makes to protect the environment, with recycling bins and cigarette disposal stands scattered everywhere.
There are also lots of little signs educating people about the whales and dolphins that live near the area, showing respect for the local wildlife.
Favorite Activity in Byron Bay:
Byron Bay was lovely, but my favorite part about this stop was actually driving 30 minutes out of town to Killen Falls.
We stood in the cave behind this amazing waterfall while the rain poured outside.
Travel Tips for Byron Bay:
If you have lots of time in Byron Bay, there are so many fun activities to do.
You can go on a sea kayaking tour, go skydiving, or even go on a full-day wildlife safari.
Byron Bay is another popular place for learning how to surf. Book your surf lesson here!
Stop 9: Iluka
For a bit of peace and quiet after Byron Bay, Iluka was perfect.
This tiny seaside village has a soothing atmosphere. The Iluka Nature Reserve has plenty of walking tracks for enjoying the serenity of nature.
Favorite Activity in Iluka:
Practicing my sports photography skills while Matt surfed amazing waves at the Breakwall.
Stop 10: Crescent Head
Though Crescent Head was pretty crowded on the weekend we visited, the crystal clear water and endless sunshine made the trip worth it.
We were perfectly content just relaxing here; reading on the grass, swimming in the waves, and collecting shells on the beach.
Favorite Activity in Crescent Head:
Walking up to the small headland at sunset is stunning.
Also be sure to walk up to the bigger headland to enjoy the view of the whole campsite.
Stop 11: Forster
Located in mid-north New South Wales, Forster is yet another coastal town with rich national parks neighboring the rippling waves of the Pacific.
Popular beaches here include Boomerang Beach and Bluey’s Beach.
There are plenty of campsites in Booti Booti National Park, some with hot showers.
Favorite Activity in Forster:
Watching the sunrise over the glassy surface of Wallis Lake.
Stop 12: Seal Rocks
Just south of Forster, we made a quick stop in the little settlement known as Seal Rocks.
This town is super small, so when we stopped for a swim in a little fishing area we had the whole beach to ourselves.
Favorite Activity in Seal Rocks:
Taking a short, shady walk up to Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse and listening to kookaburras sing along the way.
Stop 13: Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a quiet town with a harbor, beaches, mountains, nature reserves, and more.
It’s also one of the best places for whale watching during the winter months of May to November. Other fun activities include sandboarding, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, hiking, and eating fresh seafood.
Read next: 12 Amazing Things To Do In Port Stephens
Favorite Activity in Port Stephens:
Hiking up to the Tomaree Head Mountain Summit for sunrise. The hike takes less than an hour and the views are insane!
Stop 14: Newcastle
The second biggest city in NSW, Newcastle is known for its busy harbor and amazing beaches.
We hung out around the beach the whole time, so I can’t say much about what goes on inside the city.
But the two beaches I enjoyed most are the huge Merewether Beach and the quieter Nobby’s Beach.
Favorite Activity in Newcastle:
Walking along the raised platform of the Memorial Walk.
This walkway has plaques and images that commemorate Australian soldiers who fought in past wars. The view of the city and ocean below is stunning.
Stop 14: Sydney
Sydney is pretty close to home for us, so we actually didn’t stop in Sydney at all.
But for other travelers, I think the best part of Sydney is by far the beaches. The popular Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk is definitely not to be missed.
The Sydney Opera House and Botanic Gardens are classic sights right in the city center, and Newtown is a trendy area of the city great for shopping.
Chinatown has cheap and delicious food, and Darling Harbor is nice for a harborside stroll.
Check out this article about the best things to do in Sydney!
☼ ☼ ☼
That concludes my east coast Australia road trip guide!
Before traveling to Australia…
- Visit iVisa.com to get your tourist visa online!
- I also recommend getting affordable travel insurance at Squaremouth Insurance! I’ve always had a great experience with them! (Read my Budget Traveler’s Guide To Travel Insurance for more info on that topic!)
- Interested in living and working in Australia?? Check out my Ultimate Guide To Working Holiday Visas In Australia (First and Second Year).
☼ ☼ ☼
For more inspiration about things to do on Australia’s east coast, check out these articles:
NSW South Coast Road Trip Guide
15 Best Things To Do In Wollongong
Sydney to Melbourne Road Trip: The Ultimate Travel Guide
This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about this in my About Me page!
