Australia truly has it all: vibrant cities, breathtaking landscapes and the most unique animals. For many travelers, exploring Australia is a real bucket-list experience, and we’re here to help you get started. After spending five months traveling Down Under, we’re sharing our best tips and itineraries. On this road trip from Sydney to Cairns, you’ll experience the very best Australia has to offer, from the stunning Whitsunday beaches to spotting kangaroos and koalas in national parks and soaking up the laid-back surfer atmosphere. This travel itinerary is the ultimate Australia journey, and we guide you through the top sights to see in four weeks!
Everything you need to know before traveling to Australia
Australia is almost as large as Europe, a vast country that takes time to explore fully. Each region is completely different, yet wherever you go, you can’t go wrong. The Sydney to Cairns route is one of the most popular itineraries for backpackers, and it’s easy to travel by campervan or public transport. This itinerary guides you through some of Australia’s most varied highlights and is perfect for a first introduction to the country. Want to explore even more? At the end of this guide, we share the best options to extend or adjust your itinerary.
How to get around in Australia
The best way to get around Australia is undoubtedly by car or camper. This way you have the freedom to customize your own itinerary and also reach more remote places. By traveling around in a camper, you also have the freedom to camp and sometimes wake up in the most beautiful places, something that only adds to your travel experience. We found our camper through the platform ‘Camplify’ where individuals offer their home on wheels. For three months we lived in an campervan from ‘Open Road Campervans’ and we can only recommend it. Another option is to rent a car and travel around by tent or from hotel to hotel.
TRAVEL TIP: In Australia, they drive on the left. This takes some getting used to but there are plenty of roadside signs reminding you of this. In addition, you must be at least 21 years old to drive.
The travel itinerary from Sydney to Cairns can also be done just fine by public transport, which sets it apart from other parts of Australia. Here you have the Greyhound bus which runs between the main attractions. Almost all of the stops we mention here can also be reached by bus. Tickets are best bought in advance though as it is a popular travel route and keep in mind that sometimes you will be on the bus for a long time.
Where to stay along the east coast of Australia
Australia is a true camping country. All over the country you will find lotsof campsites as well as public barbecues, toilets and showers. Therefore, the best way to experience this amazing country, in our opinion, is with a camper! This way you will get to the most beautiful places and experience that typical laidback atmosphere that characterizes Australia. If you travel by car or Greyhound bus, you can stay in nice accommodations and have more space and comfort. At each stop we always give you the best options for both, so all you have to do is book! Keep in mind that in high season it can be very busy and you should book both accommodations and (popular) campsites in advance.
The ideal itinerary: Sydney to Cairns
Now that you know how you are going to get around, your dream trip can begin! As mentioned, Australia is huge and so with that comes the fact that some days you will have to travel a lot of distance. This is unavoidable but fortunately the landscapes along the way are always rewarding and you quickly get used to this. We have put this itinerary together so that you always have enough time in each place and it doesn’t feel rushed.
Day 1 – 4: Sydney
You start this itinerary in fabulous Sydney! Besides the iconic Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, there is a lot to do in this vibrant city. For example, don’t miss the Coogee to Bondi Walk where you pass beautiful beaches such as the world-famous Bondi Beach. Furthermore, the Royal Botanical Gardens and The Rocks district are also great fun to visit. End your days by watching the sunset from Observatory Hill or take a sunset dinner cruise. The latter is the perfect way to admire Sydney from the water!
Where to stay
- Campsite: We ourselves were at the campsite Discovery Parks – Lane Cove because of its easy access to downtown Sydney.
- Hotel: You may be arriving in Sydney after a very long flight. Treat yourself and stay at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Sydney with a view of the Opera House. Then again, a nice, budget-friendly option is Pacific House.
Day 4 – 5: Blue Mountains
+/- 100 km ● 1h30 drive
Today we leave the city behind and dive into the nature of Australia. The Blue Mountains National Park is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful national parks in Australia. Here you can hike endlessly where you should not miss the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Grand Canyon Track. There are also amazing viewpoints such as Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap, Echo Point and Lincoln’s Rock that are especially worth seeing during sunrise and sunset. The Blue Mountains are close to Sydney and can also be reached by train. It is also a very popular destination for Australians, so it can be a bit crowded on weekends.
Where to stay
- Camping: The great thing about the Blue Mountains is that you have wonderful campgrounds that are free too such as Old Ford Reserve, Blackheath Glen Reserve and Mount York Campground. Arriving on time is recommended if you want to secure a spot.
- Hotel: In the Blue Mountains, you have plenty of fun and unique accommodations. Both Kyah and Whispering Pine Cottages are two gems waiting to be discovered.
Day 5 – 6: Hunter Valley
+/- 320 km ● 4h drive
Those who love wine have come to the right place! Hunter Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in Australia where you have vast landscapes filled with vineyards. Not exceptionally, you may also see the occasional kangaroo jumping among the vineyards, so be sure to keep your eyes open. In this region you will find plenty of wineries where you can go for a tasting. Pepper Tree Wines, Hanging Tree Wines and Oakvale Wines are just a few of the many where you can do a tasting between $10 and $15 AUD. At some wineries, you can also order a cheese board or have a nice dinner. Enjoy your glass of wine while overlooking the vineyards, the ultimate vacation feeling!
Where to stay
- Camping: the number of campsites is unfortunately limited in this region but you can ask to stay on the parking lot of one of the wineries.
- Hotel: At The Carriages Boutique Hotel and Vineyard you sleep on a vineyard yourself and are within walking distance to visit other wineries.
Day 6 – 8: Port Macquarie
+/- 275 km ● 3h drive
The next stop on this Sydney to Cairns itinerary is the cozy surf town of Port Macquarie. This is the perfect place to take a surfing lesson yourself, something you can’t skip when traveling through Australia! In Port Macquarie you can follow a beautiful coastal walk that takes you along beaches and cliffs to the Tacking Point Lighthouse. Our highlight in Port Macquarie was visiting the Koala Hospital. This organization takes in koalas that are sick or injured and as a result can no longer (temporarily) live in the wild. Around Port Macquarie there is a good chance you will see a koala, but if you want to be 100% sure you can visit the Koala Hospital. Visiting is free, but you do support the organization by leaving a donation. If you want, you can even adopt a koala yourself!
Where to stay
- Camping: NRMA Port Macquarie is one of the better campgrounds in the town. For a free alternative, you have to drive farther away along the highway, but then you are far from the center.
- Hotel: There is no shortage of accommodations in Port Macquarie. So you have the cozy Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers or Mantra Quayside Port Macquarie if you like a little more luxury.
Day 8 – 9: Dorrigo National Park
+/- 170 km ● 2h drive
From the ocean we go deep into the rainforest: the Dorrigo National Park, a lesser-known national park that really surprised us. As you drive toward the park you will drive along the Waterfall Way scenic drive. As the name implies, along this highway you will find several waterfalls, each one even more impressive than the other. Ebor Falls, Dangar Falls and Crystal Shower Falls are the most famous. At the visitor center of Dorrigo National Park, you can follow the Wonga Walk. This beautiful 9 km walk takes you through the rainforest to behind a waterfall while hearing different species of birds singing along the way. Finally, at the visitor center you can have a coffee in the café or walk on the viewing platform.
Where to stay
- Camping: Close to the visitor center you will find the free Roses Park Camp Spot campground.
- Hotel: The Lookout Mountain Retreat is undoubtedly the best option to stay near Dorrigo National Park, here you won’t want to leave.
Day 9 – 12: Byron Bay
+/- 300 km ● 3h30 drive
It doesn’t get any more Australian than Byron Bay. This hip surfer town has a very laidback atmosphere. You will certainly notice this when you sit down on the beach for a drink while watching surfers brave the waves. Afterwards, go for a stroll in the streets where you’ll find several trendy restaurants and shops. In boutiques like Ghanda, Ottway the Label or Arnhem Clothing you will undoubtedly find a great outfit. For dinner you can go to the trendy The Barn or the delicious Asian fusion restaurant Light Years. If you want to do something active, you should go kayaking with dolphins. This is one of the best things to do in Byron Bay.
Where to stay in Byron Bay
- Camping: in Byron Bay they are very strict on wild camping. We stayed at the campground Glen Villa Resort because it is the best in terms of price-quality and within walking distance to downtown.
- Hotel: Byron Bay is the hotspot along the East Coast, and you can tell by the many boutique hotels. The selection is large, but at The Lord Byron or Aloha Byron Bay you certainly won’t be wrong.
Day 12 – 13: Goldcoast & Brisbane
+/- 190 km ● 2h30 drive
As you continue from Byron Bay toward Brisbane, you’ll pass the famous Gold Coast, another East Coast city known for its strong surf culture. What makes the Gold Coast unique is the line of shiny skyscrapers rising right next to the ocean. A striking sight, but one that you can easily take in before moving on to Brisbane. In Brisbane, you can hop on a free ferry to see the city from the water, and there’s also a pleasant swimming area in the center with a full beach around it. Although we didn’t find either city particularly impressive, Brisbane is a convenient stop to break up the drive between Byron Bay and Noosa. These are also the last major cities you’ll encounter on this Sydney to Cairns itinerary.
Where to stay
- Camping: Outside downtown Brisbane, you can park for free in Tully Memorial Park and from there you can easily take public transportation into the city center.
- Hotel: Brisbane Quarters is located right in the city center and includes breakfast. At Ovolo the Valley Brisbane then again, you won’t want to leave thanks to the rooftop pool.
Day 13 – 15: Noosa
+/- 140 km ● 1h45 drive
Noosa, on the other hand, is a very cozy place on the East Coast. Just like Byron Bay, you will find idyllic beaches, trendy shops and nice restaurants. But you also have a national park where you can make the Noosa Heads Coastal Walk. This round trip walk of about 10 km takes you along coves, beautiful viewpoints and even a natural pool called the Fairy Pools. At the Noosa River Mouth you can relax on the beach where a sandbar forms at low tide. Be sure to stay until sunset, which is beautiful to watch here.
Where to stay
- Camping: In Noosa, you have only one decent campground and that is the Noosa River Holiday Park.
- Hotel: The name says it all but Noosa Flashpackers is for any traveler who likes a touch more.
Day 15 – 18: K’gari (Fraser Island)
Noosa is also the ideal base to explore K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). This is the largest sand island in the world and should definitely not be missed during your road trip along the East Coast of Australia! Since the island is only accessible by 4×4, it is recommended to join a tour. It happens quite often that a car gets stuck when the tide comes in, and with an organized tour you feel a bit safer. We did a 3-day tour and saw all the highlights of K’gari, learned to drive a 4×4 on the sand and saw dingoes ourselves. Highly recommended! Most tours end in the late afternoon, so it’s best to stay another night in Noosa or Rainbow Beach before continuing on.
Day 18 – 19: Agnes Waters
+/- 375 km ● 4h15 drive
The next stop on this road trip from Sydney to Cairns is sleepy Agnes Waters. This coastal town still seems immune from tourism and feels very peaceful. You can do the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk there or watch the sunset in the evening at the nearby Town of 1770. Drive up to the 1770 Headland Carpark from where you have a fantastic view of the town and the adjacent ocean. Here we saw numerous dolphins passing by! This is also the last place you can surf along the East Coast if you drive from south to north, so this is your last chance if you haven’t surfed yet!
Where to stay
- Camping: 1770 Eco Camp is in the middle of greenery and truly an oasis of tranquility. Highly recommended!
- Hotel: Cool Bananas Backpackers is good for your wallet. Agnes Waters Stayover18’s in turn is good for totally relaxing.
Day 19 – 24: Whitsundays & Airlie Beach
+/- 715 km ● 7h45 drive
Today we have a long drive ahead of us. There is not much to see between Agnes Waters and Airlie Beach, so it is best to drive on. Near Airlie Beach you’ll find Cape Hillsborough, known for kangaroos on the beach at sunrise, but we skipped it after hearing it has become so crowded that the kangaroos rarely appear anymore. This way, you’ll reach Airlie Beach with plenty of time and energy for the highlight of this East Coast itinerary: the Whitsundays.
The next day, board a catamaran for a 2- or 3-day tour to the Whitsundays. If there is one thing you absolutely should not miss during this road trip from Sydney to Cairns, it’s this! The Whitsundays are a paradise group of islands surrounded by crystal clear waters. On this boat trip, you will go to the snow-white Whitehaven Beach, sail along beautiful coastlines and get to snorkel several times in the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. We thought this was one of the best activities we did in all of Australia!
Where to stay
- Campsite: We were at NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park and this we found to be one of the best campsites during this Sydney to Cairns itinerary!
- Hotel: You can also sleep in one of the cozy cabins at the NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park. At the Sunlit Waters Studio Apartments you’ll be closer to the center and with an ocean view.
Day 24 – 26: Magnetic Island
+/- 280 km ● 3h15 drive
From Airlie Beach drive on to Townsville, the base to explore Magnetic Island. This small island lies 8 km off the Queensland coast and is famous for its population of koalas and wallabies. On the island you can do the Forts Walk, where for 5 km you will pass beautiful views and walk through the forest where you have a great chance of seeing koalas! Furthermore, you can feed the wallabies at Geoffrey Bay, go snorkeling or watch the sunset at Horseshoe Bay. Several ferries run daily to Magnetic Island and on the island you can easily get around with the SunBus. For $7.6AUD you can hop on and off all day as much as you want.
Where to stay
- Camping: Just outside the center of Townsville you have BP Service Station Idalia where you can park your RV for free. Then again, a more comfortable option is BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park..
- Hotel: In Townsville is Aquarius on the Beach wonderful place to stay with an ocean view. If you have the opportunity, be sure to try sleeping on Magnetic Island itself at Roamer Magnetic Island, because here you have a koala park attached to your accommodation!
Day 26 – 27: Mission Beach
+/- 235 km ● 2h45 drive
Mission Beach is one of the best places in all of Australia for skydiving. What makes it so unique is that in Mission Beach, you land on the beach with your parachute. As the adrenaline rushes through your veins, you can see below you the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland coastline that is full of palm trees. Not a fan of skydiving? Mission Beach is also beautiful to see from the ground thanks to the many palm trees along the beach. Furthermore, here you have the chance to see the cassowary, a rare species of flightless bird, or you can go and admire the nearby Millaa Millaa Falls.
Where to stay
- Campsite: Mission Beach Camping & Caravan Park is right on the beach, surrounded by palm trees.
- Hotel: Jackaroo Treehouse Rainforest Retreat is a beautiful place surrounded by greenery and where you yourself have the chance to see a cassowary walking in the garden.
Day 27 – 29: Daintree Rainforest
+/- 260 km ● 4h drive
The Daintree Rainforest is a special place in Australia. Not only is this the oldest rainforest in the world. You will also find two UNESCO sites adjacent to each other: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Wet Tropics Rainforest. Here you also have a great chance of seeing the rare cassowary. Furthermore, you can take a boat trip on the Daintree River where you will find crocodiles or take beautiful walks through the jungle past all kinds of special plants. The base for this area is Cape Tribulation and to get there you have to cross the Daintree River by car ferry. Here you can read all our tips for the Daintree Rainforest!
Where to stay
- Camping: We slept in the middle of the jungle of Daintree Rainforest at the Noah Beach campground for only $7AUD per person. Booking online is recommended through the official Parks Queensland site.
- Hotel: At the Daintree Eco Lodge you sleep in a treehouse high in the jungle which is an experience in itself!
Day 29 – 31: Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
+/- 140 km ● 2h45 drive
We’ve reached the end of this amazing Sydney to Cairns road trip. As you leave the Daintree Rainforest, you can stop along the way in cozy Port Douglas or Palm Cove. The last stop of this road trip along the East Coast of Australia is Cairns. We didn’t find Cairns itself very special, but it is one of the best places to go snorkeling or diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Here you really are in the heart of the coral and can explore this spectacular underwater world one last time. Book a day trip to beautiful Fitzroy Island, where you can snorkel right from the beach. Do you like diving? Then you can also take a diving excursion to the Great Barrier Reef! A great ending to this insane road trip through Australia.
Where to stay in Cairns
- Camping: In downtown Cairns there are several campgrounds such as NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, but if your trip ends here it is best to hand in your transportation already to avoid unnecessary costs.
- Hotel: Highly recommended is Dreamtime Hostel, we felt right at home there! Or end your itinerary from Sydney to Cairns in style at Crystalbrook Bailey.
Shorten or expand this itinerary
You could also shorten this Sydney to Cairns itinerary but then you will mostly be on the road a lot. We think 4 weeks is the minimum to get everything out of this part of Australia. If you plan to travel longer in Australia you can combine this itinerary with other parts of Australia:
- From Cairns, you can continue traveling inland where you will find the Outback. Go on a 3-day tour and discover Uluru and the Red Centre!
- You can start your itinerary in Melbourne and travel all the way to Cairns via Sydney like we did. Read our ultimate itinerary from Melbourne to Syndey here!
- From Melbourne, you can take the ferry to pristine Tasmania. This was one of our favorite places in Australia. Read our ideal 2-week itinerary through Tasmania here!
Best time to visit the East Coast Australia
Because of the large area in Australia, there is a different travel time for each part in Australia. In addition, the seasons in Australia are also reversed from those of Europe. That is, summer runs from December to January. This is therefore the best time to be in Sydney, but also the busiest because many Australians have vacations. Spring (October-November) and autumn (February-March) are also good months to explore this part of Australia and are often less crowded. In turn, the area around Cairns falls into ‘Tropical North Queensland’ and has a tropical climate. The best travel time for this part of Australia is from April through September.
Still have questions about traveling to Australia? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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