Visit Australia's East Coast

Driving from Sydney to the reefs and rainforests of North Queensland is one of the most popular ways to discover Australia. The section from Sydney to Brisbane, known as ‘The Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route', is the country's top tourism drive. A typical East Coast trip might pass through the lakes and sleepy coastal towns of the New South Wales South Coast, the harbour city of Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the wineries of the Hunter Valley, the subtropical surfing towns along the New South Wales North Coast, Queensland's buzzing capital Brisbane and surrounding Gold and Sunshine coasts, and on through the Fraser Island Coast and Whitsundays to Cairns and Port Douglas.

Tomaree Head Lookout, Port Stephens, New South Wales

Highlights of New South Wales

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £3,360 pp incl. flights

New South Wales offers a plethora of attractions. Explore them all on this self-drive that visits Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Killcare.

Australia’s East Coast: Sydney to Byron Bay

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,505 pp incl. flights

Be charmed by the sights of Sydney before discovering golden beaches, characterful towns and lush hinterland on a drive north along New South Wales' glorious coast.

Indian Pacific, Pinnacles, Western Australia

Australia by Rail: Indian Pacific

14-day luxury rail holiday from £4,725 pp incl. flights

Take to the rails on this luxury journey aboard the Indian Pacific. You'll travel across Australia’s vast outback as you journey coast-to-coast from Perth to Sydney, enjoying fine dining and tailored touring throughout.

Uluru / Ayers Rock, Northern Territory, Australia

Sydney, Uluru & the Great Barrier Reef

15-day tailor-made holiday from £3,800 pp incl. flights

Discover the sophistication of Sydney, the monolithic beauty and Aboriginal culture of Uluru and the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. This is Australia at its iconic best.

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Top places to stay in Australia's East Coast: Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns

Shangri-La, Sydney

Contemporary hotel

Shangri-La, Sydney offers fine facilities and finer dining set back from Sydney harbour. Its location gives it superb access to both the waterfront and the city centre.

Ovolo 1888, Darling Harbour

Contemporary hotel

Ovolo 1888 is one of Sydney’s most unique hotels. The modern rooms are stylishly decorated in bold colours that belie the hotel’s friendly, boutique atmosphere.

Lily Pily Country House, Bellingen

Small & intimate hotel

Lily Pily is no ordinary B&B. Cutting a perfect balance between modern and eco-living, the house’s stunning architecture is second only to its beautiful locale.

Harbour Rocks, Sydney

Contemporary hotel

For those looking for luxury heritage in a city-centre location, the recently renovated Harbour Rocks Hotel is ideal.

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Where to go in Australia's East Coast: Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns

Sydney

Sydney is blessed with the one of the world’s most iconic harbours. But, look beyond its historic Rocks District, city icons and foodie scene and you’ll find the Australian outdoors obsession in harbourfront parklands, mountain day trips and countless inviting beaches.

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Tropical North Queensland

Australia's northeast is a tropical paradise. Chief among its unique natural attractions is its wildlife-filled ancient rainforests and the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. Here you'll find an otherworldly underwater realm of spectacular coral and colourful marine life.

Maheno Shipwreck, Fraser Island, Australia

K'gari (formerly Fraser Island)

K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) is the world’s largest sand island, located roughly 300 km north of Brisbane, off the coast from whale-watching hotspot Hervey Bay.

Australia's Sunshine Coast

Just north of Brisbane and you'll find the Sunshine Coast. From the surf beaches and esplanades of Caloundra, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba to the cosmopolitan café culture of Noosa, the region is one of the most relaxing, and beautiful, in Southern Queensland.

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When to go to Australia's East Coast: Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns

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Australia's East Coast: Sydney, Brisbane & Cairns articles

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