Australia East Coast Tours & Trips
4.5 stars on(8,464 reviews)- Choose from 50+ Australia East Coast tours
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Table of contents
- The best Australia East Coast tour packages
- What people love about Australia East Coast Tours
- Travel Australia East Coast your way
- Best tour companies for Australia East Coast tours
- Australia East Coast tours for every type of group
- Top Australia East Coast travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit Australia East Coast
- Contact our Australia East Coast travel experts
- What our customers ask about Australia East Coast Tours & Trips
The best Australia East Coast tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaAustralia East Coast travel expert at TourRadar
UltimateOz - Gap Year | ULTIMATE
193 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip down to Port Stephens was so good and nice to get out of the city for a few Days!”
Grace, traveled in November
The coastal route from Sydney Harbor to Newcastle reveals dolphin habitats near One Mile Beach, with stays at Ultimate Basecamp. Visitors can sandboard at Stockton Dunes, watch bottlenose dolphins in Nelson Bay, and walk the stunning Coogee to Bondi coastal path.
Duration 8 days Destinations Sydney, Newcastle, Bondi Age Range up to 35 year olds Operator Ultimate Travel From
- NZ$1,297
Sydney to Cairns Adventure (22 destinations)
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Thoroughly enjoyed the trip.”
Michaela, traveled in March
Duration 14 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cessnock, Port Macquarie, Dorrigo National Park, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Springbrook, Gold Coast, BrisbaneSee all destinations Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $7,105
5% Off- NZ$6,750You save $355
East Coast Australia: 6 Week | ULTIMATE
74 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was well arranged and if something was wrong or you had questions, you could always contact her.”
Julia, traveled in March
The grand coastal route from Sydney to Cairns unfolds with harbor cruises, Byron Bay surfing, Fraser Island 4x4 adventures, and Whitsunday sailing. Includes 40 nights in quality hostels, professional guides, and 15 meals.
Duration 43 days Destinations Sydney, Bondi Beach, Port Stephens, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Noosa, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Island, Airlie BeachSee all destinations Age Range up to 35 year olds Operator Ultimate Travel From $7,029
10% Off- NZ$6,326You save $703
Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns
38 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip from Sydney to Cairns was a fantastic experience, visiting beautiful places along the East Coast.”
Leila, traveled in February
Nine iconic destinations unfold from Sydney to Cairns. Surf lessons at Spot X, aboriginal culture on K'gari Island, and Whitsundays sailing create unforgettable moments. Multi-share hostel stays included, rated 4.9/5.0 from 35+ reviews.
Duration 16 days Destinations Sydney, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Noosa, Fraser Island, Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Cairns Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $5,539
25% Off- NZ$4,154You save $1,385
Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
28 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The Whitsundays are beautiful, and Fraser Island is a truly special place.”
Daniel, traveled in December
The coastal path from Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves to Cairns showcases K'gari 4x4 tours, Noosa National Park hikes, and Whitsundays sailing adventures. Hostel accommodation and various transport options included.
Duration 10 days Destinations Brisbane, Fraser Island, Mackay, Whitsunday Islands, Airlie Beach, Cairns Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Operator G Adventures From $3,479
25% Off- NZ$2,609You save $870
What people love about Australia East Coast Tours
Did my Ultimate OZ week back in Jan 2015 and loved it! Was a great way to start my move to Australia and my travels. Tour guides were awesome and so fun, kept the group happy and well looked after. Everyone in the office was great, they seemed to know the answer to every question any one had - so helpful! Sorted out all my stuff for me so was hassle free when I got to Oz. The tour itself was great! My favourite parts of the week were definitely the boat cruise and Basecamp! Josie is so cute! The Ultimate party was also so fun! All in all the whole week was fantastic, the tour was excellent and so much fun, such a great way to start in Australia, and loved having all my banking, sim card etc all set up for me ready, such a great idea. Everyone was awesome and so helpful and I know I can count on them if I ever have any questions or need any help during my whole stay in Australia. Definitely feel part of the Ultimate family now :) Would definitely recommend, 10/10 :)
UltimateOz - Gap Year | ULTIMATE
- Sydney to Cairns Adventure (22 destinations)
This was my first tour and it was great. We covered a good chunk of Australia in a relatively short amount of time. The variety of activities was excellent, something for everyone. Jason, our guide, was fun, informative, organized and kept things running seamlessly. I would definitely do another tour with Intrepid.
- East Coast Australia: 6 Week | ULTIMATE
Alright ultimate! Amazing way to see the east coast with everything you could want provided. Accommodation was always nice and clean and the itinerary is perfect. Chloe was the most amazing tour guide who we all had so so so much fun with! A great friend and guide. The whole trip would not have been the same without her contributions to us as a group :)
Travel Australia East Coast your way
Our week-long Sydney starter tours hit the sweet spot between city life and outdoor discovery. You'll join harbor cruises with BBQs right on board, try your hand at sandboarding in the coastal dunes and get up close with Australia's unique wildlife. For those with more time, our East Coast routes stretch 5-6 weeks, giving you plenty of space to really sink into each stop. Travelers tell us they love how these trips mix guided activities with free time to explore. You'll sail through the crystal waters of the Whitsundays, camp under a blanket of stars in the Noosa Everglades and learn about Aboriginal culture deep in the Daintree rainforest. Our guides make it special by sharing local secrets and creating a fun group vibe that keeps everyone connected.
Select from our extensive range of 46 fully guided tours to enjoy a worry-free experience through Australia East Coast with our expert guides leading the way.
Explore a wide diversity of partially guided tours through Australia East Coast. We have 15 adventures that vary from 4 days to 91 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Best tour companies for Australia East Coast tours
UltimateOz really stands out for travelers exploring Australia solo or in their 20s. From what our customers tell us, the guides know their local areas inside out and the activities hit all the right notes - you're out on Sydney Harbour one day and sliding down massive sand dunes the next. If you're keen to catch some waves, Mojosurf keeps things affordable without cutting corners on quality. Their camps at Spot X and Byron Bay are exactly what you want in a surf school - skilled instructors who make learning fun and a casual vibe that helps everyone relax into the experience. G Adventures runs a solid route from Brisbane up to Cairns, and while some of our travelers mentioned their guides' knowledge varied a bit, the trip itself packs in some of Australia's best spots. You'll get out to Fraser Island and cruise through the Whitsundays, which gives you a proper taste of Queensland's coast.
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Australia East Coast tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
54 tours in Australia East CoastExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Australia East Coast. We have 54 adventures that vary from 3 days to 91 days. With the greatest number of departures in July, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
5 tours in Australia East CoastOur East Coast tours focus on creating close connections while exploring Australia's top spots. The popular 6-week journeys let travelers bond naturally as they sail Sydney's harbor by catamaran, catch waves in Byron Bay, and spend nights camping beneath stars in the Noosa Everglades. For a quicker taste, our 10-day routes from Brisbane to Cairns keep the groups small, with shared moments driving 4WDs across Fraser Island, sailing the Whitsundays, and diving into the Great Barrier Reef's coral gardens. The week-long Sydney starter works perfectly for those wanting structure with flexibility - you'll join harbor BBQ cruises, tackle sandboarding in the dunes, and meet native wildlife up close. Our travelers often tell us how their guides become part of their travel family, setting up extra activities and building friendships that continue long after the tour ends. We mix beachfront hostels, wilderness camps and island stays to keep everyone connected, while direct beach access in places like Byron Bay and Wi-Fi equipped transport makes the journey smooth and social.
Private / Personalized
17 tours in Australia East CoastOur private tours start in Sydney where local Aboriginal guides show you around The Rocks before you head out to taste wines at Australia's original vineyards in Hunter Valley. These tours are built around real cultural connections and close-up wildlife experiences - you'll visit koala hospitals, walk through ancient rainforests and enjoy private dining at Burleigh's best beachfront spots. What makes it special is you choose what suits you - maybe surfing lessons or wine tasting, coffee plantation visits or local gin distillery tours. The guides adapt everything to match your interests while hitting those essential experiences like the Byron lighthouse walk and also the Tamborine Mountain Skywalk.
Top Australia East Coast travel itineraries to fit your plans
Our 3-day tours zero in on specific regions you'll really get to know well. The Brisbane Valley Rail Trail bike tour lets you cruise through Queensland's countryside just as you like, staying at welcoming country hotels along the way. Keep your eyes open for koalas and emus as you pedal past old railway stations and through patches of rainforest. Another popular short trip takes you deep into Gondwana Rainforest where you can watch fireflies light up the night, go on guided walks and sleep under a canvas of stars. If you're after something more upscale, we've got special wildlife experiences where you'll hold koalas, feed kangaroos and learn about Indigenous culture at Burleigh Headland before enjoying fresh seafood at oceanfront restaurants.
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The week-long Sydney to Brisbane journey packs in plenty of real Australian experiences. Our travelers love learning about The Rocks from Aboriginal guides, sipping wines at Hunter Valley's historic vineyards and checking in on recovering koalas at Port Macquarie's hospital. Up in Byron Bay, you'll paddle through the marine park where dolphins and turtles often pop up to say hello. Our guides are great at getting everyone clicking while sharing local secrets about each stop. Our customers tell us they really enjoy how we mix planned activities with free time to explore places like Byron's beaches and Brisbane's riverside spots.
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Ten days from Brisbane to Cairns gives you a proper mix of outdoor action and cultural connections. You'll start by exploring Noosa's coastal paths, then head to Fraser Island for sand driving adventures and swimming in crystal lakes. The overnight train north to the Whitsundays is a real highlight - you'll spend your days sailing and snorkeling around untouched islands. We've added special touches like early morning visits to local sunrise spots and genuine welcomes from Indigenous communities. Our travelers often mention how their guides help everyone bond while making sure no one misses out on the included activities.
See all toursDemographics
Our Sydney starter tours are perfect for anyone traveling solo - you'll get airport pickup, a place to stay and instant travel friends without any hassle. The week-long programs are really social, with harbor BBQ cruises, sandboarding in massive dunes and city walks that help you figure out where everything is. If you want something longer, the 5-6 week East Coast trips give you loads of time to bond with your group while making your way from Byron Bay up to Cairns. People keep telling us they love how the Ultimate tours mix planned activities with free time, plus the guides are great at getting everyone talking and having fun from the first day.
The East Coast multi-week trips are super popular with young adults - they're packed with surfing, beach time and plenty of social activities. You'll stay in really good hostels that have great facilities, reliable Wi-Fi on the buses and direct beach access in spots like Byron Bay. Our customers love how we balance organized activities like private harbor cruises and surf lessons with enough free time to do your own thing. There's real adventure too - driving 4WDs across Fraser Island, sailing through the Whitsundays and getting up close with marine life on the Great Barrier Reef. For the social side, we organize bar crawls in Sydney and Surfers Paradise that help everyone meet new people and have fun together.
Our boutique comfort tours hit the sweet spot for senior travelers by mixing culture with nature at a comfortable pace. You'll stay in quality accommodation while local guides share their knowledge through well-planned activities. The tours take you to koala sanctuaries where you'll learn about conservation efforts, include wine tasting sessions in the Hunter Valley and connect with First Nations culture through guided walks and welcome ceremonies. What our travelers really appreciate is how we mix comfort with real experiences - one day you might spot dolphins from a coastal trail and the next you could be walking through ancient rainforests. There's always enough time to properly explore each place without feeling like you need to rush.
Solo Travelers31 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples14 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)16 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)9 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Australia East Coast
- Summer 2025
Summer is prime time for our beach-focused tours with plenty of ocean swimming to beat the heat. The Byron Bay surf camps fill quickly - our instructors are patient and the conditions are ideal, with complete beginners usually standing on their boards within just a few days. If you're starting in Sydney, our packages mix harbor swims with coastal walks and beach visits, while longer East Coast routes let you really sink into summer. You'll camp under stars in Noosa, snorkel alongside turtles on the reef and join group beach barbecues. Early lighthouse walks and social evenings help you dodge the strongest midday sun.
- 22 tours
- popular 43 tours
- 41 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2025
Autumn gives us some of our most varied touring experiences, with comfortable temperatures perfect for mixing activities. Our 6-week East Coast routes are especially popular, combining Daintree rainforest hikes with Aboriginal cultural experiences. The mild weather means you can still swim at most stops but without summer's intensity. Wildlife viewing really picks up on our Sydney to Brisbane routes - travelers regularly spot koalas around Port Macquarie and dolphins off Nelson Bay. The balance of outdoor activities and cultural experiences works particularly well in autumn's gentle conditions.
- 40 tours
- popular 42 tours
- 42 tours
- Winter 2025 / 2026
Winter brings some excellent touring options along Australia's East Coast, with cooler weather that's perfect for certain activities. Our Sydney tours really shine this time of year - you can pair city exploration with Blue Mountains day trips where the crisp mountain air makes hiking comfortable and you'll often spot kangaroos during early morning walks. Harbor cruises run throughout winter with smaller crowds, giving you clear views of the Opera House and Bridge. We see lots of gap year participants joining winter programs, where they mix surf lessons with sandboarding and wildlife spotting without summer's intense heat. The shorter days lead to great social connections, especially during pub crawls and evening activities.
- 40 tours
- popular 41 tours
- 39 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring temperatures create ideal conditions for our most popular East Coast journeys. The Brisbane to Cairns routes are particularly good - our travelers tell us the Great Barrier Reef snorkeling conditions are perfect and the Whitsundays sailing through turquoise waters is at its best. Fraser Island really comes alive in spring too. You'll drive 4WDs along 75 Mile Beach, cool off in Lake McKenzie's crystal waters and often catch migrating whales from Indian Head lookout. The weather lets you properly enjoy both beach time and rainforest walks. We also see high demand for boutique tours mixing Sydney's main sights with Hunter Valley wines, where mild temperatures make outdoor tastings and garden walks extra pleasant.
- popular 39 tours
- 23 tours
- 22 tours
Contact our Australia East Coast travel experts
Nina
Expert in Australia East Coast at TourRadar
Nina is one of our seasoned Australia East Coast Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about Australia East Coast tours answered!
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+64 4888 0182What our customers ask about Australia East Coast Tours & Trips
How do you get around those big East Coast cities - you know, New York, Boston, and D.C.?
Getting around the major cities isn't as tricky as you might think. New York's subway runs 24/7 which is super convenient and you'll find Boston's T subway covers pretty much everywhere you need to go though the hours change depending on which line you're taking. D.C.'s Metro is really efficient but heads up it closes earlier than New York's. You know what works really well? Mixing up public transport with walking tours especially in Boston where you can join these amazing Freedom Trail walks that take you right through revolutionary history and all the important historical spots.
What's the best way to experience nature beyond the city buzz?
The East Coast has some incredible natural spots once you step away from the urban scene. You've got to check out Acadia National Park in Maine with these stunning coastal views and hiking trails you can easily reach by car or hop on the park shuttle. Cape Cod's another gem with these beautiful beach towns and pristine shorelines - just drive over or catch a ferry. The Blue Ridge Mountains are perfect for both hiking and driving with loads of scenic stops and waterfalls you can easily access by car.
I've heard about the major spots, but what about those hidden East Coast gems?
While everyone's hitting the big cities there are these amazing places just waiting to be discovered. Salem Massachusetts is fascinating with its maritime history and those famous witch trials - you'll find great museums and historical walks there. Then there's Annapolis Maryland this gorgeous historic seaport with colonial buildings and sailing opportunities just a car or train ride from the major cities. For something really special head to North Carolina's Outer Banks where you've got these incredible beaches wild horses and lighthouse tours all accessible by car.
What kind of local experiences can visitors really get into along the East Coast?
You can really dive into the local scene in so many ways. Boston's Freedom Trail walks let you literally follow in revolutionary footsteps while discovering all these important historical places. Philadelphia's got this amazing art scene where you can catch performances at the Kimmel Center or explore these world-class museums. And New York's food scene is just incredible - join a food tour through Little Italy or Chinatown and you'll taste the real deal.
Should I book a guided tour or just hit the road on my own?
It really depends on what kind of traveler you are. Guided tours take care of all the details - like our UltimateOz Gap Year package that handles everything from airport pickups to accommodation plus these great Sydney tours including Opera House visits Harbour Bridge exploration a harbor cruise with BBQ time at Basecamp near One Mile Beach and even a pub crawl. Our customers love not having to worry about the details. But if you're more of a freestyle traveler doing your own road trip gives you total freedom to explore at your own pace and find those hidden spots though you'll need to plan things out yourself. Think about how you like to travel and go from there.