Australia East Coast Tours & Trips
4.6 stars on(9,397 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
Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays
30 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fraser Island was super cool. Awesome guide that provided a lot of information.”
Tobias, 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 Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $3,479
10% Off- NZ$3,131You save $348
East Coast Australia: 6 Week | ULTIMATE
74 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I loved it, and it was unforgettable! I am most grateful for these 6 weeks.”
Esmee, 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 Ages 18-35 Operator Ultimate Travel From
10% Off- NZ$7,505
Sydney to Brisbane Adventure
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“She was awesome!”
Rebecca, traveled in May
Sydney's harbor opens a path to Brisbane's cityscape, featuring Hunter Valley wines, Port Macquarie's koala hospital, and Byron Bay's lighthouse. Wallis Lake cruise, Dangar Falls swimming, and indigenous experiences at Orara East State Forest complete the journey.
Duration 7 days Destinations Sydney, Hunter Valley, Cessnock, Port Macquarie, Dorrigo National Park, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay, Springbrook, Gold Coast, Brisbane Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $3,230
15% Off- NZ$2,746You save $485
Sydney to Brisbane Experience: Bushwalks & Surfing
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Made friends for life and had the best experience with all the activities!”
Nilla, traveled in September
Sydney Harbor's iconic views begin this coastal journey to Brisbane, with surf lessons at Spot X Camp, indigenous walks in Arrawarra, and wildlife viewing at Daisy Hill. Cape Byron Lighthouse offers stunning vistas.
Duration 7 days Destinations Sydney, Arrawarra, Byron Bay, Brisbane Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $1,939
15% Off- NZ$1,648You save $291
Sydney to Cairns Adventure
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Very well run and organized. Great tour.”
Michael, 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 Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,830
15% Off- NZ$5,806You save $1,025
What people love about Australia East Coast Tours
- Oz Intro
Loved Ozintro...awesome week, and perfect start to a great year! A big help throughout the year...and equally loved working for you with Ozparty... so much fun & best job ever!! Thanks you guys! Xxx
- Sydney to Brisbane Adventure
I want to give a 5 for the tour but it was nerve racking that I never got a welcome package or solid itinerary. The Monday before the Friday trip I called with urgency asking my meeting hotel. The guide told me it was a holiday and he would have someone get back in touch with me. I am freaking out because i fly Thursday..takes a couple days to get there from USA. So no one calls or notifies me there is a response in my box saying that it is probably these hotels but not for sure. Then another text comes later saying where the meeting hotel is and giving me an itinerary with no times, hotel, etc. Just the basic one that you see online before purchasing. I wanted to set up transfers but the transfer buttons would not populate. I was so afraid no one would be there but since it is an English speaking country i knew i could figure it out if i go there and no one is avail. I arrive and take uber to the hotel. Luckily, another tour member was at the desk the same time as me! She too did not get information. I was so happy to meet her. We got a welcome paper stating our guide would be five hours late. Now, we are both nervous but grateful the rooms were already booked and in our names. So later when our wonderful guide Max shows up we can begin to really calm down. He was a great guide. He went over and beyond as far as making us feel comfortable and treating us to bbqs and planned events when one of the planned presentations fell through. The lack of being able to have a detailed itinerary nor be able to talk to someone...I even wrote Intrepid to no avail. My ending day I booked my flight too early assuming we were in Brisbane for the last day. In actuality we drive to the finishing spot on the last day so i had to shuttle myself out of Byron Bay and stay at another hotel to catch my 6:00a.m flight. These hiccups could have been avoided if someone could respond in a proper fashion. They say they are not fully manned at this time. Answering phones and texts is not a difficult job. I would do it for you for a discount...lol. Just saying. The trip was amazing. Great spots, fun stuff, good food. Please do this just make sure you get the details and can reach someone...
- Most of the Coast: Sydney to Cairns
Amazing tour guide (Ben) from G Adventures - Most of the Coast.
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 42 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 20 adventures that vary from 4 days to 91 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, 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.
Australia East Coast tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Group
53 tours in Australia East CoastExplore a wide diversity of group tours through Australia East Coast. We have 53 adventures that vary from 3 days to 91 days. With the greatest number of departures in February, this is also the most popular time of the year.
Small Group
8 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
21 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
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.
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.
Two weeks from Sydney to Cairns lets you really dig into each place you visit. Starting with Aboriginal walks through The Rocks and wine tasting in Hunter Valley, you'll head north to meet the koalas in Port Macquarie and catch some waves in Byron Bay. The journey includes 4WD exploring on K'gari (Fraser Island), sailing the Whitsundays and also diving into the Great Barrier Reef. Our customers love how these longer trips give them time to properly experience each spot, with standout moments including hands-on First Nations experiences, close wildlife encounters and plenty of ocean time. We've balanced active days with cruisy ones where you can explore at whatever pace feels right.
Demographics
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 Travelers40 tours All tours for Solo Travelers- Couples23 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)16 tours All tours for Young Adults
- Seniors (50+)14 tours All tours for Seniors
Best time to visit Australia East Coast
- 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.
- popular 34 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
- 39 tours
- popular 41 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.
- 37 tours
- 35 tours
- popular 38 tours
- Summer 2026
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.
- 37 tours
- popular 38 tours
- 37 tours
Contact our Australia East Coast travel experts
Claire
Expert in Australia East Coast at TourRadar
Claire 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.