10-Day Australia East Coast Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Australia East Coast tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAustralia East Coast travel expert at TourRadar

• 8 Day East Coast Australia Itinerary, incl. Sydney and Brisbane

  From Sydney to Brisbane, 9 key destinations unfold over 8 coastal days. K'gari's Boorangoora Lake, Hunter Valley wineries, and Port Macquarie's Koala Hospital showcase natural wonders, with stays at Beachcomber Byron Bay and Rainbow Getaway Apartments.

  

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  • Day 1

    Sydney

    Begin in Sydney's Potts Point area. Arrive by mid-afternoon to settle in before the 6 PM welcome meeting. The neighborhood is well-connected by public transport and has plenty of restaurants within walking distance perfect for your first night when dealing with jet lag.

    
  • Day 2

    Hunter Valley & Newcastle

    Head out by 8 AM to avoid Sydney traffic. The wildlife park is a 2-hour drive north. Wear sturdy shoes as you'll walk on rough terrain while visiting kangaroos and koalas. Plan your Hunter Valley wine tasting after lunch to avoid the busy morning crowds. Stay at the Lucky Hotel in Newcastle's historic district right in the center of this bustling port city.

    
  • Day 3

    Port Macquarie

    Take the 4-hour Pacific Coast drive to Port Macquarie's Koala Hospital. Visit between 3-4 PM to watch the afternoon feeding by volunteers. Walk the foreshore at sunset to spot wild dolphins. Pack binoculars if you have them. Stay at the El Paso Motor Inn where you can walk to nearby restaurants.

    
  • Days 4-5

    Byron Bay

    Start with the First Nations experience at Niigi Niigi (Sealy Lookout) in the morning when the forest is most active. Get to Byron Bay by mid-afternoon to visit Cape Byron Lighthouse, Australia's easternmost point. The walk up is quite steep. Take the shuttle if walking is difficult. The Beachcomber Resort puts you close to beaches and cafes. If you're visiting during whale season (June-October) book a morning whale watch when the water is calmest.

    
  • Day 6

    Noosa & Rainbow Beach

    Start early as you enter Queensland. Visit Noosa National Park in the morning and look for koalas before noon when they're most visible. Bring lots of water as the coastal track gets hot. Watch sunset at Rainbow Beach's Carlo Sand Blow just 10 minutes from Rainbow Getaway Apartments.

    
  • Day 7

    K'gari (Fraser Island)

    Your 4WD adventure starts early. Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack light for the day. The 75 Mile Beach drive schedule changes with the tides. Try to reach Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) before other tours arrive. The sand gets very hot so wear proper shoes.

    
  • Day 8

    Brisbane

    The 3-hour drive gets you to Brisbane by late morning. Take a CityCat ferry from South Bank to New Farm for great city views at regular transit fare prices. The tour wraps up mid-afternoon. South Bank has excellent riverside restaurants and night markets (Friday/Saturday) if you want to end with a memorable dinner.

    

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• 10 Day East Coast Australia Itinerary, incl. Brisbane and Cairns

  Brisbane to Cairns reveals 6 major stops over 10 days. K'gari's inland wonders, Noosa National Park walks to Hell's Gate, and Whitsundays sailing create the perfect backdrop for optional Great Barrier Reef activities.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Brisbane to K'gari (Fraser Island)

    Start in Brisbane's South Bank area and take a CityCat ferry ride along the river. "The Howard Smith Wharves and Botanical Gardens are perfect for beating jet lag." On Day 2 head to K'gari for a traditional Butchulla welcome ceremony. You'll explore the world's largest sand island by 4WD vehicle. Take a swim in Lake McKenzie's crystal-clear waters and spend the evening sharing stories around the campfire.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Noosa (2 nights)

    Visit the Maheno shipwreck and Eli Creek on K'gari before your 1.5-hour transfer to Noosa. Start your day with a ferry ride to begin the coastal walk to Hell's Gate. Get there early to spot koalas in the eucalyptus trees. "The Noosa National Park trail can get slippery after rain, so wear shoes with good grip. The secluded beaches along the way are perfect for a cooling dip."

    
  • Days 5-7

    Airlie Beach & Whitsundays (3 nights)

    Take an overnight train north to Airlie Beach to access the Whitsundays. Spend a full day on an ocean raft visiting the islands with stops for snorkeling and hiking. "The Whitsundays boat trip was the absolute highlight," according to one traveler. "Whitehaven Beach's pure silica sand is unreal - bring water shoes as it gets scorching hot midday."

    
  • Days 8-10

    Cairns (3 nights)

    The trip to Cairns takes 7-8 hours but offers beautiful coastal scenery. Plan your Great Barrier Reef snorkeling trips early since spots fill quickly. "The morning reef tours have calmer waters and better visibility than afternoon ones." Wrap up your trip with a night exploring Cairns' bustling esplanade area.

    

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• 8 Days in Sydney, incl. Downtown and Port Stephens

  Sydney's Opera House, Newcastle's dolphin coast, and Bondi's beaches create an 8-day tapestry. Harbor cruises, sandboarding at Stockton Dunes, and wildlife encounters at Ultimate Basecamp complement stays at Wake Up Sydney Central, totaling around $800.

  

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  • Day 1

    Downtown Sydney Orientation

    Walk through the historic Rocks district, visit the Opera House and explore the Royal Botanic Gardens. Book your city tour in the morning when the harbor views are clear and crowds are minimal. The 2.5-hour walk offers great photo opportunities of the Harbour Bridge.

    
  • Day 2

    Sydney Harbour Cruise

    Take a catamaran cruise through Sydney Harbour with an Australian BBQ lunch included. A traveler shared: "The harbor cruise was incredible - swimming right in Sydney Harbour with the Opera House backdrop was surreal." Plan about 4 hours for swimming and sunbathing.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Port Stephens Base Camp

    Drive 3 hours north to Port Stephens' One Mile Beach. Spend your first afternoon spotting wildlife and relaxing on the beach. The next day, try sandboarding on the Stockton Sand Dunes. Wear closed shoes and bring a bandana since the sand gets everywhere. The nights offer excellent stargazing opportunities.

    
  • Day 5

    Dolphin Watching & Nelson Bay

    Start early with a dolphin cruise in Nelson Bay to see some of the 140+ local bottlenose dolphins. One traveler recommended: "Sit in the boom net for the closest dolphin encounters, but bring a change of clothes - you'll get soaked!" Head back to Sydney in the late afternoon.

    
  • Day 6

    Sydney Job & Housing Orientation

    Working holiday visitors can use this day to set up bank accounts and tax numbers. Spend the afternoon exploring potential housing areas like Surry Hills or Newtown. Join an evening pub crawl to discover Sydney's best venues.

    
  • Day 7

    Coastal Walk & Bondi

    Start the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk before 9 AM to avoid peak sun and crowds. This beautiful 6km trail connects six beaches. A traveler advised: "Pack water and sunscreen, take lots of photo stops, and end with lunch at one of Bondi's casual cafes." The walk takes 2-3 hours if you're not rushing.

    
  • Day 8

    Final Sydney Explorations

    Visit any spots you missed or return to your favorites. The Taronga Zoo makes a great option (12-minute ferry from Circular Quay), or you can shop at Paddy's Markets. For your final evening, get to Opera Bar by 4:30 PM for sunset drinks with harbor views.

    

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