3-Week Australia East Coast Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Australia East Coast tour itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaAustralia East Coast travel expert at TourRadar

• 15 Days in East Coast Australia, incl. Byron Bay and Cairns

  Australia's East Coast beckons from Byron Bay through Surfers Paradise, Noosa, and K'Gari to Cairns. The 15-day coastal route features 2-night Whitsundays sailing, Magnetic Island's wilderness, and Bundaberg's rum distillery. Suitable for ages 18+.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Byron Bay to Brisbane

    Leave Byron Bay early around 8:30 AM to avoid traffic on your 1-hour drive to Surfers Paradise. After lunch, visit a local nature reserve to see wild kangaroos. One traveler shared: "Seeing kangaroos in their natural habitat was so much better than a zoo experience." Spend your evening walking around Brisbane's South Bank area by the river.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Noosa

    Drive to Noosa (2.5 hours from Brisbane). Stay in Noosa Heads for quick access to both the beach and national park. Walk the coastal trail through Noosa National Park in the early morning when it's cooler and koalas are active. The walk takes 2-3 hours. You can also try kayaking the Noosa Everglades or catch some waves at Tea Tree Bay which is good for beginners.

    
  • Days 5-7

    Fraser Island (K'gari)

    Take a 30-minute ferry from Rainbow Beach to explore the world's largest sand island by 4WD. Visit Lake McKenzie before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Check out the Maheno shipwreck and drive along 75 Mile Beach. Watch for dingoes at dawn and dusk. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and good insect repellent for the sandflies.

    
  • Days 8-9

    Bundaberg

    Stay in Bargara instead of Bundaberg city for better beaches. Visit the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and book the 2-hour premium tour. Take a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island for snorkeling. This part of the Great Barrier Reef is much quieter than Cairns.

    
  • Days 10-11

    Whitsundays Sailing

    It's a long 7-8 hour drive to Airlie Beach before two days of sailing. Bring motion sickness tablets just in case. Visit Whitehaven Beach early for the best photos. If the weather's good, sleep on deck under the stars.

    
  • Days 12-13

    Magnetic Island

    Take the quick 20-minute ferry from Townsville to "Maggie." Do the Forts Walk early morning or late afternoon to spot koalas. The walk takes about 90 minutes round trip. Rent a small 4WD to find hidden beaches like Radical Bay. One visitor noted: "The snorkeling at Geoffrey Bay is amazing - we saw turtles right off the beach during high tide."

    
  • Days 14-15

    Cairns

    Drive through the Atherton Tablelands and stop at Millaa Millaa Falls. Visit before 11 AM to avoid crowds. In Cairns take a final reef trip. Green Island works well for a short visit while outer reef trips offer better marine life but take all day.

    

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• 21 Day on Australia's East Coast Itinerary, incl. Sydney and Cairns

  Hunter Valley wines, Byron Bay surf breaks, and Fraser Island 4WD adventures highlight this Sydney-to-Cairns coastal route. The itinerary includes 20 nights accommodation and 25 meals across 12 diverse destinations.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Sydney & Hunter Valley

    Start your trip in Sydney by taking the train from the airport to Central Station. "For the best Opera House photos, head to Opera Bar at Circular Quay—you'll get perfect shots with the Harbour Bridge in background." On Day 2, explore Hunter Valley wine country before heading to Port Stephens for wildlife watching.

    
  • Days 3-6

    Byron Bay Region

    Visit Port Macquarie's Koala Hospital on your way to Byron Bay where you'll spend three full days. "Do the Cape Byron Lighthouse walk first thing—by 8:30 AM you avoid both crowds and heat." Stay at The Surf House hostel which is close to everything. Book surf lessons early so you can take a second class if you enjoy it.

    
  • Days 7-9

    Brisbane to Noosa

    Make a quick stop in Brisbane before continuing to Noosa. You'll have a full day to explore here. "The Noosa Everglades kayak trip was worth every penny—we saw way more wildlife doing this than the crowded river cruises." Stop by Noosa Surf Club for dinner. The ocean views are excellent.

    
  • Days 10-12

    Fraser Island (K'gari)

    Spend three days exploring the world's largest sand island by 4WD. "Bring shoes you don't mind getting wet—you'll be hopping in and out of freshwater lakes." Stay at the Eco Retreat beach cabins. Your nights will include stargazing and learning didgeridoo around the campfire.

    
  • Days 13-14

    Bundaberg

    Stay at an eco-resort near a nature reserve. You can tour the rum distillery or take a full-day snorkel trip to Lady Musgrave Island. "The Southern Reef here was less crowded than up north, and we saw more turtles."

    
  • Days 15-17

    Whitsundays Sailing

    Drive to Airlie Beach and board a 76-foot maxi yacht for two nights in the Whitsundays. "Pack motion sickness tablets even if you don't usually need them—the overnight sailing can get rough." You'll visit Whitehaven Beach and several reef snorkel spots.

    
  • Days 18-21

    Magnetic Island & Cairns

    Take the ferry to "Maggie Island" which is nearly half national park. "Keep your eyes on the trees between 4-6 PM—that's when we spotted most koalas." Finish your trip in Cairns where you can take Great Barrier Reef or Cape Tribulation tours. Your final stop is a resort with its own artificial beach.

    

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• 16 Days in Australia East Coast, incl. Sydney and Cairns

  Surf lessons at Spot X, indigenous culture on K'gari Island, and Whitsundays sailing create memorable moments in this 16-day coastal adventure. The package includes 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners, with stays in hostels and overnight trains.

  

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  • Days 1-2

    Sydney

    Begin in The Rocks historic district to see Sydney's harbor-front attractions. "The Harbour Bridge climb was an unforgettable experience." Visit Bondi Beach before 10 AM to beat the crowds. Take the coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi for incredible ocean views. The walk takes about 2.5 hours.

    
  • Days 3-4

    Spot X Surf Camp

    Board the morning train to Coffs Harbour (9 hours) and transfer to Spot X Surf Camp. Book morning surf lessons when the waves are calmer. Join the evening kangaroo trek to see wildlife at their most active. Don't forget reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard for surfing.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Byron Bay

    Travel three hours to Byron Bay at Australia's easternmost point. Walk up to Cape Byron Lighthouse for sunrise. The path is steep but offers excellent whale watching from May to November. "The lighthouse walk at dawn was magical - we spotted dolphins playing in the waves below."

    
  • Days 7-8

    Brisbane & Fraser Island

    Drive 4 hours to Brisbane then catch the morning ferry to K'gari (Fraser Island). You'll need a 4WD to explore the world's largest sand island. Most people book tours. Make time to swim in Lake McKenzie's clear waters. Bring insect repellent and water shoes.

    
  • Days 9-10

    Noosa

    Walk the Noosa National Park coastal track in the morning to spot koalas. The full trek to Hell's Gate lookout takes about 2.5 hours. "The coastal path can be slippery after rain," one traveler warns. "Wear proper walking shoes."

    
  • Days 11-13

    Whitsundays

    Take the overnight train to Airlie Beach to access the Whitsundays. Book your Whitehaven Beach boat trips well ahead. Ocean rafts offer access to the best snorkeling spots. "Take motion sickness pills before the boat trip, even if you don't usually need them."

    
  • Days 14-16

    Cairns

    Drive 7 hours north to Cairns. Book Great Barrier Reef trips for your first days in case weather forces cancellations. Go on morning tours for calmer waters and better snorkeling. "The outer reef has better visibility - worth the longer boat ride."

    

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