RoutesOceania
Six Weeks on Australia's East Coast
Melbourne to the Daintree via Sydney, surf towns, sand islands and the reef.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Melbourne AULaneways, the Queen Victoria Market and the National Gallery of Victoria.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Melbourne or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
car hire or tour along the Great Ocean Road · about 3.5 hours
2Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road) AUThe Twelve Apostles, Otway rainforest and koalas at Kennett River.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Apollo Bay (Great Ocean Road) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
road back to Melbourne and flight · about 7.0 hours
3Sydney AUThe Opera House, the Bondi to Coogee walk and the Manly ferry.5 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Sydney or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train · about 2.0 hours
4Katoomba (Blue Mountains) AUThe Three Sisters, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk and Wentworth Falls.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Katoomba (Blue Mountains) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train to Sydney, flight to Ballina and shuttle · about 7.0 hours
5Byron Bay AUSurfing, the Cape Byron lighthouse walk and the hinterland.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Byron Bay or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach · about 4.5 hours
6Noosa AUNoosa National Park coastal track and the Noosa River.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Noosa or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach to Rainbow Beach and 4WD tour · about 4.0 hours
7K'gari (Fraser Island) AULake McKenzie, Eli Creek and the Maheno shipwreck.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for K'gari (Fraser Island) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
overnight coach from Hervey Bay · about 13.0 hours
8Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) AUSailing the Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven Beach.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Airlie Beach (Whitsundays) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach, or flight from Proserpine · about 10.0 hours
9Cairns AUOuter-reef snorkelling or diving and a Kuranda day trip.5 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Cairns or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
road via Port Douglas and the Daintree River ferry · about 2.5 hours
10Cape Tribulation (Daintree) AURainforest boardwalks, river cruises and beaches where the forest meets the reef.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Cape Tribulation (Daintree) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road and Sydney
Melbourne starts the route with its laneway cafes, the Queen Victoria Market, galleries and live music. The Great Ocean Road runs west along the coast past surf beaches and rainforest to the Twelve Apostles, limestone stacks off the cliffs near Port Campbell; Apollo Bay makes a good overnight base, and koalas are often seen at Kennett River. After returning to Melbourne, a short flight reaches Sydney, with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, the Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and the ferry to Manly. A train climbs to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains for the Three Sisters and eucalyptus-forest walks.
Byron Bay, Noosa and K'gari
North of Sydney, Byron Bay is a surf town with a lighthouse walk to Australia's most easterly point of the mainland and a relaxed, alternative feel. Coaches continue past the Gold Coast to Noosa, where Noosa National Park's coastal track passes headlands that sometimes host koalas and dolphins. K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island, is reached by 4WD tour from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay, with freshwater Lake McKenzie, the Maheno shipwreck and Eli Creek. Dingoes live on the island and strict rules apply.
The Whitsundays, Cairns and the Daintree
An overnight coach or short flight reaches Airlie Beach, the departure point for sailing trips around the Whitsunday Islands and to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet. The route then heads to Cairns, the main base for Great Barrier Reef snorkelling and diving trips to outer reefs, along with day trips to Kuranda by scenic railway and cableway. The final stop is the Daintree, an ancient tropical rainforest that meets the reef at Cape Tribulation, with boardwalks, river cruises looking for crocodiles and quiet beaches.
Practical notes
Visas: most visitors need an electronic travel authority (ETA) or eVisitor visa, and longer working stays fall under the Working Holiday visa programme for eligible nationalities; check the official Australian Department of Home Affairs site. Transport: hop-on hop-off coach passes cover Sydney to Cairns; the Melbourne to Sydney leg and the Blue Mountains to Byron Bay leg are typically flown; many travellers buy a campervan or join a self-drive relocation for parts of the route. Weather: April, May, September and October balance mild southern temperatures with the tropical north's dry season; marine stingers are present in northern waters roughly from November to May, and many beaches have stinger nets in that period. Budget: Australia is one of the most expensive routes per day; the mid figure assumes private rooms in hostels and motels, a Great Ocean Road tour or car hire, a K'gari 4WD tour, a two-night Whitsundays sailing trip and an outer-reef snorkel day. Safety: rip currents are the main hazard on surf beaches, so swimming between the red and yellow flags is the local norm; crocodiles inhabit northern rivers and estuaries; check the official state park and Queensland government sites for local warnings.