Road trip along Australia's East Coast
The East Coast of Australia is without a doubt the country's most popular road trip. And that's not without reason. From world cities and surf beaches to tropical rainforests and the largest coral reef in the world, nowhere else will you find so much variety in one route.
Whether you have three weeks or two months, a Campervan trip along the East Coast is an experience you won't forget in a hurry. Along the way, vibrant cities, national parks, idyllic islands and charming coastal towns alternate at a rapid pace. It's precisely this variety that makes this route so special.
Check out '4 Week East Coast Australia Itinerary'
Why the East Coast is so popular
The route between Sydney and Cairns (or vice versa) is approximately 2,600 kilometres long. Along the way, you travel through different climate zones and the landscape constantly changes.
One day you're hiking through the Blue Mountains, the next you're learning to surf in Byron Bay. Then you're sailing between the paradise Whitsunday Islands, discovering the world's largest coral reef, or driving a 4WD across the beaches of K'gari (Fraser Island).
In addition, the East Coast is one of the easiest regions in Australia to travel by Campervan. The roads are excellent, there are plenty of campsites, and along the way you'll find loads of charming coastal towns where you can easily hang out for a few days.
East Coast Highlights
Along the East Coast lie dozens of destinations worth visiting. These are some of the absolute highlights:
Why a Campervan is the best choice
A road trip along the east coast is ideal with a Campervan.
You decide for yourself each day where you drive to, how long you stay somewhere and where you spend the night. Do you spot a deserted beach or a beautiful lookout along the way? Then you simply stop. It's precisely that freedom that makes a road trip so much more enjoyable than travelling with a hire car and pre-booked accommodation.
In addition, there are hundreds of campsites, holiday parks and various free overnight spots along the entire East Coast. As a result, travelling with a Campervan is not only flexible, but often more affordable than many people expect.
How much time do i need?
The more time you have, the better. Of course you can drive the East Coast in three weeks, but then you'll mainly be covering a lot of kilometres.
The advice is:
- 3 weeks: Sydney to Cairns with the main highlights.
- 4 to 5 weeks: Sydney to Cairns with enough time for walks, multi-day tours and extra rest days.
- 6 weeks or longer: the ideal travel time to truly discover the East Coast at your own pace. In 6 weeks you have enough time to drive from Melbourne to Cairns.
Best time to visit
The East Coast can be travelled year-round, but the ideal period depends on your route.
Are you travelling the full East Coast, from Melbourne or Sydney to Cairns? Then March through to December are generally the best months for a road trip. In the tropical north, around Cairns and the Daintree Rainforest, the wet season runs roughly from January through to March. During this period it's warmer, more humid and there's regular heavy rainfall.
That doesn't mean you should avoid the north during these months, by the way. You can still travel here perfectly well during the wet season, but bear in mind that weather conditions are less predictable and some activities or roads may be temporarily restricted or inaccessible.
Also read
Hire a Campervan in Australia
Travelling around Australia in a Campervan is the freest way to travel and often more affordable than you might think.
Byron Bay
Byron Bay is without a doubt one of Australia's most famous coastal towns.
4 Week East Coast Australia Itinerary
Make the ultimate campervan trip along Australia's east coast.
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