4 Week East Coast Australia Itinerary

Many people think of Australia and immediately picture crystal-clear blue water, white beaches and relaxed surf towns. During this 4-week road trip from Sydney to Cairns, you're guaranteed to see all those highlights!

Australia is an immense country. The distance from Sydney to Cairns alone is around 2500km. That's equivalent to a one-way trip from the Netherlands to Istanbul. Four weeks is therefore a good amount of time to cover this. If you have less time, perhaps due to work, you can shorten the trip by skipping certain stops or staying a bit shorter. If you have more time, you can add extra destinations or take things more leisurely everywhere.

During my first year in Australia I drove the route myself, but in reverse direction, from Cairns to Sydney. Where it's best to start depends mainly on the season you're travelling in. Most people start in Sydney, so for convenience I've written out the route in that direction.

Tip: feel free to get in touch without obligation to discuss the start date and location. There are various ways to save (a lot of) money along the way!

Day 1-2: Sydney

After a long journey, the most important thing is to acclimatise first. Depending on where you're flying from, the time difference with Australia can be quite significant. How much this affects you varies from person to person, but it's wise to start your road trip well rested.

You'll often spend the first day mainly recovering from the flight and sorting everything out. From picking up your campervan or car to getting used to the temperature and the new rhythm.

Once you've settled in, the real exploring begins! On day 2, we took a beautiful morning walk through the Royal Botanic Gardens, towards the iconic Sydney Opera House. A perfect spot to settle down with a cup of coffee, whilst looking out over the world-famous Harbour Bridge! You can choose to climb the bridge, but honestly it's rather pricey and in my opinion not worth it. Better to save that money for more adventurous activities later during your trip!

In the afternoon we headed to Bondi Beach to enjoy the sunshine on the beach. After a few hours' rest, we wanted to do something active again. From Bondi Beach starts a beautiful coastal walk towards Coogee beach. This route of around 6 kilometres winds along the ocean and takes you past incredible cliffs, hidden bays and golden beaches. Allow for a walk of around 2 to 3 hours, with countless photo opportunities along the way. After this full day we were fairly tired and headed back to the hotel in good time. A quick bite nearby and then off to bed!

Day 4: Port Macquarie → Coffs Harbour

Want to be sure you'll see a koala up close during your road trip in Australia? Then the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is an absolute must. This was our first activity after breakfast the next morning. The sanctuary cares for koalas that have been injured in bushfires, for example, or whose mothers have died in road accidents. It's remarkable to see how much work is done here to protect these animals and nurse them back to health.

After the visit, we continued towards Coffs Harbour, with a brief stop in Urunga. Here you'll find one of the most beautiful boardwalks on the east coast: the Urunga Boardwalk. This wooden walking trail of approximately one kilometre takes you all the way to the point where the Bellinger River flows into the ocean - a stunning view! Combine this walk with the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk (600 metres) for an extra short but enjoyable walk through nature. On a sunny day, you can also easily pop into the water here to cool off before continuing your drive.

After this stop we drove on to Coffs Harbour where we arrived at the beginning of the evening. We stayed at the BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park which is located near the centre and by the beach. We cooked some food quietly by our campervan and went to sleep early so that we would be fresh again the next day.

The following morning after our breakfast we went to visit the Forest Sky Pier. From this spot you have a magnificent view over Coffs and the ocean. We got back into our campervan and headed towards Byron Bay, knowing that we wanted to take things a bit more slowly at the places still to come.

Day 5-6: Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay

Byron Bay was immediately the first stop where we wanted to stay a bit longer. This is originally a real hippie village and known for its relaxed and alternative atmosphere. We arrived here on the evening of day 5 with the idea of staying 2 nights. We stayed at Glen Villa Resort close to the centre. From here it's literally crossing the road and you're right by all the pubs and shops. If you want to camp closer to the ocean, First Sun Holiday Park and Reflections Byron Bay Holiday Park are real recommendations! Both are located directly on the beach and within short walking distance of the centre.

Alongside the various beautiful beaches, the Cape Byron Walking Track, also known as the lighthouse loop, was a real favourite. We did this 4km walk in the early morning of day 6. It takes you through varied landscapes, from rainforest with Bangalow palms and ancient Burrawang trees to grasslands and coastal cliffs. If you keep your eyes peeled you'll spot dolphins, turtles and, in the right season, even whales.

In the afternoon we went diving with Diving Byron Bay. Experience or not, they have options for everyone. If you don't fancy the depths, you can also snorkel. During our dive session we really came across everything; all sorts of fish, sharks, turtles, and we were even lucky enough to have a few dolphins nearby!

In the evening we grabbed a bite at Treehouse Byron Bay and walked back to the centre via the beach. If you fancy a party, it's fun to visit The Northern later in the evening. They do live piano sessions where everyone sings along and you can request your favourite songs. Would you rather enjoy a drink in a quieter atmosphere? Then the balcony of The Balcony (ironic, isn't it) is highly recommended. From here you look out over the busy streets of Byron and can enjoy everything that's happening.

Day 10: Rainbow Beach → Tin Can Bay

After the walk we drove back to the ferry and returned the car at Rainbow Beach Adventure Centre. We didn't fancy driving far, but didn't want to stay in Rainbow Beach either. So we decided to drive on to Tin Can Bay, where we stayed at Kingfisher Caravan Park. Lovely to be able to enjoy a hot shower and a clean toilet again.

Day 11-12: Tin Can Bay → Agnes Water

After a wonderful night in our own campervan, it was time to continue the journey, this time towards Agnes Water. This picturesque coastal town is located just below Town of 1770, which owes its name to the year when James Cook and his crew set foot on Australian soil here for the second time.

We stayed two nights at Agnes Water Beach Holidays, a lovely campsite right on the beach. The coming days were all about rest. We'd just finished the adventurous days on K'Gari and knew that busy days would follow.
So we mainly relaxed on the beach, went swimming and wandered around Agnes Water and 1770 a bit.

A highly recommended walk is the Round Hill Creek Walking Trail in 1770: a short, varied walk that takes you through the forest, along the coastline and offers several beautiful viewpoints. Along the way you'll also pass a few small beaches where you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the sea.

Day 13: Agnes Water → Fardooleys Bush Camp

After a lovely few days relaxing in Agnes Water, we drove on towards Airlie Beach. To do it in one day is quite a stretch, which is why we chose to stay overnight along the way at Fardooleys Bush Camp. Not a camping ground like we'd had up until then, but rather simple and basic. Still, this is definitely recommended. The owners are very welcoming, it only costs AUD $15 and it's set in a peaceful location.

Before we arrived at the bush camp, we first visited the Capricorn Caves. These caves are only a 20-minute drive from the campsite and are absolutely incredible! We started with a coffee and lunch at the nearby café, after which we explored the cave system with a booked tour. There were three different tours to choose from, and we went straight for the 2-hour Adventure Tour. This was more than just a walk: we regularly had to climb, scramble and crawl through narrow passages. A real experience! The price of AUD $90 per person is more than worth it for the adventure and the unique environment.

Day 17-19: Airlie Beach → Townsville

After our fantastic cruise around the Whitsundays, we packed up the campervan again and headed towards Townsville. We arrived towards the end of the afternoon and stayed at BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Rowes Bay. This campsite is located right on the beach and within easy reach of the centre. Ideally located, then. In the evening we went for dinner at The Taphouse, a cosy spot with good, simple pub food and a wide selection of local craft beers. Definitely recommended for a relaxed evening after a long drive.

The following day was dedicated to a day trip to Magnetic Island, an absolute must-do when you're in Townsville. This tropical island is known for its beautiful beaches, rugged nature and abundant wildlife, including wild koalas!
You can choose to hire a car to really explore every corner of the island, but for a day trip, public transport is a perfectly fine and budget-friendly option.

The ferry to Magnetic Island departs from Townsville and takes you to Nelly Bay in approximately 25 minutes. A return ticket costs around AUD $36 via Magnetic Island Ferries (slightly cheaper online).

We started the day with the Forts Walking Track, a walking route of approximately 1.5 hours that not only offers fantastic views, but is also one of the best spots to see koalas in the wild. The start of the track is just 7 minutes by bus from the ferry, making it a perfect first activity.
For those who want to walk more: the Forts Track connects to various other paths, so you can easily extend your route.

After the walk we continued on to Arthur Bay, one of the island's most beautiful beaches. We enjoyed our homemade lunch here and a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water.
Later in the afternoon we caught the bus back towards Nelly Bay, where we had a bit of a wander, browsed through the small shops and finished with a cold beer at a lovely terrace. Towards the end of the afternoon we took the ferry back to the mainland.

The following morning we started actively with the climb up Castle Hill, a short but steep climb in the middle of Townsville. At the top you're rewarded with a panoramic view over the city, Magnetic Island and the azure-blue ocean - absolutely worth it! Allow about 1.5 hours for the whole activity if you take your time.

An activity we unfortunately had to skip ourselves, but which many people recommended to us, is the Museum of Underwater Art. This unique museum is located underwater and consists of impressive sculptures, colourful coral and even an underwater greenhouse. You can snorkel there, but also dive to admire it up close. An experience that belongs high on the bucket list.

In the evening, we rounded off our stay in Townsville with a walk along The Strand, the 2 km long waterfront promenade. Here you'll find cosy restaurants, swimming spots, grassy areas for a picnic and a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly suits the tropical surroundings. After a drink at a terrace, we returned to the campsite for dinner and got into bed in good time, ready for the next adventure.

Day 23-24: Cairns → Daintree Rainforest

Yes, on to Daintree Rainforest! This tropical rainforest is located in the northern part of Queensland and is one of the oldest in the world. An estimated 180 million years old!

After our breakfast at the campsite, we drove north. We had booked two nights at Cape Tribulation Camping. A beautiful spot located in the rainforest and by the beach.

When visiting the Daintree, you first need to cross the Daintree River by ferry. A return trip costs AUD $51, so factor this in and try to book in advance so you won't be caught by surprise. Once driving through the rainforest on the way to the campsite, we made a number of stops along the way.

Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre

Even before you actually drive into Daintree, you pass through a small town called Mossman. Here you'll find the cultural centre where you can learn more about the Kuku Yalanji, the local inhabitants of Daintree. In the immediate area there are also a number of walks you can do. Ask at the cultural centre about the options and choose according to the time you have. We opted for a short 400m walk called the River Circuit Track and had a quick look at the Mossman River Lookout. After this it was time to drive on as we still had a number of stops ahead of us.

Daintree Discovery Centre

The next stop was at the Daintree Discovery Centre. Here you have a lookout tower with views over the rainforest. Once at the top, took a few photos of the surroundings before we got back into the campervan.

Marrdja Boardwalk

In the middle of the rainforest you have the beautiful Marrdja Boardwalk walk. During this short 1.2km walk you'll see various plants that are up to 350 million years old. Even older than the rainforest itself! Despite the short distance there's a constant change in the landscape and there are several signs that provide information about the flora and fauna through the ages. Along the way there's also a viewing platform with views over Noah Creek, ideal for taking beautiful photos. If you're lucky you might even spot crocodiles!

Dubuji Boardwalk & Mason's Swimming Hole

Both spots are located near the campground so you can choose to drop off the campervan first and walk or park at the nearby car parks. We did the Dubuji Boardwalk first so we could finish the day nicely with a splash in the water.

The Dubuji Boardwalk is approximately 1.3 km long and takes you through tropical forests, mangroves, fan palms and across streams fed by various natural springs. There are several lookout points along the route with different information boards telling you about the history of this place.

By the end of the afternoon we headed to Mason's Swimminghole to cool off after a hot but very successful day! This freshwater lake is located at Mason's Cafe and is surrounded by beautiful nature. It costs AUD $1 to swim but it's definitely worth it.

After a relaxed morning with a delicious breakfast at Turtle Rock Café, it was time for some adventure: ziplining with Treetops Adventure Cape Tribulation. The tour costs AUD $145 per person and takes you literally through the treetops of the rainforest. In total you go from tree to tree nine times, with distances ranging from 15 to as much as 130 metres.

The ziplines are positioned at approximately 15 metres height, so it's not for people with a fear of heights but the views and the experience make it absolutely worthwhile! A guide accompanies the tour and shares interesting facts about the Daintree Rainforest along the way, which makes the whole experience even more special.

The rest of the day we kept nice and open. We drove around a bit, did a few short walks, went swimming and relaxed wonderfully on the beach. The perfect balance between adventure and relaxation!