With 4+ weeks to spare, you can customise your east coast adventure by spending extra time at your favourite spots or by adding some more day trips. Consider adding in:
Jervis Bay (and the NSW south coast)
Most people’s east coast itineraries stop at Sydney, but there is more coastline to be explored south of Sydney if you have the time. Jervis Bay is a 3-hour drive south from Sydney. It is one of the few places in Australia where you can witness bioluminescence (the ocean glows in the dark due to the presence of bioluminescent algae). Jervis Bay also offers some of the country’s best white-sand and turquoise-water beaches, as well as whale and dolphin watching, hiking, kayaking, and camping.
You can easily spend 1-2 days exploring NSW’s south coast—other stops along the way include:
- Illawarra: Sea Cliff Bridge, Illawarra Fly treetop canopy walk
- Wollongong: Buddhist temple, Wollongong Botanic Garden
- Kiama: Kiama Blowhole, Cathedral Rock formations
Royal National Park
A great day trip (only 45 minutes from Sydney!) if you like hiking is the Royal National Park. The main attraction in this park is the hike to the Balconies and Wedding Cake Rock, which is part of the much longer Coast Track. Other popular hiking options include the Figure 8 pools, Winifred Falls, Curracurrong Falls, and Hacking River. Check tide times and weather conditions before you set off on any hikes.
Atherton Tablelands
About 2-3 hours inland from Cairns lies the region of the Atherton Tablelands, made up of rainforest, wetlands and savanna. The main reason for visiting the Tablelands is to drive the 17 km Waterfalls Circuit loop. You can spend several days in the area visiting every single waterfall, but most tourists pick from the top 10 for a shorter day trip. If you only have time for a few stops, prioritise Millaa Millaa Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, or Millstream Falls, Australia’s widest single-drop waterfall.
Great Keppel Island
If you’re craving more island time, a 45-minute drive and 30-minute ferry from Rockhampton lies another of Australia’s best islands, Great Keppel Island. Due to its more remote location (a 7.5-hour drive from Brisbane), Great Keppel is much quieter than some of Australia’s most-visited islands like K’gari or Rottnest, making this the perfect place to relax. Learn more about things to do on Great Keppel Island here.
Canberra
If you want a break from east coast beaches, consider a weekend away in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. It’s a 3-hour drive inland from Sydney, where you’ll be rewarded with culture aplenty. For a small city, Canberra has a surprisingly strong gastronomical scene, a wide range of museums and art galleries, and the chance to see the Australian parliament in action. Read more about Canberra here.
Hopefully, you’re now full of ideas and feeling more prepared for your Australian east coast road trip! Be sure to share your east coast highlights in the comments below.
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