The Ultimate East Coast Australia Road Trip Guide

The East Coast of Australia is a bucket-list road trip packed with iconic beaches, lush rainforests, coastal towns, and natural wonders. Stretching around 2,500 km from Sydney to Cairns, this adventure delivers the perfect blend of surf culture, wildlife encounters, and tropical escapes.

Here’s your ultimate East Coast guide — with must-see stops, activities, and road trip tips to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.

📅 Trip Overview

Route: Sydney → Cairns
Distance: ~2,500 km (one way)
Best time to go: September – November (spring) or May – August (dry season up north)

Sydney, NSW

Kick off your road trip in Australia’s most famous city.
Must-do:

  • Sunrise at Bondi Beach

  • Walk from Bondi to Coogee

  • Snap the Opera House & Harbour Bridge

  • Visit Manly by ferry

Port Stephens

📍 200 km from Sydney
Why visit: Pristine bays, sand dunes, and resident dolphins.
Must-do:

  • Climb Tomaree Head Summit

  • Sandboard down Stockton Sand Dunes

  • Dolphin-watching cruise

Coffs Harbour

📍 530 km from Sydney
Why visit: Laid-back beach town known for surf, wildlife, and banana plantations.
Must-do:

  • Snap a selfie at the Big Banana

  • Swim at Jetty Beach

  • Forest walks in Dorrigo National Park

Byron Bay

📍 770 km from Sydney
Why visit: Iconic surf town with bohemian vibes and epic beaches.
Must-do:

  • Sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse

  • Surf or swim at Wategos Beach

  • Explore local markets & cafes

Gold Coast & Surfers Paradise

📍 850 km from Sydney
Why visit: Glitzy beaches, theme parks, and nightlife.
Must-do:

  • Hit the waves at Surfers Paradise

  • Visit Burleigh Heads National Park

  • Theme parks: Movie World, Sea World

Brisbane, QLD

📍 920 km from Sydney
Why visit: Relaxed riverside city with great food, markets, and culture.
Must-do:

  • South Bank Parklands & lagoon

  • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

  • Sunset at Kangaroo Point Cliffs

Noosa & Sunshine Coast

📍 1,080 km from Sydney
Why visit: Beautiful beaches, national parks, and stylish beachside towns.
Must-do:

  • Coastal walk in Noosa National Park

  • Swim at Main Beach

  • Browse Eumundi Markets

Fraser Island (K’gari)

📍 1,200 km from Sydney
Why visit: The world’s largest sand island, with 4WD-only tracks, freshwater lakes, and wild dingoes.
Must-do:

  • Swim at Lake McKenzie

  • Drive 75 Mile Beach

  • Float down Eli Creek

Airlie Beach & Whitsundays

📍 1,900 km from Sydney
Why visit: Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the southern Great Barrier Reef.
Must-do:

  • Sail to Whitehaven Beach

  • Snorkel on Hardy Reef

  • Relax by the Airlie Beach Lagoon

Townsville & Magnetic Island

📍 2,200 km from Sydney
Why visit: Laid-back tropical town with a charming island escape just offshore.
Must-do:

  • Hike Forts Walk (for wild koalas!)

  • Snorkel the SS Yongala Wreck

  • Chill at Horseshoe Bay

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

📍 2,500 km from Sydney
Why visit: Adventure capital of the north and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and ancient rainforests.
Must-do:

  • Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef

  • Visit Kuranda Scenic Railway & Skyrail

  • Explore Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

  • Cool off in Crystal Cascades

Where To Stay

Free camps & rest stops: Plenty along the Pacific Highway (use WikiCamps)

Holiday parks: Byron Bay, Noosa, Airlie Beach, Cairns

Hostels: Great options in major towns for backpackers

National parks: Book ahead for Fraser Island, Noosa, and Daintree

Roadtrip Tips

  • Book campsites in popular spots (Byron, Noosa, Fraser) early

  • Avoid driving at dawn and dusk (wildlife hazard)

  • Watch for toll roads around Sydney and Brisbane

  • Pack for mixed weather — it gets tropical up north

  • Download offline maps (Google Maps, WikiCamps)

This East Coast adventure blends everything that makes Australia special — laid-back surf towns, tropical islands, rainforest waterfalls, and one-of-a-kind wildlife. You’ll find endless spots to swim, surf, snorkel, and soak up the sunshine.

You can travel the East Coast from $1 per day with Imoova campervan relocations. You could do it in stages with a relocation from Sydney to Brisbane then Brisbane to Cairns, or all in one go from Sydney to Cairns. You can even get up to $900 fuel costs reimbursed on select routes - it's the cheapest way to travel the East Coast! Rental companies need a wide range of vehicles relocated, from cars, utes, minibuses, campervans, motorhomes & RV's

Sydney to Cairns Fuel Calculator

Sydney to Cairns road trip scenery

Estimated Fuel Cost

A$417.10

Based on average gasoline price A$1.90 per litre

Relocations you might like...

Follow Us On Socials

From the blog

Discover cheap motorhome rental deals, cheap car hire options, and travel hacks for your next adventure

You might think it can't get better than Imoova roadtrips for $1/day but did you know you can get ferry & fuel costs reimbursed too? Here's how it works.

A Guide to Imoova Inclusions

You might think it can't get better than Imoova roadtrips for $1/day but did you know you can get ferry & fuel costs reimbursed too? Here's how it works.

Experience the Great Barrier Reef without breaking the bank. Discover must-do tours, highlights, and how to travel to Cairns cheaply with Imoova relocations.

A Guide To The Great Barrier Reef

Experience the Great Barrier Reef without breaking the bank. Discover must-do tours, highlights, and how to travel to Cairns cheaply with Imoova relocations.

Discover Australia’s best national parks, from Uluru to Kakadu & beyond. See top attractions, must-do activities, and how to visit on a budget with Imoova.

A Guide to Australia's Best National Parks

Discover Australia’s best national parks, from Uluru to Kakadu & beyond. See top attractions, must-do activities, and how to visit on a budget with Imoova.

Discover the ultimate guide to Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Explore must-see sights, activities, and how to do it on a budget with Imoova vehicle relocations.

A Guide to the Great Ocean Road

Discover the ultimate guide to Australia’s Great Ocean Road. Explore must-see sights, activities, and how to do it on a budget with Imoova vehicle relocations.

Explore the Blue Mountains on a budget with our guide. Discover must-see lookouts, hikes, hidden gems, and how to get there cheaply with Imoova relocations.

A Guide to the Blue Mountains

Explore the Blue Mountains on a budget with our guide. Discover must-see lookouts, hikes, hidden gems, and how to get there cheaply with Imoova relocations.

The iconic Mystery Machine Camper is one of the most wanted campervans in Australia! Here's how to hire one on a backpackers budget with Imoova.

How To Rent A Mystery Machine Campervan in Australia

The iconic Mystery Machine Camper is one of the most wanted campervans in Australia! Here's how to hire one on a backpackers budget with Imoova.

Australia is home to over 10,000 beaches — and whether you’re after turquoise lagoons, golden surf breaks, or white-sand bays, there’s one with your name on it!

A Guide To Australia's Best Beaches

Australia is home to over 10,000 beaches — and whether you’re after turquoise lagoons, golden surf breaks, or white-sand bays, there’s one with your name on it!

Planning an international road trip? Discover top tips for vehicle hire, visas, insurance, routes, and more in Imoova's essential guide.

Tips For Planning an International Road Trip

Planning an international road trip? Discover top tips for vehicle hire, visas, insurance, routes, and more in Imoova's essential guide.

New to campervans? Discover essential first-time tips from emptying waste water to smart packing. Learn how Imoova can help you roadtrip on a budget.

Campervan Tips For Beginners

New to campervans? Discover essential first-time tips from emptying waste water to smart packing. Learn how Imoova can help you roadtrip on a budget.

Imoova has helped over 25,000 people travel the world on a budget - here are some of their adventures & how you can do it too.

Real Imoova Customer Adventures

Imoova has helped over 25,000 people travel the world on a budget - here are some of their adventures & how you can do it too.

Whether you’re grabbing a $1 campervan relocation deal or planning a longer trip, here are 10 tips to make your NZ roadtrip smooth, safe, and unforgettable.

Tips For Your First New Zealand Roadtrip

Whether you’re grabbing a $1 campervan relocation deal or planning a longer trip, here are 10 tips to make your NZ roadtrip smooth, safe, and unforgettable.

It’s the age-old NZ debate: Should you road trip the North Island or the South Island? Short answer? You can’t go wrong. Especially when it's $1/day with Imoova

North vs South Island: Which is Better for a Road Trip?

It’s the age-old NZ debate: Should you road trip the North Island or the South Island? Short answer? You can’t go wrong. Especially when it's $1/day with Imoova

Discover how to travel New Zealand on a budget with free camping and $1/day Imoova campervan deals. Tips, apps, and rules for the ultimate road trip.

A Guide To Free Camping in New Zealand

Discover how to travel New Zealand on a budget with free camping and $1/day Imoova campervan deals. Tips, apps, and rules for the ultimate road trip.

Discover how to road trip across the USA on a budget with free camping and $1/day Imoova RV deals. Tips, apps, and legal spots for freedom on the road.

The Ultimate Guide to Free Camping in the USA

Discover how to road trip across the USA on a budget with free camping and $1/day Imoova RV deals. Tips, apps, and legal spots for freedom on the road.

Discover the difference between relocation rentals and traditional car hire. Learn how to save money on your next roadtrip with $1/day relocations from Imoova.

Relocation Rentals vs Traditional Car Hire

Discover the difference between relocation rentals and traditional car hire. Learn how to save money on your next roadtrip with $1/day relocations from Imoova.

Discover how to travel Australia, New Zealand, or the US on a backpacker budget using relocation deals. Turn your road trip into a $1/day adventure with Imoova.

How to Road Trip on a Backpacker Budget: The $1 Travel Hack

Discover how to travel Australia, New Zealand, or the US on a backpacker budget using relocation deals. Turn your road trip into a $1/day adventure with Imoova.

Whether you're chasing waves, wilderness or wine, New South Wales has it all—rugged coastlines, mountain villages, cool city stops, and iconic Aussie sights.

Must Visit Places on a New South Wales Roadtrip

Whether you're chasing waves, wilderness or wine, New South Wales has it all—rugged coastlines, mountain villages, cool city stops, and iconic Aussie sights.

From winding coastal drives and snow-capped mountains to vineyard valleys and laneway cafés, Victoria packs a lot into a small state.

Must Visit Places on a Victoria Roadtrip

From winding coastal drives and snow-capped mountains to vineyard valleys and laneway cafés, Victoria packs a lot into a small state.