Road trip Australia along the East Coast

Start your East Coast adventure in Sydney, where you’ll have a few days to settle in and explore the city. Visit the famous beaches, take in the Harbour and Opera House, and get ready to hit the road. Then pick up your campervan and start heading north towards Port Stephens, known for its beautiful beaches, sand dunes and dolphins.

From there, continue to Coffs Harbour before making your way to Byron Bay, where your included 3-day Surf & Stay experience at Spot X awaits. Spend three days learning to surf, hanging out by the beach and getting into the laid-back Aussie surf lifestyle. With the ocean right on your doorstep, it’s a great place to catch your first waves, meet fellow travellers and enjoy some time away from the road.

From Byron Bay, continue north towards the Gold Coast. Spend some time surfing, relaxing on the beach or checking out the area’s theme parks and national parks. Then head to Brisbane for a taste of city life, with time to explore South Bank, visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or simply enjoy the city’s cafés and bars.

Next stop is Noosa Heads, one of the East Coast’s best-known surf spots. After some beach time, make your way to Hervey Bay, the perfect base for exploring the waters around the coast.

The highlight of this part of the trip is K’gari (Fraser Island). Join your included multi-day 4WD adventure and explore the world’s largest sand island, from the rainforest of Pile Valley to 75 Mile Beach, Champagne Pools, the Maheno Shipwreck and freshwater Lake Allom.

After K’gari, get back behind the wheel and continue north. Stop in Rockhampton to explore the Capricorn Caves, Kershaw Gardens or Mt Archer National Park before continuing towards Airlie Beach.

Airlie Beach is a favourite with backpackers and the perfect place to slow down for a few days. Then it’s time for one of the biggest highlights of the entire road trip: the Whitsundays.

Hop aboard your included 3-day sailing adventure and spend your days swimming, snorkelling and exploring the islands. Keep an eye out for sea turtles and prepare to be seriously impressed by Whitehaven Beach.

Once you’re back on dry land, continue north towards Townsville. From here, you can take the ferry across to Magnetic Island for a couple of nights of beaches, nature and island life.

Then get back on the road for the final stretch towards Cairns. Along the way, you’ll see more of tropical North Queensland before reaching the backpacker hub of Cairns.

Drop off your campervan and get ready to swap the road for the reef. Cairns is your base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, the rainforest and everything else this part of Australia has to offer.

Finish your East Coast adventure with an unforgettable 3-day liveaboard diving experience. Head out onto the Great Barrier Reef aboard a purpose-built dive vessel and spend several days exploring the reef both above and below the water.

If diving isn't your thing, you can swap the fundiving experience for a 3-day snorkelling adventure instead. Once you're back in Cairns, enjoy a final few days in the city before flying home.