The classic backpacker route runs between Sydney and Cairns, with travellers exploring surf towns (Byron Bay & the Gold Coast), tropical islands (Whitsundays & Magnetic Islands), and iconic beaches along the way. You can do it by semi-guided tour, fully guided group trip, hop-on hop-off bus passes, or your own campervan rental.
Many travellers choose Peterpans East Coast packages like The Great Escape, which combines transport passes, hostels, and group experiences like K’gari (Fraser Island) tour, the Great Barrier Reef and Whitsundays overnight cruises. It’s the easiest way to keep your trip flexible while still having all the big-ticket experiences pre-booked and supported by a travel crew along the way. Plus you’ll be joining other travellers on the journey but have the freedom to do your own thing along the route.
Three to four weeks is the most common amount of time people spend travelling the East Coast of Australia. In three weeks, you can comfortably hit the main highlights from Sydney to Cairns, including Byron Bay, K’gari, Airlie Beach, and the Whitsundays. Peterpans semi-guided tours, The Great Escape, spend 28 days travelling between Sydney and Cairns, or 21 days from Brisbane with 2-3 days at each stop.
If you’ve got closer to six weeks, you’ll have extra time to linger in surf towns, add a few day trips to waterfalls or islands, and enjoy a slower pace at places like Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef.
Some of the must-do stops of the East Coast include Sydney, Byron Bay, K’gari Island, Airlie Beach (gateway to The Whitsundays), Magnetic Island, and Cairns. All feature on Peterpans Great Escape itineraries which allow 2-3 days to explore each.
Around $150-$200 AUD per day for accommodation, transport, and activities is considered a good price for travelling the East Coast, however it can add up pretty quickly. Booking a Peterpans trip usually saves 10 to 15 percent compared with buying separately and can include bonus extras like welcome drinks or free nights.
Australia’s East Coast is great year-round, but the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are ideal for warm weather and fewer crowds. Summer brings hotter, more humid days with a higher chance of rain or tropical storms, especially in the north. Winter, from June to August, is still an excellent time to travel, with North Queensland staying beautifully sunny and sitting around the mid-20s Celsius.
