How Long Does It Take To Road Trip The East Coast Of Australia?

Gabby Boucher

July 25th, 2024

fiber_manual_record

6 minute read

You can absolutely drive the East Coast of Australia if you have around 6 weeks to dedicate to your road trip! Australia's East Coast makes for an incredible road trip, complete with idyllic beaches, fun backpacker towns, and scenic seaside drives. But it is a massive area, so tailor your East Coast road trip to suit your time frame. 

Can you drive the East Coast of Australia?

You can drive the East Coast of Australia if you have time and the desire to slow travel through all the best coastal cities, beach towns, and national parks. Driving the entire East Coast of Australia, from Melbourne to Cairns, covers at least 3,700km and takes at least 45 hours of driving time. That doesn't include all the detours and stops along the way. 

Road tripping Australia's East Coast is an adventure you'll want to enjoy! If you try to fit an East Coast Australia drive into too short a time frame, you'll be rushing from place to place and probably feeling a bit stressed. So take your time, be flexible, and really cherish every moment of this drive!

How long does it take to road trip the East Coast of Australia?

If you're doing a road trip from Melbourne to Cairns along the East Coast of Australia, it will probably take at least 6 weeks. This time frame gives you some flexibility and leeway to cover this colossal distance. You could make it from Melbourne to Cairns in under a week if all you did was drive for 12 hours a day, but what's the point in that? 6 weeks is the absolute minimum you would want for an enjoyable and leisurely East Coast road trip. 

If you have less time to spare, just shorten your road trip accordingly. For a 4 or 5-week road trip, just do Sydney to Cairns. If you only have 2 or 3 weeks, just drive from Brisbane to Cairns, or Sydney to Brisbane. For short time frames and big bucket lists, flying from city to city may be easier for you. Only take on an East Coast road trip if you have at least a few weeks and you're keen for an authentic Australian experience!

Where to stop on an East Coast road trip in Australia?

If you're road-tripping along the East Coast of Australia, the top destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Noosa, K'gari, Airlie Beach, and Cairns! This is the standard tourist route, but all these places are popular for good reason. With ample amenities for travellers such as hostels, bars, restaurants, beaches, campgrounds, and guided tours and activities, you can explore Australia's East Coast with ease. 

There are plenty of small towns, national parks, uncrowded beaches, and lesser-known cities in addition to these hotspots. The beauty of an Australian road trip is you can design your own adventure! Drive to your heart's content and stop wherever you like. We do recommend leaving at least 2-3 days in each location so you don't have to rush. 

Melbourne

Many travellers start their East Coast adventure in Melbourne. Though this cosmopolitan city is technically on the southern end of Australia, it's such a popular city that many East Coast road trips begin here. Spend your time here exploring the city through its parks, gardens, museums, street art, coffee shops, and surrounding natural beauty!

Sydney

Very few travellers visit Australia without stopping in Sydney! The iconic capital city of New South Wales is home to picture-perfect landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains, Luna Park, Botanic Gardens, Bondi Beach, and so much more. Even if you aren't a big city lover, stop in Sydney for one day to soak in all the magic. 

Byron Bay

Continuing up along the coast of NSW, stop in Byron Bay for laid-back vibes, amazing surf, and breathtaking coastal beauty. Byron Bay beckons travellers with its energetic town centre, amazing snorkel spots, and seaside walks. It's a must on any backpacker's bucket list!

Gold Coast

Full of theme parks, nightlife, beaches, and more, Gold Coast is another hotspot on an East Coast Australia road trip. Downtown is packed full of excitement, and those who prefer a quieter atmosphere can head to the charming surrounding suburbs such as Burleigh Heads. With lots of amazing day trips and fun things to do for backpackers, Gold Coast definitely lives up to the hype. 

Brisbane

As the capital city of Queensland, Brisbane is a sunny city full of art, culture, cuisine, nightlife, nature, history, and everything else you could want. Venture to a nearby island or national park on a day trip outside the city, or spend your days sightseeing and finding fun activities in the CBD. 

Noosa

Noosa is an ocean lover's paradise! This coastal city has dreamy beaches, lush national parks, pristine Everglades, and a town centre that combines luxury with fun backpacker vibes. Every type of traveller can have a blast in Noosa, whether you want relaxation and high-class dining or outdoor adventures and thriving nightlife. 

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Australia is home to many islands, and K'gari (Fraser Island) is definitely one of the coolest. As the largest sand island in the world, K'gari boasts majestic rainforests, ancient sand dunes, and beautiful lakes that will blow your mind. If you're driving a 4WD on your East Coast Australia road trip, just hop on the ferry from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach! Otherwise, you can rent a 4WD or join a guided tour. 

Airlie Beach

As you continue north through Queensland into the tropics, you'll have to stop in Airlie Beach. This quaint tourist town is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, home to the famous Whitehaven Beach and other exquisite natural wonders such as Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef. Ditch the car for a few days and head out into the turquoise Coral Sea for sailing and snorkelling!

Magnetic Island

Another island worth venturing off the mainland for is Magnetic Island. Whether you want to snorkel, spot wildlife, sunbathe, relax, hike, or just marvel at tropical scenery, Maggie has it all! On your East Coast road trip, just drive up to Townsville and catch the ferry over to paradise. 

Cairns

Another must-see on any East Coast Australia road trip is Cairns, the unofficial capital of Tropical North Queensland. Up here you can book world-class snorkelling and scuba diving trips to the Great Barrier Reef, which is likely on many travellers' bucket lists. Cairns is also located next to Heritage-listed rainforests full of wildlife, waterfalls, and culture, including the ancient Daintree Rainforest!

How long do you need for the East Coast?

Most travellers would need at least 6 weeks to road trip Australia's East Coast. This time frame allows you to see most of the hotspots without rushing! Even more time, such as 2 months or more, is even better!

Given all the amazing destinations and activities we've just covered, you can see Australia's East Coast is jam-packed with beauty and culture. Your East Coast road trip can be short and sweet with just a few locations, or it can be long and full of adventure. If you want to drive all the way from Melbourne to Cairns, definitely try to save at least 6 weeks for the trip. Modify your road trip to suit your time frame, and definitely try not to cram in too much so you can really enjoy each place!

Check prices for campervan hire, or curate your own road trip itinerary with the help of our East Coast team! We're here to help you plan the Australian adventure of your dreams.