Top Apps To Download For Your East Coast Tour

Planning your dream East Coast adventure? While you’re packing your passport, sunglasses and thongs (flip-flops, that is!), be sure to take some time to download the right apps to your phone. Whether you’re planning to give the #VanLife a try or to hop between hostel beds up and down the coast, having a few key apps on your phone can make the journey a whole lot smoother. From campsite finders to travel organisers, these are the top-rated travel apps you actually want downloaded before you begin your Aussie adventure.

1. WikiCamps Australia

A road-tripper's best friend! Anyone driving along the East Coast in a van will be glad to have this handy little app downloaded. This Aussie-built app is packed full of information on everything from nearby campsites and hostels to public toilets, showers, and water refill stations. The best bit? Once you have it downloaded it works offline! It's a total lifesaver on those remote rainforest roads and unexpected detours.

Keen to find more free places to camp on your roadtrip? Check out our full guide to the best free overnight campsites on Australia's East Coast in 2025.

2. Rome2Rio

The route-planning wizard! On your east coast travels, you may find yourself wondering how to get from Byron Bay to Noosa, or whether you can fly, train or bus from Sydney to the Whitsundays. For all such questions and queries, Rome2Rio has your back. It pulls together information on flights, buses, ferries, trains, and driving directions so you can see every way to get from A to B - even in the middle of nowhere! Whether your focus is finding the cheapest route or the quickest, this app is ideal to help you settle on your travel plans.

3. Google Maps

Yeah, you’ve already got it, but are you using it like a pro? Google Maps is the best map app for travel, especially if you download maps offline in advance. Save your hostel, lookout point, campsite or must-visit restaurant as starred locations so you can still find them when reception drops out. Trust us, it will drop out - especially if you plan on visiting remote areas like the Daintree, K'gari or Outback towns. Plus, Google Maps is handy for checking opening hours, finding nearby parking, or calculating the distance to the nearest servo.

4. PackPoint

You'd be surprised much trouble some backpackers have with packing. This handy little packing assistant makes the process a whole lot easier. Simply plug in where you’re going, when, and what you’ll be doing there (snorkelling, hiking, partying, etc.). Before you know it, you will have a tailored checklist of everything you need for the destination, the weather, and any bonus activities. You'll feel awfully smug to have remembered your reef shoes, your raincoat, or your roll of toilet paper! Your PackPoint check-lists are shareable, too. So you can make sure your whole travel crew is well-prepared for adventure.

5. Trailforks / AllTrails

Keen to hike through Noosa National Park, the Blue Mountains, of the wild rainforests of Far North Queensland? Avoid any wrong turns and embarrassing rescue missions with hiking apps like Trailforks or AllTrails. These two apps are the gold standard for tracking trails, letting you hike like a local! Read through user reviews to get a good idea of a trail's distance, difficulty and elevation before you embark on your expedition. You may even find hot tips on secret waterfalls or dreamy sunset spots!

6. Hostelworld

Book beds in advance and guarantee a place to rest your head at the end of an adventure-filled day. Hostelworld is still the OG for finding cheap beds, uncovering epic social hostels and meeting other travellers. You can filter by vibe, events, location or even if there’s a pool (because backpacker luxury matters). Read hostel reviews from previous visitors, book without paying any extra fees, and snag last-minute stays.

7. Uber / DiDi

For those who don't like getting caught in the rain. Public transport doesn’t always go everywhere - especially late at night. Uber and DiDi work in most major Aussie cities and can be a game-changer when you need to get somewhere fast (or dry). Plus, they typically work out to be a lot cheaper than your standard local taxi.

8. PolarSteps

Love keeping a travel diary but hate writing? Track your travels automatically with PolarSteps. This app lets you upload photos and notes, and turns your trip into a beautiful, shareable travel log. Not only is it Instagram-friendly (we're thinking of the essentials, here), but PolarSteps can build an interactive map of your travels and even put together a photo book of your journey that you can order later. 

9. Greyhound

If you’re travelling Australia without your own wheels, Greyhound Australia is one of the easiest and most popular ways to get around. On their app, you can book and manage your trips, track your bus in real time, and store your Whimit Pass info all in one place. It’s simple, functional, and made for Aussie backpackers doing the big lap.

10. Campermate

Another great app for the roadtrippers! This camping and travel app has a super user-friendly interface and heaps of local travel info. It shows travellers where to find both free and paid campsites, as well as dump stations, fuel stops, ATMs and even nearby surf spots! It also offers its users regular deals and discounts, so it's definitely worth having!

Honourable mentions for top east coast travel apps

There are a few other essential apps we recommend downloading before your east coast adventure that didn't quite make it to our top ten list. 

• Komoot - an awesome navigation app that's perfect for cycling and walking trails along the coast
• Spotify / Apple Music / Tidal - absolutely essential for the roadtrip playlist. You never know when you might be handed the aux cord.
• TripIt - a trip-planning and flight tracking app that organises all of your bookings in one place.
• Kayak / Expedia - price comparison apps for all your accommodation, car rental, or transport needs can be life-savers in a pinch!
• WhatsApp / Instagram - stay connected with your new travel friends, and don't forget to send regular updates to your family at home!

Once you've got these essential apps, you're ready to begin your adventure. Take a look through our top East Coast destinations and get going!

Need some help planning your dream Aussie adventure? Get in touch with our team of friendly travel experts to have all your questions answered.