Where To Stay On The East Coast Of Australia

Image of Lily Kerley

Lily Kerley

February 14th, 2024

4 minute read

Where To Stay On The East Coast Of Australia Image | East Coast Tours Australia

Your pocket guide to the must-see towns of East Coast Australia, and our favourite hostels, resorts, campsites and ecolodges for every budget! With so many gorgeous towns, each completely unique, make the most of your trip Down Under, staying in the perfect accommodation designed to suit your travel style!

Before we get into the best accommodation on the East Coast, here are our top ten destinations to explore! We recommend a road trip, with either a rental car, bus or campervan.

Top 10 stops on the East Coast of Australia

  1. Cairns

  2. Mission Beach

  3. Magnetic Island

  4. Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays

  5. Noosa

  6. K’gari (Fraser Island)

  7. Brisbane

  8. Gold Coast

  9. Byron Bay

  10. Sydney

  11. *Optional longer journey to* Melbourne

Check out our transport, tour and accommodation-inclusive itineraries from Sydney to Cairns for a seamless Aussie adventure! 

Where to stay in Cairns

Hostels

  • Gilligans Hostel
  • Bounce Hostel
  • Cairns Central YHA Hostel
  • Summerhouse Hostel

For more info, check out our guide to the best hostels in Cairns!

Resorts

  • Palm Royal Cairns
  • Waters Edge Apartments
  • Travellers Oasis


Campsites

  • First City Caravilla
  • NRMA Cairns Holiday Park


Something different

Gilligans Youth Hostel with backpackers by the pool

Where to stay in Mission Beach

Hostels

  • Jackaroo Treehouse Rainforest Retreat

Please note that there are not a lot of Mission Beach hostel options, so chat with our friendly travel agents to secure your spot!

Resorts

  • Mission Beach Resort
  • Ecovillage Resort 
  • Castaways Resort & Spa


Campsites


Something different

  • Mission Beach Escape

Where to stay on Magnetic Island

Hostels

  • Nomads Hostel
  • Selina Hostel

Resorts

  • Island Leisure Resort
  • Villa Banyak
  • Amaroo On Mandalay


Something different

  • Bungalow Bay Koala Village

A woman in a hut in the rainforestBungalow Bay Village, Magnetic Island

Where to stay in Airlie Beach

Hostels

Resorts


Campsites


Something different

Airlie Beach Apartment with pool overlooking the seaAirlie Beach Searene Apartments

Where to stay in Noosa

Hostels

  • Bounce Hostel
  • Nomads Hostel
  • YHA Hostel

Resorts

  • RACV Noosa Resort
  • Little Cove Court
  • Noosa Hill Resort


Campsites

  • Noosa River Holiday Park
  • Noosa North Shore
  • Coolum Beach Caravan Park


Something different

A woman with a skirt and backpack on walking into Bounce NoosaBounce Hostel Noosa boasts a pool and onsite bar.

Where to stay on K’gari (Fraser Island)

The easiest way to explore K’gari to its fullest is to book an overnight tour, as you need a 4WD to get around. Here are our top tour recommendations with both camping and resort accommodation options.

K’gari tours with resort accommodation

For more info, check out our guide to overnight K'gari Resort Tours!


K’gari tours with beachfront camping accommodation

(Tents & beds included)


Hostels in Rainbow Beach

(For before and after your K’gari trip)
  • Freedom Hostels
  • Pippies Beachhouse

K'gari island hostel

Where to stay in Brisbane

Hostels

  • Bunk Hostel
  • YHA Hostel
  • Summerhouse Hostel

Resorts

  • Hyatt Regency Brisbane
  • Stamford Plaza Brisbane


Something different

  • Brisbane Edward Lodge
  • The Fantauzzo

Two women in Brisbane city at sunset

Where to stay on the Gold Coast 

Hostels

  • Bunk Hostel
  • Budds Hostel

Resorts

  • Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach
  • Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise


Campsites

  • NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park
  • North Currigee Campground


Something different

  • Aruba Surf Resort
  • Binna Burra Lodge - 1 hr inland

Gold Coast bunk hostel sign with city buildings in the background

Where to stay in Byron Bay

Hostels

  • Wake Up! Byron Bay
  • YHA Hostel
  • Surf House Hostel

Resorts

  • Elements of Byron Bay
  • Cavvanbah Beachfront Accommodation


Campsites

  • First Sun Campsite
  • Reflections Holiday Park Byron Bay


Something different

  • Raes on Wategos
  • Reflections Holiday Park Brunswick Heads

Two women walking to the Byron Bay LighthouseDon't miss a walk up to the Byron Bay Lighthouse on your coastal trip!

Where to stay in Sydney 

Hostels

  • Wake Up! Sydney
  • YHA Hostel

Resorts

  • The Fullerton Hote
  • The Langham


Something different

  • Wake Up! Hostel Bondi Beach

Wake Up Bondi Beach white building hostelWake Up! Bondi Beach can organise your surf lessons so you can explore the waves of Sydney like a local!

Skip the hassle of booking every night of accommodation on your East Coast adventure and let us do it for you! Our inclusive itineraries include all backpacker accommodation, transport and tours, plus 27/7 travel support on the road.

Focus on snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, hiking the rainforests of K’gari and sailing the Whitsunday Islands, while we sort out the little details! Chat with a live travel agent to design your dream itinerary today.

Start Your Own Journey

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