Brisbane to Sydney – East Coast Adventure
The east coast of Australia is full of stunning landscapes, hidden beaches stretching as far as the eye can see as well as a number of national parks ready for you to explore! Here at Low Cost Deals we work with some of the very best Australian tour operators operating in both the UK and over in Australia for more information on anything Australia give our in house Aussie Experts a call on0161 748 6865.
Brisbane
We start our trip in the city of Brisbane, the capital of Queensland and with an ever growing population of over 2 million people the city itself is full of arts, culture and dining – and don’t forget the shopping! This buzzing riverside city is stuck between jagged national parks and the ocean making it a great base for days out by the beach or a hike in the wilderness and then you can always party the night away on the South Bank. With the city sat on top of the river you can get around on Brisbane’s Ferry service which in itself is a great way to see the impressive CBD in all its glory as well as Story Bridge which at night time lights up all different colours. Moving out of the city Brisbane also has a lot to offer:Hike through the Gondwana Rainforests and climb Tamborine Mountain, then indulge at a local winery or glamp under the stars. Or for the very best views of the Brisbane skyline head up to Mount Coot tha on one of the various hikes on offer ranging on how good your hiking skills are!
The Gold Coast
A mere 45 minutes drive along the coast you have the Gold Coast– famous for its for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. Again like Brisbane surrounded by some of the finest nature and scenery Queensland has to offer this allows you to enjoy the vibrant and buzzing Surfer’s Paradise while also having the option to escape it all with great hiking spots such as Tamborine Mountain home to the third oldest National Park in the world with an old volcano to explore on a number of walks and lookouts allowing you to appreciate the mesmerising nature which you will find in abundance in Queensland.The Gold Coast isnt short on beautiful beaches and here we have our favourite starting with the Palm Beach a relaxed seaside suburb with a number of restaurants, cafes and shops combined with a long stretch of beach it provides the perfect day at the beach. A hidden gem around these parts is a favourite among the locals is Tallebudgera Creek a quiet spot perfect for a relaxing swim in the clear sparkling water and last but not least is the best surf spot in Gold Coast Currumbin with a range of levels from beginners to expert so either get stuck into those waves or sit back and watch the impressive surfers glide along the waves.
Byron Bay
Carrying on an hour down the coast and into New South Wales we have my personal highlight of the East Coast – the chilled beachside town Byron Bay.You can understand why so many people fall in love with this area as soon as you arrive and that’s just the town centre, if you can time your visit with one of the many world famous music festivals that happen in Byron Bay all year round with the most popular being Bluesfest and Splendour in the Grass. If it’s a chilled out vibe your looking for then Byron Bay is your place, attracting people from all walks of life creating the perfect vibe to sit back, watch the sunset and listen to the live music usually on show at Drum Circle most nights. Once you’ve done relaxing browse through the local produce at the number of stalls and shops the town has to offer as well as a the world acclaimed Farmers Market which has a number of vintage clothing as well as amazing and quirky food and drink stalls for you to visit. After a night of relaxation make sure you try catch the sunrise at the Cape Byron Lighthouse with a number of kayaking spots and if your very lucky you can spot dolphins joining you on the water a popular option with a lot of visitors to Byron or head toWategos and the furthest point east of mainland Australia.
Coffs Harbour
Next up on your stops should be Coffs Harbour known again for its beaches as well as a Big Banana monument, but the one thing I remember this stop for is the large number of wildlife in the waters just off Coffs Harbour Marina. With a number of abundant wildlife which dependent on the season you can spot a number of species of whales and dolphins and other amazing creatures big and small even from the headlands off the coast, contact our team for more info. on the very best wildlife tours you can book. On land you can visit a number of animal sanctuaries which you can expect to see Australia’s favourites such as koalas, kangaroos and the mysterious platypus all from the local area – its also known to be very popular among bird watchers so keep an eye in the sky. A number of popular walks are on offer down coastal walkways and rainforests to wind down in this very peaceful part of the world.
Port Macquarie
On to Port Macquarie90 minutes down the coast is a beautiful coastal destination just North of Sydney NSW. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Hastings River, it boasts some of the very best sunrises in Australia but it’s much more than just a good sunrise. One of the unique experiences I have had in Australia took place here on a Camel Safari in which you meander along the golden sands of Lighthouse Beach which is almost the best spot I have seen a sunrise it was simply breathtaking. just 5 minutes walk from Port Macquarie town centre isKoolunbung Creek Nature Park and Walking Trailshome to over 165 species of birds, reptiles and flying foxes. After your new found experiences with the local wildlife I you can unwind in the chilled laid back town centre and get a good nights kip before carrying on your journey to Newcastle or if you are all beached out it is time to head onto Sydney!
We work with a number of tour operators providing some amazing escorted tours to these stunning destinations so visit our Australia page for more info on that and our Australia expert status – click here
Read our Sydney City Guide to get the insight on how to make the most of your time in Sydney or if your still ready for some more iconic beaches click here and read all about our favourite beaches in Sydney!