The route connects Sydney and the Blue Mountains with the coast around Byron Bay, with Brisbane, and finally with Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. From the Blue Mountains to Byron Bay is about 850 kilometers, for which you should plan two driving days; between Brisbane and Cairns are approximately 1,700 kilometers, most people fly this route.
16 Days / 15 Nights
May to October
5 stops
Why This Route?
Your first Australian adventure: the East Coast's best spots in a little over two weeks, by car or campervan.
Hidden Gems
Grand Canyon Walk near Blackheath in the Blue Mountains
Minyon Falls in Nightcap National Park in the Byron Bay hinterland
Crystal Cascades with swimming spots near Cairns
Itinerary
Stop 1 • 3 Nights
Sydney
City
Route highlight
Sydney is Australia's largest city, set on one of the world's most beautiful natural harbours. The Opera House and Harbour Bridge, ferries across the water, beaches like Bondi and Manly, and national parks right on the city limits.
8 Sights
5 Restaurants
History and Culture
The Gadigal and other Eora groups have lived by the harbour for tens of thousands of years. In 1788, the First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, landed in Sydney Cove and founded a penal colony. Sandstone houses and pubs from this period still stand in The Rocks, while the Hyde Park Barracks, a former convict site, are a UNESCO World Heritage site.Jørn Utzon's Opera House opened in 1973 and has been a World Heritage site since 2007. The Art Gallery of New South Wales showcases a large collection of Indigenous art, and the Australian Museum tells stories of natural and cultural history. Today, Sydney is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with over a third of its residents born overseas.
Sandstone plateau with deep, forested valleys, just under two hours west of Sydney. The eucalyptus forests make the distance shimmer bluish. Lookouts, waterfalls, and hiking trails are close to the railway line and the Great Western Highway.
9 Sights
3 Restaurants
Culture & History
Land of the Darug and GundungurraThe mountains have been Darug and Gundungurra land for millennia. Many rock formations, including the Three Sisters, are linked to their stories.Crossing and Summer RetreatIn 1813, Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth were the first Europeans to find a route across the mountains; places along this route now carry their names. The railway transformed the Blue Mountains in the late 19th century into a summer retreat for Sydneysiders. Since 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains Area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Northern Rivers in northeastern New South Wales stretch from the coast around Byron Bay into the green hinterland with rainforests, waterfalls, and small towns like Mullumbimby and Nimbin. Cape Byron is the easternmost point of the Australian mainland.Surf culture, organic farms, markets, and a strong alternative scene characterize the region. Brisbane and the Gold Coast are about a two-hour drive north.
5 Sights
4 Restaurants
Culture & History
Land of the BundjalungThis region is Bundjalung Country. The area around Byron Bay is known in Arakwal as Cavanbah, “meeting place”. The Arakwal, in partnership with park authorities, manage the Arakwal National Park south of the town. For them, Wollumbin, the prominent volcanic mountain in the hinterland, is a sacred site.Whaling, Timber, and AquariusFor a long time, Byron Bay's economy relied on timber, dairy farming, and until 1962, a whaling station. In 1973, the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin drew thousands of young people to the region, many of whom stayed. This event sparked the counterculture still visible today, with its communes, organic farms, and markets.
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, lies on a winding river and thrives outdoors in its subtropical climate. City beach, ferries, koalas on the outskirts, and the beaches of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts within an hour.
7 Sights
4 Restaurants
The History and Culture
The land at the river mouth belongs to the Turrbal and Yuggera. 1825 saw a penal settlement for recidivists established here; in 1859, Brisbane became capital of the new colony Queensland. From this period, the Old Windmill on Wickham Terrace and the Commissariat Store by the river still stand.The World Expo 88 transformed the South Bank into today's South Bank Parklands. With its cultural centre comprising a museum, galleries, and theatre, South Bank is now the city's cultural heart.
Perfect for an exciting city trip. For adventure seekers and Culinary highlights.
Cairns, with approximately 160,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in tropical North Queensland and a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Life revolves around the Esplanade, featuring a large swimming lagoon, BBQ areas, and a promenade.From the Reef Fleet Terminal, boats depart daily for the outer reefs and islands. The best time to visit is the dry season from May to October.
9 Sights
12 Restaurants
Culture & History
Cairns is located on the land of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji. The city was founded in 1876 as a port for the Hodgkinson River goldfields; later, sugarcane and the railway to Kuranda became important. During World War II, Cairns served as an Allied base.The Cairns Art Gallery and the Tanks Arts Centre, housed in former fuel tanks, showcase art from Far North Queensland, including works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. In August, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair celebrates this art.
