galentheape

Hi, I am visiting Sydney in March to attend a friends wedding, and have the first 6 days in and around Sydney (The wedding isn't until 4 days after I arrive). I plan to use the remainder of my stay in Australia to explore the East Coast. Does anyones have any recommendations with regards to things to see/miss out? Obviously things like the Barrier Reef/Whitsundays/Fraser Island are a definite..any other suggestions? I would like to see the main sights along the coast but due to the time scale, am obviously going to have to miss some things out. All comments welcome. Thanks

LizzyF

What are your interests firstly. You are asking about a 3,000 Klm stretch of coast line so can you narrow it down a bit? Age is a factor as well.

afterall

Mate, you haven't said what your "time scale" is? How many days do you have that you need an itinerary for? Knowing that would help people to give relevant advice.

How do you like to travel - are we talking luxe or cheap and cheerful? What are your interests?

galentheape

Hi, Sorry for lack of info!

We are both in our 20's/30's and fairly fit, have about 2 weeks to cover highlights of the east coast, travelling from Sydney to Cairns (For the Barrier Reef). We would prefer 3 star and upwards accomodation wise. Interests include seeing more "natural" sights/beaches/rainforests/animals/ general outdoors/walking. Any city highlights worth stopping off at for a couple of days(Brisbane/Gold Coast?), would also be appreciated, we also like pubs/restaurants/live music.

We are not interested in surfing/bungee jumping/extreme sports/party venues/nightclubs.

Trying to decide ratio of when to fly/driving as well. Does anyone know of any useful links aside from Lonelyplanet/rough guides etc?

Thanks for your help

fiesty1

galentheape-
I am still in the process of planning my trip, but I will pass on some info I was given. For flying, check out virginblue and jetstar. The distances are HUGE, so flying is a great option! Check into the passes too (I believe quantas has a good pass, someone please correct me if I'm wrong.)

RalphR

galentheape: with several days in and around Sydney it sounds like you should have a chance to see some of the mid-New South Wales coast. The coast just south of the city - Royal Nat'l Park, Stanwell Park, etc - is very beautiful.

Northern New South Wales and southern Queensland would be another area I'd recommend spending several days, especially in consideration of your interests. There are fantastic beaches with big surf (something you will not get as you get to the far north). Noosa and Byron Bay come to mind as particularly nice places - not as big and commercialized as the Gold Coast. There are also lush rainforested mountainous areas just inland with excellent hiking, waterfalls and, plenty of wildlife - Mt Warning, Springbrook, Laminington Nat'l Park, Glasshouse Mts, etc. Fraser Island is not too much further north.

Then there's Far North Queensland with the Barrier Reef and scads of things to see just inland, including the rainforests, Atherton Tablelands, Undara Lava Tubes, etc.

Flying between these places will obviously save you time. But driving part of it would be fun too, and give you a good look at rural Australia. From that view, I'd recommend spending 5-6 days driving north and exploring SE Queensland (more time needed if you include Fraser Island), then flying from Brisbane north to Townsville or Cairns.

Suelynne

I second RalphR's advice on driving and flying. 5-6 days driving up to SE Queensland will give you time to enjoy the scenery. Fly to Cairns then as the cental Qld coast is not that interesting, but countryside, rainforest, beaches, islands and the Reef are wonderful. Expect rain up there though [and NSW is pretty wet at the moment too!].

afterall

I think you've chosen the pick of the most popular places (FNQ, Whitsundays, Fraser Island).

The real question is, how to visit all those most effectively and have time to see some of the less obvious.

I would fly to Brisbane from Sydney. You asked about city highlights worth stopping off for on the way, Brisbane is the ONLY city. Hire a car there and explore the hinterland; drive up to Noosa; pick up a tour to Fraser Is there. Drive back to Brissie and fly to the Whitsundays.

This might sound mad but the cheap flights are targeted south to north.

To get from the Whitsundays to Cairns you can fly (but cheapies go via Brisbane) or you could go by bus (hmmm) or hire another car - and stop on the way perhaps at Mission Beach.

The distances are enormous as a previous poster has said. There are alternative to flying/driving but they are not comfortable and only relevant to those with loads of time.

But it's sad to fly everywhere so you need to mix and match those plane and car journeys. If it's possible to do a one-way, and if the drop off charges aren't prohibitive, then that's what I would do.

Cheers.

RalphR

I agree that the Queensland Central coast is generally the least interesting of the entire Sydney-Cairns drive. Sydney-Sunshine Coast (Noosa) and Mackay-Cairns offer the most to see, of course including short-ish side trips to points slightly inland or right on the water.

galentheape

Hi, Thanks very much for all of you comments, they have been very useful and much appreciated. I now have an itinery planned and the internal flights booked....just one more thing which I would appreciate any comments on.

I am planning on hiring a car twice during my visit to Australia - once to use in and around the Brisbane/Noosa/Byron Bay area, and another car to use around the Port Douglas/Cairns/Daintree/to and from GBR etc. I have researched on the web for cars but it appears, many operators include terms where certain cars should not be used in certain areas/roads? I am just wondering if anyone can confirm if there are any roads in the above areas that may require something a bit more substantial on the road i.e. a 4WD rather than standard 4 door Toyota?? Sorry if this is a bit of a silly question, but just thought I would check. Thanks again for your help!