Australia 14-Day Trip: The East Coast
Two weeks down the east coast: Sydney's harbour, Byron's beaches, Brisbane's river, the Whitsundays' sailing and Cairns' reef.
Trip overview
- The harbour to the reef in two weeks
- Whitehaven's swirl of silica
- The outer reef's blue
Best time to visit
May–October is the dry, stinger-light window north. Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot, wet and jellyfish-seasoned in Far North QLD.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Sydney — Harbour
- 🎭14:00Opera House & the Rocks
- 🎭
Day 2 · Sydney — Bondi to Coogee
- 🏊08:30The coastal walk & Icebergs pool
- 🏊
Day 3 · Sydney — Blue Mountains
- ⛰️08:00Three Sisters & the cliff walks
- ⛰️
Day 4 · Byron Bay
- 🏄10:00Fly south to Byron; lighthouse & beaches
- 🏄
Day 5 · Byron — Slow
- 🌅09:00Cape Byron sunrise & market day
- 🌅
Day 6 · Brisbane
- 🐨13:00South Bank & the river city
- 🐨
Day 7 · Gold Coast
- 🏄09:00Burleigh headland & the beach strip
- 🏄
Day 8 · Fly to the Whitsundays
- ⛵15:00Airlie Beach arrival
- ⛵
Day 9 · Whitsundays — Whitehaven
- 🏝️08:00Whitehaven Beach's silica sand
- 🏝️
Day 10 · Whitsundays — Sail
- 🤿09:00Day sail & snorkel stop
- 🤿
Day 11 · Fly to Cairns
- 🌴16:00Esplanade evening
- 🌴
Day 12 · Great Barrier Reef
- 🐠08:00Outer-reef snorkel or dive day
- 🐠
Day 13 · Daintree & Kuranda
- 🌿09:00Rainforest skyrail & the Daintree river
- 🌿
Day 14 · Departure
- ✈️11:00CNS airport
- ✈️
Budget
Estimated total cost: 2,200 AUD for 14 days.
Includes accommodation, local transport, food, and activities. International flights not included.
Travel tips
- May–October is the dry, stinger-light window north. Summer (Dec–Feb) is hot, wet and jellyfish-seasoned in Far North QLD.
- Carry local currency for small eateries and street food; cards are widely accepted in cities.
- Book popular restaurants in advance during peak season.
- Use public transit where possible — most stops in Sydney are tourist-friendly.
Recommended restaurants
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