When it comes to epic road trips, few places do it better than Australia’s East Coast. Stretching from the tropical north of Queensland all the way down into Victoria, this coastline is packed with postcard-perfect beaches, lush rainforests, buzzing cities, laid-back surf towns, and more scenic stops than your camera roll can handle.
Whether you’re planning a big six-week escape or just want to knock off a few highlights in a long weekend, there’s a road trip here with your name on it. The best part is there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Head north, drive south and just follow the sun and the sea breeze.
This guide rounds up some of the most unforgettable East Coast drives, think waterfalls, wineries, outback rivers, and winding cliffside highways. So grab your mates, your playlist, and your sense of adventure, because these East Coast road trips are packed with the kind of moments you’ll be talking about for years.
Albury to Mildura
Starting in Albury and winding all the way to Mildura, the Great River Road road trip serves up a slice of Victoria that’s full of quiet charm, quirky stops, and proper country hospitality. First up is Albury-Wodonga, where regional meets riverfront. Grab a coffee by the water, or just kick things off with a picnic in Noreuil Park with pelicans and the sound of rowers drifting past.
In Cobram and Barmah, you’ll pass through red gum forest so old it feels like the trees might whisper back if you’re quiet enough. These parts are full of local produce (olives, oranges, cheese, and wine) that never seems to make it far beyond the farm gate. From there, you’ll roll through spots like Echuca, Swan Hill, and Robinvale – places where people say hello in the street and the bakeries still sell vanilla slices that actually taste homemade. You could spend a morning on a paddle-steamer, check out an old shearing shed, or just sit under a gum tree with your lunch and a mozzie spray.
Finally, you’ll arrive in Mildura – a proper regional hub where the Murray looks wide enough to be a lake and the sunsets go on forever. This is fruit and wine country, but it’s also home to desert gardens, and food that punches well above its postcode.
Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive
You’ll roll out of Sydney and straight into the Grand Pacific Drive, where the road wraps around the cliffs and opens up to the kind of ocean views that make you want to pull over every ten minutes. The Sea Cliff Bridge is the big showstopper here, and honestly, just a joy to drive.
From there, the pace drops and the real trip begins. You’ll cruise through Kiama (stop for the blowhole, stay for the unexpectedly good coffee), then down to Jervis Bay, where the sand is so white it almost looks fake. Narooma is another favourite. It’s the kind of place where you can spot stingrays right off the jetty, and where the pub’s got a better view than most five-star hotels.
As you cross into Victoria, the landscape shifts. It gets moodier, wilder. Think tall cliffs, untamed bushland, and beaches that feel like they’ve been left off the map on purpose. Mallacoota is worth the detour – it’s low-key and absolutely magic at sunset. Then, as you head towards Lakes Entrance and Wilsons Prom, you’ll start to feel that subtle pull of city life again. Melbourne is just around the corner.
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Start in Cairns, where things are chill in the best way. Sure, the town itself isn’t glitzy—but the adventures around it? Next level. You’ve got snorkelling tours that’ll drop you into the Great Barrier Reef, rainforest hikes, canyon swims, cable cars through the treetops, and one very famous lagoon where half the town seems to gather every afternoon like it’s some sort of sun-soaked ritual. This is where you’ll tick off some of the best things to do in Australia.
When you’re ready to move on, hit the road north towards Port Douglas. This part of the drive (the Captain Cook Highway) is coastal perfection: rainforest on one side, glittering ocean on the other. From Port Douglas, things start to feel more remote. The road narrows, and the signal on your phone starts to drop off – which, let’s be honest, is part of the charm. You’ll cross the Daintree River by cable ferry (yep, a proper ferry) then enter Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest in the world.
Cape Tribulation is the final stop – a wild, otherworldly stretch of beach where the rainforest literally meets the reef. It’s jaw-droppingly beautiful… and also very much crocodile territory, so maybe keep your feet out of the water. It’s not a swimming beach, but it is the kind of place that stays with you. The silence. The scale. The sense that you’re somewhere truly special.
Geelong and the Great Ocean Road
Don’t make the mistake of blasting past Geelong on your way to the Great Ocean Road. If you’re there in the warmer months, grab fish and chips and eat them on the grass near Eastern Beach. In winter, it’s all about cosy wine bars and hole-in-the-wall cafes that know how to do a good flat white. If you’ve got time to spare, wander through the laneways around Little Malop Street (Geelong’s low-key answer to Melbourne’s laneway culture), but without the crowds.
Then, it’s on to the main event: The Great Ocean Road. This is not the kind of drive you smash out in one day. It’s a roll-the-windows-down, stop-for-every-lookout, take-too-many-photos kind of journey. Start from Torquay, Australia’s surf capital, and follow the coastline west past some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the country. You’ll hit Bells Beach (yes, the one from Point Break), and then onto Lorne. Known as a chilled-out coastal town perfect for brunch and a browse. Don’t miss a detour up to Erskine Falls, especially after rain – it’s mossy and feels like something out of a fantasy film.
Further along, there’s Apollo Bay, where the road curls in and out of the forest and the ocean, and where the seafood is ridiculously fresh. Then the real showstopper: the Twelve Apostles. Yes, they’re touristy. Yes, there’s usually a crowd. But they’re still one of those “yep, this was worth it” kind of places. Sunrise or sunset here? Chef’s kiss.
If you can, go a little beyond. Port Campbell, Loch Ard Gorge, and even Warrnambool if you’re up for it, because each stop has its own kind of magic.
Brisbane to Coffs Harbour
Starting in Brisbane, grab a strong coffee and a ridiculously good almond croissant from Nodo (the one in Newstead if you want a pretty backdrop too). Then hit the road heading south. First stop: the Gold Coast. Yes, it’s famous for the theme parks and the nightlife, but if you skip the outdoorsy side, you’re seriously missing out.
This is the zone for Gold Coast hikes for adventure seekers. Try Burleigh Heads National Park for coastal views that’ll make your camera cry with joy. Or head inland to Springbrook National Park and do the Twin Falls Circuit, which winds through rainforest, behind waterfalls, and past glowworm caves if you time it right. Locals will tell you the Natural Bridge walk is one of those “you’ve got to see it to believe it” places.
Heading further south, the Cape Byron Lighthouse Walk at sunrise is pure magic – and yeah, you might spot whales, turtles, or just very attractive people in activewear. Stop at Bayleaf Café for brunch (locals swear by the green breakfast bowl and the cold brew with coconut water). If you’ve got time, take the inland route through Bangalow – a dreamy little village with boutique shops and a ridiculously good roast pork roll at The Woods café.
Finally, roll into Coffs Harbour, where things slow down a little (but not in a boring way). The Jetty Strip is great for dinner – Latitude 30 is a standout for fresh seafood and sunset cocktails. And yes, you have to stop at the Big Banana, not because it’s cool, but because it’s such a weirdly wonderful part of Aussie road trip culture.
Sunshine Coast to Airlie Beach
Start in the Sunshine Coast, spend your morning in Noosa with a swim at Little Cove. Then do the Noosa National Park coastal walk, it’s a local favourite for spotting dolphins and koalas (yes, really), and the views are next-level. Heading north, stop in Hervey Bay if it’s whale season (July to October). It’s one of the best places in the world to see humpbacks breaching and tail-slapping with zero regard for how emotional that might make you.
Next up, don’t miss K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) – it’s the world’s largest sand island and absolutely worth detouring for. Hire a 4WD, drive along 75 Mile Beach, float down Eli Creek, and swim in Lake McKenzie, where the water is clearer than most swimming pools and the sand is basically pure white silica. After that, make a pit stop in Agnes Water or 1770 (tiny twin towns with big charm). If you’re lucky, you’ll hit the beach in time for one of those pink-gold sunsets, and if you’re into kayaking or paddleboarding, this is the place to do it.
Then it’s on to Airlie Beach – aka the gateway to the Whitsundays, and the kind of place where you’ll instantly wish you had more time. The vibe is equal parts backpacker buzz and laid-back tropical chill. And of course, from here you’ve got access to some of the most breathtaking islands and reefs on the planet. The Whitsundays are hands down the best place to see on a cruise, especially if you’re dreaming of sailing past bright coral reefs, dropping anchor near Whitehaven Beach, or snorkelling in turquoise waters that feel almost fake.
Miles of Coastline with Memories to Match
Australia’s East Coast isn’t just one road trip, it’s dozens of them, all loosely strung together by highways, back roads, ferry crossings, and the occasional roadside servo with surprisingly decent coffee. Whether you’re cruising the coastline for a few days or plotting a multi-week mega-adventure, this part of the country has something for every kind of traveller.
What’s wild is just how big it all is. From the southern vineyards and windswept beaches of Victoria to the tropical rainforests and island reefs of Far North Queensland, you’re looking at over 4,000km of potential pit stops. You could do it in chunks over time, or combine sections into one epic drive (just be prepared for your “quick detour” to turn into a four-day side quest – it happens).
Some people start from the bottom and head north to chase the warmth. Others start in Cairns and wander south with the sun on their backs. Before you hit the road, make sure your tyres are pumped, your playlists are downloaded, and you’ve left a little room in the boot for roadside mangoes, or whatever the trip throws your way.
Final tip? Don’t over-plan. Some of the best stuff happens in the in-between: a lookout you weren’t expecting, a tiny bakery with life-changing lamingtons, or a beach that isn’t famous, but suddenly feels like yours.
