We’re putting our hands up here and saying we’re guilty. Guilty of assuming you know what we’re talking about all the time. We get caught up in the beauty of Australia and suddenly need to take a step back and pause.
So we’re going to chat to you about the big three. The top three spots on the East Coast that have to be on your bucket list. So first of all, what are they?
Dotted along the top half of the East Coast sits K’gari (previously known as Fraser Island), The Whitsundays and The Great Barrier Reef. You may have heard of the last one but have you heard of the first two?
Grab a cuppa, sit down, and get ready to have instant wanderlust.
K'gari (Fraser Island)
K’gari is the largest sand island in the world. I’m going to say that again, in the world! It’s a whopping 123km long. And 22km wide in its largest point. But you’re not here for a geography lesson.
K’gari translated to paradise in the local aboriginal language. And that’s the best introduction to this island 🏝️. It is breath-takingly beautiful. When an island is made of sand, you’re obviously going to have some pretty epic beaches. But added to this are stunning freshwater lakes and green oasis to explore. Plus a shipwreck. Only the coolest islands come with a shipwreck ⛵.
So how do you explore a sand island? Unless you have your own 4×4, you’re going to need a guided tour. Three-day two-night tours are the most popular – and for good reason. You’ll explore the whole island, swim in freshwater lakes, float down natural lazy rivers, enjoy campfires under the stars and make friends for life. This is what travelling is all about. If you’re short on time there are regular day tours and occasional one-night tour options too. But we would recommend the longer three day tour every time.
It’s not just that you get longer to explore the island. It’s the friends and memories you make on the way. Driving 4x4s along the sand, stopping off for a swim in every lake you pass, sharing stories around the campfire. You’ll leave with sand everywhere. But also with a bigger sense of adventure and the biggest smile on your face.
Top tip: With unreliable ferry times due to the changing tide, it’s highly recommended you spend the night before and after in either Noosa or Rainbow Beach and don’t plan any onward travel for the same day. Trust us. There’s no worse feeling than knowing your overnight bus is due while you wait for your ferry.
Give me the low down
Departure point: Noosa or Rainbow Beach
Tour length: 3 day 2 nights (1 night and day trips also available)
Tour style: Fully-guided tour
Accommodation style: Camping with sleeping bags provided (cabins also available)
Travel style: Adventurous, social, most fun ever
Transport: 4×4 (to drive you need to be 21+ and have held your driving license for a year)
The Whitsundays
The next stop as you head north up the East Coast is Airlie Beach, the home of The Whitsunday Islands. And the next of the big three.
74 islands make up the Whitsundays. The crown of these islands is Whitsunday Island, home to Whitehaven Beach aka Australia’s number one beach. It’s a hard title to earn, but with its white silicon sand, crystal clear water and island views, it’s easy to see how this beach topped them all.
The Whitsundays are also where The Great Barrier Reef officially starts and stretches all the way north up the East Coast. We’ll admit the corals here aren’t quite as bright as further north but how cool to snorkel at both ends of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
But again, that’s just the geography. Why should you add these islands to your list? Obviously they’re gorgeous. That goes without saying. But it’s just as much about the journey as the destination when it comes to the Whitsundays. There are two main ways to travel:
Overnight Sailing Boat (most popular 🔥)
Picture yourself sitting on deck with a group of new friends, sailing past stunning islands and swimming the clear waters. Then repeat for the next two days. Three day sailing trips are popular for a reason, you’ll enjoy the slower pace of life, watch sunrises and sunsets and fill your day swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing.
There are so many amazing sailing boats it’s hard to know where to begin. So to make it easier, we divide these into two main boat styles. Party boats: think slides, hot tubs, and lots of dancing on deck. And adventure boats: real sailing, lots of snorkelling and a more chilled back but social scene.
Whichever style you choose you’ll be spending your day sailing around visiting beautiful beaches and swimming in crystal clear waters.
Day trip speed boat (included in our 30 day tour)
If time is of the essence, then a speed boat is obviously the answer. For day trippers, you’ll still get to experience all the Whitsundays has to offer, ample time on Whitehaven Beach, time snorkelling and the most epic views. But all with the extra adrenaline of a speed boat there.
Our biggest advice for this one? Be prepared to get wet, you’ll be racing through the waves so some splashing is inevitable.
Bonus: Scenic flight (included in our 30 day tour)
Once you’ve seen the Whitsundays by sea, you have to see it from the sky. A scenic flight here shows you the incredible Whitehaven Beach and Whitsundays stretched before you AND The Great Barrier Reef in all her glory. Yep, this might be the best 60 mins of your whole East Coast.
Give me the low down
Departure point: Airlie Beach
Tour length: 3 day 2 nights (day trips also available)
Tour style: Fully-guided tour
Travel style: Adventurous, social, party
Transport: sailing boats, speed boats
The Great Barrier Reef
Let’s be real, it was probably Finding Nemo that first introduced you to The Great Barrier Reef. And you can find coral as colourful as the cartoon in real life 🪸. You’ll be under the sea snorkelling with Nemo, Dory and the whole gang. If you’re lucky you may spot a turtle or even a reef shark (don’t worry they’re harmless!). This is one of those, “I’m really in Australia” moments. How often do you visit a World Heritage Site and Natural Wonder of the World in one day?
To find the most colourful coral and heaps of fish you need to head to the outer reef. Which, luckily, is where all the day trips go. It’s a few hours out on the boat, so plenty of time to take in the view and before you know it you’ll be sliding into the ocean and seeing this natural wonder with your own eyes.
Want to feel even cooler underwater? You can include an introductory scuba dive in your day. This gives you the opportunity to try out scuba diving without committing to an expensive course just yet. Or already 🧜 part-mermaid? We can add a 5-day PADI course or liveaboard experience to your trip, so you can get certified on the Great Barrier Reef. So cool.
Give me the low down
Departure point: Cairns
Tour length: day trip (overnight options available)
Tour style: Crewed / self-guided
Travel style: Adventurous, nature-filled
Transport: Boat
