Your Trip, Your Way
Australia East Coast | Build Your Own
This is solo travel made easy. You choose how long you want to travel for, where you want to start and end and we’ll do the rest. We’ll plan your activities, book your hostels, your buses and give you all the confidence and support to travel at your own pace.
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You Decide
Trip Length
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Anywhere
Start & End
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Bus or Camper
Transport
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Budget, Premium or Mix
Accomodation
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Before, During & After
Support
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Any Day
Departure Dates
How It Works
OUR STORY
Made By Backpackers, For Backpackers
There’s no AI here, every trip is created personally by our Community Team. We’ve all travelled the East Coast and learnt lessons, found hidden gems and are eager to share our tips with you. When you build your own trip with us, you’re not getting a generic template, instead you’re getting real advice from people who’ve lived it, travelled it and loved it.
Where You Could Go
The beauty of a Build Your Own Trip is that you get to choose.
We’ve included the must-see spots below to help inspire you. But we have so many more we can add to your personalised itinerary. You’ll get to choose where you want to go, what you want to see and how long you want to travel for.
Melbourne
Wander the laneways for coffee, street art and rooftop bars. Head out the city to the Great Ocean Road or see tiny penguins emerge from the ocean.
Sydney
Iconic in every way. Visit Sydney Harbour, spend an afternoon on Bondi Beach and grab the ferry over to Manly for the best sunset views.
Surf Towns
Byron Bay is where the surfers come to play. Grab a board to try the ultimate Aussie pastime, kayak to find dolphins and walk to the lighthouse.
Sunshine Coast
Stunning beaches, glorious National Parks and wildlife at every turn. Noosa is a firm favourite for a reason.
K’gari (Fraser Island)
This is the largest sand island in the world! Spend three days swimming in freshwater lakes, finding shipwrecks and sleeping under the stars.
The Whitsundays
Sail around these picturesque islands on a three-day adventure. Short on time? No worries we have day trips you’ll love. Don’t forget to add-on a scenic flight.
Rainforests
Visit the world’s oldest rainforest, marvel at Cape Tribulation, take a croc spotting cruise and then come back to swim in waterfalls.
Great Barrier Reef
It’s a must-do activity and for good reason. Blue seas, colourful coral and fish everywhere. This is your Finding Nemo moment.
Melbourne
Wander the laneways for coffee, street art and rooftop bars. Head out the city to the Great Ocean Road or see tiny penguins emerge from the ocean.
Sydney
Iconic in every way. Visit Sydney Harbour, spend an afternoon on Bondi Beach and grab the ferry over to Manly for the best sunset views.
Surf Towns
Byron Bay is where the surfers come to play. Grab a board to try the ultimate Aussie pastime, jump in a kayak to find dolphins and take a walk to the lighthouse.
Sunshine Coast
Stunning beaches, glorious National Parks and wildlife at every turn. Noosa is a firm favourite for a reason.
K’gari (Fraser Island)
This is the largest sand island in the world! Spend three days swimming in freshwater lakes, finding shipwrecks and sleeping under the stars.
The Whitsundays
Sail around these picturesque islands on a three-day adventure. Short on time? No worries we have day trips you’ll love. Don’t forget to add-on a scenic flight.
Rainforests
Visit the world’s oldest rainforest, marvel at Cape Tribulation, take a croc spotting cruise and then come back to swim in waterfalls.
Great Barrier Reef
It’s a must-do activity and for good reason. Blue seas, colourful coral and fish everywhere. This is your Finding Nemo moment.
Where You Could Stay
We believe where you stay can make or break your trip – so we’ve set the bar high. Our best hostel policy means we only recommend places we’d stay in ourselves. Comfortable, social and safe – the perfect base to relax, connect and make memories that last.
Budget
8-10 bed hostel dorms will keep costs down and put you right in the middle of the social scene. Comfortable, clean and safe.
Premium
Excellent facilities and little extra touches that make a stay stand out. Upgrade to a smaller or gender-specific dorm for added comfort.
Private
Your own room for yourself, or to share with a partner or friend. Ensuite upgrade also available. Private, relaxed and all to yourselves.
Campsites
Hit the road on your own schedule, stopping off at hidden beaches and tucked-away towns as you go. Freeing and flexible.
"Welcome to Travel matched me with the perfect hostels on my trip. Social and comfortable!"
- Emily, Wales
How You Can Travel
The East Coast is huge. It’s nearly 3,000KM from Melbourne to Cairns so we’ll help find the best and most cost-effective travel style for you. Longer bus passes are more effective but you can mix and match travel styles too.
Bus
The most cost-effective and popular way to travel the coast. Reclining seats, regular rest spots and even onboard wifi. And you’ll be dropped off right in the centre of the action too.
Campervan
Hit the road on your own schedule, stopping off at hidden beaches and tucked-away towns as you go. Freeing and flexible, and even better with a mate or two along for the ride.
Fly
Short on time? Hopping on a quick flight can take days off travelling on ground-level. We can suggest when it’s worth flying and when it’s worth staying on the ground.
Make It Yours
Choose Your Bucket List Activities
This is where you can make it your trip. Add as many or as few as you want. Or let us reccommend our favourites.
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
Tried, Tested & Loved By Backpackers
Looking For Inspiration?
Check out our most popular East Coast itineraries below. Use them as inspiration. Mix and match to suit your needs or leave everything up to our team. This is your trip. Your way. And we’re here to make it happen.
Brisbane to Cairns in 3 Weeks
A fast-paced adventure. You’ll take on the top half of the coast starting in Brisbane before exploring surf towns and national parks. Next up it’s the Big 3: explore K’gari, sail The Whitsundays and snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef.
- Brisbane Explore Queensland's Capital and visit Australia Zoo.
- Noosa Learn to surf, hike the coastal path, then hit the beach.
- K'gari The world's largest sand island. Enough said.
- The Whitsundays Sail out to Whitehaven Beach and fly over the Heart Reef.
- Cairns The adventure capital. Skydive, bungy jump or croc spot.
- The Great Barrier Reef We've saved the best til last.
Want to slow down or add more stops? This is just a starting point – build it out however you like.
Sydney to Cairns in 4 Weeks
The sweet spot. Take time to really enjoy each destination without rushing. You’ll tick off the Big 3, spend time island-living, explore surf towns and end your trip in the tropics spending your days between the rainforests and the reefs.
- Sydney Take in Bondi Beach, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
- Byron Bay Learn to surf, spot wild dolphins, then hit the beach.
- Brisbane The gateway to Australia Zoo and Moreton Island.
- Noosa Our favourite surf town and home to the famous fairy pools.
- K'gari Drive 4x4s, swim in freshwater lakes and camp under the stars.
- Airlie Beach See the Whitsundays and Heart Reef from the sky.
- The Whitsundays Spend 3 days on a sailboat (or choose a day trip).
- Magnetic Island Relaxed island-living surrounded by koalas.
- Cairns The Great Barrier Reef one day, the world's oldest rainforest the next.
Want to slow down or add more stops? This is just a starting point – build it out however you like.
Melbourne to Cairns in 6 Weeks
Time to linger in each destination, explore extra spots and soak in Australia’s very best beaches. You’ll explore the main cities, learn to surf, seek out islands, rainforests and so much more. This is the full East Coast experience.
- Melbourne Explore the laneways , coffee culture and rooftop bars.
- Sydney The beach city and famous harbour await.
- Surf Camp Become a true Aussie. Choose from a 3 or 5 day camp.
- Byron Bay Kayak with dolphins and soak in the chilled atmosphere.
- Surfers Paradise Famous for its nightlife and skyscrapers.
- Brisbane Australia Zoo, adventure-filled islands and a buzzing city.
- Noosa Our favourite surf town and National Park in one.
- Habitat Retreat Stay in cabins surrounded by kangaroos.
- Rainbow Beach The best sunset on the East Coast.
- K'gari 3 days on the world's largest sand island.
- Airlie Beach Take a scenic flight over the Whitsundays and Heart Reef.
- The Whitsundays Spend 3 days on a sailboat (or choose a day trip).
- Magnetic Island Relaxed island-living surrounded by koalas.
- Mission Beach Did someone say skydive? We did!
- Cairns The Great Barrier Reef one day, the world's oldest rainforest the next.
Want to slow down or add more stops? This is just a starting point – build it out however you like.
Build Your Dream Adventure
Mix & Match Your Experience
You don’t have to build your whole trip from scratch. Bundle our fully guided tours to get the perfect blend of group and solo travel.
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We know what it is like trying to arrange your travels, so we want to make it as easy as possible for you.