Mon-Fri : 09:00 - 18:00
Sat : 09:00 - 17:00
Sun : 10:00 - 16:00
ROOM OF YOUR OWN GUARANTEED
RATED EXCELLENT ON TRUSTPILOT
Over 25 Years Expertise
Get away from it all and relax on St Lucia's golden beaches. You'll also enjoy a tour of the island and a thrilling rainforest safari.
Tour Old Delhi, enjoy a boat ride on the sacred River Ganges and visits to the shimmering Taj Mahal, and Amber Fort are among the highlights of this unforgettable holiday, which also includes the chance to search for the elusive tiger.
Enveloped in the myths and legends of Greek gods, explore Crete, an island paradise, on our tour led by expert Local Guides.
The East Coast is an ideal destination for first-timers to Australia. It offers iconic cities, beaches, rainforest and offshore coral reefs.
Must-see destinations on the East Coast include Sydney, Byron Bay, Brisbane, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and Melbourne.
The best time to visit the East Coast depends on your chosen destinations, but between April and October you can enjoy comfortable levels of heat and humidity.
Extend your trip to Australia’s East Coast with a tour that includes Alice Springs, Uluru, Adelaide and the Great Ocean Road.
There are many reasons why the East Coast of Australia is a popular destination with both first-time solo travellers and seasoned adventurers. In a single journey, you can pair city icons with soft-sand beaches, ancient rainforest with the Great Barrier Reef, and café culture with world-class art.
Distances can be considerable and the climates varied, but that’s where an escorted tour makes everything feel effortless, especially if you’re travelling solo.
This guide maps out a practical, inspiring route for your first Australia East Coast adventure, closely matching the experiences on Just You’s Australian Highlights tour.
If you are interested in a trip to Australia, discover more about our 23-day guided tour.
A visit to Sydney always feels like a grand reveal. The first time you see the iconic Opera House’s white sails gleaming against the cobalt waters of the harbour, it’s hard not to smile.
Stroll the waterfront promenade and you’ll soon be beneath the great steel arch of the Harbour Bridge, listening to the soft slap of waves against the quay and the chatter of ferries coming and going.
The city’s oldest neighbourhood, The Rocks, is a tumble of heritage sandstone, boutique shops and friendly pubs where you can settle in for a plate of fish and chips and watch the world go by.
And of course, there’s Bondi Beach – a crescent of pale sand, sun-warmed rock pools and the iconic clifftop path that unspools towards Coogee, the Pacific rolling beside you.
If you have free time, the Barangaroo area offers a change of pace after a day soaking up the sun at Bondi and wandering around the city centre. Here, you’ll find a walkway of native plantings, outdoor sculptures and open-air dining.
Sydney is also a perfect base for day trips. The nearby Blue Mountains are the classic escape – a dramatic sweep of eucalyptus forest where the air smells faintly of lemon and mint, and the views stop you in your tracks. At Echo Point, gaze over the Three Sisters, a trio of sandstone pillars glowing honey-gold in late afternoon light.
Scenic World’s cableway and skyway drift above the forest canopy, while the historic railway clatters you down into the valley for gentle boardwalks among tree ferns and birdsong.
On a guided day tour, the logistics, timings, and safety are all taken care of, leaving you free to soak it all in.
North of Sydney lie many charming beach towns that tempt travellers to embrace the Aussie way of life.
Port Stephens, just north of Newcastle, is a blue-water paradise where dolphins play in broad bays, and white-sand beaches invite gentle strolls. With some time at leisure, you may have the chance to join a dolphin-watching cruise or simply relax on the beach and take in views of the area’s famous dunes.
Laid-back yet lively, Byron Bay is a popular spot for those who enjoy the great outdoors and the alternative wellness scene. If you have time to explore, local markets and cafés serving farm-to-table food are popular spots.
Further north, the Queensland capital of Brisbane lies along a looping river. With its curving boardwalks, breezy bridges, leafy parks and café decks that just touch the water, it’s a city that deserves to be explored on foot before you embark on a river cruise to soak up the sparkling evening skyline.
Stroll South Bank for subtropical gardens, a blend of beach and city life, and the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), which hosts blockbuster exhibitions with thoughtful Indigenous and Pacific works.
Our Australian Highlights guided tour also offers an optional group excursion to North Stradbroke Island (“Straddie”), where you can relax on beaches, explore bushland walks and spot local wildlife on one of the world’s largest sand islands.
Known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is a compact city in tropical Far North Queensland.
A highlight of any East Coast Australia tour, the air here is warm and fragrant, with colours saturated by glossy green leaves, red heliconia blooms and a cloudless blue sky.
The Esplanade – the main waterfront strip that runs along the edge of the city – features a long promenade and a large public swimming lagoon. You can also enjoy relaxing in the many cafes, markets and green spaces here between excursions.
One of the classic experiences for travellers is the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. The vintage railway offers stunning views through waterfalls and ferny cuttings, including Barron Falls, while the Skyrail floats visitors over the incredible rainforest canopy in a gondola, with rangers providing insights into the area’s unique story.
On our guided tour exploring East Coast Australia, you’ll have two days to explore at leisure in this leafy location.
The reef is Australia’s great showstopper, and the best news is that you can experience it in a way that suits your comfort and confidence. If you prefer to stay dry, look for excursions that include glass-bottom boats or semi-submersibles – you’ll glide above coral gardens while colourful fish flicker below like confetti.
Many reef platforms feature underwater observatories too, where you can watch this silent world unfold without even getting your feet wet.
If you’re curious about getting in the water but not sure where to start, guided snorkelling is remarkably beginner-friendly. Crew members fit your mask and fins; buoyancy vests are available. Guides lead small groups over calm, shallow sites where the coral rises like a sculpture and neon parrotfish nibble at the edges.
You’ll likely find the sea is kinder than you imagined, and the colours are surprisingly bright. You could see coral in various shapes and sizes, and might spot your first clownfish, a parrotfish, or even a sea cucumber resting on the sea bed.
Melbourne is a city made for wandering. Start your morning with a freshly brewed coffee from one of the city’s independent coffee spots, often tucked between bold murals and hidden arcades.
Federation Square is home to several major galleries, including the National Gallery of Victoria. Here, pieces by European masters sit alongside striking contemporary works. In the afternoon, you might ride a vintage tram to the Royal Botanic Garden and browse the bustling food halls at Queen Victoria Market.
Visitors can finish a busy day with a stroll along the Yarra River into leafy neighbourhoods to enjoy a meal filled with fragrant Asian flavours and a drink in a welcoming wine bar.
Alternatively, if you’re a wildlife lover, you’ll enjoy an evening excursion to Phillip Island. Here, hundreds of Little Penguins emerge from the sea and walk up the beach to their burrows as the sun goes down.
Rangers will share insights as you marvel at the world’s smallest penguins in their natural habitat.
Australia’s East Coast changes character with the seasons, so timing your trip adds a lovely layer of comfort.
Sydney (New South Wales) – September to November and March to May offer milder weather, harbour walks bathed in soft light, and the chance to see offshore whale migrations.
Melbourne (Victoria) – known for its famously unpredictable weather, which can seem to have four seasons in a day, late spring through early autumn (roughly October to April) tends to bring the most reliable warmth. Pack layers and you’ll be well set for sunny afternoons and cooler evenings.
Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef (Tropical North Queensland) – here, the dry season runs from May to October, offering lower humidity and clearer waters. However, the wet season from November to April transforms the area into a lush, dramatic landscape with its tropical downpours.
Brisbane and surrounding area (South East Queensland) – with its reliable climate, Brisbane is pleasant most of the year, although March–May (autumn) and September–November (spring) often bring warmer days and fewer storms.
The East Coast of Australia easily pairs with other iconic locations in this spellbinding country. Bringing them all together in one trip of a lifetime means you won't miss out on any of Australia's highlights.
In the Red Centre, Alice Springs offers a glimpse into the vast scale of the outback, with ochre landscapes and stories of pioneering life. Uluru is arguably Australia’s most iconic natural landmark and is a sacred site to the Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. Its vivid colours shift from sunrise to sunset, and it’s the perfect location for hearing stories of Tjukurpa – the creation stories and cultural laws – on guided walks.
To the south, Adelaide brings a graceful blend of galleries, gardens and a food-and-wine scene that punches well above its weight. And along the Great Ocean Road, via Warrnambool, the Southern Ocean has sculpted a stunning coastline. The Twelve Apostles, a collection of coastal limestone stacks, rise like sentinels from churning blue-grey water, and lookouts are thoughtfully placed so you can take in the view without lengthy walks.
Linking these moments within one escorted tour keeps the planning simple and the pace comfortable, while still delivering that feeling of having truly travelled.
From Sydney’s sparkling harbour to the living green of the Daintree and the kaleidoscopic reefs offshore, the East Coast delivers a satisfying first taste of Australia. Its big scenery, clear blue waters and intriguing wildlife are effortlessly explored when travelling solo on a guided tour.
Just You’s Australian Highlights tour promises a packed itinerary for your first visit, with the perfect mix of guided excursions and free time to explore at your leisure. Enjoy meals shared with your fellow travellers, comfortable and private accommodation, and no logistics to worry about.
If you’d like to explore Australia, request a brochure or speak to one of our friendly Holiday Advisors.
Discover more Just You Australia singles holidays & solo tours.
Iconic cities, famous landmarks and natural wonders are yours to discover on an incredible journey from Sydney to Melbourne.
Iconic cities, famous landmarks and natural wonders are yours to discover on an incredible journey from Sydney to Melbourne.
Explore the beauty and grandeur of New Zealand after your holiday in Australia. Visiting both countries in one trip will certainly make for a holiday of a lifetime. Choose this add on and you will join the Breathtaking New Zealand tour in Auckland.
