Best way to spend three weeks on east coast australia?

Question

I have limited time over in Australia this year(3weeks)but want to make the most of it. Happy to make it as jammed packed as possible. (managed thailand in that amount of time)Few ideas of must do's and best way of using time? Have friends in sydney and Kawana(brisbane) so would like to get to both places and everything in between,above and south if possible!Recomended method of travel and time spent in each place!!?

I'm no millionaire either so ideas that will be affordable would be great!

Asking for a lot I know, but would be grateful for any input.

Cheers

Answer 1

The east coast of Australia is over 4000km long and ranges from the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in the south to the tropical rainforests of the north with a few big cities starting with Sydney and Brisbane on the way. There are also hundreds of smaller towns, 4000km of beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, dozens of national parks, etc etc etc. You could easily spend three weeks in Sydney alone.

If you are going to Sydney and Brisbane anyway, pick a couple of other spots and make that your limit. Byron Bay, the Whitsundays and Cairns are all worth visiting and some people like the Gold Coast.

The cheapest transport is by bus. You can get bus passes that allow you to get on and off where and when you like. Bus from Sydney to Cairns and fly back. Believe me, you won't want to get the bus back.

Answer 2

I'd definitely recommend visiting Circular Quay - To see The Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Oprah House.

You could then have lunch at 'The Rocks' In Sydney.

I'm not sure if you live in Australia, but if not, visiting a beach is a must! I recommend Queenscliff Beach in Manly - There are some beautiful restaurants and coffee shops nearby. Or, If you like your beaches busy - Try Bondi Beach.

Other great places to go would be Coffs or Darling Harbour. There are lots of things to do there. If you love the beaches, A car trip along the coast would be beautiful.

As for transport, if you do decide to go to Circular Quay, I'd suggest using the ferries as a means of transport considering the stunning views of the Harbour.

I'm not too familiar with Queensland - But I have been to the Sunshine Coast and there are plenty of things to entertain you up there including 'Australia Zoo', 'Sea World', 'Movie World', 'Dream World' and 'Wet and Wild'. I'd also recommend 'Zorbing'. It's a little pricey, but definitely worth it. The Whitsundays are absolutely stunning and The Tangalooma Dolphin Resort is a great chance to feed the dolphins and enjoy the ocean through snorkeling, boat-riding and swimming.

Of course, there are many other places to visit and enjoy, however I am just stating the places that I have been to and enjoyed.

Good luck on you're trip. Have fun!

Answer 3

Sydney and Brisbane alone will keep you more then occupied.

My suggestion is actually to fly from the Gold Coast airport in Coolangatta to Sydney. The airport in QLD is about an hour away though as the airline I'm suggesting only flies to there.

No, it is not expensive, I have booked airfares to GoldCoast from Sydney for $49 each way. Look up Virgin Blue and see what deals you can get, dont trust Jetstar, their flights get cancelled.

If the prices and dates don't suit, there is a train that runs from Queensland to Sydney, but would cost around the same price.

Answer 4

The previous posters have just about said it all for the Sunshine Coast, but forget about Byron Bay as the town is so untidy and dirty now as they have no respect for the town. Must do is Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef, plus you have got the Karanda Sky rail there too.

Answer 5

Travel from Sydney to Gold Coast, do the theme parks, (Seaworld, Dreamworld, Movie World, Wet n Wild) then to the Sunshine Coast (Kawana), day trips to Glass House Mountains, Australia Zoo, then North to Fraser Island.  So much to see and do.  Contact  your friends to find local deals etc. No matter what you do you'll love it and be back for a bigger dose!  Enjoy!

Answer 6

Fly to Sydney

Have five days here

Day 1  Take the ferry to Manly Beach. The views from the ferry of the Opera House and The Bridge are spectacular.

Return in the afternoon, and walk along the Opera House, and The Rocks area which is very interesting, and Circular Quay taking in Cadmans Cottage.

At dusk go to The Shangri La Hotel for a drink, a little expensive drink but worth it for the view . The very best view in Sydney. You are allowed to go to the bar which is on the 35th floor.

Day 2   Take the shuttle from circular Quay to Darling Harbour. Visit the Aquarium. Walk to Chinatown and Paddy Market, very near here or go to the Fish Market for lunch. Darling Harbour is great at nightime too.

Day 3 Take the ferry to Watson's Bay for lunch. Have the famous Doyle's Fish and Chips. There is a restaurant and a pub there but the best way is to buy them from the takeaway and sit on the wall to eat them.

Day 4 Tours R Us do a great day trip to the Blue Mountains for about 83-93 dollars including lunch. See sydneytoursrus.com

Day 5  You may wish to climb The Bridge which will be say 8am - 12.30pm.  

Take the Explorer Bus which will take you along the eastern suburbs to Bondi Beach and back including Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay,Rose Bay and Vacleuse.

Walk around the Botanical Gardens and see the fruitbats. Look over to Woolloomoollo where Russell Crowe lives, pass Sydney Museum into Hyde Park and return back via the shops. Don't miss the fantastic QV Building and the Strand Arcade.

Just a few ideas that you can add or delete to. Ferry fares are very cheap. Capt Cook tours do a night cruise for about one and a half hours for  25dollars around the harbour. Its magical.

From there you could take the bus or train to Coffs Harbour. Spend a day here and then go onto Brisbane to your friends, where you can sightsee around that area. From there onto Cairns. See the Barrier Reef, ride the Katoomba Railway and visit the aboriginal centre. Allow 3 days min.

Fly back home

Hope this helps and have a great time.

Answer 7

I would recommend you start at Kawana. Work your way south, either by car train or bus. Between Kawana & Caboolture, where I live, there are a number of great tourist places, Underwater World, Big Pineapple, Superbee, Ginger Factory, Aussie World, Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin Zoo). From caboolture, get train to central, train or bus to Gold Coast where you have Seaworld, Movie World & Dreamworld, all within a package deal from any tourist/travel centre. After that, get a bus to Sydney - very scenic drive.If you have access to internet, you may get special fares by plane to Sydney with Jetstar or Virgin Blue. If you here in early may, Caboolture has 4 day musuc festival from 2 - 5 may. Hope I have been helpful. Have fun.

Answer 8

Drive down the coast.. Go fishing.. visit random places.. go swimming..

Answer 9

http://www.wickedcampers.com.au/photos

You will see lots if you hire a Campervan or if you want to stay with your friends in Sydney then get a flight to Brisbane there are often super deals with Jetstar or virgin then you can stay with your friends at Kawana