The East Coast of Australia is at the top of many travellers’ bucket lists. Between diving the Great Barrier Reef, sailing through the Whitsunday Islands and exploring Sydney – it’s not hard to see why.
There is so much to do along the East Coast, and only so much time (and money) you guys have. So we’ve compiled a list of our favourite “bucket-list worthy” activities, to make the selection process a little easier.
Visit the Great Barrier Reef
Known as one of the wonders of the natural world, The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the world. There’s plenty of marine life to encounter and you might even find Nemo. Taking a tour from Cairns, you can snorkel or SCUBA dive this world heritage site looking for turtles, reef sharks, stingrays and so much more.
Sail the Whitsundays
With 74 islands that offer unreal snorkelling and spectacular views, how could the Whitsundays not be on your bucket list? Whether you want to party your way through or sail in style, there’s something for everyone in this magnificent collection of islands.
Some of our Stray Tours include an unforgettable 3 day/2 night trip to the Whitsundays – on a 76′ crewed ocean-going racing yacht. Sail through the islands by day, then sleep on deck under the stars or in the cosy cabin below decks at night.
Explore Fraser Island in a 4×4
Ever driven a 4WD truck along 120km of sand beach? K’gari (Fraser Island) is the world’s largest sand island – so it’s a great way to explore. Most of us haven’t. In addition to the thrill of driving on a sand highway, you can enjoy the feeling of being off the beaten track with your new bffs, spotting dingos and exploring famous sites like Champagne Pools and the Maheno Shipwreck.
Walk on the wild side
Australia is home to some of the most bizarre wildlife on the planet. From Kangaroos who can cover up to 9 metres in a single leap and would most definitely beat you in a fight, to adorable koalas, who are not bears but sleep up to 22 hours a day, and exclusively eat the least nutritious thing we can think of. You can also see brightly coloured birds, echidnas, snakes, lizards and of course some crazy big spiders.
Unwind in Byron Bay
For some, Byron Bay is known as the hippy home of Australia. To others, Byron Bay is a chance to party in paradise with perfect waves to surf and a bunch of cool bars. Whatever your vibe, this culture capital is a great place to relax, make friends and get into your groove.
Learn to Surf
Speaking of surf, you can’t come to Australia without getting on a board and trying to hang ten. There are opportunities to surf on all our Australia east coast Stray Tours. The waves are notoriously relaxed for beginners and the awesome instructors will have you throwing up shakas in no time.
Get “That Shot” in Sydney
No, we don’t mean shots of booze but of course that is par for the backpacker course. If you come to Australia and don’t take a selfie with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, did you even come to Australia? It’s a crazy experience to see for yourself something you’ve seen on TV a hundred times.
You can tick all of these bucket list items off on a Stray tour. If you’re keen to meet like-minded travellers, and explore the East Coast with the perfect mix of nature, beaches, socialising and activities, check out our amazing current tours and find out which one is right for you.
