First trip to Australia, about two weeks, focusing on the east coast - Sydney, up to the Great Barrier Reef, maybe the Whitsundays. Trying to work out the order, what’s worth stopping for in between, and whether to fly the long legs or take it slower. For anyone who’s done the east coast, what made the cut? Thanks in advance.
For two weeks it would better to fly. You can’t drive that distance (2400+kms) and actually have time to see anything in two weeks. Stay in Sydney 4 days . Do a tour out to the Blue Mountains, have a look at the beaches, catch the Watsons Bay commuter ferry from Circular Quay for a look at the harbourside mansions, opera house and bridge from the water for about $7 each way, and wander around the Rocks area. It depends on what you are interested in and whether you like long drives as to the rest. I would fly Sydney to Gold Coast.(surf beaches, holiday town) From there hire a car and drive north to the Sunshine Coast.(Noosa) ( Stay)Travel around what is known as the hinterland for lovely little towns and spectacular scenery, waterfalls, Eumundi markets, Australia zoo. From Noosa take a day tour to Fraser Island/ K’garri to see and swim in Lake McKenzie. (4wd only)
Brisbane lies between the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. so might be of interest to stay a night.
Alternatively skip the Gold Coast and Brisbane and just fly Sydney to the Sunshine Coast to save time. I would choose Noosa and the Sunshine Coast over Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast. Gold coast has theme parks and touristy holiday things to do, but is a bit ‘seedy’ too. The beaches are fantastic though. Noosa is more natural and small.
From Sunshine coast (Maroochydore airport) fly to Cairns (reef) and take day trips to nearby attractions. Hiring a care would be easiest. Palm Cove is a lovely holiday place to stay, just north of Cairns if you have a car. If not stay in Cairns. Visit Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda etc Atherton tablelands and arrange your trip out to the reef. Flying out of Cairns International might be possible depending on where you are going.
Yes, with only two weeks, flying the longer sections makes sense. It’s also worth leaving enough time for the Whitsundays or the Reef instead of trying to fit too many stops between Sydney and Cairns. The east coast is much bigger than it looks on the map.