Australia Travel Forum

Hi,
In July/August I will travel from Cairns to Sydney in four weeks. The first days I would like to spend at Cape Tribulation and the last week at Sydney and Blue Mountains but I have not yet a route in between. Could you please give me some suggestions about must sees, hidden spots and don'ts ?
We like nature and cities very much with a short beach break but limited partying. However we don't only want to see tourists
Thank you very much!

Mark

Hi Mark

From Cairns go to the Atherton Tablelands (can do this as a day tour) and visit the Crater National Park, Fig Tree curtain and Millaa Millaa falls. Mission Beach is worth staying a night (also visit Hinchinbrook Island) as is Townsville (Magnetic Island). Then down to Airlie Beach via Bowen. You are now in what's called the Whitsundays, a group of islands which can be explored. Then on to Rockhampton (try the steak there) but stay in Yeppoon which, I believe is more interesting. Then through Gladstone to Bundaberg but stay in Bargara. On via Childers (interesting town) to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island (tours from Hervey Bay). Through Maryborough (explore old veranda style architecture) to Rainbow Beach. Then down to the Sunshine Coast - Noosa, Mooloolaba (do a day tour of Mapleton, Montville and Maleny - the latter having a wonderful lookout over the Glass House Mountains). From the Sunshine Coast you will drive to Brisbane -state capital of Queensland and your first leg has been completed.

The next leg to Sydney is a bit shorter and after spending sometime on the Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta) which is a bit touristy, however you could go up to the Springbrook National Park and take the back way to Murwillumbah which will suit you. You are now in the state of New South Wales and on to Byron Bay (beach resort town that is a bit alternate) then drive via Lennox Head to Balina. Turn off at Maclean to Yamba and Angourie which is interesting. Back via Grafton to Coffs Harbour which is worth exploring. Then on the to Nambucca Heads and turn off just before Kempsey to South West Rocks and the Hat Head National Park. Back via Kempsey to Port Macquarie (worth a couple of days there to explore the area including Laurieton). Then Via Taree turn off to Forster Tuncurry and the northern part of the Myall Lake NP. Before you get to Newcastle, turn of towards Nelson Bay and explore the area. Now back on the highway through Newcastle you have a couple of options - the quick way to Sydney on the Freeway or go the more scenic route through Swansea, Toukley, The Entrance, Terrigal, Kincumber and Umina. then on to the freeway and your in Sydney!

Drive carefully, and make use of all the tourist offices in the area you are driving through which will give you the attractions to see.

Hope this helps,
John

Assuming that you're driving I agree completely with John. And for the last bit don't just blast down the freeway, do as he suggested and drive through the Central Coast area.

The drive can be very boring in parts with long stretches of identical countryside. Don't do more than about two hours, then have a short break. Driver fatigue is the biggest killer on our country roads. And don't let the fuel run low, there can be hundreds of kilometres between petrol stations.