6 Day Australian East Coast Explorer

On arrival, a private transfer will collect you from Sydney Airport and transfer you to your accommodation.

Sydney is Australia's most famous city and with almost 20% of the country's population, is also Australia's largest city. Situated on the east coast of Australia it has beautiful white sand beaches, including the famous Bondi Beach and Manly Beach as well as the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and of course, the Sydney Opera House. Rich in history, art, and food Sydney has something for everyone.

In 2014, the government of New South Wales introduced lockout laws, which forever changed Sydney’s bar scene. Suddenly, club-hopping was no more in a city known for some of the best nightlife in Australia.
In a story of unintended consequences, a new kind of bar started to appear in the city — one that you could settle into for the night with a small group of mates. Sydney’s speakeasies came roaring into fashion, and now hidden bars behind pizza shops, dumpling halls and back laneways are all the rage.
Join a local guide and discover the incredibly new and exciting trend in Sydney’s hospitality scene.

Our rental car range includes the latest vehicles from the top suppliers. We have a fantastic range, from economy hatchbacks to prestige sedans and SUVs. Insurance can often be included with a small excess or deductible.

Often mistaken as Australia's capital city, Sydney is a vibrant coastal city with plenty to see and do. Wander around Circular Quay for great views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge; explore the Royal Botanic Gardens, get your science and culture fix at the Powerhouse Museum, Maritime Museum or the Sydney Observatory; take a ferry and explore the Harbour, Luna Park or Taronga Zoo, or simply shop til you drop in the city centre. With plenty of great bars and restaurants, there is no shortage of things to see, do, eat and drink!

Sydney harbour is like a sunset painting in progress. The aquamarine colours of Summer give way to the warm orange hues of Autumn before deepening to a magical Winter twilight blue. Year-round, sun-up or sun-down and everything in between, the colours of Sydney Harbour will welcome you onboard the evening Dinner Cruise. This is the perfect start to an evening or stunning end to an amazing day in the greatest city in the world.

Step inside an iconic landmark. The Sydney Opera House is one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks and this is your chance to truly get up-close. Run your hands over the world-famous shell tiles, take a seat in the elegant custom-made white birch timber chairs and marvel at the vaulted ceilings. Visit areas off-limits to the public and capture photographs from rare vantage points. Watch unforgettable moments from past Concert Hall performances, learning about the history and future of this world-famous hall in an immersive digital experience. Experience the future within a  purpose-built venue that boasts heritage-inspired interiors, and state-of-the-art technology, including 270-degree visuals and surround sound.
From the jaw-dropping sweep of the sails to our soaring cathedral interiors, it is impossible to complete a tour of the Sydney Opera House without being compelled to look up.

Your journey along the "Legendary Pacific Coast" begins by heading north out of Sydney along the Pacific Motorway (M1). If you feel like meeting some native wildlife, you could pop into the Australian Reptile Park, or for something more scenic, take the exit at Gosford for a great little stopover at Norah Head Lighthouse, standing proudly on the coast since 1903.
Back on the motorway, you will pass the Hunter Valley (one of Australia's most famous wine regions) and Newcastle as you continue your journey towards your destination, Port Macquarie. Home to 17 beaches, beautiful scenic walks, and the Koala Hospital, there is plenty to do. If time allows, we recommend the 9km Coastal Walk from town to Lighthouse Beach.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital was established in 1973 and is a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. The Hospital is a popular tourist attraction which welcomes thousands of national and international visitors every year. The Hospital is also a scientific research, training and education centre.
The Koala Hospital consists of exhibit enclosures, a treatment clinic, intensive care units and rehabilitation yards, many of which have trees for koalas to learn to climb as part of the rehabilitation process. There is also a Koalaseum - a museum for Koalas which provides information on koala evolution and biology and interactive displays so visitors can touch koala fur or look down a microscope at koala poos (scat).
Admission is free, so we recommend bringing some cash to donate to their valuable conservation work.

Today's drive will cover about 400km (250 miles) up the Pacific Coast, leaving you plenty of opportunities to stop off and take in the sights. From Port Macquarie, head north on Pacific Highway (A1) for about 150km (93 miles) to reach your first stop of the day, Coffs Harbour. Home to the iconic Big Banana, Australia's first "big thing" built back in 1964. Stop at the cafe for a coffee or banana split, or head into town to take a stroll on the Coffs Harbour Jetty.
From Coffs Harbour, snake along the coast for 120km until you reach signs for Yamba. This sleepy hamlet has beaches that rival those of Byron Bay but remains a little more low-profile. Take a stroll on one of the beautiful beaches, or head to the Pacific Hotel for some great views.
From Yamba, return to the Pacific Highway (A1) and continue to head north. If you want an opportunity to spot a second "big thing" today, take a short detour into Ballina to see the Big Prawn. Back on the highway, it's just 30km (18 miles) further to your final destination, Byron Bay.

The drive from Byron Bay to Brisbane will see you crossing state lines from New South Wales to Queensland. This drive will take a little over two hours, so have a leisurely start to your morning in Byron Bay before heading west out of Byron Bay and onto the M1.
Travel past Coolangatta, a surf and diving mecca revered for its unpretentious culture and bountiful array of aquatic life and continue onto the Gold Coast, famed for its white-sand beaches, theme parks, and shopping. Stop at the iconic Surfers Paradise, take a surf lesson, or, for a bird's eye view of the city and surrounding beaches, head up the 270m tall (886 foot) Q1 building.
From the Gold Coast, continue on the M1 to the state capital, Brisbane.

The “World’s First” amphibious Aquaduck Safari, operating since 1996, is an established Gold Coast icon.
Departing from the heart of Surfers Paradise, tours aboard the amphibious ‘Duck’ combine informative city tours with a unique and exciting river cruise, travelling past the glitzy waterfront mansions of the rich and famous and taking in the spectacular views of the Gold Coast waterways and its famous landmarks.

Relax and let us spoil you on the Eco Rainforest River Cruise with great, local plunger coffee, a selection of teas, hot chocolate, delicious gourmet cakes and biscuits, as you glide gently along on a Brunswick River cruise enjoying the wonderful scenery and wildlife. Be entertained by fun, informative commentary on the area's fascinating history, environment, local aboriginal culture and bush stories. Perfect for special occasions, meeting friends, family gatherings, visitors and groups.

Explore more of Brisbane before dropping your rental car at the airport depot and continuing your onward journey.