Unique East Coast and Outback Road Trip (Loop from Sydney)

Australia is a massive country, much bigger than most expect. As such, most travelers in Australia underestimate how much they can see, wanting to experience both the famous coastal spots but also “The Outback.” Short on time myself, I created a road trip itinerary that will allow you to travel the East Coast and Outback on a loop from Sydney, getting to experience Australia fully.

While you won’t get venture too deep into the Outback on this road trip itinerary, you will still be able to get a taste on the outskirts, while having time to experience the famous East Coast.

This road trip can also be started from anywhere on this loop, like Brisbane perhaps, depending on where you’re flying in to.

I would allow one month for this trip, but if you don’t mind driving long distances at a time and are limited on time, you can make this outback and east coast road trip loop itinerary shorter.

This road trip itinerary is perfect for anyone without several months to spare but who still wants to experience as much of Australia as possible, experiencing both the East Coast and Outback before looping back to Sydney.

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Tips for traveling the East Coast and Outback road trip loop

Before delving into the Outback and East Coast road trip loop itinerary, I’d like to share some tips for traveling in Australia.

Transport for Outback and East Coast Trip

The only way to accomplish this itinerary is by car. While you can travel most of the East Coast by public transport, the first part of the journey (the “outback” part of it) can only be reached with car.

I personally bought a car, as I was living in Australia on a working holiday visa. However, if you’re only visiting Australia short term, your best option is to rent a car.

Alternatively, you can also rent a campervan or motorhome. There are plenty of campsites available on this itinerary, so it may be the most cost-effective option.

Accommodation for Outback and East Coast Trip

If you’re trying to save money, have a car and the weather is good, I’d recommend buying a tent and camping gear. That’s what I did, and it came in handy, especially when visiting the beautiful nature destinations. I didn’t camp the entire time, but it did save me money when traveling places with expensive accommodation.

Another budget-friendly option is to stay in hostels. You’ll find a lot of these on the East Coast part of the road trip, while camping will be more common in the Outback part of the trip.

What is the best time of year to travel the East Coast and Outback of Australia?

Spring (August-December) and fall (March-June) would be my recommendation.

Summer (December-March) you may want to avoid because the northern part of this road trip loop will be unforgivingly hot. It’s also peak season on the East Coast, so you’ll struggle booking accommodation and attractions.

Alternatively, winter (June-August) may be too cold to enjoy some of the beach destinations in this itinerary, and it’s actually peak season in places like Lightning Ridge.

Depending on what time of year you’re traveling in Australia, you may want to do this East Coast and Outback loop the other way around. For example, if you’re traveling at the end of winter, you may want to start in the Outback first to beat the heat and do the East Coast later to catch the warm weather.

What is the “Outback”?

Traditionally, the name “Outback” means the land “out back” behind the cities, as all the cities are along the coast. There’s some debate on where the Outback actually starts, but it’s typically the remote parts of Australia (so most of it).

Is it safe to travel the Outback and East Coast?

Generally, yes. And likely a lot safer than you may think. Especially if you simply use common sense.

Fears of venomous spiders and snakes, sharks and Irukandji (tiny jellyfish whose sting will cause excruciating pain), rip currents sweeping you out to sea, running out of drinking water in the middle of nowhere, or totaling your car on a suicidal kangaroo are all valid fears.

But you’ll find it’s very rare to encounter injury or death by any of these dangers. Just take precautions.

The most important thing you need to know about going on a road trip in Australia on this East Coast and Outback loop from Sydney is to not drive in the dark. The coast is more built up than the Outback, so you may be safer there. But if you’re driving inland at dawn, dusk or night, you run the high risk of totaling your car by hitting a kangaroo or emu.

It was by far the most dangerous thing I did in Australia. So don’t do it. Extend your stay somewhere and skip one of the other stops on this itinerary if necessary.

Also, don’t drive for too long without breaks. Try to have a co-driver. If travelling solo, consider picking up a fellow traveler from a hostel or from a rideshare Facebook group to help you drive.

Make sure that you have enough fuel and water, as you’ll be driving big stretches between stops.

The people you’ll encounter will mostly be very friendly and helpful, but exercise caution as you would in any other foreign country.

When it comes to swimming, make sure to read all warning signs on the beach before entering the water. Rip tides are especially a danger on most beaches in Australia.

You may be relieved to hear that this road trip itinerary through the East Coast and Outback doesn’t go further south than Sydney, so you won’t encounter the worst of the sharks. And it doesn’t go too far north either, so you won’t be entering crocodile territory. So, this road trip itinerary is actually pretty ideal.

Can you loop back through the Outback on an East Coast road trip?

Yes! And I’d highly recommend it, even though it’s not a popular route for road trips of those traveling the East Coast. I think a lot of that stems from lack of time, as it will take a bit longer to go inland.

However, venturing away from the East Coast on your way back to Sydney and getting a glimpse at what the majority of Australia is like in the Outback will greatly enhance your road trip experience.

It also goes a bit off the beaten path, which I loved. It gives travelers a different view of Australia than what most see just taking a road trip of the East Coast.

To loop back to Sydney through the Outback on your East Coast road trip, you will be driving on The Great Inland Way.

How long do you need for an East Coast and Outback road trip from Sydney?

My road trip loop through the East Coast and the Outback from Sydney took me about one month to complete. That being said, it could have taken shorter or longer.

If you want a shorter road trip, you could (although not advised) skip some stops and complete the road trip in 2 to 3 weeks.

If you have more time, you can extend this itinerary by going all the way up the coast to Cairns, or all the way down to Melbourne. And you can spend more time in the places you enjoy and fully experience all the places on the East Coast and Outback.

East Coast and Outback Road Trip Loop

Sydney

The starting and end point of this East Coast and Outback road trip loop is Sydney, Australia.

I lived in Sydney for the majority of my year in Australia, and it’s my favorite city in the country. A lot of people don’t have the same opinion, but I think that’s because they didn’t experience Sydney off the beaten path.

The touristy things shouldn’t be missed though.

Sydney Things to Do

First thing I did when I first got to Sydney was head to the Sydney Opera House. Even after months of passing it daily, the sight still took my breath away. While the exterior is what makes it one of the most famous buildings in the world, you should go inside as well. If you’re lucky, you might be able to score a ticket to a show. If not, you can tour the inside of the opera house.

Next to the Sydney Opera House are the Botanic Gardens, which is a great free thing to do. There are also various bushwalks in Sydney if you’re looking for more wild nature on a walk around Sydney.

I would also recommend a coastal walk, such as the famous Bondi to Coogee walk. Stop along Sydney’s most famous beaches along the way, or head north across the Harbour Bridge to explore the quieter but beautiful Northern Beaches.

Sydney’s biggest offer in my opinion is its harbour, the largest natural harbour in the world (and probably most beautiful). Seeing Sydney from the water is a must, so make sure you take a boat cruise on Sydney Harbour. For a cheaper option, take the public ferry from Circular Quay to Manly.

Finally, Sydney has some great museums on offer, and most are free! Art Gallery of New South Wales and Museum of Contemporary Art are great for art lovers. My favorite, State Library of New South Wales, always has free exhibits on. Australian Museum is amazing (hard to believe it’s free), holding exhibits about various aspects of Australian natural and social history.

And Taronga Zoo is definitely worth a visit too (although keep in mind they also have another zoo located in Dubbo—which you’ll visit later on this road trip—that’s much bigger).

Newcastle

(2 hours from Sydney)

First stop on your road trip from Sydney is along the East Coast and only two hours north of Sydney.

Depending on when you leave Sydney, you can spend your first night of your East Coast and Outback loop in Newcastle. Otherwise, you can just stop for a few hours and keep heading north on your Australia road trip.

Things to do in Newcastle

You’ll find on this road trip loop that most East Coast town have beautiful beaches, and Newcastle will be your first glimpse of that (outside of Sydney). It boasts beautiful urban beaches as well as more wild beaches nearby, like Dudley Beach.

If you’re up for a swim, Newcastle has several ocean baths, which are swimming pools in the ocean. (It’s the only way I could be convinced to swim in Australia with my fear of sharks.)

Nobbys Lighthouse is worth taking a walk to, especially for sunrise or sunset. Another good place for a stroll is Newcastle Memorial Walk, which offers stunning views of the ocean on one side and the city on the other.

Where to stay in Newcastle

If you’re on a budget, I’d recommend Backpackers Newcastle. It has affordable rooms, a swimming pool and organized events (like a free BBQ dinner!). While it’s a bit outside of the city center, it was one of the few affordable accommodation I found with free parking, which is a huge plus when you’re on a road trip.

Port Macquarie

(3 hours from Newcastle)

Port Macquarie isn’t the biggest or nicest town in Australia, but it’s an absolute must on your East Coast and Outback road trip for one adorable reason.

Things to do in Port Macquarie

The Koala Hospital is hands down the best thing to do in Port Macquarie. Unfortunately, there aren’t many koalas left in the wild, so a zoo or hospital like this one is your best bet of seeing one. I saw lots of koalas here, and it was clear that they were being well taken care of.

While you’re there, the nearby Roto House is worth a quick stop to see a historic house and learn about what life was like for early settlers.

And if you’re keen to stretch your legs with a walk on the beach, Port Macqaurie has lots of beaches. But keep in mind that you have much nicer beaches coming your way!

Byron Bay

(4 hours from Port Macquarie)

Next stop on this Outback and East Coast road trip takes you up the coast to what is perhaps the most famous beach town in Australia.

I personally found it a bit too touristy and commercial, but it’s still very worthy of a visit.

Things to do in Byron Bay

One of the best things to do in this fancy coastal town is to enjoy the great restaurants, cafes and bars. There are so many great food options in Byron Bay.

There are some great activities in the area as well to help you work up an appetite.

Surfing is what Byron Bay is known for, so the beaches are popular with surfers. You can also go swimming or sea kayaking.

The best activity in Byron Bay, in my opinion, is going to Cape Byron Lighthouse for sunrise. It’s one of the most beautiful sunrises in Australia, especially since you can see dolphins and whales playing in the water below.

Where to Stay in Byron Bay

Parking is a nightmare in Byron Bay, so it might be better to stay at Wake Up, which is located just outside of town but has free parking options. Otherwise, Aquarius Backpackers Resort in town has free parking too.

Nimbin

(1.5 hours from Byron Bay)

A little detour inland now is required to reach Nimbin, Australia’s little hippie town. It’s a worthy detour off the typical East Coast road trip itinerary if you like exploring quirky towns.

It’s one of the most unique towns you’ll visit on your road trip in Australia, both on the East Coast and Outback, so if you have time, check it out!

Things to do in Nimbin

There isn’t a whole lot to do here other than wander around this colorful alternative town. There are tons of quirky little shops and restaurant and café options. That includes the Nimbin Bush Theatre Café, Armonica Café, The Feast Café and Nimbin Hemp Embassy.

I’d also recommend a walk at nearby Nightcap National Park, where you can enjoy a nice walk to a waterfall.

Where to Stay in Nimbin

I’d recommend staying at Nimbin Show Grounds if you’re camping.

Gold Coast

(2 hours from Nimbin)

You’ll be driving back to East Coast and onto the M1 today. I’d recommend taking the inland route up to Gold Coast, as it’s a beautiful drive (especially in the golden hour light).

On the way up, if you have time, stop by Lamington National Park for some hiking. I’d also recommend a stop in Murwillumbah, a very cute little town that looked so inviting.

Now, personally, if you want to skip something on this itinerary, I’d choose to skip Gold Coast and keep going to Brisbane.

Gold Coast reminded a lot of Florida, and not in a good way. Very commercial, mediocre beaches and lots of tourist.

But I can see why it would appeal to some, so here’s what to do there.

Things to do in Gold Coast

It appeared that many of the domestic tourists were in the Gold Coast for drinking, so it could be a good place to go on a bar crawl.

The urban beaches can be an experience—quite different from other more remote beaches along the East Coast—with tall skyscrapers bordering the long stretch of sand.

And the most touristy attractions I’ve encountered in Australia can be found here: Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Sea World and a large variety of other tourist traps.

I personally was quite eager to leave Gold Coast, although I was happy to have stopped at North Burleigh Lookout for a cool view of the skyscrapers lining the beach.

Brisbane

(1 hour from Gold Coast)

I was surprised to find that I liked this Queensland city. Sure, it didn’t have the beautiful beaches and harbour bushwalks Sydney has, but it seemed a very livable city with lots to do. I would spend at least day here, even if you’re averse to visiting cities on your Australia road trip.

It’s the only big city on this East Coast and Outback loop besides Sydney, so you can choose to start and end your Australia road trip here if that suits you better.

Things to do in Brisbane

Like most cities in Australia, Brisbane boasts beautiful botanic gardens. Located in the city centre, it’s a great place to stretch your legs from all that driving.

Another place to take a walk is along the river at one of the numerous parks, like Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park.

I’d also recommend taking the city ferry along the river to see the city from a different perspective.

If you have the time, Brisbane also boasts many museums. And if it’s hot when you visit, stop by Streets Beach for a free huge public swimming pool by the river.

Want to see some more koalas? Daisy Hill Koala Centre is yet another free conservation center to see koalas!

Montville/Maleny/Glass House Mountains

(1.5 hours from Brisbane)

Your next stop after Brisbane is a short drive, but it’s well worth spending a night or two around here.

It’s a bit inland and therefore not on most East Coast or Outback road trip itineraries, but it was one of my favorite spots on my Australia road trip loop. And I’m sure the same would be true for anyone else who enjoys quaint small towns and mountains.

Things to do in Montville/Maleny/Glass House Mountains

Montville is one of my favorite towns in Australia. It’s very small, but there is surprisingly a lot to see and do here. Places like Poets Café and the Clock Shop give it an old-fashioned vibe, and the various small shops and art galleries add to the charm of the town.

Chocolate lovers, don’t miss out on treats from Chocolate Country Montville (I loved the thick hot chocolate).

Maleny is a nearby small town which might be a good place to spend the night since it has more affordable options than Montville. There are some nice little walks around here too.

But the real reason why you should take this detour before driving back up the East Coast is to see the Glasshouse Mountains. To view all of these unique formations, head to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (and stop long enough to take a walk through the lush rainforest there).

You aren’t allowed to climb all of the mountains due to cultural reasons, but you can hike up Mount Ngungun. I’d recommend going at sunset for one of the best views you’ll get in Australia on this East Coast and Outback road trip. In fact, it was one the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen anywhere in the world.

Where to Stay near the Glass Mountains

I stayed at Maleny Showground, which is a good cheap option if you’re camping. Otherwise, Maleny will have cheaper hotels available than Montville.

Bonus Stop: Australia Zoo

The Australia Zoo is on the way to Maleny from Brisbane and may interest you if you’re a Steve Irwin fan (owned by the Irwin family). Because I had already visited the Taronga Zoo in both Sydney and Dubbo, I passed on this one. But if you have the time, now is your chance!

Noosa

(1 hour from Maleny)

Noosa is very different from a lot of the places on this East Coast and Outback road trip itinerary. It’s a very swanky place, much more luxurious than other Australian coastal towns. If you liked Byron Bay, you’ll likely like Noosa Heads.

However, like Byron Bay, it’s also a very popular holiday destination so can get busy.

Even if that might not sound appealing to you, it’s definitely worth visiting. Noosa Heads was one of my favorite East Coast stops on this Australia East Coast and Outback road trip.

Things to do in Noosa

One of the best things about Noosa Heads is that it has a national park right next to the town—so close you can ditch your car! Noosa National Park is a great place for a walk, and you can spend all day exploring the trails. Laguna Lookout is great for watching sunset, while Hell’s Gates is a good place to spot whales (I saw a few there!) and turtles.

There are some popular surfing spots here too, like Tea Tree Bay Beach. Noosa Heads Main Beach is quite big and popular, but I preferred Little Cove Beach for lounging in the sun and going for a swim.

Hastings Street is the main street in Noosa Heads, and it’s filled with fancy restaurants and shopping stops. There is also an abundance of great cafes around here (I’d recommend Moonstruck Noosa).

Where to Stay in Noosa

Although it’s located a bit out of the main part of town by the beach, I’d recommend staying at Flashpackers Noosa. It was probably the nicest hostel I stayed at in Australia, with a pool, courtesy bus going to the beach, luxurious facilities and organized activities every day.

Hervey Bay/K’gari (Fraser Island)

(2hr 30 min from Noosa Heads)

Next stop is Hervey Bay, from which you can take a boat trip to K’gari (Fraser Island). It’s the largest sand island in the world and a very popular road trip stop for those traveling Australia.

Things to do Hervey Bay/K’gari (Fraser Island)

Depending on your budget and time allowance, there are so many options to explore the area. You can’t drive to K’gari (also known as Fraser Island), so your best bet is to book a tour to access it. If you have a 4WD, you can book a ferry over to the island, but a non-4WD won’t stand a chance on the sandy beaches. Also, a tour is much more fun and will allow you to fully enjoy the island.

You can explore the island’s white sand beaches, freshwater lakes, rainforests and wildlife either on a day trip or stay overnight on a multi-day tour.

Agnes Water/ Seventeen Seventy

(2hr 45 min from Hervey Bay)

You’re getting close to leaving the East Coast if you’re following my road trip loop, so enjoy all the lushness of the East Coast before heading to the dry Outback.

I heard from a few travelers that Seventeen Seventy was their favorite place on the East Coast. And if you like a laidback, small-town atmosphere with beautiful coastal views and quiet beaches, it just may be your favorite too.

Things to do in Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy

For beautiful coastal views, head to Joseph Banks Regional Park. There are great lookouts here, like Wave Lookout and Bustard Bay Lookout, which is a great spot to watch sunset.

There are lots of beaches to explore, such as Agnes Water Beach and Chinaman’s Beach. They’re not as busy as beaches in other towns on the East Coast, so they are quite peaceful.

My favorite activity in Agnes Water is the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk. It’s a short walk through a forest filled with ferns and beautiful paperbark trees, which felt very magical to walk through.

Also, this area is the lowest spot from which you can access the Great Barrier Reef. 1770 Reef offers a snorkeling tour to the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Lady Musgrove Island (where you can spot turtles!).

Where to Stay in Agnes Water

I’d recommend staying at Backpackers @ 1770. It’s a hostel with affordable private rooms and feels like home away from home. In fact, it’s one of my favorite hostels in Australia. My favorite part was having a chill place to relax from all that driving through the Outback, and having a break before exploring Australia further down the East Coast on my road trip. It was a much needed break!

Airlie Beach

(8 hours from Agnes Water)

This will be one of the longest legs of the trip and will eat up almost an entire day of your road trip, but good things are coming. Airlie Beach was one of my favorite places because it’s where I ticked off some bucket list items.

This is also where you get off the M1 on the East and head to the Great Inland way, which you will use to loop back down to Sydney.

You could of course continue up the coast all the way up to Cairns. But you’ll have to have a great abundance of time if you want to come back down to Sydney through the Outback too.

I chose to not go all the way up to Cairns because I had less than a month and found out I could access the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach. Also, I was getting sick of driving and knew I still had a lot of driving on this road trip before looping back to Sydney. So I decided Airlie Beach would be the farthest north I’d drive on this road trip.

And Airlie Beach should not be missed.

Things to Do Airlie Beach

There were two reasons I wanted to head to Airlie Beach.

The first and foremost was to snorkel in the famous Great Barrier Reef. While most tours leave from Cairns, you actually can access it as low south as Airlie Beach (and even lower, in fact, if you want to look into that).

Be careful when booking a tour, though. Most only take you to the inner reefs, which aren’t technically part of the Great Barrier Reef. I’d definitely recommend the company I chose, Red Cat Adventures, which will take you out to the Outer Reef.

The second reason I wanted to go to Airlie Beach was to see Whitehaven Beach, which is supposedly the most beautiful beach in the world. I’ve been to a lot of beaches around the world that claimed this title, and I can tell you that Whitehaven just might be it. You’ll need to take a boat tour to get to it, which will be worth it. A tour will take you to the viewpoint where you can enjoy the beautiful blue swirls, and then the boat will drop you off at the beach.

Totally unplanned, but I did a third bucket list thing in Airlie Beach: skydiving. I’m glad I did, because The Whitsundays just may be the most scenic place in the world to skydive over.

If jumping out of a plane isn’t your thing, consider a scenic flight over the beautiful Whitsunday islands and Great Barrier Reef.

Finally, if you can manage a booking (I sadly couldn’t), I’ve heard one of the highlights of travelers’ East Coast road trips is a 2 or 3 day sailing tour of the Whitsundays. I was looking forward to it, but unfortunately all tours were booked for the days I was there. So, to be on the safe side, don’t make the same mistake I made and book your overnight Whitsundays tour in advance.

Where to Stay in Airlie Beach

I quite enjoyed my stay at Magnums Accommodation. It offered cheap basic private rooms and the large adult-only resort reminded me of South East Asia with all the lush rainforest greenery. It’s well located and you can find free parking nearby (reception can tell you where to find it).

Added Option: Cairns

(7 hours from Airlie Beach)

If you have lots of time and want to travel the whole way up the East Coast, by all means head all the way up! But, it’s 7 hours up to Cairns from Airlie Beach along the A1. And to loop back to Sydney on the Great Inland Way, it’s another 11 hours back down to the next leg of this East Coast and Outback road trip! That’s an extra 18 hours of driving that I personally was glad to get rid of (not to mention adding at least a few more days to the itinerary that I didn’t have).

And while I’m sure there are great spots along the way that I missed, Australia is a huge country, so you have to accept that you won’t get to see it all.

Things to do in Cairns

If you loved your snorkeling experience in the Great Barrier Reef from Airlie Beach or Agnes Water, you’ll likely want to give it a go from Cairns! Snorkeling or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef is the reason why many tourists visit Cairns, so you’re likely the same.

From Cairns, you can keep driving even further up to Port Douglas and Daintree National Park (which I was bummed about missing on this road trip…oh well, next time!).

Emerald

(5hr 30min from Airlie Beach)

(or 11 hours from Cairns)

I hope you’re getting sick of beaches by this point and looking for a new Australian adventure, because you’ll begin your loop back to Sydney via the Outback now.

Emerald will be your first stop on the Outback portion of your Australia road trip, and the landscape will start changing a lot on this drive.

It’s a fairly big place compared to where you’ll be for the next few days, so it holds much to do.

Things to Do Emerald

For something very unique to do (or simply for an excuse to stretch your legs), head on over to the visitor centre. Just outside it, you’ll find the Emerald Giant Van Gogh Sunflower Painting. It is proclaimed the largest painting in the world on an easel, so obviously you will want to see it.

The Emerald Botanic Gardens are probably the best place for a walk in Emerald. Not as impressive as the botanic gardens in Australia’s big coastal cities, but still a nice spot to recover from being cramped in a car.

What you absolutely shouldn’t miss is a little detour to Sapphire Central. Sapphire Central exists because of, you’ll never guess, sapphires. There are plenty of spots to fossick for sapphires (where they give you a bucket of dirt and rocks, with bits of sapphire guaranteed inside). Alternatively, you can rent gear and look for sapphires out in the wild (no guarantee you’ll find anything though). So take your pick and get to work.

To reward your hark work, head over to the nearby town of Rubyvale. Here you can find delicious apple strudel at Muggachinos and lunch at The New Royal Hotel, which was voted one of the best Outback pubs in Australia.

Carnarvon

(2hr 45min from Emerald)

Your next stop won’t necessarily feel like you’re in the Outback, but it’s worth detouring from the East Coast for this stop alone.

Carnarvon National Park is quite a detour from the East Coast so it’s not too crowded, but it would be if it was more easily accessible. So take advantage of passing by it and stay at least a night here!

Things to Do Carnarvon National Park

The best thing to do is the walk through the Carnarvon Gorge. It’s one of the coolest walks I’ve ever done, certainly one of my favorites in Australia. You can make this walk as long or short as you’d like, but I’d recommend going all the way to the Art Gallery (aboriginal rock paintings) if you can manage (about 5 hours return). Along the way, you’ll also have the option to veer into Wards Canyon, the Amphitheatre and Moss Garden.

All are worth checking out, and along the way you’ll be walking through bush that feels so prehistoric that you wouldn’t be surprised if a dinosaur popped out from behind a fern.

There is also a trail through Mickey Creek Gorge (about 1.5 hour walk), to Boolimba Bluff (about 3 hour walk) and the Rock Pool. I highly recommend the Rock Pool, especially on a hot day, because you can swim in it! Not going to lie, I am always hesitant about going into water in Australia, but I survived intact (and it was so refreshing after a hot bushwalk).

Overall, Carnarvon was one of the highlights of my Outback and East Coast road trip. So if you’re debating whether to stray off the typical East Coast road trip itinerary and venture into the Outback while in Australia, this place alone would make that worth it. Especially if you don’t like crowds.

Where to stay in Carnarvon

I camped at Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks- Carnarvon Gorge. This was a great base for exploring, and the campsite itself was one of the nicest I’ve stayed at—like, ever. It felt like a resort, and I woke up to kangaroos hanging out outside my tent. It doesn’t get more Australian than that. And, as a bonus, you can spot a platypus or two in the creek located at the campsite!

St. George

(5 hours from Carnarvon)

There are a few places to stop and explore on the way from Carnarvon to St. George, like Roma and Injune. But because I was in a rush, I didn’t have the time to do so.

This is quite a long drive through semi-arid land, so take all the rests you need.

I didn’t spend the night here, just passed through, but it seemed like a quaint and welcoming town to check out.

If nothing else, have a stop to walk along the river and maybe grab a meal here. Otherwise hurry over to Hebel well before sunset! There are so many kangaroos around here, so be very careful.

Hebel

(1hr 45min from St. George)

If you’re driving to Hebel after spending the night in St. George, make a stop about an hour into your drive for breakfast or lunch in the tiny town of Dirranbandi, which is known for its bakery.

Don’t plan to stay a long time in Hebel. It has almost nothing to do and is absolutely tiny.

Things to do in Hebel

The only thing there is the Hebel General Store and the pub across the street.

But I highly recommend spending the night there for a true Outback pub experience.

Stop by the café in the general store for some food and then spend the evening in the quirky little pub. This little pub in the middle of nowhere has a great atmosphere, and you’ll be happy you stopped by for the night. It just may be a highlight of your Australia road trip!

Where to stay in Hebel

You have only one option, which you can book at the Hebel General Store. There’s a caravan park if you’re traveling with a campervan, or alternatively they have very affordable and comfortable cabins available.

Lightning Ridge

(45 min from Hebel)

This next stop is a special place for me, as I lived and worked here for a few months. In my opinion, it’s one of the coolest places to visit on this road trip (although I’m biased).

Grab a coffee from the Hebel General Store before the short drive to Lightning Ridge, or wait until you get there and pick up some coffee from the few cafes in town.

Lightning Ridge has a fascinating history, having been founded as an opal mining town. It reached its peak in the 90s, but now that most of the opal has been mined, it now caters more toward tourists.

Things to Do in Lightning Ridge

The best thing to do in The Ridge (as the locals call it) is to get obsessed with opal. I spent a lot of my time in the opal shops. There are a few, but my favorite was probably Down to Earth Opals for the quality and designs, and The Opal Cave for a unique ambiance and cheap prices.

I’d recommend a quick stop in the Australian Opal Centre next to Down to Earth Opals. They’re actually building a new, bigger location just outside of town. They also run SPARK, an outdoor film about opal mining and Lightning Rigde that’s projected onto the side of a shed under the stars.

You can also visit an old opal mine. The Walk In Mine is more educational, with lots of signs to teach you about opals and mining. The other option, Chambers of the Black Hand, is more expensive but quite unique in that the old mining tunnels have hand carved sculptures made by the owner with a bread knife. It’s truly impressive.

To get a taste of what life in The Ridge is like, head to the Visitor Centre and get a map of the Car Door Tours. There are four, and these self-guided tours take you onto “roads” that will really give you the sense that you’re in the Outback. I’d recommend the Green Car Door Tour for sunset, and the Red Car Door Tour passes some unique tourist stops.

Finally, you cannot miss the Artesian Bore Baths. They’re free hot pools, located just outside of town. It’s the perfect place to soak your muscles, which will likely be very sore from all the driving this East Coast and Outback road trip entails. Driving in Australia can be so tiring, so relax while you can.

If you have some extra time, I’d recommend a pub crawl in the Grawin area. This will give you an idea of what Lightning Ridge used to look like when it started off as an opal mining town. You can get a map at the Lightning Ridge Visitor Centre of the three pubs in the area (pretty much all there is out there, except for a tiny and expensive general store).

Where to Stay in Lightning Ridge

If you’re camping, there’s a Big4 Holiday Park by the Artesian baths. Alternatively, Wallungulla Motel is centrally located just across the street from the Bowling Club.

Warrumbungle

(3 hours from Lightning Ridge)

Warrumbungle National Park is a bit of a detour from the Outback and East Coast road trip route, but I think it’s worth well worth it, even if just to drive through.

Warrumbungle Things to Do

If you can manage to spend the night, do it. Warrumbungle is a Dark Sky Park, meaning that efforts are made to reduce light pollution in the area. The Outback is a great place for star gazing, but Warrumbunlge is one of the best places that are easily reachable to see amazing night skies.

I camped at Camp Blackman, which was rustic but stunning campsite. The Belougerie Flats Trail is reachable from here, a flat and easy walk that I recommend just before sunset, as the golden hour light hits the hills and kangaroos hop around. It was one of the most magical moments on my road trip through the Outback and the East Coast.

The next morning, after getting out of my tent to find kangaroos grazing on the grass and kookaburra birds singing their songs, I drove to Whitegum Lookout. It was a short walk through the bush to stunning lookout­—a great place to stretch my legs before the next drive of the road trip.

If you have more time, there are lots of other walks around, like the loop to Belougery Split Rock, Fan Horizon Lookout, or the Breadknife and Grand High Tops walk. Warrumbungle is definitely a place I’d like to return to and explore some more.

Dubbo

(1hr 45min from Warrumbungle)

Next stop on the trip is one of the biggest places you’ve been to in a while, so stock up on supplies and get your fill of being back in “civilization” while exploring all that Dubbo has to offer.

Dubbo Things to Do

One of the main draws of Dubbo is the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It’s by far the biggest zoo I’ve ever been to—the animal enclosures are huge. It’s so big that you need to drive around in your car to see all the animals, or you can rent a bike or golf cart to get around. Luckily, your ticket is valid for two days! Don’t miss out on this zoo. I’d recommend buying tickets in advance, because they can sell out.

Make sure you take advantage of Dubbo’s great restaurants, as you likely didn’t have many food options on the last few stops of your road trip.

Also, since Australia is known for its beginnings as a prisoner colony, you may be interested in visiting the Old Dubbo Gaol to see what life used to be like for prisoners.

And if you need a good place to stretch your legs before driving further on with this road trip itinerary, the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden is a good option.

Where to stay in Dubbo

If you’re camping, there are plenty of options, like NRMA Dubbo Holiday Park. Otherwise, there are also lots of affordable hotels in town.

Blue Mountains

(3hr 30 min from Dubbo)

This is your last stop of the East Coast and Outback road trip loop before heading back to Sydney, and it’s a great one.

Just an hour and a half from Sydney lie the Blue Mountains, and they’re worth a stop before heading back down to Sydney. In fact, they’re quite popular as a day trip from Sydney.

Blue Mountains Things to Do

If you’re planning to stay the night (highly recommended if you have time), Katoomba is a good option. It’s well located in the Blue Mountains so makes a good base, and it offers quite a few restaurants, antique shops, bakeries and cafes, as well as a supermarket.

From Katoomba, you can access one of the most accessible scenic views in the Blue Mountains. It’s a short stroll from the car park to reach Echo Point Lookout, with beautiful bush views and a great place to watch sunrise over the Three Sisters.

Nearby you’ll find the most touristy attraction in the Blue Mountains: Scenic World. It’s a good option if you’re short on time or don’t fancy long walks but still want to experience scenic views. There are three cable cars in this park, in addition to some short walking paths.

If you do have a bit more time, I’d recommend exploring the nearby town of Leura too. It’s smaller than Katoomba, but very quaint. The Wentworth Falls track is located nearby, which is a very nice walk. It does involve a lot of steep steps down to the bottom (totally worth it if you’re fit enough to tackle them) and not a suitable track for those with a fear of heights. Beautiful views though, and impressive waterfall.

For a long walking track and some of the most beautiful views in the Blue Mountains, don’t miss out on the Grand Canyon Walking Track. It’s located just outside of Blackheath, another small mountain town worth visiting.

Sydney

(1 hour 30 min from the Blue Mountains)

And you’re back! That was a LOT of driving, but I hope you’ve enjoyed the variety and unique experiences of Australia that this Outback and East Coast road trip loop has offered.

If you want to explore Australia some more, consider heading back onto the East Coast by driving all the way down to Melbourne. That’s what I did, going one way and selling my car in Melbourne.

But that might not be an option if you’re renting, or if you’ve had enough of driving. As a warning, it took me so long to recover from driving after my East Coast and Outback road trip loop!

As alternative, consider flying down to Melbourne (elsewhere in Australia) to minimize how much time you have to spend in a car.

I hope that this road trip loop from Sydney through the East Coast and Outback will offer you all the unique experiences and sights that you were hoping to get out of your time in Australia.