When you’re travelling around Australia’s east coast, there are a lot of special places to see. They’re easy to miss though, so if you don’t plan your trip thoroughly, you might skip some of the most magnificent sites (and sights) in all of Australia.
Take your rental car from Melbourne all the way to Queensland and stop in at some of these bucket-list-worthy places to make your Aussie holiday that much more memorable. Take a photograph and you’ll always have something to remember the time you completed your east coast bucket list.
See the sun setting over the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Dec 17, 2017 at 1:12pm PST
There are few more iconic places in the whole of Australia than the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It’s recognisable all over the world (along with the Sydney Opera House) and you can combine the two for a fabulous evening.
Sit at the Opera Bar just below the Sydney Opera House and have a drink while you watch the sun setting over the Harbour Bridge. On a clear night you’ll see beautiful colours in the sky over the busy roads and waterways, and the lights over the city are brilliant to behold.
Bungy jump in the Daintree Rainforest
Dec 12, 2017 at 12:39pm PST
The Daintree Rainforest is one of Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites, home to thousands of animal and plant species as well as some of the most worthwhile treks and experiences in the country.
Take, for example, the bungy jump into a river right in the heart of the rainforest. That’s a special experience, and it’s possible just outside Cairns. From the top of the jump tower, you can look out and see just how far the rainforest stretches. It’ll blow your mind, and before you know it you’ll be at the bottom of the tower with adrenaline coursing through your veins.
See the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road
Dec 17, 2017 at 12:24am PST
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is famous for its incredible beaches and beautiful sightseeing stops along the way. It’s only a short trip from Melbourne or Geelong and it’s well worth doing with a decent camera in hand.
The 12 Apostles are a collection of large limestone stacks jutting out from the ocean at the Port Campbell National Park just off the Great Ocean Road. There are plenty of great viewing areas to see them in all their glory, as well as a beach you can access on foot to make the most of the rolling waves hitting the southern coast. If you’re taking a road trip around Victoria and don’t visit the 12 Apostles, you’re missing out.
Kayak with dolphins in Byron Bay
Dec 13, 2017 at 4:14am PST
There are few more magical creatures in the world than dolphins. They’re intelligent, sleek and powerful, but most of all they can be extremely friendly. Get in the water with them and you could be swimming beside these mammals for long periods of time without a worry in the world. Another great way to see large pods of dolphins is from a kayak.
Kayaking tours in Byron Bay are common and popular – for good reason. The chance to see dolphins is high, and it’s certainly an experience you don’t want to miss. If you’re on the water and a dolphin swims up to your kayak, it’s a great photo opportunity and a story you can tell countless times back home!
Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef
Dec 10, 2017 at 6:33pm PST
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living ‘thing’ on earth, spanning over 300,000 square kilometres. It’s home to thousands of species of flora and fauna and can even be seen from space. Hidden just below the surface of the ocean, this is something you really have to see to believe.
The colours of the reef are incredible to behold and the waters are warm (in classic Australian fashion). Take in all the sealife you can while you’re out on the reef because it’s always changing and it will never be the same as the time you see it. You can access the Great Barrier Reef from all over the east coast, but the best places to base yourself are Cairns, Airlie Beach and Port Douglas.
Take in all Cape Tribulation has to offer
Dec 12, 2017 at 6:17pm PST
Cape Tribulation is where two UNESCO World Heritage Listed sites combine to make a spectacle unlike anything around the world. That’s why it should be on your east coast bucket list.
The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest meet at the coast of Cape Tribulation. You can get most of the way there in your rental car, but the final stage of the journey can be done with a four-wheel-drive tour. It’s a magnificent sight, and will cap off your Australian road trip with a bang.
For more information about getting around Australia’s east coast in a rental car, get in touch with East Coast Car Rentals today.