From endless coastlines to vibrant cities and remote outback landscapes, every corner can feel completely different. Australia’s diversity is part of its charm, and it’s a country that encourages you to slow down, explore, and take it all in. It is incredibly safe and very clean making it easy to relax and fully enjoy your experience. Because you likely have to travel halfway across the globe to get there, try to spend at least 3 weeks in the country as there is so much to do and see.

When To Visit

Seasons are opposite of North America as Australia is located south of the Equator. Their summer months are from December to March. The weather varies by region so make sure you check when it’s rainy season in the cities that you plan to visit but it’s usually best to travel during the shoulder seasons – September to November and March to May – as there will be less crowds and more moderate temperatures.

Getting There

It’s a very long flight to Australia from North America (between 16 and 18 hours). From the US, there are direct flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and Houston to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. From Canada, there are direct flights from Vancouver and Toronto to Sydney and Brisbane. The flights from Canada tend to be expensive so if you want to save a bit of money and get a free layover in Fiji, I highly recommend looking into booking with Fiji Air as you can get a round trip for $1000 CAD.

Before You Go

• All places in Australia take credit card, but every store will charge you a small fee of 1-2% for using a credit card, even big chain hotels. It ends up being a nominal amount but just make sure you are aware of this.
• Tip and tax are included in all prices! If you feel like the service was over and beyond, a 5-10% tip additional is sufficient.
• They use type I plugs, which have three flat pins in a triangular pattern, and operate on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz so make sure to bring a converter to charge your devices.
• If you are driving up the East Coast, all the towns and beaches have free parking.
• Beaches that are patrolled will have red/yellow flags at the ends of the sections where it is safe to swim. Lots of beaches have rip currents and strong undertows so it’s best to stick within the flags.
• In New South Wales, it is now prohibited to hold a Koala. But if you are passing through Queensland, you can!
• They have Drive-Thru liquor stores! Try one out if you can! One of my favourite drinks was a Bizzaro Spritz (Bitter Aperativo) – it’s a canned drink you can get at the liquor store, and you just add ice!
• Hinterland along the East Coast has spectacular waterfalls and hikes but we didn’t have time to explore these areas. It’s best to explore this area with a 4WD.

MELBOURNE

This city may not be known broadly as one of the culinary capitals of the world, but Melbourne is a place you must visit if you’re a foodie. The variety of amazing quality food options the city offers is unlike any I’ve ever been to. Three to four days is a good amount of time to spend here and if visiting during the summer months, days will be extra long as the sun won’t set until around 9pm.

Getting Around

The city is very walkable but if you go from one side to the other, taxis and Ubers are quick and always available. The tram is also free within the CBD. You can also rent a bike and explore the city.

The best way to get from the airport to the city is by Uber. It will cost around A$60 to get to the CBD (maybe more if commuting during rush hour). If on a budget, you can take a shuttle (Skybus City Express) for A$25. The shuttle runs every 10-15 minutes between 4am to 1am daily.

Where To Stay

The CBD is the most convenient area to stay in for all the main attractions. If you are looking for more a neighbourhood feel, Fitzroy is a good option. Here are a few spots I recommend:

• The Sebel Flinders Lane – A$500 to A$800 per night depending on time of year for a Suite that includes a kitchen and dining area. Located right in the heart of town in the CBD.
• Pullman City Center – A$200 per night for a spacious hotel room in the CBD. Decent gym and great location.  
• Napier Guesthouse – A$450 per night for a one-bedroom apartment including a full kitchen. Located above a great wine bar in the Fitzroy area.
• The Standard X – A$270 per night for a standard room in this boutique hotel in the Fitzroy area.

What To Do

• Go to the Australian Open Tennis Tournament (if traveling in January). This is the best slam and if you’re a tennis fan, a bucket list tournament. The grounds are about a 20-minute walk from the CBD but there is also a free 10-minute tram (Tram 70) if you don’t feel like walking. The Rod Laver arena isn’t too big and is a great experience for a fan as every seat is a good seat. You can also normally find last-minute resale tickets for a really good price.
• Go to the F1 Race (if traveling in March). The Australian Grand Prix is held in Albert Park and is the opening race of the season.
• Explore the different neighbourhoods of the city. The CBD is the city’s central business district. Fitzroy and Collingwood for more boutique stores, restaurants and the arts scene. Southbank for a more modern scene and hub for dining and entertainment along the river. If you walk through the Carlton Gardens, make sure to look in the trees as you may see wild parrots!
• Take a day trip and do the Great Ocean Drive. It is a long day trip but highly recommended if you have the time. The road starts about 100km from Melbourne and runs between Torquay and Allansford. There are a lot of sites to see along the cliffside road such as the Twelve Apostles and the Memorial Arch.
• Visit the National Gallery of Victoria. Check to see what shows they have running – if a more popular artist, make sure you buy tickets ahead of time as they will sell out.
• Check out all the parks around the CBD. If wanting to get some exercise, you can jog or walk around the city visiting all the parks. This is a good 4km route to take.
• Walk around the Royal Botanical Gardens. If you don’t do the park walk, make sure to still visit these gardens. They are open from 7:30am to 7:30pm in the summer months (closing at 5:30pm in winter months). It’s a beautiful park to run or walk through and there are lots of different plants to see. Don’t miss the Arid Garden and the Fern Gully.
• Visit the Queen Victoria Market for some crafts, souvenirs and food. Its been running since 1878 and on Wednesdays, they have a night market.

Where To Eat & Drink

• Hector’s Deli – for a delicious sandwich. Toasted sandwich recommendation: beef & pickle (add cheese). Fresh sandwich recommendation: hot honey salami. They also have breakfast sandwiches starting at 7am. A sandwich here costs A$17.
• Brother Baba Budan – for a great coffee and a breakfast croissant in the CBD.
• ARU – for dinner in the CBD. They have great signature cocktails, and I highly recommend their clay pot dish, papaya salad, duck and crab toast!
• Marion Wine Bar – a wine bar in Fitzroy. A reservation is a must in summer months. They do take walk ins during the afternoon for a shared bar table, but it can fill up quickly. They have a great wine list and delicious food off a seasonal menu.
• Napier Quarter – a small wine bar in Fitzroy that has great wines. The anchovy toast, focaccia and pickled veg are great snacks to try with your wine here.
• Bar Olo – a wine bar in Fitzroy that has aperitivo hour from 4-6pm. With any drink you get a plate of snacks (parmesan, charcuterie and deep-fried olives). The bartender gives great recommendations.
• Ishizuka – a Japanese omakase restaurant in the basement of a building in the CBD open Wednesday through Monday. It only seats 16 people and it is an 11-course meal. It is quite expensive (A$315 per person) but worth the experience if you are feeling like splurging for a special occasion. Come a bit early to pick the best seat – middle seats in front of the cutting board gives you the best view of the chef.
• Center Way Arcade – a cute little alleyway for lunch that is home to lots of small cafes. Grab a sandwich or coffee here.
• Sushi Hub – great for a quick snack. You will see a bunch of these around the city. They have cheap hand rolls for A$4 each.
• Yo-Chi – for acai and frozen yogurt. This is a chain around Australia that is great for a refreshing snack or perfect for a post dinner dessert. You can build your own bowl with whatever flavours and toppings, and you pay by weight.
• Lune Croissants – for a croissant. This is a hyped bakery that always has a long line. If you can catch a short line or wait early in the morning, it’s worth it, but not for a 45-minute wait. It is best to go before it opens at 7:40am if you can. Each pastry costs between A$7-12 and they only take payment by card. Make sure to get the almond croissant!

Where to Go Out at Night

• The Wolf Windsor – for late night drinks on Chapel Street
• Electric – a dancing at a club on Chapel Street

SYDNEY

Known for its instantly recognizable landmarks, Syndey is a city you must visit if making your way to Australia. With its vibrant neighbourhoods, stunning harbour and endless beaches, there’s always something to explore! Three days here will give you a good feel for the city.

Getting Around

Public transportation around Sydney is great. There isn’t really a need for a car (and parking can be limited and expensive around the city).

• Light Rail, buses, metro and ferries are all great ways to get around the city. They all use the Opal card which you can just tap when you get on and off or you can even just tap with your credit card. Fares are based on distance and if traveling during peak times but there is a cap: Monday to Thursday it’s A$19.30 a day, Friday, Saturday and Sundays it’s A$9.65 a day, or A$50 a week. The Sydney Airport station access fee isn’t included in these caps though.
• The fastest way to get from the airport to the city center is by the Airport Link train (about 15 mins) for approximately A$20. The train runs every 10-15 minutes.
• You can hire a campervan through Jucy, pick it up in Sydney and drive up to the Gold Coast. It costs around A$70-$100 per day depending on the time of year and vehicle you choose. This is a great way to explore the East Coast on a budget or if you want flexibility.

Where To Stay

The best area to stay in for sightseeing is Circular Quay/The Rocks. Here you can get great views of the Harbour, close to Harbour Bridge and Opera House and very central for public transportation. If you are on a budget, a good area to stay is Haymarket.

• Four Seasons Sydney (Circular Quay) – about $375 CAD per night
• Shangri-La Hotel (Circular Quay) – about $350 CAD per night
• Capella Sydney Hotel (Circular Quay) – about $700 CAD per night
• Ace Hotel Sydney (Haymarket) – about $250 CAD per night

What To Do

• Take the fast ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach. It costs A$9 round trip, and you can just tap your credit card. Sit on the top deck of the boat and you will get great views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as you leave the Harbour.
• Do the Bondi to Coogee Costal Walk. You will see beautiful views of the beaches and cliffs along with 6km walk. Pack a swimsuit and go for an ocean dip along the way too! It’s best to start this early in the morning to avoid the heat.
• Check out the Bondi Iceberg Pool. This iconic pool overlooks Bondi Beach and is the start of the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk.
• See a show at the Sydney Opera House (check out their events calendar online).
• Take in the view of the Harbour Bridge from Hickerson Road Reserve or if you want to experience something unique, book the Bridge Climb (~A$250 pp) and walk along the top of the bridge.
• Walk around The Rocks Market, a local open-air market held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday by the Harbour Bridge. Shop around and try some street food!

Where To Eat & Drink

• Kiln for dinner offering a seasonal menu and a great view. Located in the Ace Hotel. It’s best to make a reservation.
• 10 Williams for an Italian dinner. This neighbourhood restaurant has a great wine menu. It’s best to make a reservation.
• Firedoor for lunch or dinner. All dishes are cooked with seasonal ingredients by wood fire. It’s best to make a reservation.
• Baker Bleu for a freshly made sandwich using seasonal ingredients. They also serve pastries.
• Delisia Panino & Expresso for an artisan focaccia sandwich
• Chat Thai for lunch or dinner
• Ho Jiak Haymarket for Malaysian food
• Mango Coco’s for Thai dessert (shaved ice and mango sticky rice)
• Maybe Sammy for a cocktail
• Saint Peter for dinner. A high-end restaurant in The Grand National Hotel.

BLUEYS/BOOMERANG BEACH

A three-hour drive up the coast from Sydney, this quiet beach town is a perfect place for a family weekend or a stopover on your road trip up the coast. It’s a town where locals vacation in the summer and you will unlikely come across international tourists.

Where To Stay

There are no hotels in the area, so you have to rent a house or room off Airbnb or booking.com. If only looking to rent a room, Boomerang Beach Luxury Bed & Breakfast is a great option. An older couple have two detached suites from the main house that are really nicely furnished, spacious and private. You can find them on Airbnb for about $400 CAD for one night but you can probably get a better rate if you email them info@boomerangbeachbandb.com.au to get direct pricing. They offer a delicious breakfast and have the option of eating it in bed! This place is also only located a short walk from the beach and a quick drive to the town center.

If you are looking to rent a house for a bigger group, Pacific Palms Holidays has a lot of options for groups of all sizes and an easy availability chart you can look at online here.

What To Do

• Surf & Swim – the beaches here are some of the best along the coast and with very few people on them. The wind can sometimes pick up here though which can cause some bigger waves.
• Take a walk down Boomerang or Blueys Beach – early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t so strong is the best time to go.
• Seal Rocks – great beach to swim and snorkel when it’s not windy.
• Shop at Heidi Beau – a cute local boutique shop that carries beach clothes and beach gear.

Where To Eat & Drink

• Anatolia Greek Restaurant in Fosters – this is a 20 min drive from Blueys but worth it! You can order via the QR code if the line is long as that will likely be faster. You can also bring your own alcoholic drinks to have with your meal. Order at the till, and they bring you the food to your table.
• The Recky – the local family rec center next to a lake where kids can fish or play games and adults can drink and gamble. A great spot for a drink and sunset.
• Drift – for coffee or a burger right on the main strip off Blueys Beach.

PORT MACQUARIE

This great walking town is a nice one night stop over if you are driving up the coast. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Bluey’s/Boomerang Beach or four hours from Sydney). It has a vibrant CBD surrounded by water.  

Getting Around

The best way to get around is by car. Parking is easy to find around the town and is free. If you are staying right in the city center, you can easily walk to most places.

Where To Stay

• Tallowwood House B&B – a great family-owned bed and breakfast an 8 min drive from the main town road. It costs about A$300 for a private bedroom with its own entrance, attached to a house. They include a great breakfast that you can have on the patio or inside your suite.

What To Do

• Visit the Koala hospital – it used to be free but now costs A$12.50 per person to enter. Go first thing in the morning at 8:30am when it opens when the koalas are active and feeding.
• Boogie board – Port Macquarie is considered the boogie boarding capital of Australia. Rent a board and head out to the beach!
• Go wine tasting – there are 4 wineries close to Port Macquarie. Cassegrain Winery, Bago Winery, Long Point Vineyard and Douglas Vale Vineyard. If you only have time for 1, Cassegrain is a good option right off the M1.
  • Cassegrain – open 7 days a week for tastings, restaurant only open Wed-Sun. Can book horseback riding through the grounds ahead of time. 15-minute drive from the city center.
  • Bago – has a huge maze in the garden. Open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm, last maze entry 4pm.
  • Longpoint – open 6 days a week for tastings (closed Mondays), 10am -5pm.
  • Douglas Vale – free wine tastings and tours of the historic homestead Wed, Sat and Sundays between 10am-3pm. Run totally by volunteers.
• Coastal Walk – it’s a long walk (about 9km and 3.5 hours total) but you can do it in chunks if that’s too long. Shelley beach to the lighthouse is a nice 1-hour stretch. In the town center, you can walk along the boardwalk until you get to the end of the breakwater. You can often see dolphins in the river and people fishing off the pier.
• Find some of the colouful Koala statues (Hello Koalas) placed all around the city. Go to the visitor center for a map of where to find them.
• Go whale and dolphin watching – if visiting during the months of May to November, there is a good chance you will see humpback whales. Book an eco-cruise or head to the lighthouse at Tacking Point to see if you can spot some.
• Visit the Sea Acres Rainforest Center – a national park that offers local aboriginal culture and rainforest eco-displays. There is a 1.3km walking loop in the rainforest on an elevated boardwalk.

Where To Eat & Drink

• The Stunned Mullet – great restaurant that is decently priced for the high quality of food they serve. A$110 per person for a 3-course meal (including tax). If you don’t want to order the set menu, you can go for lunch and order a la carte.
• Black Market Bagels – offering NY style bagels. Jalapeño and Cheddar or Everything bagels are most popular.
• Bill’s Fish House – a nice spot for dinner
• The Stick – for craft cocktails
• The Other Side – Italian sister restaurant to Stunned Mullet that is a la carte
• Little Shack – for a drink with a view of the river
• Beach House – for a drink with a view of the river (by the pier)

Stops on the Drive from Blueys Beach to Port Macquarie

• Diamond Head – great hike (1 hour loop) Diamond Head Loop walk starting from the campground. Cost A$8 to park at the campground. Great long beach you can swim at and if you have a 4WD you can drive down it. You can also camp here or bring a trailer. There are kangaroos hanging out everywhere.
• Camden Haven – drive to the lookout point for a nice view. You can also check out the North Haven breakwall as you drive through.

COFFS HARBOUR

There are three types of people in Coffs Harbour: surfers, fisherman and beer drinkers. This is a great place to spend a few days and a popular spot for locals to vacation. There are lots of awesome beaches and restaurants nearby. 

Getting Around

It is a one-hour and forty-five-minute drive from Port Macquarie or a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Byron Bay. You will likely need a car to get around to explore the surrounding areas and beaches. If you are staying right in the town center, you will be able to walk to a lot of restaurants, bars, Jetty beach and Mutton Island.   

Where To Stay

Book accommodation ahead of time as places book out quickly, especially during the summer months. A lot of Aussies come here for summer vacation which runs from mid-Nov to end of Jan. If possible, travel here in Feb for smaller crowds. There aren’t a lot of big hotels so it’s best to look at places on Airbnb or VRBO.

• Emerald Beach is a great area to stay
• Woolgoolaga Beach is a great area to stay
• Sensom Bed and Breakfast (near Sapphire Beach) is a decent place to stay for $400 CAD a night

What To Do

• Visit Emerald Beach
  • A 15-minute drive north of Coffs Harbour.
  • See the kangaroos at the Emerald Beach Headlands. It is best to go at dawn or dusk to see the most kangaroos as it’s too hot during the day for some of them. You can get some great pictures here with the ocean and beach backdrop as there is a 360-degree view of the coastline.
  • The beach is seasonally patrolled (primarily during peak summer and holiday periods).
• Visit Red Rock
  • This is the most northerly point of the Coffs coast, nestled between the beach and the Corindi River, and is about a half hour drive from Coffs Harbour.
  • The Corindi River is a great place to kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
  • Little Beach is a nice, secluded beach, perfect for a dip!
  • The beach is seasonally patrolled (primarily during peak summer and holiday periods).
• Visit Woolgoolga Beach
  • “Woopi”, what Woolgoolga is called by locals, is a 25-minute drive from Coffs Harbour.
  • Snorkel and you can find lots of sting rays hiding in the sand near the rocks.
  • It is also a perfect beach to learn how to surf.
  • There are many great cafes and cuteboutique stores along the main town streets.  
  • The headlands provide a great view for whale watching between June to October.
  • The beach is seasonally patrolled (primarily during peak summer and holiday periods).
• Walk around Muttonbird Island
  • Walk along the northern break wall to Muttonbird island.
  • Take the path along the marina near the water to see some cool fish and rays.
• Go fishing
  • A great place to fish all year round.
  • You can catch snapper, pearlies and flatheads on the reefs, Kingies and mackerel around the Islands or Marlin and Mahi-Mahi further offshore.
• Take a picture in front of the Big Banana
• Swim with humpback whales if you are visiting during whale season (June – Oct)

Where To Eat & Drink

• Rattle in Emerald Beach – they have great food, great staff and great service. Get the squid appetizer. A$45 Steak Night on Thursdays and it comes with chips and a glass of wine or beer. A$35 Pasta night on Wednesdays and it comes with a glass of wine. They also have happy hour from 3pm to 5pm. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
• Miquette in Coffs Harbour – a French café, great for brunch, lunch or an afternoon drink. Great wine selection.
• Tango juice bar in Woolgoolga – for a juice, acai bowl or smoothie.
• WhiteSalt in Woolgoolga – known for fish & chips but I highly recommend the calamari and chips as they were also delicious for A$17 (6 pieces) and add the prawn roll for A$10. Fish was good but not great. I might be biased but I think the cod fish and chips in Vancouver is better.
• Latitude 30 Restaurant – a more upscale restaurant with a great patio and ocean view by the Coffs Harbour marina walkway.
• Element Bar in Coffs Harbour – for a happy hour or late-night drink.
• Woopi Brewing Co in Woolgoolga – for a local beer and woodfire pizza.

Stops on the Drive from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour

• The Macleay Valley Coast – one of the few unspoiled authentic coastal meets country regions in Australia and this is the majority of the coast from Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour (stretching from Crescent Head in the south to Grassy Head).
• Eat at Fredo Pies in Kempsey for lunch – famous for their crocodile pie but you can’t go wrong with the classic beef and mushroom. A pie costs around A$8. Tip: you are supposed to eat the pies with your hands, not a fork and knife.
• Visit Hat Head – go at high tide and snorkel in the Korogoro Creek. There are lots of fish and the water is very blue. At low tide, the water gets brown and murky though so make sure to time your swim for high tide. Go do the Kangaroo walk as well (3.4km loop) where you will see kangaroos.
• Spend some time in Bellingen – a town known for its food. Go to Bruno’s for delicious mediterranean food. Make a reservation ahead of time if possible as it gets booked out a few days in advance. Open Wednesday to Saturday.
• Float down Bellingen River – kayak or canoe or bring your own tube.
• Visit South West Rocks – snorkel in Back Creek and at Grassy Head Beach off the beach near the rocks. You may get lucky and see dolphins close to shore and they sometimes swim between people. You can also jump off the bridge into the river. It’s best to try to time your swim with high tide for clearer waters. A few places to grab a bite to eat in South West Rocks are Chop n Chill and Social Alley (sports bar/diner with bowling). If you want to stay overnight, Smoky Cape Lighthouse Cottages is a good option.  
• Dive Fish Rocks – one of the best dives in Australia, with charters leaving out of South West Rocks. Just off the coast of Smokey Cape Lighthouse, Fish Rock feathers one of the only dive-through caves in Australia, and at 120m long, is one of the largest ocean caverns in the southern hemisphere. Green Island and Black Rock are also great dive spots.

BYRON BAY

Once known as a sleepy hippie surf town, Byron Bay has long been a magnet for free spirits, wave chasers, and dreamers. It quickly became my favourite place I visited in Australia, thanks to its mix of natural beauty and unmistakable energy. There’s something about Byron that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Spend at least three days here if you can.

Getting Around

If you stay close to the town center, you do not necessarily need a car as everything is so close you can walk but having one makes getting around easier. It is about a 2-hour drive from Brisbane so if flying into Brisbane, it would be worth renting a car because there are also so many cool spots to see along the way.

Where To Stay

There are a lot of options in the heart of town to stay but I highly recommend the Swell Hotel. It is a small boutique hippie-inspired hotel decorated like the 70’s that opened in 2024. This adult-only hotel has 16 rooms. Included in your stay is a private cold plunge/sauna experience (one booking per day during your stay and it is best to book when you check in) surfboards to borrow, and yoga every morning in a large yurt. It is only a few steps away from the main town streets and the beach. They have great customer service and nice communal areas to hang out in, including a pool. The only downside to their location is that weekends can get loud at night with the music coming from the main streets. It costs approximately A$500 per night and includes parking.

If budget isn’t an issue, another nice boutique hotel option is Raes, but this is located a short 6-min drive away from the main town on the cape. They have a total of 25 rooms that all have private outdoor space. Some of their rooms have a two-night minimum and if you are looking to stay here, make sure you book far in advance as they sell out quickly, especially on weekends. It costs approximately A$1200 per night.

The Surf House was a hostel I came across that looked quite nice and offers an ice bath, sauna and surf boards. You can book private or shared rooms. It costs A$70-$100 for a shared room and A$250 for a private room.

What To Do

• Snorkel or Dive at Julian Rocks – here you can see spotted eagle rays, leopard sharks and turtles all within 100m. If planning to snorkel, go with Out of the Blue Adventures. It cost A$130 per person but it was totally worth it. It can get crowded with the other boats so it might be best to skip the 9am and go at 11:30am or 2pm. Book ahead if you can too as spots sell out.
• Check out the Lighthouse – you’ll have a great view of the beaches and town. It’s a 6-minute drive from the main road in town and parking is limited at the top. If you are up for it, do the Cape Byron Walking Track (~5km, 2 hours) and look for koalas in the trees along the road.  
• Surf, Skydive, Scuba Dive, Whale Watch with Happy Travels – a travel agency that has fair pricing for any activity you want to do around the area. Whale watching is from June to November.
• Shop – there are lots of great shops around the main streets. Venroy has great linen items for both men and women. Silent Theory has great men’s clothing. FORRM.store has great women’s clothing.
• Feed Sugar Gliders and Koalas at the Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary – book in advance as they only allow one encounter per day (max two people). It costs A$49 for the sugar glider experience and A$49 for the koala experience plus an additional A$30 for entry.
• Explore the town of Bangalow – a 20-minute drive from Byron Bay and has a lot of cute restaurants and shops.
• Go for a swim in the Brunswick River – head 15 minutes north of Byron Bay to Brunswick Heads and go for a swim as it’s protected. You can also go fishing and kayaking here.

Where To Eat & Drink

• Rae’s for lunch or dinner – best to book in advance as reservations sell out
• Tree House for lunch or dinner – for a casual vibe and where a lot of the locals go. They also have bottomless brunch on the weekends for A$109 pp. Located on the far west side of the main beach.
• Top Shop for breakfast/brunch – they have delicious baked goods, breakfast bowls, sandwiches, smoothies and tea
• Otherside for breakfast/brunch – they have lots of gluten free options and a DJ on the weekends
• Swell Hotel for a drink – Bizzaro Spritz and Skin Glow are great drinks
• Stone & Wood Brewery for a drink and snack – you can also take a brewery tour here
• The Mez Club for A$99 bottomless brunch
• Light Years for lunch or dinner
• Pixie Italian for dinner
• Main Street Burger for happy hour – A$7 beer from 3 to 6pm everyday (the cheapest beer you will find!)
• Yoflo for frozen yoghurt
• Frankies for gelato
• Manu Bangalow Alimentari for lunch – they have great paninis
• Bangalow Pub for a drink – inside the Bangalow Hotel
• Ciao Mate! for pizza – open Monday to Saturday 5pm until late

Stops on the Drive from Byron Bay to Brisbane

• You gain one hour driving from Byron Bay to Brisbane because of the different time zones
• Coolangatta – a 45 min drive north of Byron Bay, this is a great stop on your way to Brisbane. There are nice calm beaches as well if you want to take a dip in the ocean.
  • Xenia – for Greek food and a view of the ocean
  • Ottimo Gelato – next door to Xenia for gelato
  • Kirra Beach House – for a nice meal or sunset drinks
• The Romano Baker in Burleigh Heads for authentic Italian pizza and pastries – located 15 mins north of Coolangatta and only open on weekends until 1pm
• Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to hold a Koala – a 50 min drive north of Byron Bay, here you can book an experience where adults can hold a Koala for A$120pp at 11am daily (plus the entry fee of A$70).

BRISBANE

Brisbane surprised me in the best way. With its warm climate, friendly atmosphere, and riverside setting, it quickly felt welcoming and easy to explore. The city also has an impressive food scene, with so many great restaurants spread across different neighborhoods, adding to its relaxed but vibrant character.

Getting Around

CityCats are public ferries that can take you throughout the town via the Brisbane River and only cost A$0.50 per journey. You can tap your credit card to pay for the fare. The CBD is also very walkable with many paths through the parks and neighborhoods. Another option is to rent bikes or scooters to explore the riverbank.

Where To Stay

The CBD is the most central area to stay in, making it easy to walk everywhere. South Bank is a nice family friendly area close to the parks and museums, but if you are looking for a trendy area with many good restaurants and bars, Fortitude Valley is a good option.

• The Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley (A$700 per night)
• Spicers Balfour Hotel in New Farm (A$350 per night)
• Emporium Hotel in South Bank (A$500 per night)
• W Brisbane in South Bank (A$400 per night)
• Sofitel Brisbane Central in the CBD (A$275 per night)
• Hyatt Regency in the CBD (A$220 per night)

What To Do

• Explore the South Bank – walk through the South Bank Parklands and check out all the restaurants and shops  
• Walk along the new footbridge, the Neville Bonner Bridge to cross the Brisbane River
• Check out the new casino, The Star Brisbane
• Visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world. It costs A$59 to enter and A$35 to get close up with the Koala.
• Visit the Australia Zoo – a 75-minute drive north of Brisbane and owned by Steve Irwin’s family. It costs A$75 to enter and they offer many animal encounters.

Where To Eat & Drink

• Supernormal – one of our favourite meals in Australia. Great service and delicious food. Order the baked scallops that is off menu. Their slow cooked lamb shoulder is also a must try. Open for lunch and dinner.
• Joe’s Famous Deli – for a deli sandwich or hot roll  
• Rosmarino Italian – offering a la carte menu and a tasting menu for A$145pp
• Gerard’s Bistro – offering a la carte menu and two tasting menu options for A$85pp and A$130pp
• Essa Restaurant – dinner spot using seasonal ingredients
• Hellenika – a Greek restaurant on the pool deck at the Calile Hotel
• Gelato Messina – an Australian gelato chain that has a location in South Brisbane and Fortitude Valley