Exploring the Australian East Coast – from Sydney to Gold Coast
Australia’s East Coast consists of Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, which each of these regions offering plenty of holiday opportunities for locals and tourists alike. Some of the most internationally famous cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are all located within this part of Australia, with famous beaches and landmarks like Byron Bay and Gold Coast sandwiched between New South Wales and Queensland.
Regardless of what kind of holiday you prefer, there’s plenty to see here for travellers of all kinds – from urban lovers to outdoor enthusiasts.
Visit Brisbane Botanical Gardens
The botanical garden is one of the most famous landmarks of Brisbane, and visiting the gardens is one of the most favourite activities to do in Brisbane for solo travellers. These fascinating gardens first opened in 1970, and have been famous for their walking trails, richness of the natural beauty, and the diversity of flora.
It’s easy to get here with public transport – the buses depart from the Ann Street Stop 12 at City Hall towards Mt Coot-tha Rd. For those who prefer something near the city centre, there are botanical gardens within the city as well – just a short 10-15 minute walk from the city hall. Entry to the gardens is free, and they are open from 8 AM to 6 PM daily. The best thing is that the gardens are open all year round, even during the holidays.
Explore Sydney Opera House
Even if you haven’t been to Sydney yet, you probably know the building with which Sydney is most associated, at least from postcards and travel magazines. That famous building is Sydney’s Opera House, and it’s not just a pretty building – it’s definitely worth a visit. Thanks to Sydney’s transportation system and infrastructure, getting to the opera house is easy by public transport or bike. The building is just a six-minute walk from Circular Quay, and there are plenty of bus options available during the performance seasons.
Sydney Opera House is not just an opera house, but also an exhibition space, a theatre, and a place to go with kids for family-friendly events the venue is hosting. A particularly interesting thing to explore is the immersive theatre experience – the venue often organizes interactive, family-friendly theatre plays that the audience can participate in. Notable plays include There’s a Sea in My Bedroom and Edward the Emu, with admission tickets priced as low as $39.
Hike the Mountains
If operas, theatres, and art spaces are not for you and you prefer something more outdoorsy, New South Wales is an ideal region for hiking. This part of Australia is home to the Blue Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for their soaring sandstone ridges, these mountains will be a perfect active holiday spot for hiking lovers. These mountains feature hiking trails 170 km long, with different levels of difficulty and opportunities to hike across the valley or more rugged mountainous landscapes.
Perhaps the best spot to understand the area’s natural beauty is the Three Sisters, specifically a rock formation called Echo Point Lookout, from which you can start walking towards different hiking paths and see a rugged landscape of mountains, forests, and valleys all across. This point is particularly popular among travellers, and if you are lucky enough, you can catch the sunset here.
Interestingly, you can have a picnic in between the mountains, up in the air – thanks to Scenic World. If you are not afraid of heights and seeing nothing but sky all around, this is a perfect sport to have some food and enjoy breath-taking views of the Blue Mountains. But if you are less into hiking and are perhaps too afraid of not feeling the ground under your feet, check one of the many little towns nestled in the Blue Mountains region – namely Katoomba, Leura and Blackheath. These towns are known for their quite high streets, little shops, and art spaces.
Visit Gold Coast
Gold Coast is Queensland’s second-largest city and as the name suggests, it offers great beaches and so much more. Beaches in this city are world-renowned, with Surfers Paradise being an internationally acclaimed destination for surfing enthusiasts.
The name ‘Gold Coast’ is not incidental – this part of Australia offers 70 km of beaches with gold-like sand. There are plenty of beaches to visit here – for example, Snapper Rocks, located on the north side of the Point Danger. This beach is suitable for surfers and even hosts annual Quicksilver Pro surfing competitions. Another great place to visit is Rainbow Bay, which is suitable for beginner swimmers and families due to its shallow waters.
A particular reason why families are attracted to this beach is that plenty of local businesses offer surfing classes on the coast, which can be a fun and safe activity under the supervision of professionals. This city is also famous for its theme parks, seafood restaurants, and local beer.