If this is your first time planning a trip to Australia, traveling down the East Coast route is a great choice. It’s a haven for dramatic natural sights, incredible coastal views, unique wildlife experiences and world heritage sites like the Great Barrier Reef.

That said, we have to leave out some stunning places such as Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. If you want to see this HUGE country, you definitely need more time to do it.

Even spending 1 month in Australia isn’t long enough. While we had an amazing time exploring this beautiful country without rushing, there’re many must-see places that we missed.

If you have more time, you can easily add an epic adventure to Uluru for a true outback experience. You can be sure we’ll add Uluru to our next trip there.

Here’s how we spent 1 month in Australia. The itinerary below is not set in concrete but to give you some inspiration, ideas and guidelines to consider in planning your next trip down under.

How to visit Australia in one month

Where to Start?

To get the most out of your trip to Australia, try to get an open-jaw flight. By doing this, you don’t have to backtrack to catch your flight home and save time to explore more new places.

Based on my search, international flights to Sydney or Melbourne are much cheaper than flights to Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast. But this also depends on where you’re coming from, your traveling period etc.

Where I Started: Sydney
Where I Ended: Melbourne
Stops In Between: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Port Douglas, Great Ocean Road

My East Coast Australia Sample Itinerary

Week 1: New South Wales

Sydney- 7 nights

We began our one-month adventures to Australia, with our first stop in Sydney, Australia’s most popular city!

For first time travelers who want a bit of everything, Sydney is the place to go.

You can easily explore the famous landmarks on foot, discover the surrounding areas and Blue Mountains with public transport.

Things to do in Sydney

Sydney Opera House– To recover from jet-lag, spend your first day walking around Sydney. Head to the Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair to get the best view of Sydney Opera House.
Royal Botanical Gardens– As you walk along the pathway from Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, you will come to the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Sydney Harbour Bridge– You can see the bridge from Sydney Opera House. If you want to spice things up, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge with an experienced guide.
Taronga Zoo – Who doesn’t love a zoo with spectacular view? I thoroughly enjoyed the ferry ride from Circular Quay, followed by a cable car to get to the zoo. You can easily spend a full day here discovering native wildlife and some rare animals, from kangaroos to gorilla. You can get a discounted ticket here– include return ferry ticket, Taronga Zoo entrance ticket + Sky Safari cable car.
Watson Bay– For a unique cliff walking experience, take a ferry ride to Watson Bay. Don’t miss the Horny Lighthouse and historic gun emplacements.
Bondi Beach to Congee Beach Walk– Stretching over 6km between Bondi beach and Congee Beach, this beachfront trail offers incredible views of vast ocean, sandy beaches, cliff faces and bays.
Blue Mountains– It’s a nature lover’s paradise. With breathtaking views, incredible walks and stunning waterfalls, there’s plenty to see and do here. To reach here, you can take a 2-hour train ride from the city, rent a car or join a day tour.

Traveling to Sydney can be expensive without proper planning. I have dedicated another post to help get the most out of Sydney without breaking your budget. Follow this article How to Spend 7 Days in Sydney?

Week 2-3: Queensland

Gold Coast – 4 nights

From Sydney, we took a 1.30-hour domestic flight to Gold Coast. It’s the fastest and budget-friendly way of traveling to Gold Coast. If you choose to drive or take bus, it will take at least 9 hour from Sydney!

Gold Coast is the home to the famous amusement and theme parks like Sea World, Wet’n’Wild, Movie World, Dreamworld and more.

If you’re planning to visit all these attractions, make sure you get a theme park pass which gives you unlimited entry to the parks for 3 or 7 consecutive days.

However, we’re way past the age of craving adrenaline rush from those rides. No, we still like to play and fun but in another form and shape.

Since we didn’t go to any of the parks, we can’t comment on the rides.

Photo: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Things to do in Gold Coast

Apart from long stretches of sandy beaches and thrilling theme parks, Gold Coast has plenty to offer for both city and nature lovers.

We’re lucky to have a local friend to show a side of the city that we didn’t even know existed!

And the best part of the adventures is they are all free!

Watch pelican feeding at Labrador – Both kids and adults will definitely like this free activity. Watching dozens of wild pelicans flying in, gathering on the beach to await their fishy feast.
Explore Glow-Worm Cave at Springbrook National Park
Feeding lorikeets at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Enjoy glorious ocean view at Elephant Rock Currumbin

Here’s a list of things to do for free that we’ve done in Gold Coast. You’ll definitely love it.

Brisbane -3 nights

My 13 favorite free things to do in Brisbane. ThinkMaverick

Photo: VisitBrisbane

It’s pretty easy to travel between Brisbane and Gold Coast. Many people will choose to base at Gold Coast and do a day trip to Brisbane.

We spend 3 nights here, and it’s definitely more than enough. It’s ideal to spend one or two nights here to explore, appreciate and soak up the vibrant city vibe.

Walking is the best way to get around Brisbane.

If you get tired from all the walking, simply hop on to the free ferry service called CityHopper.

Here’s a list of things to do for free that we’ve done or are planning to do in Brisbane.

Cairns – 2 nights

Contrary to bustling cities like Sydney, Cairns is more of a beach town. There’s no skyscrapers, what you’ll see is a small town with a relaxed atmosphere and its own charm.

And most tourists come here for one reason- the Great Barrier Reef.

A snorkeling day trip tour to the Great Barrier Reef would cost a whopping $120+ per person! However, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that everyone should do and see for themselves!

Trust me, it’s definitely worth it.

Luckily, there’re plenty free things to do in Cairns, from exploring the natural beauty of Atherton Tablelands to the top of Walshs Pyramid.

I’ve written a complete guide on Cairns, check out the Top 11 free things to do here.

Port Douglas – 3 nights

My favorite 9 free things to do in Port Douglas. ThinkMaverick

Photo: Expedia

If you have extra time, drive up north to this beautiful fishing village. It’s doable as a day trip from Cairns.

Take your time to enjoy this scenic drive and make few pit stops for stunning ocean views and sandy beaches, such as Trinity Beach, Palm Cove Beach and Rex Lookout.

You don’t have to stay 3 nights here unless you’re planning to spend the whole day relaxing by the beach or having a day trip further up to Cape Tribulation.

Crystal clear waters, remote beach, and lush green unspoiled rainforest make Port Douglas a great place for all nature lovers.

This is how we spent 4 days in Port Douglas.

I’d have shortened this stay to 1 or 2 days… but we got such a beautiful place to rest, rejuvenate and recharge the body and mind.

Week 4: Victoria

Melbourne – 4 nights

Melbourne, the world’s livable city is probably our favorite city in Australia.

A bustling metropolitan with a killer downtown skyline, lovely riverside promenade, graffiti laneways and street arts, Aussie goodness and pleasant coffee shops, Melbourne truly has something for everyone, regardless of your taste, style or budget.

It’s so easy to get around the city. If you’re traveling within the Melbourne CBD, just hop on and off the city tram for Free! It will bring you to major tourist attractions and famous sites in Melbourne city.

Of course, no trip to Melbourne is complete without sipping coffee in the famous alleyways. They serve the best coffee in the world.

Things to do in Melbourne

Laneways and street art– Melbourne has one of the most riotous and vibrant street art scenes in the world. Spend some time wandering through the labyrinth of laneways at Hosier Lane and St Fitzroy.
Shrine of Remembrance– Situated next to the Royal Botanic Garden, Shrine of Remembrance is a war memorial built to honor the fallen heroes of Victoria. Head to the top balcony to get the best panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
Yarra River– Take a stroll along the promenade, admire the city skyline from a different perspective.
Queen Victoria Market– The largest market in Australia. It has a plethora of pleasant stores and boutique shops selling all kinds of souvenirs, quirky gifts, one-off brands, snacks and hot food. It’s particularly fun to visit during Sundays, there’s a lot of fun activities for kids and live performance.

Great Ocean Road – 4nights

The Great Ocean Road trip, one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives is the highlight of our trip to Australia!

Pick up your rental car from Melbourne city or the airport and you’re ready to the hit road.

This epic oceanfront drive along the Melbourne’s coast will bring you past a myriad of unique landscapes, including long stretches of sandy beaches, amazing ocean views, sea cliffs and national park.

I recommend a minimum of 3 nights stay in Lorn, Apollo Bay and Warrnambool along the Great Ocean Road.

Don’t just rush to the Twelves Apostles, take your time to look around and explore along the way. We managed to spot some wild koalas, cockatoos, kangaroos, and Southern whales during the trip.

Highlights of Great Ocean Road

Torquay– Located about 105km from Melbourne, Torquay is official start point of Great Ocean Road. Get a stunning ocean view from vantages point along the Surf Coast Walk or ride a wave at Bell Beach.

Lorne– A quaint small town that definitely worth an overnight stay! Waterfront restaurants, cafes, beachfront parks, playgrounds and long sandy beach are all within walking distance. With a short drive from Lorne, you can get a great view at Teddy’s Lookout and escape to the rainforest of the beautiful Eskrine Falls.

Kennett River– Looking to see wild koalas? Just 30-minutes drive from Lorne, you will come to the township of Kennett River, it’s the best place for koala viewing in Australia!

Lorne to Apollo Scenic Drive– Each turn of the drive reveals a breathtaking view of the coast and seacliffs. Make sure to pull over at some of the view points to appreciate the landscapes, simply be present and enjoy the views.
Apollo Bay– One of my favorite stops along the Great Ocean Road, a little picturesque beach town. Take a short trek up to Mariners Lookout in the morning, to enjoy a panoramic view over Apollo Bay and its surrounding countryside.

Gibson Steps
Twelves Apostles– the main highlight of Great Ocean Road.
Loch Ard Gorge
London Arch (formerly London bridge)
The Grotto
Bay of Islands
Warrnambool – Want to see Southern Whales? Head to Logan’s Beach, every winter (June to October), the majestic southern right whales will migrate to their nursery at Logan’s Beach to give birth and raise their calves.

Where to Stay when traveling Australia?

When it comes to traveling, the two biggest travel expenses are going to be your airfare and your hotel.

Follow this article to discover the 7 Useful Tips That Will Help You Find Cheap Hotel Rooms Every Time

Traveling as a couple, we stayed at budget/mid-range hotels and apartments for the whole trip to Australia.

Total cost of accommodation for 30 nights: $850 per person

Here’s the list of places that we stayed for our trip.

Sydney: Hotel Challis Potts Point
Gold Coast: Surf Parade Resort
Brisbane: Mantra Terrace Hotel (2nights) and Soho Brisbane Hotel (1 night)
Cairns: Tropical Heritage Cairns
Port Douglas: Dreamcatcher Apartments
Melbourne: Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Southbank (2nights) and Jasper Hotel (2nights)
Lorne: Grand Pacific Hotel and Apartments
Apollo Bay: Beachcomber Motel and Apartments
Warrnambool: Blue Whale Motor Inn & Apartments

I’m quite satisfied with most of the hotels that we stayed except Dreamcatcher Apartments in Port Douglas. It’s the most expensive in my list of booking and yet the cleanliness, facilities and location are very disappointed.

If possible book your accommodation at least 2 months in advance to get cheaper rates.

Considering the price of hotels fluctuates dramatically by season, here’s the little-known secret of how you can get the best deal on a hotel room, anytime anywhere!

How to Get Around?

You can travel from one major city to the next by flight, train or bus. Considering the vastness of the continent, you’ll need to allocate an extra day to your itinerary if you choose to travel by land.

I recommend taking domestic flights to get between cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns. It is cheap, cost-effective, and timesaving.

To help you find the best flight deal instantly, use this flight search engine.

Sydney– Get yourself an Opal Card from the airport. you can use it for riding buses, trains and ferries. It’s the easiest and most affordable way to move around in Sydney.
Gold Coast and Brisbane– Get a Go Card from the airport for public transport. For Brisbane, you can make full use of the free CityHopper ferry to get around the city.
Cairns and Port Douglas– The best way to explore the Tropical North Queensland is by a car. There are no train services in Cairns Port Douglas. Though there’s a limited bus option serving both towns, you’ll need to plan your itinerary ahead if you choose this mode of transportation.
Melbourne– Can you believe it we didn’t spend a dime on city transportation in Melbourne? Just hop on and off the free city tram whenever you want.
Great Ocean Road– By car. A memorable and scenic road trip that everyone should do once in their lifetime. If you’re not sure whether to explore the GOR by self-drive, follow the day trip guided tour might be another great option.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel Australia for One Month?

Each of us spent about $2800 for traveling 30 days in Australia, including all the expenses for flights, car rentals, food, souvenirs, attraction tickets, local transportation, and accommodation.

From time to time, it’s great to travel to new places and immerse yourself in different cultures. We’re able to explore cities, beaches, limestone cliffs at our own pace, while not sacrificing comfort and relaxation.

If you’re planning to purchase gifts, electronic gadgets or souvenirs during your trip, remember you can claim back 10% GST instantly on purchases over $300 when you fly out of Australia!