The Ultimate Australian East Coast Road Trip Guide

Get behind the wheel and chase the sun up Australia’s East Coast for a must-do van adventure. From wild national parks, laid-back surf towns and the world’s largest reef to lush hinterlands and tropical rainforests, this classic coastal route is the stuff of RV road trip dreams. Whether starting in Victoria or NSW, heading north to chase the sun, we recommend allowing at least 2 to 4 weeks for your East Coast Australia road trip to soak it all in. This guide takes you on a scenic drive roughly 4000km up the A1, from Melbourne through Sydney to Port Douglas, highlighting must-see stops and delightful detours along the way. And with a fully equipped motorhome as your travel companion, you’re in for a magical journey, with some captivating stories to share when you get home.

1. Melbourne – Laneways, Lattes & Creative Arts

Let’s not leave the glittering capital cities off your Australia’s East Coast road trip route. Starting in Melbourne, explore Victoria’s coastal gems before hitting the NSW border by visiting the fairy penguins of Phillip Island. Enjoy the coastal hikes of Wilson's Promontory and relax at the wineries, washing away the road dust at the hot springs in the Mornington Peninsula. When heading east through Gippsland towards the NSW Sapphire Coast, check out some southern stunners in the Melbourne to Lakes Entrance itinerary.

2. Eden & Merimbula – Wild Coast & Whale Tales

Tucked into the NSW South Coast, Eden is a rugged beauty, offering sanctuary from May to November for gentle marine giants migrating. While Australia’s East Coast is known for its humpback and southern right whales, a confronting chapter of the region’s history is preserved at Eden’s Killer Whale Museum. For a slower pace, nearby Merimbula offers fresh oysters, scenic coastal walks, and calm swimming beaches. Take in the sunrise at Pinnacles Lookout in Beowa National Park, then breakfast at a waterfront cafe for a memorable start to your day.

3. Narooma & Tilba Tilba – Seaside Charm & Stingrays

Postcard-perfect Narooma glimpses stingrays in its aqua-blue waters by the Mill Bay Boardwalk and Bar Beach. Take a boat to Montague Island, where guided tours include snorkelling with seals and bird spotting. Detour inland to the National Trust-listed village of Central Tilba for a storybook stop with cheese tastings, galleries and country lanes.

4. Batemans Bay to Ulladulla – Surf & Saltwater Escapes

Easygoing beach hangs and family-friendly energy greet you on this stretch from Batemans Bay, with its blend of bush and sand. North is Murramang National Park for picnics and spying kangaroos at Pebbly Beach, while Depot Beach’s glorious rainforest walk leads to ideal fishing and paddleboarding. Surf’s up in Ulladulla and Mollymook, where the waves, cafes, and coastline views make it worth an overnight stop.

5. Jervis Bay – White Sand Paradise

On an East Coast road trip, Sydneysiders often travel south to Australia’s prime beaches. Hyams Beach’s marble-white sand is a pinnacle for tourists, while the whole Jervis Bay area has squeaky sands, tranquil turquoise waters, and hidden coves. Booderee National Park is rich in wildlife and cultural heritage, and placid inlets for kayaking or dolphin-watching.

6. Kiama to Shellharbour – Blowholes & Bushwalks

Kiama’s famous Blowhole is an East Coast rite of passage, with impressive surrounding coastline. Don’t miss the Kiama Coastal Walk or a rainforest stroll to Minnamurra. Keep cruising past charming Gerringong and Gerroa for soothing seascape vistas. Top it off with Shellharbour’s casual village vibes and the rugged beauty of breathtaking marine reserves like Bushrangers Bay.

7. Sydney – The Harbour City

If you’re not a Sydney local, park the van or, better yet, book an inner-city boutique hotel and spend a day or two exploring the NSW capital. Get your glam leisurewear on and walk the Bondi to Coogee track, where you might spy a celebrity. Catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for some culinary delights, or hit up a rooftop bar under the Bridge and the stars before returning to the open road.

8. Central Coast – Coastal Breezes & Clifftop Trails

If you prefer a quieter tempo, bypass Sydney’s buzz and head straight to Avoca Beach in Terrigal and the lesser-known Pearl Beach. Bouddi National Park offers easy to challenging bushwalks with sweeping coastline views and top picnic spots.

9. Newcastle & Port Stephens – Urban Energy & Dune Adventures

The steel-port city makeover, from smoking coal stacks to a chill, beach-fringed city with cool cafés, foreshore walks (like Bathers Way), and an arty, industrial scene, is worth a look. Just up the road, Port Stephens delivers dolphin cruises, adrenaline-spiking sandboarding adventures, and dramatic coastal dunes.

10. Mid North Coast – Slow The Pace of Your East Coast Road Trip

Forster, South West Rocks, and Crescent Head all make this region an epicentre for caravan parks and classic Aussie holidays. Relaxed beach towns, great surf, and sleepy harbours offer the kind of easygoing rhythm that motorhome owners dream of.

11. Coffs Harbour – Big Banana & Bushland Reserves

While you can’t miss the Big Banana water fun park for its retro Aussie tourist vibe, Coffs is also a gateway to coastal rainforest walks, beach cafés, and hinterland drives. Take the Waterfall Way if you're craving a scenic inland loop.

12. Yamba & Angourie – Surfer’s Secret

Yamba is Byron’s quieter cousin, with all the charm but without the crowds. Great surf, fresh prawns and oysters on the trawler wharf, and the iconic Pacific Hotel perched above the sea. Nearby Angourie’s Blue Pools are perfect for a post-surf dip.

13. Byron Bay – Boho Meets Luxe

No Northern Rivers route is complete without Byron. Beyond the barefoot lifestyle and boutique stays, there’s the stunning Cape Byron Lighthouse walk, sunrise surf sessions, and bushland villages like Bangalow or Mullumbimby to go fossicking for fashion finds.

14. Gold Coast – Glitter Strip & Waterfall Walks

Crossing into Queensland, the Gold Coast is more than its theme park reputation. One of the world’s top surf spots, try a few barrels at Burleigh Heads, hike the waterfall trails in Springbrook National Park, or unwind with a rooftop cocktail in Nobbys or Broadbeach. There’s energy here, but also easy escapes.

15. Brisbane – River City Stopover

The Queensland capital is casual yet contemporary. Park the RV and explore South Bank’s modern and traditional galleries, ancient museum relics, the Botanic Gardens and riverside parks. Jump on a ferry to cruise the waterways and hit up a wharf bar for a classic Aussie feed.

16. Sunshine Coast – Beachside Bliss & High-End Boutiques

From Noosa and Mooloolaba’s stylish fashion and sophisticated dining to the Glass House Mountains and Eumundi Markets, the Sunny Coast blends nature hikes and village charm with refreshing swims at Coolum and Caloundra beaches.

17. Cairns, Port Douglas & the Daintree – Tropical Finish Line

You’ve made the final stretch! Tropical North Queensland offers the ultimate East Coast finale. From Cairns, you can snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, hike to waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands, or cruise through mangroves in the Daintree Rainforest. A little further north, Port Douglas adds a touch of luxury to the tropics, with breezy cafes, high-end resorts, and easy access to both the reef and the rainforest.

Enjoy an East Coast Australia Road Trip in Your New Windsor RV

This epic trip requires a special vehicle to ensure class and comfort. Try a latest-model Windsor RV to make the East Coast Australia Road Trip the journey of a lifetime. Contact our expert sales office to talk about the best model to get you there in style.