Explore East
Famous for its sunny warm weather, Eastern Australia offers coastal exploration from the vibe of the Gold Coast to the tropics of the Great Barrier Reef to the bustling city of Brisbane.
The coast is lined with beachside communities, each one offering experiences for the traveller. It is also home to the island resorts of the Whitsundays.
Inland lies the ranges of the hinterland, and further on the vast expanses and beauty of outback Australia.
Further inland still expect sweeping plains, turning from agriculture to desert the further inland you venture.
Destinations of Eastern Australia:
- Gold Coast - A bustling coastal city and holiday playground featuring stunning beaches and exciting Theme Parks.
- Sunshine Coast - A collection of towns stretching from Noosa to Caloundra are dotted along the coastline with a relaxed yet sophisticated lifestyle.
- Whitsunday Islands - A group of 74 islands off the coast of Airlie Beach float like green jewels in the tropical warm sea.
- The Great Barrier Reef - One of the 7 natural wonders of the world it is composed of more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands which are home to unique coral species and wildlife.
- Capricornia - On the Tropic of Capricorn this laid back country has diverse natural beauty ranging from beaches to gemfields.
- Fraser Coast - Home to the Heritage Listed, world's largest sand island the Fraser Coast if full of natural wonders including world-class whale watching.
- Mackay - An inviting blend of secluded beaches, elusive wildlife and rural pastures, Mackay City's streets are lined with Art Deco buildings and palm trees.
- Townsville - The regional centre of the tropics blends country and coastal communities.
- South East Queensland Country - Clean air & defined seasons help the southern region produce wonderful harvests in premiere food & wine country.
- Bundaberg, Coral Coast and Country - The southern end of The Great Barrier Reef features pristine beaches and coral islands famous for turtle spotting.
- Western Downs - Classic Aussie pubs, rural countryside & National Parks nurture unique country experiences.
- Northern Rivers - Home to 5 World Heritage Listed National Parks, as well as the towns of Byron Bay and the cities of Lismore and Grafton
- Mid-North Coast - Publicised as the "holiday coast"; includes Port Macquarie and the city of Coffs Harbour
- New England - Home to 4 World Heritage-listed parks, the country music capital of Tamworth, and the pretty seasonal city of Armidale
- Hunter Valley - Home to NSW's second city of Newcastle and some of the best vineyards in Australia
Highlights of Eastern Australia:
- Great Barrier Reef - World’s largest living organism and the only one visible from outer space. Stretches over 2,000 kilometres in length and 348,000 square metres (larger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined). Home to tens of thousands of species of brilliantly coloured fish, corals and other marine life including whales, dolphins and turtles.
- Gondwana Rainforest of Australia - formerly known as the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves. Located in South East Queensland, is the most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world with large areas of warm temperate rainforest and nearly all of the Antarctic beech cool temperate rainforest. The rainforests have an extremely high conservation value and provide habitat for more than 200 rare or threatened plant and animal species.
- Fraser Island - A World Heritage Listed island. The only place on the planet where rainforest grows on sand. Over 120 kilometres long and 30 kilometers across at it’s widest point. Features wealth of natural attractions including pristine fresh water lakes, champagne pools, amazing coloured sand formations and a shipwreck.
- Oxley Wild Rivers National Park - (OWRNP) is 445 km (by road) north of Sydney. It is listed a World Heritage Area by UNESCO and forms part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia. Most of the lookout platforms and visitor facilities are readily accessible on the gorge rim, providing spectacular views into the Apsley and Macleay Gorges.
States in East Australia are: (Daylight Saving Time)
Northern Territory UTC +9.5
Queensland UTC +10
New South Wales UTC +10 (UTC +10.5)
