Rainbow Beach
After Airlie Beach, most people head down to Rainbow, as it is the gateway to Fraser Island. Be advised that Airlie to Rainbow is one of the longer overnight bus rides so stopping in Rockhampton for a night is always an option. Rainbow is another sleepy town that, like Airlie, is mostly a stop over to the main attraction (Fraser). The town is small and there is no nightlife at all (which is a welcome break for your liver). Enjoy relaxing by the beach in a hammock and gear up for sleeping on the ground in Fraser.
where to stay
Dingos Rainbow Beach is our favorite option. Staying at Dingos is more about taking their Fraser Island trip as opposed to the hostel itself, as whichever hostel you stay at will likely be the tour company you use. Dingos gives a fabulous tour of the island and the hostel is not too shabby. Good air conditioning and free pancakes (early) in the morning help sweeten the deal too.
what to do
We recommend Skydive Australia Fraser Island. Okay, so maybe you won’t be relaxing the entire time. Skydive Australia offers a 15,000 foot fall with a 50 second free fall that will be sure to get your adrenaline pumping. The island looks incredible while you’re screaming for your life and this is one of the few beach landing opportunities you will have on the East Coast. Skydiving is an otherworldly experience that Danny can personally say is his favorite thing he did in Australia (besides founding this website, of course).
Fraser Island
The largest sand island in the world, Fraser is famous for its tagalong tours that take you along a 75 mile beach. It is worth noting that the island is also accessible by rented car, but we believe a tagalong tour offers a better experience. Tagalong tours allow you to drive your own 4x4 on terrain that isn't accessible to normal rented cars, but is accessible to you because you travel in a small convoy with a lead driver. The guides are phenomenal and just want to make sure you experience all the island has to offer. Sometimes, they’ll even grab a beer with you after a long day's drive. Make sure you know how to drive manual if you want to get behind the wheel because every 4x4 is stick. Your group will rotate drivers throughout the trip. Don’t get discouraged if you get stuck in the sand; it happens to nearly everyone. After you make camp, you will visit many of the various popular spots of the island: inlet lakes, a shipwreck, and some amazing sand dunes. Fraser is also one of the few spots you are likely to spot a Dingo, one of Australia’s famous native animals. The island is famous for having one of the purest breeds of Dingo, but they look malnourished and that tidbit should be taken with a grain of salt (or sand?). At night, your group will all cook dinner together before some late night drinking on the beach. The best part of taking a tour is that you really become close with your group by the end of it. Being stuck in a car with someone for nearly three days does really force you to become mates.
Recommendations
Bring a sleeping bag. It will cost extra money but does add the extra comfort of not sleeping on the ground. Danny learned this mistake the hard way. Download a lot of popular music before you depart. All the cars have an AUX cord and things can get awkward when someone puts on German death metal.
Noosa
One of the more popular beach destinations in Australia, Noosa is a popular town for its relaxing, yet social demeanor. As with every place on the East Coast, backpackers flock to the beach daily before heading back to the hostel for a night out. Noosa also offers many different outdoor activities with beautiful scenery. The Noosa National Park is a popular destination with hikes that can give you some space to clear your head. Head down to the Fairy Pools for an incredible, natural swimming experience.
where to stay
It is hard to pick a bad hostel in Noosa, but, once again, we recommend you stay at Nomads Noosa. Nomads offers a relaxing atmosphere, with a pool in the middle of the grounds that is great for meeting fellow travelers. Located near a lot of major attractions and the bus stop, Nomads gives you a central location to explore Noosa. It's worth noting that Nomads Noosa is strict against having alcohol in your room. They have security staff that check your bags when you enter at night and they will constantly check your room if you make even the slightest bit of noise. Most of the hostels are too far away from the clubs to walk. Shuttles will frequently visit the hostels at night to take you out to the “party district” to save you time.
What to do
In addition to enjoying the beautiful beach, go to Noosa National Park for the views and to visit the Fairy Pools. We also recommend The Everglades if time permits. Yes, Australia has everglades too. Noosa Everglades offers a canoeing trip (weather permitting) through the everglades that will introduce you to incredible flora and fauna. The nature preserve holds an astounding 44% of Australia’s bird population along with 700 different animal species and 1,365 plant species.
Brisbane
Quietly Australia’s third biggest city, Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and a cheap flight destination. While not as nice as Sydney and Melbourne, Brisbane nonetheless has a vibrant culture and nightlife. There are many places to visit and, while big, the city is easy to navigate by foot or with public transport. While there is plenty to do in Brisbane, we don’t recommend staying here that long because the best part of the East Coast is not the big cities. If you have free time, you may want to take a day trip to Steve Irwin’s famous “Australia Zoo," just a short bus ride out of the city and one of the city’s largest tourist attractions.
where to stay
There are many hostels to pick from so it's hard to narrow it down. Zach and Noah stayed at Nomads in Brisbane and hated it so that is clearly one to avoid. On the other hand, Danny stayed at Chill Backpackers and thought it was worth the money. Great location, decent sized rooms and a relaxing TV room to unwind. The big sell for Chill backpackers, and many hostels in the city, is fantastic rooftop views of the city at night.
where to eat
If there is one thing Brisbane does better than Melbourne, it's their Southbank area. While Melbourne’s is small and filled with overpriced food, Brisbane’s Southbank has many different food options, as well as a fantastic promenade along the river. After weeks of hostel cooking and budget meals, Southbank is a nice place to splurge without breaking the bank. During the day-time, there is also a nice swimming pool that is perfect for families and backpackers alike. Be sure to walk down the promenade at night to experience an aesthetically pleasing view of Brisbane.
Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast
The Miami of Australia, Gold Coast is famous for its many clubs and extravagant nightlife. While Surfers Paradise may sound like a quiet little beach town, it actually boasts skyscrapers and an imposing city skyline. Go to the top of SkyPoint observation deck to get a view of the entire city. Despite its big buildings, Surfers is incredible easy to navigate because everything is conveniently condensed into a few block radius. The beach is easily accessible and has some of the biggest, most intimidating waves we have ever seen. Don’t venture out too far in the water, unless you want to be saved by a lifeguard.
You will see tons of stands offering tickets to a “giant” pub crawl. Don’t buy them. Each hostel offers a similar, cheaper deal which ultimately combines into a giant bar crawl between every hostel. Usually, you can haggle to get the price down too. The bar crawl is 100% worth it because it gives you entry into every club and you are guaranteed to meet people. Also, become friends with whoever sells you the ticket; they get free drink deals every night and will usually be more than generous.
where to stay
Surfers Paradise might have the strongest collection of hostels on the East Coast. It is almost impossible to pick a bad one and almost all of them are centrally located. Bunk is the largest and located right at the center of downtown, while Backpackers in Paradise and Backpackers Holiday Village offer discounted prices and are only a ten minute walk to the bus station/downtown.