Down Under Diary: The Ultimate Australia’s East Coast Road Trip

G’day mate! Welcome to the Down Under Diary – a blog dedicated to uncovering the hidden gems, unforgettable moments, and unfiltered adventures of my six-week road trip along Australia’s east coast. Buckle up, because this journey is packed with stunning landscapes, quirky encounters, and plenty of unexpected twists.

Who’s on the Road?

In April and May 2023, three friends and I set off on an epic campervan adventure along Australia’s East Coast. Before we became road trip buddies, our story started at Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, where we all did our apprenticeships from 2015 to 2018 (or 2019). It was during this time that our friendship took shape, strengthened by shared challenges, and unforgettable excursions like the apprentice camp or fairs. Those experiences built a solid friendship, preparing us for the ultimate adventure: a six-week campervan journey across Australia!

• 👩🏼 Sabrina: Our fearless guide and Australia expert, having been here before. She also bravely handled all things creepy-crawly!
• 👩🏽 Simona: Our culinary queen, whipping up delicious meals (mostly Italian, of course).
• 👩🏼 Vanessa: The ultimate accommodation critic who ensured we stayed in the best possible places (when she could find ones that met her standards!).
• 👩🏼‍🦱 Géraldine: That’s me: Documenting the journey, handling finances, and ensuring with my camera we never forgot a single moment.

The Route

Our adventure kicked off in Sydney, where we enjoyed our first taste of Aussie city life. From there, we picked up our campervan and hit the road north! Over the next six weeks, we traveled over 3,660 kilometers, stopping at some of Australia’s most breathtaking spots as:

• 🌆 Sydney  Sleepless nights, first Aussie encounters, and the great Easter brekkie fail
• 🦘Emerald Beach: Kangaroos, an unreal sunset, and a furry surprise visit on the “dunny”
• 🏄‍♀️ Byron Bay:  Surf lessons, shark spotting, and birthday celebrations
• 🐨 Brisbane: Koala cuddles, botanical gardens, and South Bank vibes
• 🌊 Noosa: Laundry disasters, desperate cash hunts, and a failed coastal walk with(out) a view
• 🌈 Rainbow Beach: Lost in the middle of nowhere, sand cliffs, and our first AdBlue panic
• 🐕 Fraser Island (K’gari): Bus rollercoaster ride, champagne pools, and dingo sightings
• 🌅 Cape Hillsborough: No internet, two failed application interviews, and the sunrise kangaroo dream (or scam)
• 🏝️ Airlie Beach & Whitsundays: Whitehaven Beach paradise, scenic flights, and underwater snorkeling adventures
• 🚗 Magnetic Island: Living our best Barbie life in a pink rental car, rock wallabies, and koala spotting
• 🤿 Cairns: The Great Barrier Reef, night markets, and tropical vibes
• 🐊 Port Douglas & Daintree: Crocodile cruises, meeting boys, and an unexpected carnival

What to Expect

Each upcoming blog post will dive into a specific location, bringing you along for the ride as we uncover hidden gems, share insider tips, and reveal untold stories from the road. We’ll take you beyond the typical tourist spots, offering a real and unfiltered look at the highs and lows of van life.

1. ✨ Hidden Gems: From secluded beaches to off-the-radar hikes, discover the best-kept secrets of Australia’s east coast.
2. 💡 Insider Tips: Learn from our experiences—whether it’s the best places to camp, how to avoid common road trip pitfalls, or must-try local eats.
3. 💬 Untold Stories: The moments you won’t find in guidebooks: campervan challenges, unexpected wildlife encounters, and the hilarious mishaps that made this trip unforgettable.
4. 🫵🏻 Your Turn: We want to hear from you! Share your road trip experiences, ask questions, or let us know what stories you’re most excited to read about.

Stay Tuned

Over the next seven posts, we’ll be diving into the most unforgettable stops along the journey. So whether you’re planning your own Aussie road trip or just love a good travel story, join us in reliving this adventure. Stay tuned – the first stop is coming soon!

Want to help shape the upcoming stories? Vote for which travel stories and tips you’d love to read next!

Your Turn!

I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever been on a road trip? Where did you go, and who was your travel crew?  Share your stories in the comments below!