Exploring Australia’s East Coast: Melbourne — Sydney

For free-spirited adventure lovers, exploring Australia’s East Coast is hard to beat. While the 4000 km East Coast Trail to Cairns traditionally began in Sydney, Melbourne’s rise as a cool city of culture has put it on the map as an exhilarating entry point. As a result, here we showcase some of the best things to do along the Melbourne — Sydney portion of Australia’s East Coast. We also highlight YHA Australia’s accommodation that’s big on quality, and big on saving you bucks.

Melbourne: culture, art and out-of-town adventures

Loaded with live performance venues, rooftop bars and restaurants, it’s clear why Melbourne has been hailed as Australia’s capital of culture and art. 

There’s no better way to soak up Melbourne’s arty magnetism than mooching around its graffiti laneways. Here cool coffee shops, boutiques and galleries sit pretty against a backdrop of extraordinary street art. 

Before moving on from Melbourne, take the train to St Kilda beach for soft sand, and lively markets, cafés and nightlife.

Looking to enjoy higher-octane activities? An hour east of the city, Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges offer epic hiking and biking trails through Victoria’s hills. The region also plays host to world-class wineries.
Lastly, don’t leave before visiting Phillip Island — a notable nature reserve. Here you can take a boat trip to see Australia's largest fur seal colony, and watch little penguins waddle home at dusk on the island’s aptly named Penguin Parade. 

Where to stay

For hip ambience and rich heritage in the heart of the city, it doesn’t get better than staying at the friendly, affordable YHA Melbourne Central. 

Close to top attractions like Melbourne Skydeck and graffiti laneways galore, not only is this YHA building heritage listed, but the fine folk here can hook you up with unforgettable heritage tours. For example, enjoy the Aboriginal Heritage Walk for insights into Kulin Nation culture and customs.

If you fancy lingering longer in Philip Island (let’s face it, this stunner has plenty to detain you), stay in YHA Philip Island. With private rooms, family rooms and co-living rooms, the onsite surfboard and bike rental are an added bonus.

Editor’s tip: want to save 10% on your accommodation? Sign up to become a member on the YHA Australia site.

Wilsons Promontory: wildlife and walks on the wild side 

Hosting amazing wildlife (hello, wombats and whales!), blissful beaches, wooded glades and lush rainforests, Wilsons Prom is a breath-taking beauty spot of the highest order. 

The best way to explore the Prom — the most southerly point of the Australian mainland — is via its hiking trails. 

For example, the Tidal River Overlook Circuit offers captivating coastal views — look out for the prehistoric boulders protruding from the sea. Meanwhile, the Lilly Pilly Gully Nature Walk traverses heathland, eucalypt forest and temperate rainforest.

Editor’s tip: hike to the peak of Mt Oberon before dusk to enjoy a sublime sunset.

Lakes Entrance: kayaking, kangaroos and first-class food

Gateway to the glorious Gippsland Lakes, the coastal town of Lakes Entrance is a paradise for wildlife-lovers, water babes and seafood fans. When you fancy chilling out — or want the thrills and spills of water-sports — head to Ninety Mile Beach.

 A top attraction here is the Cunninghame Arm Footbridge. Spanning some 500 metres across Lake King, walking the bridge is a scenic way to soak up local wildlife.

On that subject, explore the trails of Wilsons Promontory National Park to see wombats, emus, kangaroos, echidnas (spiny anteaters) and an abundance of birds.

You could also kayak the vast inland waterways of Gippsland Lakes, or take a boat trip to see dolphins, seals, and (in winter) humpback whales and southern right whales.

Editor’s tip: don’t miss visiting Nyerimilang Heritage Park to engage with local First Nation culture. Stunningly sited on the banks of Lake King, there are trails to walk, and tonnes of immersive heritage activities, from bush tucker tours to boomerang painting classes.

Buchan and Snowy River National Park: caving, canoeing and Gunaikurnai heritage

Travellers who are big on adventure should make a beeline for Buchan — one of the oldest towns in Victoria — and its environs. The fertile hills, ancient caves, craggy gorges and snaking rivers really are worth heading inland for.

The main attraction around these parts is Buchan Caves Reserve, which is of huge significance to its Gunaikurnai Traditional Custodians. In fact, evidence of Pleistocene-era Gunaikurnai burials have been found in cave entry points around Buchan.

Here you can take a guided tour of an incredible network of limestone caves that were carved by a subterranean river some 400 million years ago. With names like Fairy Cave and Royal Cave, you can imagine the enchantment of caverns, stalactites, stalagmites and pools that await.

Editor’s tip: for wilder rides, head to Snowy River National Park to hike, horse ride, kayak and canoe surrounded by truly spectacular scenery — we’re talking glorious gorges, rushing waterfalls, and native bushland.

Croajingalong National Park: snorkelling, sea-kayaking, swimming and hiking

A lesser-travelled treasure of eastern Australia, Croajingalong National Park is a soul-stirring joy for off-the-beaten-trackers.

Encompassing coastal dunes, rocky outcrops, expansive swathes of sandy beaches, and freshwater rivers, Croajingolong’s biodiversity has seen it awarded UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve status.

The best way to explore this secluded haven is via the 45km Wilderness Coast Walk. That and taking to the water to swim, dive, snorkel and kayak. 

Editor’s tip: to see fur seals lounging on rocky islets, follow the Fly Cove Walk from Wingan Inlet Campground.

Narooma: Ngaran Ngaran culture, diving and wildlife-watching 

A wonderland of waterways and sandbars fronted by the shimmering sea, it’s clear why Narooma was so named. It’s derived from a word that means “clear blue waters” in the local Aboriginal language.

 It really is an out-of-this-world destination for divers and snorkellers. While the former might hope to sight critically endangered grey nurse sharks, snorkellers take trips to Barunguba Montague Island wildlife sanctuary to see up to 2000 fur seals.

Away from the sea, you can kayak Corunna Lake, hike ancient temperate rainforests and cycle a scenic 21km coastal route, safe in the knowledge that when you’re in need of post-adventure replenishment, Narooma has plenty of fine places to dine in. 

Editor’s tip: immerse yourself in a Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness experience.

Jervis Bay: jaw-dropping beaches, marine life and an Aboriginal-owned National Park 

Truly paradisiacal, Jervis Bay boasts some of the whitest sand in the world, and waters awash with whales, dolphins, seals and fairy penguins (AKA little penguins). 

Note, the latter are best seen on a cruise around Bowen Island — which is home to around 10,000 of them.

One of the best places in Australia to see dolphins, Jervis Bay is also primely positioned for watching humpback whales between May and November. 

And all this marine magic is backed by beautiful bush, including the Aboriginal-owned Booderee National Park.

Editor’s top: en route north from Jervis Bay, stop off at the pretty seaside town of Kiama to see the Kiama Blowhole — just one of many natural wonders along the 20km Kiama Coastal Walk.

Sydney: see city icons with added adventure, and from your accommodation

Winding up this portion of your East Coast adventure (though definitely not winding down), Sydney is sizzlingly vibrant.

Instead of just seeing the city’s obvious icons, you could explore them in more exhilarating ways. For example, take a sunrise kayak tour of Sydney Harbour to witness rays alighting on the Opera House. Or how about climbing Harbour Bridge?

While Bondi Beach is — understandably — on most travellers’ Sydney wish lists, don’t miss Wattamolla Beach. Located in the Royal National Park, its creek-fed lagoon is an emerald oasis for safe swimming and sublime snorkelling.

Where to stay

When it comes to finding accommodation within sight of Sydney’s (ahem) iconic sights, it doesn’t get better than YHA Sydney Harbour. Serving rooftop views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, this state-of-the-art hostel has sustainability at its core. 
Alternatively, to stay right in the heart of the city, check out YHA Sydney Central. Located in a heritage-listed building, it’s next to Central Station’s train, tram and bus lines, and has an on-site bar, café and rooftop pool.

Planning to continue your East Coast journey? Read our run-down of highlights along the Sydney — Brisbane portion, and discover some delights between Brisbane and Cairns.

And, to save 10% on your accommodation, sign-up as a member on the YHA Australia site.

This article is brought to you in partnership with YHA.

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