How to travel Australia in 45-days without missing a thing

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It turns out, there is a perfect amount of time to set aside if you’re interested in exploring this vast, incredible country…

We believe the best way to travel is on a whim, with no restrictions and endless possibilities, and, with over a hundred years of experience on Australia’s roads, it’s safe to say, we know a thing or two about getting around.

 

What we’ve found, is that when it comes to exploring Australia, forty-five days is the perfect amount of time to adventure through the vast landscapes, cities and outback, but to ensure you get the most out of every single day, here are a few tips we’ve picked up along the way.

Plan your ‘travel’ days

You may have been told that Australia is huge, but you won’t truly grasp the magnitude of this statement until you hit the road Down Under. To provide further context, Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, occupying a territory of over six and a half million square kilometres, which is greater than the size of all of the European countries put together!

 

So, what does this mean for you and your travel plans, you might ask? It means you should plan out your ‘travel’ days. Especially the days where you may find yourself in the coach for ten or more hours! How many of these will you be doing? How far will they take you? These are important questions to ask yourself – and making sure you get enough rest so that you’re rejuvenated.

 

TIP: Greyhound Australia offer a number of overnight services which is a great way to tackle these longer journeys. With leather reclining seats and plenty of legroom, you can snooze your way to your next destination, without losing a day to travel!

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Be flexible and go with the flow

Without contradicting the above, when it comes to travelling anywhere in the world, it pays to be agile with your travels, as they don’t always go plan. Weather may spoil the sailing trip you’ve been dreaming about doing or, on the way to your next stop, you may come across a beautiful beach town (we have a lot of these) and decide to stay for a night or two. That’s fine – even encouraged!

 

The Greyhound Whimit travel pass, is a pass that gives you unlimited travel in any direction in Australia, providing the ultimate flexibility. It’s a great way to see Australia at your own pace and perfect for those last-minute itinerary changes.

 

TIP:  Take every opportunity as it presents itself and get off the beaten track. You’ll be amazed what incredible places you’ll find in Australia that you’ve never heard of!

Decide on your start and finish destinations

Because Australia is so big, you’ll want to avoid backtracking as much as you can, so choosing where you’ll start and end your adventure is a great way to map out your itinerary.

 

If you’re a beach lover but also want to hit the major cities, Melbourne to Cairns is a popular route as you can tick off the Great Ocean Road, Sydney, Brisbane and all of the stunning beach towns along the East Coast. But, if you are looking for more of a ‘off the beaten track’ adventure, why not try Cairns to Uluru and explore the enchanting rainforests and the famous Australian outback.

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Australia can be expensive, but it’s okay

Travelling in general is expensive, but it’s the only form of expense that leaves you richer, right?! When travelling in Australia, you can make it as expensive as you’d like, but, it pays to know where you can save a dollar or two, so you don’t miss out on anything while you’re here.

 

One thing that can help you cut down your costs right from the start is how you travel. A Greyhound Coach pass, such as Whimit, is a flexible and cost-effective way to travel, so you can spend more on all of the amazing experiences that you’ve been planning.

 

TIP: On average, you’ll want to budget for roughly $150 per day. That way you can enjoy Australia’s amazing restaurants, book those wild life experiences, and check out the best Aussie shopping while you’re here.

 

Learn more about the ‘Whimit’ travel pass and make the most of your time in Australia with Greyhound Australia.

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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

    How To Travel Australia in 45 Days