Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

14  INTRODUCING A USTR ALIA

14 Days on the stop for a walk along the river
East Coast – or, in season (Oct), to admire
Sydney to Cairns the jacaranda trees in bloom.
Byron Bay (p183), the
• Airports Arrive at Sydney easternmost point on the
Airport and depart from Australian mainland, draws
Cairns Airport. backpackers, holidaymakers
• Transport A car is essential and people on weekend
for this trip, although it is trips to the beach. Spend
possible to take buses up an afternoon admiring the
the coast and amend and views, relaxing on the golden
extend the itinerary as sand, swimming in the sea
necessary. and trying your hand at a
range of watersports.
• Booking ahead If planning
a tour to Fraser Island and/
or the Whitsunday Islands, Days 8 and 9: Brisbane
Cross into Queensland and
consider arranging this
in advance. The pedestrian Goodwill Bridge in Brisbane, pass through a series of small
leading to the Queensland Cultural Precinct surf communities until you
reach Surfers Paradise Beach
(p183), a popular holiday (p243). If you enjoy pulsating
Days 1 and 2: Sydney destination with some nightlife, then consider
See the city itinerary on attractive beaches. En route, extending your stay here. When
pages 12–13. you could leave the main road you reach Brisbane (pp222–37),
to visit Crowdy Bay National be sure to visit the City Botanic
Day 3: Newcastle Park (p182), where fishing is Gardens (pp228–9) and the
Leave the busy streets of a popular activity. Queensland Cultural Precinct
Sydney behind and head (pp232–3), where you’ll find the
north, to the quieter, more Day 5: Coffs Harbour Queensland Museum & Science
down-to-earth city of The journey north to Coffs Centre and the Queensland Art
Newcastle (p177). Once there, Harbour (p182) will take you Gallery and Gallery of Modern
visit the excellent Newcastle past a number of lovely sandy Art (QAGOMA). A popular trip
Region Art Gallery (closed beaches, including Nambucca outside the city centre is to the
Mon) to see its remarkable Heads (p183) and the surf spot Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
collection of Australian art, then of Third Headland Beach (p234), where you can enjoy
make your way to the restored (p182). Coffs Harbour itself is a cuddle with one of these
Fort Scratchley (closed Tue), one of the most popular tourist irresistible critters.
where you can learn about destinations in New South
what took place in this town Wales and has lots of activities Day 10: Hervey Bay
during World War II. available, including horseriding, The Sunshine Coast stretches
diving and surfing. north of Brisbane as far as
Day 4: Port Macquarie Noosa (p243). On your way
From Newcastle, continue Days 6 and 7: Byron Bay there, you may want to stop
north along the Pacific Travel through quaint Grafton at Australia Zoo (p242), made
Highway to Port Macquarie (p182) on your way north and famous by the late Steve Irwin.

Whale-watching boat returning to Hervey Bay Marina, Queensland
For practical information on travelling around Australia see pp556–63