The East Coast of Australia has been dubbed "Australia's playground", and this could not be closer to the truth. The relaxed beach lifestyle is perfectly complimented by the exotic Aboriginal heritage, the cosmopolitan cities, the stunning Great Barrier Reef, and the enchanting rainforests. As one of the most visited coastlines in the world, the East Coast of Australia stretches from Melbourne to Cairns, and along the way you will experience everything from diving and surfing, to skydiving and discovering those "off-the-beaten-track" ranch towns further inland.
Starting in the south with Melbourne and Sydney, these multi-cultural cities boast an exhilarating and diverse nightlife, as well as various restaurants, attractions and iconic aspects of Australia. These include the Australian Open Tennis tournament in Melbourne; Sydney Harbour with the bridge and the Opera house; and Darling Harbour in Sydney which offers a perfect spot to relax, enjoy a civilised meal or drink, enjoying the views. Within Melbourne you will find a wide variety of boutiques and a bohemian style in the cafés and art galleries, whilst Sydney offers some of the most famous beaches just outside of its centre, including Bondi and Manley.
The next stop worth visiting on the journey is located around 9 hours drive north of Sydney, and 2 hours south of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and that is Byron Bay. A unique beach destination, this wonderful beach town sees many Sydneysiders travelling up the east coast to spend a weekend away from the bustling city lifestyle. Here you will find a true laid-back lifestyle, with fantastic bars, restaurants, hippy style shops, extraordinary cafés and most of all miles of beautiful beaches. This is the perfect place to escape to. As well as the Sydneysiders you will find visitors from around the world, including surfers, backpackers, families, musicians, and artists etc, many of whom never want to leave. One thing you must do whilst in Byron Bay is wake up bright and early, and walk along the beach to the lighthouse where you can sit in the peaceful silence and watch one of the most spectacular sunrises you will ever see. Also located a short distance in-land from the main centre of Byron Bay, is the quirky community of Nimbin which is the ideal hippy home where they reflect on the past and celebrate the future as a sustainable environment. So take a few days away from your language studying and spend an awesome time immersing yourself into the Australian surf lifestyle, with days in the waves and nights around the campfire under the starry skies - what better way to practice your language than with friends from around the world.
Some of you may be looking to study in a livelier environment, and where better than the Gold Coast or Brisbane. Both of these areas have a reputation for being prime holiday destinations, as well as being home to lively bars, clubs, theme parks, and of course beaches. One of the main areas in the Gold Coast which is abundant with busy shopping streets and an exciting nightlife is Surfers Paradise.
In the centre of the East Coast of Australiathere are two main locations which you must not miss out on, and luckily there are many companies which offer package deals to see both - the Whitsunday Islands and Fraser Island. Fraser Island is full of excitement and places to explore, and the best way of doing this is to take a 4WD car and go wild along the miles of sandy beaches, or head in-land to the lush rainforests. This island is the largest in the world which is made entirely of sand, and is home to a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife. The Whitsunday Islands are the paradise of Australia, and are quite often listed amongst the most beautiful beaches in the world. One in particular is that of Whitehaven Beach which is made of almost pure silica quartz giving it the white sands which contrast dramatically with the clear blue sea. During your time on the Whitsunday Islands you can enjoy a boat trip, either for the day or staying in various resorts, as well as plenty of opportunities to go deep-sea diving or snorkelling to witness the incredible, awe-inspiring world below.
The Great Barrier Reef, of course can not be forgotten, and no matter where you are staying whether it is all the way down in Melbourne or closer in Cairns, you must visit the world's largest reef which is full to the brim of exotic marine life, picturesque islands, and some of the best beaches in the world. The Great Barrier Reef is however endangered, so take care when snorkelling or diving as it has been stated that within 20 years there is a high chance that the reef will collapse due to the delicate state of the coral and the influence that tourism is having on its development.
Finally we have reached the most northern destination on our trip along the East Coast of Australia - the wonderful city of Cairns. Of course this lovely city is the ideal base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef, but it also offers other attractions with something for everyone, including adrenaline-charged activities such as white water rafting and bungy jumping, and more gentle attractions like hiking, a variety of restaurants, and peaceful spots to sit under a palm tree and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
