We were contacted by an amazing lady who is going to be traveling from America to Down Under in Australia and wanted to know what destinations to see from Hamilton Island Queensland all the way down to The Entrance in New South Wales.
David and I put together a Great list of Must See Destinations For Americans Coming Down Under. What to see and where to go – mind you with the time frame the American Family had we probably included WAY too many amazing places to stop and visit in Australia.
Must See Destinations For Americans Coming Down Under:-
David and I thought of these places from the destination of Hamilton
island to The Entrance in New South Wales.
Again it will depend on your time frame – we travel very slowly when we can cause there is so much to see and do in Australia – and it’s so vast, a
day trip can take hours and not many distances are covered!
I have a favorite saying “We are just going down the Road” and that road could take up to 2 hours or more! Funny story – I once told our oldest Son that where we had to go was just down the road. We drove for over an hour to get to the National Park that we found, and he wasn’t impressed. So now he knows that when I say “just down the road” that we could be gone for hours!
1. Airlie Beach –
A gorgeous place to start – and they do have car rentals there -Mind you we haven’t used any companies up that way to rent cars, we normally rent cars in Sydney airport or Melbourne airport. There is a lot to see and do in Airlie Beach – depending on if you had the time or you were keen to get on the road!
Allowing time to stop and visit each Destination will all depend on a number of factors.
Are you traveling alone?
Are you traveling with a family?
Are you traveling as a couple?
Do you have pets?
It will all depend on the dynamics of your family and your situation to where you will stop, to what you will see, to what you will visit, to the type of attractions that will be a must see/must do for your traveling holiday from America in Australia.
2. Seaforth –
Travel down the coast to Seaforth – Such a beautiful little sleepy town for a one night stop.
3. Cape Hillsborough –
We loved our day trips to Cape Hillsborough. They have kangaroos on the beach, cabins to stay at right on the beach and a BBQ area. The Sunsets are amazing on the Beach and worth staying at least one night in Cape Hillsbrough Resort
When our oldest son was younger we went for a BBQ picnic at Cape Hillsborough. He kept on hugging the Kangaroos even when we asked him not to. One of them turned around and boxed him in the face! Luckily it was only a little jab {as a warning} and not a full on boxing match.
4. Mackay –
A great place for an overnight stay but not much to see and do in Mackay itself. If you were to head in land then Eungella National Park is a must – we seen Platypus in the wild there one time, the best moment of our lives!
If you do stay in Mackay we loved our time at Bucasia Beach Caravan Park – its right on the beach. You work down from your camp site onto the sand and the ocean. We wouldn’t recommend swimming as they do have crocs and stingers in the ocean.
5. Inland To The Gemfields
Because the trip is a planned for two weeks of being in Australia I am
not sure you will be able to fit in our ideas – we would go inland from
Mackay to the Gemfields area – we love the Gemfields. It’s not the coastal way from Mackay to Rockhampton, but it is way prettier and heaps more places to stop and see.
So these next destinations are if you are able to head inland instead of
the coastal road.
6. Rubyvale And/or Sapphire
Inland from Mackay to Clermont and onto Rubyvale and/or Sapphire.
Amazing attractions, caravan parks to stay at – underground mines that
tour in Rubyvale. And then onto Emerald which is a gorgeous place to
stay for accommodation and a stroll around
7. Coastal Way To Rockhampton
If you went the inland way to Rubyvale/Sapphire then you head back
to the coastal way into Rockhampton.
8. Emu Park –
If you are going down the Coastal road from Mackay to Rockhampton
{which is quicker but not much to see and do} then a must-stop is Emu
Park. 30 minutes out from Rockhampton – they have a singing ship and
there is plenty of accommodation.
9. Head from Rockhampton to 1770
From Rockhampton, you would probably stay on the coastal road
instead of going back inland. Then you would end up in 1770 – such a
gorgeous place to stop and lots of history of Australia to see and read.
10. 1770 to Bargara
From 1770 We highly recommend Bargara {in Bundaberg} as they have
the Turtle Tourist attraction, and depending on the time of the year,
the Whale watching tours.
11. Bundaberg to Tin Can Bay
From Bundaberg again we would recommend the coastal roads – head
to Tin Can Bay, where you can feed the Dolphins on the beach!!!
And into Rainbow Beach – you will want to spend a least 2 days at
Rainbow Beach. It’s a magical place and so much to see and do.
12. Tin Can Bay to Rainbow Beach To Noosa
From Rainbow Beach there is Noosa. It’s so beautiful on the
Sunshine Coast – you could stay at Noosa, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore,
Mooloolaba or even Caloundra.
Inland from the Sunshine Coast is Maleny – a must stop. It’s so
pretty, so many gorgeous shops/cafes/accommodation and our favorite
destination when on the Sunshine Coast.
I would allow at least 2 days {or more} to see the Sunshine Coast area.
The Sunshine Coast is our favorite place ever 🙂
Depending on what you like to do – there are waterfalls, bushwalking,
skydiving, mountain climbing and then there is Australia Zoo in
Landsborough – we used to live at Glasshouse Mountains {there is Mt
Ngungun to climb and also Mt Coolum} and had yearly passes to
Australia zoo as there is so much to see and do at the Zoo!!!
To be honest you could easily spend a month on the Sunshine Coast as
there is so many amazing beaches, national parks, mountains to climb
and attractions to see.
13. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane
If you were to stop in at Brisbane we highly recommend South Bank
as a destination. There is a beach/pool, markets on certain days, Art
Museum, Library, Science Museum and even an ice-cream store that is
famous for the way they make it!!!
14. Brisbane onto the GoldCoast
Onto the Goldcoast – one of our favorite family holiday spot – we
love going to the Outback Spectacular with our kids!!
The Goldcoast has so much to see and do – from gorgeous beaches to
waterfalls. But it can get really busy and overcrowded at times. They
do have the theme parks on the coast but we haven’t been in years to
them as they do have huge line ups to the rides!
The Goldcoast hinterland is magical, and worth exploring.
15. Natural Bridge at the Goldcoast
A must stop and see spot is the Natural Bridge – best close to
night time as the cave lights up and the waterfall looks magical at
night – but only if you were able to have the time to stop. We went
just before it got dark {you will need torches!} and it was amazing to
see it light up with glow worms 🙂
16. Goldcoast To Bryon Bay or Nimbin
From Tweed Heads we highly recommend Bryon Bay and/or Nimbin.
Nimbin is inland a little bit – but so worth the detour!! They are
both hippy towns but Nimbin is our favorite as it has the best variety
of people/shops and charm.
17. Nimbin to Lismore
If you are in Nimbin then you can head back down to Lismore which
is a gorgeous little sleepy town that is starting to take off.
18. Macadamia Castle
There is amazing Macadamia Castle that we have stopped in at one
time – for yummy pancakes 🙂
It’s between Byron Bay and Ballina so it will depend if you went
inland to see Nimbin or if you went down the coastal road to Byron Bay
and onto Ballina.
19. From Ballina To Coffs Harbour
There are two ways to go. Inland or the coastal way. Depending on your time frame will depend on which way you will head. We so love the inland way when having the time but we use the coastal way when we are traveling fast. There is New Italy along the way – worth the coffee and stop to check it out 🙂
20. Coffs Harbour
Coffs Harbour has the famous “Big Banana” and Sawtell is a tiny
seaside spot that is worth staying at.
21. Coffs Harbour to Nambucca Heads
From Coffs Harbour – you could easily stop every few hours!!
Nambucca Heads, South West Rocks, Port Macquarie, Taree,
Tuncurry/Forster. We love and have spent a magical time at Mungo
Brush Camping ground
22. Barrington Tops
We would highly recommend going inland to Barrington Tops but it all depends on the time frame – will you have the time or maybe next time?
We stayed at Moonan Cottage which has snow at certain times of the year.
Again Singleton is really nice but it’s inland.
23. The Entrance NSW
The Entrance I am not sure if you will have time to stay long at The
Entrance with all of the places we have recommended above 🙂
Again it all depends on what you want to see, what time frame you want
to stay at each place, and what type of attractions you are keen to
see.
Australia is a huge place – no one could ever see it all even with
three lifetimes.
I am hoping that I haven’t overloaded the information of places to
stay and destinations to see – and have provided enough information.
If you need any more tips/advice then please let me know. I tried to
include as many must-see places as possible.
Here Is Some of Our Favorite Destinations :-
1. Airlie Beach
2. Cape Hillsborough
3. Eungella National Park
4. Clermont
5. Rubyvale
6. Emerald
7. Emu Park
8. 1770
9. Bargara
10. Tin Can Bay
11. Maleny and or Sunshine Coast
12. Southbank in Brisbane
13. Natural Bridge in Goldcoast
14. Nimbin
15. Coffs Harbour
16. Barrington Tops
17. The Entrance.
Again – some of the above places might be too far inland for this
trip, but maybe you could add them to your bucket list for next time?
*please note – there are many different ways to travel and many different destinations to stop in at – it all depends on what time frame you have, where you like to go to, what you like to see, if you have kids traveling with you or if you like to go Camping/Glamping.
The above Must See Destinations For Americans Coming Down Under was an idea for the American family that got in touch with us. Australia is so vast and there is so much to see and do, it is NOT possible to ever see all of Australia!
If You Were Coming From America What Would You Like To See?
Where would you recommend a Must Destination For Americans? The family had two weeks down under, but I reckon they will want to return and see more another time because its a beautiful place!
Hope This Helps You For When You Are Coming To Australia.
Leave Your Thoughts Below On The Best of The Best Destinations of Australia!
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Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
Hey, great post. I am hoping to come to Australia in a few months. We are hoping to find work there so we can continue our travels. This post has provided many cool ideas about where to check out when we are there, even though we are not Americain!