How to get around Australia’s East Coast without a car

Australia is a huge backpacker destination, and for good reason. However, most of Australia is impossible to travel without your own vehicle or on an organised tour. Luckily, if you’re looking to travel the backpacker hub that is the east coast of Australia, it is extremely well-served by buses. I did my entire Australia itinerary using buses and could not fault them.

Sydney

Greyhound Australia will be your go-to option to get around. The buses are full of backpackers and you’ll end up meeting the same people on some of them, so it’s a lot of fun. The buses stop at all the major backpacker destinations, including Cairns, Airlie Beach, Rainbow Beach, Noosa, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Sydney, Melbourne, and many more. They tend to stop every 3 hours or so for toilet breaks and food.

My recommendation is to buy a Greyhound Australia bus pass for your trip. You will have the option of buying a 7, 15, 30, or 60 day bus pass, which allows you unlimited travel between all stops during that time. You will just need to book the individual journeys that you want to make on your account. Currently (2026), the 15 day bus pass is AUD$405, and the 30 day bus pass is AUD$489.

Whitsundays

You will need to book your buses in Australia well in advance, at least 2 months before your travel date, and even earlier in the high season (November - March). There are usually only 2 buses per day between destinations, and they sell out fast because everyone is doing the same route. The same goes for booking activities and accommodation!

If you’re doing an overnight bus, and you probably will if you’re going between the Whitsundays and Fraser Island (K’gari) - Airlie Beach and Rainbow Beach - bring layers to be prepared for strong air conditioning overnight! From experience, the aircon is often strongest at the front of the bus, so aim for the middle if you can.

Cairns

When you’re in the towns or cities along the east coast, you will be able to walk to most places. In Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, public transport is great and very easy to use. If you’re ever stuck, Uber is also a good option. For more on how to get to all the hotspots along the east coast of Australia, including waterfalls, hikes, and other activities, see my complete guide to backpacking Australia here.

Noosa

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Australia. The public transport available is an affordable and sustainable option to travel the country, so prioritise this over a car where you can. As always, look after the places you visit, and remember to only leave your footprints behind :)