{"id":2871,"date":"2025-07-25T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/australien-ostkueste-vs-westkueste-route\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T13:34:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T13:34:15","slug":"australien-ostkueste-vs-westkueste-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/australia-east-coast-vs-west-coast-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia East Coast vs. West Coast \u2014 Which route?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>East coast or west coast \u2014 The great Australian question<\/h2>\n<p>If you&#039;re planning a trip to Australia, sooner or later the question arises: East Coast or West Coast? I&#039;ve done both \u2014 three weeks on the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns and two weeks on the West Coast from Perth to Broome \u2014 and the answer is less clear-cut than most people think.<\/p>\n<p>In short: The east coast is easier, more sociable, and has the Great Barrier Reef. The west coast is wilder, more isolated, and has landscapes that took my breath away. Both are spectacular\u2014but completely different.<\/p>\n<h2>Australia East Coast \u2014 The All-Inclusive Package<\/h2>\n<h3>Route: Sydney \u2192 Cairns (approx. 2,500 km)<\/h3>\n<p>The classic East Coast route is Australia&#039;s backpacker highway. Well-developed, with hostels and tour buses everywhere, and the highlights are strung together like pearls on a necklace:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sydney:<\/strong> Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Opera House \u2014 2-3 days minimum<\/li>\n<li><strong>Byron Bay:<\/strong> Surfer vibe, hippie markets, the easternmost point of Australia. You&#039;ll practically run into every other backpacker here.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gold Coast:<\/strong> Skyscrapers, surf beaches, parties. Not my thing, but okay for 1-2 days.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fraser Island:<\/strong> The world&#039;s largest sand island. Only accessible by four-wheel drive, wild dingoes, turquoise freshwater lakes in the middle of the sand \u2014 one of my Australian highlights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Whitsunday Islands:<\/strong> Whitehaven Beach has the whitest sand I&#039;ve ever seen. Book a 2-3 day sailing trip \u2013 it&#039;s well worth it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Great Barrier Reef:<\/strong> The world&#039;s largest coral reef. Snorkelling or diving from Cairns or Airlie Beach. Diving is better \u2014 the best spots are deeper than snorkeling depth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cairns:<\/strong> Gateway to the Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world (over 100 million years old).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Advantages of the East Coast<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Simple infrastructure \u2014 buses, trains, accommodation everywhere<\/li>\n<li>The Great Barrier Reef is unique in the world.<\/li>\n<li>Social: You meet other travelers everywhere<\/li>\n<li>More nightlife and cities<\/li>\n<li>Cheaper (more competition = lower prices)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Disadvantages of the East Coast<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Touristy \u2014 especially between Byron Bay and Cairns<\/li>\n<li>Less of a &quot;real&quot; Australian feel<\/li>\n<li>Some spots (Byron Bay, Whitsundays) are overrun with Instagram.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_95333 layout-grid\" style=\"padding:5% 0;\">\n<div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:3;--galt:3;--galm:3\">\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f1.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_95333\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c1.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f2.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_95333\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c2.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f3.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_95333\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c3.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Australia&#039;s West Coast \u2014 The Wild Side<\/h2>\n<h3>Route: Perth \u2192 Broome (approx. 2,400 km)<\/h3>\n<p>The west coast is the Australia I had imagined before I went there: endless expanses, red earth, hardly any people, and landscapes that look like they&#039;re from another planet. The route:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Perth:<\/strong> One of the most isolated major cities in the world. Rottnest Island with its quokkas (the friendliest animals in the world) is a must-see.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pinnacles Desert:<\/strong> Thousands of limestone pillars in a desert landscape \u2014 surreal, especially at sunrise. Perfect for drone footage with the DJI Mini 5 Pro.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shark Bay:<\/strong> Monkey Mia, where wild dolphins swim to the beach every morning. Plus: Stromatolites \u2014 the oldest life forms on Earth (3.5 billion years old).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ningaloo Reef:<\/strong> Australia&#039;s other reef \u2014 but you can snorkel right from the beach (no boat needed). Between March and July, you can swim with whale sharks. Honestly, I found it more impressive than the Great Barrier Reef.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Karijini National Park:<\/strong> Narrow gorges with red rock and emerald-green natural pools. Hiking through the gorges was one of the most intense nature experiences of my life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Broome:<\/strong> Cable Beach at sunset, camels on the beach, the red rock meets the turquoise sea. A perfect ending.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Advantages of the West Coast<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Significantly fewer tourists \u2014 you&#039;re often alone.<\/li>\n<li>Wilder, more dramatic landscapes<\/li>\n<li>Ningaloo Reef directly from the beach (instead of a boat)<\/li>\n<li>Better drone spots (fewer restrictions, more epic landscapes)<\/li>\n<li>\u201e&quot;Authentic&quot; Australian feeling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Disadvantages of the West Coast<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Rental car is mandatory \u2014 no bus system<\/li>\n<li>Long distances between the highlights (sometimes 500+ km of desert)<\/li>\n<li>More expensive (less competition, more expensive gasoline)<\/li>\n<li>Less backpacker infrastructure<\/li>\n<li>Loneliness \u2014 those seeking social interaction are in the wrong place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Direct comparison \u2014 East Coast vs. West Coast<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>criterion<\/th>\n<th>East Coast<\/th>\n<th>West Coast<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Landscape<\/td>\n<td>Beaches, rainforest, reef<\/td>\n<td>Desert, canyons, red earth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Travel type<\/td>\n<td>Backpacker, group tour<\/td>\n<td>Road trip, individual trip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Budget (3 weeks)<\/td>\n<td>2.500-4.000 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>3.500-6.000 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>transport<\/td>\n<td>Bus\/train possible<\/td>\n<td>Rental car mandatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Diving\/Snorkeling<\/td>\n<td>Great Barrier Reef (boat)<\/td>\n<td>Ningaloo Reef (from the beach)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Drone spots<\/td>\n<td>Good (but with more limitations)<\/td>\n<td>Outstanding (fewer prohibitions)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Social\/Nightlife<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Solitude\/Wilderness<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Wildlife<\/td>\n<td>Koalas, crocodiles, whales<\/td>\n<td>Whale sharks, quokkas, dolphins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Photo potential<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2606<\/td>\n<td>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"module gallery module-gallery tb_71297 layout-grid\" style=\"padding:5% 0;\">\n<div class=\"module-gallery-grid\" style=\"--gald:3;--galt:3;--galm:3\">\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f4.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_71297\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c4.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f5.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_71297\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c5.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<dl class=\"gallery-item\">\n<dt class=\"gallery-icon\"><a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-f6.jpg\" data-rel=\"tb_71297\" class=\"themify_lightbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fix-australien-c6.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"600\"><\/a><\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Cost comparison for 3 weeks<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Position<\/th>\n<th>East Coast<\/th>\n<th>West Coast<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Flight DE \u2192 AUS (Outbound\/Return)<\/td>\n<td>800-1.200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>800-1.200 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Transport (3 weeks)<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac400-800 (bus\/rental car)<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac800-1,400 (rental car + petrol)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Accommodation per night<\/td>\n<td>\u20ac25-60 (Hostel\/AirBnB)<\/td>\n<td>40-100 \u20ac (Camping\/Motel)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Food per day<\/td>\n<td>25-50 \u20ac<\/td>\n<td>30-60 \u20ac<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Total activities<\/td>\n<td>300-600 \u20ac (Reef trip, Fraser Island)<\/td>\n<td>200-500 \u20ac (whale shark tour, parks)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>In total<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>2.500-4.000 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>3.500-6.000 \u20ac<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>My recommendation \u2014 Who should go where?<\/h2>\n<h3>East Coast, if you\u2026<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>This is your first time in Australia<\/li>\n<li>The Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list.<\/li>\n<li>want to meet other travelers<\/li>\n<li>You have a small budget<\/li>\n<li>You don&#039;t want to drive a rental car<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>West Coast, if you\u2026<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Have you ever been to Australia?<\/li>\n<li>You seek solitude and wilderness<\/li>\n<li>If you want to take photos or videos (better spots, fewer restrictions)<\/li>\n<li>Are you a road trip fan?<\/li>\n<li>If you want to experience the &quot;real&quot; Australia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Combine both?<\/h3>\n<p>If you have 5-6 weeks: Do both. Fly to Sydney, work your way up to Cairns, then take a domestic flight to Perth and down to Broome (or vice versa). Domestic flights with Jetstar or Virgin start at around \u20ac80-150. This way you get the full Australian experience.<\/p>\n<h2>FAQ \u2014 Australia East Coast vs. West Coast<\/h2>\n<h3>How much time should I allow for each coast?<\/h3>\n<p>East Coast: At least 3 weeks (Sydney \u2192 Cairns). West Coast: At least 2 weeks (Perth \u2192 Broome). Less is possible, but then you&#039;ll miss too much and the travel days will eat up your time exploring.<\/p>\n<h3>Do I need a visa for Australia?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. As a German citizen, you apply for the eVisitor visa (subclass 651) \u2014 free of charge, completely online, processing takes 1-2 days. Valid for up to 3 months. For longer stays, you need a different visa.<\/p>\n<h3>Is the West Coast dangerous (wilderness, no help)?<\/h3>\n<p>Common sense tells you not to. But: Always take enough water and fuel (recommendation: 10 liters of water per person as a reserve), don&#039;t blindly trust the GPS (Google Maps sometimes sends you onto unpaved roads), and never go hiking alone in canyons.<\/p>\n<h3>When is the best time to travel?<\/h3>\n<p><strong>East Coast:<\/strong> September-November or March-May (shoulder season \u2014 fewer tourists, good weather). Avoid the tropical north (Cairns) in summer (Dec-Feb) \u2014 monsoon season.<br \/>\n<strong>West Coast:<\/strong> April-October (dry season). Never visit the north (Broome, Karijini) in summer \u2014 temperatures above 45\u00b0C and roads closed.<\/p>\n<h3>Which coast has the better drone spots?<\/h3>\n<p>Definitely the West Coast. Fewer national park restrictions, fewer people (no one complains), and the landscapes\u2014red earth against turquoise sea\u2014look incredible from the air. The Pinnacles Desert and Shark Bay are drone paradises.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-top:40px;padding:20px;background:#f8f8f8;border-radius:12px;\"><strong>About the author:<\/strong> Max Haase is Germany&#039;s most influential travel influencer with over 4.2 million followers. He specializes in drone footage and luxury travel. <a href=\"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/cooperation\/\">Cooperation requests here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!--themify_builder_content--><\/p>\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-2871\" data-postid=\"2871\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-2871 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<p><!--\/themify_builder_content--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#039;re planning your trip to Australia, sooner or later the question arises: East coast or West coast? I did both \u2014 three weeks on the East Coast from Sydney to Cairns\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_analytify_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ozeanien","category-travel","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"builder_content":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2871"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5409,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2871\/revisions\/5409"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/max-haase.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}