When I first arrived in Australia on a working holiday, I didn’t really have a clear plan. I knew I wanted to travel the East Coast, but I didn’t fully understand how much timing and direction would affect both travel and work opportunities on the Australia East Coast working holiday route.
After spending months moving up and down the coast, I realised there is a much smarter way to structure your Australia East Coast trip.
It’s not just about where you go, but when you go, and in which order.
Start in Sydney (Arrival + Setup Phase)
I would always start in Sydney or Melbourne.
Most people arrive after the European summer and school holidays, which makes it a great time to land, adjust, and get everything organised for your Australia East Coast working holiday route.
Sydney is ideal for your first days because:
- You can settle into Australian life
- It’s easy to find temporary work if needed
- The weather is comfortable (not too hot, not too cold)
- It gives you time to figure out your next steps
This is not the time to rush. Think of Sydney as your setup phase before the real travel begins.
Move South: Melbourne & Tasmania (Early Working + 88 Days Option)
From Sydney, I would actually go south first towards Melbourne and Tasmania.
This is something many people don’t expect, but it works really well on a working holiday.
Melbourne
Melbourne is great for:
- Getting your first real travel rhythm
- City life + short trips
- Easier short-term jobs
- Transitioning into full travel mode
Tasmania (Important for WHV)
Tasmania is especially interesting because:
- It’s less competitive for work
- You can complete your 88 days requirement
- There are fewer backpackers compared to the mainland
- It’s perfect for road trips or farm work
Personally, I like the idea of getting Tasmania “out of the way early”, so you don’t have to stress about it later in your trip.
Head North: Byron Bay & Gold Coast (Work + Lifestyle Phase)
Around February to March, I would move back up the coast towards:
- Byron Bay
- Gold Coast
- Noosa
This is where many working holiday travellers naturally slow down.
This region is perfect for:
- Finding hospitality work
- Staying longer in one place
- Living a beach lifestyle
- Meeting other travellers
Byron Bay especially tends to turn into a “stay longer than planned” place for a lot of people, including me.
Continue North: East Coast Travel Phase (April – May Sweet Spot)
From April onwards, I would continue heading north through the main East Coast highlights:
- Noosa
- K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Airlie Beach
- Whitsundays
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
This is, in my opinion, the most important section of your working holiday route.
Why April–May works best:
- Weather is stable and warm
- Rainy season is mostly over in the north
- Humidity is still manageable
- Tourism jobs are active
- Travel conditions are reliable
This is exactly the period I travelled this stretch, and it felt like the perfect balance between work, travel, and weather. You can read about the weather in more detail in this article.
End in Cairns (Work + Final Travel Base)
Most people end their East Coast working holiday route in Cairns.
It’s one of the best final bases because:
- Lots of backpacker jobs (tourism, hospitality)
- Easy access to the Great Barrier Reef
- Cheap living compared to southern cities
- Good place to save money or finish working days
Some travellers also use this stage to complete final working requirements before moving on.
Optional Next Step: Fly to Western Australia
If you still have time left in your working holiday, a common next step is flying to Western Australia around May or June.
This is actually perfect timing because:
- It aligns with the best season for WA
- Weather is ideal for road trips
- You avoid the extreme heat in the north
- It’s a completely different experience from the East Coast
This creates a really balanced WHV journey:
East Coast → Work & social life → West Coast road trip
Why This Route Works Best for Working Holiday (My Experience)
From what I experienced, this south-to-north structure works best because:
- You gradually move into better weather
- You meet the same backpackers multiple times
- It’s easier to find work in busy regions at the right time
- You naturally follow the backpacker flow
- You avoid being stuck in bad seasonal conditions
One thing I noticed is that the East Coast has a natural “flow” of travellers, and if you follow it, you keep reconnecting with people along the way, which makes the whole WHV experience much more social and easier.
Final Thoughts
If I had to redo my working holiday in Australia, I would follow this exact Australia East Coast working holiday route again.
Starting in Sydney, going south first, then slowly working my way up the East Coast while timing the northern section around April and May felt like the most efficient and enjoyable way to travel.
It gave me the right balance between work, travel, social life, and good weather, which is exactly what a working holiday is supposed to be.
FAQ
What is the best city to start a working holiday in Australia?
Most travellers start their Australia working holiday in Sydney or Melbourne. These cities are ideal to arrive, adjust to the time zone, sort paperwork, and slowly get into travel mode before heading up the coast.
Should I start in Sydney or Melbourne?
Both cities work well as a starting point for your Australia working holiday, but in my experience Sydney is often the easiest choice for first-time travellers. It’s bigger, more international, and makes it simpler to settle in, sort things out, and ease into Australian life.
That said, Melbourne is also a great option — it’s more relaxed, creative, and has a different vibe that many people love.
I would also say it really depends on when you arrive. One thing I learned is that timing matters a lot. I would strongly recommend Melbourne during summer, because the city can feel completely different depending on the weather. In summer it’s lively and enjoyable, but in winter it can be cold, rainy, and honestly a bit gloomy, which can really affect your first impression and overall vibe when you’re just starting your Australia working holiday.
Wy do people travel south first in Australia?
Travelling south first (Sydney → Melbourne → Tasmania) helps you ease into the Australia working holiday lifestyle. It’s also a good way to avoid rushing and gives you time to find early work opportunities.
Is Tasmania worth including in a working holiday?
Yes, Tasmania is a great part of any Australia working holiday route. It has less competition for jobs, amazing road trip opportunities, and it’s often used by travellers to complete the 88-day requirement.
When is the best time to travel the East Coast?
The best time to travel the East Coast during your Australia working holiday is around April to May. The weather is stable, tourism jobs are active, and conditions in the north are still comfortable.
Where is it easiest to find work in Australia?
During an Australia working holiday, the easiest places to find work are often smaller cities and regional areas, mainly because there is less competition from other backpackers. Places like Tasmania are a good example of this, you’ll often find more opportunities and less competition compared to the main tourist hotspots.
In contrast, popular destinations like Byron Bay or the Whitsundays can be much harder for job hunting, simply because so many travellers want to work there. Sydney and Brisbane are usually fairly good for finding work too, especially in hospitality, but the downside is that living costs are higher, and finding long-term accommodation can be more challenging if you want to stay in one place for a while.
So in general, it’s a trade-off: smaller or regional areas = easier job access, while big cities = more opportunities but higher costs.
What is the best end point for a working holiday in Australia?
Most travellers end their Australia working holiday in Cairns because it offers good job opportunities, affordable living, and access to the Great Barrier Reef before flying out or continuing travelling.
Is it better to plan the whole route in advance?
Not completely. A successful Australia working holiday usually has a loose plan. Having a rough route helps, but flexibility is key for work opportunities, weather changes, and social travel flow.
How much did you spend in total?
My full Australia backpacking budget came to around AUD 18,800, minus earnings of about AUD 11,100, meaning I used roughly AUD 7,700 from savings. You can find the full, detailed article here.
Continue Planning Your East Coast Australia Trip
Now that you know the best time to visit, here are a few guides that will help you plan the rest of your trip:
