Australia Fun: Parties, Festivals and the Australian Night
Eight days of pure fun on Australia's east coast — from Sydney's rooftop bars and Melbourne's laneways to Gold Coast nightlife and Cairns' night markets — with festivals, concerts and after-beach parties.
Description
This itinerary travels Australia's east coast over eight days designed for those seeking fun, nightlife and social experiences. It begins in Sydney with the rooftop bars of The Rocks and Circular Quay, the Kings Cross quarter for the wildest night and Bondi's beach clubs where the after-beach parties are legendary. The Harbour Bridge pyro party on New Year's is the biggest event in the southern hemisphere. In Melbourne, the laneways hide speakeasy bars like Eau de Vie and Cookie, downtown rooftops and the live-music scene in Fitzroy with indie bands. The Gold Coast is the party capital with the clubs of Cavill Avenue and the after-beach parties in Surfers. Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast, combines surfing with boutiques and sunset drinks at the surf club. Brisbane offers South Bank nightlife with open-air bars beside the river. Cairns closes with the night markets, the Esplanade bars and the famous Gilligan's Backpackers, the biggest party in the tropical north.
Health & safety
- The Australian sun is extremely dangerous after a night of partying: apply sunscreen before your beach day
- Drink water between cocktails: dehydration in tropical heat is dangerous
- Do not swim after drinking alcohol: currents on Australian beaches are strong
- In Queensland, the box jellyfish (November-May) require stinger suits in the sea
- Drink-driving rules are strict: 0; use Uber or taxis
- 0.05%; use Uber or a designated driver
Day-by-day itinerary
Sydney: rooftops and The Rocks
Sydney, Australia
Sydney: rooftops and The Rocks
Rooftop bars with Opera House views and a night in The Rocks
Rooftop bar hopping in The Rocks
Entertainment3hSpeakeasy bar in Bulletin Place
Entertainment2hNight in Kings Cross
Entertainment3hSydney: Bondi and the beach club
Bondi Beach, Australia
Sydney: Bondi and the beach club
Beach day and post-beach party in Bondi
Bondi Beach: surf and beach club
Rest4hAfter-beach party at Beach Road Hotel
Entertainment4hMelbourne: laneways and speakeasies
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne: laneways and speakeasies
Hidden bars in alleyways and live music in Fitzroy
Laneway bar crawl in Melbourne
Entertainment3hLive music in Fitzroy
Entertainment4hMelbourne: rooftop and night market
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne: rooftop and night market
Rooftop Cinema and Queen Victoria Night Market
Rooftop Cinema and cocktails
Entertainment3hQueen Victoria Night Market
Entertainment3hGold Coast: Cavill Avenue nightlife
Gold Coast, Australia
Gold Coast: Cavill Avenue nightlife
Clubs, beach parties and Gold Coast nights
Beach day at Surfers Paradise
Rest4hNight out on Cavill Avenue
Entertainment5hNoosa: surf and sunset drinks
Noosa, Australia
Noosa: surf and sunset drinks
Chic surf town and sunset drinks at the surf club
Surf lesson at Noosa Main Beach
Sports2hHastings Street: boutiques and sunset drinks
Entertainment4hBrisbane: South Bank nightlife
Brisbane, Australia
Brisbane: South Bank nightlife
Bars by the river and a night in Fortitude Valley
South Bank bars and river views
Entertainment3hFortitude Valley: Brisbane's nightlife
Entertainment4hCairns: night markets and Gilligan's
Cairns, Australia
Cairns: night markets and Gilligan's
Night markets and the biggest party in the tropics
Cairns Night Markets and Esplanade bars
Entertainment3hGilligan's Backpackers party
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