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Brisbane to Cairns Tours & Trips

Find adventures that start in Brisbane and then finish in Cairns. Trips from Brisbane to Cairns are most popular in September, with the most tours doing this route then.

11 Brisbane to Cairns tour packages with 46 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Christmas & New Year

Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

I liked all of the activities we did, it would have been nice to have some chill time.

Brisbane to Cairns Adventure (8 Days) (14 destinations)

• Walking Adventure
• Coastal Walks

North Queensland Adventure

• Sightseeing

Oz East Coast + Work 20 Days

Had an amazing time on the 20 day east coast tour and saw some incredible places with the best people. Eilish did a amazing job organising everything and made it such a fun and stress free experience :)

15 Day Dingo Adventure Tour: Brisbane > Cairns

What an enthousiastic and fun guide!! She took us on hikes, and did her very best to give us a wonderful time. Especially the snorkeling on great kepple island i will never forget!

• Wildlife & Nature Photography
• Kayak & Canoe

Best Beaches, Rainforest and Islands – 13 Day Flashpacker Adventure Tour

My boyfriend and I travelled from Brisbane to Cairns with Via travel two weeks ago and had the trip of a lifetime! The tour had the perfect balance of sight-seeing and relaxing so it really felt like a holiday while also seeing and experiencing some amazing places! It was fun, well-organised and stopped at all of the must-see places on the East Coast! Our tour guide, Jason, was friendly and informative and had an outrageous amount of knowledge on everything East Coast, from local knowledge, information about the wildlife, history and culture to restaurant and bar recommendations! His energy kept us going, even when we were tired, and made sure that everyone had a great time! Although everywhere we visited was amazing, some of the highlights for me were Magnetic Island (our favourite!!), which gave us the chance to see koalas, wallabies and lots of wildlife up close and in their natural habitats, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, where we saw incredible aquatic life and coral (an absolute must do!!) and our Indigenous culture experience with Kuku Yalanji tours where we were completely out of our comfort zone but learned so much and got a real insight into local culture. We absolutely loved the small tour group size too, which allowed us to get to know everyone really well within a couple of days and make friends from all corners of the world! The group dinners and nights out that we had were so much fun! Whether you're a nature enthusiast, adventure seeker, or simply looking to explore the beauty of the East Coast, this tour with Via travel is a must-do experience and one that I will be recommending to all of my friends!!

Brisbane to Daintree Rainforest - 10 Day Boutique Comfort Tour

Essential Byron to Cairns - 13 days

Oz East Coast Adventure 20 days

Whitsundays, Reef & Rainforest - 10 days

Outback Queensland Adventure

• Australia Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 4 Week Australia Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Explorer from Brisbane to Cairns (8)

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15 Day Brisbane to Cairns Tour

• Trip Styles: Budget

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2023 DEPARTURES:  16 Apr, 14 May, 11 Jun, 16 Jul, 13 Aug, 10 Sep, 15 Oct, 29 Oct

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One of our most popular Brisbane to Cairns backpacker tours here at Real Aussie Adventures.

Starting off in the capital of the Sunshine State Brisbane. Your Brisbane to Cairns backpacker tour is perfect if you want to explore the East Coast with like-minded people.

Travel the East Coast on our guided tour from Brisbane to Cairns ticking off the highlights.

On Fraser Island (K’Gari) camp under the stars, visit a shipwreck, and swim in crystal clear waters before enjoying sundowners. A 2-days/2-night sailing trip on the Whitsundays to snorkel over vibrant fringing reefs and visit some of the world’s most pristine beaches.

Brisbane right up to Cairns on this 15-Day adventure. If you’d like to explore the best of the East Coast from rainforests and beaches to picturesque islands and destinations that are off the tourist trail then this tour is definitely for you. With a local guide (who will share their insider knowledge) and a bunch of like-minded travelers (who will become lifelong friends), you’ll explore everything that Aussie has to offer in style!

Join us on our Brisbane to Cairns backpacker tour, we cant wait to show you the East Coast!

$ 4,525

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Our travellers often combine this trip with some of these trips:

1 Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise

1 Day Ocean Freedom Cruise

• Total Price: $ 5,010 Add All To Cart Add All To Wishlist Browse Wishlist
• This item: 15 Day Brisbane to Cairns Tour ( $ 4,525 )
• 1 Day Great Barrier Reef Cruise ( $ 230 )
• 1 Day Ocean Freedom Cruise ( $ 255 )

Check into our central Brisbane accommodation and make yourself at home. If you have time, we recommend hopping on one of the free CityHopper ferries to explore the city via the Brisbane River. Meet your guide and group at 5pm in the hostel reception and head down to Southbank to check out some of the many bars and restaurants.

Accommodation: Brisbane YHA or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Free activities: Catch the Brisbane city ferry

It’s a relaxed departure today as we leave Brisbane mid-morning and make our way north to Noosa. We’ll stop along the way for lunch and a walk to see incredible views of Noosa and Noosa headlands before arriving at our accommodation in the afternoon.

Our Noosa accommodation is less of a hostel and more of a resort, with a pool and a licensed cafe (did someone say poolside margaritas?) as well as designer dorms with privacy screens and USB charging points. This evening, we’ll grab a drink at the bar and make plans to head and explore Noosa.

Accommodation:Bounce Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, dinner at hostel Meals included: Breakfast, drink on arrival. Free activities: Swim, walks, lookouts

Today you have a completely free day to spend doing whatever you like. Explore the Everglades by kayak, or book a skydive and see Noosa and surroundings from above. Grab a sun lounger and get some much needed R&R, go for a walk around the incredible headland, visit the beach or have a long, lazy lunch in the sun. The Noosa Surf Club is one of our faves so if you’d like to go out for dinner, you can’t go wrong with a local hotspot!

Accommodation: Bounce Optional paid activities: Everglades Kayak, Skydive, Surf Lesson Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Free activities: Chilling by the resort pool, going for a walk in the National Park, visiting the famous beach or checking out the local boutiques and cafes

It’s an early start this morning as you head out for your 3-day, 2-night K’Gari (Fraser Island) adventure. During this amazing experience, you’ll explore the largest sand island in the world on a 4WD expedition, see the magical Lake Boorangoora (Mckenzie), discover towering rainforests, spot a wild dingo, cruise along endless sandy beaches and lose yourself in the magic of stargazing. If you fancy learning how to drive a 4WD, you can do that! This is going to be one of the best experiences of your whole trip and is definitely the best way to explore this world-heritage-listed National Park.

After a bus, ferry and 4WD transfer, you’ll arrive at Beach Camp on K’gari (your accommodation for the next 2 nights). You’ll have a tasty lunch and then you can check out the camp which has a kitchen and a deck with ocean views. We’ll then head out for your first adventure to see some of the Island highlights. This evening, you’ll arrive back at camp to enjoy dinner, share stories, play the didgeridoo around the campfire and engage in some mind-blowing stargazing. Tonight, you’ll be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves as you settle into your safari tent (which includes a comfy mattress and hotel-quality linens).

Accommodation: Beach Camp K’gari (Fraser Island) Safari Tents* *Between Oct-Nov 22 the groups will be staying in cabins rather than safari tents. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks Included activities: K’gari adventure tour

This morning, wake up to the gorgeous golden sunrise over the ocean, enjoy breakfast and get ready for a fun-filled morning exploring K’gari and her hidden treasures. Enjoy lunch on the beach and then spend the afternoon discovering more lakes (there are over 100!) and epic views before arriving back to camp in time for another dinner under the stars and some fun evening activities.

Accommodation: Beach Camp K’gari (Fraser Island) in 2-3 share Safari Tents* *Between Oct-Nov 22 the groups will be staying in cabins rather than safari tents. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks Included Activities: K’gari adventure tour

After breakfast today you’ll hit the inland tracks to discover towering trees and take one last refreshing dip, enjoy lunch in the forest and then begin your journey back to the mainland, arriving into Rainbow Beach around mid-afternoon ready for your next journey north up to Bundaberg.

Bundaberg is well-known for sugarcane, rum, ginger beer and more recently has been called the ‘Bundaberg Bowl’ for its reputation of growing and producing fresh food that’s served across the country. Your accommodation in Bundaberg is a relaxed eco-resort, this time you’ll be located by a nature reserve and have access to a spa, sauna, tennis courts and more! Tonight we’ll have a group BBQ dinner and a chilled evening.

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort in villas or similar Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks, BBQ Dinner Included Activities: K’gari adventure tour

It’s a day of exploring Bundaberg today! After breakfast, we’ll head to the Mon Repos turtle centre for a wholesome morning learning all about these amazing animals. The centre supports the largest concentration of nesting mating turtles on the eastern Australian mainland. You can grab a snack or lunch at the onsite indigenous-inspired Gidji cafe.

In the afternoon we’ll head to the Bundaberg Rum Centre for a tour of their distillery and a tasting of their iconic rum. Or, if you’d prefer a full day out on the water and the chance to visit the Southern part of the Great Barrier Reef, your guide can book you onto the incredible Lady Musgrave Full Day Snorkel Tour for a day of snorkelling, a boat cruise, island walk and delicious food.

Accommodation: Kelly’s Eco Resort or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Optional paid activities: Lady Musgrave Full Day Snorkel Tour Meals included: Breakfast Included Activities: Mon Repos Turtle Centre, Rum Tasting Free activities: Checking out Bargara Beach

Today is a big drive day to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the amazing Whitsunday Islands, so load up on the snacks, make sure your phone is charged and you’ve got some good tunes loaded up. We’ll make some stops to stretch our legs and see some sweet views along the way, arriving in Airlie in the evening.

Accommodation: Base Airlie Beach or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, bakery, restaurants Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, enjoy a sleep in, take a stroll down to the Airlie lagoon for a dip and then check in and receive your briefing for your sailing trip. After lunch, head down to the marina to meet your crew and jump onboard a 76-foot, maxi sailing yacht which will be your home for the next two days. As you leave the marina and Airlie Beach behind you, watch your crew hoist the sails for an exhilarating cruise out to the Whitsunday Islands – part of the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Once you arrive out around the Islands, jump in for a swim or snorkel amongst the fringing reef and then enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand on one of the crew’s favourite little beaches. In the evening relax on deck, have a few drinks, get to know the crew, stargaze and let the calm waters gently rock you to sleep – for the adventurous, mats are provided to sleep on deck under the stars or if you prefer a bit more comfort, a bed awaits you below deck.

Accommodation: Shared dorm cabins/sections on a maxi sailing yacht Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes Meals included: Afternoon Snacks, Dinner & Dessert (BYO drinks) Included Activities: Sailing, snorkeling and exploring the Whitsunday Islands

This morning you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in paradise, as you wake up on a yacht surrounded by beautiful islands and enjoy a delicious breakfast on deck as you sail towards Whitsunday Island, home to the best beach in the world – Whitehaven Beach. You’ll disembark and enjoy a bush-walk to Hill Inlet Lookout and then spend the rest of the day exploring and relaxing on Whitehaven Beach. You can also go snorkelling today, enjoy a sunset beach session and another fun evening onboard with your group and the crew.

Accommodation: Shared dorm cabins/sections on a maxi sailing yacht Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon Snacks, Dinner & Dessert Included activities: Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet Lookout, bush-walk,sailing, snorkelling

Enjoy your final morning on board the yacht, jump in for another magical swim or snorkel and then sail on back to Airlie Beach. This afternoon once you’ve checked back into your hostel, go and laze in the sun by the lagoon or explore the town before freshening up and meeting your group and boat crew for the after party! There will be a reserved table, drink discounts, and meal deals – so get ready for a big night.

Accommodation: Base Airlie or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Meals included: Breakfast, Morning Tea Included Activities: Sailing, snorkeling

Today we’ll get on the road again and head up to the stunning Atherton Tablelands. We’ll stop at the famous Millaa Millaa Falls along the way for a swim and some amazing photo ops.

Tonight, we’re staying at a cosy eco-lodge in the historic village of Yungaburra. We’ll check in and have a BBQ dinner before heading out for a moonlit paddle for some amazing stargazing through the rainforest at Lake Tinaroo. This night canoeing tour is the best way to spot unique nocturnal rainforest animals in their natural habitat.

Accommodation: On the Wallaby Eco Lodge

Meal options: Self-cater, bakery or cafes Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Free activities: Millaa Millaa Falls Included activities: Night wildlife canoe trip* *Note: depending on conditions, we might do the canoe trip in the morning

Today we have an awesome day planned, visiting lots of cool spots before we reach our final destination of Cairns. In the morning we’ll visit the heritage-listed Curtain Fig Tree and Lake Eacham, a beautiful crater lake for a swim and a walk. Then we’ll head to the quirky Kuranda markets set in the rainforest, for lunch and a browse before heading to Cairns. Tonight we’re staying at an amazing resort with its own person-made beach! We’ll have a group dinner at the resort and then check out the Cairns nightlife.

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Meals included: Breakfast Included activities: Swim, walk, markets

Today is a completely free day so if you have a few too many cocktails last night, enjoy a lazy sleep-in and perhaps some hair-of-the-dog by the pool in the afternoon. If you’re ready for another day of adventure, why not book into a tour of Cape Tribulation or go to see the iconic Great Barrier Reef?

Accommodation: Gilligans Cairns or similar Meal options: Self-cater, local cafes, restaurants Optional Activities: Cape Tribulation day trip, bungy jump, Great Barrier Reef trip, skydive, rafting Meals included: Breakfast Free activities: Hang out at the amazing resort pool, walk the Esplanade, visit the Botanical gardens

Today is the final day of your Brisbane to Cairns adventure. Give a wave and a hug to your new mates and head off for the next leg of your adventure, taking with you the most incredible memories, everything you’ve learned about Australia’s special culture and wildlife, and of course some classic Aussie lingo – G’DAY MATES!

• Live it up in the resort town of Noosa
• Embark on a 3-day 4WD Safari to Fraser Island.
• Visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre to discover how incredible turtles really are and taste some of
• Bundaberg’s famous rum
• Explore the breath-taking Whitsunday Islands.
• Discover the magic of the Atherton Tablelands – from amazing waterfalls and lush rainforest to a pristine crater lake!
• Go for a moonlit paddle through the rainforest to stargaze and spot wildlife
• Enjoy the relaxed Cairns lifestyle and the fun nightlife that it’s famous for!
• Sturdy walking shoes/boots,
• Warm clothing,
• Waterproof jacket,
• Hat & Sunscreen,
• Swimsuit/towel,
• Water bottle,
• Toiletries,
• Motion sickness tablets,
• Insect repellent
• Luggage is limited to one piece per person with a maximum weight of 20kg plus a day pack
• A basic level of fitness is required for medium-length walks
• Accommodation is in 4-6 shared dorms in a range of hostels, backpacker resorts, and eco-lodges, apart from 2 nights K’Gari/Fraser Island (safari tents) and 2 nights Whitsunday Sailing (shared dorms/sections onboard yacht).
• 21 meals are included. We make regular supermarket stops so you can self-cater for other meals, or there are usually quite a few cafe/restaurant options in each location.

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$ 4,525

CAIRNS, BRISBANE & QUEENSLAND TOURS

Queensland is home to two of Australia's most popular destinations - Cairns and Brisbane. Cairns is the perfect base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, while Brisbane serves as the gateway to the southern Gold Coast and the northern Sunshine Coast. In Queensland, you can enjoy refreshing water activities, relax on some of the world's best beaches, or embark on an adventure to discover the myriad of exotic island locations. Contact our Travel Experts who can help you customise your dream Queensland tour.

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Intrepid Travel Brisbane to Cairns Adventure

Explore Australia’s sun-kissed east coast from Queensland's capital Brisbane to the tropical hub of Cairns on an epic oceanic trip that offers one coastal paradise after another. Take an off-road adventure across the undulating dunes of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), snorkel through the dazzling tropical waters of Whitehaven Beach, flop and drop on the palm-fringed sands of laidback Mission Beach, soak up the energy and nightlife of Airlie Beach after sunset and explore colourful underwater worlds in your free time. On this eight-day road trip, you’ll get wet and wild in waterfalls and rainforests and salty and sandy on islands and beaches – what could be better?

Trip overview

• Take an incredible 4WD adventure through the breathtaking landscape of K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). Ride across sand dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature, the dingo.
• Venture into the wilderness of the Atherton Tablelands – take a dip in a magnificent plunge waterfall nestled in dense tropical rainforest and admire the blue-green hues of Lake Eacham.
• Take a full-day tour of the Whitsundays, where you’ll head out on a bushwalk to Hill Inlet Lookout, go snorkelling among giant tropical fish and corals and then relax on the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach as the sun descends.
• Enjoy free time in Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay and Mission Beach, where you can hit the water and swim, kayak or take a boat ride or just kick back on the warm sands with a good book.
• Explore Mungalla Wetlands with a First Nations guide as you search for aquatic birdlife and learn about the history and culture of the Nywaigi people.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.
• There are some long travelling days on this trip, but it’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers.
• This trip includes an overnight train, which is super comfortable and features RailBeds, charging stations and USB ports. The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transport and an additional overnight stay.
• Multiple activities on this trip are subject to weather and water conditions and on occasion, may be cancelled for safety or operational reasons. In the case of cancellation, we will endeavour to find a suitable replacement activity.
• This trip is part of a combination tour, with other travellers joining from Sydney when you’re starting in Brisbane. It also forms part of a longer tour with extended exploration from Cairns. See trip codes PZSPC & PZSVC on our website for these options.

Welcome to Brisbane! Or Meanjin in the language of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Brisbane is now located. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 10 am. After, you’ll drive straight to Noosa Heads – a serene town in Queensland by the sea – where you can grab some lunch, relax on the beach or go shopping in the cute boutique shops. If you’d like, maybe use your free time here to do part of the Noosa Coastal Walk and look out for local flora and fauna. This afternoon, you’ll hit the road again for the coastal city of Hervey Bay, where you’ll spend the night.

• Cabins (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

In Noosa you have time to complete a short walk along the coast if you wish. Choose from the Palm Grove Walk (Grade 3, 1.1km return/30 mins), Noosa Hill Walk (Grade 4, 2.8km return/90 mins), the 300m path to Boiling Point or Dolphin Point (1.2km one way) - both sealed and barrier free.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head to the stunning K'gari (previously known as Fraser Island) by ferry for a day trip. The name change is a major milestone in a long-running campaign by the Butchulla people, whose original name for this place means ‘paradise’ – and you’ll soon see why. Set off on a 4WD adventure through the breathtaking landscape. Start off with an adventurous drive along 75 Mile Beach Road – one of the best coastal drives in the country. Take a refreshing dive into the crystal-clear water of Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) – an island icon. The lake is world famous for its turquoise colours and delicate white, 92% pure silica sand. Take another dip, this time in the fresh waters of Eli Creek, then visit the Maheno shipwreck and the coloured sands of the pinnacles. From tropical dense rainforest to wild offshore waters, you’ll witness the contrasting fauna and terrain of this truly unique island as you venture across undulating dunes and vast golden beaches in search of the iconic outback creature – the dingo. Tonight, head back to Hervey Bay where you can rest and recharge. 

• K'gari - Full day 4WD tour

Please note that your day trip to K'gari today is on a join-in basis. Other travellers from outside our Intrepid group may join us.

Enjoy a free day in Hervey Bay today – one of the best sites for observing humpback whales during migration season. If the month is right, maybe spend the morning whale watching on the water, or rent a bike to cycle along the foreshore. Or you could take a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge, go kayaking or just enjoy one of the many gorgeous beaches nearby. Make sure you pick up some snacks for tonight's overnight train journey north on the famous 'Spirit of Queensland', from the train station at Maryborough West to Proserpine, just south-west of Airlie Beach, arriving early tomorrow morning.

• Overnight train (1 night)
• Hervey Bay - Whale Watching (Jul-Oct) - AUD109

Tonight you will take the 'Spirit of Queensland' overnight train to Proserpine. An Australian first, the revolutionary 'RailBed' is a spacious and comfortable seat by day that includes a state-of-the-art personal entertainment system, a 240v power point and a USB point. In the evening, the onboard team convert the seat to a lie-flat bed with all linen provided. The train journey will be unaccompanied by your leader. You'll say goodbye to your first leader at the train station tonight and your new trip leader will meet you at the other end upon arrival of the train in the morning.

Please note that throughout the year scheduled railway track works may take place on the route from Hervey Bay to Airlie Beach. If the train happens not to run on your departure you will be driving with your leader instead, with an overnight in or around Gladstone. The total distance is around 900km, taking approximately 10 hours, split across two days.

Please note that whale migration season is from July to October. Please choose your departure date accordingly if you would like to take advantage of the opportunity to see whales.

Your new leader will meet you at Proserpine train station early this morning. Head to their favourite sunrise spot as a group – the best way to start your day – and watch the land come alive. Then, you’ll head for an optional breakfast and caffeine hit at a local café in Airlie Beach. Your day is free to explore this coastal paradise dotted with palm trees. This hub town of the popular Whitsundays has beer gardens, trendy cafes and a lawn-fringed swimming lagoon. Maybe stroll around and explore, visit some local swimming spots for a refreshing dip or find a seat at one of the many bars and watch the sun sparkle on the water. Get to know your new leader tonight with an optional group dinner. 

• Holiday Apartments (1 night)
• Airlie Beach - Coral Beach walk - Free

We request that our property in Airlie Beach prepare rooms in time for our arrival. However as we're arriving prior to normal check-in time this isn't always possible. This means we may not be able to check-in immediately on arrival. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination, or head straight for the pool or the beach.

The Coral Beach trail is a Grade 3, 2.2km return/90 min walk in Conway National Park.

Today you’ll head out on a full-day tour to Whitehaven Beach, in the heart of the Whitsunday Islands and in the centre of the Great Barrier Reef. Start with a walk to the spectacular Hill Inlet Lookout, where you can take photos of the sweeping ocean views. Then, hit the water and go snorkelling at Border Island, Dumbell Island or one of the secret spots today's guide will show you. See coral reefs, colourful fish, turtles, clams and other marine life. Then, enjoy an included lunch and take a boat to the southern end of the 7 km stretch of Whitehaven Beach, taking the chance to kick back and relax in the sun after a day of outdoor adventures. Tonight, back in Airlie Beach, maybe head to one of the local bars for a cocktail (or two) and watch the sunset.

• Airlie Beach - Full day Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach & Great Barrier Reef tour

Please note that your day trip to Whitehaven Beach today is on a join-in basis. Other travellers from outside our Intrepid group may join us. Additionally, please note that today's activity is not suitable for travellers with pre-existing back, neck or hip injuries or who are pregnant. A signed release will be required from all participants on departure.

Today is a long day of travel, interspersed with some stops to stretch your legs. Your first stop is Townsville. Head to Castle Hill lookout when you arrive and take some photos of the gorgeous views of the town and ocean below. You’ll have some free time for lunch and to chill by the water. Carry on to Big Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range National Park, where you can take a stroll, swim in the creek or just relax among the sounds of local birdlife. This afternoon, you’ll head to Lucinda, where you’ll spend the night. Ask your leader for the best seaside spots for dinner and maybe enjoy a night walk to watch the sun go down.

• Hotel (1 night)
• Paluma Range National Park - Crystal Creek
• Townsville - Castle Hill Lookout

Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.

This morning after breakfast, drive to Mungalla station, where you’ll meet the First Nations owners of the land – the Nywaigi people – and learn about their culture and history, including about the brutal conflicts with European settlers. The story you’ve been told will come to life as you visit an exhibition of pictures within the historic homestead. Then head out and explore the Mungalla wetlands in search of aquatic birdlife. Drive to Mission Beach this afternoon – a small coastal town with expansive beaches, palm trees and opportunities to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Stop in Tully along the way to stretch your legs, then ask your leader for the best way to spend your night.

• Mungalla Station - Nywaigi First Nations Guided Day Tour

Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.

This morning after breakfast, drive to Millaa Millaa Falls for a nature walk and a quick swim in the cascades. Stop in for lunch at a local cafe near Atherton. Take the Curtain Fig boardwalk to see the iconic tree this park was named after – this park protects endangered mabi forest and a large green fig tree with extensive aerial roots that drop 15 m to the forest floor, forming a ‘curtain’. After, walk to Lake Eacham – the site of an old volcano and home to Australia’s largest python! Here, maybe take a swim (just keep an eye out for the resident freshwater crocodile). This afternoon, you’ll drive to Cairns, where your trip will come to an end at approximately 5pm. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent.

• Atherton Tablelands - Curtain Tree boardwalk
• Atherton Tablelands - Lake Eacham walk
• Atherton Tablelands - Millaa Millaa Falls

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

The Curtain Fig boardwalk is a Grade 2, 180m circuit taking around 10 min. The Lake Eacham circuit track in Crater Lakes National Park is a Grade 2, 3km circuit taking around 1 hour.

3 breakfasts, 2 lunches

Private vehicle, Ferry, Overnight train, Boat, 4WD

Cabins (2 nights), Overnight train (1 night), Hotel (2 nights), Holiday Apartments (2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

START & END POINT LOCATION & TIME The trip starts in Brisbane with a Welcome Meeting at 10am on Day 1 at our joining point hotel, and finishes on arrival in Cairns on Day 8 at our finish point hotel around 5pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

OVERNIGHT TRAIN The overnight train is in RailBed class and is not accompanied by a tour leader. Should the train not operate due to track works or other factors outside of our control, it will be replaced with alternative transportation and an additional night stay in a destination enroute.

LUGGAGE LIMIT Luggage weight (max 20kg for main luggage, 7kg for hand luggage) and size (23cm x 34cm x 48cm) limits apply for our overnight train journey.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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Brisbane to Cairns Experience: Sand Dunes & the Whitsundays

10 days, brisbane to cairns.

• Full itinerary
• Tour details

Now's the time to explore Australia on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. If you're big on ambition but short on time, sign yourself up for this zippy ten-day tour up the East Coast of Queensland. Play transport bingo as you hop on a yacht, train, truck, and private vehicle to get around your destinations. Hit K'gari (Fraser Island) and the Whitsundays, go snorkelling, and explore the beauty of Noosa. Your time here may be fleeting, but the photos you snap, post, and caption will have "humblebrag" written all over them forever.

Brisbane to Cairns

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Call us to book your flights! We'll find you the best option!

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Is this tour for me, travel style: 18-to-thirtysomethings.

Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.

Service Level: Basic

Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.

Physical Rating: 3 - Average

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 20, avg 16

Age requirement: 18-39

Check your visa requirements.

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

See how your trip uplifts communities

In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.

Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.

Trees planted for this trip: 10

Ripple Score

Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.

Ripple Score for this trip: 99

Places visited

Itinerary notes.

Please note that most 18-to-Thirtysomethings accommodation in Australia is multi-share. For more info, see our Trip Details.

Day 1 Brisbane

Arrive at any time.

Welcome to the “Land Down Under”! Tonight, gear up and get ready for a night out in Brisbane with the group. Enjoy an evening filled with friendly vibes, epic times, and dope views of the city as you sip some local bevvies with your new travel pals by your side.

Exclusive Inclusions:

Day 2 brisbane/noosa.

Escape the city as you journey north up the coast to Noosa. Noosa is known for the balmy sunshine, slow beach days, bright blue skies, rolling waves around every corner. Arrive at our hostel for the next three nights and enjoy lunch before heading out to explore all the area has to offer.

Meals included:

Day 3 noosa to k'gari (fraser island).

On your mark...get set.... go! Travel by private vehicle and ferry with your group to reach K'gari (Fraser Island); for a true Aussie experience. K'gari (Fraser Island) is the largest sand island in the world and the only known place where rainforest grows on sand. In the traditional Butchulla language the name of K'Gari means paradise; think striking blue lakes, crystal clear creeks, giant dunes, and dense rainforests in a place truly unlike any other. Once on the island the group will go for a 4x4 tour, driving along over 100km of beach to get a sense of your surroundings. Then take a swim in Lake Mckenzie, or be on the lookout for wild Dingoes (this is one of the few places in Australia where you are able to see them). Return to Noosa later in the afternoon.

Day 4 Noosa

Enjoy a free day in Noosa by taking in the shops along Hasting Street in search of souvenirs, having a coffee on the beach, or a surf in the Ocean. You can also choose to spend time back at the hostel or participate in some of the optional activities offered in the area.

Day 5 Noosa/Airlie Beach

Wake up and get ready to see some of the most beautiful coastline in Australia. This morning the group will hike parts of the Noosa Coastal Track with stunning views across the water and if you look up you may just spot a Koala or two! We will cross secluded beaches before ending up at Hell's Gate. In the afternoon the group will head to the train station to board an overnight train (get ready to post some ‘grams) as the group travels north to Airlie Beach.

Day 6 Airlie Beach/Whitsunday Islands

Awake as the train pulls to a stop in your next destination. Remember those stranded-on-a-deserted island fantasies that we all had growing up? (no just us?) Either way get ready to relive that castaway dream as you hike to an island lookout over Whitehaven Beach (one of the most famous beaches in the world) and enjoy the views of powdery sand and the Coral Sea’s azure waters. You probably won’t ever want to leave. And you haven’t even gone below the surface yet! After some free time on the beach basking in the sun you'll be off to another secluded tropical island spot where the group will anchor for the night.

Day 7 Whitsunday Islands/Airlie Beach

Expected forecast today is; peace, serenity, paradise, and lots of gorgeous views. You may want to pull out your phone or camera every chance you get, but try to refrain and simply enjoy the moment as you and the group continue sailing through the picturesque backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands. Swim, snorkel, or lounge on the boat deck before sailing to the resort town of Airlie Beach for a night on the town with your best adventure buds! Live it up because let’s face it, how often are you really in this kind of paradise?

Day 8 Airlie Beach/Cairns

With an early morning departure, admire the scenery on the bus ride north to Cairns.

Day 9 Cairns

Cairns is quite the place to visit if you love warm weather (it would be headline news for the city’s temperature to drop much below 20°C (68°F)) and want to visit the Great Barrier Reef. Take advantage of a free day to book one of the many optional activities that will get you out in nature’s playground. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, get that adrenaline pumping by whitewater rafting or skydiving and cap it all off on a Big Night Out in Cairns with your fellow travellers. Drinks all around are well deserved after spending the day escaping your comfort zones.

Day 10 Cairns

Depart at any time.

What's Included

• Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
• Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
• Your Discover Moment: Cairns
• Your Big Night Out Moment: Cairns
• K'gari (Fraser Island) excursion
• Whitsunday Islands sailing excursion
• Whitehaven Beach visit
• All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodations

Hostels (7 nts, multi-share with 4-8 people), overnight train (1 nt), maxi yacht (1 nts, open cabin multi-share). All nights are multi-share on this trip.

5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner Allow USD240-315 for meals not included.

Transportation

Private vehicle, maxi yacht, overnight train, truck, ferry, bus

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Available extras  (Add these to your tour when you book)

Great barrier reef snorkelling - from $168.00.

You haven't truly visited Australia until you've experienced the Great Barrier Reef. Climb aboard a 25m (82 ft) catamaran and take the journey out to the largest coral reef system in the world, spending time snorkelling in search of colourful fish, majestic coral, and Nemo (of course).

Make it a private tour

Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.

Finding Alexx

| Bucket list adventures around the globe

Australasia , Australia , Bucket list travel · August 14, 2022

The ultimate Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary

A Brisbane to Cairns road trip is hands down the ultimate way to experience Queensland, and this super detailed Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary tells you all you need to know in order to plan the perfect trip.

Is roadtripping the Queensland coast at the top of your Australia bucket list ? If it’s not already then it should be, and by the end of this blog post I can guarantee that it will be.

From an endless selection of beaches to visit, world-renowned diving opportunities, incredibly unique landscapes and some wildlife experiences you won’t find anywhere else on the planet, Queensland is something special.

And no matter whether you prefer poolside cocktails, active adventures or epic bucket list experiences (or a mix of all three), the Sunshine State is sure to blow the mind of any type of traveller.

I did the Brisbane to Cairns drive in June 2022 as part of my 2.5 month Australia solo road trip with Klook , my first (proper) international travel destination after being “stuck” in New Zealand for two years while our borders were closed, and I reckon this part of Australia is one of the most incredible road trips in the world.

Read more: The ultimate Australia travel guide

I spent almost four weeks travelling the 1700kms+ between Brisbane and Cairns, with overnight stops at 11 different places, and I’m going to give you all the details of what I got up to so you can easily replicate my trip without needing to scour the internet for hours.

I’ll tell you which overnight stops are worth it, where to stay, how long to stay for*, activities to do and other travel tips to ensure you have the best time possible. When I say this is the ‘ultimate road trip itinerary’, I mean ultimate.

* When I say how long to stay for, I mean the *minimum* amount of time you need to be there to enjoy your visit. If you have three months to complete this Brisbane to Cairns road trip then you can spend a week or more in different places!

If you think this itinerary won’t help you because you have less time than I did (or more, you lucky thing!) then don’t stress, at the bottom of the blog post you’ll find suggestions on what you could cut if you needed to shorten the trip, or where you could extend if you’ve got time to spare. You can navigate straight to those sections in the table of contents just below.

So here goes, this is my ultimate Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary, along with a bunch of tips and tricks to help you make the most of your money and time while travelling through Queensland.

If you’re planning a bigger Australia road trip than just driving from Brisbane to Cairns, check out my other road trip itineraries:

• Three day Great Ocean Road itinerary
• Sydney to Byron Bay road trip itinerary

Brisbane to Cairns road trip map

Brisbane to Cairns road trip summary

If you just want to know where to go between Brisbane and Cairns, here’s a quick bullet point summary of my recommended stops.

• Fraser Island

Lady Elliot Island

Agnes water & 1770.

• Yeppoon & the Capricorn Coast
• Airlie Beach & the Whitsundays
• Townsville & Magnetic Island

Mission Beach

Read more: 50+ things to add to your Australia bucket list

How long will it take to drive from Brisbane to Cairns?

The drive from Brisbane to Cairns is just under 1700kms if you drove straight there along the highway close to the coast, which would take 19h 30m of straight driving. Australia’s not small!

The trip I did included lots of coastal stops slightly off the motorway so in total it was about 1870kms, and just over 22 hours of driving.

In terms of how long you should set aside from your Brisbane to Cairns road trip, you’d need at least a week to be able to actually enjoy your trip. A week-long trip would probably include a few long drive days and just the classic stops at Noosa, Hervey Bay/Fraser Island and Airlie Beach before having a day or two to explore Cairns.

If you can set aside two weeks you’ll be able to take it easy and won’t need to spend any longer than 3-4 hours in the car each day. Three or more weeks and you’ll have much more freedom to explore smaller beach towns and tick off loads of the must-do activities on offer in Queensland.

Travel tip: I used Klook for all my rental car needs in Australia, you can search your travel dates and they pull up all the options from rental companies like Hertz, Sixt, Avis, Budget and more so you know you’re getting the best deal. They also offer free cancellation so you can lock in a good price early on and then cancel or amend it if your plans change.

When is the best time for a Brisbane to Cairns road trip?

The best time to drive from Brisbane to Cairns is between May and October, for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it’s the dry season, so humidity is significantly lower and there’s less likelihood of tropical weather systems bringing torrential rain and accompanying flooding. Secondly, it’s outside of the marine stinger season, which is when jellyfish are most prevalent in tropical Queensland.

If you visit between November and May you need to be prepared for very hot, humid, wet weather, but if this doesn’t phase you then you can take advantage of lower prices and less tourists. If you do choose to go during wet season then I’d recommend setting aside more time, as bad weather can cause road closures and sometimes totally cut off some coastal towns.

In dry season, I personally prefer travelling at the start or the end, as it’s a bit cheaper and less busy. Places like Cairns and Airlie Beach in particular will be super busy with Australian tourists during their school holidays (usually two weeks around Easter, start to mid-July and end of Sept to early Oct) so travelling in May/June and October provide the best chance of good weather, mild temperatures, stinger-free swimming and cheaper hotels.

Things to know before your Brisbane to Cairns road trip

Before planning your Queensland road trip though, there are a few things you need to know in order to stay safe and have an incredible trip.

Stinger season

As I just mentioned, stinger season is when dangerous jellyfish like the box jellyfish and the Irukandji inhabit the coastal waters of Queensland and pose a serious risk to surfers, snorkellers and divers. Which sounds super scary, but that’s where stinger suits come in!

If you choose to do any water activities in Queensland, every single company will have full-length stinger suits to wear, these will probably be compulsory during stinger season and outside of stinger season you can choose to wear one if you wish. I always wore one just to be extra safe, plus they give the added bonus of sun protection while snorkelling.

Stingers can actually be found in tropical Queensland year-round but they are much less likely in the cooler months of May to November.

The cost of activities (in terms of both money and time)

This part of Australia has a lot of tourist activities to choose from, so you’ll want to set aside some additional budget for things like day trips, boat tours and other experiences.

Your average Queensland road trip will likely include at least one island visit (so you need ferry tickets), a snorkel or dive day trip to the Great Barrier Reef, and a scenic flight, which could come to upwards of $500-600 total just for those three. You could definitely cut these out if you wanted to stick to a budget, but just be aware that the water-based or air-based experiences can get pretty pricey.

In terms of timing, you usually need to book these day trips and experiences in advance and they can take up a decent chunk of your itinerary, so the more time you have to spend in Queensland the better.

Travel tip: You can book all your East Coast Aussie tours via RTW Backpackers , they’re experts in Australia travel and can help you find the perfect tours to suit your travel style and budget.

Speed limits & driving safety

Unlike my experiences on the Great Ocean Road and my Sydney to Byron Bay road trip , Queenslanders seem to treat the speed limit as a guideline rather than a rule.

I’d never condone speeding, especially when you don’t know the roads, but I will say that people drive so fast that they made me worry that my speedometer was incorrect when I had cruise control set to the limit, every single person was passing me!

In saying that though, many of the roads in Queensland are in pretty horrendous condition due to extreme weather and so many trucks, pot holes galore. If you travel after 9pm be prepared for long waits for road works and/or detours that add 30-60 minutes onto each trip.

Another thing to be aware of while driving, like the rest of Australia, is animals jumping out in front of your car. Dusk and dawn are the worst times for this as it’s when kangaroos and other animals roam around for food before and after the daytime heat, and you don’t want to know what happens to a car when it meets a kangaroo at full speed. Avoid driving at these times if at all possible, or make sure you are super alert and have your peripheral vision switched onto full.

Long drives

There are some long drives up the Queensland coast, particularly if you’re having to do the trip quickly and don’t have time to make all the suggested stops, so always make sure you’ve got food, water and an energy drink in the car in case you start getting tired in the middle of nowhere.

There are a few parts of the highway where there’s no gas for maybe 60-80 kms so always keep an eye on your fuel level to avoid getting stuck and needing to call for assistance. If your rental car has an option to add this on when you book it, I’d definitely recommend it for peace of mind.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is essential for any international travel, especially to Australia where there can be pretty extreme weather that can cause travel delays, as well as lots of active adventures that may cause injury.

I travel with an annual policy from Covermore NZ (who have been brilliant in terms of customer service so far) but if you’re not from NZ then I’ve heard great things about SafetyWing and World Nomads .

How to use this Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary

This itinerary is biiiiig, in fact it’s 9000+ words big! Which can be pretty overwhelming if you’re just in the early stages of planning your Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

I’ve tried to answer all the classic questions I get asked about each destination (“how long should I go for?”, “where should I stay?”, “what are the must-dos?”) so there’s a lot of info in here, but if you’re in the early planning stages you might just want to skim read the summary of each destination and take note of the destinations that sound like places you want to go to.

Once you’ve got a shortlist of destinations you can map them out to see how many days you might need (or how to fit them into the timeframe you already have), then come back and check out my suggestions for activities and accommodation to see what you might want to book.

I’d recommend setting up a bookmark tab on your browser where you can bookmark this blog post and also bookmark any hotels, tours or experiences you like. There’s nothing worse than hearing about something epic for an upcoming trip but then losing the link and never being able to find it again!

Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary

How long to stay in Brisbane: 1-2 days

Queensland’s capital city is a hub of culture and culinary delights, with plenty to see and do to kick off your Brisbane to Cairns itinerary. You could easily spend a week or more here but in the interest of seeing more of Queensland, I’d recommend staying a day or two.

Things to do in Brisbane

• Get amongst the food scene, in my opinion Brisbane is the best foodie city in Queensland! Some of my personal faves are Libertine for French-Vietnamese fusion (and cocktails), Olive & Angelo for hearty Italian, and Newstead Social for an epic bottomless brunch.
• Visit the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha, then head up to the summit for panoramic views
• Meet the locals (koalas, that is!) at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary , the biggest koala sanctuary in the world
• Get active by climbing the Story Bridge , abseiling at Kangaroo Point Cliffs or kayaking along the river . You can even do an evening kayak tour for incredible nightscape views.
• Explore beyond the city with day trips to Moreton Island , Stradbroke Island or Mount Tamborine

Where to stay in Brisbane

Budget | Selina Brisbane and Brisbane Quarters are two highly-rated hostels, and Amelia Boutique Hotel is a top-rated budget hotel in a great location

Best value | My go-to for Brisbane is Il Mondo Boutique Hotel , it’s in Kangaroo Point and has super comfortable, spacious rooms and apartments, as well as brilliant service and a swimming pool.

Luxury | Check out Ovolo the Valley , the Calile and W Brisbane for a luxurious stay in Brisbane.

Noosa & the Sunshine Coast

Drive time: Just under two hours, 148km

Where to stop on the way:

• Bribie Island to see turtles, dugongs and dolphins (it’s connected to the mainland by bridge so an easy add on to your road trip)
• The Glass House Mountains, a collection of 11 peaks in the Queensland hinterland with waterfalls and walks to explore. Head up Mt Ngungun for the most famous view, it’s only 20-40 minutes to the top.
• Australia Zoo , made famous by Steve Irwin and still owned and run by his family
• Point Cartwright Lighthouse on the other side of the Mooloolaba River from Mooloolaba, it has spectacular views and some beautiful memorial plaques to read as you wander around the reserve
• First Bay Coolum, a quintessential Queensland bay that looks like it’s straight off a postcard

How long to stay in Noosa: 2-3 days

The term ‘Sunshine Coast’ refers to the area of Queensland from Caloundra (just past the Glass House Mountains) up to Great Sandy National Park, and Noosa is the most popular resort town in the region.

If you enjoy getting out and about you’ll love Noosa, with loads of activities both on water and on land, or if you prefer lazy days on the beach or by the pool it ticks those boxes too.

Things to do in Noosa

• Noosa National Park has a bunch of walks to choose from depending on how long you want to explore for. The 10.8km return coastal walk is a classic, and if you’re short on time you can turn around whenever you feel like it to make your way back to the carpark. Important: The famous Fairy Pools are probably the most Insta-famous part of the coastal walk and as of 11 August 2022, this part of the track is closed for construction and you won’t be able to access them. I wish someone told me this before I walked there on a 32° day!
• Learn to surf at Noosa Heads Main Beach or go on a paddleboard tour
• If you’re in Noosa on a Sunday morning then don’t miss the Noosa Farmers Market, or on Wednesdays or Saturdays you can head a bit out of town to the Eumundi Market, Australia’s best artisan market
• Skydive from 15,000 feet, getting the best view of the whole Sunshine Coast
• Spot dolphins on an Ocean Rider safari boat tour or go whale watching during whale season
• See a different side of Noosa with a boat tour through the Noosa Everglades

Where to stay in Noosa

Budget | I am OBSESSED with Bounce Noosa , it’s the coolest hostel I’ve ever stayed in in Australia and one of the best in the world for sure. The hostel has budget-friendly dorm rooms plus ultra-stylish private rooms, but the real selling point is the stunning glass-sided pool with deck chairs and a bar serving up fancy cocktails. Take me back!

Mid-range | Noosa Valley Manor B&B , Noosa Hinterland B&B , Anchor Motel Noosa and Drifters Apartment are great options for a mid-range travel budget.

Luxury | L’Auberge Noosa , RACV Noosa , the Sofitel and Hotel Laguna are all fantastic luxury hotels, or else there’s a bunch of fancy apartments to choose from if you want somewhere self-contained.

Unique | Habitat Noosa is about half an hour’s drive from Noosa Heads, and it’s an eco-friendly campground that also offers luxury safari tents for travellers who love glamping, like me! The tents are really well-equipped with hot showers, flushing toilets and a mini fridge, and you can watch wild kangaroos hop right past you as you sit on your deck with a glass of wine or huddle around the fire on those chillier winter nights. So dreamy.

Drive time: Two hours, 159km

• On your way out of Noosa make sure you stop at Mount Tinbeerwah for 360° views across the Noosa hinterland
• Rainbow Beach is on the coast so a bit out of the way from the main highway, but the rugged cliffs and gigantic sand dunes make it worth it. It’s best explored by 4WD so if you don’t have your own, I’d recommend booking onto a 4WD tour.

How long to stay in Hervey Bay: 2-3 days including K’gari (Fraser Island)

Hervey Bay is best-known for two things: being the gateway to K’gari, and being the whale watching capital of Australia.

Set aside a day or two to enjoy Hervey Bay itself before heading over to the island. A day trip will suffice but to experience the best of Fraser you’ll want to spend at least one night there.

Things to do in Hervey Bay

• Spot whales, dolphins and other marine life on an eco-friendly catamaran with Blue Dolphin Tours . These guys are local legends with more than 35 years’ experience with marine mammals, and you’ll not only be able to spot wildlife but you’ll also learn loads from Skipper Peter. From July to October to October they run whale watching encounters that offer an immersive experience by getting you up close and personal on the in-water platform, or in the other months you can book a dolphin watching cruise around K’gari Fraser Island, with the opportunity to swim off the shores of Fraser Island and even be dragged behind the boat in the boom net.
• For a bit of ocean luxury, book a spot on Blue Dolphin’s Champagne Sunset Sail and watch the sky turn to fire as you’re sipping a bubbles and snacking on cheese and crackers. Life doesn’t get any better than this!
• Learn about the local Butchulla tribe and their way of life, their food and their traditions with a Djinang Cultural Walking Tour
• Hire a bike an ride along the Esplanade, a 17km beachside footpath and cycle path from Urangan to Point Vernon. Stop at Enzo’s for brunch with a view, or if you need some refreshment then Planet 72 Icecreamery which is home to flavours like Coconut Raspberry Swirl, Orange Crème Brûlée, Cake Batter, Jaffa and Burn Fig & Marscapone. Yummmm.

Where to stay in Hervey Bay

Budget | Hervey Bay Flashpackers has okay ratings if you’re on a really tight budget (7.8/10 on booking.com) or the Beach Motel and Hervey Bay Motel are slightly more expensive but with much better reviews.

I don’t normally suggest where *not* to stay but I wouldn’t want anyone to make the same mistake as me. I booked a cheap room at Colonial Village Resort YHA and it was horrendous, I would’ve preferred to sleep in my car at a campground. The budget double room smelt like dog and cigarette smoke, there were dead bugs in every corner and the bed was the least comfortable bed I’ve probably ever slept in. Avoid at all costs.

Mid-range | Sunseeker Motel , Shelly Bay Resort and Torquay Terrace B&B are all great value options.

Luxury | Akama Resort , Oaks Hervey Bay and the Ramada are all classic beachfront luxury resorts.

A must-do add-on: K’gari (Fraser Island)

World Heritage-listed K’gari (which means ‘paradise’ in the Butchulla language) is the world’s largest sand island, coming in at a whopping 120km by 15km. The island is unlike anywhere else in the world; it has rainforest growing through sand, crystal clear freshwater dune lakes that make perfect swimming spots, and ever-moving sand dunes.

There are four main ways to explore K’gari:

• If you have your own 4WD (and you’re comfortable driving it on sand), you can take it over on a ferry and make your own way around the island for a couple of days. If you’re going to do this make sure you understand the tides, watch for signs that warn you of things like dangerous creek crossings, and of course always watch for people on the beach.
• You can also join a multi-day 4WD tag-along tour with your own car, this way you can have the comfort of your own vehicle while making the most of expert guides who know what they’re doing.
• If you don’t have your own 4WD of if you’d prefer not to drive on the island, there are some brilliant 4WD coach day tours or overnight tours that go over to K’gari
• And for a more unique way to see Fraser Island away from other tourists, check out this epic Remote K’gari day trip that includes a scenic cruise to and around the island, wildlife spotting opportunities, kayaking, beach fun and a bushwalk.

Unfortunately my K’gari plans were hampered by bad weather, and I had my Fraser Island trip cancelled altogether! I had booked the Remote K’gari day trip as well as an overnight tour but both were called off.

Luckily I was able to step foot on the island while on the dolphin watching cruise with Blue Dolphin, we pulled up close to the shore and jumped into the water for a short swim/wade onto the beach, but I know a ten minute beach stop doesn’t really count 😉 it just gives me another reason to go back!

How to get there: Lady Elliot Island is only accessible by flight, and flights leave from Hervey Bay (40 mins), Bundaberg (30 mins), Brisbane (just under 1.5 hours) and the Gold Coast (just under 2 hours).

How long to stay: 1-2 days, longer if you want to dive

Lady Elliot Island is somewhere that you probably won’t see on your average Brisbane to Cairns itinerary blog post, but in my experience it’s one of the most unique and epic things to do in Queensland. If you love marine life and are keen to learn more about sustainable tourism then this is something you just can’t miss!

This tiny coral cay is located right at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and it’s only 42 hectares in size which means you can walk around the entire coastline in about 45 minutes. You can either visit Lady Elliot Island on a day tour from the mainland or you can stay overnight (or longer). It’s famous for being the home of the manta ray, but you also might spot turtles, octopus and beautifully vibrant coral reefs.

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort runs all the island’s accommodation, the restaurant and the land and water activities. There are units, cabins and glamping tents to choose from, and your overnight stays also include breakfast, dinner and some water activities (lunch at your own cost, choose from a la carte of buffet).

The island is almost totally off the grid, with no phones, TVs and very limited WiFi, and the resort is focused on minimising its impact on the Great Barrier Reef and preserving it for future generations.

I did the day trip from Hervey Bay which was absolutely incredible, although next time I will absolutely go for an overnight trip! The day trip gives you about six hours on the island and includes a welcome drink, island orientation, glass bottom boat tour, a guided snorkel safari, snorkelling gear for your own snorkelling adventures, a buffet lunch, a towel and reef shoes, and an afternoon activity of your choice like reef walking or kayaking.

Things to do on Lady Elliot Island

• Enjoy being off the grid! Switch on that out-of-office and tell your friends you’ll be out of civilisation for a while.
• Spot manta rays on a snorkel safari, the chances of seeing them here are probably the highest of anywhere in Australia. Unfortunately due very rare weather when I was there we couldn’t snorkel in the usual spot which meant no mantas for us! We did see a few turtles and lots of other cool stuff though.
• Learn about the reef from a marine biologist with a reef walk at low tide, where you can walk on the sand between the coral (very carefully!) and spot things like anemonefish, sea cucumbers and starfish
• Go on a walking tour around the island and learn about the sustainable practices that run the resort behind the scenes
• If you’re staying for a night or more then you can also partake in a sunset cruise, stargazing, turtle treks between November and April, and an evening tour to see nocturnal creatures
• You can also dive here if you’re staying long enough to have a long enough surface interval (18 hours after multiple dives)

Where to stay in Lady Elliot Island

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort is the only accommodation on the island.

Drive time from Hervey Bay: 2h 45m, 227km

Where to stop along the way:

• Bundaberg for turtle-spotting (November to March), plus a visit to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Bundaberg Barrel (the ginger beer company)
• Lady Musgrave Experience , you can do a day trip to a Great Barrier Reef pontoon from Bundaberg for incredible snorkelling and diving. If you’re keen for this it might be worth spending a night or two in Bundaberg itself.

How long to stay in Agnes Water: 1-2 days

Awarded the title of Queensland’s top small tourism town in 2021, Agnes Water and its neighbour 1770 are the perfect place for a chilled out beach holiday on your way up the coast.

They’re less touristed than other hot spots on this Brisbane to Cairns road trip (although they have definitely grown in popularity in recent years), which means fewer organised (and expensive) activities and more freedom to explore the beaches and tracks at your own pace.

Things to do in Agnes Water & 1770

• Go swimming! Main Beach is just that, the main beach, patrolled by lifeguards on summer weekends and public holidays. Chinaman’s Bay and Workman’s Bay are less exposed so safer to swim at, and more beautiful too.
• Take a kayak tour with 1770 Liquid Adventures and watch sunset from the water
• Walk along the coast and then swim in rock pools on the 2hr Red Rock Trail
• If you’re driving a 4WD you could head to Eurimbula National Park or Deepwater National Park for some epic off-roading and camping opportunities
• For the quintessential 1770 experience you have to jump on a LARC tour , a bright pink amphibious vehicle that takes you over sandy beaches, through crystal clear creeks and up to the headland for next level views

Where to stay in Agnes Water & 1770

Budget | Backpackers at 1770 and Cool Bananas Backpackers both have fantastic reviews for cheap and cheerful accommodation

Mid-range | Mango Tree Motel , Agnes Water Beach Club and Loka Santi are good options for decent value places to stay

Luxury | 1770 Getaway and Sunrise at 1770 Holidays are the best luxury accommodation on offer

The Capricorn Coast

Drive time from Agnes Water to Yeppoon: 3 hours, 265km

How long to stay: 2-4 days

Another Queensland region that is overlooked far too often, the Capricorn Coast is a super diverse area serving up adventures in all forms, from 4WD beach drives to island visits to arty beach towns, all within 30 minutes of each other.

The main tourist centre of the Capricorn Coast is Yeppoon, so you could choose to use it as a base while you day trip to nearby spots like Byfield or Great Keppel Island, or opt to stay overnight in those destinations instead.

Yeppoon itself has loads going on, and it punches well above its weight in terms of both culture and cuisine. Great Keppel Island offers one of the most affordable ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef, with white sand beaches, thick rainforest ready to be explored and world-class snorkelling just off the shore. And beautiful Byfield, one of my all-time favourite places in Australia, boasts some of Queensland’s best swimming spots and off-roading opportunities.

Things to do on the Capricorn Coast

• Meet the koalas, kangaroos, wombats, cassowaries and more at Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary , an incredible place that homes injured, orphaned and confiscated animals. They aim to rehabilitate those that have a chance of going back into the wild, and those that don’t get to live out the rest of their days at Cooberrie with fellow animal friends and the fantastic sanctuary staff. Like a beautiful little animal retirement village!
• Swim in a massive beachfront infinity pool, for free. Yeppoon Lagoon is a 2500sqm pool in the heart of town with a kids’ play area, lap swimming section and picnic areas with BBQs so you can make a day of it.
• Choose from a seemingly endless selection of beaches to relax and rejuvenate at
• Do a DIY art walk around Yeppoon and see how many murals and sculptures you can spot
• Head out to Great Keppel Island, you could do a sailing day trip from Yeppoon or spend a night or two (or more if you had time) at Great Keppel Island Hideaway , an affordable tropical paradise perfect for those on a tight budget
• Explore the 390 million year old Capricorn Caves, which offer a few different tours depending on your travel style, from family-friendly and wheelchair accessible educational tours through to intense caving adventures relying on your head torch to show you the way
• Get amongst the local food and drink scene. Yeppoon Community Market sells the best seasonal produce every Saturday (6am-10am), Baked on 44 is a brilliant French bakery + delicatessen with lots of European cheese, meats and other treats, and Vue Wine Bar & Restaurant serves up colourful cocktails and fine dining cuisine with an epic mural and an impressive view of Yeppoon’s Main Beach.

Where to stay on the Capricorn Coast

Budget | Budget travellers can’t go past Yeppoon Beachouse , a back-to-basics but very affordable backpacker hostel rated 9.2/10 on booking.com

Mid-range | Yeppoon Surfside Motel looks like it’s come straight off a Pinterest board, with boho décor, light and bright bedrooms and a lush pool area. Other mid-range options are Beaches on Lammermoor if you want something self-contained and Sail Inn Motel if you’re looking for something a little cheaper.

Luxury | There’s no five star hotels along the Capricorn Coast but there are some fancy apartment buildings, Oshen Yeppoon is at the top of my wishlist for my next visit and there’s also Salt Yeppoon , Echelon Apartments and Villa Mar Colina .

Unique | I stayed at the gorgeous Getaways at Byfield , they have a few cottages overlooking a lagoon with minimal light pollution or any sounds other than birdsong. My cottage had a super comfortable bed, TV, full kitchen, spa bath, indoor fireplace, heat pump/air con, and an outdoor BBQ for cooking up a storm.

More about Byfield, my favourite part of the Capricorn Coast

I’m giving Byfield its own little section because, and I can’t emphasise this enough, it’s one of the most underrated destinations I’ve ever been to.

30 minutes’ drive will get you to Byfield village which consists of a school, a general store and a cafe, but the main drawcards are the natural swimming holes, untouched eco-systems, epic 4WD tracks and off-grid camping spots in Byfield State Forest and Byfield National Park.

The absolute must-do of Byfield is swimming at Upper Stony Creek, a beyond stunning croc-free freshwater creek and swim spot with picnic tables and BBQ for a cooked lunch. You could just stop in at Upper Stony Creek for a refreshing dip on your way up the coast, or stick around for a night or a few if you’d like to take advantage of some of Queensland’s more remote 4WD trails.

Airlie Beach

Drive time from Yeppoon: 5h 30m, 506km

• Stop off at Mount Archer National Park on your way out of Yeppoon, head up to the Nurim circuit elevated boardwalk for panoramic views over Rockhampton and beyond
• The Capricorn Caves are also on the way out of Yeppoon if you want to tick that off while heading north
• You could stop at Clairview, Carmila or Mackay for a bite to eat if you need a break during the long drive
• Finch Hatton Gorge is a slight detour (4.5 hours from Yeppoon, then 2 hours to Airlie Beach) but is one of the best rainforest areas to explore in the Queensland hinterlands, with waterfalls, swimming holes, rainforest walks and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities

How long to stay in Airlie Beach: 3-5 days

With easy access to some of the best beaches in the entire world, the iconic Heart Reef and so many water activities that could fill even a month-long itinerary, it’s no surprise that Airlie Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Brisbane to Cairns road trip route.

You’ll want to spend at least three days here, ideally more, but not because Airlie Beach itself is a nice place to be (more on that in a moment…). There’s just too many things to tick off in this part of the coast to try and squeeze it into a day or two, and you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment if you plan on making a whirlwind visit.

You need at least a full day to visit Whitehaven Beach and experience the Whitsundays, and at least another full day if you’d like to head out to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling or diving, so that’s two full days taken up already. If you’re keen for any other activities, like jet skiing, a scenic flight, rainforest walks, skydiving etc. then you can see how three days in Airlie Beach gets packed pretty quickly!

But now for the real talk: Airlie Beach itself is a tacky hellhole. Yup, I said it. The main drag is packed with overpriced cafes and gross backpacker bars, you’ll pay a 25% premium on anything you buy just because it’s a tourist town, and you can’t walk down the street as a solo female after 8pm without getting harassed by drunk losers on lads’ weekends or stag dos (bachelor parties). If this isn’t your scene then I’d recommend booking accommodation up on the hill or around by the marina to avoid spending too much time in the not-so-nice parts of town.

Unfortunately for budget travellers, Airlie Beach is one of the most expensive destinations in Queensland.

All the good beaches are on the Whitsundays, at Airlie itself the best place to swim is in the lagoon which is often paaaacked with kids. Things like boat trips and scenic flights don’t come cheap so expect to spend up large if you want to tick these off, and if you need to save on money then book somewhere where you can cook your own food, because the restaurants in town are pricey and not great.

Things to do in Airlie Beach

• My absolute top recommendation for things to do in Airlie Beach is a day out with the legends at Ocean Rafting , it’s hands down the most epic way to see the Whitsundays! They have full day boat tours that take you to Hill Inlet for the best Whitehaven Beach views, give you a packed lunch to eat on the boat or on the world-famous beach, and tick off some incredible snorkelling spots. You can save 10% on any of their tours with the promocode FINDINGALEXX if you book direct on their website.
• They also have a Fly & Raft tour which includes a scenic flight over Heart Reef before the day on the boat, which is basically the dream Airlie Beach package. You can save 10% on this one too!
• If you’d prefer to just do a scenic flight, there are loads to choose from. This one hour scenic flight is the best value at $259 per person, or there’s this cruise package which includes a short Hill Inlet heli flight for $249 (this doesn’t go over the reef through), or this epic seaplane tour that includes a lunch and snorkel stop at a private bay. What a dream!
• For the ultimate view while getting a bit of an adrenaline rush, get out of your comfort zone and book a skydive over the Whitsundays
• Spend a night in the Whitsundays with an overnight sailing trip
• Explore hidden bays and private islands on a jet ski tour
• Do a full day trip out to the Outer Great Barrier Reef where you can dive and snorkel to your heart’s content
• Experience the other side of Airlie Beach with a segway tour through the rainforest
• If you want to see the underwater life without getting wet then try a glass-bottom boat tour
• Enjoy sunset from a catamaran with a bubbles in hand with this sunset cruise
• There are two swimmable beaches in Airlie Beach, one actually called Airlie Beach and one called Boathaven Beach, but I wasn’t a huge fan. There are much nicer beaches on other parts of the coast, I’d recommend just swimming in the Airlie Beach lagoon if you need to cool down. Or better yet, book accommodation with a pool!

Where to stay in Airlie Beach

Budget | I stayed in two hostels in Airlie Beach that I can provide personal reviews for. Backpackers by the Bay was a classic back-to-basics backpacker hostel for those on a shoestring budget. No air con in winter (despite 30° heat!), messy living areas and pretty run-down in general, but for a super cheap night near the Port of Airlie before an early morning boat trip it’s not the worst option. I had a basic private room (literally just a bed) but there are dorms too.

I also spent a night in a private room at Magnums , the room was probably the biggest hostel room I’ve ever stayed in with a comfy bed and a desk which was great for work, but it was pretty expensive ($180 for one night!) and had no sound proofing so I could hear drunk people chatting while smoking outside my room until 3am. Magnums is one of the famous party hostels, keep that in mind before booking.

Best value | There is no doubt that Sea Star Apartments offers the best value accommodation in all of Airlie Beach. They’ve got 1, 2 and 3 bedroom fully self-contained apartments (I had a one beddie and it was super spacious) with the most amazing views right over the town and out to the islands, but best of all they have an infinity pool (!!!) and rooms start from only $174-$320 per night depending on the time of year, which is definitely at the lower end for Airlie Beach accommodation. I spent three nights here and honestly didn’t want to leave!

Luxury | Coral Sea Marina Resort is the most iconic Airlie Beach luxury hotel, then there’s Mirage Whitsundays , Harbour Cove and ultra-fancy holiday homes like Mandalay Luxury Retreat

Unique | If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience then I highly, highly recommend booking a Reefsleep or Reefsuites night with Cruise Whitsundays. This is an overnight Great Barrier Reef experience allowing you to either sleep in a luxury swag tent on the top deck of the Reefworld pontoon or an underwater hotel room where you can see fish from the comfort of your own bed. You can read my full Reefsleep review or if you’re already convinced you can book your stay here .

Potential add-ons: Daydream Island, Hamilton Island and Hayman Island

On top of your Airlie Beach stay, or even instead of, you could opt to spend a night or two out on one of the Whitsunday Islands.

Hamilton Island is the busiest resort island, with a range of accommodation, lots of shops and some great restaurants. Long Island has an affordable self-catering resort ( Palm Bay Resort ) as well as a higher-end boutique retreat ( Elysian Retreat ). Daydream Island is great for families, and then there’s Hayman Island which is an ultra-luxurious private island and resort.

Drive time from Airlie Beach: 3h 30m, 272km

• Bowen is a relaxed seaside town about an hour north of Airlie Beach, worth a visit to do the quick walk up to the Rotary Lookout for magical views over Horseshoe Bay, or to swim at beaches that are far nicer than the ones in Airlie

How long to stay: 1-2 days

Townsville was a really interesting destination for me. I hadn’t heard great things before I went (I was told there’s nothing to do and that crime rates are high), however I was actually pleasantly surprised at the vibe and I really enjoyed my two days there.

I used it as a bit of a recovery period from the previous hectic two weeks of road tripping, and prices for both accommodation and food are cheaper than other parts of Queensland so I didn’t feel the same pressure to make the most of every second.

Stay for at least a night on your way to Magnetic Island, or if you need a few slow travel days to recuperate then consider making Townsville the spot for it.

Things to do in Townsville

• Walk through the botanic gardens, there are three to choose from! I personally loved the Queens Gardens, they have a perfectly-located tree-lined walkway that looks like it leads right up to Castle Hill. The others are Anderson Gardens and the Palmetum.
• See the city from the top of Castle Hill, a 286m-high pink granite monolith which stands alone in the middle of Townsville. You can walk up, bike up or drive up to the top.
• Go diving! Townsville offers easy access to some of the best diving spots along the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland coast like the Yongala Wreck , and there’s plenty of day trips to choose from whether you’re a brand new beginner or an experienced scuba diver.
• For a unique underwater experience, go snorkelling or diving at the Museum of Underwater Art , where you’ll see underwater sculptures that have been built to allow coral planting to support regeneration of the reef
• Townsville has a fantastic café scene which I wasn’t really expecting, I loved Hoi Polloi and Betty Blue & the Lemon Tart
• Sip some creative cocktails at Hooch & Fellow , or grab a refreshing beer while overlooking the pool at Quarterdeck in the Ville Resort-Casino
• If your trip coincides with the first Friday of the month, spend your evening at the Strand Night Markets checking out local arts and crafts and deciding what to eat from the food trucks and street food stalls
• Wander around the city and enjoy the 19th-century architecture coupled with vibrant street art murals
• You can’t miss Magnetic Island, one of Queensland’s most incredible island experiences. You could head over for a day trip from Townsville but I really recommend at least 2-3 nights on the island if you can, I’ll explain why in the next section of this blog post.

Where to stay in Townsville

Budget | Civic Guesthouse is a well-rated hostel with dorms from $22, or Coral Lodge B&B has super cheap private rooms from $85.

Best value | I spent a couple of nights at Island View Motel in Townsville and it was exactly what I needed, and so cheap compared to the rest of the Queensland coast starting from only $141 per night. The rooms are basic but really spacious and comfortable, some rooms have full kitchens but the motel also serves breakfast each morning and there’s a BBQ outside for guests to use. I particularly loved the incredible view over the city and out to Magnetic Island, the pool (Townsville gets HOT!) and the two motel doggos who would come to say hello as I was wandering around the property.

Luxury | For something a bit fancy check out The Ville Resort-Casino , Allure Apartments or Mariners North

• Magnetic Island

How to get there: 20-40 minute ferry from Townsville

There are two ferry companies servicing Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island Ferries are the ones I went with, they’re the only option for taking your own vehicle over (which I highly recommend as there’s minimal public transport). Their walk-on passenger tickets are $32 return when booked online, and it costs $222 to take your car over most of the time (or $246 over Christmas holidays and Easter weekend).

SeaLink runs a passenger-only ferry which is 20 minutes (compared to the Magnetic Island Ferries barge which is 40 minutes) and their tickets are slightly more expensive at $34 when booked online.

How long to stay: At least two days

Lovingly known as ‘Maggie’, this charming little island made such an impact on me! I only had two days here but I would love to go back for much longer next time, so much to see and do.

Maggie’s landscapes are just mind-blowing, there are gum-tree lined historic walks with koalas sitting in trees watching tourists go by, magnificent sunrise and sunset spots with rock wallabies watching along with you, and unspoiled hidden beaches only accessible from the water that look like they’re straight out of a movie.

Honestly pure magic, this is one of my absolute must-dos in Queensland.

Things to do on Magnetic Island

• The Forts Walk on Magnetic Island is one of the rare opportunities to get up close and personal with wild koalas only a few metres from where you’re standing. I spotted three koalas, one was super easy literally about a metre above me and right next to the path, and the other two were a bit further into the bush and only given away by other tourists taking photos. It should go without saying but always respect wild animals, don’t disturb them or get too close.
• The view from the end bunkers of the Forts Walk is spectacular too, so be sure to keep going even after spotting the koalas
• Explore Maggie from the water with a boat tour, this is the only way to reach many of the untouched beaches around the island. I went on this tour with Aquascene Charters and it was fantastic, so many unreal views and some world-class snorkelling too, but there’s also some amazing sailing tours or kayak tours if that’s more your thing.
• Rent a classic Maggie beach buggy, a ‘topless’ car! These cute little convertibles can be spotted all over the island but they do book out in advance, so book early once you know when you’re going.
• Beach hop, there are plenty to choose from. Alma Bay, Nelly Bay, Picnic Bay and Geoffrey Bay are all accessible by normal car.
• If you’ve got a 4WD then you can explore a few more hard-to-reach spots, like West Point Beach for sunset (don’t swim though, there can be crocs here) or Arthur Bay, Florence Bay or Radical Bay along Radical Bay Road. Note: Radical Bay Road is a very rough 4WD track and some online reviews say that it’s currently closed and some say it’s open, so I’m not sure what the deal is here! I didn’t have a 4WD on the island so couldn’t go anyway. If you know for sure whether it’s open I’d really appreciate it if you left a comment on this blog so I can update the info.
• And if you’re keen to get your steps up you can access these beaches by foot too, with a well-deserved dip at the end!
• Hang out with rock wallabies as the sun goes down. These little cuties come out in droves at dusk and dawn (but we all know I’m not an early riser), the most popular place to spot them is Geoffrey Bay but our boat guide told me to go out to the Nelly Bay Breakwall (which you can get to from the Esplanade) and I was the only human there!

Where to stay on Magnetic Island

Budget | Once again I can tell you where not to stay. I had a less than ideal situation at CStay Guesthouse, when the manager showed me to my private room, there was a man in there already! He was sitting on the chair next to my bed and had just switched the TV off, and as he left the manager said “oh sorry, he just watches TV in there sometimes.” 😂 not exactly the type of place you want to stay as a solo female traveller, where random men use your room for watching the news.

Some budget options with decent reviews are Arcadia Beach Guest House and Dandaloo Gardens .

Mid-range | True North B&B , Island Cottages and Tropical Palms Resort offer good value rooms and units.

Luxury | There are lots of high end apartments and rental homes on Magnetic Island, I recommend checking out all Magnetic Island accomm on booking.com for the best range and flexible booking conditions.

Unique | Wildlife lovers, you’re going to love this! Bungalow Bay Koala Village offers campsites, shared dorms, private rooms and bungalows at their eco-lodge which has its own wildlife park, complete with resident turtles, pythons, wombats, lizards and of course koalas.

Drive time from Townsville: 3 hours, 234km

• Jourama Falls, a stunning rainforest walk (3km return) to a waterfall via some swimmable rock pools
• Cardwell Spa Pool, a bright turquoise natural swimming hole that needs to be seen to be believed

How long to stay in Mission Beach: One day for Mission Beach itself, more if you want to see the Atherton Tablelands

Mission Beach is a really relaxed beach town that’s nowhere near as commercialised as the rest of the coast, which means lower prices and less tourists.

If you’re keen to get amongst the waterfalls, lakes and rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands then consider making Mission Bay your base rather than Cairns, it’s about the same distance but accommodation is much cheaper.

Things to do in Mission Beach

• Try to spot a cassowary, known as the world’s most dangerous bird. These endangered dinosaur-esque birds roam around the rainforests in Tropical North Queensland but Mission Beach and Etty Bay are two of the few locations where you might see them on the beach, crossing the road or even wandering through people’s gardens. They sound scary but they’re unlikely to ever attack a human unless you get too close, so just watch from afar and keep your distance.
• Walk the Kennedy Walking Track from South Mission to Kennedy Bay, 8km return
• Get your heart racing with a thrilling white water rafting trip down the Tully River
• Explore the Atherton Tablelands and all it has to offer, like Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls, the Babinda Boulders and more (half way between Mission Beach and Cairns)
• Enjoy some of the best palm tree-lined beaches in Queensland, with 14kms of sand to find the perfect spot to catch some sun
• Do a chocolate plantation + factory tour with Charley’s , tours are available on Thursdays and Sundays at 10.30am
• Take a day trip out to the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelling or diving

Where to stay in Mission Beach

Budget | Jackaroo Treehouse is the best-rated hostel in Mission Beach, they have both dorms and private rooms to choose from

Mid-range | I stayed at Mission Beach Resort which was perfect and offers fantastic value. Their accommodations options range from budget-friendly rooms with kitchenettes through to super spacious apartments with full kitchens, still for a really reasonable price. They also have a few pools and a bistro on site, and it’s only a five minute walk to the beach.

Luxury | The Bungalows has three stylishly decorated beachfront villas along with a pool, full kitchen for guests to use and the option to book all three villas for a group trip.

Drive time: 1h 45m, 138km

How long to stay: 3-5 days

You’ve made it to the end of your Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary! Cairns is jam-packed with enough activities and experiences to keep you entertained for days on end, but you’ll need to book ahead as this is one of the busiest tourist hot spots in the whole of Australia.

With countless boats heading out to the Great Barrier Reef each morning, even more day trips driving inland for rainforest adventures, and a bustling city centre with shops, restaurants and bars heaving with tourists, Cairns has definitely secured its place as the tourism hub of Far North Queensland.

There’s a range of accommodation, attractions and eateries for every budget too, so no matter whether you’re scraping together the last of your Australia budget at the end of your road trip or you’ve got Aussie dollars left to splurge, you’ll find a way to enjoy Cairns.

Things to do in Cairns

• I’m going to sound like a broken record here, but go snorkelling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef! In my experience the diving near Cairns had better visibility and more vibrant coral than where I dived further down the coast, but I’m sure it depends where exactly you’re diving. I did this epic day trip on Evolution which included two swim sites, lunch and a glass of wine on the way home.
• Watch sunset while cooling down in the Cairns Lagoon
• Take this legendary day tour into the Atherton Tablelands rainforest to chase waterfalls, swim in lakes and maybe even spot a platypus
• Hop in a plane for the best views over tropical islands, huge reefs and spectacular sand cays in the middle of the ocean with this Reef Hopper scenic flight
• Or for a seriously splurge-worthy experience if you’re celebrating something special, this heli tour lands at your very own private sand island!
• Head even further north and explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with this two day tour with Uncle Brian’s Tours
• Learn about local Aboriginal culture with this Traditional Aboriginal Fishing tour
• Experience some of the best rainforest views in Australia with the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail Cableway
• Foodies rejoice, this incredible Atherton Tablelands food and wine tour includes breakfast, lunch and a bunch of local produce samples
• Dive headfirst into Australia backpacker culture with a night out at Gilligan’s Hostel

Where to stay in Cairns

Budget | I stayed at Global Backpackers which was the perfect balance of comfort, location and good hostel vibes. It’s right on the main street so easy access to all food, bars, shops and activities, my private room was basic but really comfy, and the shared facilities included a TV lounge, huge walk-in fridge (the biggest I’ve ever seen in a hostel!), massive kitchen, and plenty of seating both inside and out on the 4th floor balcony for eating, socialising or working.

Mid-range | Cairns Beach Resort , Koala Court Holiday Apartments and 201 Lake Street are some good value options

Luxury | Crystalbrook Riley and Crystalbrook Flynn are beautifully-designed boutique hotels, Cairns Aquarius has gorgeous apartments, or Pullman Reef and the Shangri-La are iconic five star hotels

If you have less time

If you have less than two weeks for your Brisbane to Cairns road trip then you might need to condense this itinerary and skip 4-5 of the overnight stops I’ve suggested above. If this is the case for you, these are the must-do stops I’d recommend, in order of must-do-ness (I’ve just coined that as a word by the way):

• Hervey Bay & Fraser Island
• Cairns & surrounds
• You’ll also want an overnight stop to break up the 10 hour drive between Hervey Bay and Airlie Beach, Yeppoon or Byfield are the perfect place, with some great free swimming holes and lagoons to cool down in!

If you have more time

If you’re lucky enough to have more time than the 3.5 weeks I had, you’ll be able to add on some of the places I had to skip and can extend in some of the places I loved!

I think you could fill up to a week in Airlie Beach with different activities/day trips, Magnetic Island absolutely requires at least two full days if not more, Fraser Island has some incredible overnight island tours and sailing trips, and if you’re a keen diver then you could honestly spend countless days out on the Great Barrier Reef.

There’s plenty to do further north too, you could add on another few weeks to travel through Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation before coming back to Cairns to return your rental car and fly out.

I’d also love to spend more time in Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast area too, so underrated and therefore much less busy than other parts of Queensland, and Great Keppel Island off Yeppoon’s coast looks absolutely incredible.

If you’ve made it to the end of this blog post, I’m impressed! Hopefully I’ve given you enough information to be able to plan out the perfect Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary.

Here’s a bunch of other Australia blog posts to help you with your travel planning:

• The Ultimate Australia Travel Guide
• The best accommodation I’ve stayed at in Australia
• A three day Great Ocean Road itinerary
• The perfect Sydney to Byron Bay road trip itinerary
• Great Barrier Reef underwater hotel: A detailed review
• How to get tax back when you leave Australia
• How to spend three days in Adelaide
• Why Byfield should be on your Queensland bucket list

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Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip – Best 14 Day Itinerary

The road trip from Brisbane to Cairns is one of the most famous drives in Australia.

It takes you on a journey to explore the very best of Queensland’s highlights.

Hi, we’re Rach & Marty!

We’ve visited every country in the world and want to help you get the most out of your travels!

Whether you need an expertly planned itinerary , some experienced hints and tips , or just craving a delicious food adventure , we’ve got you covered!

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From gorgeous white-sand beaches, stunning national parks, tropical rainforests, pristine islands and sleepy surfer towns – this road trip from Brisbane to Cairns ticks all the boxes.

To all the beachgoers, sun worshippers, adventure seekers and nature lovers, this is your playground. Get ready for an epic road trip across one of the most beautiful coastlines in Australia.

The Best 14-day Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip Itinerary

Table of Contents

Rent a vehicle

If you don’t yet have a vehicle, hire one in Brisbane. This seems to be a popular option for discovering the highlights of the coast.

You can pick up most rentals straight from the airport upon arrival. Book it in advance to select your ideal vehicle as rentals are gone quickly, particularly during the high season.

If you are renting a car for this Brisbane to Cairns road trip, we recommend using  Discover Cars . Choose a comfortable vehicle as the Brisbane to Cairns drive will have you driving quite a few kilometres.

Which vehicle to choose?

A road trip from Brisbane to Cairns (or vice versa) can be done with any vehicle. It’s up to you to decide what kind of vehicle suits your interests and style of travel:

• A  motorhome  with all the utilities (shower, toilet etc) for travellers looking for comfort and requiring extra space.
• A  van , smaller but well organised.
• A  campervan  for a little more space and equipment. There are different options to choose from here. Our Toyota Hiace Hi-top campervan drove our road trip from Brisbane to Cairns. We purchased our van (we named her Frida) and spent time re-fitting the inside. We LOVE the extra room with the high roof. It means we can both stand up inside and we can cook our meals indoors. This is especially good when the weather is terrible outside.
• A  4 × 4  with a roof tent for the adventure seekers! Those who wish to visit Fraser Island with their own wheels will need this vehicle. A 4WD vehicle is particularly good for people who love bush camping and exploring the off-the-beaten-tracks roads.

The vehicle you choose depends on the above factors combined with your budget, how many people are travelling and how comfortable you’d like to be. 

When is the best time for Brisbane to Cairns road trip?

The best time for a road trip from Brisbane to Cairns is during the dry season (May to Oct). However, southern parts of Queensland, such as the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, can be visited year-round.

Far North Queensland is tropical and receives massive rainfall and even dangerous cyclones during the wet season (Nov to April).

What to Pack?

You will spend a lot of time in the sun on this road trip from Brisbane to Cairns. No need to overpack, just take the essentials.

Our  Ultimate Packing List for Every Traveller  should give you a good idea of your needs. 

The Best Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip Itinerary

Our 14-day itinerary will take you to the most popular places to visit, between Brisbane to Cairns. We’ve also included some local gems along the way. These places are worth stopping at on your Brisbane to Cairns drive; you’ll see why.

Visit the best surf towns and cities on the coast, gorgeous Fraser Island, the mesmerising Whitsunday Islands, and the world’s largest coral reef.

Day 1: Brisbane to Sunshine Coast

With warm temperatures all year round, take in the vibrant atmosphere along the South Bank. There are many cool cafes where you can find great coffee or brunch and world-class restaurants.

Stop by for a swim in the outdoor lagoon or catch the free ferry along the river for some great city views. In the afternoon, head towards Maroochydore for fish and chips on the beach.

Drive time:  1hr 30min (110km)

Overnight : Maroochydore 

Day 2: Maroochydore to Noosa

Head to the beach early and take a swim at one of the spectacular beaches along the Sunshine Coast. Maroochydore, Alexandra Headlands or Mooloolaba beaches are close together and equally beautiful.

Next, put on your walking shoes and do the Sunshine Coast Scenic Walk.

This coastal pathway stretches 4.4km from Cotton Tree park in Maroochydore to the Esplanade in Mooloolaba, and the views are beautiful.

Afterwards, choose from one of the cute beachside cafes and treat yourself to breakfast with a coffee while taking in those warm sea breezes.

Make your way to Noosa after breakfast. Noosa is a very popular upmarket resort town with lots to do. There are many beaches to choose from, a river which is perfect for kayaking or SUP paddle-boarding, in addition to a National Park that has some amazing walks.

Don’t miss out on a stroll along iconic Hastings St before driving further on your epic Brisbane to Cairns road trip!

Drive time:  45 min (40km)

Overnight : Noosa

Day 3 & 4: Noosa to Fraser Island (via Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach)

Did you know that Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world? It’s the only place on earth where the rainforest grows right out of the sand dunes. This fascinating island is a must-see experience on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary.

Hervey Bay is the most popular departure point for trips to Fraser Island. However, you can leave your car (if it’s not 4WD) at Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach and take the ferry to Fraser Island early in the morning. 

Reserve your place on an organised  2-day all-inclusive tour of Fraser island  or explore the highlights with your own 4WD or rented 4WD for the trip.

We hear great reviews about rentals from  Rainbow Beach 4×4 Hire .

Noosa to Hervey Bay Drive Time:  2 hours (158 km) Noosa to Rainbow Beach Drive Time:  1 hour 20 mins (102 km) 

Overnight (2 nights):  Fraser Island

Day 5: Hervey Bay to Agnes Water & Seventeen Seventy

Two-and-a-half-hour drive along the coast on your road trip between Brisbane and Cairns, you will arrive at the small, coastal towns of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy.

These picturesque communities are built where Captain Cook, in his voyage along the east coast of Australia, moored the Endeavour in 1770 (hence the name of the town).

Drive time:   2 hours 30 min (227 km)

Overnight : Agnes Water or Seventeen Seventy

Day 6: Agnes Water to Yeppoon

This coastal town on the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef is the ideal spot to discover the surrounding area. Many visitors wishing to explore the Capricorn Coast region of Queensland will base themselves here. Yeppoon may be relatively small, but it certainly has tonnes of character and charm.

Known for its tropical climate, beaches, and snorkelling, this is a town you shouldn’t miss between Brisbane to Cairns.

To ensure you have the best time possible, check out our post, the 15 best things to do in Yeppoon .

If you’re a food lover, read our  Food Guide for Yeppoon and Capricorn Coast  region.

Drive time:  3 hours 10 min (270 km)

Overnight : Yeppoon

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Day 7: Yeppoon to Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is the next town on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary. Start early, as you’ve got some ground to cover today. When you do roll into town, check out the views of turquoise blue waters everywhere.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to go and explore the stunning Whitsunday Islands and that’s exactly what we recommend you do here.

Airlie Beach is a busy tourist town in the high season, so we recommend booking accommodation  ahead of time.

There is a  range of day trips on Viator  and overnight stays to the many islands, however, the most famous location is Whitehaven Beach. This is the gorgeous beach that you’ve seen on postcards. You do not want to miss Whitehaven Beach.

Make a reservation for  the best day tour of Whitehaven Beach  for  Day 10  of your Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary.

Drive time:   5 hours 30 mins (500 km)

Overnight : Airlie Beach

• 🔥 Hot Tip: Book accommodation in advance on Booking.com
• 🎟 Book your attractions and tickets online: We recommend Viator and GetYourGuide
• 🔋 Stay charged: This Belkin Power Bank is essential!
• 📸 Join a Group Tour: Find some amazing Group Tours here
• ✅ Get Connected with an eSIM: Fast, easy and affordable! View easy eSIM options here

Day 8 & 9: Whitsundays Reeflsleep Experience

A chance to explore Australia’s Great Barrier Reef on a day trip is a dream, but being able to sleep out there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Trust me, Reeflsleep Whitsundays is a unique experience that you don’t want to miss when visiting the beautiful Whitsundays in Queensland.

This might be the highlight of your Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip.

Read our post on  why you need to Reefsleep on the Great Barrier Reef  and get in quick!

These spots don’t last long, especially during the summer season.

Day 10: Whitehaven Beach

Enjoy your day in paradise! Join this full-day  OceanRafting Tour of Whitehaven Beach.  Hands down, this is the best tour available.

No Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip is complete without visit to Whitehaven Beach.

Overnight:  Airlie Beach

Day 11: Airlie Beach to Mission Beach

Mission Beach has become a haven for adrenaline-seeking travellers; however, the beaches here are gorgeous.

Once again, prepare for a long drive day (there are a few big days on the Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip) today to reach this paradise.

It’s totally worth it, I promise.  

Drive time:   5 hours 45 mins (505 km)

Overnight : Mission Beach

Make sure you get Travel Insurance before hitting the road. We recommend Heymondo & SafetyWing Travel Insurance.

Click here and get 5% off Heymondo from us!

Day 12: Mission Beach to Atherton Tablelands

Leave the chilled vibes and swaying palm trees of Mission Beach and head inland towards the Atherton Tablelands.

The high altitude and volcanic soil are ideal for growing some of Queensland’s best produce here.

It’s all about tea plantations, lush green pastures with dairy cows, sugarcane fields and stunning landscapes. 

Although the Tablelands are an ideal culinary destination, they’re also one for exploring. Follow the well-signposted waterfall circuit around the region’s most captivating falls.

This feels like a detour on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip – but it is so worth it.

Drive time:   1 hour 40 min (139 km)

Overnight : Yungaburra

Day 13 & 14: Yungaburra to Cairns

There is much to see and do in Cairns and the surrounding area and it’s a perfect way to finish your Brisbane to Cairns road trip. 

The stunning Mossman Gorge is 1.5 hours away, just past Port Douglas (a place you should try to visit). The gorge is excellent for swimming and bushwalking.

Check out fresh local fruit, vegetables and seafood at Rusty’s Markets from Friday to Sunday.

This is where to find fantastic coffee (Barista Sista is the best) and some delicious street food from one of the many International food vendors.

Cairns has so many amazing places to eat. We even posted about our  12 of the Best Cheap Eats in Cairns .

Don’t miss the Cairns lagoon. It’s located on the esplanade. You’ll be craving a few hours of rest and relaxation in the sun after all that fun from the past 14 days road trip from Brisbane to Cairns.

The World Heritage  Daintree Rainforest  is a two-hour drive north. It is highly recommended that you visit after you’ve completed your Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

Drive time:   1 hour 20 min (67 km)

Overnight : Cairns

CLICK HERE  for the best day trips and things to do in Cairns.

If you’ve got the flexibility to extend the duration of your road trip from Brisbane to Cairns, there are many more highlights along the way. Check below for inspiration.

Travel Tips for Australia

We have many travel guides and tips for Australia—what a diverse country!

Australia is ideal for exploring with two wheels! If you plan to explore Oz, check out our best tips for doing the Big Lap of Australia 

Our complete guide to Great Keppel Island is all you need for the perfect island stay.

If you head back to the coast, we recommend that you visit Yeppoon and the Capricorn Coast. Check out the 15 Best Things To Do in Yeppoon, and don’t forget about the food. We’ve got you covered with the best places to eat in Yeppoon.

Our comprehensive itineraries for travelling in Australia include this  Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip – the Best 14-day itinerary, our detailed Guide to Camping in Karijini National Park and the Ultimate Guide to Carnarvon Gorge .

We’re all about the food, too! Don’t miss these 12 best cheap eats in Cairns.

We highly recommend you visit the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands in Queensland; this is a special place!

If you’re after a unique experience, these  five reasons why you need to Reefsleep on the Great Barrier Reef  will do it.

If you’re visiting Australia on vacation, try these 12 classic Australian foods while you’re here and see if you can visit these iconic  30 Best BIG Things in Australia.

Do you plan to visit the Pacific islands? You’ll need our ULTIMATE guide to visit every country in the Pacific.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel longer after visiting Australia, these 21 cheapest countries to visit will make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Australia. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View options for eSIM in Australia .

If your travels in Australia are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries , offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM . The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

Want to travel around Australia with like-minded travellers? View the best deals on group adventures in Australia .

Finally, check out our travel resources page for the best websites, tools and products we use to travel the world.

View the travel gear we use on the road, and don’t miss our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.

Travel Planning Resources

✈️ Flights : We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.

🏨 Accommodation :  Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.

🏥 Travel Insurance : We recommend Heymondo ( Get 5% off Heymondo)  & SafetyWing

🚌 Transportation : Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.  

🚘 Car Rental : We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.

👫 Group Tours :  G Adventures OR compare multi-day tours worldwide with Tourradar .

📸 Day Tours & Trips :  GetYourGuide  & Viator are the only two platforms you need.

📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks , and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)

🎒 Luggage :  Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack  or  Samsonite Luggage Range.

🛄 What to Pack:  Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good  power bank .  To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers .

🐶 Become a House Sitter:  Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.

💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE  &  Revolut  are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.

📶  Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM allows you to get connected the moment you land at your destination, and you can avoid those expensive data roaming charges. We LOVE this product! Use promo code NOMAD15 for 15% off ALL eSIMs (new Airalo users only) OR use NOMAD10 for 10% off ALL eSIMs (for existing Airalo users)

✅ Check out our Travel Gear  and  Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!

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See all our expert Hints & Tips

Accommodation at Carnarvon Gorge – Complete Guide for 2024

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Cairns to Brisbane Road Trip | A guide to Queensland’s coast

From the lush tropical rainforests and the exquisite expanses of the Great Barrier Reef, to the bustling centre of Brisbane , the eastern shores of Australia offers you everything from Whitsunday island-walking, to koala cuddling, the country’s highest waterfall and just so, so much more. So, where to start? We’ve mapped out the perfect (self-tested, we might add) guide to your epic Cairns to Brisbane road trip.

This includes a driving itinerary, mapping out the distances and times; as well as a full rundown of activities you can do along the way.

Your Cairns to Brisbane Road Trip Itinerary

Now we’ve budgeted two weeks (or 14 days) for your itinerary but, as with anything in life, it’s flexible. If you wanted to, you could do the entire thing in 8-10 days, although it would be a bit of a rush. Our advice? Use our guideline to the ultimate Cairns to Brisbane 14 day road trip is below:

• Day 1 – 3: Cairns incl Great Barrier Reef / Daintree Forest / Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway
• Day 4: Cairns to Townsville incl. Mission Beach and Wallaman Falls
• Day 5: Townsville incl. Magnetic Island / Horseshoe Bay / Forts Walk / Picnic Bay

Day 6: Townsville to Airlie Beach

• Day 7: Airlie Beach incl Whitsundays day trip

Day 8: Airlie Beach to Rockhampton

• Day 9: Rockhampton to Bundaberg incl. Cape Hillsborough National Park / 1770 / Agnes Water / Paperbark Forest Trail
• Day 10: Bundaberg to Hervey Bay incl. Bundaberg Barrel and Urangan Pier
• Day 11: Fraser Island incl. Lake McKenzie / Central Station / SS Maheno / Pinnacles / Eli Creek
• Day 12: Hervey Bay to Noosa incl. Noosa Everglades / Noosa River
• Day 13: Noosa to Brisbane incl. Noosa Spit / Boardwalk / Fairy Pools / Fish Lane
• Day 14: Brisbane incl. Mount Cootha / Gallery of Modern Art / Lone Pine Sanctuary

Cairns to Brisbane Drive times

The Cairns to Brisbane road trip distance is 1,702 km and approximately 20 hours. That being said, that wouldn’t include any key stops, detours and attractions, and needs to be broken up with stays in different towns along the way!

We’ve mapped out the distances and times between your key overnight stops for you, as a guide:

• Cairns – Townsville: 347 km / 4 hours
• Townsville – Airlie Beach: 275 km / 3 hours 15 min
• Airlie Beach – Rockhampton: 480 km / 5 hours 30 min
• Rockhampton – Bundaberg: 287 km / 3 hours 30 min
• Bundaberg – Hervey Bay: 110 km / 1 hour 20 min
• Hervey Bay – Noosa: 158 km / 2 hours
• Noosa – Brisbane: 150 km / 2 hours

Getting there – car or campervan?

Now when we did this trip, we simply rented a car with Thrifty Car Rental, which you can do through a company like rentalcars.com to check out prices.

This did end up being a slightly expensive exercise – while it was cheaper to hire than a campervan, you have to book accommodation at every stop. And, in certain towns like Rockhampton or Bundaberg, there really aren’t too many affordable options (well, options where you don’t feel you’ll get some sort of airborne disease just from walking into your motel room…).

You’ll need to figure out your travel style and budget. If you’re a happy camper (like the pun?), then hire a campervan (we did it in New Zealand and highly recommend it!) and download apps like Campable to nice holiday parks or find free camping locations in Queensland .

If you really want to get a hotel or motel room every night, we do suggest you book in advance on websites like Agoda.com if travelling in high season. The ones we booked in advance (like Hervey Bay) were great. The ones we ‘took a chance’ on like Rockhampton left a bit to be desired.

Insider Tip: Cairns to Brisbane is not as popular a route as Brisbane to Cairns. That means that many car and campervan rental companies need people to ‘relocate’ the cars. These relocation deals can be pretty sweet – think a few dollars a day plus petrol costs. You usually only find these deals a few days before the trip – try websites like Transfercar or Imoova websites for options.

Travel Insurance for Australia

Got your travel insurance booked? We promise to never push a brand or product we don’t personally use, and the travel cover from Safety Wing is a policy we don’t just use, but we highly recommend. They offer some of the most flexible policies, amazing customer service and are affordable too.

Check out the latest travel insurance prices with Safety Wing here.

Interactive Map for your Cairns to Brisbane Road Trip

Day 1- 3: Cairns

This North Queensland gem is one of our favourites in all of Australia – there is so much to do in the town, and you are not only perched at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef but also a stone’s throw from the epic Daintree rainforest.

We’ve actually written an entire article on the plethora of cool things you can do in Cairns , so give that one a read if you want a full itinerary. Just want the highlights? We’d suggest these three:

Do a Great Barrier Reef Tour

So the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system. It’s got nearly 3,000 individual reefs and stretches for over 2,600 kilometres. Let’s just say: it’s one of those places you have to put on your bucket list and ‘do before you die’.

We did a day out on the Reef Quest, a luxury snorkelling and scuba diving vessel run by the best operator in town, Diver’s Den . Whether you are a certified diver, an avid snorkeller or want to learn to dive on the world’s most magnificent reef, you’ll be catered for.

We are open water divers so did three dives out on Norman reef, which were all highlights in our diving ‘careers’. Think hundreds of anemone fish (yes – Nemo’s were all around us), angelfish, prehistoric-looking cuttlefish, green turtles and, our favourites, white-tip sharks. Don’t worry, they’re totally harmless!

If you can’t splash out on a luxury boat, we recommend you use a more affordable option like their Sea Quest vessel. And, if you have more time, we wish we’d been able to try their liveaboard option, Ocean Quest. Imagine waking up to the sun rising over the largest World Heritage Area on the planet. The stuff that dreams are made of.

Check out all the Great Barrier Reef cruise options with Diver’s Den here .

Visit the Daintree Rainforest and surrounds

It’s where the rainforest meets the reef: a 250 million year old lush tropical rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, with one of the world’s most beautiful beaches – Cape Tribulation – wedged between them.

We’d probably suggest you use an entire day to travel out via the coastal road, known as the Bloomfield Track, and visit the Mossman Gorge, the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.

It will take you about 1.5 – 2 hours (77km) to reach the Mossman Gorge , where you can stroll the elevated boardwalks to see leafy forests, crystal clear rivers and hundreds of brightly-hued butterflies. While you’re there, try to do the ‘Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk’, where the local people show you through the unique plants of the area and share their ancient traditions. There is also a suspension bridge at Rex Creek or a longer Rainforest loop track to do if you have time to spare.

After this, head to Daintree forest itself and book yourself a river cruise! The forest has more than 200 species of plants as well as amazing wildlife – croaking frogs, tweeting birds and even marsupials. Usually the highlight is coming across one of the amazing saltwater crocodiles which lurk along the river’s edge.

Last, but definitely not least, drive to Cape Tribulation . Named by explorer James Cook after his ship scraped a reef (and all his ‘tribulations’ started, the beach is absolutely beautiful. Just talk a walk along it or check out one of the viewpoints. There is a 1.8km boardwalk (called the Dubuji walk) through the forest and mangroves if you’re still feeling fit.

Take the Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway

Just 15 minutes out of Cairns is the 7.5km scenic cableway, the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway , which gives you absolutely sweeping vistas of the Barron Gorge National Park. These amazing gondolas give you 360 degree views of the forest and has some great stops like Red Peak Station, where you can do a rainforest boardwalk loop or hop onto a free guided tour. The end point of the 90 minute journey is the rainforest village of Kuranda, where you can cuddle some koalas, check out the markets or see the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary .

Photo courtesy of Kyle Taylor / Flickr

Your return leg should be on the Kuranda Scenic Railway which gives you some views as the skyrail, but in beautifully-appointed 100 year old train carriages. You’ll feel transported back in time as you chug along the railway back to Smithfield station.

Where to stay in Cairns

We loved the Freedom Hostel, which feels less like a hostel and more like a hotel. It has a great central location, fantastic private rooms (and dorms), and so many free services including a killer breakfast.

Day 4: Cairns to Townsville

It’s time for your epic Cairns to Brisbane road trip to begin! The road between Cairns and Townsville isn’t too strenuous but we’d always recommend breaking it up, so that you ‘arrive alive’ and don’t suffer from driver fatigue.

There are a number of potential attractions to see along the route, but we have two highlights: Mission Beach and Wallaman Falls.

Meander along Mission Beach

It should take you approx. 2 hours to reach Mission Beach from Cairns, and it’s a short detour off the main highway to get there.

The beach is pretty spectacular. For us it felt like we’d arrived at some sort of extra-terrestrial sand stretch; we almost expected the Mars rover to amble on past us!

This 17 km stretch of coastline was quite deserted and punctuated by brick red sands and crashing waves as far as the eye could see. Apparently there is quite a bit more to do in Mission Beach but our suggestion is to just chill on the beach for a while.

Wade into Wallaman Falls

Disclaimer: Wallaman Falls is a pretty big detour off the highway; about 90 minutes (both ways) in fact. That said, Wallaman Falls is the tallest waterfall in all of Australia, with a single drop fall of 268 metres (about 800 feet) high.

This is a mightily impressive waterfall, even if you just go up to the viewpoint and don’t bother to walk down to the base pools. Actually, the 2km walk is quite strenuous so if you don’t have the energy please don’t attempt it!

Insider Tip: There is a public toilet at Wallaman Falls and it was well-maintained when we used it. However, there is no drinking water available anywhere near the Falls or along the through road so if you are going to hike it, fill up your water bottle at a rest stop along the highway.

After you’ve finished at Wallaman Falls, get back onto the road and head south towards Townsville, where we’d suggest you stay for the night.

Where to stay in Townsville

We stayed at the Rambutan hotel in Townsville, and really enjoyed our overnight there. They also do a mean pizza at the accompanying restaurant.

Day 5: Townsville including Magnetic Island

We’re sure there is a lot to do in Townsville but, for us, our pick is definitely Magnetic Island, where you can do a day trip out on the ferry.

Magnetic Island or ‘Maggie’ as it’s fondly known to locals, is a 20 minute ferry road from Townsville itself. We walked from our hotel to the ferry terminal and just bought tickets about 15 minutes before it was due to depart. Apparently it’s never really full so you don’t need to worry about booking in advance. You can check out the timetables here .

While on ‘Maggie’, you have two ways to get around: hiring their famous ‘Barbie’ cars – bubblegum pink topless cars that are heaps of fun – or the local bus.

We used the bus and it was really easy: you can either purchase a one day ticket from the driver, or even ask at the ferry terminal, since it seems they sell discounted tickets (ours was 5 AUD per person). Alternatively, you can pay for each journey separately by paying the driver. All the timetables are up at the various bus stations and all the bus drivers were incredibly helpful and patiently answered our (many) questions.

Chill out at Horseshoe Bay

In terms of a route or itinerary on the island, we’d suggest you start off by going up to Horseshoe Bay, right at the top of the island. You can visit the beautiful white sand beach and get yourself a gourmet coffee or a delicious gelato at one of the many beachside cafes (we recommend Adele’s Café! ) dotted along the road.

Do the Forts Walk

After this, head down on the bus to do the Forts Walk, the most famous walking trail on Magnetic Island. The Forts Walk is a 4 km walking trail where you’ll see very well-preserved structures from World War II.

The 90 minute walk will have you looping round to see some incredible views of the Coral Sea, but also some amazing WW II history including gun emplacements and a command post that you can climb atop (for more sweeping views).

What really attracts people to the Forts Walk, however, is the chance to see some cuddly koalas in the wild. You’re almost guaranteed to find one clutching a tree along the route – we actually saw about four of them as we strolled around.

Walk the Picnic Bay Boardwalk and see the SS City of Adelaide shipwreck

Lastly, head down all the way to the south of Maggie island, to Picnic Bay. You can see the amazing boardwalk and walk along it trying to spot pelicans and dolphins.

A total highlight would then be to walk round to Cockle Bay to see the SS City of Adelaide, an old shipwreck off the coast that beached itself in 1915 and has towering trees growing out of its ruined hull.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Conor Moore (@conormoorephotography) on Aug 16, 2019 at 12:21am PDT

This is such an instagrammable spot – this amazing photo taken by the talented @conormoorephotography was not only @australia’s most liked Instagram post , but won Australian Tourism’s best photo of 2018! It’s best done at low tide, (check the tides here ), since you can walk out near the boat. That said, please do wear water shoes or functional sandals, since there are stinging jellyfish to contend with.

Insider Tip: The busses don’t run for about two hours after lunch. This means that if you need to get onto the 3pm ferry, you MUST leave the Forts Walk at around 11.45am, else you will not be able to do the boardwalk and the shipwreck.

Today you’ve got a ‘relatively’ short drive between Townsville and Airlie Beach , so it’s worth getting up early so you can at least see a bit of Airlie Beach in the afternoon. Or, like us, just relaxing poolside at your hotel!

Where to stay in Airlie Beach

We loved our stay at Mantra Club Croc . The hotel is set around a central pool area, with well-appointed rooms and some of the best staff we encountered in Australia. They had great recommendations for things to do in the area.

Day 7: Airlie Beach including Whitsundays

Aaah, the Whitsundays. Did you know that Whitehaven Beach, the pre-eminent beach on the Whitsundays, is the third most photographed place in all of Australia? That should tell you two things: Firstly, that this place is absolutely jaw-droppingly beautiful. And, secondly, it does have quite a few other tourists sharing its shores…

In case you’re not familiar with it, the Whitsundays is a cluster of 74 islands near Airlie Beach. These are absolutely heavenly beaches – many of them totally secluded and full of natural beauty.

There are a number of ways to see the Whitsunday Islands, staying out on one of the islands like Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, or on a day trip via a sailboat or speedboat.

We opted for the latter based on the recommendation from our hotel and since the sailboats, while they are beautiful, just can’t go as quickly as speedboats and you’re therefore slightly limited in the number of places you can visit on your tour.

We booked a tour with Ocean Rafting and were very happy with our choice: they have won a number of tourism awards, and we felt our two guides were really knowledgeable, experienced and just heaps of fun.

Check out the latest prices here (by the way, this tour sells out so book ahead if possible).

If you really do want to see the sheer spectacular beauty of the Whitsundays, it might be worth investing in a scenic flight. These are usually about an hour and more affordable than you think – about 250 AUD (170 USD / 130 GBP). Book it here.

Relax on Whitehaven Beach

While doing a tour of the Whitsundays, you’ll usually check in first at Whitehaven Beach itself and do the viewpoint walk to see the Hill Inlet. This 1km walk takes approximately 45 minutes on a return loop and, let us tell you, you’ve possibly never seen a view like it. Essentially the shifting sands means you’ll never see the same panoramic view…

Whitehaven beach is world-renowned because the white sands are 99% silica, giving them their signature lily white appearance.

You’ll get a bit of time get some of that famous sand between your toes or, like us, go looking for lemon sharks and stingrays which lurk in the corners of the beach. You could also get a shot on this awesome piece of driftwood which seems almost perfectly positioned for the ultimate Instagram shot.

After that, usually the boat stops for lunch at another part of Whitehaven beach, in our case the Southern bit.

Interested in Instagram spots? Why not check out our guide to the most Instagrammable places in Sydney .

Go snorkelling in the Whitsundays

Post that, its time for a snorkel. Our boat headed to Dumbell Island, where we spent about an hour exploring the reefs around the Whitsundays.

We suffered from poor visibility since it had been quite windy but we still got to swim with a few curious green turtles, and really enjoyed the plate coral in the area.

Now of course your Whitsundays experience might differ to ours, depending on what you book. But, regardless, you HAVE to include it as part of your Cairns to Brisbane journey!

Insider Tip: Our guides told us that Sunday is the quietest day to visit the Whitsundays, and Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest. We visited on Tuesday – the busiest day of the week.

Let’s manage your expectations upfront. Today is NOT a sightseeing day. And Rockhampton or ‘Rocky’ as it’s apparently known to locals, is not the most beautiful city on Australia’s East Coast.

Many a frequent traveller along the route will also tell you that it’s one of the most boring stretches of the journey. And they aren’t wrong.

Unfortunately there isn’t too much to see between Airlie Beach and Bundaberg but that distance is too long to do in one day. So you’re usually stuck with staying overnight in Rockhampton, and doing the 5.5 hour drive (without breaks) without doing too much in between.

We did a few rest stops at random beaches and petrol station breaks but don’t have too much to report. We were told that Flaggy Rock in Carmila is a nice coffee and ice-cream stop along the way, although we didn’t personally try it ourselves…

Where to stay in Rockhampton

You are not spoilt for choice in Rocky but there is a great option in the Denison Boutique Hotel, which is worth it for the money. That said, if you want a more affordable option, you could try the Q Motel . We stayed at the Q after traipsing around town looking for a cheap, high-end option (which doesn’t exist), but were pleasantly surprised when we stayed here – the rooms are actually very nice, the beds are comfy and the owner was so kind.

Day 9: Rockhampton to Bundaberg

Now that you’ve got that boring driving day under your belt, today is a new day and there are definitely some great options for stops along the way between Rocky and Bundy!

We wouldn’t recommend you that you attempt all of these – it will make it a pretty long day. We’d probably recommend you choose between Cape Hillsborough and the 1770/Agnes Water/Paperbark suggestions, unless you’re okay with arriving a little late into Bundaberg.

Cape Hillsborough National Park

This one is a bit of a detour off the highway but well worth the extra time to do it, especially if you get there early.

Why? Well every morning on the beach, a ranger feeds the kangaroos! You might have seen the pictures of kangaroos perched next to travellers, just relaxing on the beach? Yup, that’s at Cape Hillsborough.

More than just kangaroo spotting, the park offers a number of fantastic short walks like the Diversity Boardwalk, which has you wandering through the Melaleuca woods or Andrews Point where you have five incredible viewpoints of the coast and the Whitsundays.

If you did want to fully explore the park, we suggest you stay overnight. The best option is Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park which offers everything from camping to more premium rooms.

Do the Town of 1770 Headland Walk

Technically 1770 and Agnes Water are just a few kilometres from each other, but we’d recommend you stop at 1770 first and wind your way back.

Seventeen Seventy (or 1770), was so named since it was the second stop of explorer James Cook in – you guessed it – May 1770. It was originally known as ‘Round Hill’, and that is really what it is: a small hamlet set up on the hill.

Drive all the way up to the top car park of 1770 and do the viewpoint walk around the hill, called the Headlands Lookout. It’s really quick – about 350m – and gives you views of the coastline. On your way back down you can also visit the Captain Cook memorial.

Agnes Water’s Main Beach and Chinaman Beach

A gem of a coastal town, we honestly would have loved to stay overnight in Agnes Water if we had enough time. That said, an hour or two in Agnes Water gives you enough of a feel for the laidback atmosphere of the place.

As with most places on the East Coast, there is heaps to do in Agnes Water. Go kayaking, do a fishing charter or go to Lady Musgrave Island . However, since you’re a little short on time, we’d recommend you head to the two beaches to check them out.

The Agnes Water main beach is a great place to relax, plus it has a big parking lot and some high-end ablution facilities, so a good place to empty the bladder ?. The beach is patrolled so totally safe for kids plus if you were keen to learn to surf, this is the place to do it – we saw lots of people out in the water trying to get up on their boards.

We would however recommend going a bit further and doing the ‘secret’, more deserted shoreline: Chinaman’s beach. This orange-hued beach stretches for miles and only had one other beachgoer there when we visited.

Walk the Paperbark Forest Trail

This one we LOVED. Just a few kilometres on from Chinaman’s Beach is a recently constructed forest walk, the Paperbark Forest Trail, which honestly made us feel like we had stepped into a fairytale.

The trail is only 400m long but winds through a forest of paperbark trees, and has you hopping from little platforms and skipping along wooden walkways. We honestly thought a fairy or a gnome was going to peek out from behind one of the trees.

We highly recommend this stop – just park up at Reedy Creek Reserve on Springs Road, and you should see this signposted.

From here, its about 90 minutes into Bundaberg, where you can rest up for the night.

Where to stay in Bundaberg

Definitely stay at Hideaway Haven . This lovely property feels like a home away from home, and is one of the best options in Bundy. It’s a bed and breakfast, and has some gorgeous personal touches to enjoy, including amazing hosts.

Day 10: Bundaberg to Hervey Bay

Luckily this is quite a short little stint; about 80 minutes without traffic. That said, by now you’ve spent a significant amount of time on the road, so the quick jaunts are definitely appreciated! Our suggestion for the day? Do the Bundaberg Barrel Tour in the morning, head over to Hervey Bay and just relax!

Drink the brews at the Bundaberg Barrel

First up, it’s worth noting that Bundaberg is famous for two types of tipple: their rum and their carbonated drinks. We are not huge rum fans so we headed to the Bundaberg Barrel , an interactive tour of the brewed drinks; most famously their ginger beer.

It’s only 12 AUD (8.20 USD / 6.20 GBP) per person for the tour and that includes a 6 pack of ‘Bundy’ that you can pick and choose from their selection; great value since the tour ends up significantly cheaper than if you bought a six pack in a supermarket!

The tour is self-guided and you’ll go through the brewing process for their various drinks, try the ‘smell’ test i.e. can you guess the flavour profile just by taking a deep sniff, and check out the bottling procedure. Then, the magic happens: a friendly Bundaberg employee takes you through a tasting of their 19 different flavours; everything from Passionfruit to Cream Soda, Pineapple/Coconut and our favourite, Blood Orange. After this it’s time to choose your 6 bottles and make up your take-away pack – the most difficult part is choosing only six!

Walk the Urangan Pier in Hervey Bay

Once you’ve finished up at the brewery, our suggestion is to get on the road to Hervey Bay and spend the rest of the afternoon chilling out. Goodness knows, you’ve earned it!

That said, if you have the energy when you arrive in Hervey Bay, we’d suggest you see the Urangan Pier . This pier is 1.1km long, making it one of the longest in the world! We enjoyed walking down the pier but also stopping to see teenage fishermen feeding their hard-won fish to the enormous pelicans perched atop the pier lights.

We were also lucky enough to see some dolphins having a play in the nearby waters and jumping joyfully into the air… a pretty spectacular sight.

Want to see more than pelicans and dolphins? Did you know that Hervey Bay is known as the ‘whale watching capital of the world’? More than 1,500 humpback whales visit on the migration south to the Antarctic each year. The best time of year to see them is between August and October.

Insider Tip: Want a dinner option? The coolest place in town is Enzo’s , a beachfront restaurant that has stood the test of time.

Where to stay in Hervey Bay

This town has a few good choice: Mantra, Breakfree and our pick – Ramada Hervey Bay . The Ramada is in spitting distance of the Urangan Pier, lots of cool restaurants and has a fantastic pool – spring for the deluxe pool room to have direct access to it.

Day 11: Fraser Island

If you’re in Hervey Bay, one of the top things to do is to go to Fraser Island , the world’s largest sand island! You might sense a theme in this article but, if you can, we’d really suggest you don’t just do a day trip to Fraser Island.

Our reasoning? Fraser Island is 123 kilometres long and, at its widest point, is 22 kilometres wide. That means it’s an absolute behemoth of an island and a day trip means you’re really only seeing the highlights.

If you are doing a day trip, the only reasonable choice is Fraser Explorer Tours, which you can book here. They operate air-conditioned 4×4 coaches which are crucial since the sand on the island is really difficult to navigate and you need 4 wheel drive! We would recommend you steer clear of trying to do a self-guided tour unless a) you can rent a mean 4×4 vehicle b) you are very very confident driving in thick, difficult sandy conditions and c) you have more than a day to do it.

If not, Fraser Explorer Tours is your best pick – book it here .

They’ll pick you up from your accommodation, sort out your ferry to and from the island and take you around all the top spots. Either way, whether you do it yourself or with a tour operator, here are the must-do things on Fraser Island:

Lie in at Lake McKenzie

You’ll probably be reminded a little of Whitehaven beach when you reach Lake McKenzie – it too has a very high silica count and therefore icy white sands. And, similar to Whitehaven, the water in Lake McKenzie is known to be ‘therapeutic’ – apparently just dunking your hair into the waters will leave it silky soft. You can also use the sand to naturally clean your jewellery!

The lake is a ‘perched’ lake which means it only contains rainwater; it doesn’t flow out to the sea and isn’t fed by streams. That’s one of the reasons the lake is so crystal clear!

Lake McKenzie is the most visited spot on Fraser Island so it can get a little busy. That said, it’s a beautiful spot to spend a bit of time chilling out on the sand.

Check out the old logging village, Central Station

Fraser Island used to be used for logging and forestry between the 1920’s and 50’s, before it became a heritage site. It’s worth visiting the old logging village, called Central Station , on the Wanggoolba Creek. Part of the charm of the area is a boardwalk trail along the creek where you can see gigantic King Ferns in lush sub-tropical settings, plus pristine white ‘Ghost Gum’ trees and Kauri Pines, the main tree that was logged during that time.

See the SS Maheno shipwreck

This must be one of the most accessible shipwrecks we’ve ever come across. The SS Maheno washed ashore during a cyclone in 1935 and is perfectly perched on Seventy-Five Mile Beach for your picture pleasure. Just watch out while taking your photograph though – other cars come barrelling along the beach and so you need to be vigilant when walking around.

Park up at the Pinnacles

Now this wasn’t our favourite stop on Fraser Island but since it’s on your way between the shipwreck and Eli Creek, it’s worth a quick look.

The Pinnacles are essentially colourful sand cliffs formed of hundreds of thousands of years, where the minerals from the earth have fused with the sand. On a good day you can see more than 70 different hues, with the reds and yellows being most prominent.

Photo courtesy of Nomads Hostels / Flickr

More than four million litres of fresh water pours through Eli Creck into the ocean every hour, making it a pretty impressive stream on the east coast of the island. What’s cool about Eli Creek though is that you can walk up to the top of the creek along the boardwalk and then ‘float’ down to the beach at the bottom.

The water is a comfortable temperature but if you’re not keen on floating you can also wade through – it reached my knees so was a pretty comfortable height and experience!

After your day on Fraser Island, it will be time to return to Hervey Bay and get a good night’s rest. That said, as we suggested, it would be a great idea to try and do more than one day, which would mean an overnight stay at the island at one of the camping spots or at the Kingfisher Bay Resort .

Day 12: Hervey Bay to Noosa

Your road trip is almost done but the highlights definitely aren’t. Actually, Noosa – your next stop – was our favourite on the entire coastline and somewhere where we could see ourselves settling down one day (if we had the money).

For today, it’s a 2 hour drive to Noosa from Hervey Bay and we suggest you get it done very early, so you can still do the Eco Safari in the Noosa Everglades, which kicks off at 9am.

Noosa Everglades Eco Safari

It might not be the most famous thing on the Noosa map, but we would highly recommend a tour of the Noosa Everglades . You might not know it, but Noosa has one of only two everglades in the entire world (the other one is in Florida, USA).

It’s a brilliant thing to do in Noosa. You’ll spend much of the day on the ‘River of Mirrors’ in a riverboat, checking out the wildlife (kangaroos, lizards and more), the birdlife and the coal-black waters of the lake and everglades.

If you’re up to it you can also kayak or canoe down the river. Or, like us, just kick back and relax on the boat. We’ve actually written an entire article on the Noosa Everglades which will give you a few more tips for this wonderful experience – read it here .

Feed the pelicans on the Noosa River

Once you’re in Noosa centre, we’d suggest you get down to the river for sunset. After the cruise it will be the perfect way to end the way, plus you’ll be able to see some pelicans to boot!

It turns out that right by the Noosa Boathouse restaurant is a group of very keen pelicans, who love to be fed around sunset each night. Go watch it take place, or take a few scraps if you want to throw it to the hungry birds.

Eat fish and chips at the Noosa Boathouse

If you’re a bit of a fish and chips connoisseur (we think we are), then you must try the variant at the Noosa Boathouse . This iconic restaurant has a takeaway option which is the same as the sit-down version in their luxurious eatery. And, if you do sit down, please do get the mango and white chocolate cheesecake for dessert. You can thank us later.

Where to stay in Noosa

Top of the pops is the Offshore Noosa . These are actually fantastic apartments, overlooking the river and boasting pristine white surfaces, really fluffy comfortable beds and three (yes – three) swimming pools!

Day 13: Noosa to Brisbane

You’ve woken up in Noosa – what a treat. Today is your chance to explore a last few corners of this beautiful town, and make your way to Brisbane.

Check out the Noosa Spit

There is a plethora of stunning beaches in Noosa but our pick is the Noosa Spit. Okay, it might not be the most fashionable but it’s a quieter beach which not only allows dogs off leash, but is great for a picnic. And, if you have a drone, you will get some of the most incredible photos!

Meander along Main Beach

The more popular beach is definitely Main Beach and the best way to see it is probably to walk the Noosa boardwalk. Start at Hastings street past Little Cove and then veer off to see it. Beyond that, we suggest you get onto the boardwalk and then into Noosa National Park, to do the Coastal Walk.

Chalk up the Coastal Walk and Granite Bay

Once the boardwalk ends, you’ll land up in Noosa National Park, an absolutely stunning part of this already gorgeous town. Take the track along the coast to walk past deserted beaches like Granite Bay, and see locals doing their morning run along the trails.

Float in the Fairy Pools

And, last but definitely not least, if you take the Coastal Walk you’ll end up the infamous Noosa Fairy Pools. Now the pools are a little off the beaten track but undoubtedly a cool activity in Noosa – we’ve actually written a whole guide to the Fairy Pools here .

The pools are a 30-40 minute walk along the Coastal track after which you’ll venture out onto the rocks and find these little pockets of crystal clear water just waiting for you to dive (or get in carefully!) right in.

It’s been a full day, but its now time to get onto the road and drive the approximately two hours to Brisbane, your final stop on this 2 week Cairns to Brisbane road trip.

Dinner at Fish Lane

Photo courtesy of Greg Adams / Flickr

There are so many things to do in Brisbane , but our first suggestion is to head to Fish Lane. In Brisbane’s trendy Southbank area (which boasts a city-side swimming pool and beach!), Fish Lane is the epicentre of cool, featuring restaurants, bars and art.

This street features 450m of laneway art with some pretty heavyhitter artists including Drapl and Fintan Magee. Running from Grey Street to Manning Street, it’s filled with street art but is probably now better known for the cuisine that flanks it on either side. Try down-to-earth fine dining at Gauge , or the best Italian in Brisbane at Julius Pizzeria . Down your craft beer at Saccharomyces Beer Café or get a bit more social at the four-storey pub, The Fox Hotel .

Where to stay in Brisbane

We always stay with family but we’ve asked around and it seems the Arise Apartments are a great nod, since they are beautiful, high-end self-catering apartments in a central area of Brisbane.

Day 14: Brisbane

It’s your final day of your road trip, and you need to make it count! Honestly, there are probably over 100 things to do in Brisbane , but you’ll need to take your pick. For us, we think we’ve got some killer suggestions for today, also since we have immediate family living in Brisbane so have some tried-and-tested recommendations from some locals!

Watch the sunrise at Mount Cootha

Brisbane has some epic sunsets; easily some of the most incredible we’ve ever seen. And they are only matched by their sunrises, particularly the one at Mount Cootha.

This is the most popular place to watch the sun rise in Brisbane, for good reason. It’s since you’ll be able be able to see the sun rising behind the silhouetted city skyline, making for a jaw dropping start to the day. It’s a handy spot since there is lots of parking, different walking trails up to the viewpoint to suit your walking style and there is even a small grassy area to eat your breakfast if you’re so inclined.

Marvel at the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art

Photo courtesy of Philip Antonopoulos / Flickr

We are not big museum or gallery-goers but the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), is an exception to the rule.

GOMA is the largest gallery of modern art in Australia and has acclaimed works from artists like . What we liked about GOMA is that it’s often got some weird and wonderful exhibitions set up. Like transforming into a huge indoor riverbed complete with 100 tonnes of rock, or becoming an entirely climbable museum, or just showcasing interesting films in it’s cinema.

It’s also paired with the nearby (150 metres away) Queensland Art Gallery, where you can see more historic pieces on display.

Admission is entirely free of charge.

Cuddle koalas at Lone Pine Sanctuary

About 12km from the Brisbane city centre is one of the leading koala and kangaroo sanctuaries in Australia, Lone Pine . Actually, it was the world’s first ever koala sanctuary, and is still its largest!

They have over 130 koalas, plus free roaming kangaroos that you can feed – just buy some ‘kangaroo nuggets’ at the on-site store. You can see Tasmanian devils, emus, kookaburras and even cute little wombats, or take in the feeding of the rainbow lorikeets twice a day.

The koalas are of course the main attraction and you can pay to hold one, albeit with very strict regulations. Each koala is only held for 30 minutes a day; a good practice considering some of the poor animal tourism experiences I’ve encountered elsewhere in the world.

Entrance fees for the Lone Pine Sanctuary are 42 AUD (29 USD/ 22 GBP) for adults and 24 AUD (16.50 USD / 12.50 GB for children.

You’re finally done! So, tell us, what did you think of our Cairns Brisbane 2 week itinerary? Have we missed anything? Has any information in this article now changed?

Let us know in the comments or please do get in touch !

What camera equipment and other gear do we use?

We’re living proof that you don’t need the most expensive gear to travel the world and take good photos. Here are some of our must have items that make it into the packing list for all our travels.

• Main Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
• Drone: DJI Mavic Air – Fly More Combo
• GoPro: Hero 7 Black
• GoPro Dive Case: Go Pro Housing
• GoPro Case: Smatree GoPro Carry Case – Small
• Packing Cubes: Eagle Creek Packing case
• Backpack: Osprey Farpoint 70
• Powerbank: Anker Powercore
• Phone: Xiaomi Mi 9
• Hard drive: Transcend Slim Storejet 2TB
• Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad 720s
• Headphones: Bose Quiet Comfort 35
• Wifi Hotspot: GlocalMe G4

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to do a Cairns to Brisbane road trip?

We love road trips but we know that weather can play such an important part. The best time to do this road trip itinerary is probably in the dry winter months of June to October. Between November and about April or May you’ll get hot and humid conditions along with rainfall, although it will be quieter in terms of tourists.

I’m going from Brisbane to Cairns – what should I do?

It might sound a little obvious, but just do this itinerary in reverse; albeit it with a few alterations (like the timings of the Everglades Tour). If you’re really not sure, then drop us a line and we would be happy to help you figure out the journey for your Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

What are other cities that I could add onto this itinerary?

There is really a lot to do on the East Coast and we’ve only scratched the surface by ending this itinerary in Brisbane. You could spend more time on the Sunshine Coast or Rainbow Beach, you could go down to the Gold Coast and explore the surfing there or perhaps the lush Hinterland, doing hikes like the Warrie Circuit . Also, if you had the time, we’d suggest Byron Bay, a chilled beach city that is just so Instagrammable that it almost hurts.

Up near Cairns, you could tag on a few days at the start to see Port Douglas, which would give you even more time in the Daintree Forest and near the Great Barrier Reef.

How much does a Cairns to Brisbane road trip cost?

As with most things, that depends on your travel style. If you’re a backpacker, you could probably get away with about 150 AUD (100 USD / 75 GBP) a day, whereas we spent about 230 AUD (160 USD / 120 GBP) a day.

You’ll need to factor in either a campervan or rental car, quite a bit of petrol and then the tour costs for places like the Whitsundays and Fraser Island, which aren’t cheap.

We advise checking out this Australia budget guide for more info.

What are the drone rules in Queensland?

If, like us, you want to capture epic aerial photography on your Cairns to Brisbane tour, then you’ll want to use your drone. But, what are the rules? Queensland has some of the more relaxed rules in Australia. Of course you need to abide by all the usual regulations around height of drone, not flying over people, not flying near the aerodrome etc but beyond that most council and National Parks area are still okay with drone usage.

We’d recommend you always check the specific rules of the location (like the Sunshine Coast where all drone shots on council land are forbidden or Cairns which has an airport close to the city centre), but when we visited we were able to freely use our drone on the Great Barrier Reef, on the Whitsundays, the beaches of Agnes Water and Mission Beach, Fraser Island and Noosa.

Disclosure: The Travel Scribes were very fortunate to be hosted by Diver’s Den for our day out on the Great Barrier Reef and by Visit Noosa for the Everglades Eco Tour. However, all views are our own, and we are not paid to include either Diver’s Den or any activities in Noosa as part of our itinerary, but rather have included it due to the incredible quality of the experiences.

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Brisbane – Cairns: Australia in 3 weeks

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Brisbane – Cairns is one of the most beautiful travel routes in Australia. We did this trip through Australia in 3 weeks and show you here our almost 3.220 km long travel route. It is designed to help you plan your trip so you don’t miss the highlights of this tour and can just focus on your Australia trip. I have deliberately omitted here the time in Brisbane at the beginning and that in Cairns at the end of the trip. Here you can spend some time and explore the area.

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13 amazing road trips in australia, most beautiful beaches in australia, why do we travel from brisbane to cairns.

We decided to travel from Brisbane to Cairns because, firstly, we got to know and love the city of Brisbane on one of our last trips. The metropolis exudes so much beauty, the people are relaxed and at the same time there is a lot to see in Brisbane itself. So for us it was clear: We will be back! And since I am very interested in the region around the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia anyway, I just wanted to travel the entire distance on the mainland, to experience and get to know the itinerary myself, which appears so short on the map.

Brisbane – Cairns by camper

If you are planning to travel from Brisbane along the east coast of Australia to Cairns in a camper, I recommend you to enter your travel dates in our camper price comparison and compare the available campers. Since the peak season for this trip is in the Australian winter, you should book the camper early, otherwise you can be unlucky and there will be none available.

Our experience report and more information about renting a camper in Australia can be found here.

When is the best time to travel from Brisbane to Cairns?

Cairns is located in northeast Queensland. The climate here is tropical, the weather is nice and warm, but there is one important detail for my travel planning: there is a rainy season in Cairns and the surrounding area. This lasts the Australian summer. Since I have already experienced Brisbane in the heat, the right travel time for me on the route Brisbane – Cairns is from June to October, then it is mostly warm and dry there. This is important to me, because I would like to do tours to the islands, of course, not necessarily in the rain.

Brisbane – Cairns itinerary on the map

Our trip from brisbane – cairns in the overview.

In this overview you can see our complete itinerary from Brisbane to Cairns. I have written down not only the route section, but also my personal highlights and tour tips for this itinerary to help you plan your trip.

Brisbane – Cairns day by day

Brisbane – cairns day 1 and 2: australia zoo and noosa heads.

Our journey starts in Brisbane, from where we head north. The first highlight is not too far from Brisbane: after just under 75 kilometers we had reached the Australia Zoo in Beerwah. It was founded by Steve Irwin – a famous wildlife documentary filmmaker who unfortunately died way too early during one of his trips – he was hit right in the heart by the stingray. The Australia Zoo was a great experience and especially on your trip with kids through Australia it should not be missed.

After a few nice hours, our journey continues along the Sunshine Coast to Noosa Heads . Beautiful spots that are truly picturesque on the water await us here. After checking out the area, we turned in for the night at the Noosa River Holiday Park . It is beautifully situated on the Noosa River – perfect for the first night on this fascinating itinerary from Brisbane – Cairns. After a restful night we explore the area around Noosa.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 3 and 4: Hervey Bay and Fraser Island

The next day we head for Hervey Bay. Here, one of our first big highlights awaits us the next day: We take a tour to Fraser Island and admire the largest sand island in the world. As a contrast to the brown sand of the island, which we explore in our 4WD bus, the freshwater lake Lake McKenzie is one of the fascinating highlights of this tour. It could not be bluer. The drive along the beach, where we could even spot a dingo, rounded off this breathtakingly beautiful day.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 5: Bundaberg – Agnes Water – 1770

The next days of our trip we have planned some distance. The destination today is Agnes Water or 1770, but not without visiting the rum distillery in Bundaberg on the way and choosing a good drop for the evening. We spend the evening at the campground in 1770 directly on the water.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 6: Rockhampton

Even though we would prefer to stay here longer, we continue our journey to Rockhampton today. We cook our lunch in Gladstone on the Auckland Point Lookout with a beautiful view over the city. By the way, that’s what I find practical about traveling through Australia in a camper. Rockhampton is the so-called cattle capital of Australia. And that’s why we treat ourselves to a good steak in the evening at The Bush Inn Bar & Grill Steak House restaurant, located in The Criterion Hotel at 150 Quay Street. We ate The Smaller Rump and The Porterhouse, the kids had Chicken & Chunky Chips – and we were all happy and absolutely convinced. We spent the night at a 24-hour campground just outside of town. Because we were just a little late and no campground in Rockhampton would take us in that late. Here, however, we were in good company. There were many campers and also some road trains here.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 7: Mackay – Cape Hillsborough

After a long drive on day 7 on the journey from Brisbane – Cairns we reward ourselves. We actually planned to spend the night in Mackay, but then decide to continue on to Cape Hillsborough. And with that, we reward ourselves, so to speak. Because we stay at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park , get up early in the morning to see the sunrise and the kangaroos on the beach – a real heartfelt moment. Unfortunately we had some bad luck with the weather in the morning, so we had to watch the animals so typical for Australia in the pouring rain. But after that the weather got better and the walk on the beach was just terrific.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 8 to 12: Airlie Beach – Whitsunday Islands – Heart Reef

Finally we arrive in Airlie Beach after a short drive. The next days we spend in this place, because we not only recover from the drive of the last days, we take tours from here to Hamilton Island and to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.

First we go on a day tour to get to know the Whitsunday Islands with the truly whitest beach in the world. Because the Heart Reef is on our bucket list, we take a flight into the Great Barrier Reef and are rewarded with the most beautiful views. It takes me a few days to understand that I have really seen this sensationally beautiful area. Here you can learn more about this tour.

In Airlie Beach itself there is of course also a lot to see and so we spend the next few days here relaxed, go swimming in the lagoon and strengthen ourselves for the next stage of the journey. You can really tell that Airlie Beach is also a popular vacation spot for Australians. With the warm climate, of course, no wonder. By the way, I highly recommend the Bohemian Raw Café on Shingley Drive at Abell Point Marina. Super nice people, good coffee and great to relax!

Brisbane – Cairns Day 13 to 15: Townsville – Magnetic Island

After saying goodbye to Airlie Beach, our drive takes us via the picture-perfect Horseshoe Bay in Bowen to Townsville. In Townsville itself we are at Rowes Bay Beachfront Holiday Park . It’s very large, but it’s perfectly situated (as the name suggests) on the water – with a direct view to Magnetic Island.

From here we will head to Magnetic Island the next day. Although there are really great tours here, we decide to explore the island on our own for the sake of the kids. For this we get ferry tickets for the crossing and then walk across the island. Magnetic Island is special – due to the slightly different climate, eucalyptus trees grow here and we can spot koalas .

Brisbane – Cairns Day 16: Hinchinbrook Island – Mission Beach

In the morning we take a helicopter flight to Hinchinbrook Island to see Australia’s largest national park located on an island. After that we make some distance again, whereby the 240 kilometers to Mission Beach are actually not that far by Australian standards. In Mission Beach we are standing on the Mission Beach Hideaway Holiday Village .

Brisbane – Cairns Day 17: Dunk Island – Paronella Park – Palm Cove

On day 17 of our trip from Brisbane to Cairns we first take a tour to Dunk Island , for this there is a small water cab, which we board in knee-deep water. We then explore the island on our own. We get back to Mission Beach at noon and the kids use the travel time to Palm Cove for a little nap. On the way there we pass a rather unknown but beautiful insider spot – Paronella Park near Innisfall. It is an overgrown castle built by an entrepreneur engaged in sugar cane mining and appears enchanted in the greenery. In places like these, I’m always amazed at how diverse Australia is.

We are deliberately passing Cairns today because we don’t need a camper for our time there. Instead we would like to explore the Daintree National Park. We spend the night at the Palm Cove Holiday Park campground, which is again right on the water. Nevertheless, we set off the next morning in the direction of the north.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 18 to 20: Daintree Rainforest – Cape Tribulation

Today we drive past Port Douglas to the Mossman Gorge Centre where we pay the entrance fee for the National Park. Once here, we put on our sturdy shoes and hike up to Mossman Gorge.

After crossing the Daintree River by ferry, we drive up to Alexandra Lookout. From there we enjoy the beautiful view over the rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef. For the next few days we are at Cape Tribulation Camping , which is just perfect in the rainforest and still on the water.

The next days we explore the Daintree Rainforest extensively. Besides beautiful (lonely) beaches we do a post hike at Cape Tribulation, which I would recommend as a must do for every traveler, because here the many unique animals come out at dusk that you probably wouldn’t get to see on a day hike.

Brisbane – Cairns Day 21: Cairns

On the last day the journey goes south again. We head for Cairns, where we will drop off our camper and spend the next few days. This trip with the camper through Australia in 3 weeks was just terrific. We experienced so many unique things and I can’t even describe with words how fascinating this tour really is. We would love to go right back and do many more tours to the islands in the Great Barrier Reef.

Journey from Brisbane to Cairns

We deliberately planned 3 weeks for the trip with the camper from Brisbane to Cairns. If you – like us – really want to get the most out of this trip, I recommend you plan 2-3 days for Brisbane and another 3-4 days in Cairns.

How much does it cost to travel from Brisbane to Cairns?

The journey from Brisbane to Cairns is not cheap. The most expensive part of everything is the flight to Australia – especially as a family of four. We have chosen to travel by camper so that we can be as much as possible in the fresh air and use the campsites beautifully located in nature. Since we travel with our children, the only option for us is a motorhome with an alcove. Here, the WC on board is particularly important to me, because I always have an eye on the worst-case scenario if one of the children falls ill. But so far we have always been very lucky on our travels! With the camper, however, you can save quite a bit of money if you choose, for example, a smaller model or even an older vehicle with higher mileage.

Optional, of course, are the tours that you can do on site. However, they are so insanely great that I can only recommend them. Ours just made the trip perfect. By the way, you can find other travel routes in Australia that we have already driven.

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From Brisbane to Cairns (and back)

7-NIGHT ROUND-TRIP FROM BRISBANE

Dive into the colorful coral of Cairns

This seven-night voyage from sunny Brisbane stops off Port Douglas and Cairns on an epic tour of Australia’s east coast. While Brisbane itself is known for its Botanic Gardens, historic King George Square, and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, also look forward to Port Douglas – a popular base for exploring rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef.

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Drawn by eucalyptus trees, a lush rainforest, and the Great Dividing Range mountains, Cairns is definitely an Australian hotspot.

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Brisbane to Cairns Drive – The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

• Last Updated: February 9, 2024

Everything you should see, do and experience on the epic Brisbane to Cairns drive! Our Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary will help you with all your planning needs.

One of the most popular road trips in Australia is driving from Brisbane to Cairns along the Queensland Coast.

Many will come from far and wide to experience the beaches, unique attractions, tropical islands and the beautiful Great Barrier Reef.

Famous locations like Airlie Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Mission Beach, Hervey Bay, and more lie along this stretch of the Queensland Coast.

In fact, there is so much to see along this stretch of road you will find it hard to fit everything in!

This is why our expert guide will showcase the best ideas on must-see places and attractions to help you pick and choose what you want to do to plan out your journey.

The capital city of Queensland has plenty to do as well, and Brisbane is the perfect place to begin this adventure!

• If you’re starting from further south, you can also check out our Sydney to Brisbane road trip itinerary .

Table of Contents

What You Will See on a Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip

Tips for driving from brisbane to cairns  , starting in brisbane, brisbane to sunshine coast – 150km, sunshine coast to rainbow beach – 100km, rainbow beach to tin can bay – 32km, tin can bay to fraser island / k’gari – 218km, hervey bay to utopia rock pools – 105km, utopia rock pools to bundaberg – 95km, bonus trip – lady elliot island, bundaberg to agnes water & 1770 – 122km, bonus trip – lady musgrave island, agnes water to rockhampton & yeppoon – 225km, rockhampton to finch hatton gorge – 400km, finch hatton gorge to cape hillsborough – 86km, cape hillsborough to airlie beach – 128km, airlie beach to townsville & magnetic island – 275km, townsville to cardwell spa pools and mission beach – 175km, mission beach to cairns – 140km, brisbane to cairns drive itinerary – the ultimate road trip guide.

The stretch of road covers almost 2500 kilometres (1550 Miles) and is best explored over a 10 to 14-day period. Check out the route on

We recommend travelling just a few hours each time you move on to break up the journey.

Most of the stops will only require one night, but there are a few locations that will be better to enjoy over a couple of nights.

You will pass by natural waterfalls, turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and unique wild animal interactions, finishing up in Far North Queensland.

This is why driving from Brisbane to Cairns is just incredible and well worth the adventure.

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

The Brisbane to Cairns drive is full of wonder and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when planning.

That’s why to help you decide, I have listed some of the highlights and things to see and do below:

• Beaches and Hikes on the Sunshine Coast
• Swimming in secluded waterfalls around the Atherton Tablelands
• Visiting the white sand beautiful beaches of Mission Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Airlie Beach and Noosa National Park
• Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef
• Witnessing the loggerhead turtles laying eggs or their hatchlings scamper down the beach
• Hike through lush rainforests
• Take a gondola ride through the Daintree
• See wild kangaroos feeding on the beach at sunrise

Just to name a few…..

And that’s just one itinerary on our list of the best Queensland road trips ! Check out our guide to see what else made the cut…

We have a few tips for you though to help you better plan your Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary.

• Summer in Australia is December to March, which is also the wet season in North Queensland. Rainy days are great for the waterfalls but might deter you from other outdoor activities due to the humidity.
• Winter in Far North Queensland is May to September, where there are fewer rainy days to enjoy outdoor activities. Days will still be pleasant and warmer as you travel north. Nighttime could get a little cooler, but pack layers or a light jacket to make this more comfortable. The cooler nights will affect you more in the southern towns with an average low of 10 degrees Celsius.
• It’s more flexible to drive from Brisbane to Cairns in your own car or a rental car. A four-wheel drive will open options for more experiences, especially on Fraser Island, as well as being able to visit locations on your own. Rental cars are available from Brisbane and Cairns.
• Travelling as a couple or in a small group will help reduce costs and make the trip more affordable.
• Consider hiring a campervan or RV to save on accommodation costs. There are hundreds of paid and free camping options along this journey and a very popular way to travel. Cabins, motels, hostels, and luxury fixed accommodations are on offer everywhere and are best booked beforehand.
• The entire journey if you stick to the main roads, are on sealed bitumen , but some areas can be busy or a little run down. If you head inland or deeper into some of the national parks on these road trips you’ll need a 4×4.
• Maintenance or road works are always happening on this highway, so allow extra time to get to each stop.
• Service stations, fuel or petrol can be found nearly every 100 kilometres, although some will need to be accessed off the highway and in the small towns. Be prepared and always fill up and get supplies before you need them.
• Expect to spend a little more money in the high tourist hubs like Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach, Mission Beach, the Whitsunday Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns, and if you travel to any of the remote tropical islands.

The Brisbane to Cairns Road Trip Itinerary

If you’re traveling directly from Brisbane to Cairns, it will take about 19 hours, which as you can see is a lot of ground to cover.

As Cairns is also an international gateway city, the same suggestions below can be used in reverse if starting your journey as a Cairns to Brisbane to drive.

It’s suggested to explore this route for a minimum of 10 days, but if you have longer then you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied!

There are many different exits off the main A1 highway, both towards the coast and inland. Therefore, this will increase the kilometres travelled and the time it takes to drive the entire journey.

Not only that, but with the Reef covering 1300 kilometres along the coast of this road, you will have day trip options from many of the islands and beach towns as well.

Please note that travelling times may differ depending on road conditions, maintenance, and other unexpected occurrences.

This means when planning out your journey you need to leave plenty of time in between for delays.

There are millions of tourists, locals, and overseas visitors travelling this highway every year, and intermittent road works are very common.

We are starting today from the Queensland capital city of Brisbane, having a population of over 2 million people.

It’s an international gateway city and a brilliant place to get your bearings.

If you have some extra time here then there is plenty to see and do in the area, which you can read more about in this blog post .

Go for a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, walk to King Island at low tide, visit South Bank, or hike up Mount Coot-Tha for the best views of Brisbane.

They have man-made beaches overlooking the Brisbane River and the city skyline, along with two others at Redcliffe and Ipswich .

Additionally, you can day trip to Bribie Island, Moreton Island, or North Stradbroke Island.

Each Island offers magnificent beaches, four-wheel driving, and both camping and accommodation options.

Or you can head south to the Gold Coast for epic beaches and the famous Surfer’s Paradise nightlife.

The Sunshine Coast will be your first stop for beachside fun and tonnes of tourism options like Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

If you’re after some great spots to swim, you can choose to check out some of the many beaches along the coast like Caloundra or Maroochydore, or some natural  rock pools at Noosa .

Go searching for some fresh waterholes or waterfalls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland like Booloumba Falls or Kondalilla Falls.

Feeling a bit more active? Why not enjoy the fresh air and views of the Glasshouse Mountains?

The Glasshouse Mountains are a gorgeous area filled with unique mountains like Mount Ngungun or Mount Beerwah. A Glasshouse Mountains hike is a great way to stretch the legs during your road trip! Or you can opt for more leisurely strolls through Noosa National Park.

This is also where you will find the popular entertainment parks such as the Ginger Factory , or thrill rides at the Aussie World theme park.

Travelling on the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns, Rainbow Beach is the first gateway port to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.

But this spot has its own draw cards as well, as 70,000 visitors per year can attest.

It’s known as a small beachside camping and fishing town near the Bruce Highway, where you stretch the legs from your four-wheel drive and go for a spin down the beach.

Rainbow has sites like the sand dunes at the Carlo Sand Blow, freshwater swimming at Poona Lake, Coloured Sands rock formations, and Inskip Point Beach. You will be pleasantly surprised when you visit this vibrant town.

It’s just a short drive to the next destination, so choose where you’d like to stay.

Tin Can Bay is a small little town with a population of just over 2000 people. It’s a very popular holiday destination with several hotels, holiday units, and caravan parks.

Along with being able to rent houseboats and yachts to sail around the region, Tin Can Bay has a fantastic, rare opportunity to see wild humpback dolphins in the early morning.

They are fed under close supervision by the volunteers and guided by animal protection regulations.

There is a minimal charge of $10 per person which covers the cost of the food and cleaning solution.

Everyone loves island life, and K’gari (Fraser Island) allows many different types of travellers to experience it.

Fraser Island, or the traditional Aboriginal name K’gari as it’s now known, has two different resorts, several camping spots, and a huge amount of sites to see while visiting the island.

If you have a 4×4 you’ll be in heaven, as the beaches and sand dunes offer some of the best four-wheel drive adventures in Australia.

With clear freshwater streams like Eli Creek, beachside rock pools like the Champagne Pools, Lake McKenzie, views for miles at Indian Head rocks, and unusual sand formations like the Pinnacles, there’s a lot to see and do here.

You won’t be disappointed stepping off land to visit Fraser Island/K’gari! 

You can access K’gari from Rainbow Beach or Hervey Bay.

Pack the car early and keep heading north, because it’s time to hit up one of the most beautiful locations on Australia’s east coast!

Hervey Bay is a quaint little seaside town in southern Queensland and is popular for whale watching day trips to observe humpbacks on their annual migration.

If you happen to be travelling near Hervey Bay from June to November then boat tours to see the whales are a definite “must-do” activity.

The humpback whales pass through Hervey Bay in different-sized pods and put on a big show for the tourists with their breaching acrobatics.

Hervey Bay has a population of over 50,000 people and offers plenty of calm swimming and other water activities like fishing, paddle boarding, and kayaking

Additionally Hervey Bay is a popular launching spot to access the beautiful Fraser Island (K’gari) – which is the largest sand island in the world.

Heading a little inland from the actual coastal route, you can visit the town of Biggenden with its gorgeous Utopia Rock Pools.

Located in the Mount Walsh National Park, there’s a hidden  rock pool swimming spot   that the locals have been using for years.

After an easy 30-minute hike through the National Park, you will come to three or four cascading rock pools.

This is best visited in the summertime and especially after some rain. Accommodation options are limited here, but it is easy enough for a day trip from either Hervey Bay or Bundaberg.

With over 90,000 people living in this beachside city, you will be sure to find something to do for everyone.

Best known for producing the world-famous Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and their Ginger Beer, it is also where you’ll find the southernmost point of the Great Barrier Reef.

Additionally there are some amazing beaches like Bargara, Elliott Heads, or Woodgate, or you can take day trips to the offshore islands and enjoy lots of different water-based activities.

Not only that, but they are all conveniently supplied with camping spots, motels, and resort accommodations that are convenient for a road trip!

A favourite with families and retirees, the beaches offer calm waters and nice walking.

This is also a prime location for the  seasonal Turtle nesting   where you can check out the loggerhead turtles laying eggs, or watch the baby turtles make their way down the beach.

Boarding a flight is the only way to get to this isolated island, but the good news is that flights leave from either Brisbane, Hervey Bay, or Bundaberg regularly.

Leave the rental car behind to visit this absolute paradise. The best things to do on the island are based around water activities like snorkelling and diving in the magnificent Southern Great Barrier Reef.

If you prefer to stay on land then you can learn about the bird habitats and history of the island.

If you want a longer stay, there are units, cabins, and glamping tent options at the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort .

Bundaberg is the most popular spot to visit Lady Elliot Island from, with 20-minute flights and daily departures making it perfect for a day trip.

As you head north into central Queensland on this Brisbane to Cairns road trip things start to change pretty dramatically.

You’re now entering the tropics, but before you get there you get to enjoy the gorgeous towns of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy.

They are both quiet little beachside villages known for their surfing lifestyle on Main Beach, boating, fishing, hiking and swimming.

This is also a prime location to grab some fresh seafood, so pop into the local fish and chip shop to fill up on a delectable meal.

There are many different activities to check out in Agnes Water, like the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk, the LARC Tour (an amphibious boat), and hiking the Red Rock Trails.

Holiday homes and resort accommodations are on offer everywhere in Agnes Water, along with plenty of camping and cabin options.

At 1770 you can look west as the sun begins its dip below the ocean horizon, offering spectacular scenery and natural beauty that isn’t found in many other places in Queensland.

This is also your second (and closer) gateway to swimming with the turtles at Lady Musgrave Island.

Similar to Lady Eliot Island and also located in the Southern Great Barrier Reef is the fantastic Lady Musgrave Island.

It’s only accessible by boat from either Bundaberg or 1770, and while the boat trip from 1770 is shorter, the boat from Bundaberg will have more options for diving activities and sleeping in a glamping bed on top of a pontoon.

Both will have you snorkelling some amazing reef systems and finding lots of turtles.

There is a camping option on the island itself, but it’s extremely off-grid and by permit only.

It’s hard to pick between Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Island, and there’s not a big difference between them.

My recommendation is to weigh up options for either and choose to visit one that suits your road trip budget or timeline.

Driving from Brisbane to Cairns will take you to so many amazing places, and one of the busier yet underrated towns you’ll stop off at along the way is Rockhampton.

Rocky, as it’s known to locals, is the Beef Capital of Australia, so if you love steak you’re in for a treat.

There’s a lot more to do here than just eat though . The underground rock formations at Capricorn Caves are absolutely mesmerising, as is the Mount Archer Skywalk overlooking the city, especially at sunset.

If you drive another 30 minutes towards the Capricorn Coast you will come to the small town of Yeppoon, known as the gateway to the Great Keppel Islands.

A trip out to these islands is fantastic, with lots of marine life, coral reefs and other natural wonders to enjoy.

Back on land you’ll also find the nearby Byfield National Park with lots of wonderful hikes, four-wheel driving beaches, and amazing swimming spots like Stoney Creek. Next, get back on the Bruce Highway and continue your road trip north!

Get off the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns to head inland for a lovely day adventure near Mackay.

Finch Hatton Gorge has some wonderful hiking, waterfalls to explore and crisp swimming holes to enjoy.

Completing the more popular Araluen Falls hike is a short, three kilometres return.

Additionally, you can choose to complete the rest of the trek to the Wheel of Fire Gorge, which is about five kilometres return.

During high rainfall, access to the car park could be limited without a 4 wheel drive.

Now, this is one stop on our Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary that you won’t want to miss!

About 45 minutes driving north of Mackay you’ll find the Cape Hillsborough National Park. This is a really nice area to explore for many reasons, but the most popular is seeing the morning feeding of the eastern grey kangaroos at sunrise.

Park rangers come down every morning and put out food for them, and there’s no more iconic photo than a kangaroo chilling on the beach!

Although these are wild animals, the rangers keep this activity under strict control due to how many visitors come.

While you can drive in really early, it’s more practical to stay at the Cape Hillsborough Caravan Park the night before.

Airlie Beach really needs to be seen to be believed, and it really is a “must do” stop on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip.

Boasting some of the most beautiful blue waters in Australia, Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and where you’ll find the famous Whitehaven Beach. Airlie Beach is also a great place to enjoy a scenic flight over the UNESCO World Heritage Great Barrier Reef.

The town of Airlie Beach itself is small but has plenty to do to keep all travellers happy.

Half or full-day tours leave from Shute Harbour in Airlie Beach and take you snorkelling or diving on the reef , out to Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Beach, visiting Hamilton Island or casting your eyes over the ethereal Hill Inlet from the lookout.

Besides Hamilton Island, with its own airport, you can also do a trip to Daydream Island.

In Airlie Beach itself you can swim in the man-made lagoon, walk along the beach or chase fresh water holes at Cedar Creek Falls.

Check out our guide to all the best things to do in Airlie Beach to see what else you can get up to during your road trip.

From Airlie Beach, continue your road trip north to Townsville.

Townsville is the largest city in North Queensland, with a population of close to 200,000 people. That makes it a perfect spot to break up the Australian road trips along the east coast and stock up on supplies (if you need).

There’s a lot of awesome things to do in Townsville , including climbing to the lookout of Castle Hill, heading to Wallaman Falls and visiting some of the nearby national parks.

But in my humble opinion, you need to jump on a ferry and go to Magnetic Island , which is easy to visit for a day trip or stay for a longer period.

Do the Forts Hike to see koalas in the wild, find the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay, go snorkelling in the stunning bays with sea turtles and just chill out at the beaches .

The best way to explore Magnetic Island is by car, and luckily there’s a barge where you can take yours across.

Otherwise you can follow this one day Magnetic Island itinerary to make the most of your short visit.

The Cardwell Spa Pools are popular, local swimming spot where the flowing water runs over the rocks, creating a natural spa effect.

What makes this place special is the gorgeous blue colour of the water. This blue colour is created by phytoplankton, bicarbonates binding to clay, and light refraction in the water.

This has to be seen to be believed, but timing is everything, and it’s best to visit after a small amount of rainfall, without washing it out too much. 

Less than one hour north you’ll find Mission Beach. With its iconic palm trees and spectacular stretch of sand, Mission Beach is often declared to be one of the top Cairns day trips .

Mission Beach is one of Queensland’s most famous beaches, so definitely stop here on your Brisbane to Cairns itinerary.

Popular things to do in Mission Beach include skydiving, swimming, and sunbathing.

Honestly though if you have more time, we highly, HIGHLY recommend booking a day trip out to the reef with Great Barrier Reef Safaris .

Owned and operated by Adele (a marine biologist) and Stuart (an experienced boat captain), this company takes very small groups out to snorkel and explore the gorgeous islands and reefs off of Mission Beach.

We spent a day out with them at the Brook Islands, and well, just check out our video to see how epic it was.

If you book a trip with them let them know NOMADasaurus sent you and say hi from us.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alesha & Jarryd – TRAVEL (@nomadasaurus)

This is our last stretch on the Brisbane to Cairns drive, but don’t rush – there are still a few sights along the way which could easily take you just over a week to see if you have the time.

From Mission Beach to Cairns you’ll pass sugar cane farms and find the Babinda Boulders, another fantastic swimming river where you can also go kayaking.

South of town there’s a 20-kilometre loop road called the Waterfall Circuit that cuts up through the Atherton Tablelands.

This contains several very different waterfalls for exploring, hiking, and swimming. One of them, Millaa Millaa Falls, just happens to be the most photographed waterfall in Australia.

If you love cascades, don’t miss all these other awesome waterfalls near Cairns .

Cairns itself has a population of 150,000 people, and is a tourism Mecca. In town the Esplanade is lined with bars, restaurants, tropical gardens and a lovely man-made swimming lagoon.

Get out of town though and check out the Kuranda Rail in the surrounding rainforest, or take a different view on the Skyrail Gondola.

Most people will come to Cairns for the water, and it is the best place in Queensland to go and scuba dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

Continuing into Far North Queensland you’ll come across the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, a national park spanning mountainous rainforests, gorges, and secluded beaches, home to some of the most pristine natural environment regions in the southern hemisphere.

READ MORE: Check out on the Best Atherton Tableland Waterfalls you must see!

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Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

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This is fantastic, exactly what I’d been hoping to find, a real road trip itinerary from Brisbaine to Cairns with the highlights that match our to do wish list. Thank you so much. Now to do the bookings for car rental, accommodations, pre book the excursions and places to visit. Any suggestions? Do you think it’s worth doing this trip Brisbaine to Cairns and return the car rental in the North or go Brisbaine Cairns Brisbaine in 14 days?

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Cairns To Brisbane Road Trip (Or Viceversa!): 2-Week Self Drive Itinerary

Posted on Last updated: August 7, 2021

If you’re looking for the road trip of a lifetime, pack your bags and head for the east coast of Australia, because the Pacific Coast Way that connects Cairns to Brisbane will fulfil all your travel wishes.

We spent two weeks exploring the Australian East Coast, driving from Cairns to Brisbane and exploring everything in between; from tropical rainforests to pristine white sand beaches, and from chill surfer towns to big cities.

If you’re planning a road trip from Cairns to Brisbane (or vice versa) this 2-week self drive itinerary will give you an idea of the best things to do and best places to stop along the way.

I hope you will find it useful in planning your own Cairns to Brisbane road trip!

• 1.1 Driving in Australia
• 1.2 Currency
• 1.3 Average prices
• 1.4 Weather
• 1.5 Australian road trip essentials
• 2.1 Day 1: Arrive in Cairns
• 2.2 Day 2: Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef
• 2.3 Day 3: Day trip to the Daintree Rainforest
• 2.4 Day 4: Cairns to Townsville (347km)
• 2.5 Day 5: Townsville to Airlie Beach (275km)
• 2.6 Day 6: Day trip to the Whitsundays
• 2.7 Day 7: Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay (860km)
• 2.8 Day 8: Do a Fraser Island tour
• 2.9 Day 9: Explore Fraser Island
• 2.10 Day 10: Leave Fraser Island & return to Hervey Bay
• 2.11 Day 11: Hervey Bay to Noosa Heads (180km)
• 2.12 Day 12: Noosa Heads to Brisbane (141km)
• 2.13 Day 13: Explore Brisbane & Gold Coast
• 2.14 Day 14: Depart from Brisbane

Sunrise from Cape Hillsborough National Park, on the east coast of Australia

Some info for your Cairns to Brisbane road trip

The East Coast of Australia is one of the most popular backpacking destinations.

Thanks to Australia’s working holiday visa plenty of high school graduates, university graduates and twenty-somethings take the opportunity to live and explore the land down under.

The route from Brisbane to Cairns (or viceversa) is one of those itineraries that feature on everyone’s Australian travel bucket list, so you can be sure to find plenty of other travellers on the road!

Before we jump straight into my recommended Cairns to Brisbane day-by-day itinerary I wanted to cover some general information that you might need to know.

Driving in Australia

When I first started planning my Australia trip I could already see my friends and I getting lost like in the second Inbetweeners movie where they run out of petrol and get stranded in the middle of the Australian outback.

The East Coast of Australia is very different from the Red Centre however the distances between towns and cities can be very far, so make sure to have a spare tank of petrol in the booth.

Hopefully you’ll never need it but better safe than sorry!

Also, make sure you refuel whenever you find a gas station; you never know when the next one might be. For more information on planning a perfect Australia road trip, check out my Australia road trip planner .

The Milky Way seen from somewhere along the Pacific Coast Way, Australia

The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). At the time of my trip the exchange rate was 1 GBP to 1.80 AUD, you can check out the latest official rate here .

Average prices

With such a convenient exchange rate you might be wondering how much an Australian east coast road trip will cost you.

We found accommodation to be generally quite expensive, with hostels charging around 40 AUD or more for a bed in a 6-bed or more dorm.

Food shopping at a grocery store or eating out on the other hand was roughly similar to back home, with prices ranging from 10 AUD for a sandwich from Subway to 40 AUD for a proper dinner out in a nice restaurant.

Walking along Cape Tribulation Beach

There are some really tasty traditional Australian foods that you have to try while you’re adventuring around the East Coast of Australia!

With accommodation and food it obviously depends on you and how fancy you want to go.

Another big expense when it comes to a road trip is car rental and fuel. Car rentals are usually more expensive if your drop off point is different from the pick up.

We started and ended our road trip at Brisbane airport and a comfortable 5-seat car for two weeks cost us around 100 GBP each. It cost us around 60 – 70 AUD every time we filled up the tank of our car.

A very Aussie barbecue

Be ready for a blissful beach vacation, because the weather on the east coast of Australia (the part you will visit on this road trip anyway) is what I would call perfect weather.

Cairns is further north and a bit more tropical so you can expect more rain in the summer months, with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 26°C in winter and from 24°C to 34°C in summer.

Brisbane is more temperate, with less rainfall and temperatures ranging from 10°C to 21°C in winter and from 22°C to 30°C in summer.

Whatever time of year you’re visiting you can be sure you’ll get to enjoy some time outdoors and on the beach.

| READ MORE: 15 ICONIC AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURES |

Beach views in Gold Coast, Australia

Australian road trip essentials

Once you know what the weather forecast is like, the next step is planning what to pack.

Since I trust that you all know how many pairs of socks, underwear, and t-shirts you need for a 2-week trip, here I wanted to cover some more general road trip essentials and things you might normally forget to pack.

Fast drying towel : I’m a personal fan of fast-drying microfiber towels. They take up very little space when you fold them up and dry really quick, meaning you don’t need to worry about getting the rest of your bag wet.

Whether you need it for a shower in the hostel if they don’t provide towels, to lie on the beach after surfing or dry off if you get caught in the rain, you’ll be glad you have one on you.

Sunscreen : Australia is one of those places where the sun is very dangerous; so make sure to have a high factor SPF to protect you.

Kangaroos on the beach at sunrise at Cape Hillsborough, Australia

Reusable water bottle : Tap water is drinkable in Australia so bringing a water bottle with you can save you some cash during the trip.

We also found a lot of cities had water fountains out and about in public places, especially close to beaches, so that you can refill while you’re out doing fun things.

Light waterproof jacket : I carry one of these pretty much everywhere I go regardless of the weather.

Especially if you’re visiting during Australian winter you might find that in Cairns and the other more tropical locations in this itinerary you can find a lot of rain.

They’re light and take up little space when folded, so better to be safe than wet!

Hanging out with wallabies at our barbecue lunch stop during our Daintree Rainforest tour

Cairns to Brisbane 14-days itinerary with map (or viceversa!)

The itinerary I have outlined in this post isn’t the exact itinerary I followed during my Australia trip.

I found out last minute that I would participate in Kerala Blog Express and that the dates for that trip would overlap with this road trip, so I missed the start of the trip and joined my friends half way in Mackay.

I was still able to visit what I missed later during my time in Australia. I also changed this itinerary from our own since my friends drove from Brisbane to Cairns and back.

In hindsight this is not ideal as you spend too much time on the road and waste a lot of time driving.

Regardless of which side of the road trip you decide to start I would recommend only driving in one direction, and then flying back to your starting point.

Our Cairns to Brisbane road trip itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Cairns

The first day of your epic Australia East Coast road trip is finally here! Whether you’re coming from a long-haul international flight or just from a different part of Australia, you should take the first day to settle in and explore Cairns .

Depending on what time you arrive you can explore the city centre, or if you arrive in the evening just head to the Esplanade to check out the bars, shops, restaurants and nightlife of Cairns.

In Cairns we stayed at Queenslander Hotel & Apartments , a lovely apartment well located close to the sea and all the action in Cairns.

Click here to book your stay at Queenslander Hotel & Apartments!

Views over the ocean from the Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Day 2: Scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef

You can’t visit Cairns and not pay the Great Barrier Reef a visit.

The GBR (that’s what cool kids in Australia call it) is a 2,300km long ecosystem composed by thousands of barrier reefs and hundreds of islands, which make it the largest living being on Earth.

The reefs are made up of over 600 types of hard and soft coral and it’s home to countless species of fish, molluscs, turtles, dolphins and sharks.

Cairns is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and there are lots of different types of GBR tours that you can do.

READ MORE | SHOULD YOU SNORKEL OR SCUBA DIVE ON THE GBR?

Looking fabulous while snorkelling on the GBR in my stinger suit

I did a standard snorkelling day trip , which set off around 8AM and returned around 6PM. We did two stops that lasted about 1 hour each and had a tasty barbeque lunch on board.

They also had scuba diving gear and instructors on board for people that changed their mind last minute and decided to scuba dive instead of snorkel.

I have scuba dived before in Kenya and Thailand however I’m not a huge fan, so I decided this time to save some extra cash and stick to snorkelling.

There were quite big waves so snorkelling proved to be quite a workout but we were still able to see lots of corals and fish.

Click here to book your snorkelling and/or scuba diving trip to the Great Barrier Reef!

A blue starfish I was while snorkelling on the GBR

Day 3: Day trip to the Daintree Rainforest

Another must-see in Cairns is the Daintree Rainforest.

The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world and with its surface of 1,200km squared, one of the largest areas of tropical rainforest in the Australian continent and richest natural environments in the world.

We did a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest with Billy Tea Safaris , who picked us up from our hotel at 7:20AM and took us crocodile spotting on a river cruise, swimming in creeks, walking in the rainforest, feeding wallabies and much more!

Our guide was very knowledgeable about the rainforest and taught us both about the local flora and fauna, but also about the aboriginal stories of the area.

| READ MORE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOING A DAINTREE RAINFOREST TOUR |

Walking around the Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Cruising the Daintree River, Australia

Swimming in freshwater creeks in the Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Day 4: Cairns to Townsville (347km)

After a few days spent exploring Cairns and its surroundings (there are plenty of opportunities for cool days trips from Cairns!) it’s finally time to hit the road and head to the first stop on your road trip; Townsville.

The drive from Cairns to Townsville is 347km, a long drive but not unbearable in a day with regular stops. On the road between Cairns and Townsville you can do a detour to Wallaman Falls , the tallest free falling waterfall in Australia.

The road takes you to a viewing platform, but if you feel like going on a bit of an adventure you can do the 1-hour hike down to the base of the fall.

We set off early in the morning with the intention of doing the hike to break up the all the driving but unfortunately we didn’t even make it to Wallaman Falls since the road was closed due to landslides caused by a recent cyclone. 

We ended up doing stops at small towns on the road and then just spending longer in Townsville, but if you enjoy hiking and epic natural wonders, definitely add a stop at Wallaman Falls on your itinerary.

Check out the latest prices and availability for accommodation in Townsville

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnMaMpinmok/?taken-at=262908279

Day 5: Townsville to Airlie Beach (275km)

Depending at what time you reach Townsville the day before you can decide how early you want to set off the following morning.

I personally really liked the vibe when we went out in the evening for dinner and drinks in Townsville, but found it didn’t offer much during the day so we set off early in the morning.

The drive to Airlie Beach is only 275km so you have time to enjoy the road and do some stops along the way if you want to. We visited the Billabong Animal Sanctuary just outside Townsville.

I’m strongly against zoos however I chose to visit the Billabong Animal Sanctuary as it’s advertised, as the name implies, as a sanctuary and they outline their conservation efforts in preserving Australian wildlife.

Crocodile feeding at the Billabong Animal Sanctuary, Australia

It’s an interesting place to learn about Australian flora and fauna although it felt too much like a zoo to me, with crocodile feeding shows and the opportunity to hold koalas or wombats.

When you get to Airlie Beach make sure to head out in the evening and explore the town. It’s very small but we loved the chilled out beach town vibe.

Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands so you’ll find a lot of backpackers there to liven up the bars and pubs.

In Airlie Beach we stayed at Water’s Edge Resort . This lovely property is just a 5-10 minute walk into the centre of Airlie Beach, and has epic views over the sea, as well as an infinity pool!

Check out the latest prices and availability at Water’s Edge Resort!

Enjoying the pool of at Water’s Edge Resort in Airlie Beach

Day 6: Day trip to the Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are a group of islands off the coast of Eastern Australia and one of the most famous destinations in Australia. With their white sand beaches and turquoise water they fulfil every tropical beach dream you could have.

I’d seen photos of Whitehaven Beach online before, ranked as the second best beach in the world , and knew I had to visit it in person.

We did a day trip to the Whitsundays but if you want to spend longer at the islands there are also overnight cruises available.

Whitehaven Beach in Australia

We did a more snorkelling-focused tour with Ocean Rafting that took us to two snorkelling stops first on Hook Island and then to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island.

At Whitehaven Beach we had lunch and climbed up to Hill Inlet Lookout to see the iconic white and blue stripes of the beach.

Speed boats are the only ones that can go directly below the lookout, since the water is very shallow and bigger boats can’t sail there.

Click here to book your Whitsunday Islands day trip with Ocean Rafting!

Whitehaven Beach from Hill Inlet Lookout in the Whitsunday Islands, Australia

We were able to snorkel with some huge fish called Maori Wrasse, which are famous for being very friendly and swimming up to boats and snorkelers.

We set off pretty soon after lunch since the cruise back to Airlie Beach was a fair bit longer than the one there in the morning (or it felt like it anyway!) although it’s not without excitement.

Combine a powerful speedboat with big oceanic waves and you’re in for an exhilarating ride home.

After an intense day of snorkelling, swimming and being at sea we cooked a barbecue at our hotel and went to bed early, in preparation for a long drive the following day.

Snorkelling in the Whitsunday Islands with a Maori Wrasse

Day 7: Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay (860km)

Time for the longest drive on this road trip, a good 860km from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay that will take around 10 hours of driving.

Since you’ll have to wake up early to fit all that driving in one day, why not get up before dawn so you can then go see the sunrise on the beach?

A short 1-hour drive away from Airlie Beach you will find Cape Hillsborough National Park, where kangaroos and wallabies go every morning to eat on the beach as the sun rises.

There is a camping area right next to the beach and the owner is the one to feed the kangaroos every morning, setting small cones behind which the other sunrise tourists like yourself should stay behind.

Even if somewhat artificial (we were originally told the kangaroos just so happened to naturally visit the beach every morning to feed on the algae when the tide went down) it is still an incredible experience and you’ll be glad you woke up before sunrise to see it.

After sunrise you can drive around Cape Hillsborough National Park for a bit and stop in the bigger towns on the road like Rockhampton and Bundaberg for food, however most of the rest of your day will be taken by driving to Hervey Bay.

Check out the latest prices and availability for accommodation in Hervey Bay

Befriending the locals at Cape Hillsborough Beach in Australia

Day 8: Do a Fraser Island tour

It’s time to take a break from driving and explore the world’s largest sand island; Fraser Island.

We decided to do a tour of Fraser Island as opposed to driving ourselves since the vast majority of driving on the island is on sand with a 4WD, and considering I struggle to park a Smart car I knew I wouldn’t be able to drive a 4WD.

We did a “Tag Along Tour” with Nomads , meaning that the guide would be driving the first 4WD, and other tour participants would be driving the other jeeps and following his lead.

There are plenty of ferries that go from Hervey Bay across to Fraser Island. 

(Note: We booked our tour on Happy Travels Australia . The one we personally did started from Noosa Heads instead of Hervey Bay since we didn’t visit Fraser Island during our Australia East Coast road trip but came back at a later date. In terms of this itinerary I recommend starting from Hervey Bay as it saves you driving back and forth).

| READ MORE: OUR FRASER ISLAND 3-DAY TOUR |

Driving on the beach on Fraser Island, Australia

After taking the ferry across to Fraser Island we drove to the hostel to drop off our bags and then headed straight to Lake McKenzie.

Lake McKenzie is one of the main attractions on Fraser Island; a huge freshwater lake with clear turquoise water surrounded by fine white sand.

Our tour companions were all young backpackers like us so we had a fun time splashing around playing volleyball in the clear water of the lake.

We did a bit of sightseeing around the island driving on the beach and through the dirt roads in the forests of Fraser Island, then went back to the hostel for dinner all together.

The hostel also had a bar where everyone happily spent their drinks tokens and socialised.

Lake McKenzie in Fraser Island, Australia

Day 9: Explore Fraser Island

On the second day in Fraser Island we drove to the famous champagne pools, where you can swim in the ocean while being protected by the rock pools. We also visited Eli Creek, a small freshwater creek with a strong current.

We parked the jeeps on the beach and after a short 5-minute walk reached the start of the creek, where you can just chill on a lilo and let yourself be carried back to the beach.

We also visited two iconic landmarks on Fraser Island; the SS Maheno ship wreck and Indian Heads; a rock formation along the coast and popular viewpoint, which is also a historical aboriginal site.

The champagne pools on Fraser Island, Australia

Swimming in Eli Creek on Fraser Island, Australia

The SS Maheno ship wreck on Fraser Island, Australia

The view from Indian Heads on Fraser Island, Australia

Day 10: Leave Fraser Island & return to Hervey Bay

Before heading back to Noosa Heads and mainland Australia we spent the morning exploring more of Fraser Island. We drove to Lake Wabby, another popular swimming spot.

I personal liked Lake McKenzie more as the water was turquoise and clear, whilst at Lake Wabby it was darker and seemed a bit murky.

However reaching Lake Wabby is more adventurous, since from where you park the jeeps on the beach to the actual lake it’s a 45-minute walk surrounded by trees and shrubs.

The final part of the walk is on a huge downhill sand slope that heads straight into the lake.

The temptation to run and dive into Lake Wabby is strong, but we were advised not to do it as the water is very shallow and you can risk getting injured.

Of course some of the boys did it anyway and as predicted, one of them sprained an ankle and we then had to carry him back for 45 minutes.

Moral of the story, follow the instructions of your tour guide, they know better. After visiting Lake Wabby we had lunch back at the hostel and then headed back to mainland Australia.

Lake Wabby on Fraser Island, Australia

Day 11: Hervey Bay to Noosa Heads (180km)

The next stop of this Australian east coast road trip was my personal favourite.

We took our time leaving Hervey Bay, since for once we had to drive only 180km, which took us a brief two hours to reach Noosa Heads. Noosa Heads is a lovely surfers town with a relaxed and friendly vibe.

We went on a small adventure to Noosa National Park and in search of the famous fairy pools .

These are rock formations where the sea waves come crashing in but at reduced strength, forming small pools where you can swim sheltered from the power of the ocean.

Searching for the fairy pools in Noosa National Park, Australia

The walk from the main beach of Noosa Heads to the fairy pools is around half an hour, all along beautiful beaches and views.

We spent the day swimming around and diving in the fairy pools, walking along the coast and watching the surfers catch waves. With its chill vibe and beautiful coast Noosa Heads is one of those places I could personally live in.

In Noosa Heads we stayed at Nomads Noosa Backpackers . This hostel has clean and spacious dorms, as well as lots of communal spaces. It can be a bit of a party hostel so be ready for that!

Click here to book your stay at Nomads Noosa Backpackers!

One of the “fairy” pools of Noosa Heads National Park, Australia

Hell’s Gate Lookout Point in Noosa National Park, Australia

Day 12: Noosa Heads to Brisbane (141km)

It’s time for the last stretch of driving of your Cairns to Brisbane road trip! As you can imagine, your next destination is Brisbane.

From Noosa Heads it’s a short 141km that should take you around 2 hours tops. You can do a stop along the way at Sunshine Coast to try some surfing there, or alternatively at Australia Zoo, the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.

If you’re not a fan of zoos, I would give this a miss.

We went as we were all childhood fans of Steve Irwin and Australia Zoo does a lot in terms of wildlife conservation, however if you don’t like seeing animals in captivity you’re better off stopping in Sunshine Coast or heading straight to Brisbane.

I personally really liked Brisbane in the evening, we went out for the dinner along the esplanade where there was also an evening street market that sold all kinds of jewellery, souvenirs and cute dresses.

Check out the latest prices and availability for accommodation in Brisbane

A koala in Australia Zoo, Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Reserve

Day 13: Explore Brisbane & Gold Coast

As your road trip comes to a near end I thought you might like a day to chill out and without too much driving.

From Brisbane you can drive to Gold Coast and the famous Surfer’s Paradise in less than an hour (what are 77km compared to the 1,700km you’ve already driven in the past two weeks)?

Both cities have a fun vibe, with plenty of shops, bars, restaurants that you can explore.

They’re also popular spots for surfing if you want to try your hand at it and spend some time relaxing on the beaches after all the driving and early mornings of this road trip.

For the final nights of our Cairns to Brisbane road trip we decided to splurge a bit on accommodation and stayed at Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise .

They have beautiful modern apartments right on the sea front, some even with pools on the balconies!

Click here to book your stay at Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise!

Enjoying our private pool of our apartment at Peppers Soul Surfers Paradise

Day 14: Depart from Brisbane

Your Australian east coast road trip time has sadly come to an end and it’s time to set off, whether you’re going back home or travelling onwards in Australia.

Depending on the time of your flight if you have some time to kill in Brisbane I recommend visiting the city centre.

The Brisbane city centre has a lively vibe and cool shops to explore, where you can buy those last minute souvenirs for friends and family back home.

They also do free tours of the City Hall clock tower, from which you can get pretty awesome views of the Brisbane skyline.

The skyline of Brisbane seen from the city hall clock tower

Final thoughts on doing a road trip from Brisbane to Cairns (or viceversa!)

Have you been to the East Coast of Australia before? How did you find it? Let me know in the comments below!

As I said at the start of this post this isn’t the exact Cairns to Brisbane 2-week itinerary that I followed, but if I were to go back this is how I would do it as the itinerary we followed wasn’t very time efficient.

After this Cairns to Brisbane road trip I travelled onwards to Uluru and Sydney  and the Great Ocean Road , make sure to check out those posts for more Australia travel inspiration!

Looking for more Australia tips? Check out my out my other travel guides:

• Is the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk worth it?
• The 15 prettiest photo spots in Sydney
• Sydney to Blue Mountains day trip – everything you need to know
• What to pack for a trip to the Australian outback

Enjoyed reading my Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary? Pin it!

Saturday 18th of May 2019

The pics are mind blowing! It’s incredible how beautiful are!

Monday 27th of May 2019

Hi Annemarie, thanks for the comment, glad you like my photography! Safe travels :)

Queensland Bucket List - Snap Travel Blog

Monday 18th of March 2019

[…] Park to your bucket list. Cape Hillsborough is a popular stop for backpackers travelling from Cairns to Brisbane, especially at […]

Tuesday 29th of January 2019

Hi, Awesome trip, thanks for posting the itinerary! What time of year did you do this trip?

Hi Dan, we did this at the start of April :)

The Ultimate Guide to The Best Road Trips in Australia (2018) • Wanderfully Living

Tuesday 2nd of October 2018

[…] destination. At any time of year, you will find numerous backpackers driving along the 1,680km from Brisbane to Cairns (or vice versa), breaking up the journey at some of the most beautiful and famous destinations in […]

Gold Coast, Australia - A Local's Travel Guide: Secret Travel Tips

Tuesday 11th of September 2018

[…] looking for more travel advice for the East Coast of Australia make sure to check out my Cairns to Brisbane itinerary, and my posts about the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns. If you’re ready to go beyond […]

All prices in $AUD

 1300 661 206

Cairns to Brisbane East Coast Self Guided Tour Package – 8 Days & 7 Nights

$ 920.00 – $ 1,179.00

You are short on time but still want to see the whole East Coast? Let’s make the miracle happen! Travel overnight with the overnight Greyhound bus to save on time and travel all the way from Cairns to Brisbane!

You’ll visit Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef before we head down to Airlie Beach to explore the Whitsunday Islands. The 2 greatest places to snorkel in Australia!  It doesn’t stop there… you will also have an adventure on Fraser Island in a 4-wheel drive warrior vehicle!

This great value package includes all accommodation and some meals while on tours. What are you waiting for? Explore the East Coast of Australia today!

• 2 nights accommodation in Cairns
• 1 day snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef – Click here to check it out
• 1 night dormitory accommodation in Airlie Beach
• Day trip to the Whitsundays on Ocean Rafting  or  The Thundercat
• 2 nights dormitory accommodation in Noosa
• Day trip to Fraser Island – Click here to check it out

***You can do this trip in the reverse direction, Click here ***

“Australia is a big country and it can be overwhelming to try to see everything in a short time. This package is perfect for you if you are not worried to sleep on a bus at night time and want to see the best of the East Coast. Our packages offer the best tours, trips and accommodation at an amazing price! ”  – Liz – One Stop Adventures Travel Expert

Description

• Greyhound Transport Option
• Whitsunday boat options
• Other Information
• See the must do's of the East Coast in only 1 week
• Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
• Explore Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet lookout in the Whitsundays
• Get around the World's Largest sand island - Fraser Island in a 4X4 Warrior vehicle

One Stop Adventures will always endeavour to make sure you have the best itinerary and time possible.

Day 1 – Cairns

Arrive in Cairns this day and check-in to your accommodation, the rest of the day is free to explore at your own leisure.

Day 2 – Great Barrier Reef 

Be sure to wake up early enough to check out of the hostel and store your luggage before you start your day tour. Enjoy a day of snorkelling on various exclusive sites on the Great Barrier Reef! Following your reef trip you can go back to the hostel or relax in Cairns. The lagoon is a perfect spot for it!

Day 3 – Airlie Beach

Hop on the bus to Airlie Beach and check in at the hostel before exploring the town and chilling by the famous Airlie Beach lagoon!

Day 4 – Whitsundays (Lunch)

Enjoy a scenic day of sightseeing on islands and snorkelling on a fantastic speed boat.  You will have the chance to see the highlights such as Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet Lookout with plenty of beach time in the Whitsundays. Following this tour bid farewell to your tour mates and jump on a night bus to Noosa.

Day 5 – Airlie Beach to Noosa

Jump on the overnight bus to Noosa. Make sure to bring enough snacks, just in case you wake up or for the few stops you'll be making (you'll need to stretch your legs once in a while!).

Day 6 – Noosa

Arrive in beautiful Noosa in the morning. Explore Noosa's National Park, chill out on the beach and check out the shops & cafes.

Day 7 - Fraser island (Lunch)

Jump aboard one of our brand new purpose built “Warrior” 20 seat 4WD and experience a great value tour of World Heritage Listed Fraser Island.

Your tour departs from Rainbow Beach highlighting Teewah or Rainbow Beach coloured sands before stopping for morning tea on the beach.

Over to Fraser Island we travel along the spectacular 75 Mile Beach to explore the natural beauty of this magnificent wilderness with a guided rainforest walk. An authentic BBQ Lunch followed by a refreshing freshwater lake swim tops off the perfect day of discovery on the World’s Largest sand island.

Return through the towering forests of Satinay and Brushbox and navigate your way down the ‘sandy highway’ before returning to the Sunshine Coast/Noosa.

*Itinerary may vary

Day 8 – Noosa to Brisbane

Explore Noosa, its beautiful beach and national park before catching a bus to Brisbane in the afternoon. In conclusion, you will have visited some of the best highlights that the East Coast has to offer!

Greyhound (if you haven't organised transport between locations you can add on a Greyhound bus pass) 

• Goes to all the places you want to visit on the East Coast
• Newer luxury coaches with Wifi and USB charging ports
• Overnight buses can be utilised to save on accommodation while travelling
• Here is a helpful article on Travelling Australia with Greyhound

Ocean Rafting

Ocean Rafting offers an exhilarating thrill ride around the Whitsundays, it's fast and able to make sure you can experience as much as possible in a day trip to the Whitsundays with 25 to 32 guests on board. One Stop Adventures will book you on the southern lights tour but you can let us know if you would rather the northern exposure itinerary instead.

Click here to learn more about Ocean Rafting

The Thundercat

Zip around the Whitsundays on a boat designed for speed and comfort - it’s a smooth ride on the Thundercat with a maximum of 31 passengers on board.

Click here to learn more about the Thundercat

**Certain boats on the Whitsundays will incur a $40 per person public holiday fee, which is payable on check-in. If you would like to check if this applies to your boat, please contact our office**

Q: Is this a fully guided tour?

A: No, this is a combination of accommodation and separate tours that we organise for you. You need to choose how you travel between your destinations whether by bus or driving. You can then select a starting date and we’ll organise everything and send you an itinerary!

Q: What kind of accommodation is available to choose from in this package?

There are 3 types of accommodation available with this package. Please see below. All accommodations will be in great quality reputable hostels along the East Coast of Australia which we are constantly reviewing to make sure our clients are happy, all hostels will have pools or will be super close to the beach which is why we get great reviews!

Dorm room: This type of accommodation is shared accommodation usually around 6 – 8 persons per room. It will be a bunk bed with linen provided. There are always places to securely store valuables at every hostel.

Double/Twin room: This type of accommodation is a secure private room with either a double bed or two separate beds, most hostels have private bathrooms connected to the room, though in some cases the bathrooms and showers will be located close by outside the room, still indoors of the hostel. (Please note the double or twin room rate must be booked in multiples of 2). 

Single Room:  This type of accommodation is a secure private room with a double bed, most hostels have private bathrooms connected to the room, though in some cases the bathrooms and showers will be located close by outside the room, still indoors of the hostel.

Q: I am a solo traveller, will I still meet people on this package?

A: Yes, for sure! Hostels are very social places, if you stay in dorms it is very easy to strike up conversations with fellow travellers about where and what they have done on their travels! If you are in a private room, just head to the hostel common areas like the bar, swimming pool or tv rooms and you will be sure to meet some fellow travellers! Also, when you are on tours such as Fraser Island, Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef and on the busses you will be travelling with like minded travellers as well, so it's super easy to meet other travellers!

Q: Can I change anything?

A: Of course, just call or email us and we can organise a custom package in no time and set you on your adventure.

What you need to bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Warm and cool clothing
• Rain jacket
• Insect repellent
• Most importantly, a sense of adventure!

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Cairns to Brisbane Express East Coast Tour Package – 14 days