The coastal journey from Brisbane, at the southern end of Queensland, to Cairns in Far North Queensland, is one of Australia’s most amazing road excursions. Featuring luxurious islands, uninhabited beaches, breathtakingly beautiful scenery, and friendly communities, brimming with local flavour and produce.
You can choose to travel slowly over several weeks or do a whirlwind tour, on this bucket list road trip from Brisbane to Cairns.
You will undoubtedly find other great stops along the way, which is why many travellers choose a campervan hire from Brisbane, as a means of transport. It allows you the flexibility to change your itinerary at short notice and has accommodation and amenities on board to make your trip comfortable and convenient.
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast
You leave Brisbane City behind and head for the coast as your first step on the east coast trip. Prepare to touch your tyres on historic volcanoes, beautiful rainforests, and national parks with amazing views.
On this road trip, those who want to spend the most time at the beach should head straight for the Noosa shores.
Do you favour the scenic route?
Explore the Glass House Mountains, the unusual Noosa Everglades, or the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s hills, and take a diversion along the route. South-east Queensland’s glasshouse, the Hinterland, is stocked with fresh dairy products, fruit, and regional breweries.
You can gather the items for a gourmet picnic in Buderim Forest Park with even a little excursion around local producers. This meal is best eaten before stunning views or a stroll to Serenity Falls.
Arrive at Noosa in time for sunset cocktails and supper at one of the establishments that demonstrate why this seaside community is the Sunshine Coast’s gastronomic epicentre.
Noosa to Agnes Water
Take a stroll around Noosa National Park while pausing for a swim at Little Cove or Tea Tree Bay to revitalise both your body and spirit. Given that Noosa is a World Surfing Reserve, Main Beach is an excellent area to paddle if you’re a surfer.
Today is the day to make up some mileage, but make sure to allow enough time for a stop at Carlo Sand Blow, which is close to Rainbow Beach.
The Gladstone beach twin communities of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy are where you’re going tonight. Although it may not be featured in international tourist guides, this small town rapidly becomes a favourite for travellers making the drive from Brisbane to Cairns.
Its isolated beaches and bright woodlands provide calm, while those seeking to get some exercise can go on a kayak tour in the evening, wander the enchanting Paperbark Trail, or go surfing here—after all, these are Queensland’s northernmost breaks.
Agnes Water to Cape Hillsborough
Agnes Water is 600 kilometres away from the location of today’s travel, which is the northern beaches of Mackay. Of course, being car-bound need not imply that adventure stops.
Go off the beaten path and let yourself get a bit lost as you see rolling fields of sugar cane in Mackay; alternatively, stop at Sarina Sugar Shed for something delicious. Give your legs a nice stretch on one of Mackay’s hiking trails after such a long day of driving.
Cape Hillsborough to Airlie Beach
Even if you’re not a morning person, the anticipation for this sunrise event will have you buzzing before your coffee. Numerous wallabies walk out of the bush each morning and descend to the coastline at Casuarina Beach, which is only a short stroll from your campsite bed.
It’s a unique moment to experience and a natural occurrence that has long fascinated park rangers and tourists.
You’ll get to Airlie Beach by mid-morning if you get back in the car and drive.
This is your chance to enjoy a scenic flight to the renowned Whitehaven Beach or join Ocean Rafting’s afternoon excursion, which combines island time with snorkelling pristine coral around the Great Barrier Reef.
The entryway to the glittering Whitsundays Islands. If you’re running a bit late because you were sidetracked by the scenery along the way, try sailing at sunset instead, Lady Enid has one of the nicest.
It makes perfect sense that you might want to make this a multi-day pit stop so you can do some genuine exploring and perhaps even acquire a feel for the water. Tonight, find a local hangout with a view and spend the evening eating.
From here, everything only becomes more tropical.
Airlie Beach to Ingham
Where else on Earth is one of the nicest beaches in the world located less than 400 kilometres from Little Italy? Take a morning cruise to Whitehaven Beach if you didn’t get a chance to get there previously.
Drive the section of road that separates Airlie Beach and Ingham once you’re back on dry land.
It’s worthwhile to stop in Bowen on your way north for a paddle in one of the secluded bays. Additionally, Crystal Creek in the Paluma Range outside of Townsville provides the perfect setting for a picnic lunch if you like to swim in the midst of a tropical jungle.
Due to an influx of immigrants in the 1890s, Ingham gained notoriety as Queensland’s Italian epicentre. The Italian influence is still strongly felt in Ingham today, from the delis and bakeries to the excellent coffee, as many of the city’s people are of Italian heritage.
The Australian-Italian Festival will draw thousands of visitors to Ingham if you time your trip well.
Ingham to Mission Beach
Drive further inland to Wallaman Falls at first light. This waterfall, Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall, is the kind of natural feature that arrests your attention. To really appreciate the impact of this 268-meter plunge, allow two hours to make the hike to the falls’ base.
Through the mist of the falls, a full rainbow is frequently visible.
Once your mind has been sufficiently blown, drive 170 kilometres north to Castaway Resort for a spa session.
Keep an eye out when travelling because this is one of the greatest locations to see cassowaries. The 14 kilometres of white sand, palm trees, and bordering reef at Mission Beach offer more than simply a spa experience.
Mission Beach to Atherton tablelands
Spend your mornings with your toes on the sand while drinking coffee, and then it’s time to explore more of the Atherton Tablelands’ Wet Tropics rainforest, a World Heritage site. Some of Queensland’s most coveted fruit is grown in this region thanks to the fertile volcanic soil and high altitude. It’s not simply a place to dine; it’s also a place to explore.
You may cool down in the region’s most inspiring waterfalls by travelling around them on the waterfall circuit. Serious hikers can take on Mt. Bartle Frere’s path to reach Queensland’s highest summit.
In this enchanted area of Queensland’s rainforest, spending the night in a treehouse is only appropriate, and it provides the ideal opportunity to recover for the remaining portion of your journey from Brisbane to Cairns.
Atherton Tablelands to Cairns
The Atherton Tablelands and Cairns are only a short two-hour drive apart, so take advantage of the opportunity to slow down and take in the scenery.
Cairns is best known as the gem in the north because it is situated between the ancient roots of the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef’s corals, which are recognised as being of global significance.
On a Dreamtime Indigenous tour, spend the afternoon exploring Mossman Gorge. At dusk, head to the Esplanade where you can take a plunge in the lagoon or enjoy sundowners at one of the restaurants that line the waterfront and rooftops.
However, because it is a holiday, why not do both?