Every little thing you need to see, do and expertise on the epic Brisbane to Cairns drive! Our Brisbane to Cairns highway journey itinerary will aid you with all of your planning wants.
One of the common highway journeys in Australia is driving from Brisbane to Cairns alongside the Queensland Coast.
Many will come from far and large to expertise the seashores, distinctive points of interest, tropical islands and the gorgeous Nice Barrier Reef.
Well-known places like Airlie Seaside, the Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Seaside, Mission Seaside, Hervey Bay, and extra lie alongside this stretch of the Queensland Coast.
In truth, there’s a lot to see alongside this stretch of highway you will see it laborious to suit every thing in!
For this reason our professional information will showcase the very best concepts on must-see locations and points of interest that will help you choose and select what you wish to do to plan out your journey.
The capital metropolis of Queensland has lots to do as properly, and Brisbane is the right place to start this journey!
Brisbane to Cairns Drive Itinerary – The Final Street Journey Information
The stretch of highway covers nearly 2500 kilometres (1550 Miles) and is finest explored over a ten to 14-day interval. Take a look at the route on
We suggest travelling just some hours every time you progress on to interrupt up the journey.
Many of the stops will solely require one evening, however there are just a few places that can be higher to take pleasure in over a few nights.
You’ll move by pure waterfalls, turquoise waters, white sandy seashores, and distinctive wild animal interactions, ending up in Far North Queensland.
For this reason driving from Brisbane to Cairns is simply unbelievable and properly well worth the journey.
One of the best ways to get round is to hire a automobile and discover by yourself! We suggest Rental Cars, which has the biggest vary of autos for the very best worth in the marketplace.
What You Will See on a Brisbane to Cairns Street Journey
The Brisbane to Cairns drive is stuffed with surprise and it may be simple to really feel overwhelmed when planning.
That’s why that will help you resolve, I’ve listed among the highlights and issues to see and do under:
- Seashores and Hikes on the Sunshine Coast
- Swimming in secluded waterfalls across the Atherton Tablelands
- Visiting the white sand stunning seashores of Mission Seaside, Whitehaven Seaside, Airlie Seaside and Noosa Nationwide Park
- Snorkelling the Nice Barrier Reef
- Witnessing the loggerhead turtles laying eggs or their hatchlings scamper down the seashore
- Hike by lush rainforests
- Take a gondola trip by the Daintree
- See wild kangaroos feeding on the seashore at dawn
Simply to call just a few…..
And that’s only one itinerary on our listing of the very best Queensland road trips! Take a look at our information to see what else made the reduce…
Suggestions for Driving from Brisbane to Cairns
Now we have just a few suggestions for you although that will help you higher plan your Brisbane to Cairns highway journey itinerary.
- Summer season in Australia is December to March, which can also be the moist season in North Queensland. Wet days are nice for the waterfalls however would possibly deter you from different outside actions because of the humidity.
- Winter in Far North Queensland is Might to September, the place there are fewer wet days to take pleasure in outside actions. Days will nonetheless be nice and hotter as you journey north. Nighttime may get just a little cooler, however pack layers or a lightweight jacket to make this extra comfy. The cooler nights will have an effect on you extra within the southern cities with a mean low of 10 levels Celsius.
- It’s extra versatile to drive from Brisbane to Cairns in your personal automobile or a rental automobile. A four-wheel drive will open choices for extra experiences, particularly on Fraser Island, in addition to having the ability to go to places by yourself. Rental vehicles can be found from Brisbane and Cairns.
- Travelling as a pair or in a small group will assist scale back prices and make the journey extra reasonably priced.
- Think about hiring a campervan or RV to avoid wasting on lodging prices. There are lots of of paid and free tenting choices alongside this journey and a very talked-about option to journey. Cabins, motels, hostels, and luxurious fastened lodging are on provide in all places and are finest booked beforehand.
- All the journey if you happen to stick with the primary roads, are on sealed bitumen, however some areas could be busy or just a little run down. Should you head inland or deeper into among the nationwide parks on these highway journeys you’ll want a 4×4.
- Upkeep or highway works are all the time taking place on this freeway, so enable additional time to get to every cease.
- Service stations, gas or petrol could be discovered practically each 100 kilometres, though some will should be accessed off the freeway and within the small cities. Be ready and all the time replenish and get provides earlier than you want them.
- Count on to spend just a little more cash within the excessive vacationer hubs like Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Airlie Seaside, Mission Seaside, the Whitsunday Islands, the Sunshine Coast and Cairns, and if you happen to journey to any of the distant tropical islands.
The Brisbane to Cairns Street Journey Itinerary
Should you’re touring immediately from Brisbane to Cairns, it is going to take about 19 hours, which as you possibly can see is quite a lot of floor to cowl.
As Cairns can also be a global gateway metropolis, the identical recommendations under can be utilized in reverse if beginning your journey as a Cairns to Brisbane to drive.
It’s steered to discover this route for at least 10 days, however if in case you have longer then you definately’ll discover lots to maintain you occupied!
There are numerous totally different exits off the primary A1 freeway, each in direction of the coast and inland. Subsequently, it will improve the kilometres travelled and the time it takes to drive your complete journey.
Not solely that, however with the Reef covering 1300 kilometres alongside the coast of this highway, you’ll have day journey choices from most of the islands and seashore cities as properly.
Please observe that travelling occasions might differ relying on highway situations, upkeep, and different surprising occurrences.
This implies when planning out your journey you could go away loads of time in between for delays.
There are hundreds of thousands of vacationers, locals, and abroad guests travelling this freeway yearly, and intermittent highway works are quite common.
Beginning in Brisbane
We’re beginning at this time from the Queensland capital metropolis of Brisbane, having a inhabitants of over 2 million folks.
It’s a global gateway metropolis and a superb place to get your bearings.
When you’ve got some additional time right here then there’s lots to see and do within the space, which you’ll learn extra about in this blog post.
Go for a trip on the Wheel of Brisbane, stroll to King Island at low tide, go to South Financial institution, or hike up Mount Coot-Tha for the very best views of Brisbane.
They’ve man-made seashores overlooking the Brisbane River and town skyline, together with two others at Redcliffe and Ipswich.
Moreover, you possibly can day journey to Bribie Island, Moreton Island, or North Stradbroke Island.
Every Island gives magnificent seashores, four-wheel driving, and each tenting and lodging choices.
Or you possibly can head south to the Gold Coast for epic seashores and the well-known Surfer’s Paradise nightlife.
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast – 150km
The Sunshine Coast can be your first cease for beachside enjoyable and tonnes of tourism options like Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Should you’re after some nice spots to swim, you possibly can select to take a look at among the many seashores alongside the coast like Caloundra or Maroochydore, or some pure rock pools at Noosa.
Go looking for some recent waterholes or waterfalls within the Sunshine Coast Hinterland like Booloumba Falls or Kondalilla Falls.
Feeling a bit extra lively? Why not benefit from the recent air and views of the Glasshouse Mountains?
The Glasshouse Mountains are a stunning space full of distinctive mountains like Mount Ngungun or Mount Beerwah. A Glasshouse Mountains hike is a good way to stretch the legs throughout your highway journey! Or you possibly can go for extra leisurely strolls by Noosa Nationwide Park.
That is additionally the place you will see the favored leisure parks such because the Ginger Factory, or thrill rides on the Aussie World theme park.
Sunshine Coast to Rainbow Seaside – 100km
Travelling on the Bruce Freeway between Brisbane and Cairns, Rainbow Seaside is the primary gateway port to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island.
However this spot has its personal draw playing cards as properly, as 70,000 guests per 12 months can attest.
It’s referred to as a small beachside tenting and fishing city close to the Bruce Freeway, the place you stretch the legs out of your four-wheel drive and go for a spin down the seashore.
Rainbow has websites just like the sand dunes on the Carlo Sand Blow, freshwater swimming at Poona Lake, Colored Sands rock formations, and Inskip Level Seaside. You’ll be pleasantly shocked whenever you go to this vibrant city.
Rainbow Seaside to Tin Can Bay – 32km
It’s only a brief drive to the subsequent vacation spot, so select the place you’d like to remain.
Tin Can Bay is a small little city with a inhabitants of simply over 2000 folks. It’s a very talked-about vacation vacation spot with a number of accommodations, vacation models, and caravan parks.
Together with having the ability to hire houseboats and yachts to sail across the area, Tin Can Bay has a improbable, uncommon alternative to see wild humpback dolphins within the early morning.
They’re fed underneath shut supervision by the volunteers and guided by animal safety laws.
There’s a minimal cost of $10 per individual which covers the price of the meals and cleansing answer.
Tin Can Bay to Fraser Island / Okay’gari – 218km
Everybody loves island life, and Okay’gari (Fraser Island) permits many various kinds of travellers to expertise it.
Fraser Island, or the normal Aboriginal title Okay’gari because it’s now identified, has two totally different resorts, a number of tenting spots, and an enormous quantity of web sites to see whereas visiting the island.
When you’ve got a 4×4 you’ll be in heaven, because the seashores and sand dunes provide among the finest four-wheel drive adventures in Australia.
With clear freshwater streams like Eli Creek, beachside rock swimming pools just like the Champagne Swimming pools, Lake McKenzie, views for miles at Indian Head rocks, and weird sand formations just like the Pinnacles, there’s loads to see and do right here.
You gained’t be disillusioned stepping off land to go to Fraser Island/Okay’gari!
You’ll be able to entry Okay’gari from Rainbow Seaside or Hervey Bay.
Hervey Bay
Pack the automobile early and preserve heading north, as a result of it’s time to hit up one of the stunning places on Australia’s east coast!
Hervey Bay is a quaint little seaside city in southern Queensland and is common for whale watching day journeys to watch humpbacks on their annual migration.
Should you occur to be travelling close to Hervey Bay from June to November then boat excursions to see the whales are a particular “must-do” exercise.
The humpback whales move by Hervey Bay in different-sized pods and placed on a giant present for the vacationers with their breaching acrobatics.
Hervey Bay has a inhabitants of over 50,000 folks and gives loads of calm swimming and different water actions like fishing, paddle boarding, and kayaking
Moreover Hervey Bay is a well-liked launching spot to entry the gorgeous Fraser Island (Okay’gari) – which is the biggest sand island on the planet.
Hervey Bay to Utopia Rock Swimming pools – 105km
Heading just a little inland from the precise coastal route, you possibly can go to the city of Biggenden with its beautiful Utopia Rock Swimming pools.
Situated within the Mount Walsh Nationwide Park, there’s a hidden rock pool swimming spot that the locals have been utilizing for years.
After a simple 30-minute hike by the Nationwide Park, you’ll come to a few or 4 cascading rock swimming pools.
That is finest visited within the summertime and particularly after some rain. Lodging choices are restricted right here, however it’s simple sufficient for a day journey from both Hervey Bay or Bundaberg.
Utopia Rock Swimming pools to Bundaberg – 95km
With over 90,000 folks dwelling on this beachside metropolis, you may be certain to seek out one thing to do for everybody.
Greatest identified for producing the world-famous Bundaberg Rum, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks and their Ginger Beer, additionally it is the place you’ll discover the southernmost level of the Nice Barrier Reef.
Moreover there are some superb seashores like Bargara, Elliott Heads, or Woodgate, or you possibly can take day journeys to the offshore islands and revel in plenty of totally different water-based actions.
Not solely that, however they’re all conveniently provided with tenting spots, motels, and resort lodging which might be handy for a highway journey!
A favorite with households and retirees, the seashores provide calm waters and good strolling.
That is additionally a main location for the seasonal Turtle nesting the place you possibly can take a look at the loggerhead turtles laying eggs, or watch the child turtles make their approach down the seashore.
Bonus Journey – Woman Elliot Island
Boarding a flight is the one option to get to this remoted island, however the excellent news is that flights go away from both Brisbane, Hervey Bay, or Bundaberg frequently.
Depart the rental automobile behind to go to this absolute paradise. One of the best issues to do on the island are primarily based round water actions like snorkelling and diving within the magnificent Southern Nice Barrier Reef.
Should you desire to remain on land then you possibly can be taught concerning the chicken habitats and historical past of the island.
If you’d like an extended keep, there are models, cabins, and glamping tent choices on the Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.
Bundaberg is the preferred spot to go to Woman Elliot Island from, with 20-minute flights and day by day departures making it excellent for a day journey.
Bundaberg to Agnes Water & 1770 – 122km
As you head north into central Queensland on this Brisbane to Cairns highway journey issues begin to change fairly dramatically.
You’re now getting into the tropics, however earlier than you get there you get to benefit from the beautiful cities of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy.
They’re each quiet little beachside villages identified for his or her browsing life-style on Foremost Seaside, boating, fishing, mountaineering and swimming.
That is additionally a main location to seize some recent seafood, so pop into the native fish and chip store to replenish on a tasty meal.
There are numerous totally different actions to take a look at in Agnes Water, just like the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk, the LARC Tour (an amphibious boat), and mountaineering the Pink Rock Trails.
Vacation houses and resort lodging are on provide in all places in Agnes Water, together with loads of tenting and cabin choices.
At 1770 you possibly can look west because the solar begins its dip under the ocean horizon, providing spectacular surroundings and pure magnificence that isn’t discovered in lots of different locations in Queensland.
That is additionally your second (and nearer) gateway to swimming with the turtles at Woman Musgrave Island.
Bonus Journey – Woman Musgrave Island
Just like Woman Eliot Island and likewise situated within the Southern Nice Barrier Reef is the improbable Woman Musgrave Island.
It’s solely accessible by boat from both Bundaberg or 1770, and whereas the boat journey from 1770 is shorter, the boat from Bundaberg will have more options for diving actions and sleeping in a glamping mattress on prime of a pontoon.
Each can have you snorkelling some superb reef programs and discovering plenty of turtles.
There’s a tenting choice on the island itself, nevertheless it’s extraordinarily off-grid and by allow solely.
It’s laborious to choose between Woman Musgrave and Woman Elliot Island, and there’s not a giant distinction between them.
My suggestion is to weigh up choices for both and select to go to one which fits your highway journey funds or timeline.
Agnes Water to Rockhampton & Yeppoon – 225km
Driving from Brisbane to Cairns will take you to so many superb locations, and one of many busier but underrated cities you’ll cease off at alongside the best way is Rockhampton.
Rocky, because it’s identified to locals, is the Beef Capital of Australia, so if you happen to love steak you’re in for a deal with.
There’s a lot more to do here than just eat though. The underground rock formations at Capricorn Caves are completely mesmerising, as is the Mount Archer Skywalk overlooking town, particularly at sundown.
Should you drive one other half-hour in direction of the Capricorn Coast you’ll come to the small city of Yeppoon, referred to as the gateway to the Nice Keppel Islands.
A visit out to those islands is improbable, with plenty of marine life, coral reefs and different pure wonders to take pleasure in.
Again on land you’ll additionally discover the close by Byfield National Park with plenty of fantastic hikes, four-wheel driving seashores, and superb swimming spots like Stoney Creek. Subsequent, get again on the Bruce Freeway and proceed your highway journey north!
Rockhampton to Finch Hatton Gorge – 400km
Get off the Bruce Freeway between Brisbane and Cairns to move inland for a beautiful day journey close to Mackay.
Finch Hatton Gorge has some fantastic mountaineering, waterfalls to discover and crisp swimming holes to take pleasure in.
Finishing the extra common Araluen Falls hike is a brief, three kilometres return.
Moreover, you possibly can select to finish the remainder of the trek to the Wheel of Hearth Gorge, which is about 5 kilometres return.
Throughout excessive rainfall, entry to the automobile park may very well be restricted with out a 4 wheel drive.
Finch Hatton Gorge to Cape Hillsborough – 86km
Now, that is one cease on our Brisbane to Cairns highway journey itinerary that you just gained’t wish to miss!
About 45 minutes driving north of Mackay you’ll discover the Cape Hillsborough Nationwide Park. It is a very nice space to discover for a lot of causes, however the preferred is seeing the morning feeding of the japanese gray kangaroos at dawn.
Park rangers come down each morning and put out meals for them, and there’s no extra iconic photograph than a kangaroo chilling on the seashore!
Though these are wild animals, the rangers preserve this exercise underneath strict management attributable to what number of guests come.
When you can drive in actually early, it’s extra sensible to remain on the Cape Hillsborough Caravan Park the evening earlier than.
Cape Hillsborough to Airlie Seaside – 128km
Airlie Seaside actually must be seen to be believed, and it truly is a “should do” cease in your Brisbane to Cairns highway journey.
Boasting among the most stunning blue waters in Australia, Airlie Seaside is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the place you’ll discover the well-known Whitehaven Seaside. Airlie Seaside can also be an incredible place to take pleasure in a scenic flight over the UNESCO World Heritage Nice Barrier Reef.
The city of Airlie Seaside itself is small however has lots to do to maintain all travellers joyful.
Half or full-day excursions go away from Shute Harbour in Airlie Seaside and take you snorkelling or diving on the reef, out to Whitsunday Island and Whitehaven Seaside, visiting Hamilton Island or casting your eyes over the ethereal Hill Inlet from the lookout.
In addition to Hamilton Island, with its personal airport, you can too do a visit to Daydream Island.
In Airlie Seaside itself you possibly can swim within the man-made lagoon, stroll alongside the seashore or chase recent water holes at Cedar Creek Falls.
Take a look at our information to all of the best things to do in Airlie Seaside to see what else you possibly can rise up to throughout your highway journey.
Airlie Seaside to Townsville & Magnetic Island – 275km
From Airlie Seaside, proceed your highway journey north to Townsville.
Townsville is the biggest metropolis in North Queensland, with a inhabitants of near 200,000 folks. That makes it an ideal spot to interrupt up the Australian highway journeys alongside the east coast and fill up on provides (if you happen to want).
There’s quite a lot of superior things to do in Townsville, together with climbing to the lookout of Citadel Hill, heading to Wallaman Falls and visiting among the close by nationwide parks.
However in my humble opinion, you could bounce on a ferry and go to Magnetic Island, which is straightforward to go to for a day journey or keep for an extended interval.
Do the Forts Hike to see koalas within the wild, discover the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay, go snorkelling within the beautiful bays with sea turtles and simply chill out at the beaches.
One of the best ways to discover Magnetic Island is by automobile, and by chance there’s a barge the place you possibly can take yours throughout.
In any other case you possibly can observe this one day Magnetic Island itinerary to benefit from your brief go to.
Townsville to Cardwell Spa Swimming pools and Mission Seaside – 175km
The Cardwell Spa Swimming pools are popular, local swimming spot the place the flowing water runs over the rocks, making a pure spa impact.
What makes this place particular is the beautiful blue color of the water. This blue color is created by phytoplankton, bicarbonates binding to clay, and lightweight refraction within the water.
This needs to be seen to be believed, however timing is every thing, and it’s finest to go to after a small quantity of rainfall, with out washing it out an excessive amount of.
Lower than one hour north you’ll discover Mission Seaside. With its iconic palm bushes and spectacular stretch of sand, Mission Seaside is commonly declared to be one of many prime Cairns day trips.
Mission Seaside is certainly one of Queensland’s most well-known seashores, so positively cease right here in your Brisbane to Cairns itinerary.
Fashionable issues to do in Mission Seaside embody skydiving, swimming, and sunbathing.
Actually although if in case you have extra time, we extremely, HIGHLY suggest reserving a day journey out to the reef with Great Barrier Reef Safaris.
Owned and operated by Adele (a marine biologist) and Stuart (an skilled boat captain), this firm takes very small teams out to snorkel and discover the beautiful islands and reefs off of Mission Seaside.
We spent a time out with them on the Brook Islands, and properly, simply take a look at our video to see how epic it was.
Should you e book a visit with them allow them to know NOMADasaurus despatched you and say hello from us.
Mission Seaside to Cairns – 140km
That is our final stretch on the Brisbane to Cairns drive, however don’t rush – there are nonetheless just a few sights alongside the best way which may simply take you simply over every week to see if in case you have the time.
From Mission Seaside to Cairns you’ll move sugar cane farms and discover the Babinda Boulders, one other improbable swimming river the place you can too go kayaking.
South of city there’s a 20-kilometre loop highway referred to as the Waterfall Circuit that cuts up by the Atherton Tablelands.
This comprises a number of very totally different waterfalls for exploring, mountaineering, and swimming. Certainly one of them, Millaa Millaa Falls, simply occurs to be essentially the most photographed waterfall in Australia.
Should you love cascades, don’t miss all these different awesome waterfalls near Cairns.
Cairns itself has a inhabitants of 150,000 folks, and is a tourism Mecca. On the town the Esplanade is lined with bars, eating places, tropical gardens and a beautiful man-made swimming lagoon.
Get out of city although and take a look at the Kuranda Rail within the surrounding rainforest, or take a special view on the Skyrail Gondola.
Most individuals will come to Cairns for the water, and it’s the finest place in Queensland to go and scuba dive or snorkel the Nice Barrier Reef.
Persevering with into Far North Queensland you’ll come throughout the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest, a nationwide park spanning mountainous rainforests, gorges, and secluded seashores, residence to among the most pristine pure surroundings areas within the southern hemisphere.
READ MORE: Take a look at on the Best Atherton Tableland Waterfalls you need to see!
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