Plan a self-drive between Cairns and Brisbane, which is one of the most popular road trip routes in Australia. This scenic route stays close to the coast and passes some of the country’s most impressive natural highlights, which include the myriad of beaches, islands, rainforest, waterfalls, and national parks.
If you are seeking an off-the-beaten-track adventure, then this epic, 1800km road trip from Cairns to Brisbane is perfect for you. The self-drive through Pacific Coast Way is one of the best ways to experience Queensland’s spectacular and diverse east coast. Book a rental car or a campervan to make the most of your trip. Read on for everything you need to know to plan a week of bucket-list-worthy adventure.
Start your trip at Cairns
Before you start your miles long journey to the south, spend a day exploring Cairns and its beautiful surrounding rainforest and beaches. One thing you should do while here is to explore the Great Barrier Reef. There are multiple tours to the reefs, and it’s certainly worth doing, as they are a delight for the eyes. You can book a half or full-day boat trip and snorkel or dive your way around the Reef.
You can also learn about the Aboriginal people’s connection to nature while touring the Daintree Rainforest. Backpacking in Cairns is actually a lot of fun. They also have the Botanical Gardens, which are also worth checking out.
Drive to the Coastal Village of Townsville
- 346.9 km from Cairns
- Time: 4hrs 16 min
Drive about four hours along the coast to reach the small town of Townsville, located in the heart of North Queensland. The town has both a prominent Aboriginal heritage and a fascinating military history. Go to Castle Hill for an impressive lookout, and catch a beautiful sunset or sunrise.
You can even go to explore Magnetic Island, which is home to secluded beaches and abundant wildlife. If you love scuba diving, then you are in for a treat as you will find several intriguing dive sites here.
If you want to stay here for a night, The Bush Oasis campsite is just outside of Townsville and has a heated pool and spa, making it one of the most luxurious budget places to stay.
Head to Airlie Beach
- 273.1 km from Townsville
- Time: 3 hrs 10 min
The next destination on this road trip is Airlie Beach. Packed with backpackers, swimming lagoons, beer gardens, and nightlife, Airlie Beach has a bit of everything. You can explore Lagoon, which is a great place to relax, especially during the day. It’s a small area with pools to swim and enjoy the views out into the ocean.
The main street of Airlie Beach has many cute cafes and boutique shops worth checking. You can also explore the nearby Hydeaway Bay, which is 45 minutes drive from Airlie Beach. You can even enjoy the vibrant nightlife here or choose to stay at several seaside hostels at Hydeaway Bay.
Spend a Day at Whitsunday Island
- 26 km from Airlie Beach
- Time: 30 min
From Airlie Beach, you can spare some time and head to Whitsunday Island. No visit to the Whitsunday Coast is complete without gorgeous island views. Sailing is the best way to explore the islands, as it offers incredible coral reefs, 360-degree views, and the opportunity to dive into the water at secluded beaches. You can even book a tour here that will take you to iconic locations like the bays of Hayman Island, Whitehaven Beach, and Hill Inlet. Here you will find stunning views of the crystal blue ocean twisting with pristine white sand.
Enjoy the Beautiful Sunrise at Capricorn Coast
- 499km from Airlie Beach
- Time: 5hrs 20min
Before reaching the Capricorn coast, you can even make stops at Mackay and Rockhampton. Get up early to catch a sunrise along with breathtaking views over the Pioneer Valley at local landmark Eungella Chalet. The Capricorn Coast offers a wide variety of luxury resorts as well as bush and rainforest retreats. Many beaches here provide snorkeling, bushwalking, island adventures, and marina berths. From here, you can head to the seaside town of Yeppoon, which has a 2500 square-meter Bali style pool. You can visit Yeppoon harbor for fine lunch/dinner overlooking the Pacific Ocean, then head to Oshen Apartments for the night.
Spend some time at the Rainbow Beach
- 517.8 km from Capricorn Coast
- Time: 6hrs 5min
Before arriving at Rainbow Beach, you can even spend some time exploring Bundaberg and Hervey Bay. Rainbow Beach is a popular tourist spot and also a gateway to Fraser Island. Next, head to explore Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, a narrow, sandy finger of land built up by waves and wind to form a natural breakwater. It has some beautiful swimming areas along with a fair amount of spots for 4WD and 2WD that are well worth checking out.
There are several options for campervan accommodation here. Also, the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village is located in the main port of town right on the beach. You can even use a hostel car park. For approximately $15, you can park your vehicle and access their bathrooms/showers, WiFi, and have free breakfast.
Spot Cute koalas at Noosa National Park
- 101.7 km from Rainbow Beach
- Time: 1hrs 20min
Explore Noosa National Park to spot cute koalas sleeping up in the trees. There are several Instagram-worthy hikes in the park, like the popular Coastal Track. Keep walking to reach the end of the paved path towards Dolphin Point to spot some frolicking dolphins.
Next, head north to check out the largest lake on the Noosa River, Lake Cootharaba. The river system at Noosa leads back down to the perfect spot for a paddle, the Everglades. The Noosa Everglades are one of only two everglade systems in the world that offers glass-like waters surrounded by rich flora and fauna.
End your drive at Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane
- 149.5 km from Noosa
- Time: 1hrs 50min
Just a 2-hour drive from Noosa, you will arrive in Brisbane. It is the ending point for this Cairn to Brisbane road trip, and there is a lot to see in this interesting city. Check out the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast- Australia’s most popular swimming and surfing beaches. There are other beautiful spots such as Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Burleigh Heads, Sea World, South Bank Visitor Centre, and Surfers Paradise that are worth exploring. Hang out in Brisbane for a few days before going back or get straight back on the road for your next adventure.