Pacific Coast Touring Route - Brisbane to Cairns

Experience the best of Queensland’s magnificent landscape and wonderful outdoor lifestyle on your way from the sunshine capital Brisbane to tropical Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef! Drive on the worlds largest sand island, visit the ‘Beef Capital’ of Australia, swim with turtles in crystal clear water, admire Australia’s highest waterfall and explore miles and miles of pristine white beaches on this year round holiday destination!

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Brisbane to Bundaberg (Optional diversion to Fraser Island) 362km (5 hours 30 mins)

Just north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is a spectacular region stretching from the seaside town of Caloundra to Noosa’s famous Hasting Street. So take your time and do ‘brunch’ with the locals at Café LeMonde, Cato’s or countless other trendy cafes on the beach strip. Have a swim at Noosa’s famous Main Beach. Optional: on the way to Noosa, detour via Landsborough to visit Australia Zoo – home of the ‘Crocodile Hunter’.

A 40 minute diversion from the Bruce Highway at Maryborough will take you to Hervey Bay, where you can catch a ferry to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island and home to Kingfisher Bay Resort & Village. Fraser Island is a World Heritage Listed National Park with lush rainforests and clear blue-water lakes. It is suggested to take an extra 1 or 2 days to visit Fraser Island. Day tours depart from Hervey Bay or overnight on the island.

Another ‘hour up the road’ is Bundaberg, gateway to the ‘Coral Coast’. From here you can access the Southern Great Barrier Reef including Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands by either flight or launch. Bundaberg has a rich agricultural economic base and is the home of Bundaberg Rum. Mon Repos Beach is the largest mainland Turtle Rookery in Australia and every year humpback whales pass close to the pristine beaches, which stretch from Woodgate to Bargara. Overnight: Bundaberg

Day 2 - Bundaberg (or Fraser Island) to Rockhampton 318km (3 hours 45 mins)

Rockhampton is the gateway to the Capricorn region and bears the proud label of ‘Beef Capital of Australia’, with 2 million cattle within a 50km radius of town. Before departing Rockhampton, stop at the ‘Spire’ to record your crossing of the Tropic of Capricorn. Overnight: Rockhampton

Day 3 - Rockhampton to Whitsundays 483 (6 hours)

It’s a long drive to the Whitsundays, so break your journey with regular rest stops. The coastal town of Sarina is a good place to stop for lunch and a refreshing swim. Overnight: Whitsundays

Day 4 - Whitsundays

The Whitsundays are one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations and home to many of the island resorts that are synonymous with the Great Barrier Reef. The main town is Airlie Beach, a major departure point for reef excursions, home to many of the sailing and diving operators, and a variety of accommodation styles to suit all budgets. To the south-west of Airlie Beach and Mackay, Eungella National Park, Queensland’s largest rainforest park, allows visitors to view platypus in the wild. The drive through the Pioneer Valley to the park provides spectacular views and many walking tracks. Overnight: Arlie Beach (Mainland) or one of the many Island Resorts in the Whitsundays

Day 5 - Whitsundays to Townsville 285 (3 hours 45 mins)

Townsville is one of Queensland’s premier event destinations, with an exciting annual line up of sporting, aquatic, historical and cultural events. Townsville also provides easy access to the islands of Magnetic, Dunk, Bedarra, Orpheus and Hinchinbrook. Overnight: Townsville

Day 6 - Townsville to Cairns 348 (4 hours 45 mins)

The route from Townsville to Cairns is known as the Great Green Way with sandy beaches, world heritage rainforests and plunging waterfalls. Some 50km to the west, Australia’s highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls, is an enchanting realm of natural beauty that captivates visitors from all around. It’s worth a detour from the highway. Stop on the way for a picnic at picturesque Josephine Falls Wooroonooran National Park, 75kms south of Cairns. Overnight: Cairns

Day 7 - Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Cairns is the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforests. Cairns has a wide range of experiences and activities. Dine at one of the many restaurants and cafes, browse at an art gallery or two or shop to your heart’s delight. If relaxation is what you’re after, visit Cairns` Northern Beaches of Holloways, Yorkeys Knob, Trinity Beach, and Palm Cove, or Port Douglas. Here you can enjoy a village atmosphere and some great beachside dining experiences. Further north are the tropical rainforest and World Heritage Listed National Park areas of the Wet Tropics, including the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation areas. Numerous day touring options are available from Cairns on a daily basis.

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