Driving from Brisbane to Cairns takes you past the Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island (K'gari), the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef. This guide gives a 7–14 day itinerary for the Queensland coast.
Quick Overview
| Route | Distance | Recommended Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brisbane → Cairns | ~1,700 km | 7–14 days | Beaches, reef and rainforest |
Brisbane to Cairns Route Map
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Route Overview
Follow the Bruce Highway north through Noosa, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Mission Beach to Cairns.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Walk the Noosa National Park coastal track and relax at Main Beach.
Pick up your campervan in Brisbane, stock up on groceries and head north on the Bruce Highway. It is roughly a two-hour drive to Noosa, so you can arrive for lunch and spend the second day exploring.
- Noosa National Park coastal track, with a good chance of spotting koalas in the trees
- Main Beach and the cafés and restaurants of Hastings Street
- Swimming and paddling at Noosa Main Beach, or a surf lesson at the gentler breaks
- Eumundi Markets, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, if your dates line up
- Holiday parks in Noosaville and Noosa Heads, close to the river or town
- Parks around Coolum and Mooloolaba if Noosa is full
- Book ahead in winter and school holidays, as Noosa fills quickly
Gateway to K'gari. Whale watching runs July to October.
Continue north via Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay, the gateway to K'gari (Fraser Island). It is a longer driving day, so break it up with a stop at Rainbow Beach to see the coloured sand cliffs.
- Walk or cycle the Hervey Bay esplanade and the long Urangan Pier
- Book a K'gari day tour or tag-along trip if you want to see the lakes and dingoes
- Whale watching from roughly August to October
- Fish and chips by the water at sunset
- Holiday parks along the Hervey Bay esplanade at Pialba, Scarness and Torquay
- Parks at Rainbow Beach if you want a quieter, beachy night first
Surf at Agnes Water or visit the town of 1770.
Head north via Bundaberg to the laid-back twin towns of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy (1770), where the east coast road trip slows down.
- Surf lessons or a relaxed swim at Agnes Water Beach
- Walk the headland at 1770 for views over the water
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery tour if you stop in Bundaberg
- Mon Repos turtle tours, typically from November to March
- Holiday parks in Agnes Water and 1770, some a short walk from the beach
- Small, quiet parks are the norm here, so book ahead in school holidays
Sail the Whitsundays and visit Whitehaven Beach.
Drive on to Airlie Beach, the base for the Whitsundays. Allow a long driving day to get there, then use the next two days on the water.
- Sailing day trips, snorkelling and a visit to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet
- Relax at the Airlie Beach lagoon and the foreshore cafés
- Scenic flights or a day trip to Hamilton Island if you want something different
- Book at least a week ahead in winter, as popular tours sell out
- Holiday parks in and around Airlie Beach and Jubilee Pocket, close to town
- Resort-style parks with pools if you want a few comfortable nights
- Peak winter weeks and school holidays book out, so reserve early
Climb Castle Hill or take the ferry to Magnetic Island.
Drive north to Townsville, the largest city on the route, with a sunny, relaxed waterfront.
- Climb Castle Hill for sunrise or sunset views over the city and sea
- Stroll The Strand waterfront and its swimming lagoon
- Take the ferry to Magnetic Island for beaches, bays and bushwalks
- Visit Reef HQ Aquarium if the weather is poor
- Beachfront and city holiday parks around Townsville and Rowes Bay
- Book ahead for Magnetic Island day trips and ferry times
Stop at Paluma Range or Wallaman Falls if time allows.
Today the road heads into the tropics, finishing at Mission Beach, a quiet stretch of coast framed by rainforest.
- Stop at Paluma Range or Wallaman Falls if you have the time and energy
- Walk long, wide stretches of Mission Beach
- Look for cassowaries in the rainforest, and keep to the speed limit on local roads
- Day trips to Dunk Island by boat, weather permitting
- Holiday parks at Mission Beach and South Mission Beach, often just behind the sand
- Parks in Innisfail if you want to break the drive differently
Dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and visit the Daintree Rainforest.
Finish with a final push to Cairns, then spend your last days on the reef and in the rainforest.
- Dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef on a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas
- Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation day trip, including river cruises and boardwalks
- Paronella Park near Innisfail if you want to stop on the way
- Cairns Esplanade lagoon and night markets
- Holiday parks in and around Cairns, with pools and easy access to the city
- Book reef tours and park stays early in peak season
Best Time to Go
Winter is dry and cooler. Summer is wet and hot with stingers.
Cost Overview
See our Sydney to Cairns guide for the southern leg.
Campervan Tips
Book reef trips ahead
Whitsundays and Cairns tours sell out in peak season.
Watch for road trains
Allow plenty of overtaking space.
Use rest areas
Queensland has many free rest areas along the Bruce Highway.
Where to Stay Along the Queensland Coast
Holiday parks and council-run campgrounds are plentiful from Brisbane to Cairns. Noosa, Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Airlie Beach and Mission Beach all have caravan parks within walking distance of beaches or town centres. Free and low-cost rest areas along the Bruce Highway are suited to self-contained vans.
- Book Airlie Beach, Noosa and Cairns well ahead in winter and school holidays.
- Pick up a free camping directory in a visitor centre.
- Check our free camping guide for tips.
Experiences Worth Booking
The Whitsundays
Sailing day trips, snorkelling and a visit to Whitehaven Beach are the highlights. Book at least a week ahead in winter.
K'gari (Fraser Island)
Tag-along tours and guided trips from Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach allow you to see the lakes and dingoes without driving on sand yourself.
Great Barrier Reef
Day trips leave from Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach. Choose reef operators with eco-certification.
Daintree Rainforest
Add a day trip from Cairns to Cape Tribulation for rainforest walks and river cruises.
Driving Tips
The Bruce Highway is the main route and can be busy with trucks and caravans. Take regular breaks, avoid driving at dusk, and watch for floodwater in the wet season. Fuel is easy to find, but remote stretches between Townsville and Cairns still reward topping up.
Use an offline map app. See our best campervan travel apps guide.
Seasonal Notes
- May to October: dry, sunny and ideal for reef trips
- November to April: hot, humid and wet; stinger season applies to northern beaches
- Cyclone season runs November to April, so check forecasts
Budget
Campervan hire, fuel, camping, food and reef tours add up. See how much campervan hire costs and our campervan rental bond guide to plan ahead.
Extending the Trip
You can continue north to Cape Tribulation or south from Brisbane to Sydney. See our Sydney to Cairns guide for the full east coast route.
Campsites on the Queensland Coast
Holiday parks line the Queensland coast, with powered sites beside beaches and lagoons. Peak season runs from June to September and during school holidays, so book early.
- Noosa and the Sunshine Coast: parks near Noosa Heads, Coolum and Mooloolaba.
- Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay: holiday parks close to Carlo Sand Blow and K'gari day tours.
- Bundaberg and Agnes Water: coastal parks near the turtle rookery at Mon Repos and the town of 1770.
- Rockhampton and Yeppoon: holiday parks near Capricorn Caves and Keppel Bay.
- Airlie Beach: parks close to the lagoon and Whitsunday boat tours.
- Townsville: beachfront parks along the Strand and Rowes Bay.
- Mission Beach and Etty Bay: tropical rainforest parks and a beachside park near the cassowary habitat.
- Cairns and Palm Cove: resort-style parks for the end of your journey.
More Ideas for Your Brisbane to Cairns Trip
Sunshine and Fraser coast
- Noosa National Park coastal walk and Hastings Street cafés
- Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Rainbow Beach, Carlo Sand Blow and the Cooloola Great Walk
- Hervey Bay whale watching, roughly August to October
Capricorn and Whitsundays
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Mon Repos turtle tours (typically November to March)
- Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton
- Whitsunday sailing, snorkelling and Whitehaven Beach
- Airlie Beach lagoon and Hamilton Island day trips
Townsville and the Tropics
- Magnetic Island ferry from Townsville
- Wallaman Falls, Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall
- Paronella Park near Innisfail
- Great Barrier Reef snorkel or dive trips from Cairns and Port Douglas
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Brisbane to Cairns take?
About 20 hours driving. Seven days minimum, 14 recommended.
Is it better to drive north or south?
North puts you closer to the coast with easier access to Cairns reef tours.
Are there free campsites along the route?
Yes, many roadside rest areas and low-cost sites.
When is stinger season?
November to May.
Can I do a one-way hire?
Yes, check our one way guide.
How long should I spend between Brisbane and Cairns?
Ten to fourteen days lets you enjoy the main highlights without rushing.
Can you swim at Queensland beaches in summer?
Only at stinger-protected beaches or enclosures between November and May.
Do I need to book the Whitsundays in advance?
Yes, in winter and school holidays. Sailing and Whitehaven trips sell out early.
Is the Bruce Highway safe to drive?
Yes, but it is busy. Drive to conditions and take frequent breaks.
How long does it take to drive from Brisbane to Cairns?
About 1,700 km. Allow at least 10 to 14 days to see the highlights and enjoy the beaches.
Where can I see turtles on the Queensland coast?
Mon Repos near Bundaberg is famous for turtle nesting and hatchlings, typically from November to March. Check tour availability and booking rules.
When can you see whales at Hervey Bay?
Humpback whales visit between roughly August and October. Book a whale watching cruise early.
Do I need to worry about stingers?
Yes in northern Queensland from roughly November to May. Swim in netted areas and follow local advice.
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