Length14 to 21 days
StartsSydney
EndsSydney
Best time to goSep to Nov and Mar to May
The route
A 2,500 km run from Sydney to Cairns along the east coast. Fourteen to twenty-one days gives time for beaches, islands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Day
1
Sydney to Port Macquarie
🚐 About 4.5 hours (around 390 km)
Drive north via the Central Coast and Taree. The Central Coast has beaches. Port Macquarie has a Koala Hospital.
Optional things to do
- Koala Hospital
- Tacking Point walk
- Lake Cathie
Where to stay
Holiday parkPort Macquarie Breeze Holiday ParkA park near the town.
Holiday parkPort Macquarie Tourist ParkGood facilities.
Day
2
Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour
🚐 About 2 hours (around 160 km)
Continue to Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour has a Big Banana. The Dorrigo Skywalk is a short detour.
Optional things to do
- Big Banana
- Muttonbird Island
- Dorrigo Skywalk
Where to stay
Holiday parkCoffs Harbour Holiday ParkNear the jetty.
Holiday parkBig4 Coffs Harbour Holiday ParkNear the town.
Day
3
Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay
🚐 About 3.5 hours (around 260 km)
Continue to Byron Bay. Byron Bay has a lighthouse. The hinterland has markets.
Optional things to do
- Cape Byron lighthouse
- Byron Bay Markets
- Hinterland drive
Where to stay
Holiday parkByron Bay Holiday ParkA few minutes from town.
Holiday parkSuffolk Park Holiday ParkA quieter beachside option.
Day
4
Byron Bay to Brisbane
🚐 About 2 hours (around 165 km)
Drive through the Gold Coast to Brisbane. The Gold Coast has beaches. Brisbane has South Bank.
Optional things to do
- Burleigh Heads
- Surfers Paradise
- Story Bridge
Where to stay
Holiday parkBrisbane Gateway ResortA park near the city.
Holiday parkBig4 Brisbane Holiday VillageA park with a pool.
Day
5
Brisbane to Noosa
🚐 About 2 hours (around 150 km)
Drive north via the Glass House Mountains. The Glass House Mountains are on the way. Noosa has a national park.
Optional things to do
- Noosa National Park
- Hastings Street
- Eumundi Markets
Where to stay
Holiday parkNoosa River Holiday ParkNear the river.
Holiday parkNoosa Caravan Park TewantinA few minutes from the river.
Day
6
Noosa to Hervey Bay
🚐 About 3 hours (around 230 km)
Drive north via Gympie. Hervey Bay has whale watching. Rainbow Beach has colored sands.
Optional things to do
- Whale watching (seasonal)
- Urangan Pier
- Rainbow Beach
Where to stay
Holiday parkDiscovery Parks Hervey BayNear the beach.
Holiday parkBig4 Hervey Bay Holiday ParkA family friendly park.
Day
7
Hervey Bay to Rockhampton
🚐 About 4.5 hours (around 400 km)
Drive north via Bundaberg. Bundaberg has rum. Rockhampton has the Capricorn Caves.
Optional things to do
- Capricorn Caves
- Bundaberg Distillery
- Agnes Water
Where to stay
Holiday parkRockhampton Big4 Holiday ParkA good base.
Holiday parkRiverside Caravan Park RockhamptonQuiet riverside sites.
Day
8
Rockhampton to Airlie Beach
🚐 About 5.5 hours (around 420 km)
Drive via Mackay. Mackay has a harbour. Airlie Beach has boat trips.
Optional things to do
- Cape Hillsborough
- Whitsunday cruise
- Airlie Lagoon
Where to stay
Holiday parkAirlie Cove Resort and Caravan ParkNear the centre.
Holiday parkBig4 Adventure Whitsunday ResortA large park.
Day
9
Airlie Beach to Townsville
🚐 About 4 hours (around 270 km)
Drive via Bowen. Townsville has a Strand. Magnetic Island is a day trip.
Optional things to do
- Magnetic Island
- Castle Hill
- Reef HQ
Where to stay
Holiday parkRowes Bay Beachfront Holiday ParkOn the foreshore.
Holiday parkTownsville Tourist ParkNear the city.
Day
10
Townsville to Cairns
🚐 About 5 hours (around 350 km)
Finish via Mission Beach. Mission Beach has cassowaries. Cairns has the reef.
Optional things to do
- Wallaman Falls
- Josephine Falls
- Babinda Boulders
Where to stay
Holiday parkCairns Coconut Holiday ResortA large resort park.
Holiday parkCairns Sunbird Holiday ParkNear the airport.
Plan ahead
- Stinger season runs from November to May.
- Book Whitsunday and reef trips ahead.
- Fuel is plentiful on the Pacific Highway but fill up in small towns.
Campsite rules, fees and availability change. Check the park or operator website before you go.
More road trips from Sydney
3 days3-day trips from Sydney
Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains or the South Coast.
Read the itinerary