Driving from Brisbane to Cairns in 21 days

Driving from Brisbane to Cairns is over 1700 kilometres!  You’ll see stunning coastal cities, lush rainforest havens and loads of seashores alongside the way in which.   I’ve highway tripped up the Queensland coast many occasions and every time I uncover one thing new alongside the way in which.

So, that can assist you plan your journey and luxuriate in my favorite locations, right here’s my good 21 day itinerary for driving from Brisbane to Cairns.

Start your vacation in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital metropolis of Queensland is your place to begin and, as with most capitals there’s a lot to see and do.

Start your journey by hanging out at Southbank, journey on the Wheel of Brisbane, swim on the metropolis seashore, take a cruise down the Brisbane river or dine at one of many fabulous eating places.  Into the humanities?  The Queensland Museum, Art Gallery and the Brisbane Entertainment Centre are close-by too, so try ‘what’s on in Brisbane’ in Brisbane’.

South Brisbane has among the finest eateries on the town so I counsel you head in the direction of Fish Lane for a flavour that fits.  Discover extra concerning the fabulous Fish Lane precinct right here.

Interested in a day journey?  Cruise out to stunning Morton or North Stradbroke Islands.  Snorkel across the Tangalooma shipwrecks, swim and surf on the gorgeous seashores, slide down big sand dunes and discover the lighthouse.  Or head into the Scenic Rim or Queen Mary Falls for among the area’s magnificent walks and back-to-nature experiences in south east Queensland.

Queensland’s well-known Gold Coast is a hotspot for guests and simply over an hour from the town.  Glorious sunshine, golden seashores and surf!  One of my favorite seashores is Burleigh so when you’re going to increase your keep, that is the place to do it!

Get up shut and private with the wildlife at Currumbin Sanctuary, head into Springbook National Park to swim in freshwater waterfalls or spend the day absorbing the solar at your favorite Gold Coast seashore.  You have decisions!

There actually is a lot to do in south east Queensland earlier than you begin driving from Brisbane to Cairns!

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Day 2 & 3: Sunshine Coast

One of the primary locations when driving from Brisbane to Cairns is the Sunshine Coast.

The freeway north from Brisbane will take you previous Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo at Beerwah.  I’m a giant zoo fan Australia Zoo is considered one of my favourites!  They have an superior show of Australian birds, koala’s, kangaroos and different Aussie birds and animals.  Not to say meercats, lemurs, Galapagos turtles and different animals from world wide.  Crikey, there’s even a crocodile or two!

The Sunshine Coast boasts among the finest seashores in Queensland.  Starting at Caloundra you’ll discover a string of seashores all the way in which to Noosa.  Get your self some (extra) sunshine and benefit from the surf seashores alongside the way in which.  Learn to paddleboard, swim on the seashore, take surf classes, absorb among the sunshine.  If you need an superior view of the Glasshouse Mountains, Wildhorse Mountain is a superb quick stroll and never too distant, albeit somewhat steep!

Maleny and Montville are villages within the hinterlands.  A well-liked day journey and solely half-hour from the coast.  This area is well-known for it’s native arts and crafts in addition to their fashionable cafes, eating places and Bed ‘n Breakfast venues.

Noosa has loads of issues to see and do, so is a superb place to cease in your method north.  Walks by means of the National Parks, koala’s within the wild, the notorious Eumundi Markets, nice eating places and gorgeous seashores, its no surprise it’s referred to as Australia’s favorite vacation spot!

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Day 4 & 5:  Hervey Bay and Fraser Island

Just 4 hours north of Brisbane, is the place to go whale watching!   From June to November yearly, humpback whales journey from Antarctica to the hotter waters alongside Queensland’s shoreline round Hervey Bay and Fraser Island.

Fraser Island, and the biggest sand island on the planet and has lengthy been thought to be the most effective locations for whale watching in Australia.

Hervey Bay is an exquisite calm bay sheltered by Fraser Island and when you love fishing, that is the perfect place to catch whiting and flathead.

Named the world’s first whale heritage web site, Hervey Bay is the house of whale watching in Queensland.   There are numerous Whale Watching firms who present excursions customised to fit your wants.  Check them out for a tour to go well with you!

Want to remain longer?   Take the ferry throughout from Urangan Harbour in Hervey Bay, to the eco-friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort to discover this superb island.  There’s a ton of issues to do on Fraser Island beginning with floating in crystal clear rock swimming pools, swim in Lake McKenzie and recognizing dingoes within the wild in addition to photographing the Maheno Shipwreck.  It’s merely magical.

Day 6:  Heron Island

As a surprising coral cay in Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, Heron Island is world well-known for its coral reef and a sanctuary for a rare number of marine life.

Heron Island is a pure coral cay throughout the Great Barrier Reef and is likely one of the few locations that you could swim with turtles year-round.

From late October to early March, endangered Loggerhead sea turtles return to nest within the dunes. Then from December to April, the hatchlings start to emerge from their nests to begin their circle of life.  It’s a beautiful sight to see.

The historic Pisonia Forest on the island is a sanctuary for marine birds and close by, the crystal-clear waters teem with vibrant fish, turtles, rays, reef sharks and extra.  Take a guided nature stroll, a star-gazing tour, or just benefit from the views of the coral reef.  A wonderful alternative for marine fanatics to go diving inside minutes of the jetty.

Catch a 2.5 hour boat journey or take the seaplane from Gladstone to Heron Island.

Choose your lodging in Gladstone.

Day 7:  Eungella National Park

Driving north from Brisbane to Cairns affords loads of decisions.  Visit the Eungella National Park, considered one of Queensland’s most ecologically various parks.

Inland from Mackay, excessive above the sugar can fields, this mist-shrouded mountain is dwelling to many sorts of wildlife… and fairly a number of completely happy campers!

Follow the strolling tracks and luxuriate in spectacular views down the Pioneer Valley, together with rainforest gullies and river swimming pools.  Enjoy a picnic at Broken River after which wander alongside the banks watching the platypus within the gently-flowing water.

The spotlight of your journey might be discovering a platypus!  Eungella is likely one of the few locations the place you possibly can see these elusive, cute creatures with their duck payments, webbed toes and modern fur coats.

Camp in a single day in a tranquil riverside tenting space or test into one of many low price cabins at Broken River Mountain Resort.  It’s a spot to benefit from the peace and quiet of the rainforest, benefit from the birds and absorb the solitude.

Day 8:  Cape Hillsborough

Cape Hillsborough National Park is an absolute ‘must-do’ when driving from Brisbane to Cairns.

Just 50km north of Mackay, this nationwide park is most well-known for it’s kangaroos that come to the seashore at daybreak.  Every morning because the solar rises over the horizon, kangaroos and wallabies come all the way down to the seashore to feast on the mangrove seed pods washed up by the tide.  It’s a spectacular sight to see and when you’re fortunate, makes for fabulous pictures.

Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park is the place to remain so when you have a caravan, camper or tent you’ll slot in properly – or give them a name to see if they’ve any cabins accessible.

Days 9 – 13: Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays

Airlie Beach is gateway to the Whitsunday Islands.  There are loads of enjoyable issues to do in Airlie Beach.

Relax on the Lagoon and benefit from the idyllic views of a few of Australia’s most well-known islands earlier than you head out to the Whitsundays!

Driving from Brisbane to Cairns wouldn’t be full with no few days absorbing the sunshine in one of the superb locations world-wide.  Book your self on a final minute deal for a Whitsunday crusing journey and put together to have the time of your life!

From snorkelling and diving these tropical waters, to visiting among the world’s finest seashores, taking a 2 day crusing journey within the Whitsundays is certain to be an expertise you received’t overlook!

Day 14 – 15: Townsville & Magnetic Island

The largest metropolis in tropical north Queensland, Townville is certainly price a look-in when you’re driving from Brisbane to Cairns.

One of probably the most unbelievable hostels I’ve ever stayed in is in Townsville.  Book your self in for an evening at the least at Rambutan Resort or really feel like poshing it up somewhat?  Perhaps a few nights on the Hotel Grand Chancellor will do the trick.

Townsville is loaded with free issues to take action take be aware that the Friday night time markets on the Strand had been a favorite.  For some nice Mexican meals – strive Cactus Jacks!  An extended-time favorite of mine!

For one thing totally different, day journey to Magnetic Island.  Take the passenger ferry over to the island and spend the day exploring.

The finest technique to discover Maggie Island is to lease a automotive on the island and head off across the seashores.  Back within the day Mini Moke’s had been the fad however they’re turning into tougher to seek out these days.

Check out the Forts Walk, spot koalas within the wild, snorkel Florence and Radical Bays earlier than heading over to West Point for one of the gorgeous sunsets on the east coast!

Day 16:  Mission Beach

Yea! You’ve hit the tropics.   Mission Beach is near my coronary heart as my relations settled there when it was nothing however a retailer on the beachfront.   Some of them are nonetheless there so I cease in each time I go by.

Without doubt, Mission has one of many finest seashores in Queensland … and loads of nice cafes to go to too.  There is nothing fairly so tranquil as sitting on the grass, trying throughout the water to Dunk Island.

If you’re feeling extra energetic, then why not hop on a kayak tour to Dunk Island, or strive a spot of snorkelling across the heads as an alternative.  Does that persuade you to cease in at Mission Beach when you’re driving from Brisbane to Cairns?

Day 17 – 21:  Cairns in Far North Queensland

You’ve arrived!   After 21 days of driving from Brisbane to Cairns, your journey hasn’t completed but!   Cairns is a bustling tropical metropolis with a lot to see and accomplish that bounce in and have the time of your life.  These are among the day journeys which might be accessible.

The Esplanade is a superb place to hang around when you really feel like lazing round within the balmy evenings.  There are some fabulous eating places on the waterfront like The Raw Prawn and Tha Fish which might be price stepping out for when you love seafood.

• Fitzroy Island – This day journey to Fitzroy Island is a enjoyable day.  Go snorkelling on the encircling coral reef and absorb the sunshine.
• Tully White Water Rafting – White Water Rafting on the Tully River is the right day journey for an excessive adrenalin rush.
• Kuranda Railway and Sky-Rail – Take the previous railway as much as Kuranda and again.  Explore the Kuranda Butterfly House, the Kuranda Markets and do some sight-seeing.
• Daintree Rainforest – Marvel on the heritage-listed Daintree rainforest, be taught concerning the uncommon wildlife and species of vegetation which were right here from historic occasions.
• Port Douglas – There are many factors once you’re driving from Brisbane to Cairns the place you possibly can take a day journey to the islands and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, however Port Douglas is one with a ton of choices.
• Low Isles – Do the cruise to Low Isles.  The Great Barrier Reef stretches alongside the coast, working parallel to the Queensland shoreline. It’s the most effective locations to snorkel and swim round this coral cay in idyllic situations.

Whatever you select to do, it is going to be the right ending to your highway journey of a lifetime!

5 Essential Items for travelling all through Queensland

 

1. Good Camera – For travelling all through Australia I like to recommend the Sony a6000 Mirrorless Camera Package – Light & compact and takes nice pictures!  Most of the pictures on AussieMob.com are taken with my Sony!
2. Comfy Walking Shoes – There might be loads of strolling to be performed all through Queensland!  Make certain your toes are comfy – strive these New Balance Women’s Trainer.  I like mine!
3. Loney Planet Guidebook – Even as an Aussie, I’m a fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and depend on the Australian version.  Take one with you!
4. Good Water Bottle – Keep hydrated!  Travelling within the tropics could be thirsty work, so be sure to have a Yeti Drink Bottle and refill as you go.  Tap water is drinkable all over the place!
5. Good Sun Hat –  You’ll want a superb solar hat when travelling in Australia.  This Oz Smart Wide Brim Sun Hat appears fashionable and is good for maintaining you cool.