Brisbane to Cairns East Coast Road Trip

Drive approximately 1,700 km north along the Bruce Highway, connecting sand islands, the Southern Reef, the Whitsundays, and tropical rainforests.

Queensland's most classic long-distance road trip, entirely on sealed roads with a one-way car rental. Travel from Noosa to K'gari, pass through Bundaberg for turtle nesting, visit the Town of 1770 and Cape Hillsborough for kangaroos at dawn, cruise the Whitsundays, explore Magnetic Island and Mission Beach, and finish in Cairns. Most days involve 3–5 hours of driving, making it perfect for families and first-time visitors with plenty of time.

Avoid the wet and stinger season from November to March. Whale watching is best from July to October.

Day by day

Day 1 · Australia Zoo to Noosa

Noosa（Australia Zoo、Hastings Street）

Drive north from Brisbane to Australia Zoo (approx. 1 hour), then continue to Noosa (approx. 1 hour, around 170 km total).

Stay: Noosa Heads and Hastings Street

Day 2 · Noosa Coastal Walk

Noosa（Noosa National Park Coastal Walk、Hell's Gates、Noosa Main Beach）

Walk from Hastings Street into Noosa National Park. The Coastal Walk takes about 2–3 hours return.

Stay: Noosa Heads and Hastings Street

Day 3 · Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay

Rainbow Beach（Carlo Sandblow） → Hervey Bay & K'gari (Fraser Island)（Urangan Pier）

Drive to Rainbow Beach (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Hervey Bay (approx. 2.5 hours, around 320 km total).

Stay: Urangan

Day 4 · K'gari 4WD Guided Day Tour

Hervey Bay & K'gari (Fraser Island)（Lake McKenzie、75 Mile Beach、Eli Creek、SS Maheno Shipwreck）

Join a guided 4WD tour and take the ferry to the island. Travel entirely on sand tracks from morning to evening (approx. 10 hours).

The island consists entirely of sand tracks, and standard rental cars are not permitted. Book your tour in advance.

Stay: Urangan

Day 5 · Childers to Bundaberg

Bundaberg & Bargara（Childers、Bundaberg Rum Distillery、Mon Repos Conservation Park）

Drive via Childers to Bundaberg (approx. 1.5 hours), then continue to Bargara (approx. 20 minutes, around 130 km total).

The Mon Repos Night Turtle Encounter only runs from November to March; tickets must be booked well in advance.

Stay: Bargara

Day 6 · North to Agnes Water & 1770

Bundaberg & Bargara（Bargara Beach & Esplanade） → Agnes Water & Town of 1770（Agnes Water Main Beach、1770 Sunset Point）

Drive along the inland highway (approx. 130 km, 1.5–2 hours) and head to the Town of 1770 for sunset.

Fuel stops are limited along this stretch; fill up your tank before leaving Bundaberg.

Stay: Agnes Water village

Day 7 · Drive to Rockhampton

Capricorn Caves

Rejoin the Bruce Highway and drive north (approx. 270 km, around 3 hours). Visit the Capricorn Caves in the afternoon.

Stay: Rockhampton

Day 8 · Long Drive to Cape Hillsborough

Cape Hillsborough

Drive north (approx. 380 km, around 4.5 hours). Turn off onto the coastal road after passing Mackay.

Wildlife is highly active at dusk; avoid driving on rural roads after dark.

Stay: Cape Hillsborough

Day 9 · Sunrise Kangaroos to Airlie Beach

Whitsunday Islands（Airlie Beach Lagoon）

Watch the wallabies and kangaroos on the beach at dawn, then drive north to Airlie Beach (approx. 170 km, around 2 hours).

Stay: Airlie Beach

Day 10 · Whitehaven Beach Cruise

Whitsunday Islands（Hill Inlet Lookout、Whitehaven Beach）

Take a full-day rafting or catamaran cruise from Port of Airlie (approx. 7–10 hours).

Not all boat tours visit the Hill Inlet Lookout; confirm the itinerary before booking.

Stay: Airlie Beach

Day 11 · Bowen to Townsville

Whitsunday Islands（Bowen (Horseshoe Bay & Big Mango)） → Townsville & Magnetic Island（Castle Hill、The Strand）

Drive along the highway (approx. 275 km, around 3 hours), stopping for lunch in Bowen.

Stay: The Strand

Day 12 · Magnetic Island Day Trip

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Forts Walk、Horseshoe Bay、Geoffrey Bay Rock Wallabies）

Take a passenger ferry to Nelly Bay (approx. 25 minutes). Explore the island by bus or rental car, and return to Townsville in the evening.

Stay: The Strand

Day 13 · Little Crystal Creek to Mission Beach

Townsville & Magnetic Island（Paluma Range & Little Crystal Creek） → Mission Beach（Mission Beach）

Drive north (approx. 250 km, around 3 hours of pure driving time), detouring into the mountains to visit Little Crystal Creek.

Stay: Wongaling Beach

Day 14 · Paronella Park to Cairns

Mission Beach（Paronella Park） → Cairns & Great Barrier Reef（Josephine Falls、Babinda Boulders）

Drive north (approx. 190 km, 2.5 hours of pure driving time) via Paronella Park and two waterfall areas.

Stay: Cairns City and the Esplanade

Day 15 · Outer Reef Cruise Day Trip

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef（Moore Reef）

Take a cruise vessel from the Cairns Marina to the reef (approx. 2 hours each way) for a full day of snorkeling, returning in the evening.