Brisbane and Cairns are both beautiful cities in Queensland with a lot of must-visit attractions, and we just love everything in between as much. Traversing through Brisbane and Cairns entails stunning coastal roads, several beaches, and pristine islands. Oh, and did we mention that this path also runs the length of the Great Barrier Reef?
What better way to cover all the exciting stops between the two cities than on an epic Brisbane to Cairns road trip?
Before you embark on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip, you need to have an essential covered: a car. If you don’t have one, no problem. Pre-booking your car rental on Klook is easy!
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Now that we’ve got your vehicle covered, let’s talk about planning the epic Brisbane to Cairns road trip adventure. Here’s everything you need to know before you embark on your journey:
Details:
Estimated Time: 13 days
Total Distance: 1,936 km (1,203 miles)
Map:
Map
Day 1-2: Brisbane
Brisbane is a city in Queensland that boasts 280 days of sunshine each year. It’s filled with charming city attractions balanced by nature getaways
Distance: 93.5 km
Estimated total drive: 2 hours
Activity length: 2 days
Here are some of the activities you can try in Brisbane:
Go on a Mystery Picnic in South Bank
Mystery picnics are a great way to explore the area!
Mystery picnics are like treasure hunts, but the treasure is food and you get to end with a celebratory feast with friends. Pick up your empty picnic basket and solve clues along the way until you reach your final picnic destination. Don’t worry, there are inclusions to accommodate those with food allergies and dietary restrictions.
The whole adventure lasts approximately three to four hours. It’s a great way to explore South Bank and uncover its hidden secrets!
Experience the Story Bridge Adventure Climb
After your treasure hunt for food, it’s time for a little adrenaline. Thrill your adventurous spirit with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, one of the only three bridge climbs in the world. Strap on your safety gear and conquer your fear of heights while getting to know the city from a different point of view—a 30-metre high one, at that.
Depending on your preference, you can book the dawn, day, twilight or night climb.
Watch the sunrise on the Greater Brisbane Scenic Hot Air Balloon Flight
There’s no better view of Greater Brisbane than on a hot air balloon! Image credits @hotairballoonbrisbane on Instagram
After exploring the busy city of Brisbane, it’s time to head to the countryside. Have a magical one-hour flight over the scenic Queensland greenery on a Greater Brisbane hot air balloon flight. Here, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the countryside and an unmatched front-row seat of the spectacular sunrise.
You can also opt to book the package with a free restaurant breakfast after your adventure.
Go on the Four X Beer Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting
Find out how the famous XXXX beer got its name! After your exciting hot air balloon flight, head on over to the XXXX Brewery and Alehouse in Milton, Brisbane for an educational and experiential tour. Discover how Australia’s number one beer is brewed, packed, and shipped to pubs and stores! The best part? There’s free beer tasting!
Day 3: Brisbane to Noosa Heads
Distance: 153 km
Estimated total drive: 2 hours
Activity length: 5 hours
After your Brisbane escapades, it’s time to kick off your Brisbane to Cairns road trip drive and head out to Noosa Heads.
After a two-hour drive from Brisbane, you’ll arrive at Noosa Heads, a serene town surrounded by gorgeous beaches, waters, and National Parks. Upon arriving at Noosa, here are some of the fun water activities you can do to make the most out of your visit to this coastal town:
Go on an Adventure Tour from Noosa Marina
Feel the breeze and the splashes of water while marvelling at the beauty of the Noosa coast. Image credits @noosaoceanrider on Instagram
Hop on the Gemini RIB, an agile ocean rider that will twist and turn at high speeds along the coast of Noosa. Let the captain show you around and tell you all about the gorgeous surroundings on this 1.5-hour adrenaline-inducing ride. You can book the join-in group packages or, if you have lots of friends along for your Brisbane to Cairns road trip, you can book the private package to rent a whole ocean rider.
Learn how to ride the waves with this surfing course for beginners
What better way to learn how to surf than from an expert instructor at one of Australia’s premier surfing destinations! This class is great for beginners of all ages, so if you’re a family embarking on your Brisbane to Cairns road trip, feel free to let the little ones tag along! The instructors are also certified lifeguards, so safety is the top priority!
Spot dolphins and other marine wildlife on the Noosa Dolphin Safari Cruise
The coast of Noosa is also a hotspot for watching dolphins
With its scenic blue waters, Noosa is a popular destination for dolphin watching. On the Noosa Dolphin Safari Cruise, the friendly captain guide will tell you all about these magnificent creatures and take you to the best spots to see them. All the while, the beauty of Noosa will be in full view.
Day 4 to 5: Noosa Heads to Fraser Island
Distance: 237 km
Estimated total drive: 5 hours
Activity length: Half day
Spanning a remarkable 123 kilometres, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and is regarded as a World Heritage site. With its captivating natural beauty—gorgeous sandy beaches, blue waters, and diverse marine and plant life—the five-hour drive is definitely worth it.
Upon arriving, you can rest from your long drive by strolling its beaches, mangroves, and lagoons. On your walk, you can also discover its diverse wildlife such as king-parrots, pied oyster-catchers, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, and more.
The next day, you can get up bright and early to this whale-watching cruise:
Half-Day Morning Whale Watching Cruise in Fraser Island
You’ll be in awe of these beautiful creatures! Image credits to Todd Cravens on Unsplash
One of the best parts about going on the Brisbane to Cairns road trip is getting to see various wildlife at different locations, with each spot having its own charm. For example, Fraser Island is a fantastic location to watch humpback whales in their natural habitat. These enormous but friendly creatures often swim up the boat, swishing their fins and sometimes jumping out of the water. You’ll also learn more about them thanks to a knowledgeable guide.
After the half-day tour, you can opt to stay on the island and explore some more or embark on a three-hour drive to Hervey Bay, the next destination of your road trip.
Day 6: Fraser Island to Hervey Bay
Distance: 80.5 km
Estimated total drive: 3 hours
Activity length: 1 day
Hervey Bay is a quaint coastal town three hours away from Fraser Island. It’s also blessed with gorgeous and tranquil beaches where you can take it slow and explore at your own pace. Here’s what you can do at one of Hervey Bay’s beaches:
Watch the sunrise at Dundowran Beach
The views at Dundowran Beach is worth capturing. Image credits @2aussietravellers on Instagram
Relax and feel the sand between your toes at Dundowran Beach. The colours that the sunrise paints are absolutely stunning, so we recommend waking up bright and early! You might even spot a kangaroo or two roaming about.
If you want to shorten your trip and make the most of the day, you can always go to the Fraser Island whale-watching cruise in the morning and end the day by watching the sunset at Dundowran Beach.
Day 7 to 9: Harvey Bay to Airlie Beach
Distance: 80.5 km
Estimated total drive: 3 hours
Activity length: 3 days
Next stop: Airlie Beach, a resort town in Whitsunday Coast and a gateway to the famed Great Barrier Reef. As a coastal town, Airlie doesn’t fall short on beaches, waterfront parks, and alfresco restaurants. Can you imagine yourself having a tasty meal while watching the waves crash against the shore?
To make the most out of your Airlie Beach visit, here are some of the best things to do while you’re in town:
Rafting Tours to Whitehaven Beach from Airlie Beach
It’s a whole day of fun and exploration on this rafting tour. Image credits @oceanrafting on instagram
On this tour, you’ll hop on a custom-built inflatable vessel that will take you from Airlie to Whitehaven beach. Make sure to bring your togs because you can go snorkelling or swimming at the beach!
If you want more snorkelling time, you can book the Northern Explore Tour package, and if you want more beach time, you can book the Southern Lights Tour.
Leap off a plane 15,000 feet above the ground with this skydiving experience
Take a leap of faith with this skydiving experience. Image credits @1300skydiveairliebeach on Instagram
While Airlie is known for its blue waters, it’s also a great place to take to the sky. You’ll be able to see everything at 15,000 feet in the air! During the 60-second freefall, you’ll see the Great Barrier Reef nestled in the glittering waters as well as the sandy coasts.
Since this is a tandem skydive, you’ll have an expert instructor guide you throughout the experience. You’ll also have a safety brief beforehand.
Go on the Jet Ski Safari in Airlie Beach
Exploring the waters of Airlie on jet skis is the way to go!
The guided Jet Ski Safari is a great way to explore the glittering waters of Airlie. A guide will help you navigate the waters as you go to the best spots to see sea turtles and other marine wildlife. You can even go fish feeding! Enjoy the breeze and the sights as you ride at your own pace around Airlie.
Ride a seaplane from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach
Time to head to the skies and explore Airlie via seaplane
Another great way to explore Airlie by air is through this seaplane experience. Enjoy a 90-minute flightt to Whitehaven Beach, all the while witnessing the magnificent aerial view of Whitsundays. Then you’ll have another 90 minutes to relax, explore, and go snorkelling before hopping back to the seaplane for the return trip.
Day 10: Airlie Beach to Townsville
Distance: 247 km
Estimated total drive: 4 hours
Activity length: 1 day
The next stop after the 3-day Airlie Beach experience is Townsville. It’s a 4-hour drive, so you might want to get up early and eat a hearty breakfast.
Townsville is a bustling city that’s a mix of modern metropolitan and nature. If you want a tranquil getaway in nature, Townsville abounds with parks, beaches, and surrounding islands. Here is one of the most popular things to do while in Townsville:
Ride a ferry to Magnetic Island from Townsville
Head to the scenic Magnetic Island, only 20 minutes away from Townsville
Magnetic Island is home to a national park and awe-inspiring secluded beaches. You’ll be able to reach it from Townsville in only 20 minutes on this scenic ferry ride. Upon arriving at the island, you can sit back and relax on the pristine beaches or check out the wildlife such as the koalas, possums, and wallabies.
Day 11 to 13: Townsville to Cairns
Distance: 347 km
Estimated total drive: 4 hours
Activity length: 3 days
At this point of your epic road trip, you’ll be heading towards the grand finale: Cairns, Queensland tropical paradise up north. Living up to its name as Australia’s tropical paradise, Cairns is full of beaches and reefs, the most renowned being the Great Barrier Reef. Here’s how you can explore this World Heritage site while you’re in Cairns:
Go on the Great Barrier Reef Full Day Tour from Cairns
Discover the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef up close with this full-day tour
On this five-hour tour, you’ll be taken to two exclusive reef sites: Saxon or Norman Reef and North Hastings Reef. Enjoy snorkelling in these iconic reefs with all the necessary equipment provided! Then you can hop back onto the spacious and comfy boat where a delicious barbecue lunch awaits.
Aside from the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is also laden with other natural and modern wonders. Here are other activities you can explore:
Whole Day Green Island Reef Cruise Tour from Cairns
Green Island Reef is another must-visit destination in Cairns!
Hop on a catamaran and head to Green Island Reef on this cruise tour. You can go snorkelling and feel the cool waters as you peak into the corals below or see the vibrant colours from the boat’s glass bottom! You’ll have five hours to explore the island with your friends at your own pace, so make sure to sit back and relax while taking in the stunning scenery.
Explore Fitzroy Island
Discover the beauty of Fitzroy Island. Image credits @fitzroyisland on Instagram
Uncover Fitzroy Island’s hidden gems: lush rainforests, woodlands, mangroves, and of course, its sandy beach. This ferry transfer is the quickest and most convenient way to get to the island. You’ll be on its sandy coast in as fast as 30 minutes!
You can opt for the half-day package that allows two hours of exploring the island or the full-day package which gives you five hours to stroll and take a dip in the waters.
Ride the Kuranda Scenic Railway
Take a train to Kuranda and be in awe at the greenery
Journey through the rainforest and mountains of North Queensland on this train ride to Kuranda. Take the Kuranda Scenic Railway and witness the lush green rainforests along the route while learning more about the area and the railway system from a guide. At the end of the railway is Barron Falls, where you can step on the viewing platform to snap photos and take in the breathtaking view.
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