From Brisbane via the Sunshine Coast to Cairns – a wonderful route for a road trip along Queensland’s coast. It’s important to think carefully about the places you don’t want to miss. In this post you’ll find our 15 favourite spots with general information, distance and estimated driving time!
Are you interested in our 13-day trip through Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns with our personal experiences? Then have a look at this article.
1. Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of the Australian Sunshine State, Queensland. With around 2.1 million inhabitants, it is the third largest city in Australia and yet the sunny metropolis offers a relaxed lifestyle. The city is particularly known for its diverse cultural attractions and the extensive range of concerts, theatre performances and other events.
2. Glass House Mountains
Distance: 68km
Estimated driving time: 55min
The picturesque Glass House Mountains create a pristine park full of hiking trails and stunning panoramas. The peaks are known as Mount Beerburrum, Mount Beerwah, Mount Coochin, Mount Coonowrin (Crookneck), Mount Elimbah (The Saddleback), Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibberoowuccum, Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Tunbubudla (The Twins), Wild Horse Mountain (Round Mountain) and Mount Miketeebumulgrai. This Glass House Mountains area is of great spiritual significance to Aboriginal people, with many ceremonial sites still protected today.
3. Sunshine Coast
Distance: 44km
Estimated driving time: 35min
Beautiful, wide beaches can be found on the Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast stretches from the coastal town of Caloundra near Brisbane to the Great Sandy National Park in the north. Don’t miss Noosa National Park!
4. Rainbow Beach
Distance: 150km
Estimated driving time: 1h 45min
Rainbow Beach is not – as most people assume – a beach, but a small coastal town. Its highlight is Carlo Sandblow. The huge sand dunes extend only a few metres from the deep blue ocean.
5. Hervey Bay
Distance: 125km
Estimated driving time: 1h 30min
Welcome to the capital of whales! Every year between July and November, up to 25,000 humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coast. The majority of them stop over in the calm waters around Hervey Bay. In addition, Hervey Bay – together with Rainbow Beach and Noosa – is the gateway to Fraser Island. However, it’ also possible to visit other islands from the city. Check out our article about Lady Elliot Island in the Great Barrier Reef!
6. Bundaberg
Distance: 115km
Estimated driving time: 1h 20min
Bundaberg is probably best known for Bundaberg Rum. However, it is also the commercial centre of the sugar cane plantations and is also known as “the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef” as it is a good starting point for trips to the southern reef. You can also visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre. If visiting during turtle season (November-February: egg laying, January-March: turtle hatching) you have the opportunity to see turtles.
7. Rockhampton
Distance: 290km
Estimated driving time: 3h 10min
Rockhampton is known as the Australian beef capital. This is because the oldest city in Queensland is famous for its beef industry and the very high export rate in Australia. In addition, there’ s not only a free zoo that you can visit every day, but there is also a rodeo at the Great Western Hotel on certain days of the week.
8. Eungella National Park
Distance: 415km
Estimated driving time: 4h 45min
Eungella National Park is located close to the Mackay region and it”s an amazing jungle paradise. In the Broken River section you also have the opportunity to see platypus! Platypuses are very special animals as they are egg-laying mammals and only live in freshwater systems of eastern and south-eastern Australia.
9. Airlie Beach
Distance: 175km
Estimated driving time: 2h 15min
Airlie Beach is a tourist centre on the east coast of Australia. Not far away you’ll find the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Between November and May, the coasts of Airlie Beach tend to be populated by very dangerous fire and stinging jellyfish, which is why there is the Airlie Beach Lagoon, a public pool, very centrally located on Shute Harbour Road. It is free of charge and a wonderful way to cool off in the tropical climate.
10. Townsville
Distance: 270km
Estimated driving time: 3h 10min
Townsville is one of the main gateways to the Great Barrier Reef and to Queensland’s outback. The town is very vibrant and is situated beneath the attentive gaze of Castle Hill. Our recommendation is a visit to Reef HQ, a large aquarium featuring marine animals and plants from the Great Barrier Reef. A special feature is also the turtle hospital, which is located right next to it!
11. Paluma Range National Park
Distance: 67km
Estimated driving time: 1h 20min
Paluma Range National Park is the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It consists of two areas: In the north you will find Jourama Falls – a picturesque waterfall framed by rainforest. In the southern part rises Mount Spec. The traditional owners of the Paluma Range National Park are the Nywaigi Aborigines. The traditional name for the Paluma Range is Munan Gumburu, which means ” misty mountain”.
12. Wallaman Falls
Distance: 165km
Estimated driving time: 2h 40min
Wallaman Falls in Girringun National Park is the highest single-tier waterfall in Australia. It reaches a height of 278 metres and is formed by Stony Creek, a tributary of the Herbert River. The stream of water rushes down the brown-black rock walls into the depths. Depending on the sunlight, a rainbow covers the stream.
13. Wooroonooran National Park
Distance: 230km
Estimated driving time: 2h 50min
The Wooroonooran National Park is a large and natural rainforest with countless waterfalls. Our favourite waterfalls were the Wallicher and Tchupala Falls, which share the same starting point on the Palmerston Highway. Another highlight was Josephine Falls, a tiered cascade waterfall. Its levels create natural water slides as well as swimming holes. The rocks around the pool can get slippery, so be careful when climbing the “water slide”. With a variety of native bird species, the park is also part of the Wooroonooran Important Bird Area and the Wet Tropics of Queensland UNESCO World Heritage Site.
14. Waterfall Circuit in the Atherton Tablelands
Distance: 78km Estimated driving time: 1h
Atherton Tablelands is a highland area at an altitude of 350 to 1,200 metres that runs along the coast from Cairns to Port Douglas. It can be divided into three parts: Central Atherton Tableland, Evelyn Tableland and Mareeba Tableland. One of the main highlights is the Waterfall Circuit. It combines three of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region in close proximity to each other: Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls.
15. Cairns
Distance: 100km
Estimated driving time: 1h 35min
Cairns is the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north. Like Airlie Beach, there is a public pool with public showers and toilets and plenty of space to picnic or sunbathe. There are also many small cafés and many nice shops to go shopping in Cairns Central. This metropolis also offers many tours to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, of course!
