Itinerary
- Day 1
Cairns
Pick up your rental car in Cairns and spend the day exploring at your own pace. The tropical city has plenty to see, from local markets and beaches to various attractions scattered throughout. You'll get a feel for the area and can organize yourself for the drive ahead.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore tropical Cairns
- Day 2
Cairns to Mission Beach
Head south toward Mission Beach, stopping at Wooroonooran National Park and Josephine Falls if you want to break up the drive. Once you reach Mission Beach, you'll find a long sandy beach waiting, and there's an option to catch a ferry out to Dunk Island for the afternoon or next day.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Wooroonooran National Park
- Visit Josephine Falls
- Take ferry to Dunk Island
Landmarks Wooroonooran National Park Josephine Falls Bartle Frere Mission Beach Dunk Island - Day 3
Mission Beach to Townsville
Continue driving south through the Ingham area where you can make stops at national parks and waterfalls along the route. If wildlife interests you, take a ferry to Hichinbrook Island to see the birdlife. Later you'll arrive in Townsville and check out the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland to get a look at what's beneath the water.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Great Barrier Reef Wonderland
Optional Activities
- Visit national parks in Ingham area
- Visit waterfalls in Ingham area
- Take ferry to Hichinbrook Island
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef Wonderland Hichinbrook Island 
- Day 4
Airlie Beach
After leaving your previous location, you'll head north toward Airlie Beach, which sits about 350 km down the coast. The drive takes you through some nice scenery as you make your way to this popular gateway for the Whitsunday Islands. Once you arrive, check into your accommodation for a 2-night stay. The rest of the day and evening are yours to settle in, grab some dinner at one of the beachfront restaurants, or just walk around town and get a feel for the place. Airlie Beach itself has a relaxed vibe with shops, cafes, and beach access, so you can spend time however you'd like before your boat trips to the islands start.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Boat trips to the Whitsunday Islands
Landmarks Airlie Beach Whitsunday Islands 
- Day 5
Airlie Beach
Spend your day in Airlie Beach soaking up the relaxed tropical vibe. Walk along Shute Harbour Road to check out shops and grab lunch at a cafe, or arrange a boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands. Conway National Park sits nearby if you'd rather explore rainforest and waterfalls instead.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Whitsundays Islands
- Stroll along Shute Harbour Road
- Visit Conway National Park
Landmarks Shute Harbour Road Conway National Park Whitsunday Islands - Day 6
Airlie Beach to Rockhampton
Drive south through Proserpine and Mackay, heading toward Rockhampton, which locals call the cattle capital of Australia. The city has quite a few historic 19th-century buildings that are now protected as architectural monuments, worth a walk around if you have time.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore historic buildings in Rockhampton
Landmarks Rockhampton - Day 7
Rockhampton to Bundaberg
As you leave the tropics behind, you'll cross the Tropic of Capricorn on your way to Bundaberg. The famous rum distillery here lets you mix your own batch on a tour, or if that's not your thing, take a scenic riverboat ride on the Bundy Belle with views of the Burnett River.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Tour Bundaberg rum distillery and mix your own rum
- Bundy Belle riverboat cruise on Burnett River
Landmarks Bundaberg Rum Distillery Burnett River Tropic of Capricorn - Day 8
Bundaberg to K'gari
Drive to River Heads and hand off your rental car to catch the ferry to K'gari, the world's largest sand island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settle in at your accommodation for a 2-night stay and get ready to explore.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to K'gari
Landmarks K'gari 
- Day 9
K'gari
Spend a full day on an off-road excursion with an English-speaking guide exploring K'gari. You'll see the Maheno shipwreck and Lake Mackenzie, watch for dingoes crossing the sand tracks, and if you're visiting between July and October, you might spot whales along the coast.
Included Activities
- Full-day K'gari excursion with English-speaking tour guide
Landmarks Maheno shipwreck Lake Mackenzie 
- Day 10
K'gari to Sunshine Coast
After the ferry ride back to River Heads, collect your rental car and head to Hervey Bay, a lively resort town with extensive sandy beaches and water sports options. From there, continue to Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast for a 2-night stay to rest and recharge.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from K'gari back to River Heads
Landmarks Hervey Bay - Day 11
Sunshine Coast
The day is yours to spend however you like. Relax on the beaches, visit adventure parks nearby, or explore Queensland's hinterland such as the Noosa Everglades in Great Sandy National Park. Paddling by canoe or kayak through the ancient waterways is a quiet way to see landscape that hasn't changed for thousands of years.
Optional Activities
- Visit adventure parks
- Canoe or kayak in Noosa Everglades
- Explore Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park
- Relax on Sunshine Coast beaches
Landmarks Noosa Everglades Great Sandy National Park Noosa River - Day 12
Sunshine Coast to Brisbane
Drive along the Sunshine Coast toward Brisbane, passing the impressive Glasshouse Mountains as you go. You'll reach Queensland's capital, where urban energy mixes with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere that makes the city feel different from what you might expect.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- View Glasshouse Mountains
Landmarks Glasshouse Mountains - Day 13
Brisbane
Your road trip ends here. Return your rental car and wrap up your journey. If you want to stay longer, you can arrange an individual extension to spend more time in Brisbane or explore other parts of Queensland.
Optional Activities
- Explore Brisbane on your own
