Itinerary
- Day 1
Sydney
Pick up your rental car in Sydney and spend the day checking out the city at your own pace. The Harbour Bridge and Opera House are the main draws, and you'll find the Royal Botanic Garden worth a walk through. The Rocks and Barangaroo neighborhoods have character if you want to wander around, or head to Bondi Beach for a swim. If you're feeling energetic, the coastal walk to Coogee takes a few hours and offers great views the whole way.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Bridge Climb Sydney
- Visit Sydney Opera House
- Explore Royal Botanic Garden
- Walk through The Rocks district
- Visit Barangaroo
- Swim at Bondi Beach
- Walk Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk (6 km)
Landmarks Sydney Harbour Bridge Sydney Opera House Royal Botanic Garden The Rocks Barangaroo Bondi Beach Coogee Beach 
- Day 2
Sydney to Port Macquarie
Drive north on the Pacific Highway toward Port Macquarie, a small coastal town that takes about 3.5 hours from Sydney. The area's known for oysters, so grab some if you pass a spot worth stopping at. The Koala Hospital is there if you want to see the animals up close. Between May and November you might spot migrating whales from the coast, so keep an eye out during that window.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Koala Hospital
- Spot migrating whales (May-November)
- Explore Port Macquarie
Landmarks Koala Hospital 
- Day 3
Port Macquarie to Byron Bay
Head north on the scenic coastal road, and you'll drive through rainforest with banana plantations dotting the landscape and beaches showing up along the way. Byron Bay is your destination, and it lives up to its reputation as a beautiful spot on the east coast. The drive takes around 2.5 hours from Port Macquarie but the scenery makes it feel shorter.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stop at banana plantations
- Stop at various beaches along the route
- Explore Byron Bay
Landmarks Byron Bay 
- Day 4
Byron Bay
This day is yours to move at your own speed in Byron Bay. Walk out to the lighthouse at the easternmost point of Australia for the views, or spend time on the beaches nearby. You can also just sit and take in the ocean breeze if relaxing is what you need. It's a flexible day to do what appeals to you.
Optional Activities
- Visit Byron Bay lighthouse (easternmost point of Australia)
- Walk along beaches
- Explore Byron Bay
Landmarks Byron Bay Lighthouse - Day 5
Byron Bay to Brisbane
Drive north through mountainous terrain and cross into Queensland, heading toward Brisbane. The landscape changes noticeably as you go inland, and Brisbane appears as you approach from the south. It's the capital of Queensland and has that mix of city energy with a more relaxed vibe underneath. The drive takes a few hours depending on your starting point.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Brisbane
Landmarks Brisbane 
- Day 6
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast
Head up the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane and look for the Glasshouse Mountains along the way, they're hard to miss. Drive to Twin Waters where you'll stay for two nights. The area sits between the coast and hinterland, and you can see why it's popular for people wanting beach access but also quieter surroundings.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- View Glasshouse Mountains
- Explore Sunshine Coast
Landmarks Glasshouse Mountains - Day 7
Sunshine Coast
You have flexibility today to either relax or explore what's nearby. Adventure parks are scattered around if you want something active, or the Queensland hinterland has rainforest and hiking. Paddling through the Noosa Everglades in Great Sandy National Park is another option if you're into water activities. There's enough variety to keep you occupied or you can just stay put.
Optional Activities
- Relax at resort
- Visit adventure parks in the area
- Explore Noosa Everglades
- Canoe or kayak on Noosa River and Everglades
- Explore Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park
Landmarks Noosa Everglades Great Sandy National Park - Day 8
Sunshine Coast to K'gari
Drive south along the coast to Hervey Bay, which takes a couple hours and offers beach and water sports if you want them. From there head to River Heads where you'll leave your rental car and take the ferry to K'gari for a two-night stay. The ferry ride is about an hour, and it's a good transition point before exploring the island.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to K'gari from River Heads
Optional Activities
- Explore Hervey Bay
- Enjoy water sports facilities in Hervey Bay
Landmarks Hervey Bay K'gari 
- Day 9
K'gari
Spend the day exploring K'gari, the world's largest sand island and a World Heritage area, on an off-road vehicle tour. You'll see the Maheno shipwreck and Lake Mackenzie, both worth the trip. Watch for dingoes roaming around, and if you're there between July and October, look for whales along the coast. It's a full day of driving around the island.
Included Activities
- Full-day excursion on K'gari in off-road vehicle with English-speaking tour guide
- Visit Maheno shipwreck
- Visit Lake Mackenzie
Optional Activities
- Spot dingoes
- Spot whales (July-October)
Landmarks Maheno shipwreck Lake Mackenzie 
- Day 10
K'gari to Bundaberg
Take the ferry back to River Heads and pick up your rental car. Drive to Bundaberg, which is known for its rum distillery and takes about 1.5 hours from River Heads. You can tour the distillery if that interests you, or hop on the Bundy Belle paddle steamer for river views instead. Either way gives you a feel for the local character.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing from K'gari to River Heads
Optional Activities
- Tour Bundaberg Rum Distillery and mix your own rum
- Cruise on Bundy Belle paddle steamer for views of Burnett River
Landmarks Bundaberg Rum Distillery Burnett River - Day 11
Bundaberg to Rockhampton
Cross the Tropic of Capricorn and enter the Australian tropics, heading to Rockhampton. The town calls itself the cattle capital and has a collection of historic 19th-century buildings now protected as architectural monuments. You'll notice the weather warming up and the landscape shifting more tropical as you drive north.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Rockhampton
- View historic 19th-century buildings in Rockhampton
Landmarks Tropic of Capricorn Rockhampton - Day 12
Rockhampton to Airlie Beach
Drive north through Mackay and Proserpine to reach Airlie Beach, which is the main jumping off point for boats to the Whitsunday Islands. You'll be staying for two nights in this coastal town. The drive takes most of the day but moves through interesting territory, and Airlie Beach itself has a laid-back resort town atmosphere.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Airlie Beach
- Book boat trip to Whitsunday Islands
Landmarks Airlie Beach Whitsunday Islands - Day 13
Airlie Beach
You've got the whole day to yourself in Airlie Beach, so you can set your own pace. If you want to get out on the water, there's an optional boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands you can book. Otherwise, you might wander down Shute Harbour Road where there's a good mix of shops and places to eat. Another option is heading to Conway National Park, which has rainforest walking trails and waterfalls if you're in the mood for some nature time.
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to the Whitsunday Islands
- Leisurely stroll along Shute Harbour Road
- Visit Conway National Park
- Explore tropical markets
- Dine at open-air restaurants
Landmarks Shute Harbour Road Conway National Park Whitsunday Islands - Day 14
Airlie Beach to Townsville
Head north to Townsville and visit the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland to see the reef's underwater world without getting wet if you prefer. Colorful corals and tropical fish fill the displays, and it gives good context for what's actually out there in the water. Townsville is about 3.5 hours north of Airlie Beach.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Great Barrier Reef Wonderland
- Marvel at colorful corals and tropical fish at the reef
Landmarks Great Barrier Reef Wonderland Great Barrier Reef - Day 15
Townsville to Mission Beach
Drive south through Ingham and Cardwell with nice coastal views on your way to Mission Beach, a 14 km stretch of sandy beach. Nearby national parks have waterfalls if you want to explore inland, or you can take a ferry to Hichinbrook Island to see some of the tropical birdlife. The coastal drive is scenic and worth taking your time with.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit national parks near Ingham with waterfalls
- Take ferry to Hichinbrook Island
- Explore Mission Beach
Landmarks Mission Beach Hichinbrook Island - Day 16
Mission Beach to Cairns
Head to Cairns with a detour to Wooroonooran National Park and Josephine Falls, a waterfall fed by rain from Queensland's highest peak, Bartle Frere. Cairns itself is tropical and works as a base for Great Barrier Reef boat trips or rainforest tours. You can relax at a beachside resort or get out on the water if the mood strikes.
- Accommodation
- Hotel, Hotel, Hotel
Optional Activities
- Visit Wooroonooran National Park
- See Josephine Falls
- Explore Cairns
- Take boat trip to Great Barrier Reef
- Take tour into tropical rainforest
Landmarks Wooroonooran National Park Josephine Falls Bartle Frere Cairns - Day 17
Cairns
Return your rental car in Cairns and end the road trip, or set up an extension if you want to stay longer. You can spend more time exploring Cairns and the tropical surroundings, take reef trips, or venture into the rainforest. It's your choice on how the journey wraps up.
Optional Activities
- Arrange individual extension
