BRISBANE TO CAIRNS DRIVE - THE PERFECT TRIP ROUTE

One of the most popular road trips in Australia is the drive from Brisbane to Cairns along the Queensland coast.

Many come from far and wide to experience the beaches, unique attractions, tropical islands and the magnificent Great Barrier Reef.

Famous places like Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Whitehaven Beach, Mission Beach, Hervey Bay and more lie along this stretch of Queensland coastline.

In fact, there is so much to see on this stretch of road that it's hard to fit it all in!

That's why our expert guide presents the best ideas for must-see places and attractions to help you choose what to do when planning your trip.

• If you're planning a little trip, you can also check out our Top 10 Things to do And Brisbane to Agnes Waters Road Trip.

Brisbane to Cairns Drive Itinerary - The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The stretch of road covers nearly 2,500 kilometers (1,550 mi) and is best explored over 10 to 14 days. Look at the route

We recommend traveling for just a few hours each time you move to break up your journey.

Most of the stops will only require one night, but there are a few places that will be better enjoyed over a few nights.

You'll pass natural waterfalls, turquoise waters, white sand beaches and unique wildlife interactions to end up in Far North Queensland.

This is why driving from Brisbane to Cairns is simply incredible and well worth the adventure.

What to see on a trip from Brisbane to Cairns

The journey from Brisbane to Cairns is full of wonders and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when planning.

So to help you decide, below are some of the highlights and things to see and do:

Beaches and hikes on the Sunshine Coast

Swimming in secluded waterfalls around the Atherton Tablelands

Visit the beautiful white sand beaches of Mission Beach, Whitehaven Beach, Airlie Beach and Noosa National Park

Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef

Witness turtles laying eggs or their hatchlings scampering along the beach

A walk through lush rainforests

Take a gondola ride over the Daintree

See wild kangaroos feeding at sunrise on the beach.

To name a few.

And that's just one itinerary on our list of the best Queensland road trips! Check out our guide to see what else made the cut.

Tips for driving from Brisbane to Cairns

We have some tips to help you better plan your Brisbane to Cairns itinerary.

Summer in Australia

is from December to March, which is also the rainy season in North Queensland. Rainy days are great for waterfalls, but can put you off other outdoor activities because of the humidity.

Winter in Far North Queensland

is May to September, when there are fewer rainy days for outdoor activities. The days will get nicer and warmer as you travel north. It could be a little cooler at night, but pack layers or a light jacket for comfort. Cooler nights will affect you more in southern cities with an average temperature of 10 degrees Celsius.

It is more flexible

to drive from Brisbane to Cairns with your own car or a rental car. Four-wheel drive opens up options for more experiences, especially on Fraser Island, as well as the ability to visit places on your own. Car rental is available in Brisbane and Cairns.

Traveling as a couple or in a small group

will help keep costs down and make the trip more affordable.

Consider renting an RV or RV

to save on accommodation costs. There are hundreds of paid and free camping options on this road and it is a very popular way to travel. Cabins, motels, hostels and luxury fixed accommodation are available everywhere and it is best to book them in advance.

The entire journey, if you stick to the main roads, is on impervious asphalt,

but some areas can be busy or a little seedy. If you go inland or deeper into one of the national parks on these trips, you will need a 4×4.

Maintenance or road work:

This highway is constantly undergoing maintenance or road work, so allow extra time for each stop.

Service stations, fuel or petrol

can be found almost every 100 kilometers, although some will have to be reached off the highway and in small towns. Be prepared and always fill up and get supplies before you need them.

Expect to spend a little more money

in high tourist centers like Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach, Mission Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Sunshine Coast and Cairns, and if you're traveling to one of the remote tropical islands.

Travel from Brisbane to Cairns Itinerary

If you travel direct from Brisbane to Cairns it will take about 19 hours, which as you can see is a lot of ground to cover.

As Cairns is also an international gateway city, the same suggestions below can be applied in reverse if you are starting your Cairns to Brisbane car journey.

It is recommended to explore this route for at least 10 days, but if you have longer, you will find plenty to keep you busy!

There are many different exits from the main A1 motorway, both towards the coast and inland. This will increase the kilometers traveled and the time it takes to drive the entire journey.

Not only that, but with the reef covering 1,300 kilometers along the coast of this road, you'll also have day trip options from many islands and beach towns.

Please note that journey times may vary depending on road conditions, maintenance and other unforeseen events.

This means that you need to allow enough time for delays when planning your trip.

Millions of tourists, locals and foreign visitors travel along this highway every year and occasional road works are very common.

It starts in Brisbane

Today we start from the capital of Queensland, Brisbane, which has a population of over 2 million.

It is an international gateway city and a great place to get your bearings.

If you have a little extra time here, there is plenty to see and do in the area, which you can read more about in this blog post.

Take a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane, walk to King Island at low tide, visit the South Bank or hike Mount Coot-Tha for the best views of Brisbane.

They have artificial beaches overlooking the Brisbane River and the city skyline, along with two others in Redcliffe and Ipswich.

Plus you can take a day trip to Bribie Island, Moreton Island or North Stradbroke Island.

Each island offers beautiful beaches, four-wheeling, and camping and lodging options.

Or you can head south to the Gold Coast for the epic beaches and famous nightlife of Surfers Paradise.

Brisbane - Sunshine Coast - 150 km

The Sunshine Coast will be your first stop for beach fun and plenty of tourist options such as Noosa and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

If you want some great swimming spots you can check out some of the many beaches along the coast such as Caloundra or Maroochydore or some of the natural rock pools in Noosa.

Head out to find some freshwater holes or waterfalls in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, such as Booloumba Falls or Kondalilla Falls.

Feeling a little more active? Why not enjoy the fresh air and views of the Glass House Mountains while hiking Mount Ngungun or Mount Beerwah. Or just walk around Noosa National Park.

Here you will also find popular theme parks such as the Ginger Factory or the thrill rides at Aussie World theme park.

Sunshine Coast to Rainbow Beach - 100 km

Traveling along the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns, Rainbow Beach is the first gateway to Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island.

But even this place has its own draw cards, which can be confirmed by 70,000 visitors a year.

It's known as a small camping and fishing town by the beach where you can stretch your four-wheel drive legs and go for a spin on the beach.

Rainbow has places like sand dunes at Carlo Sand Blow, freshwater swimming at Poona Lake, Colored Sands rock formations and In skip Point Beach. You will be pleasantly surprised when you visit this vibrant city.

Rainbow Beach to Tin Can Bay - 32 km

It's only a short distance to your next destination, so choose where you'd like to stay.

Tin Can Bay is a small town with a population of just over 2,000 people. It is a very popular holiday destination with several hotels, holiday units and caravan parks.

As well as being able to hire houseboats and yachts to cruise around the region, Tin Can Bay has a fantastic, rare opportunity to see wild humpback whales early in the morning.

They are fed under the strict supervision of volunteers and follow animal welfare regulations.

The minimum charge is $10 per person, which covers the cost of food and cleaning solution.