East Coast Road Trip
Cairns to Brisbane
Start in Cairns and head south on one of Australia’s most iconic road trips featuring Airlie Beach, the Whitsundays, Agnes Water, K’gari, and the Sunshine Coast before arriving in Brisbane. This trip is $150 cheaper than our Brisbane to Cairns trip – put these savings towards your flight to Cairns!
We’re not a tour – we’re a shared rental! So that means it works a little differently to any tour or car rental you’ve done before.
The people joining the trip share the driving, camping, trip planning and experience. This way of travelling offers a more flexible and self-guided trip.
However, you get everything you could need for a camping road trip plus an awesome group of travel mates! Plus, it’s a great option if you are looking for a budget option for backpacking the east coast from Cairns to Brisbane.
about
Cairns to Brisbane
Jump on the Share Bus to travel with a bunch of other backpackers between Cairns and Brisbane to see the biggest highlights of the East Coast. This is the stuff of backpacker dreams! Take the opportunity to do a 4WD tour on K’gari (Fraser Island), kayak in the Whitsundays, see incredible beaches, mountains, rainforest and animals. Think Noosa, Sunshine Coast, and amazing islands, beaches and towns.
This trip goes for 17 days and 16 nights. The destination is set, but the route is not – take control of your own adventure!
Swim by a few waterfalls on your first stops out of Cairns. Don’t forget Magnetic Island and Mission Beach! Continue further south swimming, surfing, hiking throughout the wonderful nature and beaches. Once in Airlie Beach you can look into taking a water taxi to an island in the Whitsundays to camp overnight and explore the area by kayak. Keep heading down the coast and stop at beaches to swim. You could even go for a surf at Agnes Waters or hang out with some kangaroos at a beach at sunrise. You can stay on the mainland to chill out at Rainbow Beach, or book a 4WD tour to see K’gari—head over there to drive along the beach, tube down a creek, or spot the shipwrecks (and dingoes!). See some incredible rainforest, hinterland and beaches as you travel the Sunshine Coast and stop by Noosa on your way into Brisbane.
Expect to get fit with lots of hiking, snorkelling and exercise as you appreciate the natural sights. This is a no-frills adventure – you’ll be setting up your own tents, sharing the driving, cooking your own dinner and sharing your tent with other 1 or 2 travellers. The target age group is 18-35. It’s a fun and social option for backpacking the east coast from Cairns to Brisbane.
Things to note
inclusions and exclusions
about the bus and trailer
On this trip you will travel in a 12-seater Toyota Hiace Commuter with a custom-built trailer fully equipped with everything you need. All you need to drive the bus is a regular drivers license. You will have the option to sign up as a driver or non-driver when you book, although we do recommend signing up as a driver if you can.
Cairns to Brisbane
| START DATE | END DATE | PRICE | NOTES | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | $1519 |
FULLY BOOKED |
JOIN WAITLIST |
| 02/09/2025 | 18/09/2025 | $1449 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
| 21/10/2025 | 06/11/2025 | $1449 |
EARLY BIRD PRICE |
BOOK NOW |
discover the
highlights from
Cairns to Brisbane
noosa
Spot koalas, enjoy the stunning beaches, and visit one of only two everglades' systems in the world.
great barrier reef
Snorkel or dive the breathtaking waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
scenic hinterlands
See the gorgeous hinterland mountains, gorges, and waterfalls.
our recommended itinerary
Access Our Cairns to Brisbane
Early Bird Deals!
Book early (over 6 weeks in advance) to automatically receive an early bird discount.
If you're booking as a group, contact our team for a special group rate.
Not ready to book yet? Fill out our form to be contacted in your preferred way and ask as many questions as you want!
