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
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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
Cairns and Atherton
Start your journey in Cairns and head inland to the Atherton Tablelands. Visit Lake Eacham for a refreshing swim and see the impressive Curtain Fig Tree. Take your time exploring before settling in for the night.
Wooroonooran National Park
Spend two days exploring Wooroonooran National Park. Begin with Babinda Boulders, Devil’s Pool, and Walsh’s Pyramid. On day three, walk the Mamu Skywalk, hike to Nandroya Falls, and cool off at Josephine Falls. It’s a lush, peaceful rainforest escape.
Mission Beach
Cruise down to Mission Beach, where four villages are linked by one beautiful, palm-fringed beach. Relax by the ocean, take a day trip to Dunk or Bedarra Island, or explore the nearby national parks. There’s even a chocolate factory to visit.
Paluma Range
Stop in Cardwell to enjoy the vibrant blue waters of the Cardwell Spa Pool. Then drive inland into Paluma Range National Park, where you’ll find rainforest, waterfalls, and swimming holes. If you’re lucky, you might spot a turtle while you’re cooling off.
Townsville
Make your way to Townsville. You can explore the town or catch the ferry over to Magnetic Island. Bring your snorkel and a tent (or book a hostel) and enjoy a couple of relaxing days on the island. Lock up the trailer on the mainland before heading over to this tropical paradise.
Airlie Beach
Drive south to Airlie Beach, a lively hub and gateway to the Whitsundays. You can book a tour or catch a water taxi to a nearby island for a night of beach camping. The closer islands are cheaper and just as beautiful.
Cape Hillsborough
Make your way to Cape Hillsborough. Here you are likely to see kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise. The next day is a big driving day so you might want to camp closer south.
Agnes Water
Continue south to Seventeen Seventy, the landing point of Captain Cook in, you guessed it, 1770. Just down the road, Agnes Water is known as one of the cheapest places in Queensland to learn how to surf. Don’t miss the walk through the paperbark forest.
K'gari
Stay near Hervey Bay or Rainbow Beach and get ready to explore K’gari (Fraser Island). Rent a 4WD or join a tour—we can recommend some great companies. Expect freshwater lakes, beaches, and rainforest drives. If someone in your group isn’t going, they can use the minibus to explore the surrounding area.
Rainbow Beach
Use this day to relax and explore the coast. Check out the coloured sands at Rainbow Beach or visit the Hervey Bay area. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos at Point Vernon.
Noosa
Arrive in Noosa and spend the day walking along the national park’s coastal track. You might spot a koala, and you’ll definitely find quiet beaches and the clear waters of the Fairy Pools. You can also kayak or canoe through the Noosa Everglades.
Sunshine Coast
Leave Noosa and beach hop your way south. Coolum, Marcoola, and Mooloolaba all make great stops for a swim or a snack. Then detour inland to Buderim Falls before heading toward Maleny to camp.
Glass House Mountains
Finish with the scenic Blackall Range Tourist Drive through Montville and Mapleton. Stop at Gardners Falls and take in the views of the Glass House Mountains. Then cruise into Brisbane, clean out the bus and trailer, and hand it back to us. We recommend grabbing a drink with your new friends to celebrate the end of your trip!
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