Deal
$1 per day on relocation rentals
Available on Australia campervan and motorhome rentals on select dates in 2022. T&Cs apply.
Brisbane to Cairns road trip itineraries
2, 3 and 7-day itineraries that capture the hottest spots along the Queensland coast.
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Road tripping from Brisbane to Cairns means you'll pass by some of the country's most beautiful forest-to-sea landscapes.
We've designed both short and long road trip itineraries that include all the most important stops. They come complete with all the must-see spots and must-do activities and how to get to them. All you have to do is get in your car and go.
Brisbane to Cairns roadtrip overview
- What is the distance from Brisbane to Cairns? By road, the driving distance is 1,681km
- How long does it take to drive from Brisbane to Cairns? 19.5 hours non-stop. This is along the Bruce Highway and uses toll roads. We recommend spending at least 3 days on this drive to have time to explore and take breaks.
- Where should I stop on a Brisbane to Cairns road trip? Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach/the Whitsundays, Townsville and Magnetic Island.
- When's the best time to do the drive? This drive is good year-round. However, unless you have good air con, we recommend avoiding summer, as the hot and humid weather can be unpleasant to drive in.
- Is the drive safe? Yes, this is a highly popular route featuring well-maintained main roads. In national parks and rural areas you may encouter wildlife. If you're hiring a car, make sure you're covered just in case.
2-day Brisbane to Cairns drive
Point to point, the journey from Brisbane up to Cairns is around 19.5 hours long. This makes a two-day drive possible, as long as you have a few breaks or multiple drivers, but it does mean you won't be able to really get into any activities along the way.
To break the trip up fairly evenly, we recommend spending the night at either Rockhampton or Mackay.
The good news is that the quickest way up is also a scenic one along the coastal Bruce Highway.
2-day Brisbane to Cairns itinerary
- Distance: 1,685km
- Route: Brisbane-Mackay-Cairns
- Highlights: The Sunshine Coast, Airlie Beach, Mackay and Townsville
- Stay at: Rydges Mackay Suites, Mackay
Day 1
- Distance: 950km
- Drive time: 11 hours
Brisbane to Mackay
- Start early and drive along the Bruce Highway A1.
- Make a breakfast stop at the Sunshine Coast for views, or at the historic town of Gympie.
- Keep driving north and have lunch in Rockhampton or Gladstone.
- Call it a night in Mackay at the Rydges Mackay Suites.
Day 2
- Distance: 735km
- Drive time: 8 hours, 15 minutes
Mackay to Cairns
- Head north, stopping at Airlie Beach for brekky, with a view of the Whitsundays.
- Continue along the A1 to Townsville, where you can drive up Castle Hill to lookout points over the city and Magnetic Island.
- Stay in Townsville for lunch, or drop in at any number of the small towns along the way, such as Ingham or Mission Beach, for a feed.
- Complete your drive to Cairns.
3-day Brisbane to Cairns drive
With a total of 19.5 hours to drive, you'll be spending at least 6 hours on the road per day. Start each day off early and you'll have plenty of opportunities to check out the state's beautiful beaches, islands and forest trails.
3-day Brisbane to Cairns itinerary
- Distance: 1,718km
- Route: Brisbane-Agnes Water-Airlie Beach-Cairns
- Highlights: The Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Airlie Beach and Townsville
- Stay at: Agnes Water Beach Holidays, Agnes Water and Colonial Palms Motor Inn, Airlie Beach
Day 1
- Distance: 477km
- Drive time: 5.5 hours
Brisbane to Agnes Water
- Drive along the Bruce Highway A1, taking a break at the Sunshine Coast for breakfast or lunch on the beach. Or, if you're more active, drive to Noosa Springs National Park for a short hike or to check out its viewpoints.
- Continue driving north to Agnes Water and the Town of 1770. If the sun is still high, tour the water by kayak or boat.
- Spend the night in Agnes Water at Agnes Water Beach Holidays or on the Coral Coast at The Point.
Day 2
- Distance: 706km
- Drive time: 8 hours
Agnes Water to Airlie Beach
- Continue driving along the Bruce Highway and stop in Yeppoon for a feast of fresh seafood. Get in early enough and you can also add a quick snorkel, hike or surf to your day.
- Continue along the A1 to Airlie Beach, with a rest in Serina or Mackay when you need to.
- Finish the day at Airlie Beach and check out its buzzing promenade.
- Stay at Colonial Palms Motor Inn.
Day 3
- Distance: 622km
- Drive time: 7 hours, 11 minutes
Airlie Beach to Cairns
- Hoping to pop by the Whitsundays? From Airlie Beach, you catch an early ferry to Daydream Island or Hamilton Island to explore. The earliest ferry is at 7:55am and takes around 1 hour to Daydream Island and 1.5 hours to Hamilton Island.
- When back in Airlie Beach, drive up to Cairns. Good stopping points include Ayr, Townsville and Tully.
7-day Brisbane to Cairns drive
For a much more relaxed road trip, take a week off to see the best that this part of Queensland's coast has to offer. You'll get to enjoy beach after beach and island after island with only a couple of hour's driving time per day.
7-day Brisbane to Cairns itinerary
- Distance: 1,913km
- Route: Brisbane-Noosa-Fraser Island-Agnes Water-Airlie Beach-Whitsunday Island-Atherton Tablelands-Cairns
- Highlights and activities: Australia Zoo, surfing in Noosa, day trip to Fraser Island, Larc Cruise, the Lagoon at Airlie Beach, day trip to Whitehaven Beach, dive the Great Barrier Reef and hike the Atherton Tablelands
- Stay at: Seahaven Noosa Resort, Noosa, Orchid Beach Retreat, Fraser Island, Agnes Water Beach Holidays, Agnes Water and Sea Star Apartments, Airlie Beach
Day 1
- Distance: 140km
- Drive time: 2 hours
Brisbane to Noosa
- Depart from Brisbane and make your way to Australia Zoo on the way to Noosa Heads.
- Arrive in Noosa by midday to spend the afternoon exploring Noosa National Park and Main Beach, either surfing or relaxing.
- Stay in Noosa overnight at Seahaven Noosa Resort.
Day 2
- Distance: 0km
- Drive time: 0 hours
Noosa to Fraser Island
- Take a day trip to Fraser Island from Noosa.
- If you have a car that can handle the driving conditions on Fraser Island, stop by sites such as Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek.
- Spend a second night in Noosa, or at Orchid Beach Retreat if you're staying on Fraser Island.
Day 3
- Distance: 377km
- Drive time: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Fraser Island to Agnes Water
- Make the drive from Noosa or Rainbow Beach to Agnes Water for a half-day in the small town.
- Spend time on the beach, take a Larc Cruise and watch the sunset from Bustard Bay Lookout.
- Spend the night in Agnes Water at Agnes Water Beach Holidays.
Day 4
- Distance: 706km
- Drive time: 7 hours, 45 minutes
Agnes Water to Airlie Beach
- Get going early for the long drive to Airlie Beach.
- In the evening, check out the Lagoon and explore the town for dinner.
- Spend two nights in Airlie Beach at Sea Star Apartments.
Day 5
- Distance: 0km
- Drive time: 0 hours
Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Islands
- Take a a full-day sailing trip to Whitehaven Beach.
- Alternatively, take a Whitsunday Islands scenic flight and do a half-day Whitehaven Beach tour.
Day 6
- Distance: 690km
- Drive time: 8 hours, 25 minutes
Airlie Beach to Cairns via Atherton Tablelands
- On your way to Cairns, make a slight detour to the Atherton Tablelands for stops at Ellinjaa and Millaa Millaa Waterfalls and the Curtain Fig Tree.
- Continue on to Cairns.
Day 7
- Distance: 0km
- Drive time: 0 hours
Cairns
- Spend the day in Cairns exploring the Great Barrier Reef on a full or half-day snorkelling/diving tour.
- If you're only doing a half-day on the Great Barrier Reef, try the bungee jump and Minjin Jungle Swing in the afternoon.
Book your ride now
Car hire deals in Brisbane
Code
exclusive
Get up to $20 in ride vouchers
Get $5 off 4 rides in 7 days across Australia, including Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne and more when you use the code. Valid for new users only. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Campervan hire from $5 per day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane and New Zealand.
Code
Up to 10% off long-term car hires
Available until 31 May 2023 when you book a minimum of 21 days' rental. Destinations include Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 15% off car-hire rentals in Australia
Available on rentals made by Auto Club Members in Australia. Visit site for more details. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 10% off Queensland motorhome rentals
Available on rentals until 15 December 2022 with Apollo and Cheapa Campa. Pick up locations include Brisbane and Cairns. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 15% off Australia campervan hires
Available on rentals from 16 May – 30 November 2022 when you book a minimum of 10 days. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 12% off with code
Available on bookings for attractions, sightseeing tours, airport transfers and car rentals. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Campervan relocation rentals from $1 per day
Get a JUCY campervan one-way rental as low as $1 a day on select locations across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Code
7th day free on car hires
Available on rentals until 30 June 2022 across Australia, including Cairns, Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Perth, Darwin and more. Minimum of 7 days rental required. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 20% off Australia and New Zealand car hire
Available until 30 September 2022 on 2+ days rentals when you book 21 days in advance. Destinations include Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Auckland and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
$1/day one-way car hire in Australia
Valid on select dates for select car hire in Australia. Destinations updated regularly.
Deal
Up to 10% off long term hires
Available on daily rental rates when you book a minimum of 21 days. Destinations include Melbourne, Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Up to 25% off car-hire rentals for Auto Club Members in Australia
Available on rentals picked up or booked by Auto Club Members on or before 30 June 2022 in Australia. Visit site for more details. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 5% off Apollo Motorhomes rentals
Available until March 2023 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 5% off base rate on rentals
Available on Star RV Australia rentals until March 2023 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 7.5% off Let’s Go Motorhomes rentals
Available on select dates until March 2023 when you book 90 days in advance. Destinations include Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Get 5% off Hippie Camper rentals
Available on rentals until March 2023 when you book 180 days in advance. Destinations include Brisbane, Hobart, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 15% off New Zealand car hires
Available on select dates in 2022 when you spend a minimum of $250 required. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to $50 off weekend rentals in Australia
Available on 3-day rentals including a Saturday night overstay until 30 June 2022. Destinations include Adelaide, Melbourne, Cairns, Perth, Sydney, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Get 5% off advance bookings
Available on rentals booked 125+ days in advance. Destinations include Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns. T&CS apply.
Deal
Up to 50% off + an extra 10% off Australia car hires
Available on rentals when you book for 6+ months. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn free rental days for members
Join the Emerald Club and earn 1 rental credit for every qualified car rental. Inclusive of free rental days and other benefits. Destinations include Australia, Canada, United States and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Brisbane car hires from $21/day
Available on select rental dates in 2022 with Avis, East Coast, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and more. Sample rate is for a BMW 3 series.
Code
Get free single upgrade on rentals
Available on rentals until 30 June 2022 when you use the code. Minimum of 2 consecutive rental days required. Destinations include Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Code
Up to 20% off Australia weekend car hires
Available on select rental dates until 30 June 2022. Maximum rental period of 4 consecutive days. Destinations include Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Car hire from $21 per day
Hire cars across Australia from as little as $21 per day. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Free upgrade on car hires
Sign up with your email and receive car rental offers across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Queensland car hires from $28/day
Available on select rentals dates when you book a minimum of 7 days. Sample price is for a rental in Hendra, Brisbane.
Deal
Earn Qantas Points on car hires
Earn 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent on rentals in Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Gold Coast car hires from $35
Available on select rental dates in 2022 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations include Brisbane, Toowoomba, Lamington National Park and more.
Deal
Cairns car hires from $27
Available on select rental dates in 2022 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations close from Cairns include Palm Island, Mareeba and more.
Deal
Brisbane car hires from $38
Available on select rental dates in 2022 with Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and more. Destinations include Gold Coast, Moreton Island, Sunshine Coast and more.
Deal
Brisbane car hire from $38/day
Available on select rental dates until 2022. Sample rate is for a rental near Regents Park. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Earn Qantas Points on rentals
Earn 4 Qantas Points per $1 spent on car rentals across Australia. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Brisbane car hires from $16.05/day
Available on select rental dates in 2020. Car types include intermediate, economy, compact and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Cairns car hires from $16.28/day
Available on select rental dates in 2020. Car types include intermediate, economy, compact and more. T&Cs apply.
Deal
Australia car hires from $14.99/day
Available on select dates in Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne and more.
Deal
Cairns car hires from $46/day
Available on select rental dates until 2022 with East Coast, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and more. Sample rate is for a sedan car.
Deal
Brisbane campervan hires from $34 per day
Available on select rental dates in 2022. Sample rate is for alpha with Spaceships.
More guides on Finder
-
Canberra road trip itineraries
You’ll have the car packed up in no time with these Canberra road trip must-sees.
-
Cheap campervan hire
Catch the latest deals for cheap campervan hire in Australia. Brands include Hippie Campers, Jucy and Spaceships.
-
Campervan hire in Broome | Where to book, what to know
Plan your epic road trip around WA with our guide to campervan hire in Broome.
-
Campervan hire on the Sunshine Coast | Where to book and what to know
Encounter wildlife, regional treats and sandy shores with your campervan hire on the Sunshine Coast.
-
Campervan hire in Cairns | Where to book, what to know
Get out and explore Tropical North Queensland with our guide to campervan hire in Cairns.
-
Campervan relocations in Australia | Where to book and what to know
Discover great destinations for campervan relocations for your adventure across Australia.
-
Campervan hire in Darwin | Where to book, what to know
Get out and explore the Top End with our guide to campervan hire in Darwin.
-
Campervan hire in Hobart | Where to book, what to know
Make the most of the great outdoors by comparing your options and the latest deals for campervan hire in Hobart.
-
Campervan hire on the Gold Coast | Where to book, what to know
Take your vacation to the next level with a campervan hire on the Gold Coast.
-
Campervan hire in Melbourne | Where to book, what to know
Hit the road and experience the beauty of Victoria with a campervan from these companies.
Ask an Expert
