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Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary

Discover some of the hottest spots along the Queensland coast and how to get to them on 4 wheels.

A Brisbane to Cairns road trip touches on some of the country's most beautiful forest-to-sea landscapes.

We've prepared three epic road trips for you to take it in, lasting from one to three weeks. They come complete with the must-see spots and must-do activities and how to get to them. All you have to do now is book your car and go.

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Brisbane to Cairns map
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Brisbane to Cairns map

Get your bearings before you take off. Here's what a straightforward journey will look like (excluding those fun little side trips).

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7 days
14 days
21 days

7-day Brisbane to Cairns itinerary

Brisbane-Cairns itinerary overview

- Distance: 1,913km
- Highlights and attractions: Fraser Island, Whitehaven Beach, Great Barrier Reef, Atherton Tablelands
- Landscape: Coastal, rainforest, islands
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized (SUV with 4WD needed if driving on Fraser Island)

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 140km Approx. drive time: 2 hours	Brisbane to Noosa Depart Brisbane and make your way to Australia Zoo on the way to Noosa Heads By midday arrive in Noosa to spend the afternoon exploring Noosa National Park and Main Beach either surfing or relaxing Stay in Noosa overnight
Day 2 Distance: 0km (if going on the tour) Approx. drive time: 0	Noosa to Fraser Island Do a day trip to Fraser Island from Noosa If you have a car that can handle driving conditions on Fraser Island, stop by sites such as Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck and Eli Creek Spend a second night in Noosa if doing the tour, or the night in Rainbow Beach if driving yourself on Fraser Island
Day 3 Distance: 377km Approx. drive time: 4 hours and 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 sunset from Bustard Bay Lookout Spend the night in Agnes Water
Day 4 Distance: 706km Approx. drive time: 7 hours and 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 2 nights in Airlie Beach
Day 5 Distance: 0km (no driving due to tour) Approx. drive time: 0	Airlie Beach to Whitsunday Islands Take a day trip to Whitehaven Beach on a full-day sailing trip Or opt to take a Whitsunday Islands scenic flight and a half-day Whitehaven Beach tour
Day 6 Distance: 690km Approx. drive time: 8 hours and 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 Millaa Millaa Waterfall and the Curtain Fig Tree Continue to Cairns
Day 7 Distance: 0km Approx. drive time: 0	Cairns Spend the day in Cairns by exploring the Great Barrier Reef on a full or half-day snorkelling/diving tour If only doing a half-day on the Great Barrier Reef try the bungee jump and Minjin Jungle Swing in the afternoon Spend the night in Cairns

Brisbane: Ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street

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Noosa: Noosa Heads Motel

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Rainbow Beach: Debbies Place

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Agnes Water: Agnes Water Beach Holiday

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Airlie Beach: Colonial Palms Motor Inn

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Cairns: Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside

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14-day Brisbane to Cairns itinerary

Itinerary overview

- Distance: 1,922km
- Highlights and attractions: Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Magnetic Island, Daintree Rainforest
- Landscape: Coastal, forested national parks
- Recommended vehicle type: Economy or mid-sized (SUV with 4WD needed if driving on Fraser Island)

Day	Itinerary
Day 1 Distance: 0km Approx. drive time: 0	Brisbane Get out on the water for a kayaking tour for views of the city, take time in Southbank to see the man-made beach, taste the beer at XXXX Brewery before grabbing dinner and drinks in the West End If time permits try abseiling for amazing views of the city Stay the night in Brisbane
Days 2 and 3 Distance: 140km Approx. drive time: 4km	Brisbane to Sunshine Coast On your way to the Sunshine Coast, stop at Australia Zoo, made famous because of Steve Irwin By midday head to Noosa Heads so you have time for the coastal walk through Noosa National Park to Hell’s Gates In the evening hang out on Main Beach or try surfing Book a half-day Everglades tour cruise or kayak Spend the afternoon visiting the Eumundi Market or spend more time at the beach Stay in Noosa Heads for 2 nights
Days 4 and 5 Distance: 118km Approx. drive time: 1 hour and 40 minutes	Sunshine Coast to Fraser Island Drive to Rainbow Beach in the morning to catch the ferry from Inskip Point to get to Fraser Island If you do not have a 4WD car opt to take a 2-day tour of Fraser Island from Rainbow Beach See sites such as Lake McKenzie, Maheno Shipwreck and float down Eli Creek Stay 1 night on Fraser Island and your second night in Rainbow Beach
Day 6 Distance: 336km Approx. drive time: 4 hours	Fraser Island to town of Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Water Start your day early to allow time for these next stops Take an afternoon Larc cruise and catch the sunset at Bustard Bay Lookout Spend the night in Agnes Water
Days 7 to 9 Distance: 706km Approx. drive time: 8 hours	Agnes Water to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands Today is a full day of driving from Agnes Water to Airlie Beach that will take up most of your day Visit Airlie Beach Lagoon if there’s time before getting dinner and heading to bed Sail to Whitehaven Beach or jump on a boat tour that also includes snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef Spend 2 nights in Airlie Beach
Days 10 and 11 Distance: 275km Approx. drive time: 3 hours	Airlie Beach to Townsville and Magnetic Island Get to Townsville for lunch and spend a half-day of touring the town Join a Townsville sightseeing tour and visit the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Jump on the ferry to Magnetic Island that evening Spend a full day exploring Magnetic Island Do the Forts Walk to spot koalas, go snorkelling and watch sunset at Horseshoe Bay or on a cruise Spend 2 nights on Magnetic Island
Days 12 to 14 Distance: 347km Approx. drive time: 4 hours	Magnetic Island to Cairns In the morning take the ferry back to Townsville and head north to Cairns In Cairns, go skydiving or join a half-day snorkelling tour to Green Island Hang out at the The Lagoon Take a day trip to the Atherton Tablelands to explore waterfalls by tour or self-drive Do another day trip by driving yourself or take a day tour to the Daintree Rainforest Spend 3 nights in Cairns

Brisbane: Ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street

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