Cairns to Brisbane Roadtrip

Day one of your Cairns to Brisbane road trip will of course begin in the tropical paradise of Cairns in North Queensland. The Britz Campervan hire Cairns branch is conveniently located within easy reach of the airport, making picking up your motorhome a breeze. Once you’ve got your camper, you’re going to want to enjoy some time in sunny Cairns as there are so many great things to do in Cairns.

Of course, no trip to Cairns would be complete without a day trip out to one of Australia’s most fabulous natural resources, the Great Barrier Reef. Various operators conduct half and full day tours for snorkelling and diving to see the reef’s corals, dolphins, turtles and sometimes even whales. Another great thing to do is to take a short 20-minute drive to visit the lesser known Crystal Cascades, a secluded freshwater swimming hole that is one of the locals’ best kept secrets. Surrounded by rainforest, it offers a cool respite from the tropical heat, and there are toilets, BBQs and picnic tables so you can bring your own lunch for a picnic. Some other great experiences to have while in the area include a visit to the Cairns Aquarium, the Botanic gardens, and the magical Butterfly Sanctuary.

When it comes to places to stay we always love booking into the Cairns Coconut holiday park accommodation - Ingenia Holidays. With great campsites, clean amenities and ideal location, you’re sure to love your stay here as much as we do. 

Setting off from Cairns, the first stop on this road trip is the coastal town of Mission Beach. Situated halfway between Townsville and Cairns, Mission Beach offers a pristine and picturesque coastline. Beach lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice, and bushwalkers will revel in the area’s World Heritage rainforests of the Wet Tropics. The area offers cool walking trails including Bicton Hill, Licuala Fan Palm Walk, Edmund Kennedy Walking Track and Lacey’s Creek, and the chance to see 60 per cent of Australia’s butterflies that call the area home, as well as the endangered Southern Cassowary! 

Some other great experiences to have here are to check out the Djiru National Park where you can head off on a bush walk, go mountain biking and see some of Australia’s incredible wildlife. Tully Gorge National Park is another wonderful national park that is worth visiting if you have the time. With an incredible lookout, as well as majestic waterfalls and a riverway, this is sure to leave you in awe.

After a day of exploring the local area, you’re going to want a comfortable place to stay. We highly recommend the BIG4 Beachcomber Coconut Holiday Park as they offer private and spacious campsites, great amenities and a wonderful location.

The journey continues and next up on your road trip travel itinerary is to Townsville which is the connecting point to another of Queensland’s famed hotspots - Magnetic Island. Here you can enjoy walking trails littered with stunning views of the waters and picture-perfect coastline as well as a huge sleepy koala population. Magnetic Island is just 20 minutes off the coast and is the perfect location for a day trip as you can take the campervan on the ferry. There are plenty of island activities to keep you busy including kayaking, fishing, snorkelling and diving. This place is sure to be where life-long memories are made.

Townsville is also home to some great experiences, with something for every type of traveller. The Australian Institute of Marine Science conducts important research into Australia’s marine environments and they have free tours which you can join to tour the Cape Ferguson facility every Friday (March to November). Other wonderful experiences in Townsville include checking out the Billabong Sanctuary, a haven for nature lovers. Nature lovers are going to want to visit Castle Hill and Centenary Park, and if you’re in the mood to shop then Flinders Street is the spot to be.

After all this exploration, we recommend checking into the BIG4 Rowes Bay Beachfront Holiday Park or Townsville | Cluden Discovery Parks. Both parks are in perfect locations and offer a peaceful rest spot for you and your camper.

This area of Queensland is world-famous for its stunning coastline and picturesque islands so it’s going to be no surprise that the next stop on this road trip has you visiting the town of Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Island.

The township of Airlie Beach is the perfect gateway to cruise around this spectacular archipelago within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which includes the famed soft white sand of Whitehaven Beach. You will need to wear a stinger suit in stinger season but don't let this put you off, as the 7 km long beach with its turquoise water will leave you in awe. While you are there make sure you walk up to the Hill Inlet to soak up the stunning views over Whitehaven beach. And if you’ve got the time then you must book a one-day sailing trip to experience remote snorkelling spots! There are some great things to do in Airlie Beach including visiting the tropical Conway National Park, visiting the popular Airlie Beach Market, and cooling off in the Airlie Beach Lagoon.

After all that excitement of this magical part of the world, you’re going to need a good night’s rest and there are three great options for you. The BIG4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort and Discovery Parks Airlie Beach are all wonderful holiday parks with great campsites for your Britz Camper. Each has modern facilities and amenities as well as ideal locations close to all you could need and want.

From Airlie Beach it’s then on to St Lawrence which is a little lesser known area, but full of so much beauty and great experiences. This town is one of the oldest towns on the coast of Queensland and is full of character and charm. Nature lovers are in for a real treat! You can explore the St Lawrence Wetlands which is home to freshwater fish habitats and an abundance of birdlife. If you feel like heading to the beach you can enjoy a nice stroll along the shoreline, head out for a surf, or simply sit and enjoy the warming sunshine before heading into town to soak up the charm.

Parking up at the St Lawrence Recreation Grounds is our go-to. It’s the perfect place to stay with your fully equipped Britz campervan.

The next destination is where Captain James Cook made his second landing in Australia at the spot where the town of 1770 now stands - in the year 1770 unsurprisingly! There is a Captain Cook monument here, but the town and that of nearby Agnes Water offers much more including pristine beaches, great markets and the chance to do a day trip to Lady Musgrave Island - an impressive 14-hectare low-lying coral cay. While here be sure to explore the working Bustard Head lighthouse, just 20 minutes north town, with its tortured and tragic past featuring shipwrecks, murder, disappearances and other mysterious happenings. You can also enjoy a whale watching experience, go surfing, kayaking, discover the Red Rock walking trail or take a ride on the iconic pink LARC, a land and see driving tour!

As for places to stay, we highly recommend checking into the Agnes Water holiday park. Set right on the main beach of Agnes Water, this holiday park is sure to be an idyllic stay in this beautiful part of the world.

 The journey continues and from Agnes Water it’s on to Hervey Bay and Fraser Island. This great seaside town has some wonderful experiences to enjoy and caravan parks to stay at. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for a 4WD day trip to heritage-listed Fraser Island.

To enjoy Fraser Island you will need a 4WD, and once you arrive think of picture-perfect freshwater lakes, soaring rainforests and tranquil bushwalks. Whilst here make sure you don't miss the SS Maheno shipwreck, the Champagne Pools and Lake McKenzie with its crystal clear water and white sand beaches. The island is also home to the dingo, a native Australian dog which can be spotted if lucky. Fraser Island is the highlight of the Wide Bay region and an absolute bucket-list tick for any traveller to Queensland.  If you are interested in hiring a 4WD for Fraser Island we recommend you to book with our trusted partner Rainbow Beach Adventure Centre 4wd Hire (located on Rainbow Beach) who offers Britz customers a 10% discount with the promo code: #ADVENT4WD10. 

When you’re in the town of Hervey Bay you’ll find an array of things to do such as whale watching, and take a wander along the esplanade, which is especially spectacular at sunset. Nature lovers will love checking out the Botanic Gardens and ocean lovers should stop by the Reef World Aquarium!

We mentioned that there are some great places to stay when in Hervey Bay, our top three are the BIG4 Point Vernon Holiday Park, Discovery Parks Boat Harbour Drive, Discovery Parks Fraser Street. Each one promises a comfortable and peaceful stay, perfect for your campervan road trip.

Now, for the next part of the journey you’ve got a couple of options. You can either head straight back to Brisbane to drop the camper back at the Britz branch and check out the city. Or, if you have the time we suggest adding an extra day to your travels and checking out the popular coastal town of Noosa.

Home to some of the most beautiful beaches Australia has to offer. Treat yourself to some breathtaking views as you take a stroll through the Noosa National Park, discovering picturesque bays along the way, and hopefully spot some dolphins playing in the ocean. The views alone make this one walk you must do! For those looking for a little more adventure, you can hire a boat at Pelican Beach in Noosaville and cruise up the picturesque Noosa River past Tewantin. If you’re seeking a little culture then be sure to check out the Noosa Regional Gallery and Noosa Museum.

When in Noosa we choose to stay at the BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Noosa, which features clean amenities, great campsites and welcoming atmosphere.

Inspired to travel from Cairns to Brisbane?

If you can’t wait to get started on this journey, book your Britz campervan today! Be sure to check out our latest deals and other travel itineraries to make your trip even better!