Queensland Essentials

Welcome to Australia! Upon arrival at Brisbane International Airport, pick up your car to begin your self-drive journey. Drive north along the Bruce Highway towards the Sunshine Coast, passing the scenic Glass House Mountains National Park, where volcanic plugs rise dramatically from the landscape, carrying ancient Aboriginal significance. The Sunshine Coast offers diverse attractions, from stunning beaches to lush hinterlands. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring coastal gems like Mooloolaba Beach or indulge in boutique cafes and art galleries at Noosa. You can unwind in one of the seaside restaurants while enjoying panoramic ocean views.


Overnight on the Sunshine Coast

Spend the day exploring the Sunshine Coast's wonders at your leisure. Visit Noosa National Park for easy coastal walks, try surfing at Coolum Beach, or head inland to the charming hinterland towns of Montville and Maleny. These villages boast scenic lookouts, rainforest walks, craft markets, and award-winning wineries. Dont miss a trip to the Australia Zoo, a 20-minute drive from the hinterland, where you can interact with Australian wildlife and learn about conservation efforts. You can also enjoy some retail therapy at the bustling Eumundi Markets.


Overnight on the Sunshine Coast

Depart from the Sunshine Coast and head north towards the beautiful Fraser Coast, famous for being the gateway to Fraser Island (K'gari) and offering rich biodiversity and outdoor adventures. Pass through Gympie and then make your way towards Hervey Bay, a picturesque coastal town known for its calm waters and vibrant marine life. On the way, you can stop by Tin Can Bay, where early risers can feed wild dolphins. Upon arrival in the Fraser Coast, take some time to relax at the waterfront esplanade or explore the seaside cafes and restaurants.


Overnight in Fraser Coast

Today offers incredible excursion opportunities! You can choose a full-day tour to Fraser Island (K'gari), the worlds largest sand island. On this unforgettable trip, traverse the islands sandy trails, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie, and explore the ancient forests of Satinay and Brushbox. You can also take a scenic drive through Cooloola National Park, with its picturesque coloured sands and pristine beaches, before crossing to Fraser Island via the famous Seventy-Five Mile Beach, often referred to as a \"beach highway.\"


Overnight in Fraser Coast

Enjoy another day of leisure at the Fraser Coast. Consider joining a half-day 4WD tour along Double Island Point, offering some of the best ocean views in Queensland. Experience exclusive access to the Double Island Lighthouse, where you can enjoy panoramic vistas over the Pacific Ocean and the Great Sandy National Park. For a cultural twist, learn how Aboriginal communities historically used the coloured sands for art and ceremonial purposes. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed beach day along Hervey Bays picturesque shorelines.


Overnight in Fraser Coast

Depart the Fraser Coast and head north towards Agnes Water. On the way, stop in the historic town of Bundaberg, renowned for its Bundaberg Rum Distillery and lush sugarcane fields. Continue your journey to the laid-back coastal community of Agnes Water and the nearby town of Seventeen Seventy (1770), named after Captain Cooks landing. Agnes Water offers pristine beaches, a warm community vibe, and access to the southern part of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy a walk along its 7 km stretch of golden sand and take advantage of the areas 267 days of sunshine!


Overnight in Agnes Water

Explore the Eurimbula National Park in the morning, before continuing north through the rural community of Calliope and Gladstone, one of Australias busiest harbour. Arrive Rockhampton, which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn. One of the oldest cities in Queensland and Northern Australia, it offers plentiful sites to keep you engaged, you may choose to visit Fitzroy River, the Heritage-listed buildings in the CBD, the Rockhampton Heritage Village, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, the Archer Park Rail Museum, Mount Archer National Park, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, or the Rockhampton Zoo


Overnight in Rockhampton

Return to the Bruce Highway, as you continue travelling north towards Marlborough and further onto Mackay. Just outside of Mackay detour to the Cape Hillsborough National Park, where the rainforest meets the reef. The headland area contains several good walking trails. Continue onto Proserpine and turn off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, Queenslands pristine 74 islands. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan town filled with palm-fringed beaches and waterfront parks


Overnight in Airlie Beach

A day at leisure to enjoy what the beautiful Whitsundays has to offer. The year-round tropical weather, palm-fringed beaches, waterfront parks, al fresco restaurants and vibrant markets inspire you to go with the flow and soak up the laid-back vibe of Airlie Beach. In the vicinity, youll find tropical rainforest and waterfalls in Conway National Park, while the sparkling waters of the Coral Sea offer plenty of adventures from sailing and snorkeling to sleeping on the reef.


Overnight in Airlie Beach

Travel northwards towards Townsville, enroute enjoy a detour to the beautiful country town of Bowen and the twin towns of Home Hill and Ayr. Townsville is a modern, tropical city and the administrative capital of North Queensland. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland is recommended; it houses the worlds largest living coral reef aquarium. This evening, perhaps join in with the locals for a walk along the waterfront esplanade, known as “The Strand”.


Overnight in Townsville

Continue following the picturesque Queensland coastline, through the towns of Ingham, known as “little Italy” for its Italian settlers heritage and Cardwell. Arrive at the stunning little town of Mission Beach, where the rainforest meet the sea. Walk some of the 14kms of golden sandy beach and cool off for a swim before finishing the day off with a cool drink or cocktail.


Overnight in Mission Beach

Enjoy the day at leisure, choose to relax at your hotel, take a walk along this 13kms long sandy paradise or choose to take a dive out to visit Paronella Park, a beautiful semi-ruined Spanish Castle built in 1913 on 05 Hectares of lush ground next to a waterfall. Mission beach is home to many wildlife species, most notable is the Cassowary. Mission Beach is also the mainland gateway to Dunk Island, with water-taxis shuttling day-trippers out to the island. The adventurers can Sea Kayak, White Water Raft or go Parachuting (all at own expense)


Overnight in Mission Beach

The journey along Bruce Highway continues towards Port Douglas. At Silkwood, take the old Bruce Highway for a scenic drive through the Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park. Continue onto South Johnstone, an historic sugar town, before reaching Innisfall, home to the Australian Sugar Museum and many Art Deco Buildings. Take a detour near Babinda to explore the natural wonders of the Wooroonooran National Park, including The Boulders. Travel through Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef enjoying the scenic coastal drive before arriving into Port Douglas, famous for its “Four Mile Beach” and marina lined with boutiques and harbor side cafes.


Overnight in Port Douglas

Once a bustling mining town with over 12000 people in town, Port Douglas now is a little town with just 3500 residents. A perfect place to enjoy the cold drink at a local bar or by poolside, this quaint little town offer you some interesting historical buildings to discover. A popular tourist resort, it is a perfect place to explore The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Perhaps take a cruise to Great Barrier Reef, do some shopping or just explore more of Port Douglas, visit the War Memorial or the wharf buildings. You can choose to visit St Marys by the Sea, a non-denominational heritage church built around 1913 or 1879 built Port Douglas Court House Museum.


Overnight in Port Douglas

Heading south, enjoy one of the most scenic drives of Australia along the coast. Be sure to stop at “Rex Lookout” for spectacular views along the coast. It is worth taking a short detour to stop and look around the delightful resort of Palm Cove before continuing along the Captain Cook Highway into Cairns. It is also possible to detour to Kuranda – the “Village in the Rainforest”. Your journey comes to an end with an arrival at Cairns International Airport for flight back home.