Campervan Roadtrips

Brisbane to Cairns - East Coast Roadtrip

DAY 1

Brisbane to Noosa Heads (140km, 2h 25m)

Pick up your van nice and early from our Wicked Brisbane depot (79 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD) and get ready to enjoy one of Wicked’s finest and most popular roadtrips, the East Coast.
Noosa, located on the northern end of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is renowned for its sundrenched beaches, powder white sand and a water temperature that invites year round swimming. After sunning yourself on the beach and enjoying the great surf that Noosa has to offer, why not walk down Hastings Street? Hastings Street is a relaxed, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare. Low-rise and leafy, it is a popular place with visitors who flock to the resort accommodation, cosmopolitan cafes, designer shops and alfresco dining along the length of this wide, paved street. Or, you could spend a day at the famous Australia Zoo – home of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, with buses departing from nearby Noosaville regularly. Camp overnight in Noosa.

Noosa Heads to Hervey Bay (175km, 3h 5m)

Hervey Bay is renowned as being the gateway to world heritage listed Fraser Island. Apart from this, Hervey Bay still has a lot to offer as its own unique destination. Hervey Bay has often been called the jewel in Queensland’s crown. Hervey Bay offers a colourful concentration of lifestyles and its waters are home to turtles, dolphins and dugongs as well as humpback whales and is often referred to as the whale watching capital of the world. No matter what your interests, you can enjoy its experiences, its natural beauty and a choice of activities and attractions. Camp overnight in Hervey Bay.

DAY 3

Fraser Island (you must leave your van in Hervey Bay!)

Fraser Island is definitely one of Queensland’s most sought after holiday destinations. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and its breath taking beauty and natural attractions makes it one of the most sought after destinations on the Fraser Coast. Whilst on Fraser Island, you could take a 4WD and trip around the island, visiting some of the lakes as you go, such as Lake McKenzie. Swimming in these lakes on Fraser Island is a memorable experience. Camp overnight on Fraser Island or back in Hervey Bay.

DAY 4

Fraser Island

DAY 5

Hervey Bay to Bundaberg (125km, 2h 0m)

Back on dry land today for the next segment of your east coast roadtrip. Bundaberg is famous for many things, it’s fields upon fields of sugar canes and Bundaberg Rum are definitely the two biggest ones. Take a trip to the Bundaberg distillery, or maybe even the Bundaberg Barrel, where the soft drinks such as Bundaberg Ginger Beer is produced. Both tours are relatively cheap and include free samples. If you’re looking for something to do in the evening, why not visit the pub, The Queenslander, in Bundaberg town centre? With friendly locals and draught beers and Bundaberg draught from as little as $4, you’re in a for a great night. In Bundaberg, the Great Barrier Reef begins with coral reefs fringing the shoreline and two coral cays, Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave Islands. You can reef walk, snorkel, dive and view one of the great wonders of the world, all from Bundaberg. Camp overnight in Bundaberg.

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DAY 6

Bundaberg to Agnes Water (120km, 1h 45m)

Agnes Water and the Town of 1770 are located in the Gladstone Region of Queensland. Many previous customers have described it as, ‘staying in paradise,’ and in all honesty, you wont get much closer. With glorious beaches, pristine ocean and a great surf, Agnes Water is the perfect place to relax and spend some real ‘you’ time. If you had to much rum on your distillery tour in Bundaberg and missed out on the Great Barrier Reef, don’t worry, the Town of 1770 is right next to Agnes Water and is the closest jump-off point to the Great Barrier Reef, north of Brisbane. If you head back towards Bundaberg, you go past a little old brown building on your left handside - this is an old museum. As you go another 150-200m down the road, just after an 80km/h road sign on the left, there is a small dirt road turning. If you turn left up there you can camp just off a beautiful beach from as little as $5 per person. Camp overnight in Agnes Water.

DAY 7

Agnes Water to Rockhampton, Emu Park, Yeppoon (270km, 3h 40m)

Today is a day of choice. From Agnes Water you continue to cruise up the east coast and eventually you will reach Rockhampton. Rockhampton is a larger town in comparison to Emu Park and Yeppoon but all have something to offer. In Rockhampton you will find more mainstream shopping and pubs and bars but in Emu Park, you could stay at the new luxury backpackers resort, Emu’s Beach Resort with the magnificent Paul and Mandy. At Emu’s Beach Resort, you can camp in the carpark for a minimal amount and enjoy the showers, beach, BBQ and bar facilities in the resort itself. Yeppoon is a little more sleep that Emu Park and Rockhampton but it is right on the coastline and great for fishing, diving, snorkeling and surfing. Today, the decision is firmly in your hands…
Camp overnight in Rockhampton, Emu Park or Yeppoon.

DAY 8

Mackay is a vibrant exciting tropical city, booming from the richness of sugar and mining. Mackay's City Heart has recently undergone a magical transformation by way of a unique community arts project. Comprising of over 580 pieces of art, the overall theme depicts the environmental beauty of the Natural North. Mackay has three main shopping centres with more than 400 specialty stores - Caneland Shoppingtown, Mount Pleasant Shopping Centre and The City Heart. The Mackay Region has thirty one beaches for you to visit and explore where you can enjoy leisurely walks, swimming, and fishing or just sit and watch the kiteboarders and windsurfers ride up and down the water. Some of the region’s best beaches include Eimeo Beach, Blacks Beach, Shoal Point, Harbour Beach and the spectacular beach at Cape Hillsborough National Park, where the rainforest literally meets the sea. Camp overnight in Mackay

DAY 9

Make sure you pop into Fun Rentals, 344 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach and say hi to Iyo and the gang at our brand new Airlie Beach depot. Beaches Backpackers and Magnum’s Backpackers are great places to chill out, eat and drink with great deals on jugs of beer and buy one get one free pizzas. Mama Africa is a great R n B bar in which to get your freak on! Don’t stay out too late though, as the next day is your day dedicated to the Whitsunday Islands. Also in Airlie Beach, you could have a walk down to the Marina, surf or have a swim and sun and refresh yourselves. We would recommend that you book your Whitsunday Island tour/s today to avoid disappointment. Check out the hostels and travel agents for the best deals.

DAY 10

Today you will be experiencing some of the most beautiful islands in the world. There are many day tours that you can take or you can simply pay for ferry transfers to and from the islands and make your own fun. Daydream Island is the closest island to the mainland and a ferry return will cost you around $30. It’s only a small island and with very cheap watersports, a beach and a hotel resort

with bar and swimming pool, you can’t go too far wrong. You can either stay on one of the islands or camp overnight back in Airlie Beach.

DAY 12

Townsville is described as the heart and, as some people refer to it, the capital of North Queensland. Townsville city is a charming blend of old and new, with a rich history and surprising cultural depth. Although Townsville itself is a nice place to visit, why not head over to Magnetic Island? Magnetic Island is located just off the coast from Townsville and is home to Australia's largest colony of koalas. The National park on Magnetic Island is home to a huge range of wildlife. The Island features many snug bays and harbors with a plethora of quiet beaches making it a favourite with cruising yachtsmen and tourists alike. The hills and landscape are adorned with granite boulders and rocky outcrops presented in stunning formations. Magnetic Island accommodation ranges from beachfront and backpacker accommodation through to holiday homes and luxury resorts.

DAY 13

The drive today will be a scenic one through rich cane fields, banana plantations and small historic towns. You could also stop off in Tully along th way and see th giant Wellington boot. Mission Beach is very much a unique and unspoiled haven in North Queensland. The area has many different restaurants ranging from Italian to French. Some of the restaurants are fully licensed and some are BYO. Mission Beach is secluded, yet it is also the perfect base to explore the other wonders of the region; the Great Barrier Reef, Hinchinbrook Island, Dunk Island and Paronella Park at Mena Creek. Other activities include: snorkeling, surfing, diving, fishing, eco tours, wildlife photo safaris, white water rafting, watersports and tandem skydiving. This will be the last night of your roadtrip so make the most of it! Camp overnight in Mission Beach.

DAY 14

Mission Beach to Cairns (140km, 2h 10m)

Take your time today and enjoy the short but scenic drive from Mission Beach to Cairns, the final point of your roadtrip. Please take your time on the drive but ensure that your van is returned to the Wicked Cairns depot (42 O’Keefe Street, North Cairns, QLD) by 2.30pm. Have a safe and above all, Wicked, onward journey!