Take a Wicked Campervan from Brisbane to Cairns and cruise one of Australia’s best coastal road trips. From sun-soaked beaches and laid-back beach towns to tropical rainforests and reef gateways, this East Coast adventure is packed with highlights.
Start in Brisbane & Sunshine Coast
Pick up your campervan in Brisbane and head north to the Sunshine Coast. Stop at Noosa Heads for beaches, national park walks and chilled surf vibes. If you’re staying the night, make sure to get some $1 happy hour oysters somewhere!
Rainbow Beach & K’Gari
Next up, Rainbow Beach is a great base for beach walks, sand blows and coastal views. From nearby Hervey Bay, consider a day trip to K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island), a unique World Heritage sand island with freshwater lakes and dunes (note: travelling to K’Gari requires booking a tour and an extra fee as we do NOT allow our vehicles on the island).
Central Queensland Coast
Continue north through coastal towns like Bundaberg and Yeppoon, each with beaches, laid-back vibes and great seafood stops. Make a stop in Rockhampton, the beef capital of Australia, and treat yourself to a steak.
Airlie Beach & Whitsundays
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Take a day sail or snorkel trip in the reef and relax in town before heading onward.
Townsville & Tropical North
Keep rolling through Townsville, a great stop for beach walks or a side trip to Magnetic Island, then head to Mission Beach with its long sandy shorelines and rainforest fringes. If you’re lucky you might even see a Cassowary!
Final Push to Cairns
Finish in Cairns, your tropical hub for the Great Barrier Reef and nearby rainforests. Cool down on the Esplanade lagoon, take a reef trip, or explore Kuranda via Skyrail for lush rainforest views.
Quick Tips
- Take your time: This is a long coastal haul — plan for at least 9–14 days to enjoy the stops.
- Road conditions: Sealed coastal highways make this route easy and stunning.
- Booking K’Gari: Trips and access to K’Gari are separate from your campervan hire and usually require advance booking with a tour operator. Keep in mind we DON’T allow our vehicles on the island.
- Wildlife & nature: Look out for cassowaries around Mission Beach and lush rainforest scenery as you get closer to Cairns.
This coast-to-reef drive is quintessential Queensland; sun, surf, reef and rainforest. Pack your Wicked Campervan and make the adventure yours!