Back in 2020, when international borders were closed, I swapped my planned graduation trip overseas for a four-month road trip through Queensland. What started as a backup plan quickly became one of my favourite Australian adventures.
From K’gari and the Whitsundays to hidden waterfalls and volcanic lava tubes, I discovered just how much there was to explore in my own backyard!
This isn’t a day-by-day itinerary. Instead, it’s a guide to the best stops between Brisbane and Cairns, plus a little bonus up to Cape Trib, including the places I’d revisit in a heartbeat!
Noosa
Just a couple of hours north of Brisbane, Noosa was the perfect way to ease into the trip. Famous for its gorgeous beaches and chill vibe, it’s one of Queensland’s most popular coastal destinations for good reason! Whether you’re just keen to relax on the sand, browse cute boutique shops or get out into nature, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Highlights
- Sunset by the river
- Noosa National Park coastal walk
- Main Beach
- Hastings Street
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay was a nice place to slow down and enjoy Queensland’s coastline. The beaches here are calm and peaceful, making it the perfect place to relax before heading over to K’gari. The esplanade stretches for kilometres along the waterfront and is ideal for walking, cycling or simply enjoying the ocean views.
Highlights
- Waterfront walks
- Relaxed beach atmosphere
- Gateway to K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Whale watching (seasonal)
K’gari (Fraser Island)
K’gari was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the entire road trip. As the world’s largest sand island, it’s unlike anywhere else I’ve visited. I joined a day trip from Hervey Bay, but if you’re comfortable driving on sand I’d highly recommend taking a 4WD over and spending a few days exploring the island properly. Lake McKenzie was one of the most stunning lakes I’ve ever seen, with crystal-clear water and impossibly white sand.
Highlights
- Champagne Pools
- Lake McKenzie
- 75 Mile Beach
- Eli Creek
- Maheno Shipwreck
Agnes Water & 1770
This is where Queensland’s laid-back beach town vibe really starts kicking in. The twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770 are famous for being the northernmost surf beaches on Australia’s east coast and are such a lovely spot to slow down for a few days. I loved wandering along the foreshore at sunset and watching the boats come and go from the harbour. If you’re after a quieter alternative to some of Queensland’s busier beach destinations, this is the perfect stop.
Highlights
- Sunset at 1770 Headland
- Beaches and coastal walks
- Surf lessons
- Boat tours and kayaking
Gladstone
Gladstone is often used as a stopover between destinations, there’s honestly not a tonne to do here but still I enjoyed visiting the lookout for views across the harbour and surrounding coastline before continuing north.
Highlights
- Harbour views
- Gladstone Lookout
- Marina precinct
Rockhampton
While many travellers pass straight through Rockhampton, I found it a worthwhile stop thanks to the nearby Capricorn Caves. Exploring the ancient limestone cave system was a fascinating experience and something completely different from the coastal attractions Queensland is known for.
Highlights
- Gateway to Central Queensland
- Capricorn Caves
- Heritage architecture
Yeppoon
Yeppoon was another coastal town that completely won me over. The beaches are beautiful, the waterfront is perfect for an afternoon stroll, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal place to break up the drive north.
Highlights
- Beaches and coastal walks
- Yeppoon Lagoon
- Keppel Bay views
Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays
If I had to choose a favourite stop on the entire road trip, Airlie Beach would be right up there. This vibrant coastal town is the gateway to the Whitsundays and offers endless opportunities for adventure. I spent time sailing through the islands, snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and taking a scenic flight over Heart Reef. It was one of those destinations that completely lived up to the hype.
Highlights
- Airlie Beach Lagoon
- Whitehaven Beach
- Heart Reef scenic flights
- Overnight sailing trips
- Great Barrier Reef snorkelling
Bowen
Bowen is often overshadowed by Airlie Beach, but it’s a beautiful destination in its own right. With palm-lined beaches and quiet bays, it felt like a peaceful alternative to some of Queensland’s busier tourist hotspots.
Highlights
- Horseshoe Bay
- Coastal lookouts
- Quiet beaches
Ayr & The SS Yongala
For scuba divers, the SS Yongala is an absolute bucket-list experience. Located off the coast near Ayr, this historic shipwreck is widely regarded as one of the best dive sites in Australia. Even years later, it remains one of the most memorable dives I’ve ever done thanks to the incredible marine life that calls the wreck home!
Townsville
Townsville often gets overlooked by travellers rushing further north, but it’s a destination that’s well worth a stop. Set on the waterfront with views out to Magnetic Island, it’s a great place to break up the drive and spend a day exploring. I enjoyed wandering along The Strand and heading up Castle Hill for panoramic views over the city and coastline.
Highlights
- Castle Hill Lookout
- The Strand waterfront
- Jezzine Barracks
- Sunset views over Magnetic Island
- Ferry access to Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Just a short ferry ride from Townsville, Magnetic Island quickly became one of my favourite stops in Queensland. With beautiful beaches, coastal hikes and plenty of wildlife, it’s the perfect island escape without needing to travel far offshore. One of the highlights was spotting wild koalas along the Forts Walk before cooling off at one of the island’s secluded bays.
Highlights
- Forts Walk and wild koalas
- Horseshoe Bay
- Arthur Bay and Radical Bay
- Coastal hiking trails
- Snorkelling and swimming
Wallaman Falls
A little inland detour from the coast, Wallaman Falls is absolutely worth the extra drive. As Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall (at 268 metres), it’s an incredibly impressive sight, especially after rain when the water is flowing at full force. Even from the main lookout the views are spectacular, but if you’re feeling adventurous you can tackle the steep walking track down to the base of the falls for a completely different perspective.
Highlights
- Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall
- Main lookout platform
- Walking track to the base of the falls
- Part of Girringun National Park
- Incredible photography opportunities
Mission Beach
Mission Beach quickly became one of my favourite places in Far North Queensland. I split my time between accommodation by the beach and stays surrounded by rainforest, which gave me the best of both worlds. It’s the perfect place to slow down, unwind and enjoy tropical Queensland at a much more relaxed pace than nearby Cairns.
Highlights
- Palm-fringed beaches
- Rainforest walks
- Relaxed atmosphere
- Cassowary spotting
Undara Volcanic National Park
One of the most unique detours of the trip was heading inland to Undara Volcanic National Park. The lava tubes here were formed by ancient volcanic activity and create one of Australia’s most fascinating geological landscapes. I stayed in one of the permanent glamping tents, joined the sunset wildlife tour and watched thousands of microbats emerge from the caves after dark.
Highlights
- Lava tube tours
- Sunset wildlife experiences
- Bat emergence at dusk
- Outback glamping
Cairns
I ended up spending nearly a month in Cairns because there was simply so much to do. During my time there, I completed my scuba diving certification, explored nearby islands, visited countless waterfalls and spent many afternoons relaxing by the Esplanade Lagoon.
As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical North Queensland, Cairns makes the perfect base for exploring the surrounding region. Whether you’re looking for adventure, nature or simply somewhere to enjoy the tropical lifestyle, it’s easy to see why so many travellers end up staying longer than planned.
If, like me, you love chasing waterfalls, there are plenty within easy driving distance of Cairns. Some of my favourites included Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Babinda Boulders, each offering crystal-clear swimming holes surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.
One of my favourite Cairns memories was making friends with other backpackers at the hostel and somehow ending up at a beach bonfire at 3am. We sat around sharing stories from our travels, and it reminded me that while destinations are incredible, it’s often the people you meet along the way that make a place unforgettable.
Highlights
- Scuba diving and certification courses
- Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
- Night Markets
- Crystal Cascades
- Josephine Falls
- Millaa Millaa Falls
- Babinda Boulders
- Kuranda and Barron Falls
- Waterfront dining
- Great Barrier Reef day trips
Fitzroy Island
One of my favourite trips from Cairns was Fitzroy Island. Just a short ferry ride from the mainland, the island is home to beautiful beaches, snorkelling straight off the shore and some fantastic walking trails. Whether you want to spend the day exploring or simply relaxing on the beach, it’s well worth adding to your Cairns itinerary!
Highlights
- Nudey Beach
- Snorkelling from the beach
- Summit Track
- Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
- Glass-bottom boat tours
Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation
From Cairns, I also headed north to explore the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, one of the most unique landscapes in Australia. The drive itself is spectacular, winding along the coastline before crossing the Daintree River by ferry into one of the world’s oldest rainforests.
In fact, the Daintree is estimated to be around 180 million years old, making it even older than the Amazon. Walking through the rainforest genuinely feels like stepping back in time. With ancient ferns, towering trees and dense jungle stretching in every direction, it’s not hard to imagine dinosaurs once roaming through a landscape very much like this one.
Cape Tribulation is particularly special because it’s one of the few places on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. With rainforest-covered mountains, secluded beaches and incredible wildlife, it felt completely different from anywhere else on the trip.
One of my highlights in the Daintree was a river drift along the Mossman River. Part adventure, part relaxation, the experience takes you through gentle sections where you can simply lie back and float beneath the rainforest canopy, before picking up speed through small rapids that feel like a mini white-water rafting experience! Drifting down the crystal-clear river while gazing up at one of the world’s oldest rainforests was truly magical.
Highlights
- Daintree River/ Crocodile Cruise
- Cape Tribulation Beach
- Alexandra Lookout
- Dubuji Boardwalk
- Mossman Gorge
- Drift-hiking along the Mossman River
- Rainforest walks and wildlife spotting
Final Thoughts
Looking back, this Queensland road trip ended up being one of the biggest surprises of my travels. Like many people in 2020, I had dreams of heading overseas after graduating university, but instead I spent almost four months exploring my own backyard!
From sailing through the Whitsundays and diving the SS Yongala to chasing waterfalls in the rainforest and watching the sunrise on tropical beaches, Queensland constantly reminded me that adventure doesn’t always require a passport.
Even now, after travelling to more than 80 countries around the world, many of these places still stand out in my memory. The friendships made in hostels, the spontaneous beach bonfires, floating down the Mossman River beneath the rainforest canopy, and discovering just how much beauty exists close to home.
If you’re planning a Queensland road trip, my biggest piece of advice is not to rush it. Some of my favourite memories came from staying longer than planned, taking detours and saying yes to experiences I hadn’t even known existed when I started the journey.
Queensland will always have a special place in my heart.
Alexx
Alex's Adventures 