Arrive in tropical Cairns for a two night stay overlooking Trinity Harbour. Epitomising the relaxed Aussie lifestyle, Cairns is a city that offers open-air markets, alfresco dining and palm-fringed beaches.

Here you can just relax after your flight, or head out to explore the ancient Daintree Rainforest or join a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, which you can pre-book before you travel.

Your chosen Cairns hotel

Collect your chosen car this morning and travel through the high tropical plateau Tablelands to Kuranda for a chance to explore the village in the rainforest. Continue to the Atherton Tablelands where lush rainforests, waterfalls and lakes are in an abundance. Visit Millaa Millaa Falls and the famous Curtain Fig Tree. This evening, stretch your legs as you walk along the shore and feel the golden sand between your toes on Mission Beach.

Cairns > Mission Beach | 240 kms

Your chosen Mission Beach hotel

Follow the Bruce Highway along the picturesque Queensland coast. Take the time to look around Townsville before continuing on to the resort town of Airlie Beach. With the nearby tropical rainforest and waterfalls of Conway National Park, Airlie Beach offers pal-fringed beaches, lush waterfront parks, vibrant markets and al fresco restaurants that take advantage of the year-round tropical weather.

Mission Beach > Airlie Beach | 495 kms

Your chosen Airlie Beach hotel

Airlie Beach is also known as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. This morning catch the ferry to Hamilton Island, where you will stay for the next two nights. Hamilton Island is one of 74 tropical islands that make up the Whitsundays. You will be surrounded by pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of coral and marine life!

If you can tear yourself away from the beautiful resorts and superb snorkelling, take a cruise to spectacular Whitehaven Beach, voted the number one beach in Australia. If you’re feeling active, take a walk to Hill Inlet for views over the Whitsunday islands and the sparkling turquoise waters.

Your chosen Hamilton Island hotel

Return to the mainland and travel south through the town of Mackay, known as Australia’s sugar capital. Continue on to the town of Rockhampton, that straddles the Tropic of Capricorn. The town celebrates the success of the local cattle stations with statues of bulls all around the town. Make sure you try some of the local beef at one of the town’s popular steakhouses.

Airlie Beach > Rockhampton | 480 kms

Your chosen Rockhampton hotel

Continue south along the Bundaberg Coast to Hervey Bay, dotted with cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes. Its safe, sheltered waters make it an aquatic paradise perfect for year-round swimming, diving, sailing, water sports and fishing. It is also well known for its spectacular whale watching cruises.

Rockhampton > Hervey Bay | 385 kms

Your chosen Hervey Bay hotel

Hervey bay is also the departure point for the ferry to K’gari, the largest sand island in the world. Formerly Fraser Island, you will be able to relax and explore the amazing variety of landscapes on the island during your three night stay.

K’gari’s unique and untamed wilderness, offers the opportunity to join nature tours, get close to passing whales, take a 4×4 adventure to seventy-five mile beach, swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie or explore the iconic Maheno shipwreck. Of course, you can also sit back and relax in your eco-friendly resort.

Your chosen K’gari hotel

Return on the ferry back to Hervey Bay, before driving through the Tuan and Toolara State Forests, to the laidback, coast town of Noosa.

Swim at Noosa Main Beach or venture a little further with an easy, spectacular walk along the headland through to Noosa National Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may like to hire a stand-up paddle board or even take a boat ride through the incredible Noosa Everglades, one of Australia’s most beautiful wilderness areas. You’ll love the dark waterways and myriad of wildlife along the Noosa River – it is truly spectacular!

Hervey Bay > Noosa | 175 kms

Your chosen Noosa hotel

After an exciting road trip, continue to Brisbane where you can return your car and explore a city with contagious energy and plenty of activities to choose from.

Walk along the South Bank of the Brisbane River, to enjoy the city parklands, cool-off in the Blue Lagoon and view the impressive city skyline. Discover the waterside gastropubs and microbreweries at the Howard Smith Wharves, or browse Valley Laneways Markets.

Noosa > Brisbane | 140 kms

Your chosen Brisbane hotel

Finally, head to Brisbane Airport today for your flight home or to continue your journey. You will have plenty of photos and memories of your Queensland road trip.