Depart Brisbane for an easy two hour drive to Noosa, ‘Jewel of the Sunshine Coast’. The coastal route passes through Mooloolaba and several other seaside towns.

A two night stay in Noosa will give you plenty of time to explore the region. You can cruise or kayak through the famous Noosa Everglades or relax on the resort’s pristine beaches, and in the evening head to Hastings Street for a tempting choice of bars and restaurants.

On a headland near the town is Noosa National Park, a sanctuary for native fauna and flora, with stunning coastal views. Look out for koalas in the wild as you walk the bush and forest trails.

Brisbane > Noosa | 160 kms

Noosa Lakes Resort or similar

Leave the galleries and boutiques of Noosa behind as you drive north to K’gari, formerly Fraser Island. First stop is Gimpie, an early Queensland railroad town where there is a fascinating Gold Mining and Historical Museum.

The ferry terminal for K’gari is at Hervey Bay. Look out for dolphins and whales as you cross over to the island for a two night stay at the excellent Eco Kingfisher Bay Resort.

Despite being the largest sand island in the world, K’gari is mostly clad in pristine rainforest and contains several freshwater lakes. There are no paved roads, so we have included an exciting, full day 4×4 tour, which visits the Champagne Pools, sparkling Lake McKenzie, the Mahena shipwreck, 75-Mile Beach and much more.

Noosa > K’gari | 175 kms

Kingfisher Bay Resort or similar

Return by ferry to the mainland this morning and head south on the highway to the impressive Glass House Mountains National Park.

Steeped in Aboriginal history, the forest-covered mountains rise out of the coastal plain. There are easy walking trails to panoramic lookouts, where you can sit and soak up the magical beauty of the area. The delightful country towns of Montville and Maleny offer magnificent views of the Sunshine Coast, plus many heritage buildings, fresh local produce and fine arts and crafts.

K’gari > Glass House Mountains | 210 kms

Glasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge

Brisbane and the end of your self drive is just over an hour away, so perhaps stay longer in the Hinterland or visit Australia Zoo, which is nearby.

This famous zoo was created by Steve Irwin, the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, in the 1980s and is still run by his wife, Terri, and managed by the family. Over 1,200 African, Asian and, of course, Australian animals live there, and it is a popular tourist attraction.

Montville > Brisbane | 100 kms