Queensland Coastal Drive
SELF DRIVE TOUR
GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS | K'GARI | AGNES WATER | ROSSLYN BAY | MACKAY | AIRLIE BEACH | TOWNSVILLE | CAIRNS
One of the iconic Australian road trips, this itinerary showcases some of the best that the Queensland coast has to offer, as you visit K'gari, Airlie Beach and cruise to the Great Barrier Reef on your way from Brisbane to tropical Cairns on this spectacular Australian self-driving tour.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Spend 2 nights on wonderful K'gari
- Roslyn Bay, the jewel of the Capricorn Coast
- 2 nights at Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays
- Cruise the Great Barrier Reef
- Tropical Cairns
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
Day 1 : Brisbane – Glasshouse Mountains (45 miles)
Collect your car from the downtown Hertz office and head to the Glass House Mountains, an area of steep sided volcanic plugs and natural wonderland.
Day 2 : Glasshouse Mountains - K'gari (144 miles)
Drive to Hervey Bay, park your car at River Heads and take the ferry to K'gari. The rest of the day is free. World Heritage-listed K'gari has the absolute best that one island can offer – cool towering rainforests to walk through; over 100 freshwater lakes to swim including the iconic Lake McKenzie and Lake Wabby, huge sand blows to climb, an amazing 120km beach highway and cliff s of stunning coloured sands.
Day 3 : K'gari Tour
Highlights include Central Station and Wanggoolba Creek, Pile Valley’s Satinay and Brush Box forests, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, the Maheno shipwreck and the Pinnacles, the fresh waters of Eli Creek and the Stonetool Sand Blow.
Day 4 : K'gari - Agnes Water (155 miles)
Take the morning catamaran back to River Heads and travel north towards Bundaberg. Perhaps you’ll take a late afternoon cruise at Agnes Water.
Day 5 : Agnes - Rosslyn Bay (275 miles)
Continue to Rosslyn Bay, a jewel on the Capricorn Coast. Protected by a huge volcanic plug from the prevailing winds it offers an excellent beach and sheltered bays and stunning views of the Keppel Islands.
Day 6 : Rosslyn
Relax at your resort or perhaps take in the views of the Keppel Islands; or perhaps take an optional boat trip and explore them.
Day 7 : Rosslyn - Mackay (226 miles)
Awake to a sunrise that will take your breath away before you bid farewell to Rosslyn and continue north to Mackay and the Whitsundays.
Day 8 : Mackay - Airlie Beach (100 miles)
Within the exotic perimeters of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef Airlie Beach is the vibrant hub of the Whitsundays and the ideal mainland base for fun and adventure in the Whitsundays. It is the perfect launching pad for activities on the water and in the lush, green rainforest of the Whitsunday Coast. Soak up the laid-back, tropical atmosphere and instantly tune into holiday mode. Stroll through the boutiques, cafés and shops of the main street; relax by the Airlie Beach lagoon and head to the Saturday morning markets that off er a quaint range of local arts and crafts, fresh fruit and vegetables and much more. Your hotel is on the oceanfront, just a short stroll from the village.
Day 9 : Reef Cruise
Travel aboard a high speed catamaran to Reefworld, situated at Hardy Reef. You can do as much or as little as you like with a range of activities both in and out of the water including snorkelling over the coral gardens.
Day 10 : Airlie Beach - Townsville (173 miles)
Head north via Bowen to Townsville, gateway to tropical North Queensland.
Day 11 : Townsville - Cairns (220 miles)
Time in Townsville before your journey to Cairns.
Day 12 : Depart Cairns
Return your rental car to the airport before your onward journey. If you would like to see more of the tropical north Queensland area we can make recommendations.
