Brisbane to Cairns Tropical Coast Road Trip

Pick up your campervan in Brisbane and head north on the Bruce Highway to the Sunshine Coast (around 140km, 2 hours). Settle into Noosa for the afternoon — walk the Noosa National Park coastal track for views over Alexandria Bay, then relax on Main Beach or grab dinner along Hastings Street.

Continue north to Rainbow Beach (about 100km, 1.5 hours), the launching point for K'gari (Fraser Island), the world's largest sand island. Walk out to the Carlo Sand Blow for coastal views, or book a same-day 4WD tour across to K'gari to swim in the perched, crystal-clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Drive roughly 230km north to Agnes Water and the Town of 1770, Queensland's most northerly surf beach and the site of Captain Cook's second Australian landing. Surf or paddleboard at Agnes Water, then explore the rugged headlands and lookouts of Deepwater and Eurimbula National Parks.

Head roughly 225km inland and north to Rockhampton, the self-proclaimed beef capital of Australia, then continue to the coast at Yeppoon. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere at the Tropic of Capricorn marker, explore Capricorn Caves, and take in views out to Great Keppel Island from Rosslyn Bay.

It's a longer driving day (around 330km) up to Mackay, sugar cane country on Queensland's coast. Time your arrival at Cape Hillsborough for sunrise or late afternoon to see wild eastern grey kangaroos and wallabies grazing right on the sand, and detour inland to Eungella National Park for a chance to spot platypus in the wild.

A shorter run of about 145km brings you to Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Settle in at the beachfront lagoon, browse the marina, and book tomorrow's boat trip out to the reef and islands before enjoying the town's relaxed bars and restaurants.

Spend a full day out on the water. Join a sailing or fast-boat tour to Whitehaven Beach and the swirling white silica sands of Hill Inlet, with time to snorkel the fringing reef. Stay a second night in Airlie Beach — no long drive today, just island time.

Drive around 275km north to Townsville. Climb (or drive) Castle Hill for sweeping views over the city and out to Magnetic Island, dive or snorkel the Museum of Underwater Art (MOUA), and stroll The Strand esplanade as the sun goes down.

Continue about 225km north through sugar cane country to Mission Beach, stopping at the Hinchinbrook Channel and Cardwell along the way. This stretch of coast is cassowary habitat where the rainforest runs right down to the sand — keep an eye out on quiet roads, and take a walk beneath the palms on the four-mile stretch of beach.

The final coastal leg north is a shorter 140km drive into Cairns. Settle in at the Cairns Esplanade lagoon, wander the night markets, and reprovision the van — you're at journey's end, with a couple of days up your sleeve to explore the reef and rainforest that make this city famous.

Board a reef cruise out to the outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of snorkelling or diving among coral gardens, reef fish and green sea turtles. Most operators include lunch and gear hire, and it's an easy full-day trip straight from the Cairns marina.

Take a day trip north to where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Cross the Daintree River by cable ferry, walk the boardwalks at Cape Tribulation, and stop for a swim or a scenic lookout before heading back into Cairns to return the van and wrap up the trip.