Queensland Essentials

Welcome to Australia! Upon arrival at the Brisbane International Airport, you will pick up your car to start your self-drive journey. Depart Brisbane for an easy one-hour drive north along the Bruce Highway, to the Glass House Mountains National Park. Steeped in Aboriginal Legend, the Glass House Mountains are a series of volcanic plugs rising dramatically from the coastal plain. There are numerous panoramic lookouts and many wonderful dining options where you can sit and soak up the surrounding mystical beauty.


Overnight in Montville

Today enjoy the day at your leisure. Visit the charming towns of Montville and Maleny for magnificent views right down to the Sunshine Coast, rainforest walks, fresh local produce, cafes and fine arts and crafts. You can also explore the wineries and cheese factories producing many popular local brands. The World renowned Australian Zoo is just a 20 min drive from here.


Overnight in Montville

Experience the Sunshine Coast Hinterland; perhaps walk part of the 58kms Hinterland Great Walk, a world-class walking track. Continue drive North to reach Gympie, from there head Northeast towards Rainbow Beach. Here you will discover an adventure playground with striking natural beauty, including Carlo Sand Blow, the coloured sands and Double Island Point.


Overnight in Rainbow Beach

A leisurely day full of excursion opportunities awaits you. You may choose to enjoy a tour to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island (own expense). You may head across the Noosa River bound for the Cooloola National Park via Teewah and Rainbow Beach coloured sands. Cross over to Fraser Island and travel along the spectacular Seventy-Five Mile Beach to explore the natural beauty of this magnificent wilderness and then continue through Wanggoolba Creek and Pile Valley. Spend time at Lake McKenzie for a refreshing swim. Return through the towering forests of Satinay and Brushbox and navigate your way down the ‘beach highway, before returning to the mainland.


Overnight in Rainbow Beach

Another day at leisure to capture the beauty of Rainbow Beach. Perhaps join a half day 4WD tour beach drive. Experience some of the best beaches Australia has to offer with seemingly endless expanse of golden sand. Learn how the aboriginals used the world-famous colored sands for painting and decorating boomerangs. Exclusive drive access will take you to the Lighthouse at Double Island Point for breathtaking 360-degree views across the Pacific Ocean and scenic surrounds of the Great Sandy National Park.


Overnight in Rainbow Beach

Depart Rainbow Beach and travel north along the A1 Highway to Agnes Waters. Enroute dont miss out visiting the historic town of Bundaberg, the home to Bundaberg Rum. Lush green cane fields line the roads as you arrive into the quaint Agnes Waters town of 1770 (Seventeen Seventy). Closest access point to the South Great Barrier Reef, Agnes Water & 1770 offers pristine beaches, unique activities, and abundant wildlife, all within a small but diverse community. Take a walk along the serene 7kms of beach and enjoy one of the 267 days of sunshine!


Overnight in Agnes Water

Explore the Eurimbula National Park in the morning, before continuing north through the rural community of Calliope and Gladstone, one of Australias busiest harbour. Arrive Rockhampton, which marks the exact line of the Tropic of Capricorn. One of the oldest cities in Queensland and Northern Australia, it offers plentiful sites to keep you engaged, you may choose to visit Fitzroy River, the Heritage-listed buildings in the CBD, the Rockhampton Heritage Village, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre, the Archer Park Rail Museum, Mount Archer National Park, Rockhampton Botanic Gardens, or the Rockhampton Zoo


Overnight in Rockhampton

Return to the Bruce Highway, as you continue travelling north towards Marlborough and further onto Mackay. Just outside of Mackay detour to the Cape Hillsborough National Park, where the rainforest meets the reef. The headland area contains several good walking trails. Continue onto Proserpine and turn off to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, Queenslands pristine 74 islands. It is a vibrant cosmopolitan town filled with palm-fringed beaches and waterfront parks


Overnight in Airlie Beach

A day at leisure to enjoy what the beautiful Whitsundays has to offer. The year-round tropical weather, palm-fringed beaches, waterfront parks, al fresco restaurants and vibrant markets inspire you to go with the flow and soak up the laid-back vibe of Airlie Beach. In the vicinity, youll find tropical rainforest and waterfalls in Conway National Park, while the sparkling waters of the Coral Sea offer plenty of adventures from sailing and snorkeling to sleeping on the reef.


Overnight in Airlie Beach

Travel northwards towards Townsville, enroute enjoy a detour to the beautiful country town of Bowen and the twin towns of Home Hill and Ayr. Townsville is a modern, tropical city and the administrative capital of North Queensland. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland is recommended; it houses the worlds largest living coral reef aquarium. This evening, perhaps join in with the locals for a walk along the waterfront esplanade, known as “The Strand”.


Overnight in Townsville

Continue following the picturesque Queensland coastline, through the towns of Ingham, known as “little Italy” for its Italian settlers heritage and Cardwell. Arrive at the stunning little town of Mission Beach, where the rainforest meet the sea. Walk some of the 14kms of golden sandy beach and cool off for a swim before finishing the day off with a cool drink or cocktail.


Overnight in Mission Beach

Enjoy the day at leisure, choose to relax at your hotel, take a walk along this 13kms long sandy paradise or choose to take a dive out to visit Paronella Park, a beautiful semi-ruined Spanish Castle built in 1913 on 05 Hectares of lush ground next to a waterfall. Mission beach is home to many wildlife species, most notable is the Cassowary. Mission Beach is also the mainland gateway to Dunk Island, with water-taxis shuttling day-trippers out to the island. The adventurers can Sea Kayak, White Water Raft or go Parachuting (all at own expense)


Overnight in Mission Beach

The journey along Bruce Highway continues towards Port Douglas. At Silkwood, take the old Bruce Highway for a scenic drive through the Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park. Continue onto South Johnstone, an historic sugar town, before reaching Innisfall, home to the Australian Sugar Museum and many Art Deco Buildings. Take a detour near Babinda to explore the natural wonders of the Wooroonooran National Park, including The Boulders. Travel through Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef enjoying the scenic coastal drive before arriving into Port Douglas, famous for its “Four Mile Beach” and marina lined with boutiques and harbor side cafes.


Overnight in Port Douglas

Once a bustling mining town with over 12000 people in town, Port Douglas now is a little town with just 3500 residents. A perfect place to enjoy the cold drink at a local bar or by poolside, this quaint little town offer you some interesting historical buildings to discover. A popular tourist resort, it is a perfect place to explore The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Perhaps take a cruise to Great Barrier Reef, do some shopping or just explore more of Port Douglas, visit the War Memorial or the wharf buildings. You can choose to visit St Marys by the Sea, a non-denominational heritage church built around 1913 or 1879 built Port Douglas Court House Museum.


Overnight in Port Douglas

Heading south, enjoy one of the most scenic drives of Australia along the coast. Be sure to stop at “Rex Lookout” for spectacular views along the coast. It is worth taking a short detour to stop and look around the delightful resort of Palm Cove before continuing along the Captain Cook Highway into Cairns. It is also possible to detour to Kuranda – the “Village in the Rainforest”. Your journey comes to an end with an arrival at Cairns International Airport for flight back home.