We made it to the end of our road trip! The answer: no reason whatsoever. Sydney to Newcastle - 2 hours. For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full road trip packing list. Much of the road is unsealed. Savannah Way 7. . 4:14 pm Byron Bay. Also, the Lily Lagoon is worth the detour. On the way, and if time allows, well stop at Cape Hillsborough National Park, where the reef meets the rainforest. View a full one-day itinerary for the Brisbane to Scenic Rim trip. Back on the road, Halls Creek is your next big town and an ideal resting point. The route begins eight hours west of Cairns in the town of Normanton and flows all the way down to the New South Wales border (a whole 1812 kilometres) a road trip abundant in star gazing,. Best Time to Road Trip from Brisbane to Cairns. Queenslands outback offers rolling landscapes of red hills, endless horizons, vintage pubs and traditional tiny towns with no more than a few hundred residents. Overlander's Way 10. Its also the hub for tours to Fraser Island, a little slice of paradise with rainforest habitat, pristine beaches and cute (but fierce) dingoes. Keep on north to Port Douglas for lunch with a view. On our way, well stop in Cordillo Downs where we will visit the historic curved woolshed made of stone. Dont mind me. Drive to the Sunshine Coast for a seafood lunch and a marine activity or two. Well stop at Flinders Discovery Centre to meet Muttaburrasaurus, a seven-metre tall dinosaur replica whose bones were discovered near Muttaburra in 1963. As such, you could invest in two types of insurance: regular travel insurance or special rental car insurance. Day 3: Charters Towers to Hughenden (2 hours 30 minutes). Weve tested countlessday packs over the years, but the Tropicfeel Shell is something else. Take a detour out to Chillagoe for a night as well, which has the caves. Drive west along the highway until you hit Molly Springs, a small spring-fed pool where you can cool your jets for a spill. Well leave early to make sure that we can enjoy the day there. Ill be like a fly on the wall. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Hughenden locals are blessed to be surrounded by four national parks: Lets pick one, and spend the day exploring the region. finder.com.au has access to track details from the product issuers listed on our sites. The National Park has 20 km of Thomson River frontage. It may be heaps random, but well take it because we actually may need it. A road trip from Sydney to Brisbane takes you through an array of different climates as you travel from the cooler, temperate climates of southern New South Wales, north to the subtropics of Queensland. Well leave early-ish to make the most of our day and head north from Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. The $14.5billion Inland Rail project, designed to establish a rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane, is under construction through regional Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Burke and Wills Dig Tree is an icon in Australia. They may tell you that your independent insurance policy isnt valid, but thats not true. Scan to download the Finder app on iOS or Android. After this legendary trip, were officially friends for life. The road becomes slightly less windy at the point, and you'll want to keep an eye out for Heales Lookout. We endeavour to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) or the information they can provide. Keep the beach theme running with a stop on Mission Beach. The fossils were preserved due to the dry climate, making rocks. Cunnamulla is an outback town where locals celebrate country music with a Cunnamulla Fella Festival each November. If its in our budget, flying over Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet and the world-famous Heart Reef is a must-do. Lets just remember that staying on Fraser Island isnt cheap. The whole island is made of sand. Instead, Id recommend that you purchase online independent rental insurance, like the one offered by RentalCover.com. If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us. Nomatic products are sleek, durable, and goddamn efficient. If, however, we have a standard vehicle, we wont be able to drive on the island. Cruise Whitsundays is an eco-certified tour operator in Airlie Beach offering day trips on Hardy Reef in the Great Barrier Reef. If you want to experience the ocean at its finest, consider chartering a yacht along the Gold Coast for a day and get out there and explore the reefs. Answer 1 of 6: Hey Guys, I am looking to do an inland journey from Brisbane to Cairns and come back via coastal region. Stay a few nights at. So why would you deny yourself the chance to get out and explore? Proud of this, locals launch an annual Hughenden Dinosaur Festival. Well cross Toowoomba and Goondiwindi along the banks of the Macintyre River. If we feel like hiking, theres a 6km return walking track we can take to climb up the summit, where well enjoy 360-degree views. Make your way into Lamington National Park and pick from any number of viewpoints, including Luke's Bluff, Pat's Bluff, Moonlight Crag, Morans Falls and Elabana Falls. 4. Catch the early morning ferry to Daydream Island or Hamilton Island and bask on their sands. While were here, we can also check out the Burdekin River and Dam, the largest reservoir of water in Australia. Lets make it to Cairns, a backpacking piece of heaven. We are also a Corporate Authorised Representative of Countrywide Insurance Group Pty Ltd trading as "Austbrokers Countrywide" ABN 51 586 953 292 AFSL No. However, some of them carved into the trunk of this tree instructions on where to dig to find the food provisions they had hid for Burke and Wills who were coming back from an expedition of their own. Get out and explore Tropical North Queensland with our guide to campervan hire in Cairns. The two explorers who perished near the Dig Tree? Hughenden is a third of the Australian Dinosaur Trail. It takes you past Millaa Millaa, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls, which are all a short walk from the main road. Banks are covered by a Government Deposit Guarantee. Well then head back to Birdsville for dinner and will spend the night there. Well leave early and make our ways to Innamincka, a town with a population of fewer than 50 residents. Their expedition took over a year and well, they all died from hunger as they ran out of food provisions. When well get there in the afternoon, we can either chill out at the Airlie Beach Lagoon, a free, self-chlorinated lagoon with 3 different pools or swim in the ocean at Boathaven Beach. Heres where our Queensland road trip ends. View a full one-day itinerary for the Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Hinterland trip. Jump in the car and onto the M3 towards Warwick, where you can wander under palm trees while grabbing a roadside snack. Day 4: Hervey Bay to 1170 Camping Ground (2 hours 40 minutes). There was always room for negotiation and flexibility, and I just needed to apologize with a cute startled face to get away with petty infringements (were talking not buying a bus ticket, nothing more). Did I mention I was the Designated Drunk on this trip? How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague? Whats also worth noting is that you may be charged additional fees on top of your rental daily rate, such as: Dont have a car? On the way to Townsville, well stop in Bowen, where we will take a coffee and, if time allows, hike the Mother Beddock Walking Track which only takes around an hour to complete. You'll hit your first bend in the road just after Goldsborough swinging left and right through Little Musgrave Forest Reserve. Hop onto the ferry bound for Magnetic Island for its palm-fringed beaches and coastal hikes. and leave at 5:14 pm. There are many day trips to take in the Townsville region: Well pick one of them, based on what we feel like on the moment. Alright folks, now that youre here, buckle up and let me answer ALL your Australian rental insurance questions! Great Barrier Reef Drive 8. Brands include Hippie Campers, Jucy and Spaceships. On our way to Noccundra, near the Wilson River where we can fish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. No worries mate. View a full six-day itinerary for the Savannah Way road trip. Weve put together a roundup of the best travel insurance for backpackers check it out here, or if youre low on time, get a quote from World Nomads now, our favourite travel insurance provider. Any suggestions which places to visit and stay in my inland journey from Brisbane to cairns ? Remember Burke and Wills? We can also kayak in Broadwater Waterhole, fish or cycle along the parks habitat drive. Well relax on the sun deck, swim with exotic fish, and dive in the reef. Detour to Queensland's oldest hotel at the Nindigully Pub and try the 1.2 kilogram 'Road Train' hamburger - if you dare! This adrenaline-filled ride has made it a favourite for motorcyclists and scooter enthusiasts keen to twist and turn their way into adventure. Theres an art gallery. It's small but heavily picturesque with its golden rock formations tufted in bush. Roarsome!! For a thrilling break, drop by Hartley's Crocodile Adventures for a close encounter. There will be a lot of camping sites on this road trip, so well make sure that we pack a tent or drive a campervan/motorhome. Family of 4, 2 adults and 2 teens we're flying into Cairns and driving to Brisbane over 16 days. Burke and Wills Dig Tree is extremely remote and located right where Queensland meets South Australia, in the Dig Tree Reserve within Nappa Merrie Station in Queenslands Bullo Shore. Actually, its super expensive. Rich in history and (quite literally) stuffed with breathtaking scenery, swap the popular coastal road for a route less travelled next time you're journeying north. If we have a 2WD, we can go through Roma and Windorah instead. Keep your wits about you as you drive along the Gillies Highway, known for its dozens of bends. For example, well get to meet Minmi, a Richmond Pliosaur. The Overlander's Way is a Queensland road trip through the outback. Stretching from the New South Wales border all the way up to Cooktown in the Tropical North, the Great Inland Way is one of the most iconic drives in Queensland. Please refer to our Credit Guide for more information. The lookout has picnic tables so you can make this a meal stop, too. Here's one for the bushwalkers and the escapists. There are six road trip essentials I never go traveling without: 1. This dips down into the Atherton Tablelands and its scattering of waterfalls, lakes and all-round tropical landscape. Beyond that, you can take a side trip through the Daintree, where you can walk paths of green, crooking your neck up to the skies as you peep through the canopy while nature coos in the background. On your way, opt to visit the Gold Coast for markets, beaches and shopping or Brunswick or Tweed Heads to catch a quick wave or order some fish and chips to eat on the beach. It's windy. Think of swimming in the worlds largest coral reef system with some of the most exotic fish you will ever see, bathing in turquoise warm water on a white sand, picture-perfect beach and crossing the worlds oldest tropical rainforest to discover clear waters cascades. See our latest offers available across Queensland. Make your way back down the island, popping by the iconic S.S. Maheno shipwreck, which sits right on the beach. In a nutshell, I have planned 4 epic Queensland road trips for you to choose from: Pacific Coast Way - 10 days The Great Inland Way - 8 days Big Red - 5 days The Overlander's Way - 5 days Kicking off our list with Pacific Coast Way From: Brisbane To: Cairns Total Distance: 1970 km Days: 10 Next, continue along Steve Irwin Way to Landsborough, where you can visit the famous Australia Zoo and Landsborough Historical Museum or take a forested walk through Dularcha National Park. Continue along the A1, turning off into Maryborough to connect onto Route 57. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan. Charters Tower is arguably one of the prettiest inland towns in Queensland. Here, we can enjoy free wine tastings (shotgun Designated Drunk!). 2.3 Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Map. Australians dont joke around with rules. A popular entrance is via the Lower Daintree past Wonga, which leads you to Daintree Village and the tourist information centre. Youll have the car packed up in no time with these Canberra road trip must-sees. Expect a long but magical day, so start it early. Journey planningmaps. Userentalcars.comto find the best dealson the web and save heaps of cash! Depending on the season, there might also be lots of yellow and white wildflowers. For a more relaxing day, you can pop onto a. Whoop-de-doo. If we want to learn more about the history and local culture, well head to the Stockman Hall of Fame, a Powerhouse Museum. Follow the track along the challenging Palm Creek, Bertie Creek, Cockatoo Creek, Gunshot Creek and Alice Creek crossings of the south. Optional, only if you want us to follow up with you. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market. Please refer to our FSG - Financial Products. On day 2, we will reach Cunnamulla, 495 km away from Goondiwindi. Take a break (or a side trip) at the Lower Daintree or Cape Tribulation itself. With time to spare, you could spend the day exploring Nitmiluk National Park. Finish your drive onto Broome, staying the night in. Your email address will not be published. The explorer William Landsborough was the first European to pass through the Camooweal Area as he was looking for Burke and Wills in 1862. We will start with the Sunshine Coast, an impressive stretch of Queensland coastline that extends about 120 km from Brisbane all the way to Rainbow Beach. Fancy pants. Make your next stop at the Giant Boab Tree. Need to book a hire car for your trip or a hotel along the way? You'll discover a wide variety of Daintree walks departing from town as well as activities onto the reef for all ages. Well now it all comes together. If we feel Fancy & Frenchie when we arrive in Cairns, well have dinner at Cest Bon Cairns (literal translation for: Its Good Cairns. Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve. Day 4: Noccundra to Innamincka (4 hours 20 minutes). Day 10: Mission Beach to Cairns (1 hour 45 minutes). A decent head torch could save your life. Catch the latest deals for cheap campervan hire in Australia. From Palm Cove to Port Douglas, you'll literally be on the edge of the cliff face with the dozen shades of blue of the Great Barrier Reef to ogle over. Finder Wallet is an arm of the Finder Group specialising in blockchain technology. Here, well find cultural history and random traditions. This outback road trip is an official touring route that journeys from the beach through dramatic rugged landscapes. Cute. Day 9: Townsville to Mission Beach (3 hours). Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. The Flotilla is the latest project . Well start off in Brisbane and will make our way to Nindigully, or The Gully for the locals. Take a leisurely drive up to Ayr, known for its parks and its artistic Ayr Nature Display. Although we provide information on the products offered by a wide range of issuers, we don't cover every available product or service. Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services we don't cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. The town is very popular for its song Cunnamulla Fella by Slim Dusty who was honoured in the town with a bronze statue of him in the main street. Well need to rent a 4WD. Well traverse some of the most uninhabited landscapes and rural towns, steep in history, drive through red sand deserts and gaze at the stars of the night sky. This road trip has it all: endless blue skies, burning sunsets and stops at some of Outback Queensland's most iconic towns; Charleville, Longreach and Winton, before arriving at the Gulf of Carpentaria. For a fun day out, go apple picking or simply settle into your abode and watch the world drift by. Get excited our awesome Brisbane to Cairns road trip is starting! Gold Coast Hinterland Road Trip Route - Surfers Paradise to O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat Distance - 109km Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes Vehicle - Any Road Conditions - Fully sealed Highlights - Lush rainforest, waterfalls, lakes, valleys and headlands, Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park, Springbrook National Park In Tambo, its tradition to offer a Totally Tambo toilet paper roll to visitors as a gift from the community. The Great Tropical Drive is an amazing experience and takes around 12 days and travels over 2079 kilometres starting from Cairns or Townsville. Pacific Coast Way 2. If youre not careful, Australias wilderness will smack ya to next Monday. Farewell, friends. 75 Mile Beach 6. If travelling between June and October, keep your eyes open for whales migrating or hedge your bets and join a, Outside of whale watching season, you can see the city by water on a. View a full one-day itinerary for the Old Telegraph Track road trip. Have breakfast in Burketown where you can enjoy coastal views of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. From Brisbane, get onto the M3 then merge onto the A1 headed north to the Sunshine Coast. Spare the time for Hughenden, particularly if you love a good hike. The Great Tropical Drive is a self-drive route that takes you through the Daintree Rainforest, the sleepy town of Port Douglas, Cooktown and many many of Tropical North Queensland's gems. Rental companies name them differently, but the product offered is the same: it covers the remaining excess (the responsibility you have on the vehicle in case of damage) on your vehicle down to zero. Cairns ( 1 hour 45 minutes ) town and an ideal resting point plenty more inspiration on to. A view make our ways to Innamincka ( 4 hours 20 minutes ) less windy the... 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