Day 1.
Gold Coast to Noosa.
Start your journey by departing the Gold Coast via the Pacific Hwy and head north towards Noosa. The seaside town offers many boutique shops, white beaches with crystal-clear waters and world-class restaurants. Before reaching Noosa, just outside of Caloundra is a place called Beerwah, and the famous Australia Zoo, which was home to the legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.
Distance: 201 kms, 2 hrs 30 mins Stay: Two nights at Noosa Bougainvillia Holiday Park
Day 2.
Noosa
There are many day trips you can do from Noosa. Montville is a must-see on your campervan travels. Approximately one hour south-west of Noosa, Montville is home to the best fudge in Queensland and offers quaint markets on weekends, amazing walking tracks, a cheese factory and a number of wineries. The small town of Eumundi, located approximately 30 minutes north-west of Noosa, hosts one of the largest markets on the Coast. The Eumundi Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday. Or if you aren't up for a spot of shopping Noosa has some amazing beaches! There are some great other towns to visit on the Sunshine Coast including Caloundra, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, however they don't have the tourist buzz that Noosa has.
Day 3.
Noosa to Hervey Bay
Depart beautiful Noosa and travel to Hervey Bay. If you ever wanted to go whale watching and see the magnificent humpback whales come out to play, then Hervey Bay is the place. The season runs from mid-July to early November every year and is a must if you are in the area. You will need to leave very early from Noosa as tours generally start about 8am.
Distance: 190 kms, 2 hours 40 minutes Stay: Two nights at Fraser Lodge Holiday Park, Hervey Bay
Day 4.
Hervey Bay
If you're looking for a little adventure then you may wish to visit Fraser Island. It's located just off the coast from Hervey Bay. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is home to long white beaches, freshwater lakes, lush rainforests and has an abundance of native animals, including the infamous dingos. This island is strictly 4WD only. As you can't take your Campervan hire vehicle to 4×4 locations, organise a guided tour day trip or 4×4 hire from Hervey Bay.
Day 5.
Hervey Bay to Gladstone
Continue your drive up the coast to Gladstone. You can make a short stop in Bundaberg, home to the popular Bundaberg Rum Distillery. You can take a tour through the distillery to see, smell and taste your way through the rum production progress. Children are welcome but there are no on-site children's activities. There is little else to do in Bundaberg so after visiting the distillery for a few hours, time to hit the road again and head towards Gladstone. Gladstone is perfect for snorkeling with the world-famous Great Barrier Reef just off the coast. Or if you prefer fishing, Gladstone offers a variety of fishing experiences from beach fishing for the novice to ocean fishing for the more experienced fisher.
Distance: 290 kms, 3 hours 40 minutes Stay: Gladstone City Caravan Park, Gladstone
Day 6.
Gladstone to Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a small town full of life from the locals to the tourists. There is something here for everyone. A must-do is a day cruise to the spectacular Whitsunday Islands. You can cruise to the popular Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Hook Island and Hayman Island. A definite favourite is Whitehaven Beach, which is a stretch of brilliant white silica sand that is great for getting your jewellery sparkling clean! You can sit back, relax and swim in the clear, pristine ocean. Daydream Island is the go if you have kids, Haymen Island if your not on a budget and Hamilton has something for everyone and therefore is my personal top pick.
Distance: 595 kms, 7 hours Stay: BIG4 Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park
Day 7.
Airlie Beach
Free day to explore, recharge and relax. Maybe pull up a chair at a local pub or café.
Day 8
Airlie Beach to Townsville
On your way to Townsville, stop off at Bowen and check out the view from the local lookout at Flagstaff Hill. From this vantage point, you will see the amazing landscape below made up of rural farms which look like a patchwork quilt. Then it's just a short drive the rest of the way to Townsville. From Townsville you can take a ferry to the family friendly Magnetic Island, which sits just off the coast. If history is your thing then 1.5 hours west of Townsville you can visit the old gold mining towns of Ravenswood and Charters Towers and walk in the footsteps of the old miners.
Distance: 275 kms, 3 hours 35 minutes Stay: BIG4 Walkabout Palms, Townsville
Day 9.
Townsville to Mission Beach via Tully
Tully lies north of Townsville in an area of beautiful beaches and charming towns and is the hub of the local sugar industry. Here you can visit the big gumboot or continue north to Paronella Park, a must-see on your trip. Paronella Park is a magical world built from the local rainforest, with castles, bamboo gardens (where many movies have been filmed), a secret garden and a tunnel of love. You can easily spend a day at Paronella Park. Then travel on to Mission Beach. You can snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk Island or even try your hand at reef fishing.
Distance: 240 kms, 3 hours Stay: Beachcomber Coconut Caravan Village, Mission Beach
Day 10.
Mission Beach to Cairns
Spend a leisurely day driving up the coast from Mission Beach to Cairns, taking in the views of the towns as you pass them by. Cairns has a lot to offer for every traveller. A popular attraction is the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which is an old stream train that takes you up the escarpment to the village of Kuranda. You can spend the day exploring the village and then come down via the Skyrail cable car across the tree tops. The views out to the ocean are magnificent. Of course, a visit to Cairns is not complete without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and day trips are available out to Green Island to experience the best of the Reef. If you have time, head up to Port Douglas, which is only an hour and a half away. Port Douglas has a beautiful Marina with great restaurants and 9 mile beach, which is my favourite beach in Queensland. Return your camper van by mid-afternoon today.
Distance: 140 kms, 2 hours Stay: BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, Cairns
This itinerary is based on a 10 day schedule. I would highly recommend taking at least 14 days so you can include the following:
Moreton Island-Greater Brisbane
Moreton Island is located 35 kms out of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay Marine park. Enjoy the pristine isolated beaches, sand dunes and freshwater lakes. It's also famous for the dolphins that you can hand feed.
Gold Coast to Noosa.
Start your journey by departing the Gold Coast via the Pacific Hwy and head north towards Noosa. The seaside town offers many boutique shops, white beaches with crystal-clear waters and world-class restaurants. Before reaching Noosa, just outside of Caloundra is a place called Beerwah, and the famous Australia Zoo, which was home to the legendary crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.
Distance: 201 kms, 2 hrs 30 mins Stay: Two nights at Noosa Bougainvillia Holiday Park
Day 2.
Noosa
There are many day trips you can do from Noosa. Montville is a must-see on your campervan travels. Approximately one hour south-west of Noosa, Montville is home to the best fudge in Queensland and offers quaint markets on weekends, amazing walking tracks, a cheese factory and a number of wineries. The small town of Eumundi, located approximately 30 minutes north-west of Noosa, hosts one of the largest markets on the Coast. The Eumundi Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday. Or if you aren't up for a spot of shopping Noosa has some amazing beaches! There are some great other towns to visit on the Sunshine Coast including Caloundra, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, however they don't have the tourist buzz that Noosa has.
Day 3.
Noosa to Hervey Bay
Depart beautiful Noosa and travel to Hervey Bay. If you ever wanted to go whale watching and see the magnificent humpback whales come out to play, then Hervey Bay is the place. The season runs from mid-July to early November every year and is a must if you are in the area. You will need to leave very early from Noosa as tours generally start about 8am.
Distance: 190 kms, 2 hours 40 minutes Stay: Two nights at Fraser Lodge Holiday Park, Hervey Bay
Day 4.
Hervey Bay
If you're looking for a little adventure then you may wish to visit Fraser Island. It's located just off the coast from Hervey Bay. Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is home to long white beaches, freshwater lakes, lush rainforests and has an abundance of native animals, including the infamous dingos. This island is strictly 4WD only. As you can't take your Campervan hire vehicle to 4×4 locations, organise a guided tour day trip or 4×4 hire from Hervey Bay.
Day 5.
Hervey Bay to Gladstone
Continue your drive up the coast to Gladstone. You can make a short stop in Bundaberg, home to the popular Bundaberg Rum Distillery. You can take a tour through the distillery to see, smell and taste your way through the rum production progress. Children are welcome but there are no on-site children's activities. There is little else to do in Bundaberg so after visiting the distillery for a few hours, time to hit the road again and head towards Gladstone. Gladstone is perfect for snorkeling with the world-famous Great Barrier Reef just off the coast. Or if you prefer fishing, Gladstone offers a variety of fishing experiences from beach fishing for the novice to ocean fishing for the more experienced fisher.
Distance: 290 kms, 3 hours 40 minutes Stay: Gladstone City Caravan Park, Gladstone
Day 6.
Gladstone to Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is a small town full of life from the locals to the tourists. There is something here for everyone. A must-do is a day cruise to the spectacular Whitsunday Islands. You can cruise to the popular Hamilton Island, Daydream Island, Hook Island and Hayman Island. A definite favourite is Whitehaven Beach, which is a stretch of brilliant white silica sand that is great for getting your jewellery sparkling clean! You can sit back, relax and swim in the clear, pristine ocean. Daydream Island is the go if you have kids, Haymen Island if your not on a budget and Hamilton has something for everyone and therefore is my personal top pick.
Distance: 595 kms, 7 hours Stay: BIG4 Airlie Cove Resort and Van Park
Day 7.
Airlie Beach
Free day to explore, recharge and relax. Maybe pull up a chair at a local pub or café.
Day 8
Airlie Beach to Townsville
On your way to Townsville, stop off at Bowen and check out the view from the local lookout at Flagstaff Hill. From this vantage point, you will see the amazing landscape below made up of rural farms which look like a patchwork quilt. Then it's just a short drive the rest of the way to Townsville. From Townsville you can take a ferry to the family friendly Magnetic Island, which sits just off the coast. If history is your thing then 1.5 hours west of Townsville you can visit the old gold mining towns of Ravenswood and Charters Towers and walk in the footsteps of the old miners.
Distance: 275 kms, 3 hours 35 minutes Stay: BIG4 Walkabout Palms, Townsville
Day 9.
Townsville to Mission Beach via Tully
Tully lies north of Townsville in an area of beautiful beaches and charming towns and is the hub of the local sugar industry. Here you can visit the big gumboot or continue north to Paronella Park, a must-see on your trip. Paronella Park is a magical world built from the local rainforest, with castles, bamboo gardens (where many movies have been filmed), a secret garden and a tunnel of love. You can easily spend a day at Paronella Park. Then travel on to Mission Beach. You can snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef, Dunk Island or even try your hand at reef fishing.
Distance: 240 kms, 3 hours Stay: Beachcomber Coconut Caravan Village, Mission Beach
Day 10.
Mission Beach to Cairns
Spend a leisurely day driving up the coast from Mission Beach to Cairns, taking in the views of the towns as you pass them by. Cairns has a lot to offer for every traveller. A popular attraction is the Kuranda Scenic Railway, which is an old stream train that takes you up the escarpment to the village of Kuranda. You can spend the day exploring the village and then come down via the Skyrail cable car across the tree tops. The views out to the ocean are magnificent. Of course, a visit to Cairns is not complete without a trip to the Great Barrier Reef and day trips are available out to Green Island to experience the best of the Reef. If you have time, head up to Port Douglas, which is only an hour and a half away. Port Douglas has a beautiful Marina with great restaurants and 9 mile beach, which is my favourite beach in Queensland. Return your camper van by mid-afternoon today.
Distance: 140 kms, 2 hours Stay: BIG4 Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, Cairns
This itinerary is based on a 10 day schedule. I would highly recommend taking at least 14 days so you can include the following:
Moreton Island-Greater Brisbane
Moreton Island is located 35 kms out of Brisbane in the Moreton Bay Marine park. Enjoy the pristine isolated beaches, sand dunes and freshwater lakes. It's also famous for the dolphins that you can hand feed.
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