Experience the coastal journey of Australia in our epic Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip.
If there’s one thing that Australia can proudly boast of – it is its scenic road trips! Of course, the country gives you countable reasons to visit and explore, but road trips truly portray Australia’s charm. Whether through the coastal sunnyside or dense wildlands, rugged landscapes, or the classic outback – every journey in Australia is worth-taking and experiencing what it has to offer!
The peculiarity of each state offering state-of-the-art and authentic experiences makes Australia stand out amongst others. Every state or city you visit in this country is different – in terms of culture, traditions, lifestyle, laidback vibes, and fun scenes! While the memories last in living those moments, your eyes can capture the spread of beautiful beaches, native rainforests, rugged landscapes, deep red outback, and acclaimed vineyards.
While my blog gives you a good range of reading other Australian road trips, we will focus on a much more popular route in this article, i.e., Brisbane to Airlie Beach. It isn’t an underrated journey anymore, as more and more vacationers are hopping onto their campervans to take this scenic coastal route. In this guide, we will detail some astonishing places to stop between Brisbane and Airlie Beach, along with a map, itinerary plan, and some personal recommendations.
About the Brisbane to Airlie Beach Drive
Brisbane and Airlie Beach have been popular backpacking stops for travelers visiting places like the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays, and the Great Barrier Reef. While there’s a lot to do in Brisbane and Airlie, visitors prefer staying here for a couple of nights before heading towards their leading destination. Both these stops have been pretty famous in lucrative travelers and enticing them with better travel opportunities.
My favorite thing about Brisbane and Airlie Beach is the places that fall between these two Australian beauties. The number of things you could do, places you could visit, and experiences you can participate in are just tremendous. And we suggest you be flexible with your travel stops. Of course, you may want to take advantage of the places listed below, but do customize your Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip itinerary as per your preference.
We will take the Pacific Highway (coastal route) for this road plan. The entire stretch is home to some of Australia’s finest gems, such as the Glass House Mountains, Cape Hillsborough National Parks, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Agnes Waters, and the Whitsundays. While there’s an alternative route of taking up the inland highway, that’s less scenic and won’t cover exciting places.
Planning Tips for Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip
Let’s dig a little deeper into knowing the finer sections of your amazing Brisbane to Airlie Beach trip. In this section, you’ll find all the details about driving times, suggested routes, and a road map for your travels.
Driving Times for Brisbane to Airlie Beach
The drive from Brisbane to Airlie Beach is a total of 1123kms. If you were to drive non-stop, it would take 12hr 50mins to reach via the Pacific Highway (coastal route). But, for any long road trips, we won’t recommend a direct journey. It’s always essential to include breaks and overhaul stops between your travel. Plan your Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip for a minimum of 5 days to span out your journey. This is the best duration considering the stops we will be visiting. Furthermore, if you’re planning to stay overnight at a particular destination, you can include more nights on your road trip.
As mentioned previously, the Pacific Highway is the best driving route for our Brisbane to Airlie Beach journey. You can have a glance at the suggested & alternative ways for this trip –
via Bruce Highway/A1: 12hr 50mins (1123kms)
via Warrego Highway/A2: 13hr 49mins (1258kms)
Note: The time mentioned can change depending on the traffic, weather or any uncertain conditions. Use it only as an indication.
How to Rent a Car in Australia
Choosing the right vehicle for your road trip is as important as planning your entire journey. You could either book a campervan for your entire trip or just rent a car for a budgeted journey. The latter option is often preferred by travellers taking a road trip along with their families or friends. I highly recommend checking out Rentalcars.com for this trip. They offer an affordable service with a good range of vehicles of your choice. Moreover, I’ve used them as my preferred partner for my rental services too.
Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Map
Here’s your Brisbane to Airlie Beach drive route:
Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Stops
Glass House Mountains
Rising amidst the eucalypt forests and pine plantations, Glass House Mountains is a natural playground for those looking to dwell on the adventure side of it. Filled with fantastic walking trails and beautiful viewpoints, the 11 peaks of the Glass House Mountains make it iconic for every traveler to explore the beauty of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Glass House Mountains is an amalgamation of coastal adventures, bush-walking trails, wildlife spotting, and unique discoveries. A visit to this place requires time, and it’s best appreciated when you spend an entire day or so in this region. Every exploration here at this beautiful natural reserve means a different experience altogether. For some people, it might be just a day trip. However, for others, meaningful insight into the cultural significance of this place. Glass House Mountains is still home to their Traditional Owners, the Jinibara people, and Kabi Kabi people. Please consider their local traditions as you discover the natural sites within the mountains.
Rainbow Beach
A complete drive-through experience via the coastal route is hitting some of the Sunshine Coast’s idyllic beaches. Known as the ‘Great Beach Drive,’ this scenic path is one of Australia’s most epic adventurous routes. Winding through deserted beaches, rainforests, and quaint coastal towns – you’ll witness some of the country’s most precious gems harboring Queensland’s Coast.
One sandy shoreline that attracts visitors bypassing is the coastal town of Rainbow Beach. Located near Great Sandy National Park, Rainbow Beach is one of the most visited spots between Brisbane and Airlie Beach. It also acts as a gateway to Fraser Island up north. Most visitors plan their stay at Rainbow Beach to head north for other exploration sites. Thus, you’ll find this coastal town a bit crowded compared to others.
Nonetheless, despite the crowds, it’s still best appreciated at any given time. Those who love surfing can hit the beach, while those looking to breathe fresh air can hit some of the natural walking trails carved across the Great Sandy National Park pathways. Fishing, bush-walking, and 4WD drives are popular too.
Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay is one of the famous road trips stops along Australia’s east coast. Often booked as a day trip from Brisbane, this place has been a go-to spot for families traveling with kids. And that’s not the only thing that makes Hervey Bay a special place to visit. It’s also regarded as the whale-watching capital of Australia.
Here are some of the popular things to do at Hervey Bay –
Whale Watching: Probably the most popular activity in this region – whale watching in Hervey Bay is a unique experience altogether. The whales migrate near the bay to breed and use it as their stopover point before traveling further south. During their stopover, these giant whales put on quite a display to entertain visitors on their boat trip. There are special instructions, too, on how the boat trips need to be operated. But for sure, it’s a thrilling experience to attend.
Urangan Pier: Just as whale watching is popular in Hervey Bay, Urangan Pier is the most visited site (pier). The construction of this bridge began in 1913 to transport cargo, but now it’s become a famous landmark. Visitors mostly find Urangan Pier as an excellent photogenic site during sunsets. You need to be there to witness the adorable skies changing their shades while soaking in the panoramic views of the sea.
Admire the sunrise: Well, if you want to relax and adore the charming atmosphere of Hervey Bay, then it’s best to witness magical sunrise at early dawn. Head to Dundowran Beach, famously known as a ‘blessed site,’ to watch the sunrise. Sometimes, your camera will need to do justice to the snapshots you click. But it’s enough for your eyes to treat the orange-ish skies visually.
Fraser Island
Fraser Island (K’gari) is an unmissable stop on our Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip. Honestly, there’s something unique about this place that drives a crazy amount of tourists. Yes, it’s often crowded. But don’t let that take away the charm of Fraser Island. This World Heritage-listed island is full of sand, wild beaches, and playful marine. The 120km of far-stretched coastline feels utterly otherworldly and cannot be described in words!
Fraser Island offers one of the country’s wildest experiences. The sandy island is abundantly filled with untamed beaches, blue turquoise waters, small freshwater lakes, and a blend of beach resorts and campsites. This is where you need to go all-out on experiencing every activity you might’ve missed on this road trip. If relaxation is your key, you could drive on the open beach and feel the warmth of fresh air.
Here’s a quick gist of things to do at Fraser Island –
Swim in a freshwater lake: Well, this may seem a little odd to you, but the favorite activity of visitors traveling to Fraser Island is to dip into the oil-infused lakes. Amidst the background of a sandy beach and dense forests, it’s a scenic experience to relax and nourish your body.
Drive 4WD: Looking for some thrill in Fraser Island? There’s nothing more exhilarating than hitting the 4WD tracks. Feel the gushing wind and the blowing sand as you wind past the coastline, marveling at the wild blue waves.
Hike the Fraser Island Great Walk: Swimming and driving aren’t the only activities to explore Fraser Island. You could discover the wonders of this incredible place simply by hiking a section of the Fraser Island Great Walk. The path houses serene lakes, great vantage points, and lush rainforests.
No matter how you choose to spend your time, memories at Fraser Island last forever!
Agnes Water
Agnes Water is a great coastal road stop to just relax and enjoy the beachside atmosphere. You might certainly need some break to tone down your exploration, after visiting so many places on our Queensland road trip. The best part about staying at Agnes Water is the range of accommodation you get. From beach villas and luxury apartments to guesthouses and friendly campsites, you could just book the one as per your preference. The beach properties at Agnes Water are something you’d definitely want to check out!
If you wanna go out and explore what Agnes Water has to offer, then I recommend checking out the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk (a friendly 10-minute hike), Lady Musgrave Island (excursion and boat trip), and Captain Cook Monument.
Find out more | Best Accommodation in Agnes Water
Cape Hillsborough National Park
Located north of Brisbane, Cape Hillsborough National Park is one of the must-visit places on our Queensland road trip. It’s been a popular site amongst families to picnic and visit the well-known beach where kangaroos and wallabies are often spotted. But that’s not everything that defines the gloriousness of this national park. The region has abundant hiking trails, wildlife, and natural reserves.
I recommend spending an entire day exploring the beauty of Cape Hillsborough National Park. You can book your accommodation near Hibiscus Street, which is again a picturesque place filled with verdant sugar cane farms.
One of the best ways to discover Cape Hillsborough National Park is to explore the hiking trails. There is a total of four short walks that lead directly to dense farmlands and native rainforests. You can choose to walk any of them to find out what the national park offers. Try the Andrews Point Track, which is more scenic than the others. The national park is home to approximately 140 birds, 22 varied animal species, and 500 plant species. At every corner of the park, you ought to discover the natural ecosystem of Cape Hillsborough.
The last thing you want to take advantage of is the famous Casuarina Beach – where agile wallabies and kangaroos harbor the coast. Amidst the background of a sunset, these native Australian species create a dramatic experience for your photos. So, ensure that you click some good snaps!
The Whitsunday Islands
Stretched-out coastlines, white-sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and rich marine life – define the beauty of the Whitsunday Islands. Home to 74 islands, this paradisiacal land is one of the country’s most natural gems ever created. On your every visit to the Whitsundays, you ought to find something special that truly gives you a purpose for living life joyfully. The place has been hosting all sorts of travelers – from kids to youth, adults to families, and seniors – everyone having the time of their life at the gorgeous Whitsundays.
The Whitsundays are basically a group of 74 tropical islands spread across the central coast of Queensland. Some famous Australian landmarks such as the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, and Whitehaven Beach graciously bless their presence of being based within the Whitsundays. Considering your travel plans, you can visit only some of the 74 islands in one go. Honestly, nobody does that. Read this detailed guide to find out about the places you need to visit on your first visit, things to do, and places to stay.
How to Plan Brisbane to Airlie Beach Itinerary
Hopefully, this detailed guide gave you a good idea about the places to stop by between your Brisbane and Airlie Beach routes. But, the hassle of planning a road trip itinerary can be really challenging. It gets trickier, especially when you can’t link the above-suggested places on a day-wise schedule. To help you plan a better schedule, we created a sample itinerary below which details our day-wise activity. This Brisbane to Airlie Beach itinerary lists all the above-mentioned places, plus additional stopover points.
Brisbane to Airlie Beach Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from Brisbane
Brisbane to Glass House Mountains (1hr 6mins)
Overnight at Glass House Mountains/ Sunshine Coast/ Golden Beach
Day 2
Glass House Mountains to Rainbow Beach (1hr 57mins)
Rainbow Beach to Hervey Bay (1hr 26mins)
Overnight at Hervey Bay
Day 3
Hervey Bay to Fraser Island (2hr 41mins)
Full Day at Fraser Island
Overnight at Fraser Island
Day 4
Fraser Island to Agnes Water via Hervey Bay (5hr 13mins)
Relax and explore the coastal town of Agnes Water
Overnight at Agnes Water
Day 5
Agnes Water to Cape Hillsborough National Park (6hr 33mins)
Optional stopover point at Yeppoon
Overnight at Cape Hillsborough National Park
Day 6
Cape Hillsborough to Airlie Beach (1hr 32mins)
Exploration of the Whitsunday Islands
Overnight at Airlie Beach
The entire 6-day Brisbane to Airlie Beach drive is broken down into smaller journeys so that you can rest and relax your body without exertion. A long, continuous drive may cause you tiresome, which is not recommended for this road trip. Moreover, it’s also best to appreciate the stopover points, lookout areas, and destinations falling between the entire route.
Where to Stay
Planning where to stay during your road trip is one of the most crucial stages. Of course, you’ll need to make sure that the accommodation you choose is aligned with your other travel arrangements. You wouldn’t want to stay somewhere far and travel all the way to explore a particular attraction. The closer you are to the above-listed landmarks, the better & lesser will be the travelling time.
The legendary Pacific coastal route is no shortage of accommodation options. From luxurious beachfront houses to cosy shared apartments, there’s a good range of villas, hotels, and hostels to look out for. I recommend using Tripadvisor as your platform to book hotels throughout your road trip. I find it more useful because the rates are always cheaper when compared to other booking engines. You can also use the platform to compare rates offered by different hotel operators. This way you can assure that you’re always booking the right one.
Popular Brisbane to Airlie Beach Guided Tours
Along with the places you will visit during your Brisbane to Airlie Beach road trip, you’ll find numerous things to do and experience as well. Below are some of the suggested (optional) tours to book during your journey.
Further Readings & Resources
Love Australian road trips? Here are a couple of in-depth guides:
Great Ocean Road: The Ultimate Great Ocean Road Itinerary for 2 Days
Melbourne to Gold Coast: 7 Ultimate Melbourne to Gold Coast Road Trip Spots
Melbourne to Coober Pedy: 9 Sensational Melbourne to Coober Pedy Road Trip Stops
Yarra Valley: Yarra Valley 3 Day Itinerary: Ultimate Guide (+Map & Tips)
Whitsundays: Whitsundays Itinerary 7 Days: Ultimate Guide (+ Sailing Ideas, Tips)
Explore Fleurieu Peninsula with us:
Experiences: Best Things to Do in the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
Where to Stay: 10 Gorgeous Places to Stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Coastal Towns: 10 Unique Places to Visit on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia
