| Brisbane - Sunshine Coast - Gladstone - | | | | of Childers then slightly further north to |
| Rockhampton - Airlie Beach - Townsville - Cairns | | | | Bundaberg - home of the famous Bundy Rum |
| Total Distance 651kms | | | | and the birthplace of aviator Bert Hinkler - tour |
| Highlights | | | | the rum distillery. |
| * Crocodile Hunters Australia Zoo | | | | Visit Mon Repos beach, with the largest |
| * Sunshine Coast | | | | loggerhead turtle rookery in the South Pacific. |
| * Mon Repos Beach, with the largest loggerhead | | | | Travel along the highway to Gladstone. Gladstone |
| turtle rookery in the South Pacific | | | | is a modern city and offers a wide variety of |
| * Great Barrier Reef | | | | restaurants and eateries to suit all tastes. Near |
| * Kuranda Scenic Railway in Cairns | | | | Gladstone is the historic Town of 1770, and |
| Queensland is known as the Sunshine State of | | | | Agnes Water, Australia's northern most surfing |
| Australia, boasting perfect tropical weather and | | | | beach on the east coast. |
| the world's largest coral reef. With the azure | | | | Overnight: Gladstone |
| waters of the Coral Sea and the South Pacific | | | | Day 4 - Gladstone to Rockhampton (105 kms) |
| Ocean lapping its coastline, Queensland has | | | | Continue your journey north to Rockhampton. |
| something for everyone from adrenaline pumping | | | | Rockhampton is the capital of the Capricorn |
| adventure to relaxing on the sun-drenched | | | | region - the gateway to the Capricorn Coast, |
| beaches. | | | | central highlands, gem fields and the rural |
| Day 1 - Brisbane to Sunshine Coat (93 kms) | | | | hinterland and offers many attractions, including |
| Start your day early and head out for breakfast | | | | the Aboriginal Dreamtime Cultural Centre, an |
| at one of the many eating places on Queen | | | | Ancient Tribal Site situated on natural bush land. |
| Street Mall. | | | | Visit Rockhampton's Heritage Village, which is an |
| The Myer Centre is a large multi-story shopping | | | | active township museum where you can |
| centre offering a variety of different shops for | | | | experience the town's rich and colourful history. |
| everyone and a must for those in need of some | | | | Overnight: Rockhampton |
| pure retail therapy! | | | | Day 5 - Rockhampton to Airlie Beach (469 kms) |
| Visit the unique South Bank precinct, the home of | | | | Start your day early for a slightly longer drive |
| the state Art Gallery, the Museum and Australia's | | | | towards Mackay and then further north onto Airlie |
| only 'inner city' beach. | | | | Beach. Begin your drive along the Bruce Highway |
| To see Brisbane from above, a visit to Mount | | | | to the town of Mackay, known as Australia's |
| Coot-tha lookout will give you a breath of fresh | | | | largest sugar centre. North of Mackay the |
| air. In the late afternoon continue north, following | | | | highway reaches the sugar town of Proserpine |
| the signs to the Sunshine Coast, home of the Big | | | | and then take the turn-off for Airlie Beach. Airlie |
| Pineapple. | | | | Beach is the gateway to the Whitsundays. |
| Overnight: Sunshine Coast | | | | Overnight: Airlie Beach |
| Day 2 - full day at Sunshine Coast | | | | Day 6 - Airlie Beach to Townsville (289 kms) |
| The Sunshine Coast is a chain of sandy beaches | | | | From Airlie Beach, venture further north to |
| beginning at Caloundra and including the towns of | | | | Townsville where the Great Barrier Reef is just |
| Noosa Heads, Maroochydore and Mooloolaba. | | | | off the coast. Dive or snorkel among the rich |
| Travel past the Glasshouse Mountains to the Big | | | | clusters of coral. Visit the world's largest coral |
| Pineapple where you can take a ride on one of | | | | reef aquarium where you can also see dive |
| the attraction or enjoy one of their famous | | | | shows and marine feeding exhibits. Check out the |
| Macadamia Nut Sundaes. Not far from Glasshouse | | | | Imax Theatre or the Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary. |
| Mountains is the Crocodile Hunter's Australia Zoo, | | | | Overnight: Townsville |
| which is full of fun and excitement. Drive through | | | | Day 7 - Townsville to Cairns (340 kms) |
| to Maroochydore and visit Underwater World | | | | Travel north and on your way to Cairns, visit |
| where you see the incredible variety of marine | | | | Mission Beach and spot a Cassowary Bird or visit |
| life. Various feeding sessions and talks are held | | | | the crocodile farm. |
| throughout the day. | | | | Once in Cairns visit the Kuranda Scenic Railway or |
| Noosa is a good place to stop for lunch and is full | | | | take a short boat trip to the outer reef. You will |
| of natural beauty, good restaurants, cafes and | | | | find rainforests, seaside towns and kilometres of |
| elegant shops. | | | | beaches. You can overnight in Cairns or continue |
| Overnight: Sunshine Coast | | | | driving through to Port Douglas where you will find |
| Day 3 - Sunshine Coast to Gladstone (499 kms) | | | | the drive to be one of the most scenic in |
| Head off early in the morning and travel north | | | | Australia. |
| passing through Hervey Bay and the cane fields | | | | |