As Aussie road trip routes go, few are as epic as the one that takes you from Surfers Paradise to Cairns (both in Queensland).
Starting on the glitzy Gold Coast and ending in Cairns, the tourism poster child for Tropical North Queensland, it covers a distance of around 1,800 km. And without stopping, it’s just under 20 hours of driving. Thus, as a minimum, it should take you a couple of days to do. But we highly recommend allowing at least a week.
Thankfully, this is easy to do, given how many beaches, cool coastal towns, and national parks you can visit along the way. So, if you’re planning this road trip, here are the best places I reckon you should check out.
But, first, a note about your car…
You’ll obviously need a car to undertake this fantastic road trip.
If you need to rent a car, there are plenty of places to do that on the Gold Coast. And, you will find most of the major car hire companies operate from the Gold Coast Airport. They include Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise. Some of them also have other locations in or near Surfer’s Paradise.
FYI, we tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent directly with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
And if you already have a car, it’s a good call to get it fully serviced by a qualified mechanic before you leave. However, if you would like to upgrade your vehicle to something a little more reliable, modern, and stylish, you can check out these options for car finance for wherever you’re going with Azora.
BEST Places to Stop Between Surfers Paradise and Cairns
The destinations below are listed in geographical order of how you would approach them if you left Surfer’s Paradise and travelled along the Bruce Highway to Cairns. You don’t have to visit them all in this order. As you might want to save some for the journey back down to Surfer’s after visiting Cairns.
What to do in Surfer’s Paradise before you leave:
Surfer’s Paradise has a bit of a reputation in Australia for being a party hotspot. And although it does come alive at night, there’s still heaps to do here if you’re not into partying.
I’ve got to mention the beaches first – they truly are some of the best in Australia, but there’s also awesome hiking trails (we love hiking in Burleigh Heads National Park and Lamington National Park). And there are lots of family-friendly activities here on the Gold Coast too – our favorites are the massive DreamWorld theme park and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
1. Brisbane
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is another fantastic city worth checking out. Although it’s not as glitzy as Sydney or as cool as Melbourne, the 3rd biggest city in Australia still has plenty of charm!
I’d best describe it as having a great mix of city vibes and natural beauty. Sitting along the Brisbane River, the city enjoys a subtropical climate, perfect for wandering around its beautiful parks and gardens, like the awesome South Bank Parklands with its man-made beach. There’s also a wide variety of galleries and museums, such as the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.
2. Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is about a two-hour drive north of the Gold Coast and is known for being far more relaxed. This family-friendly destination is home to spectacular beaches, great surfing spots, lush hinterland, and several national parks. It’s here that you can experience the Noosa Everglades. One of only two Everglades systems in the world.
The region stretches from Caloundra at its southern end to Rainbow Beach and also includes the rural towns like Montville, Maleny, and Beerwah, where you’ll find Australia Zoo (the late Steve Irwin’s Zoo). Noosa and Mooloolaba are the two most popular places for families to stay.
3. Agnes Waters/1770
About four hours north of the Sunshine Coast are the seaside towns of Agnes Waters and 1770. If you love surfing, you might want to stop at the former because it is the northernmost beach to ride the swell in Queensland. The latter is often referred to as “The Town of 1770” and provides the closest access point to the Great Barrier Reef.
1770 is also famous for being Captain Cook’s second landfall in Australia, and the first in Queensland. This gives rise to the claim that it is the birthplace of the Sunshine State.
4. Rockhampton
Rockhampton is a city located in Central Queensland. It straddles the Fitzroy River and is best known for its beef production, which is honoured through several bull statues that have been placed around town.
This city has all the amenities you could want and good standards of restaurants and accommodation. It also offers a different tourist experience than the coastal regions on this list, with its main attractions being Quay Street (its historic riverfront), Botanic Gardens, and the Mount Archer skywalk. A little further away, the Capricorn Caves are also worth visiting.
5. Yeppoon
Yeppoon is a gem that is a little off the tourist radar, especially for international tourists. Located about 750 km north of Surfer’s Paradise, it offers a relaxed coastal getaway based largely around its beautiful beaches.
One of the big drawcards of the town is the stunning Yeppoon Lagoon, a massive public swimming area where you can cool off and splash around. Elsewhere, you’ll find family-friendly wildlife encounters at Cooberrie Park, while the town is the departure point for visiting Great Keppel Island.
6. Mackay
Signalling roughly the halfway point to Cairns, the city of Mackay is a great base to stay for a night or two.
Known for its rich sugar cane history, this city and region accommodate several fabulous beaches. One of the best experiences you can enjoy takes place at Cape Hillsborough, where every morning wallabies and kangaroos come to the shoreline to fossick for food at sunrise.
If you don’t fancy getting up early, families can enjoy rainforest hikes and waterfalls at Finch Hatton Gorge. Alternatively, visit Eungella National Park, which is a habitat for rare frogs and platypus. You can also take day trips out to the Great Barrier Reef or venture out to several islands, including Keswick, Brampton, Cockermouth, or St Bees.
7. Airlie Beach
The coastal town of Airlie Beach is just an hour north of Mackay, so you could choose to visit it for a day trip. However, as it is the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, it is worth staying there for a while.
Airlie has a nice vibe about it and a couple of attractions to keep you busy. But its real appeal is that you can easily get to Whitehaven Beach from here, which TripAdvisor labelled as the “best beach in the world” in 2021. You can also visit several islands in the region, including Daydream Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, and Hook Island.
8. Townsville
Townsville is a major coastal city in North Queensland. It is situated roughly halfway between Mackay and Cairns.
The city is regarded as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and you can take many tours to the UNESCO World Heritage site here. You can also visit several beaches and big attractions, such as The Strand, Riverway, and Reef HQ Aquarium.
Not far away is Castle Hill, a notable 286-metre pink granite landmark that showcases splendid 360-degree views of the city and Magnetic Island. The latter of which you can take a ferry over to.
9. Cairns
And you’ve reached your final stop, the lovely small city of Cairns – a tropical paradise and a bit of a backpacker haven.
Of course, a must-do experience is the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel or dive to witness the vibrant marine life and stunning coral formations. A trip to the Daintree Rainforest is another must-see. It’s one of the world’s oldest rainforests, providing an opportunity to hike through lush landscapes and discover unique wildlife.
For a cultural experience, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park to learn about the rich history and traditions of the Indigenous peoples. Finally, don’t forget to stroll along the Cairns Esplanade, where you can enjoy the lagoon, local markets, and a variety of nice restaurants.
Where to stay in Cairns:
One of the top-rated hotels in Cairns is the Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns, renowned for its luxurious amenities and stunning views of the marina.
Renting a Car in Australia
Yes, it is 100% worth renting a car in Australia. And although it can be expensive to do so, you will be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without being constrained by a timetable. Like you would if you were to do a guided tour.
The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in Australia is a valid driver’s license. No company will allow you to do so without one.
And if you are traveling from a non-English-speaking country (i.e., your license is in another language), you might want to get an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier.
Drivers typically need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Australia, though some companies might require a minimum age of 25. Young drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge. Similarly, some companies may have age restrictions for senior drivers (usually for those over 70 years).
Each company has different terms and conditions, so you should be fully aware of them. Additionally, you might also need a valid credit card if you don’t take out full coverage car insurance with the rental company. Rental companies will want to keep a credit card on file as a holding deposit.
If you have a debit card, you will be charged a holding fee. Please note that some companies do not accept a debit card.
As I said, we tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent direct with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
Thanks for Reading!
It’s easy to see why the drive from Surfers Paradise to Cairns is one of the best and most popular drives in Queensland. I mean, not only are there lots of amazing activities to enjoy, but there are stunning coastal views, cute and cool towns, and the chance to spot unique wildlife.
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Top 10 Weekend Getaways from Sydney
Our Favorite Day Trips from Sydney (All Less than 2 Hours from the city!)
Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by snaphappytravel