When we planned our road trip (in Cairns, I would recommend not doing that) we looked at other itinerary’s and decided to make our own as Iain had partaken in an Australian east coast road trip last year. We avoided many of the typical tourist sights because of this, Such as Fraser Island, so it is not on the itinerary but easy enough to fit in, plus we saw whales elsewhere.
This itinerary is a mix of the tourist sights of Australia and places recommended to us by some Aussies themselves, maybe more of the beaten track. If you ever find yourself driving down a dirt track, thinking this is not right my cars going to flip, keep going trust me.
Here it is, the ultimate three week Australian road trip done right.
Night one – Fly to Cairns and stay in a hostel. Tropic days was slightly out the city but had a free shuttle service. $$
Night two – Port Douglas and Mossman Gorge. Drive to Mossman gorge during the day and do the walk/swim. Stay in Pandanus caravan park – 5-minute walk to the beach. $$
Night three – Babinda. Stay at Babinda free campsite, next to the Babinda Boulders. Spend some time at the Boulders and do the walk. Cold showers and toilets with lots of wildlife and plenty of people.
Night four – Drive through Mission beach, onwards to Saunders beach (north of Townsville) a free campsite. BBQ area, toilets, beach showers and plenty of atmosphere.
Night five – Drive to Airlie beach, stay at Seabreeze Tourist Park. Leave the car here for a $10 parking fee whilst at the Whitsundays. Amazing shower room, Toilets, laundry and kitchen $$
Night six – Whitsundays two day one-night boat trip, Summertime bout tour includes kayaking, snorkelling and a hot tub. $$$
Night seven – Exchange numbers with your new pals. Head off to Cape Hillsborough national park, stay here at Smalleys beach (for free if you don’t see a warden). Get up before sunrise to meet the kangaroos on the beach next to the paid campsite. (10 min drive from the free one). Toilets and BBQ. $
Night eight – Drive to Capricorn caves and do the tour (brakes up the drive) drive through Rockhampton and stay in 17/70/Agnes water. Stay at workman’s beach campground. Toilets and BBQ. $
Night nine – Drive through Bundaberg, do the Bundaberg rum tour. Stay in Hervey Bay, at the Fraser coast top Caravan park. Showers, sea view, toilets and kitchen. $$
Night ten – Participate in Highway trivia on the drive to Noosa. Stay at Ingenia holiday park. Includes a good shower block, a games room and tv. (cheap if you book midweek) $$
Night eleven – walk to the fairy pools through the Noosa national park, take some Instagram worthy pics. Go shopping and chill at the beach. Sleep at ingenia.
Night twelve – Drive to Brisbane, opt for a hotel with parking. If you can’t afford this stay at the Brisbane holiday village and bus into town (around one hour). Visit eat street markets (only on the weekend) Best showers, a restaurant on-site and free mini-golf. $$
Night thirteen – Go out in Brisbane, get drunk.
Night fourteen – Drive to Byron Bay via Brunswick heads. Stay in Byron Bay at Byron Bay tourist village (first campsite with ovens!!) around a half-hour walk into town. Showers, kitchen (they have ovens). $$
Night fifteen – Go to the beach, try great food (Ms Margaritas) and walk to the lighthouse. Go vintage clothes shopping. Stay in Byron Bay tourist village.
Night sixteen – Drive to Bangalow and have brunch at Woods cafe. Drive to Minyon falls (even if there is no water the cliffs are amazing). Drive to federal and eat sushi. Sleep at Byron Bay tourist village.
Night seventeen – Drive to Woolgoolga, stay at Woolgoolga lake caravan park. Visit emerald beach and look at me now national park for kangaroos and whale sightings. Bbq, showers and on the beach. $$
Night eighteen – Visit Coffs Harbour and walk along the harbour, visit Port Macquarie and eat at Social Grounds. Drive to Seal Rocks and stay at the Seal rocks free campsite (unless a ranger comes round). Go to the secluded beach and watch for dolphins/go surfing. Bbq, eco-toilets. $
Day nineteen – Drive to Sydney.
$ – very cheap $$ – not too expensive $$$ – big dolla
The drive was a total of around 3,500Km, approximately 50 coffees and energy drinks and 4 fall outs.
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