Hardly thought about travelling around your own country? Same here. It was always last on the list, maybe because it seemed too readily available, it wasn’t playing the game of ‘hard to get’ like the dreamy mountainous coastline of the Amalfi Coast or the crystal clear cenotes of Tulum.
But the flow on effects of a worldwide pandemic have firmly shut Australia’s international borders leaving our European summers for another day. But after seeing some of what Queensland has to offer, I’m not too fazed about that thought.
You heard it from the Queensland government themselves, the state’s ‘good to go’. However, if you need more inspiration, (besides the state borders being open and contributing to our heavily affected tourism industry) this itinerary for a Queensland road trip may help wake that travel bug.
Since I had a bit of time on my hands this year, I chose to travel up the Queensland coast from Brisbane to Cairns with a backpack, countless cans of tuna and a 90s playlist. All packed up in a campervan for close to 1700km.
So, to answer the common Google question of: What to do in Queensland? Here is my answer.
DAY 1 & 2: Brisbane
In the words of Julie Andrews, “let’s start at the very beginning”, Brisbane. This city is best seen on foot, wandering through the botanic gardens, maybe picking up the pace for a run along the Brisbane River or spend the afternoon taking in art at the Queensland Museum. As for the night owls and foodies out there, Fortitude Valley is where you want to be. Have a drink at the Calile Hotel, satisfy your asian cravings at Same Same then finish off with a cocktail overlooking the city at MAYA Rooftop Bar.
DAY 3 & 4: Noosa
Two hours north you’ll find the small surfer town of Noosa and in case you missed it, Noosa’s having a moment, a long one, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. This proves evident when you’re patiently waiting behind a long line of vans filled with surfboards and salty-haired buns trying to move along Hastings Street.
But don’t let that deter you, it’s brimful of upscale restaurants, cafes and boutiques. Book in advance for crowd favourites Cafe Le Monde (ideal at sunset), Sum Yung Guys and Light Years. Locals will tell you of Little Cove and Tea Tree Bay beaches in Noosa National Park or for a surf head anywhere along the glittering coastline from Sunshine to Peregian.
DAY 5 & 6: Fraser Island
Whilst Fraser Island is a little bit difficult to get to and travel around on it’s definitely worth the extra effort. From Noosa, make your way up to Hervey Bay making a quick pit stop at Rainbow Beach to see the coloured sands and Carlos Sandblow. Set up camp at Hervey or hope straight onto a ferry to the island. It’s the largest sand island in the world and is up there on the World Heritage list along with Australia’s Uluru, Kakadu and the Great Barrier Reef. You definitely need a 4WD but if you don’t have one no stress, you can rent one on the island from AussieTrax. Spend the day in awe at the crystal clear water of Lake McKenzie, spotting dingoes on 40 Mile Beach and relaxing by incredible nature. If you’re a fan of whales make sure you extend your stay to spot them at Indian Head.
DAY 7 & 8: Agnes Water
After a massive day on Fraser you’ll need to put your feet up for a couple days and take in the tiny town of Agnes Water and its neighbour 1770. About three hours from Hervey Bay you’ll arrive at Agnes which is the last spot to surf the famous QLD waves before you hit the Great Barrier Reef. It’s also the cheapest place to learn how to surf. Over in 1770 it’s hard to forget where you are. The town’s name is on every restaurant, cafe, bar, number plate and more. They’re low key proud of being the first place in QLD Captain Cook set foot on.
DAY 9 & 10: Cape Hillsborough
It wouldn’t be a road trip without one full day of driving and this is it. From Agnes Water to Cape Hillsborough is a good seven hours so get your podcast list ready. It may be a long trek but it’ll be worth your while because just 50km north of the city of Mackay, you’ll find Cape Hillsborough National Park which boasts some amazing beaches. But it’s most famous for the kangaroos and wallabies that come to the beach at dawn. Set your alarms and feel truly Australian as the sun rises over the horizon and watch our national animals descend onto the sand to feast on the mangrove seed pods washed up by the tide.
DAY 11 & 12: Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays
If you’re planning a trip to QLD, the Whitsundays is not a place you skip, it’s the place you extend your stay for. All of those photos you’ve seen of the silica white sand combined with the blue-green hues of the inlet that blend ever so seamlessly together are nothing compared to the real life version. Also don’t forget to exfoliate your body and face on the sand at Whitehaven beach. Airlie Beach is known as the gateway to the Whitsundays. It’s a small town but you can organise all of your day trips to the reef from here. Book a four day / three Night Whitsunday sailing adventure with Prosail where you can snorkel with turtles, swim through the gobsmacking colours of the Great Barrier Reef and explore on the white sands at Hill Inlet. Or if you want to do it all in a day, Red Cat adventures do it all on one of the fastest catamarans in the Whitsundays.
DAY 13 & 14: Magnetic Island
This little island is the local hotspot for those just a hop skip and a jump away in Townsville. Colloquially known as ‘Maggie Island’ this little haven has countless places to explore. Whilst the island looks small on the map it’s not small enough to tackle on foot. You can hire the town’s signature 4×4 that will get you to the most remote parts of the island. Get your heart rate up at Fort’s Walk, jet skiing, snorkelling at Florence and Arcadia, watch one of the most spectacular sunsets on the east coast at West Point and end the night with a succulent fish burger at Scallywags Cafe.
DAY 15 – 17 Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas
You’re coming up to the end of your Queensland road trip but that certainly doesn’t mean there isn’t much left to see. The best is always kept for last. As you pull up to Cairns you’ll sense a different feeling this far north. People are relaxed, friendly and are just keen for a beer by the water – Hemingway’s Brewery is a great start. Stay at Novotel Cairns Resort for a central spot and stop for a steak at their restaurant Moku Cairns. But don’t leave without getting a fresh seafood platter from Prawn Star, the locals won’t let you anyway. The restaurant is a boat in the marina where you can sample their fresh prawns while watching the sunset. From Cairns you can make a day trip to the reef or if you’ve had enough snorkeling head to Palm Cove. Just a 25 minute drive from the CBD you’ll find the quiet beach village lined with palm trees, cafes and spa retreats. Duck into NuNu and Vivo for a feed, you won’t regret it.
Either make another day trip or head keeping moving up the coast to Port Douglas. There’s a bit of rivalry between Port Douglas and Palm Cove, similar to Melbourne and Sydney. But both give the class Queensland laid back atmosphere. Little Larder’s crab omelette may put Port Douglas ahead of Palm Cove for the foodies out there, along with a chocolate croissant from Grant Street Kitchen (I had two in one day, don’t tell my PT).
Day 18 – 20 Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest
Now for something truly spectacular. The only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed sites meet, the oldest living rainforest alongside the Great Barrier Reef. The rainforest spans over 17,000ha and is estimated to be around 135 million years old. The only thing you need to do here is wander. Get lost through the land of the Yalanji people filled with ancient ferns, emerald green vines and the largest fig trees you will ever see. There’s a tranquil swimming hole with a rope swing at the end of the bitumen as well. For the movie buffs out there this lush wonderland served as the inspiration for James Cameron’s Avatar. While you’re taking in the flora and fauna, keep an eye out for the elusive cassowary. If you see one let me know, I’m convinced they’re a figment of the QLD government’s imagination.
Sleep in the jungle at Cape Tribulation’s Safari Lodge where you can enjoy the serenity of the rainforest at night and wake up to snorkel with turtles on their reef tour. As for food, the Cape Tribulation Camping grounds serve up incredible wood oven pizzas.
Image: Instagram / @ChristinaCavaleri