Australia, the East Coast by campervan
From rainforest waterfalls to the Great Barrier Reef, then the whales of Hervey Bay and the white sand of K’gari: 17 days by campervan along the East Coast, from Cairns to Brisbane. A road trip I lived with my family and reworked for you: short drives, off-the-beaten-path spots and no marathon days. No worries mate.
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The itinerary
- Day 1, Arrival in CairnsWelcome to tropical Queensland! Check in at the hotel, then a stroll along the Esplanade and a swim in the lagoon. Tonight, we’ll be recovering from the flight.
- Day 2, The Tablelands WaterfallsCollect the van, then head for the Atherton Tablelands. On the itinerary: Millaa Millaa, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa, followed by the Curtain Fig Tree. At dusk, keep an eye out for platypuses at Peterson Creek.
- Day 3, Natural pools and cassowariesA swim in the crystal-clear waters of Babinda Boulders, followed by the natural slides at Josephine Falls. An overnight stay by the sea at Etty Bay, where cassowaries roam the beach.
- Day 4, Towards Australia’s highest waterfallA stop at Mission Beach, then at Murray Falls, before heading up to Wallaman Falls. We’ll arrive before nightfall: the road is winding. A night surrounded by nature, in the heart of the national park.
- Day 5, Wallaman Falls and TownsvilleWalk to the foot of the waterfall, with a drop of 268 metres. Drive to Townsville, then watch the sunset over the city from Castle Hill.
- Day 6, Magnetic IslandEarly morning ferry. Walk through the Forts in search of wild koalas, encounter the rock wallabies at Geoffrey Bay, then a swim at Horseshoe Bay. Return to Townsville in the evening.
- Day 7, Heading to the WhitsundaysJourney to Airlie Beach. A relaxing afternoon by the lagoon and our first drink overlooking the Coral Sea.
- Day 8, Conway National ParkA short walk to Coral Beach, a coral beach, and then on to the Brandy Creek rainforest. This day also serves as a buffer in case the weather causes the following day’s activity to be postponed.
- Day 9, Great Barrier ReefThe highlight of the trip. A flight over the reef in a small plane, with a window for each of us, followed by a speedboat cruise: snorkelling, Whitehaven Beach and views of Hill Inlet. No driving tonight.
- Day 10, Cape HillsboroughA peaceful drive to Cape Hillsborough, where the rainforest meets the sea. A walk at Andrews Point. Overnight stay right by the beach.
- Day 11, Kangaroos at sunriseWake up at dawn to see the kangaroos and wallabies on the beach at sunrise. Then drive to the Capricorn Coast and Yeppoon.
- Day 12, Agnes Water and 1770Surf beaches and a village atmosphere. In the evening, watch the sunset at 1770, one of the few places on the east coast where the sun sets over the water.
- Day 13, Paperbark Forest and Hervey BayA walk through the Paperbark Forest, followed by a drive to Hervey Bay.
- Day 14, WhalesA boat trip with a company dedicated to whale research and conservation: Hervey Bay is the best spot on the east coast for whale watching. Drive to Rainbow Beach and watch the sunset over the Carlo Sand Blow dune.
- Day 15, K'gariA day out on the world’s largest sand island: Lake McKenzie, the Maheno shipwreck, the legendary 75 Mile Beach and a swim at Eli Creek. No driving tonight.
- Day 16, NoosaDrive to Noosa. Afternoon at Sunshine Beach, a drink at the surf club overlooking the sea, then dinner at Noosa Junction.
- Day 17, Noosa National Park and BrisbaneOne last walk in the national park to the Fairy Pools, then on to Brisbane to return the campervan.