Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The best stops on a Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip itinerary include Noosa, Fraser Island, Mon Repos and Airlie Beach. The distance from Brisbane to Port Douglas is 1,764km, with a driving time of around 20h30m.
Planning a Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip itinerary
A Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes you from Queensland’s capital to far north Queensland’s top resort town.
In Brisbane, top options include a Moreton Island day trip, climbing the Story Bridge and visiting native wildlife at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. To browse the collection of Brisbane tours and experiences, step this way. For the best value Brisbane hotels, pick here.
Port Douglas, meanwhile, brings Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tours, sailing at sunset and half day tours into the World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest. Check out the best Port Douglas accommodation options here.
Find your ideal Great Barrier Reef tours by location
Great Barrier Reef tours run from numerous destinations along the Queensland coast. Different tours cater to different tastes – some make sure they go to the best snorkelling spots, others build in beach time and some throw in extra such as underwater observatories and glass bottom boat tours.
Use the following links to start picking the best Great Barrier Reef tour options where you’re going on holiday.
- The best Great Barrier Reef tours in… 1770 | Airlie Beach | Bundaberg | Cairns | Cape Tribulation | Mackay | Magnetic Island | Mission Beach | Palm Cove | Port Douglas | Townsville.
However, if you put together the right road trip itinerary, there are plenty of great stops along the way. Use this guide to help you plan the perfect Brisbane to Port Douglas drive.
Brisbane to Port Douglas distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Brisbane to Port Douglas is 1,1766km. This makes for an approximate Brisbane to Port Douglas driving time of 20 hours and 30 minutes.
The best stops to add to a Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip itinerary include Noosa, Fraser Island, Mon Repos and Airlie Beach.
For things to do in Brisbane, take a look at the Museum of Brisbane, the Streets Beach, the public art trails and City Botanic Gardens.
Marvellous Brisbane accommodation choices include the hip W Brisbane, the historic Treasury and the photogenic Ovolo.
9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance
- Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
- Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
- Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
- Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
- Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
- Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
- XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
- Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
- See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.
Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip: Brisbane to Glass House Mountains
From Brisbane, the Brisbane to Port Douglas drive passes Burpengary and Caboolture. You can take in some impressive from the Wild Horse Mountain scenic lookout next to the Bruce Highway. But if you have time, take a short diversion towards Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibrogargan and Australia Zoo in the Glass House Mountains.
Attractions between Brisbane and Port Douglas: The Sunshine Coast
Next up is the Sunshine Coast region, where most of the appeal lies in beach towns such as Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Noosa. Click on the links for separate guides, although if just picking one, go for Noosa.
Top things to do in Noosa include hitting the surf at Little Cove, browsing the boutiques on Hastings Street and finding koalas in Noosa National Park.
Alternatively, try marine life-viewing from a speedboat going on a cruise through the Noosa Everglades, a whale-watching tour, or a surfing lesson.
For good Noosa accommodation, take a look at Seahaven Noosa, Habitat Noosa and Sofitel Noosa.
Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into
- Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
- 4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
- Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
- Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
- Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
- Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.
There are still some attractions close to the highway, though. You might be interested in the Aussie World theme park near Caloundra or Buderim Falls in Buderim.
Yandina brings up Asian cooking classes at Spirit House, walks on Mount Ninderry, all things ginger on tours of the Ginger Factory and picture-perfect swimming at Wappa Falls.
You can also shop at the Yandina Markets, but the Eumundi Markets are a better experience.
12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now
- Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
- Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
- Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
- Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
- Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
- Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
- Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
- Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
- Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
- Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
- Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
- Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.
Click for the next section: Gympie and Rainbow Beach attractions.