Gold Coast to Cairns road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
Gold Coast to Cairns road trip: Brisbane to Glass House Mountains
From Brisbane, the Gold Coast to Cairns 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 the Gold Coast and Cairns: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click for the next section: Gympie and Rainbow Beach attractions.