Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip: Distance, drive time & stops
The best stops on a Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip itinerary include Noosa, Fraser Island, Mon Repos, Airlie Beach and Cairns. The distance from the Gold Coast to Port Douglas is 1,839km, with a driving time of around 21h20m.
Planning a Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip itinerary
A Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip takes you from south Queensland’s most popular holiday strip to far north Queensland’s top resort town.
The Gold Coast offers sunset cruises, parasailing, jet boat rides and amphibious vehicle tours. For Gold Coast accommodation, hunt the best deals 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.
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 Gold Coast to Port Douglas drive.
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.
Gold Coast to Port Douglas distance and driving time
By car, the distance from the Gold Coast to Port Douglas is 1,839km. This makes for an approximate Gold Coast to Port Douglas driving time of 21 hours and 20 minutes.
This time and distance is measured from Surfers Paradise. From elsewhere on the Gold Coast, it will vary slightly.
The best stops to add to a Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip itinerary include Noosa, Fraser Island, Mon Repos, Airlie Beach and Cairns.
7 Gold Coast experiences worth booking in advance
- See waterfalls and natural wonders – on a full day Springbrook National Park tour.
- Be awed by massive migrating humpbacks – on a great value whale-watching cruise.
- Feast as you explore the Gold Coast waterways – on a dinner cruise.
- Kayak with dolphins and snorkel with hundred of sub-tropical fish – on the same tour.
- Enjoy high speed thrills along the waterways – on a jet boat adventure.
- Glide above the beautiful hinterland – on a serene hot air balloon flight.
- Taste the best Scenic Rim wines – on an indulgent Tamborine Mountain wine tour, with lunch.
Gold Coast to Port Douglas road trip: Theme parks and Brisbane
Leaving the Gold Coast, you’ll pass the region’s famous theme parks on the way into Brisbane.
Warner Brothers Movie World, Paradise Country, Australian Outback Spectacular and Wet N Wild Gold Coast are around Oxenford. Dreamworld and Whitewater World cluster a little further north in Coomera.
Best day trips from the Gold Coast – 7 ways to improve your stay
The Gold Coast is a destination in its own right, but there are several excellent day trips you can do while using it as a base.
- Deluxe Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Full day Springbrook National Park tour – with waterfalls and bush tucker tasting.
- Snorkelling with turtles at Cook Island.
- Evening glowworm-viewing experience – with guided stargazing.
- Lady Elliot Island day trip – with glass bottom boat & guided Great Barrier Reef snorkelling tour.
- Hopping between microbreweries – with lunch included.
- Northern Rivers fruit & distillery tour – with Tropical Fruit World and Husk Distillers.
Other attractions on the way into Brisbane include the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, Logan River Parklands, Springwood Conservation Park and Mt Gravatt Lookout.
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.
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.
6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday
- Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
- Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
- Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
- North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
- Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
- Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.
Click through for the next section: Brisbane to Glass House Mountains.