Nothing compares to hitting the open road, with the ever-changing scenery painting the world outside your window and the intoxicating freedom of charting your own course. Queensland, with its sun-drenched beaches, vibrant cities and stunning islands, offers the ultimate road trip adventure. So, pack your car and take a road trip across the Sunshine State to these iconic Australian islands.
What to expect:
- Hike along the iconic North Gorge Walk (North Stradbroke Island)
- 4WD adventures along Seventy Five Mile Beach (K’gari)
- Swim in crystal-clear water at the famous Whitehaven Beach (The Whitsundays)
- Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef (Magnetic Island)
(View road trip on Google Maps)
Stop 1: North Stradbroke Island / Minjerribah
Kick off your island-hopping adventure on North Stradbroke Island, or Straddie as the locals call it. Just a short 50 minute vehicle ferry ride from Cleveland, this sandy paradise is a world away from the hustle and bustle. With its pristine beaches, freshwater lakes, and untouched native bushland, Straddie is the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature. A leisurely drive around the island takes about 50 minutes, or visitors can venture off-road with a 4WD to explore more untouched attractions.
Point Lookout is a great base for your Straddie adventure. This charming coastal town offers a delightful blend of cafes, boutiques, and stunning natural beauty. Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic North Gorge Walk, where you may spot dolphins, turtles, or even whales. Satisfy your appetite with a delicious lunch before heading to the beach. Choose between the vibrant Main Beach for swimming, surfing and four-wheel driving, or the secluded Frenchman's Beach for a more peaceful escape.
With a variety of things to do on North Stradbroke Island, plan to stay a few days with the extensive range of holiday accommodation available.
Discover North Stradbroke Island
On the road: North Stradbroke Island to K’gari (Fraser Island) (311 km)
Next stop, the World Heritgate-listed wonderland of towering sand dunes, crystal-clear lakes and ancient rainforests - K’gari (Fraser Island). Embark on a scenic coastal drive north through Brisbane, taking a detour at Australia Zoo for an iconic wildlife experience. If beaches are calling your name, head into the heart of the Sunshine Coast to visit the stunning Mooloolaba Beach, recently voted one of the best in the South Pacific. Before reaching your destination, stop at the iconic Big Pineapple for a taste of Queensland's tropical charm. Fuel up in Maryborough, a historic city with charming heritage buildings, before venturing onto Rivers Head to take the SeaLink ferry to K’gari.
Stop 2: K’gari (Fraser Island)
Prepare to be captivated by K’gari (Fraser Island), with a mixture of adventure and serene moments of relaxation on offer. Stretching over 123 km along the southern coast of Queensland, K’gari is the largest sand island in the world. Embark on an epic 4WD adventure along the iconic Seventy Five Mile Beach, where the world feels like your playground. Discover the magic of Lake McKenzie, a pristine freshwater oasis surrounded by pure white silica sand, hike through the lush rainforest trails of Pile Valley to breathtaking lookouts or float in a tube down Eli Creek.
If you don’t have a 4WD or prefer to let someone else handle the driving while you explore this paradise, K’gari Explorer Tours is the perfect choice. They’ll take the hassle out of navigating the sandy tracks and ensure you see all the iconic, must-visit sights on your bucket list.
For a truly unique experience, Illumina needs to be at the top of your to-do list. This groundbreaking light and sound spectacle, a first of its kind in Queensland, utilises the island's native environment as an artistic platform to showcase its incredible ecosystem through a modern, theatrical show. Taking place at Kingfisher Bay Resort, packages include 2 nights accommodation, return passenger ferry and ‘Return to Sky’ light show entry, plus more.
If you are seeking a peaceful retreat, nestled along Seventy-Five Mile Beach is K’gari Beach Resort. Offering a range of accommodation to suit every budget, the resort will become your hub for all your activities, day trips and fishing adventures.
Explore K'gari (Fraser Island)
On the road: K’gari (Fraser Island) to The Whitsunday Islands (875 km)
Catch the ferry back to the mainland, then head north along the iconic A1 Bruce Highway. Discover the charming coastal town of Bundaberg, renowned for its rum and fresh produce. After an hour of driving, you’ll arrive in Rockhampton, known as the ‘Beef Capital of Australia’. Consider breaking up the drive with an overnight stay on the riverfront of Rockhampton. Alternatively, continue driving to Mackay for your overnight stop to spend the following day exploring the Mackay Islands on Red Cat Adventure's Wildcat All-Inclusive Day Tour. Your final stretch takes you through the picturesque Whitsunday coastline, where you can stop for a swim at one of the many secluded bays before reaching your destination.
Stop 3: The Whitsunday Islands
The Whitsundays are a tropical paradise where dreams are made. Set sail from Shute Harbour on SeaLink’s Whitehaven Beach Big Island Day Tour, soaking up the sunshine and the ever-changing panorama of islands as you head towards Whitsunday Island. Anchoring at Tongue Point, you can witness the mesmerising swirl of white sand and turquoise water at the iconic Hill Inlet, a natural wonder caused by the tides. After taking in bucket list views, it’s off to the famous Whitehaven Beach iconic for its unbelievably clear waters and pure white sand. The tour allows you ample time to take a refreshing swim, build sandcastles or simply relax on the beach and soak up the tropical paradise.
For more incredible experiences, Red Cat Adventures have you covered with a variety of tours to explore more of The Whitsundays. Sail away on a catamaran cruise to discover the Island's secret spots. Drive into a coral wonderland snorkelling in the outer reef, or for a land-side experience, venture to Cedar Creek Fall to spend time swimming in the surrounding rock pools. If you're looking for a thrill, take a Whitsunday Jetski Tour, ranked in the top 1% of all experiences in Australia by Trip Advisor's 2024 Travellers Choice Awards.
On the road: The Whitsunday Islands to Magnetic Island (285 km)
Take in the sweeping views of the Whitsunday coast as you continue to drive along the A1 Bruce Highway towards Townsville. Get a selfie in front of the Big Mango then pop into the Information Centre and grab an icy cold mango sorbet. Fuel up in Bowen with a hearty pub meal at the oldest pub in North Queensland or grab fresh fish and chips from Birds Fish Bar overlooking the Bowen Marina. Just over an hour north of Bowen lies Ayr, the heart of Australia's sugarcane industry, producing more sugar cane per square kilometre than anywhere else in the country. Then it’s on to Townsville to take the short 20-minute passenger ferry to Magnetic Island, your final island destination. Once there, explore the island's stunning attractions using the convenient public transportation system or hire a car.
Stop 4: Magnetic Island
Embrace the relaxed tropical lifestyle of Magnetic Island, with secluded beaches, rugged nature, and abundant wildlife. With 76% of the island protected as national park, lace up your boots and explore the diverse walking trails. Keep an eye out for koalas, Maggie is home to the largest koala colony in Northern Australia. For an unforgettable wildlife encounter, don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to see the gentle giants of the sea on a Whale Watching Tour from July to September.
Dive into the heart of the Great Barrier Reef with a snorkelling day tour to witness some of the Reef’s most pristine and healthy coral reefs and marine life - you may even see seen turtles, giant clams, and clown fish. Not only that, but you can also discover the Museum of Underwater Art's newly installed eight Ocean Sentinel sculptures which have been positioned in the sandy ocean bottom, forming a snorkel trail, fringed by the beautiful corals of the reef and are located at a shallow depth making them perfect for snorkellers.
Stay and play on Magnetic Island with a range of accommodation to suit your style or take advantage of the 4 Day Best of Maggie Package.
