Planning a campervan trip from Brisbane up north to Cairns? Explore Australia's East Coast in a one-way campervan rental.
Use our comparison tool above to check prices and availability on campervan rentals from multiple suppliers.
You can also travel in the opposite direction: from Cairns to Brisbane
Vivid Camper
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Not all vehicles may be available. Use the search tool to check availability for your travel dates.
This itinerary follows the coastline between the two major QLD cities of Brisbane and Cairns and covers a distance of over 1,800 km.
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1.5-3h
Things to see:
Distance: 180-200 km
Estimated driving time: 2.5-3h
Popular attractions:
Distance: 100-150 km
Estimated driving time: 1-2h
Attractions along the way:
Distance: 250-300 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Things to see:
Distance: 450-500 km
Estimated driving time: 5.5-6h
Attractions along the way:
Distance: 250-280 km
Estimated driving time: 3.5-4h
Attractions:
Distance: 340-380 km
Estimated driving time: 4.5-5h
Things to see:
When you’re in Cairns, it’s hard to miss the 1,429 miles long World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
No shortage of tour operators can deliver a day outing by boat, with opportunities to enjoy warm, calm water snorkelling and scuba diving, surrounded by the reef system’s – renowned vibrantly coloured marine life.
There are also glass-bottomed boats and submarine experiences, and options to suit everyone, including pontoons, stationed within the Outer Reef and various islands of the reef.
Aside from the reef, the second most likely destination you’re likely to explore near Cairns is the Wet Tropics Rainforest, with two of the most popular destinations for a day being Kuranda and Daintree.
Kuranda is a town on the Barron River, 15.5 miles from Cairns, with a scenic train and cableway making for an easy day trip.
Known for its exceptional biodiversity, the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest (which contains Daintree National Park), north of Cairns, is the largest continuous rainforest in the country, as well as the world’s oldest rainforest.
Plenty of 1-day and multi-day cruises are available to explore the spectacular white beaches of the Whitsundays. One of Australia’s most loved and most photographed beaches is Whitehaven beach.
See our blog post A Snapshot of Tropical Queensland for more inspirational photos.
Campervan rental companies may charge a one-way rental fee. If there is such a fee we will include it in the rental price listed in our comparison tool.
Yes - simply use the search tool at the top of this page to check availability.
Most rental suppliers in Australia restrict travel to sealed bitumen roads. Travel off-road on sand and beaches is expressly forbidden, and doing so will void your contract. You will also be liable for any damages incurred while travelling on the beach.
No, the road from Cape Tribulation to Cooktown in Far North Queensland is unsealed and can be challenging. Generally, companies restrict access to this area. Check with your rental supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.
Generally, regular 2WD campervans are not permitted to travel to Cape York. Many companies make exceptions for 4WD campers, but written permission must be obtained first. Check with your rental supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.
Note: policies vary from supplier to supplier. Always check the T&Cs for your rental.
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