Cairns to Gold Coast Campervan Rental

Q: Is free camping allowed in Cairns?

Free camping is only allowed at designated sites in [Cairns](page:cc/australia/cairns), and overnight parking is generally prohibited. Staying at a holiday park or caravan park will generally cost about $50–$260 (AUD) per night. Some popular campgrounds include: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, Cool Waters Holiday Park and NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park. It’s worth planning to spend several days in the Cairns area, as there’s a lot to explore within a relatively short distance from the city. To the south are the Atherton Tablelands with multiple waterfalls, to the west is Kuranda and Barron Gorge National Park, and to the north are Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest. Of course, Cairns City itself is a great base for excursions into the Great Barrier Reef.

Pick-upDrop-off

DriverAustralia · age 30

Driver's countryLicense issued inAge

Used for driver eligibility and pricing.

Dates

Pick-up date

Drop-off date

Cairns to Gold Coast One Way Motorhome Hire

Looking to travel from Cairns to the Gold Coast? Explore the coastline with a one-way campervan rental. Compare rates from trusted providers using our tool.

Its also possible to rent a camper in the opposite direction: from the Gold Coast to Cairns.

Popular Campervans

Find the perfect camper for your travel needs

Alpha 2-Berth
Spaceships
Automatic
Vivid Camper
Apollo
Automatic
Drift
Hippie
Manual
6-Berth Discovery
Cruisin
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Lucky Roamer
Lucky Rentals
Automatic
Trailfinder 4WD Camper
Apollo
Manual
2-Berth Hitop
Hippie
Manual
Safari Landcruiser 4WD
Britz
Manual
Paradise S&T
Camperman
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
Cheapa Trailfinder 4x4
Cheapa Campa
Manual
4-Berth Doubleup
Mighty
Automatic · Toilet · Shower
2-Berth Deuce
Mighty
Automatic · Toilet · Shower

Cairns to Gold Coast One Way Itinerary

Day 1
Cairns, Queensland to Mission Beach, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 140 km (87 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Things to See:
- Paronella Park (historic castle and gardens)
- Mission Beach (pristine beaches and rainforest walks)
- Tully Gorge National Park
Day 2
Mission Beach to Townsville, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 235 km (146 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 3 hours
Must-See Stops:
- Wallaman Falls (detour to Australia’s tallest single-drop waterfall)
- The Strand in Townsville (beachfront promenade)
- Magnetic Island (accessible via ferry from Townsville)
Day 3
Townsville to Bowen, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 200 km (124 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 hours
Attractions Along the Way:
- Bowen Beaches (Horseshoe Bay and Rose Bay)
- Bowen Murals (historic murals around town)
- Flagstaff Hill Lookout
Day 4
Bowen to Airlie Beach, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 80 km (50 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Things to Experience:
- Airlie Beach Lagoon (swimming and relaxing)
- Whitsunday Islands (gateway to Great Barrier Reef and island tours)
- Conway National Park (hiking with scenic views)
Day 5
Airlie Beach to Mackay, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 150 km (93 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Points of Interest:
- Cape Hillsborough National Park (see kangaroos on the beach at sunrise)
- Bluewater Lagoon in Mackay (free water park)
- Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
Day 6
Mackay to Rockhampton, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 335 km (208 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 4 hours
Places of Interest:
- Sarina Sugar Shed (sugar mill tours and tastings)
- Capricorn Caves (guided cave tours)
- Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo
Day 7
Rockhampton to Hervey Bay, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 390 km (242 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 4.5 hours
Attractions:
- Bundaberg Rum Distillery (tour and tastings)
- Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hervey Bay Esplanade (beautiful waterfront promenade)
Day 8
Hervey Bay to Noosa, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 190 km (118 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 hours
Must-See Stops:
- Fraser Island (take a day tour to the world’s largest sand island)
- Noosa National Park (hiking and coastal views)
- Hastings Street in Noosa (shops and restaurants)
Day 9
Noosa to Brisbane, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 140 km (87 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours
Highlights:
- Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin’s iconic wildlife park)
- Glass House Mountains (scenic lookouts and hiking)
- South Bank Parklands in Brisbane (cultural precinct with riverside views)
Day 10
Brisbane to Gold Coast, Queensland
Distance: Approximately 80 km (50 miles)
Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour
Things to Experience:
- Surfers Paradise (famous beach and nightlife area)
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- SkyPoint Observation Deck (panoramic views of the Gold Coast)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reverse the route and travel from Gold Coast back to Cairns?

Absolutely, it's possible to reverse this route, starting in Gold Coast and finishing in Cairns. Use the tool to compare availability and any additional fees.

Is free camping allowed in Cairns?

Free camping is only allowed at designated sites in Cairns, and overnight parking is generally prohibited. Staying at a holiday park or caravan park will generally cost about $50–$260 (AUD) per night.

Some popular campgrounds include: NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, Cool Waters Holiday Park and NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park.

It’s worth planning to spend several days in the Cairns area, as there’s a lot to explore within a relatively short distance from the city. To the south are the Atherton Tablelands with multiple waterfalls, to the west is Kuranda and Barron Gorge National Park, and to the north are Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest.

Of course, Cairns City itself is a great base for excursions into the Great Barrier Reef.

Can I take my rental campervan beyond Cape Tribulation?

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.

Can I take my rental campervan to Cape York?

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.

Can I rent a campervan just for the weekend?

Most companies generally have a minimum rental period. Weekend rentals are possible, but the minimum rental period can range from one day to a full week, depending on the time of year.

Enter your dates in the comparison tool to see which vehicles are available for your travel dates.

Cairns to Gold Coast Campervan Rental

Cairns to Gold Coast One Way Motorhome Hire

Popular Campervans

Cairns to Gold Coast One Way Itinerary

Cairns, Queensland to Mission Beach, Queensland

Mission Beach to Townsville, Queensland

Townsville to Bowen, Queensland

Bowen to Airlie Beach, Queensland

Airlie Beach to Mackay, Queensland

Mackay to Rockhampton, Queensland

Rockhampton to Hervey Bay, Queensland

Hervey Bay to Noosa, Queensland

Noosa to Brisbane, Queensland

Brisbane to Gold Coast, Queensland

Frequently Asked Questions

Popular One Way Routes in Australia