Gold Coast to Cairns Campervan Rental

DriverAustralia · age 30
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  • Apollo
  • Britz
  • Travellers Autobarn
  • Campervan Village
  • Cheapa Campa

Gold Coast to Cairns One Way Motorhome Hire

Setting out from the Gold Coast to Cairns? Travel north along Australia’s coast with a one-way campervan rental. Compare campervans and prices using our comparison tool.

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

From Gold Coast to Cairns
Constructor migration (legacy estate asset)

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Gold Coast to Cairns One Way Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Gold Coast to Brisbane, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 80 km (50 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1 hour

    Things to See:

    • South Bank Parklands
    • Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
    • Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

  2. Day 2

    Brisbane to Noosa Heads, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 140 km (87 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 to 2 hours

    Highlights:

    • Noosa National Park (hiking and wildlife)
    • Hastings Street (shopping and dining)
    • Noosa Main Beach

  3. Day 3

    Noosa Heads to Hervey Bay, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 190 km (118 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 2.5 hours

    Places of Interest:

    • Hervey Bay Esplanade
    • Whale watching (seasonal, July to November)
    • Reefworld Aquarium and Shark Swim

  4. Day 4

    Hervey Bay to Bundaberg, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 115 km (71 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Must-See Stops:

    • Bundaberg Rum Distillery
    • Mon Repos Turtle Centre (seasonal turtle hatching)
    • Bundaberg Botanic Gardens

  5. Day 5

    Bundaberg to Rockhampton, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 290 km (180 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours

    Attractions Along the Way:

    • Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo
    • Capricorn Caves
    • Mount Archer National Park

  6. Day 6

    Rockhampton to Mackay, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 335 km (208 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 4 hours

    Things to Experience:

    • Bluewater Lagoon
    • Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens
    • Eungella National Park (for platypus spotting)

  7. Day 7

    Mackay to Airlie Beach, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 150 km (93 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 2 hours

    Highlights:

    • Airlie Beach Lagoon
    • Conway National Park (walking trails and scenic lookouts)
    • Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands (day trips available)

  8. Day 8

    Airlie Beach to Townsville, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 275 km (171 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 3.5 hours

    Places of Interest:

    • Castle Hill Lookout (panoramic views of Townsville and Magnetic Island)
    • The Strand (beachfront promenade)
    • Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium

  9. Day 9

    Townsville to Ingham, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 110 km (68 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Must-See Stops:

    • TYTO Wetlands (wildlife spotting and nature trails)
    • Wallaman Falls (Australia’s highest single-drop waterfall)
    • Hinchinbrook Island Lookout

  10. Day 10

    Ingham to Mission Beach, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 120 km (75 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Things to See:

    • Mission Beach (stunning beaches and rainforest coastline)
    • Djiru National Park (rainforest walks and cassowary spotting)
    • Paronella Park (historic castle ruins and gardens)

  11. Day 11

    Mission Beach to Innisfail, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 40 km (25 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 40 minutes

    Attractions:

    • Mena Creek Falls (picturesque waterfall near Paronella Park)
    • Etty Bay (small beach where cassowaries are often spotted)
    • Art Deco architecture in Innisfail

  12. Day 12

    Innisfail to Cairns, Queensland

    Distance: Approximately 90 km (56 miles)

    Estimated Driving Time: About 1.5 hours

    Things to Experience:

    • Babinda Boulders (swimming holes and scenic rainforest walk)
    • Josephine Falls (multi-level waterfall with swimming area)
    • Cairns Esplanade Lagoon (public swimming area in Cairns)

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Is it better to pick up a vehicle on the Gold Coast or in Brisbane?

This will often depend on whether you're arriving in Queensland via Gold Coast Airport or Brisbane Airport. If you have the flexibility to choose, there is a wider range of motorhome hire suppliers in Brisbane, and more choice can often mean lower prices.

Can I take my rental campervan to Moreton Island?

No, most hire suppliers in Australia list Moreton Island as a restricted area. 4WD campervans are also often included in this restriction unless explicitly permitted by the supplier. Check with your hire supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.

Can I take my rental campervan to North Stradbroke Island?

Yes, most companies allow travel to North Stradbroke, as the roads there are sealed bitumen.

You will need to take a ferry to get across; please note that organising this is the responsibility of the renter. Check with your rental supplier for any questions regarding restricted areas.

Are one-way campervan rentals available?

Yes, many companies offer one-way hire between major depot locations, subject to availability and one-way fees (which vary by route/season).Our comparison tool will show you availability on your preferred route and automatically factor in any one-way fees charged by the supplier.

While the Gold Coast offers many attractions itself, including several theme parks, whale-watching tours, a string of beautiful beaches and lively Surfers Paradise, it’s also a great place to start a road trip exploring Australia’s East Coast.

Popular one-way campervan holiday routes include:

  • Gold Coast to Cairns – via Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and along the Great Barrier Reef to Tropical North Queensland
  • Gold Coast to Sydney – through Byron Bay, the Central Coast and Newcastle

Other One-Way Routes

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